PODCAST · business
Disruption Now
by Rob Richardson
Join us on the Disruption Now podcast as we challenge the status quo and advocate for digital equity, ownership, and responsible technology.
Episodes
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Disruption Now Episode 191 | Your Refrigerator Is More Cyber Secure than Your Computer?
On this episode 191 of the Disruption Now podcast: What happens when an algorithm knows more about your health than your doctor ever will? When AI can process threats faster than any human operator? When China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are probing our systems 24/7? Dr. Richard Harknett has...
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Disruption Now Episode 190 | What Is Explainable AI?
Dr. Kelly Cohen is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati and a leading authority in explainable, certifiable AI systems. With more than 31 years of experience in artificial intelligence, his research focuses on fuzzy logic, safety-critical systems, and responsible…
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Disruption Now Episode 189 | WHY AI AGENTS NEED CRYPTO
Bitcoin and blockchain are reshaping money, trust, and the future of AI. In Episode 189 of the Disruption Now Podcast, Rob Richardson sits down with Andrew Burchwell, Executive Director of the Ohio Blockchain Council, to break down why blockchain matters more than ever—and why understanding it…
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Disruption Now Episode 188 | Upgrading Government Tech: Startup Thinking for Public Service
Most people run from government bureaucracy. Pavan Parikh ran toward it—and decided to rewrite the system from the inside. He believes public service should move like a startup: fast, transparent, and built around people, not process. But when tradition, power, and red tape pushed back, he didn’t...
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Disruption Now Episode 187 | Why Empathy Still Wins in an AI World
In this episode 187 of the Disruption Now Podcast, we sit down with Benjamin Ko, the CEO of Kaleidoscope Innovation, a firm leading the way in human-centered design and engineering — especially in healthcare. From developing wearable technologies for spinal cord injury patients to crafting…
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Disruption Now Episode 186 | Will AI end education?
What does it take to lead digital transformation when fear, culture, and AI disruption collide? 🎓 In this deep-dive, Bharath Prabhakaran — award-winning VP & Chief Digital Officer at the University of Cincinnati — shares how he’s driving innovation with empathy, influence, and UC’s…
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Disruption Now Episode 185 | AI Built Her Music Empire — Here’s How You Can Do It Too
Most artists get left behind in tech—but not Kaila Love. Once a homeless teen sleeping in her car, Kaila became a UC Berkeley grad, hip-hop artist, and founder of KailaLove.ai—a pioneering AI education company blending music, automation, and empowerment. Known as The AI Homegirl, she teaches...
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Disruption Now Episode 184 | This Founder Builds Black Wealth with AI
She’s not waiting for permission. Flavilla Fongang went from the ghettos of Paris to building Black Rise—one of the UK’s boldest tech tribes. She’s mixing identity, data, and storytelling to scale Black power through business. In this episode: -Why storytelling beats pitching in tech -How she...
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Disruption Now Episode 183 | What Social Media Algorithms Are Doing to Girls in 2025
She was told she wasn't tall enough, thin enough, pretty enough. Now she’s rewriting the rules of beauty for everyone else. In this episode 183 of the Disruption Now Podcast, Sian Bitner-Kearney, founder of Rock Your Beauty, reveals how perfectionism, filters, and social media lies damage...
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Disruption Now Episode 182 | 2025 Job Hunt Is Broken | 6 Rules That Still Work
Laid off or lost in the noise? You’re not alone. Episode 182: Nicole Dunbar—Cornell-trained strategist and viral LinkedIn voice—joins Disruption Now to dissect the “white collar recession.” From AI displacement to hiring freezes, she breaks down how even top-tier pros are invisible in today’s job...
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Disruption Now Episode 181 | Wall Street Fund Manager Reveals AI’s Next $Trillion Opportunity
In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast, host Rob Richardson sits down with Jacob D. Frankel (Kobi), the visionary Founder and CEO of Beyond Alpha Ventures. Jacob shares his journey from managing over $355 million in assets on Wall Street to leading a multi-strategy family office and hedge...
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Disruption Now Episode 180 | He Was 15, Broke, and Brilliant. Now He Coaches the Fortune 500
Eric Brown Jr. is the founder of ELVTE Coaching and Consulting and a Generative AI innovation lead at Microsoft. In this powerful conversation with Rob Richardson, he unpacks how early adversity became fuel for legacy. From mentoring underserved youth to helping enterprise teams align tech with...
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Disruption Now Episode 179 | Breaking Into Tech Sales & AI Innovation with Jarrett Albritton
"I went from door-to-door sales to closing million-dollar tech deals — but the real secret? Asking boldly. Watch [12:33] to hear how Jarrett Albritton turned Clubhouse conversations into 80,000 followers and landed 40+ recruiters on stage. Spoiler: His AI platform is changing how careers are...
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Disruption Now Episode 178 | Entrepreneurship, Innovation & AI: A Conversation with Seema Alexander
In this episode of the Disruption Now podcast, host Rob Richardson engages in a dynamic conversation with Seema Alexander, a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist. They delve into Seema's rich background, from her upbringing in an entrepreneurial immigrant family to her current roles as...
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Disruption Now Episode 177 | Disrupting Business with Gratitude with Rachel Desrochers
In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast, host Rob Richardson sits down with Rachel Desrochers, the founder of Gratitude Collective and a passionate advocate for gratitude, entrepreneurship, and community building. Rachel shares her journey of turning a simple idea into a thriving business...
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Disruption Now Episode 176 | Rethinking Innovation with Tremain Davis
In this episode of Disruption Now, Tremain Davis shares forward-thinking insights on how innovation is upending traditional business models and reshaping entire industries. Here are three things you can learn from this episode: Adaptive Leadership: Davis disrupts conventional norms by staying...
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Disruption Now Episode 175 | Redefining Style, Confidence, and Resilience
Today's Disruption Now episode is with LaMar "The Coutureman "Wright. He is a trailblazer in curated lifestyle expertise and image consulting through his business, The Coutureman LLC. As a disruptor in his field, he challenges traditional notions of style and personal branding, helping…
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Disruption Now Episode 174 | What is ChatBlackGPT
LEARN about Erin Reddick's inspiring AI journey. She is the creator of ChatBlackGPT Beta, a platform advancing equity in AI. Erin shares how her unique upbringing as a Black woman adopted by a white father shaped her views on race, identity, and belonging. She discusses her transition from being...
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Disruption Now Episode 172 | THE FIRST BLACK-OWNED STOCK EXCHANGE IN U.S. HISTORY
Disruption Now: Building a Fair Share for Culture and Media. Join us and disrupt! Today, we welcome the two most respected and innovative leaders to the Disruption Now Podcast. Joe and Dwain, despite their demanding schedules, have graciously made time to be DISRUPTIVE with us in this digital…
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Disruption Now Episode 171 | Financial Freedom via Tech with Cyrus Harbin
Cyrus Harbin is the founder and host of the popular podcast "Tech is the New Black." He is a prominent figure in the tech community, known for empowering, educating, and entertaining his audience on leveraging the tech industry to enhance their lives. Through his podcast, Cyrus interviews…
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Disruption Now Episode 170 | Financial Literacy For All: JOHN HOPE BRYANT
John Hope Bryant is a prominent entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist known for his economic empowerment and financial literacy work. He founded Operation HOPE in 1992 following the Rodney King Riots in Los Angeles, with a mission to provide economic education and resources to underserved...
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Disruption Now Episode 169 | Encrypting Freedom
Step into the digital arena with John Cavanaugh, a renowned digital privacy and safety expert, on this episode of "Encrypting Freedom." Uncover the hidden pitfalls in your digital practices and learn how to fortify your data against the encroaching eyes of AI technologies. John doesn't just…
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Disruption Now Episode 168 | Creative Futures: AI as Threat or Catalyst?
Join Rob Richardson on this episode of Disruption Now as he sits down with Adam Kahn, Chief Creative Director at Grey Midwest, for a riveting discussion on artificial intelligence and its impact on the creative world. Together, they unpack whether AI is a looming threat or a transformative…
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Disruption Now Episode 167 | AI Disruption: Safeguarding Your Brand
In this episode of "Disruption Now," I interview entrepreneur Pete Blackshaw, who shares his pioneering journey of using AI to protect brands. Blackshaw discusses how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the industry, providing a glimpse into the future and practical insights on how...
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Disruption Now Episode 166 | Identity Architecture
John Johnson is the founder of a small studio. He works with Niantic Labs, which brought us Pokemon Go. Learn how he launched a multi-million dollar design studio and shifted his career from architect to entrepreneur. We also delve into his recent scare with cancer and how it has shaped his...
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Disruption Now Episode 165 | Should we Ban TikTok?
Should we ban TikTok? Is it really as dangerous as some say, or is it just a strawman argument to distract us? Listen to our discussion. Let's hear from James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana.
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Disruption Now Episode 164 | Scaling Black Media Ownership
Group Black is dramatically transforming the face of media ownership and investment. Kerel Cooper is President of Advertising at Group Black, where he leads Group Black's revenue operations, revenue strategy and planning, and insights teams. What You Will Learn Why Black Creators are underpaid…
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Disruption Now Episode 163 | The False Poverty Narrative
Joshua Ogundu is an advocate of equity, as he believes that it starts with everyone. The common belief that most successful startup founders began their journey from poverty and worked their way up to the top creates unrealistic expectations and makes true equity harder to achieve. Joshua Ogundu...
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Disruption Now Episode 162 | Human 2025 Iliana Oris Valiente
"THE WORLD IS CHANGING FAST, but it doesn't have to be scary." Iliana Oris Valiente (IOV) is an optimist for the future of tech and society. IOV wants to encourage humans to live happy, healthy, and purposefully designed lives in a world of endless possibilities. She believes the key is to…
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Disruption Now Episode 161 | Igniting Human Connection
Kalista Zackhariyas isn't just envisioning a social media future centered on genuine human interactions – she's crafting it. As the dynamic CEO of SparkSeeker, she's pioneering the way. Learn more at https://sparkseeker.com/
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Disruption Now Episode 160 | Quest for Justice Aswad Thomas
Meet Aswad Thomas, the indomitable Alliance for Safety and Justice Vice President. Once on the cusp of a glittering professional basketball career, a devastating gunshot wound forever altered his destiny. Yet, the injustice didn't end there. In his darkest hour, he was wrongfully labeled a…
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Disruption Now Episode 159 | Behind the Algorithm: AI & Transparency
As innovations surge forward, so do the questions about A.I.'s inner workings. Our guest on Disruption Now is Javier Viaña Pérez, the co-founder of Rezon.ai and a Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Kavli Institute of Astrophysics and Space Research. His Ph.D. research revolved around the…
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Disruption Now Episode 158 | Lenore Anderson: In Their Names
In 2020, over 2 million people were employed by the justice system, with an annual expenditure of a staggering 300 billion dollars in the United States alone. But what has all this investment achieved for victims of crimes? Our guest, Lenore Anderson, is co-founder of the Alliance For Safety and...
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Disruption Now Episode 157 |Art & NFT in the Future with Cessiah Lopez
Cessiah Lopez is an Affiliate of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy. She is a serial entrepreneur & web3 degen with proven experiences in growing small businesses & creating digital products that elevate self-improvement. Holding an LLM from the University of East Anglia, her thesis...
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Disruption Now Episode 156 | Blockchain in the Future with Diamond Doll
Diamond Doll is a highly skilled leader who excels at problem-solving and generating effective solutions. Her experience at Microsoft and Juul Labs demonstrates her commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and social responsibility in the workplace. As the founder of NFT CLT, she has taken her...
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Disruption Now Episode 155 | Leading in Action with Larry Brinker Jr.
Larry Brinker Jr. is an award-winning entrepreneur, impact investor, and mentor. He serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of Brinker, a group of family-owned and operated commercial construction service companies responsible for over $4 billion in construction projects, which plays a...
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Disruption Now Episode 154 | Pioneering Digital Advertising
Mark is the CEO, co-founder, and chairman of Direct Digital Holdings, a Houston-based and founded adtech company that brings state-of-the-art buy-side and sell-side advertising platforms for clients (specializing in middle-sized markets) under one umbrella. Mark can speak to Direct Digital...
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Disruption Now Episode 153 | Art and Reform with Tyra Patterson
Tyra joined the Ohio Justice & Policy Center team as a paralegal in Jan. 2018. After several months of successful outreach on OJPC’s behalf, Tyra’s role adapted to better describe her gifts and passion: She became OJPC’s first Community Outreach Strategy Specialist. Before joining OJPC, Tyra…
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Disruption Now Episode 152 | Criminalizing Poverty…
Dr. Topeka K. Sam spent time in federal prison and, upon her release, vowed to fight on behalf of the women she left behind. Topeka founded The Ladies of Hope Ministries, whose EPIC Vision is to End Poverty and Incarceration of women and girls globally. She was among the first to publicly…
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Disruption Now Episode 151 | Disrupting the Adtech Game with Mark Douglas
MNTN (pronounced Mountain) built the first-of-its-kind, self-serve software for buying connected TV that puts performance first. The MNTN platform makes it easy for brands to buy connected TV ads across the top 150 streaming networks like Discovery+, ESPN, CNN, Hulu, PlutoTV and more. Intuitive...
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Disruption Now Episode 150 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Darnell Smith
Darnell Smith is a CPG and alcohol industry veteran and cannabis entrepreneur, innovator and advocate. Smith is the founder and CEO of MXXN, a non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused spirits brand that is evolving today’s cocktail culture and disrupting the alcohol and cannabis industry. MXXN is the…
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Disruption Now Episode 149 | Faith and Branding with Mirthell Onyx
Mirthell, is the Founder and CEO of the Onyx brand. For years, he worked as a pastor and marriage & family therapist, but it was his dream to one day work with his family. One day in 2015, he took the giant leap and quit his job; he never looked back since. Now, the family has a multi-million...
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Disruption Now Episode 148 | From CEO to ACTIVIST with Jason Flom
Also, the host of the hit podcast, Wrongful Conviction features interviews with men and women who have spent decades in prison for crimes they did not commit, some even sentenced to death. He started his journey to fight the system's injustice last 1993 when he helped a young kid win his case for…
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Disruption Now Episode 147 | Uncompromising with Steve White
Steve is president, special counsel to the CEO of Comcast Cable. He works with executives on a number of important initiatives, including leadership development, strategic planning, diversity, equality, and inclusion, and digital equality. He has enjoyed many affiliations, including his recent...
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Disruption Now Episode 146 | Stopping HIV Criminalization
Laws criminalizing HIV must be changed to Cathcart up to facts and science. What you will learn: How Fear Drive modern HIV Laws in Ohio Why Current HIV Laws are against public health Interest How marginalized communities are hurt by HIV criminalization Why current HIV Laws in Ohio aren’t aligned...
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Disruption Now Episode 145 | Edition Magazine Amplifying Black Creatives
Isoul Harris is the Editor and Chief of EDTION. Edition’s mission to uplift and amplify Black creatives across industries. Isoul brings a vast array of expertise in the space – from serving as a multimedia content producer, to fulfilling award-winning journalist roles in which he was able to tell...
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Disruption Now Episode 144 | A Higher Calling with Kern Alexander
Kern Alexander is a veteran turned business mogul. Learn about his unexpected Cannabis journey and how his passion for helping veterans lead to a multi million dollar business. US Military Veteran Kern Alexander discusses how he founded and scaled The Higher Collection, an Oakland-based cannabis...
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Disruption Now Episode 143 | Karim Hutson: Building For The Future
As Founder and Managing Member of Genesis Companies, Karim oversees the firm and it’s strategic direction. Karim enjoys focusing on forging new partnerships and pushing innovation in our operations and investment approach. Karim’s experience as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch and Goldman...
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CEO Alexys Feaster: Athletes & the Power of Voice
Alexys Feaster is the Founder and CEO of The Kinship Advisors, a strategic advisory company launched in January 2021, focused on creating alliances within the sports, entertainment, and other industries, who are committed to personal development, social justice, strategic business expansion and...
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Phaedra Ellis Lamkins: Promise and the Power of Humanization
Phaedra Ellis Lamkins is the CEO of Promise, a payment technology platform that simplifies how people manage government payments like utilities, child support, parking tickets and more by offering customizable plans and providing digital payment options. The organization has secured funding from…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join us on the Disruption Now podcast as we challenge the status quo and advocate for digital equity, ownership, and responsible technology.
HOSTED BY
Rob Richardson
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Disruption Now have?
Disruption Now currently has 189 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Disruption Now about?
Join us on the Disruption Now podcast as we challenge the status quo and advocate for digital equity, ownership, and responsible technology.
How often does Disruption Now release new episodes?
Disruption Now publishes regularly with 189 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Disruption Now?
You can listen to Disruption Now on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Disruption Now?
Disruption Now is created and hosted by Rob Richardson.
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