The Tech Matters Podcast

Tech Matters

  • 50 minutes 31 seconds
    More Than a Message: Debbie Rogers of Reach Digital Health
    In this episode, Jim Fruchterman speaks with Debbie Rogers, CEO of Reach Digital Health. Debbie details the evolution of Reach Digital Health (formerly the Praekelt Foundation), which was founded on the insight that mobile phone penetration in Africa was leapfrogging the rest of the world. This created a unique opportunity to address systemic health challenges like HIV and maternal mortality. One of their first projects reduced "loss to follow-up" at HIV clinics from 30% to just 6% using simple SMS reminders and "please call me" technology.

    This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how to transition from "pilot-itis" to national-scale technology that treats users with dignity and provides them with a voice.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/messaging-debbie-rogers-reach-digital-health

    DEBBIE ROGERS [Co-Founder & President]

    Debbie Rogers's career is anchored in a special blend of technical and creative expertise, beginning with an Honours degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's in Digital Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Now, Debbie is a globally recognized leader serving as a member of the World Health Organization's Digital Health Technical Advisory Group and as Board Chair for the African Developers Academy.

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    4 February 2026, 12:05 pm
  • 49 minutes 35 seconds
    Design as a Lifeline, Jonathan McKay on Supporting LGBTQI+ Youth with SameSame
    In this episode of Tech Matters, we sit down with Jonathan McKay, the founder of SameSame, a social enterprise dedicated to providing mental health support and access to services for LGBTQI+ youth. During the conversation, we explore Jonathan's journey from graphic design and for-profit marketing to the social sector with SameSame, using anonymity to create safe, accessible pathways for young LGBTQI+ people. Listeners will learn about the unique challenges in the mental health nonprofit world and why technology—when used ethically—is a lifeline for those who'd otherwise live with no support at all.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/design-lifeline-jono-mckay-supporting-lgbtqi-youth-samesame

    JONATHAN MCKAY [Co-Founder & President]

    Jonathan is a designer and social entrepreneur dedicated to the intersection of technology, media, and social justice. At SameSame, he leads strategy and product design to create digital lifelines for marginalized communities, building on a career that includes serving as Chief Creative and Programmes Officer at Girl Effect. With a professional background that spans high-level corporate branding to large-scale humanitarian initiatives with UNICEF and the Ford Foundation, Jonathan has successfully launched digital platforms reaching over 50 million people in 40 countries.

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    21 January 2026, 3:22 pm
  • 44 minutes 55 seconds
    The Farmer-to-Farmer Playbook, with Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green
    Inspired by astronauts and grounded in the realities of rural India, the founder of Digital Green shares a 15-year journey of using technology to support smallholder farmers. In this episode, we hear how a Microsoft Research project grew into a global nonprofit working with governments and NGOs, first by using low-cost farmer-to-farmer videos, and now by building AI-powered advisory tools in local languages. We dig into what actually works in the field, how costs dropped for farmers using Digital Green's tools, and why partnership, farmer agency, and careful tuning of AI models matter more than flashy tech.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/the-farmer-to-farmer-playbook-with-rikin-gandhi-of-digital-green

    RIKIN GANDHI [Co-Founder & CEO]

    Rikin was trianed in computer science and aerospace engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and MIT. After working for Oracle and Microsoft Research, he co-founded the non-profit Digital Green in 2008, using digital technology for agricultural extension in South Asia and Africa.

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    7 January 2026, 6:40 am
  • 33 minutes
    Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Aselo [added commentary]
    In this special episode, we revisit the origin story of Aselo, the open-source contact center platform transforming how child helplines operate around the world. Jim talks with Aselo's leaders, Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt, about modernizing helplines by integrating calls, texts, and social media to meet young people where they are. From global partnerships to the careful use of AI, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build trustworthy, privacy-first technology for children in crisis.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/helplines-reimagined-dee-luo-nick-hurlburt-aselo/

    DEE LUO [Director of Product & Business Operations]

    Dee has worked in Product Management building SaaS business software at Yext, a New York-based technology company, and has worked on pro bono projects for international social enterprises. She's been a fellow of the MovingWorlds Institute and joined Tech Matters in 2020 to lead product management for Aselo.

    NICK HURLBURT [Executive Director]

    Nick began his career developing early AI software at Amazon, and later managed software teams at Sift. He spent six years in conflict relief in Burma and South Sudan, capturing human rights, migration, and multi-sector program data. He joined Tech Matters in 2019 and now leads the technology development for the Aselo helpline project.

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    17 December 2025, 3:30 pm
  • 41 minutes 15 seconds
    Decolonizing Drones, with Sonja Betschart of WeRobotics
    What if drones weren't symbols of surveillance and warfare, but everyday tools for local communities to protect forests, cities, and coastlines? Sonja Betschart is the co-founder of WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network. Thanks to these organizations, drones, geospatial data, and AI are being put in the hands of local experts across the Global South. From mapping shark nurseries in the Seychelles to assessing landslides in Nepal and supporting farmers in Tanzania, Sonja explains how a small, global network is turning cutting-edge tech into practical, community-led solutions.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/decolonizing-drones-sonja-betschart-werobotics-flyinglabs

    SONJA BETSCHART [Co-founder & Co-Pilot]

    Sonja holds Master's degrees in Marketing and SME Management, and is trained in Design Thinking, Principled Negotiation, and Project Management. She received the 2024 Women in Tech Europe Award for Global Leadership and has been recognized as one of Switzerland's 100 Digital Shapers in multiple years, before being inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2022.

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    4 December 2025, 12:40 am
  • 34 minutes 39 seconds
    Breaking the Silence: Helping Survivors of Assault with Tracy DeTomasi of Callisto
    CONTENT WARNING: This episode makes reference to sexual assault.

    In this episode, Jim speaks with Tracy DeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, a nonprofit using secure technology to connect survivors of sexual assault and expose serial perpetrators. Tracy, a licensed clinical social worker, explains how Callisto's end-to-end encrypted platform lets survivors safely discover if their assailant has harmed others — and why confidentiality, trust, and survivor choice are at the core of its design.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/callisto-helping-assault-survivors

    TRACY DE TOMASI (CEO)

    Tracy De Tomasi has over 20 years of experience in leadership with deep expertise in gender-based violence, having developed trauma-informed programs, changed domestic violence laws in the U.S., and led global projects supporting survivors. She has helped organizations design technology-driven tools for prevention and education, from mobile apps and safety devices to VR trainings on DEI and anti-harassment.

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    19 November 2025, 9:55 am
  • 38 minutes 56 seconds
    From Idea to Fruition: Accelerating Nonprofits, with Shannon Farley and Kevin Barenblat of Fast Forward
    What do you do when you have a great social impact idea but no experience with making it a reality? With all its risks, is Artificial Intelligence something that replaces human ingenuity or can it really be used to bring your idea to fruition? Delve into how Fast Forward takes a page from the iconic Y Combinator playbook to shake up the nonprofit scene. Entrepreneurial spirit meets social impact—discover the innovative accelerator model that's bridging startup culture with philanthropic goals.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/fastforward-accelerating-tech-nonprofits

    KEVIN BARENBLAT (Co-Founder & President)

    Kevin is an engineer turned social innovator. He has helped over 100 founders use technology to tackle global challenges. He also writes the AI for Humanity newsletter and contributes to the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

    SHANNON FARLEY (Co-Founder & Executive Director)

    Before co-founding the accelerator, Shannon launched Spark, a network for women's organizations, and helped start the W. Haywood Burns Institute for racial equity in juvenile justice. Shannon brings sharp focus, creativity, and a passion for human-centered innovation.

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    5 November 2025, 6:06 pm
  • 1 minute 43 seconds
    Introducing Season 3: Flipping the script from harmful tech to Tech For Good

    Welcome to our third season, featuring amazing guests: Shannon Farley and Kevin Barenblat of Fast Forward, Tracy De Tomasi of Callisto, Sonja Betschart of WeRobotics, Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green, Jono McKay of SameSame, and Debbie Rogers of Reach Digital Health. Tune into the biweekly Tech Matters podcast by following and subscribing on your favorite platform!

    29 October 2025, 6:13 pm
  • 40 minutes 43 seconds
    Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Tech Matter's Aselo

    In this special episode of the Tech Matters Podcast, we dive into the inspiring story of Aselo, a groundbreaking contact center platform designed to empower child helplines worldwide. Aselo is revolutionizing how organizations provide counseling, resources, and care through modern, purpose-built technology. Join us as we explore the journey of Director of Product and Operations Dee Luo and Executive Director Nick Hurlburt, the visionary leaders behind Aselo, who share how they transitioned from the tech industry to building a social enterprise that's making a global impact. Aselo is now helping to bring helplines into the digital age, from applying human-centered methods for software design, to integrating AI, to safeguarding sensitive data.

    This episode is part of Podcasthon, a global event spotlighting charities and social enterprises making a difference. Don't miss this deep dive into the power of technology for good—listen now and be inspired by the intersection of tech, empathy, and social impact!

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    Was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn!

    20 March 2025, 10:26 pm
  • 8 minutes 38 seconds
    Season Two wrap-up: What We Heard and Where To Next

    In wrapping up Season Two, Jim extends his heartfelt gratitude to our devoted listeners and the extraordinary tech nonprofit leaders who've shared their impactful stories. Furthermore, this season wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our major donors, including the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Okta for Good, the Skoll Foundation, and Splunk.

    Jim leaves us with a call to action: technologists and social sector workers alike are invited to pivot their skills towards meaningful impact.

    Transcript on website

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    Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn!

    12 May 2024, 7:18 pm
  • 36 minutes 32 seconds
    The Balcony and the Dance Floor: Jim's Journey Towards a Better Deal for Data

    For our final episode of season 2, this time it's Jim who sits on the other end. Our special guest host is his longtime mentee — and CEO of Nexleaf Analytics — Nithya Ramanathan.

    What led to the decision to prioritize social impact over the stereotypical Silicon Valley (attempt at) wealth for its own sake? Guided by Nithya's insightful questioning, Jim's narrative takes us through the early experiences that shaped his sense of empathy without ever losing his innate curiosity for science and technology. As they discuss the evolution of social entrepreneurship, the significance of data sovereignty, Jim and Nithya explore the foundational layers of tech that are needed for the future of systems change.

    This episode is a call for all tech professionals and leaders to harness their skills in service of the world's most pressing challenges. Join us as we close Season Two with a conversation that's as much about looking forward as it is about looking back.

    > Transcript on website

    RATE, WRITE, SUBSCRIBE

    Be sure to leave us a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts!

    Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn!

    3 May 2024, 5:10 pm
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