Episode Overview:
Scott Switzer’s journey from Omaha to global tech innovator began with creating computer games on his TRS-80. Facing challenges during the dot-com boom and bust with Big Emmas, later called Article 27, Scott eventually found success with OpenX, an open-source ad platform that became a major competitor to DoubleClick. His experiences with VCs like FirstMark and Flybridge, investing in startups, and exploring blockchain and crypto, have shaped his career. Now, as the CTO of Ozone, Scott is focused on redefining the digital advertising industry.

Quotes:

• “Creating computer games on my TRS-80 was just the beginning of a lifelong passion for technology and innovation.”
• “The dot-com boom and bust taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and the need to pivot quickly in the face of failure.”
•  “OpenX was a game-changer, showing that open-source solutions could compete with industry giants like DoubleClick.”
• “Working with FirstMark and Flybridge gave me a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the startup world and the potential of emerging technologies.”
• “With Ozone, we’re not just participating in the digital advertising industry; we’re redefining it to better serve both publishers and advertisers.”

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Dorothy Chang’s journey from Long Island to becoming a pivotal figure in the New York tech ecosystem is a story of adaptability, perseverance, and innovation. Growing up with high expectations in a musical family, she found her way into PR and tech, eventually transitioning into venture capital. Dorothy’s career highlights include working at renowned firms like Edelman and Brew, co-founding Liberty City Ventures, and playing a crucial role in Foursquare’s pivot to a data intelligence company. Currently, she focuses on supporting early-stage founders through Lynx Collective and Next Wave Ventures, leveraging her extensive network and expertise to bridge gaps in the startup ecosystem.

Notable Quotes

• “You don’t build company culture by buying a ping pong table. That’s not culture.”
• “I tried to give my team so much autonomy that it was too much stress for them.”
• “Founders need to find the people that are going to disagree with them. It’s really important.”
• “You have to hustle harder in the startup world and try to make a little something out of nothing.”
• “We’re looking for ways to connect founders and investors, making it easier for early-stage founders to get the access they need.”

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Stacy Spikes, the entrepreneurial force behind MoviePass and the Urbanworld Film Festival, shares his incredible journey from the music industry to creating one of the most controversial subscription services in entertainment. Growing up in Houston, Stacy’s ambition led him to LA, where he started as a gopher at American Video, quickly rising through the ranks at Motown and Sony. Transitioning to film, he worked with the Weinsteins at Miramax and then moved to October Films. Stacy’s story is one of relentless perseverance and groundbreaking innovation. During our conversations over several Diet Cokes, Stacy delves into insights from his book, *Black Founder*, and reflects on the lessons he’s learned throughout his multifaceted career.

Memorable Quotes

• “If you’re going to be an app, you need to own an activity. Once I heard that, it changed everything.”
• “We increased moviegoing by 111% month over month. It’s all about creating a habit.”
• “There’s a language to funding. They speak their own language. You need to know how to get in that person’s mind quick.”
• “Our job is to help streamline that friction and extend the life of smaller films.”
• “You don’t want to build with a million customers; you want to get your kinks worked out with a community that’s very forgiving.”

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Episode Overview

Heather Wagner Reed is a force to be reckoned with in the world of PR. We caught up with her at 77 Degrees in North Austin over some tropical tiki drinks to hear about her journey from working as Beyoncé’s right hand to founding her own boutique agency, Juice Consulting. Heather dives deep into the essence of community engagement, the power of storytelling, and the strategic alliances that have fueled her 17 years of success.

With anecdotes from her career and insights into the PR industry, Heather shares the challenges and rewards of managing a boutique agency. She emphasizes the importance of understanding each client’s unique story and translating it into a compelling narrative. This conversation is packed with energy and valuable lessons for anyone interested in the art of PR and marketing.

Notable Quotes

• “It’s all about understanding the unique story behind each client and translating that into a compelling narrative.”
• “Community engagement isn’t just a strategy; it’s the heart of successful PR and marketing.”
• “From Beyoncé’s right hand to my own agency, it’s been an incredible ride filled with learning and growth.”
• “Connecting people and creating those ‘million dollar meetings’ is what truly excites me.”

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Episode Overview:

Anthony Armendariz has spent decades mastering the art and science of digital design. Starting his journey in the ’90s, Anthony transitioned from straightforward browser design and Flash to leading his own agency, Fun Size, in Austin, Teaxas. Funsize has become a beacon of innovation in digital product design, adapting to the ever-changing technological landscape while maintaining a focus on creating exceptional user experiences.

In our conversation at the Austin bar Long Play, where we enjoyed beers and margaritas, Anthony shared his insights into the evolution of digital design, the challenges of running a successful agency, and his latest venture into AI technology. His story is one of continuous learning, adaptability, and a deep passion for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital world.

Quotes:

• “The tools we use today are vastly different from the ones we started with, but the principles of good design remain the same.”
• “At Funsize, our focus has always been on creating exceptional user experiences that solve real problems.”
• “AI offers an incredible opportunity to tailor digital experiences to individual users in ways we never imagined before.”
• “Working with people you trust and who bring different perspectives to the table is crucial for any creative endeavor.”

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Episode Summary

Caren Kelleher, the founder of Gold Rush Vinyl in Austin, TX, has had a remarkable journey through the music industry. Starting her career at Paste Magazine, Caren quickly dove into the business side of music, gaining a deep understanding of the industry’s intricacies. Her path led her to tech roles, including a significant position at Google where she managed the Artist Hub platform, enabling artists to upload their music directly to Google Play. Caren’s commitment to supporting artists remained unwavering, ultimately inspiring her to establish Gold Rush Vinyl. Her pressing plant is dedicated to independent musicians, providing them a vital revenue stream through vinyl records.

Caren’s story is a blend of professional milestones and personal growth, marked by pivotal moments that shaped her career. Moving to Austin and founding Gold Rush Vinyl was a bold move driven by her vision of the vinyl market’s potential and a strong desire to help artists earn more from their music. Her innovative approach at Gold Rush Vinyl includes traditional vinyl pressing and the upcycling of damaged vinyl into new products, emphasizing sustainability and creativity. This episode explores the challenges Caren faced, the insights she gained, and her future vision for vinyl and the music industry.

Quotes

• “When you’re on the road and you’re selling vinyl or t-shirts or whatever, but especially vinyl, that’s cash in your pocket.”
• “We work for independent artists specifically… Vinyl makes artists a lot of money.”
• “I started managing bands… seeing the royalty statements coming from streaming… it could be six months before the artist got paid.”
• “To see artists hold their own vinyl for the first time, it’s an emotional moment where they truly feel like they’ve made it.”

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Episode Summary:

David Dylan Thomas, an expert in cognitive bias and user experience, joins us to discuss his multifaceted career and unique insights into the intersection of technology and ethics. David’s journey began in the indie film scene, where he discovered the transformative potential of the internet, leading him to pivot towards UX and content strategy. He has worked extensively in applying cognitive biases to create ethical and inclusive products, making him a sought-after speaker and author of the book “Design for Cognitive Bias.”

Throughout our conversation, David emphasized the importance of participatory design and involving users in the design process to create more effective and well-received products. He also highlighted how understanding business strategies is critical for driving successful UX and content initiatives. David’s storytelling prowess was evident as he shared examples from his career, illustrating how specificity in storytelling enhances audience connection, whether in films or UX work.

Quotes:

• “I think the criteria on which we judge a family is no longer, ‘mother, father, two kids in one home’. We’re hopefully starting to look at more meaningful criteria for a healthy family.”
• “We were the first generation to really get into that chosen found family thing. And that becomes a criterion for how we want our families to be.”
• “Specificity not only matters but is beneficial. You’re actually more likely to succeed in that product way of people liking it, enjoying it, whatever.”
• “The best bet is still on the specific, whether you’re paying ten bucks for it or a hundred million dollars for it.”
• “When money gets involved, how much does it start to shift more towards being a product and needing to answer these denominators?”

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Episode Summary:

Adam Roberts, also known as The Amateur Gourmet, shares his remarkable journey from an unfulfilled law student to a celebrated food blogger, TV writer, and now a novelist. His blog, which began as an escape from law school, quickly gained popularity due to Adam’s creative approach, including writing songs about food and hosting quirky contests. This unique content set his blog apart and opened doors to various opportunities, such as writing cookbooks and TV scripts. Despite exploring different ventures, Adam’s passion for food and storytelling remained constant, ultimately driving him back to blogging with renewed enthusiasm.

In this episode, we enjoyed Hendricks and tonics while diving into Adam’s career transitions and the evolution of his blog. Key moments include how writing songs about food helped set his blog apart, when his creative endeavors led to TV writing opportunities, and how he maintained his passion for food through it all. Adam’s story is a testament to following one’s passion and staying resilient in the face of change.

Quotes:

• “I started a food blog as a way to document my culinary failures and successes, and it ended up opening so many doors for me.”
• “Writing songs about food and creating quirky content made my blog stand out in the crowded food blogging space.”
• “Moving to LA and getting into TV writing was an unexpected turn, but it taught me so much about storytelling.”
• “Coming back to blogging felt like returning to my roots, and it reminded me of why I started this journey in the first place.”

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Episode Summary

Jimmy Tingle, legendary comedian known for his sharp political humor and reflective one-man shows, takes us through his comedic journey from the vibrant 80s Boston comedy scene to his current autobiographical performances. He shares insights on the evolution of political comedy, how Martin Luther King Jr.’s writings influenced his perspective, and the impact of sobriety on his life and career. Jimmy also delves into the challenges of running for political office and the importance of authenticity in his work. Join us for an insightful and humorous look into the life of a comedian who has continually evolved and inspired through his unique blend of humor and reflection.

Quotes

• “The issues that we talk about today are so much more complex and so much darker. The intensity of the media and the availability of information was nowhere near what it is now.”
• “Listening to his tapes, he was doing a much bigger thing, obviously. He was talking about world events, but he was also using the power of religion and the relationship with a god.”
• “The reason I wanted to do an autobiographical show is it’s the only thing I’m kind of sure of. It was easier to just process it, you know?”
• “Running for elected office is hard. How many moving parts, and how much, how many people you need to answer to, and how responsible you have to be.”
• “When I quit drinking in the 80s, that was a big spiritual influence. Asking God to help me quit drinking was like something that I was doing on a daily basis.”

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Episode Summary

In this episode, Meghan O’Keefe discusses her journey from aspiring comedian to becoming a prominent figure in digital media at The New York Post’s Decider.com. Over Hendrick’s and Tonics, Meghan reflects on her early days in the comedy scene in New York, her transition into entertainment journalism, and her current role where she influences how streaming content is perceived and reviewed. The episode delves into the nuances of media and comedy, exploring how Meghan’s personal experiences shaped her career path. She candidly discusses the challenges of finding her voice in a male-dominated industry and how her shift from comedy to journalism led to a more fulfilling career. This conversation not only highlights her professional evolution but also touches on broader themes of media influence, personal growth, and the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of creative careers.

Quotes:

• “I was really depressed and then when I finally started to get stuff together, I went back into comedy a bit. I started getting more confident in Boston. It’s kind of making me want to die. And not only that, but I’m seeing friends get big breaks and they don’t seem happier.”
• “I always loved writing of any kind. And this, I was just really struggling and as I was starting to get like, you know, when Mark was coming to me with the cider at the same time, someone else was trying to get me for their site. And I started to realize, Hey, this entertainment journalism thing I like, and I’m good at it and doors are opening.”
• “The advice I try to give to like, the interns we talk to at Decider is like, you’re so young and your life ahead of you and if anything I’ve learned from my meandering path is that you should be open for the idea that your dream could change.”

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In this lively episode, Tyler Balliet shares insights from his extensive experience in the wine industry, highlighting his unconventional approach to wine education and his journey as an entrepreneur. He describes his latest venture, a comprehensive wine guide titled “Rebel School of Wine,” which aims to demystify the wine experience. Tyler emphasizes the importance of providing context rather than jargon, making wine more accessible and enjoyable. His narrative is filled with anecdotes about his friend Joel’s innovative winery in Sonoma, the influence of celebrities like Eric Wareheim on wine marketing, and the evolution of wine distribution and consumption.

Throughout the conversation, Tyler reflects on the evolution of the wine industry, contrasting traditional and modern approaches to wine marketing and education. He critiques the standard wine descriptions that dominate the industry, advocating for a more relatable and engaging method that focuses on storytelling and the historical and cultural context of wine. This approach is evident in his book, where he includes 450 illustrations to visually capture the essence of wine regions and types.

Tyler also discusses the challenges and triumphs of his entrepreneurial endeavors, particularly with his event series, Wine Riot, and his transition into publishing with “Rebel School of Wine.” He shares personal stories of starting out in the wine industry, the trials of adapting to digital marketing, and his philosophy on making wine education fun and accessible. His candid reflections reveal a deep passion for wine and a dedication to innovating how it’s shared with the world.

Quotes:
1. “Instead of like, every other wine book is like, Mmm, the strawberries and the boysenberries. And for me, like, what things smell like or taste like… the flavors and aromas is like the least interesting part.”
2. “I think we’re talking about wine all wrong. I don’t think consumers need to actually learn anything to enjoy it.”
3. “Understanding wine really kind of like makes the experience better… if you can drink something that you feel confident about. From a science perspective, actually, it makes it taste better.”

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