All Episodes - Tech Conversations at FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator

#Soy Periodista con Jerónimo Mura

Alumni spotlight with Jerónimo Mura Emmy Award-winning journalist Jerónimo Mura takes us on a journey from reporting on the frontlines of war to covering local news and politics in Washington, D.C.In June 2025 he won an Emmy as part of the Univision Washington, DC team for the story on Joe Vogel: From Uruguay to Maryland's Youngest State Delegate.

#SMART City with Raimundo Rodulfo

We’re celebrating 100 years of the City of Coral Gables—and the future is looking brighter than ever. But what exactly are SMART city initiatives?Joining us for this conversation with Raimundo Rodulfo, Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Coral Gables and .hosted by Maggie Salas-Amaro In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge technologies being adopted and the city’s short- and long-term goals on its journey to becoming a fully connected, SMART city.

#After Mass Media

We welcome back Author and Professor Dr. Amanda Lotz. Why a Third Book—After Mass Media?In today’s streaming-driven world, audiences are engaging with content in entirely new ways, from binge-worthy originals to global titles that were once out of reach. While traditional broadcast and cable haven’t disappeared, they’re now part of a much bigger media puzzle. So how does it all fit together—and what comes next?Hosted by Maggie Salas-Amaro.

#TheCircularEconomy

The RA+DI presents OFF THE WALL, a limited series hosting talks on the circular economy, music creation, authors and more... In this talk Neil Ramsay, known as "The Creative Economist" and co-founding faculty at RA+DI talks with Bethanny Edwards on innovation, art, design, sustainability and more.Edited by our RA+DI fellow Daniela Zulueta.

#FutureisFemale Podcasters Daniela Zulueta & Ana Sofia Guardia

Meet our future podcasters, Daniela and Ana Sofia! As RA+DI fellows, they have launched their own podcasts and are now focused on growing and expanding their platforms.This talk takes us through their journey of expanding their horizons, venturing beyond their shows to launch new businesses and explore innovative opportunities in the media landscape.

#Soundologia with Pedja Kovačević

This episode of Tech Conversations at the Radcliffe Art and Design Incubator at FIU in Miami features Pedja Kovačević, musicologist, audio engineer, podcast host, producer, and founder of Soundologia. He’s also an alumnus of the FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator.As RA+DI celebrates its eighth cohort, the series highlights alumni and their creative journeys. Kovačević discusses the launch of Soundologia Records and its debut release, featuring contemporary composers and sound artists from South Florida, the first part of a three-volume anthology.Listeners can follow his work at soundologia.com and find the album on Bandcamp, with more music on the way as volumes two and three are set to release soon. This episode is ho\sted by Dimitry Saïd Chamy, research associate and co-founding faculty at RA+DI.

Panther Alumni week with Leon Gomez

Its Panther Alumni week! Join us as we catch up with Leon Gomez, FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator alum, who is launching an alternative social network designed to reshape online interactions. Discover what sets his platform apart, how it challenges traditional social media networking models, and how you can join this new digital movement.

In Conversation with Orlando Garcia

In this intimate talk hosted by Ceci Velasco, Executive Director, Ocean Drive Association our audience learns more about the life and work of composer, conductor and educator Orlando Jacinto Garcia. Most recently he has been the recipient of 5 Latin Grammy nominations in the Best Contemporary Classical Composition Category (2009-11, 2015, 2021). With performances around the world at important venues by distinguished performers, his works are recorded on New Albion, O.O. Discs, CRI /New World, Albany, North/South, CRS, Rugginenti, VDM, Capstone, Innova, CNMAS, Opus One, Telos, Toccata Classics, and Metier/Divine Art. Source: https://www.orlandojacintogarcia.com/

The Apartment with Ana Menendez

This exclusive sit down features the author talking all things her novel ' The Apartment'. The inspiration, the characters and the apartment that carries its own baggage. Places also need time to rest, reset get ready for the next chapters.

In conversation with Steve Gallon III

In conversation with special guest Steve Gallon III, District 1 board member being interviewed by RA+DI research Associate and former M-DCPS Superintendent Octavio Visiedo. Topics on education, AI, community participation, funding and the future of education in Florida and throughout the nation.

In conversation with Leo Jaques

Welcome to FIU’s RA+DI Tech Conversations! This talk is hosted by Ratcliffe fellow, Daniela Zulueta hosted this podcast with guest Leonardo Jaques, from a duet music group called “FariLeo” in Mexico. FariLeo  consists of two friends, Farid Aldama and Leonardo Jaques. Jaques shares his story on how Aldama and him began their journey in the music industry in the streets of Mexico and the process they took to become a success in the in the music industry. Find more of FariLeo music on Tunecore, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Deezer, and Tidal. 

La periodista que no oye pero escucha con Adriana Mocciola

La periodista que no oye pero escucha con Adriana Mocciola En esta conversacion tenemos a la periodista y autora Adriana Mocciola, nacida en Argentina que actualmente forma parte de Telemundo 51 y NBC 6 en Miami, Florida . En su carrera gano el prestigioso premio Edward Murrow , 18 premios Emmys del Suncoast chapter, 19 Florida Associated Press Broadcast Awards y 7 Sunshine State Awards.  La palabra como se describe y su consejo es ser "Persistente".

#The Age of Social Media

Meet Karen Comas, a tech executive who was there from the early days of Facebook, now Meta. Karen shares her unique journey, starting when social media platforms first emerged, and how she became the sole partnerships lead for Latin America at Facebook. She also co-hosts a podcast called Motherish, inspired by her experiences as a mother.

The New Frontier: Wildlife conservation and Advocacy

The podcast continues to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month with Maria Luisa Rossel, Press Secretary for Spanish language media at NWF. This episode was hosted by our podcast producer, co host and mentor, Maggie Salas-Amaro. In this conversation we touch upon how technology and nature must work together for a sustainable future. Did you know about the ongoing project of the 'Wallis- Annenberg Wildlife Crossing', the largest in the wolrd and expected to be completed in 2026. Give it a listen.. Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing – Annenberg Foundation

Virtual Currents: Art and Digital Spaces with Rodolfo Peraza

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month we feature a returning guest artist, Rodolfo Peraza. Rodolfo Peraza is an internet-focused artist, using XR interfaces as medium, exploring the social and power dynamics between digital and physical realms. Pereza is also the founder and director of MUD Foundation Inc. This talk was hosted by our producer, co-host and mentor, Maggie Salas-Amaro Castellon.

#LingoPlaza

What a great way to kick off Hispanic Heritage month featuring Lily Hagen, CEO and Founder of Lingo Plaza and the creator of Plaza Aventuras a new bilingual format for kids and family to learn English and Spanish. This talk was hosted by producer, co host and mentor, Maggie Salas-Amaro. Raising multicultural kids, we quickly recognized the need for engaging and innovative tools to support the Spanish language learning journey for our kids. After months of searching for the right tools, we decided to launch Lingo Plaza, designed with kids and families in mind. Lingo Plaza is an innovative platform built to provide an immersive experience and safe creative space for kids to engage and connect with cultures all around the world. With 1:1 sessions with native speakers, gamification elements to engage and motivate, progress tracking so that parents can be involved every step of the way, we truly provide an unparalleled experience for the entire family. Our mission as a company is simple – to bring access to high-quality education into the homes of millions of families around the world, regardless of their background and social status, to break down cultural and language barriers. Source: Lingo Plaza

#EKTheBoutique

Welcome to Elise and Katie the creative entrepreneurs behind EK the Boutique in Texas. Do you know what it takes to launch a boutique business? They started their business with graphic tees and evolved their business to EK The Boutique offering not only clothing but a sense of community.

The Fashion Entrepreneur

In this talk hosted by Neil Ramsay we welcome, Keanan Duffty. Keanan Duffty is an award-winning British fashion designer, musician, and educator. He is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the author of The Fashion Entrepreneur (Hachette/Laurence King, 2024) and co-author of Rebel Rebel: Anti-Style (with Paul Gorman, Rizzoli/Universe, 2009). Duffty graduated from Central Saint Martins in London earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with first-class honors and relocated to New York in 1993 where he launched his namesake fashion label. Duffty is featured in numerous books including Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics, David Bowie: A Life and When Ziggy Played Guitar, all by Dylan Jones.

Between Two Worlds: Photographic Journey

In this episode, Our host Jacek Kolasinski is talking with Amanda Bradley about her latest project at the Patricia and Philip Frost Art Museum. Bradley explores identity and belonging through environmental imagery, using embossed lettering to challenge legibility. Her photography captures the lushness and density of her home country, Belize. http://amandabradley.studio/Amanda Bradley is a Belizean American artist and curator based in Miami, Florida.

#PonceLab In Conversation with Carlos Ponce, MD, PhD

In this talk we feature Carlos Ponce, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School hosted by Dr. Jacek Kolasinski. What is the Ponce Lab? How do we gather and process information? Ponce Lab led the first effort that linked these image generators to the activity of living neurons in the macaque brain, allowing neurons to guide the synthesis of their preferred visual stimuli, based on their internal code.  Join us on "The Neuroscience of Visual Recognition and Perception" as we explore how the brain processes complex visual scenes through groundbreaking research with rhesus macaques and advanced neural networks. Discover how this work enhances technologies like medical imaging and self-driving cars while illuminating the mysteries of our own visual experiences. Carlos Ponce | Harvard Medical School Division of Medical Sciences

In conversation with Nicolas André and Nyya Toussaint

Celebrating Haitian Heritage month we have guest host Noelle F. Laforest in conversation with Nicolas Andre and Nyya Toussaint. In this talk we feature Nicolas André and Nyya Toussaint about their project to develop a Haitian Creole class for English speakers as part of a fellowship at FIU. They discussed publishing the course on Duolingo, the learning platform itself, the experience of learning Haitian Creole, and the role of AI in their work.

#Factchequeado con Tamoa Calzadilla

En esta conversación parte de nuestra serie 'En Español' hablamos sobre los desafíos de la mis información en las comunidades Hispanas. Tamoa Calzadilla nos habla de cómo identificar y responsablemente detectar esas imágenes, audios y datos que podrian ser reales o falsos Pero como detectar? Factchequeado es una herramienta para verificar imágenes, datos, etc., a través de un CHATBOT por WhatsApp 646-873-6087 .

#OceanStoryteller with Dr. Shireen Rahimi

This episode is hosted by Dimitry Said Chamy, Founding Faculty at the FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator. RA+DI Entrepreneurial Resident Dr. Shireen Rahimi shares her journey from scientist researching coral reefs to becoming and environmental storyteller and science communicator. Her mission as the founder of Lightpalace Productions in Miami is to inspire and activate us to care about our planet and all its beings. Music courtesy: Jose Veliz, FIU RA+DI Alumni Fellow

#Emerge10

Emerge Americas is celebrating 10 years! Melissa Medina, CEO, President and Co-Founder of Emerge Americas is back to talk about a decade of tech! The magic city now hosts a number of companies that have set up headquarters around the city. Where is Miami a decade after Emerge launched the tech movement? Is the Metaverse outdated - all this and more!

#EnPositivo con Lourdes Del Rio

En esta edicion especial conversamos con la periodista Lourdes del Rio. Siempre #EnPositivo se describe como Sobreviviente despues de sobrepasar una etapa desafinate con su salud. Cuales fueron los comienzos de Lourdes Del Rio ? No se imaginan que en la radio como la Chica Cosmos 94 en Puerto Rico! Podcast | En Positivo con Lourdes Del Rio

#En Confianza con Myrka

Una Edicion Especial de Tech Conversations en Espanol con la periodista Myrka Dellanos. Presentado por Maggie Salas-Amaro, esta conversacion nos lleva a conocer mas en confianza a la periodista Myrka Dellanos. Una de las presentadoras del programa Primer Impacto y actual presentadora de La Mesa Caliente en Telemundo.

#BeaconCouncil with Rodrick T. Miller

This episode of 'Tech Conversations' is hosted by Neil Ramsay, co-founding faculty at the Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator. The podcast is proud to highlight the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Rodrick T. Miller, CEO. We take our listeners to introduce Mr. Miller's background and the mission, impact and success of the Beacon Council. Beacon Council: A Champion for the Miami Business Community The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, a public-private partnership, is the official economic development organization for Miami-Dade County. Led by a professional staff and Board of volunteer community leaders, the organization facilitates business growth and expansion locally, nationally and internationally. The Council was founded in 1985 as an outgrowth of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce to focus on business recruitment, expansion and retention.

#FIU Forward- thinking, Innovative, Unstoppable

Welcome back to President Kenneth A. Jessell. We're thrilled to have President Kenneth A. Jessell back with us in season 5. In this talk we showcase and breakdown the recent rankings naming FIU one of Americas best colleges - fourth in the nation among public universities and 29th overall by the Wall Street Journal. The importance of building entrepreneur and tech , while innovating our curriculum to create the leaders of tomorrow.

#BreakingNews with Constance Jones

Persistent! Meet Constance Jones from NBC6 News Today! As a two-time Emmy-nominated journalist, she has reported on news stories in South Florida, New York, Oklahoma City, and Virginia. In our podcast conversation, we delve into the application of ChatGPT and the forthcoming advancements in fact-checking. We shift gears to talk about her own message-- Offering valuable insights not only on discussing success, but also on understanding how failures contribute to personal and professional growth.

#SerialEntrepreneur with Alison Grooms

 Alison Grooms is a notable serial entrepreneur who has made her mark in the world of business. She is the CEO of Jules and James Boutique in Carllton, Georgia, and the founder of JAZ cosmetics. Her journey as an entrepreneur is marked by resilience and a willingness to adapt and evolve. Alison's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the fact that success often comes after overcoming failures and learning from them. Her initial venture might not have succeeded as planned, but she didn't give up. Instead, she reorganized and refocused her efforts to create a more successful business model. One of the key highlights of her career is the way she embraced the e-commerce model, starting her business online. This approach allowed her to reach a wider audience and establish her brand in the competitive world of fashion and cosmetics. After building a strong online presence and customer base, she took the next step by opening a flagship brick and mortar store, which is a significant achievement in the retail industry. Stay tuned there's more Jules & James coming!

#WomenWhoLead with Frances Rios

Meet Frances Rios, CEO and Founder of Women Who Lead. It's important to address the challenges women often face in the workplace and encourage them to ask for what they want to advance in their careers. Frances Rios also founded Men Who Lead, focusing on helping male leaders become more inclusive leaders. This indicates a holistic approach to gender equality in the workplace. By involving men in the conversation and helping them understand the importance of inclusivity, we can create more diverse and equitable work environments for everyone.

#LatinoMuseum with Mariana Atencio

Welcome back to Mariana Atencio, Peabody award winning journalist, author and speaker. Did you know there will be a Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to showcase the changing face of the new America? Mariana Atencio spokesperson for Friends of the National American Latino Museum explains the process and journey for designating a building to begin the curation and recognize the contribution of Latinos to this great country. We also discuss her podcast "Lost in Panama ", an Apple top 10 that followed the disappearance of two white female tourists. Plus, we preview a soon to be released podcast, " The Unforgotten" a new investigative format about missing women and girls from underrepresented communities in the United States.

#AI in Journalism and Fact Checking with Jose Zamora

#AI in Journalism and Fact Checking with Jose Zamora What happens when the power of social media helps a journalist get out of a hostage situation? This was the case a few years ago after Univision journalist, Jorge Ramos and his staff were held captive in Venezuela during an interview. We take a close look at Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the impact of Fact Checking in the upcoming elections.

#Streaming101 with Amanda Lotz

The streaming wars have opened up a new world in the media universe. Our guest Amanda Lotz, Professor, Author and Media consultant discusses the challenges that TV, cable, and consumers face in the rapidly evolving media landscape.

Mixing Minds featuring Cecilia AI

Welcome to 'Mixing Minds: The FIU Chaplin School of Tourism and Hospitality Management & The Bacardi Center for Excellence,' where we blend the worlds of entrepreneurship and hospitality. In this episode we welcome Brian Connors, Founding Director and Cristina Moguel, Assistant Director of the Bacardi Center of Excellence. Join us as we embark on a journey to explore the innovative spirits and entrepreneurial visions emerging at the intersection of these two domains. Here, exceptional minds are crafting the future of hospitality, one entrepreneurial venture at a time. At the heart of our school lies Cecilia AI, a robotic bartender that's shaking up the industry. Tune in to discover inspiring stories, cutting-edge ideas, and the cocktails of creativity shaken and stirred by these brilliant minds. Welcome to the world where hospitality meets entrepreneurship. Cheers! 🍹🎙️

S04E16 Approaching the Circular Economy - Bethany Edwards

In this episode “Tech doesn't mean you plug it in” hosted by Neil Ramsay our guest is Bethany Edwards. Bethany Edwards is an entrepreneur, multidisciplinary designer, and materials technologist. She is the inventor and co-founder of Lia, the only FDA cleared plastic-free, flushable pregnancy test – the first significant innovation in the industry in over 30 years. Her invention and work helped pioneer the field of water-dispersible, biodegradable diagnostic test kits; she holds over 80 patents related to Lia’s novel design and temporary materials. The technology, product, and brand received global recognition and was named one of Fortune’s Greatest Designs of Modern Times, Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, an ADC Gold Cube winner, and TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions. Bethany has represented the U.S. at Global Entrepreneurship Summits, won TechCrunch Battlefield, and was a regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, Forbes, Gizmodo, and The Wall Street Journal, and has been included in exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Walker Art Center, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Triennale in Milan, and The Design Museum in London.

S04E15 #SeedTalk - Martina Potlach

Meet Martina Potlach one of our FIU Ratcliffe Fellows and the founder of her own podcast Seed Talk. She is completing a thesis investigating coastal ecosystems, green-blue infrastructure, nature-based adaptations, and urban shoreline infrastructure resilience in South Florida. In this conversation we talk about her journey and the ways all of us as citizens can get involved to clean up our beaches, parks and other areas. We also discuss the ways the public and private sectors can come together to create a better future.

S04E14 #Popculture - Jerry Leo

Ever wonder how the Real Housewives franchise came to be? What role has social media technology played in making these ladies household names. Meet Jerry Leo, Media Executive and Former Executive Vice President at Bravo ... He talks about the "Room where it all happened" with the rollout of the Housewives franchise and the strategy behind retaining audiences through the many seasons of Orange County, Atlanta, New Jersey, New York, Beverly Hills and Miami. Jerry is also the creator of a monthly Pop Culture overview that takes a deep look at all content across platforms in today' s race to win viewers and subscribers.

S04E13 #Eden's Bridge with Lissette Schaeffler and Bill Cruz

In this podcast we're talking with Lissette Schaeffler and Bill Cruz about Eden’s Bridge. This exhibition is the result of a completed project residency at the Deering Estate. Their work is characterized by a duality in perspective informed by their diverse artistic backgrounds. Lissette’s extensive experience in fine art photography along with Bill’s work in multimedia, music and writing combine to create a unique, multidisciplinary approach that fully captures the varied elements of the natural South Florida landscape.

S04E12 #Community with Commissioner Daniela Jean

Commissioner Daniela Jean was born in Paris, France and raised in North Miami Beach, FL. In this conversation we discuss her mission in the City of North Miami Beach. We also learn of her continued passion for education as a Florida International University alumnus, and why it was important to recognize the project "Geographies of Trash" with a proclamation in January. A product of the NMB Community, she attended Fulford Elementary, JFK Middle, and NMB Senior High School. Commissioner Jean's focus is on enhancing the quality of life for all residents of North Miami Beach. With experience in Risk Management and Procurement, she has 8 years of working in local government. Commissioner Jean is an author and social strategist with over 15 years of community work. She is currently serving as president and CEO of Arts at Work, Inc., a non-profit organization which seeks to promote the literary, visual and performing arts for youth and the community at large. Commissioner Jean’s zeal for serving her community is palpable.   Source: Commissioner Daniela Jean | North Miami Beach, FL (citynmb.com)

S04E11 #AI in the creative process with Ana Menendez

Meet Ana Menendez in this forward-looking conversation on AI and the impact on the creative process. We're talking the pros, cons and overall outcomes when using artificial intelligence in the era of digital disruption. "We do know that all technology is disruptive.." Ana Menéndez has published four books of fiction: Adios, Happy Homeland!, The Last War, Loving Che and In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd, whose title story won a Pushcart Prize. She has worked as a journalist in the United States and abroad, lastly as a prize-winning columnist for The Miami Herald. As a reporter, she wrote about Cuba, Haiti, Kashmir, Afghanistan and India. Her work has appeared in publications including Vogue, Bomb Magazine, The New York Times and Tin House and has been included in several anthologies, including The Norton Anthology of Latino Literature. She has a B.A. in English from Florida International University and an M.F.A. from New York University. A former Fulbright Scholar in Egypt, she has also lived in India, Turkey and The Netherlands, where she designed a creative writing minor at Maastricht University. She is an associate professor with appointments in the WPHL and the department of English. Source: Ana Menéndez | Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab | Florida International University (fiu.edu)

S04E10 #ArtLoft - Melissa Harmon

Meet Melissa Harmon, Sr. Director of Production at South Florida PBS and media trailblazer.  In this talk we discuss the role of technology over the last few years with the use of drones and editing software that make storytelling much more appealing for the audience.  It's also Season 11 of Art Loft and we're talking about the project Geographies of Trash and the roles its pillars played in impacting community, biking, upcycle,  the environment and mental health. 

S04E09 Science, Art, Design and Business for the Oceans - Dr. Sylvia Earle

Science, Art, Design and Business for the Oceans Featuring Dr. Sylvia Earle hosted by Neil Ramsay

S04E08 #Storybook - Francisco Cornejo

Have you heard of the #Storybook app? Meet Francisco Cornejo, CEO of the Storybook app and entrepreneur that created this new concept for parents and young children 1-5. Francisco quit his C-level job back in Ecuador to move to Australia with his wife and kids to study for a master’s degree and to start his professional career anew.  Still, that decision took him through enormous growth as a family and ultimately became the idea for Storybook (www.storybook-app.com), the app created with his wife to help families bond, relax and sleep better.  Today this project has paved the way for over 2 million parents to bond with their kids before bedtime, resulting in emotional and physical health improvements for hundreds of thousands of kids in 155 countries.

S04E07 #SculptorTech - Maria Elena González

Meet Maria Elena González “Artists are Entrepreneurs” María Elena González is an internationally recognized American sculptor based in Brooklyn, NY, and Oakland, CA. González interweaves the conceptual with a strong dedication to craft in her complex installations and poetic arrangements, exploring themes like identity, memory, and dislocation.  She is currently working on systemic changes at the academic level to educate artists in climate change mitigation and a sustainable practice in her own sculpture practice. Over a career spanning thirty years she has won the Prix de Rome from the American Academy in Rome (2003) and Grand Prize at the 30th Biennial of Graphic Arts at Ljubljana, Slovenia (2013). She’s won a Eureka Fellowship from the Fleishhacker Foundation (2019), a Guggenheim Fellowship (2006) and has been awarded grants from numerous foundations including Creative Capital, Pollock-Krasner, Joan Mitchell, New York Foundation for the Arts, and Penny McCall.  She has served as the Sculpture Commissioner for New York City’s Design Commission and has also taught at Cooper Union School of Art and Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, among others. González was a tenured professor and Chair of the Sculpture Department at San Francisco Art Institute until it closed in 2022. In 1999, González received widespread acclaim for her site-specific sculpture Magic Carpet/Home, commissioned by the Public Art Fund, and another site-specific work titled You & Me (2010), commissioned by Storm King Art Center.  Her Tree Talk Series culminated in a solo exhibition at The Mills College Art Museum on January 2019. González’s work can be found in numerous public collections including the Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland; Museum voor Modern Kunst, Arnhem, The Netherlands; Museum of Art, The Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI; The Museum of Arts and Design, New York; and The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York.

S04E06 #Arttalk - Lindsey Brittain Collins

In this talk we welcome Lindsey Brittain Collins with co-host Neil Ramsay in a unique conversation on how architecture and design can address social and economic challenges and exploring ways that the built environment can be a tool for creating equity.  Meet Lindsey Brittain Collins a New York-based painter working across multiple mediums, including collage, sculpture, and installation. She creates architectural abstractions that narrate her encounters with built environments and urban spaces. Inspired by contemporary and historical events, memory, and personal experiences, her conceptually driven work focuses on sharing untold stories and examining the relationship between architecture and social and economic structures.  She is particularly interested in investigating how architecture and design can address social and economic challenges and exploring ways that the built environment can be a tool for creating equity. Drawing on her academic background in business, economics, and sociology, she approaches the topics in her work through a critical lens. Lindsey received her MFA from Columbia University in 2021. She received her B.A. in Economics and Sociology from the University of Virginia and her MBA from Columbia Business School. In 2018 she was appointed by the Governor to the Art & Architectural Review Board for the state of Virginia. Lindsey has been an artist-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center, and in 2019 she was the recipient of the Washington DC Arena Stage Emerging Leader in the Arts Award. Currently, Brittain Collins is an artist-in- residence at Silver Art Projects at the World Trade Center, where this year's program focuses on social justice and activism.

S04E05 #TheArtofTeaching - Laura Sinclair

Violist, educator, entrepreneur, Laura Sinclair is an active performer and Suzuki teacher in the South Florida area. She can be found on the concert stage with ensembles like the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Boca Symphonia, Symphony of the Americas and the Kravis Center Pops Orchestra, in the pit with visiting National Broadway tours and the Miami City Ballet, and at private events with Elan Artists. A former public school strings director, Laura is the Music Curriculum Director for the Volta Foundation, providing educational training and support to their teachers and a diverse repertoire sequence. Laura firmly believes that music can be a powerful tool for breaking down barriers,building good citizens of the world. As a self-proclaimedd Suzuki fanatic, Laura is registered through Book 10, in addition to many supplemental courses.  She blends high-level teaching with her interest in neuroscience and attachment parenting. She shares this with her vibrant home studio, and parents and teachers worldwide. Over the past 10 years, Laura has developed a passion for helping other teachers develop smart business practices and enjoy teaching to its fullest. With her program, the Stress Free Studio, she helps musicians create teaching studios that allow them to show up authentically and hone their offer to the world.https://instagram.com/viola_maverick #TheArtofTeaching is hosted by our podcast guest co-host Neil Ramsay. The music used in this podcast was created by Jose Veliz, FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator Fellow.

S04E04 #LienLibrary - Mac Alabre

In this episode our guest is Mac Alabre, CEO, Founder and Chairman of the Lien Library.  Our talk this week takes us to learn more about the purpose, mission and vision behind the creation of the Lien Library. More about the Lien Library: We are a group of hungry minority problem-solvers who have background in business, real estate, and computer science who are committed to improving the manual process that both local government and title companies go through to prepare and obtain a lien report and we are happy to do it in the name of Lien Library. When we started a few years ago we wanted to build a good company, but our community’s support inspires us to build a great company. https://www.lienlibrary.com/

S04E03 Where in the World is #FIU - Dr. Pablo G. Ortiz

In this episode were talking with Dr. Pablo G. Ortiz, Vice-President and Vice-Provost of Regional and World locations at Florida International University.  A true #Panther he's been in the education landscape for over 27 years and leads campus innovation and engagement across FIU locations. One of his missions is to engage and bring our future leaders back to campus creating experiences, networking and sense of community.  FIU has over 200 partners around the world participating as centers of collaboration and research- As examples Italy and Colombia are part of that growing list.  Tune in and learn “Where in the world is FIU”—it may be near you!     

S04E02 #BreakingNews - Cari Hernandez

Welcome back to our FIU Alumni, Cari Hernandez! A proud panther she is one of the few Black Latinas leading as a News Content Director in an  English language newsroom at WUSA-9 in Washington, DC.  Her journey started right here at FIU and has taken her to report and produce countless breaking news events that have affected our communities. In this episode, we discuss coverage of minorities and misinformation in the age of #breakingnews.  Cari is an Emmy award-winning journalist and is recognized along with journalist Jim Defede with the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award for excellence in broadcast and digital journalism. She served as Executive Producer on the  2017 documentary “The Everglades: Where Politics, Money and Race Collide,” a one-hour documentary on the 2016 environmental disaster that hit the Treasure Coast and its relation to Everglades restoration. About Cari Hernandez:  Hernandez joined WSUA-9 as content discovery and producing lead in 2019. She previously spent 7 years as an executive producer of investigations and special projects at CBS4 Miami. Previously, she also worked as an executive producer for CNN in Atlanta from 2008 to 2011. Before that, she was an executive producer at NBC6 in Miami.

S04E01 #TheWhiteHouse (Se habla Español) - Luisana Perez Fernandez

Bienvenidos a la Casa Blanca. Meet Luisana Perez Fernandez, Director of Hispanic Media at The White House.  We take a journey on what goes on behind the scenes at one of the nation's busiest news hubs- Our guest takes us through a typical day on  how information is gathered and identified for the Hispanic community.  Luisana Pérez Fernández is a Venezuelan-American communications expert and political advisor. She currently serves as the director of Hispanic media for the Joe Biden administration. Special music by our FIU Ratcliffe fellow @Jose Veliz

#Netflix and the streaming wars with Amanda Lotz

Amanda Lotz returns to talk about where we are 1 year after her last book Media Disrupted discussed the streaming wars!  Is #Netlflix and the rest of the competition in the middle of an industry transformation where the streaming wars will start to show  who is actually winning and losing.  Netflix and Streaming Video is the first book to provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the business of subscriber-funded streaming video and its implications for the role of these services in culture. Drawing on Lotz's two decades of research, the book highlights the similarities and differences among streaming video services (Netflix; Amazon) and video distribution technologies (broadcast; satellite; internet). Making a number of provocative and thought-provoking arguments, the book first reveals how the reliance on subscriber payment and video on demand produce different norms and strategies compared to previous video businesses. It then investigates Netflix and how its blend of characteristics distinguishes it from other subscriber-funded video on demand services. This book expertly shows that by understanding the underlying economic and technological dynamics of these services (and their differences), it is possible to better assess the actions taken by these companies and what the future of video may encompass. https://www.amandalotz.com/

#AVOD for Hispanics with Isabel Rafferty Zavala

Spice it up! That was the theme at this year's Canela Media upfront with Isabel Rafferty Zavala, CEO and Founder.  In this innovative conversation we hear the journey of a serial entrepreneur that has built three companies and her latest project CANELA MEDIA addresses the void in the streaming market where the Hispanic audience is an afterthought.  The AVOD service was launched during the pandemic with surprising results that has led the company to report 50 million unique users! In developing the brand it has LAUNCHED news, music and soon Kids !  Isabel Rafferty Zavala is a digital marketing pioneer. She is the Founder and CEO of Canela Media, a leading digital media tech company that gives brands the tools they need to effectively connect with multicultural audiences through multiple touchpoints, including its free-to-stream platform Canela.TV, influencer marketing, branded content, and more than 180 exclusive Spanish-language sites. Prior to starting Canela Media, Rafferty founded Mobvious, a company dedicated to reaching U.S. Hispanic and African-American audiences via mobile advertising. Under Rafferty’s leadership, Mobvious quickly became the largest Hispanic-focused ad network, as ranked by Comscore, before being acquired by PRISA in 2017.

#Experiential learning and more with Mihaela Plugarasu

"Tech doesn’t mean you plug it in with Neil Ramsay" Meet professor Mihaela Plugarasum Assistant Teaching Professor of Communication at Florida International Unviersity. In this insightful talk we learn about #Experiential learning in the 21st Century. Ms. Plugarasu is a dynamic facilitator, moderator and presenter on empowering topics related to Personal Branding & The Power of Social Media, Communication and Leadership, Conscious Living, Conscious Parenting, Personal Development and Self Growth. She facilitated workshops and courses for college students in USA and Europe, not-for-profit organizations and women’s empowerment groups. In her previous role as Director, Strategic Initiatives & Communications at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, she was responsible for overseeing all communications and office operations including marketing, promotions, advertising, web and social media, public relations and analytics. In addition, Mihaela served as a member of the senior leadership team, providing direct support to the dean and the executive team by ensuring the implementation and management of key initiatives across the school related to the dean’s vision and mission. Under her leadership, the Chaplin School’s brand messaging and positioning improved significantly through successful accomplishment of massive projects such as E-merge Americas Technology Conference, international campus visits, industry conferences, media campaigns, new website launch, and institutional events.  As a result of her strategic thinking abilities, Ms. Plugarasu was appointed to serve as one of only ten I-REAL commissioners, charged with making recommendations for FIU’s 2020 Strategic Plan. In 2016, she was selected to participate in FIU’s first cohort of the President’s Leadership Program, under the sponsorship of Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg.

#DIY Make it happen with Sabrina Soto

Our next guest needs no introduction in the world of #DIY ...  You all know SABRINA SOTO from HGTV and CBS Secret Celebrity Renovation!  We kick off this fun and unexpected talk with this: “Embracing who we are and where we come from is the only way we can truly begin to design for ourselves.” Sabrina Soto has been an entrepreneur since she was 7 years old! At 18 she got orders from Fred Siegel and Nordstrom! Imagine having to enlist friends to deliver 1200 barrettes to Nordstrom!  BUT being an entrepreneur also has its challenges like being told NO, rejected over and over ! Sabrina says: "rejection is redirection" ... Think about it! About (sabrinasoto.com)

Navigating the #Metaverse with Cathy Hackl

Meet the godmother of the #Metaverse Cathy Hackl!  We're talking in this episode about the definition of the #metaverse and the true meaning of navigating and building businesses around it.  Cathy Hackl is a globally recognized metaverse/ web3 strategist, tech futurist, sought-after business executive, speaker and media personality with deep expertise working in metaverse-related fields with companies like HTC VIVE, Magic Leap, and Amazon Web Services.  She’s the Chief Metaverse Officer & Co-founder of Journey, where she leads Journey's Metaverse Studio working with the world's top brands on metaverse/web3 strategies, NFTs, gaming, virtual fashion, and how to extend their brands into virtual worlds. Her consultancy, Futures Intelligence Group, was acquired in just 10 months and now a part of Journey.

#TechReady for the Future with Dr. Kenneth A. Jessell

The podcast is honored to present Interim President of Florida International University Dr. Kenneth A. Jessell.  Is FIU #TechReady preparing the workforce of tomorrow? How is technology changing the educational landscape?  Dr. Jessell talks about how things are evolving and moving quickly with technology. FIU is ready to educate and train the modern student body and feed the pipeline for the innovative jobs of the future.     Plus, we can't leave out a talk on the #Metaverse? What's next?  Interim FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell | Office of the President | Florida International University

#VSee The Future of Telehealth with Dr. Milton Chen

What is the future of telehealth? Our podcast guest co-host Neil Ramsay talks with Dr. Milton Chen Co-founder & CEO - VSee Project. In this conversation we learn about the challenges and streamlining need to have successful and functional telehealth.  Milton is a co-founder and CEO of VSee – the only approved video telehealth platform used by NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. He did his PhD at Stanford University where he researched human factors and design of video collaboration. Milton is also the co-author of the XMPP video standard, and XMPP is used by Google and Facebook Chat. He has deployed VSee for Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie, Linkin Park, and President Obama’s inauguration. Milton has been to Iraq, Nigeria, Gabon and Philippines working in refugee camps and homeless shelters to provide telemedicine.  Milton is currently working with the NASA Return to the Moon mission to create the telehealth devices and services that will go to the Moon and then Mars.

#ZEAL with Allen Kwabena Frimpong

In this podcast episode presented by guest co- host, Neil Ramsay we're talking with Allen Kwabena Frimpong. Listen to this powerful and insightful talk on equality versus equity and more!  Allen Kwabena Frimpong is a cooperative entrepreneur, cultural strategist, and an artist who organizes as a conduit through social movements. He aims through his resource mobilization efforts in philanthropy to build a solidarity economy.He is a founder of several powerful and influencial social entrepreneurship endeavors. He is managing partner of AdAstra Collective (www.adastra.management) which is a boutique consulting cooperative whose vision is to transform power through networked movement building for a just, democratic, and liberating world.  AdAstra Collective also anchors the work of the Old Money, New System community of practice (www.oldmoneynewsystem.net) that supports resource mobilization initiatives that strengthen social movement ecosystems to be relational, center community healing, and redistribution of wealth through learning and innovation.  He is a principal manager of ZEAL (www.zeal.press), a creative studio cooperative for Black artists throughout the diaspora. Lastly, he is the co-founder of Liberation Ventures a field-building organization that takes a networked approach to in building a culture of repair towards winning on reparations in the US.Allen has supported the capacity-building of many organizational efforts over the last 15 years with a unique interdisciplinary practice in community organizing, cultural strategy, transformative leadership coaching, resource mobilization, and participatory planning within networked complex systems. EDUCATION Syracuse University CUNY Hunter College Amherst College Cornell University University of Pennsylvania

What's next in immersive technology with Nathan Pettyjohn

The next episode kicks off Miami Tech Month!  Our guest is Nathan Pettyjohn, President and Founder of VRAR Association and Commerical Lead at Lenovo.  The future is here! What an exciting time to learn use and innovate with the tech tools around us.  We discuss the mission and purpose of VRAR Association, the definition of the Metaverse, its innovation and benefits, as well as criticism towards isolation and addiction. 

21st Century learning with Dr. Elizabeth Bejar

The podcast presents this "Exclusive" interview with Dr. Elizabeth Bejar, making history at Florida International University, as the first Hispanic woman to serve as interim provost.   How do we engage the students and offer an "A la Carte" learning experience? The future workforce is here, and we reflect on the success and  challenges with the pandemic. The learning process and curriculum has never been more dynamic and exciting to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. 

Enter the virtual world with Elizabeth Irizarry

Entering the virtual world!  In this podcast episode Meet Elizabeth Irizarry, a leading community manager, strategist, podcaster, and Web3 enthusiast. She is the founder of the Infinite Attraction Podcast, a local Miami-based podcast empowering the local builder community. In her current role as the Director of Strategic Partnership at Empire Office, she collaborates with the local real estate community to provide workplace solutions to her clients. We enter the virtual world and learn about #NFTs, #blockchain and the #metaverse, its beginnings and define each term in this growing ecosystem. A simple answer to these questions and how we define each term, "they are still evolving".  The future is yet to be defined. 

#VentureMiami with Kenasha Paul

We kick off Women's History month with Kenasha Paul, the Director of Venture Miami Opportunity Program at Florida International University. It's an unprecedented time in our city and around the world with the growing interest in promoting women through entrepreneurial opportunities.  The City of Miami is having a moment that can turn into sustained and inclusive economic development via the strategic and effective stewardship of new companies and investors. Funded by JP Morgan Chase, FIU is leveraging the existing novel partnership between the City of Miami and FIU Engagement via Venture Miami to create a new program that provides targeted access and support to female founders of color, a significantly underrepresented group in the innovation economy. Venture Miami Opportunity Program | Office of Engagement | Florida International University (fiu.edu)

Intelligent Mischief with Terry and Aisha

Meet Intelligent Mischief!  Our special guest host, Neil Ramsay talks with Terry Marshall and Aisha Shillingford about the mission of Intelligent Mischief. a multi-disciplinary creative studio and futures lab design unleashing Black imagination to shape the future. #design #podcast #future #creative Terry Marshall, Founder/Creative Director, is an artist, strategist and cultural studies scholar living in Brooklyn by way of Barbados and Boston. He has 20-plus years of experience as a labor and cultural organizer and previously founded the Hip Hop Media Lab and Streets is Watching. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the USC Annenberg Innovation Lab Civic Media Fellowship and an alumnus of the Laundromat Project Creative Change Fellowship. Aisha Shillingford, Artistic Director and multi-disciplinary artist, world builder, designer and cultural strategist originally from Trinidad & Tobago. She is an alumna of Laundromat Project's Creative Change Fellowship, a member of the New Museum Incubator, and an inaugural Fellow at the Race Forward Butterfly Lab for Immigrant Narrative Strategy. Her written work has been published in Black Discourse and Grantmakers In the Arts. Her work has been commissioned by the Movement for Black Lives, Root Rise Pollinate and Creative Wild Fire. About — Intelligent Mischief

The #Metaverse and beyond with Carlos Fueyo

What is the Metaverse? Meet Carlos Fueyo, appointed as Knight Innovator in Residence at Florida International University CARTA's iStar (Immersive Studio For Altered Reality). Carlos will be advising on the use of new technologies and philosophies spanning across a multitude of fields.  🎬We will be finding links between fields like communications, architecture, art, and new emerging technologies in the virtual production and XR spaces. The ultimate goal will be to educate and expand the horizons of the students, faculty and the community to create a new future into the Metaverse and beyond!

#NFTx#Upcyclingx#Socialpractice with David Anasagasti

Meet David Anasagasti, he's talking all things #NFTx#Upcyclingx#Socialpractice in this episode!  Ahol Sniffs Glue, the South Florida native is best known for his soaring urban murals depicting expansive fields of drowsy eyes, reflecting his unique vision of life, labor and unrequited love of the mean streets of Miami. Currently, he's an Entrepreneurial Resident at Florida International University's Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator. One of his projects is a collaboration with the Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab and the FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator called "Geographies of Trash", a modern-day scavenger hunt with his followers around the cityscape.  During his rides, Ahol tags the pieces of trash with his signature stylized eyeball. He then posted photos on social media, and the 40,000+ followers venture out to figure out the location of these unique pieces.  The big prize... giving them NFTs that cement their ownership of an original Ahol piece. Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article255928516.html#storylink=cpy About / CV – AHOL SNIFFS GLUE

The Power of Student Agency with Dr. Anindya Kundu

Meet Dr. Anindya Kundu, a sociologist who loves thinking about how people can succeed despite various challenges. In 2020, his TED Talk ranked in the Top 5 !  In this podcast episode, we discuss how to close the opportunity gap and more!  How can we promote the learning and well-being of all students, especially those who come from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds? We can fight against deeply rooted inequalities in the American educational system by harnessing student agency―each person’s unique capacity for positive change. In 2020, Kundu's book, The Power of Student Agency, was published by Teachers College Press and endorsed by Dr. Pedro Noguera and Dr. Angela Duckworth, among other influential scholars and practitioners. It was a 2021 Association of American Publishers PROSE Award (Professional and Scholarly Excellence) Finalist. Dr. Kundu is an assistant professor of educational leadership at Florida International University, College of Arts, Sciences and Education (CASE).    

#Spacewalks, missions and beyond with Winston E. Scott

Winston E. Scott, a Miami native, retired navy captain and former NASA astronaut takes listeners to infinity and beyond.  Scott, a veteran of two shuttle missions on Endeavour and Columbia logged a total of 24 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes in space, including three spacewalks totaling 19 hours and 26 minutes. Did Winston Scott dream of being an astronaut growing up? We're talking the technology that is being used in NASA partnerships with SpaceX and his thoughts on the new space tourism with Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos expanding to reach the edge of space. When will the next crew go to the moon? Is there a Mars Mission in the next decade?   Listen and find out all this and more in this out of this world conversation! 

#HouseofAkong with Nicole Akong

Meet Nicole Akong! #HouseofAkong How do you start your own business and what does it take to stand out from the rest? Nicole takes listeners through her journey of designing jewelry and expanding her fashion line.  She's also known for the BBC's Great British Sewing Bee which won her a place in the final!  AKONG’s collections were bought by some of the world's most renowned stores, including ASOS, Harvey Nichols and Anthropologie; featured regularly in major fashion magazines, including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Grazia; published in two books; seen on various television shows; and famously worn by one of the world's biggest fashion icons, Amal Clooney. ​ ABOUT | House of AKONG

The #StreamingWars with Evan Shapiro

Evan Shapiro, Emmy and Peabody award- winning producer, pundit and professor at NYU Stern School of Business. Our podcast talk takes through the stages of the #streamingwars and the many questions of who is winning and losing...  Who is profitable and why?  What influence did  technology have on the entertainment ecosystem and more!    About Evan Shapiro Over the last 30 years, Evan Shapiro has worked in media, entertainment and education, creating distinctive content, building iconic brands, teaching thousands of students and young executives, leading a charge for diversity and inclusion in media, and pushing for change in the industry as an executive, producer, board member, professor, writer and most recently, has become the industry’s official unofficial cartographer. As Board Chair of The Ghetto Film School and Co-Founder of One Day Immersion, and as a writer, speaker and thought leader, for decades Shapiro has spent substantial time, energy and personal capital on pushing the entertainment community to increase opportunity, access and inclusion for those who have been historically under-represented on and behind the camera. As a producer and executive, his efforts have resulted in ground-breaking projects in film, television and podcasting, giving platforms to new, original and diverse voices. Shapiro’s work has resulted in awards, critical acclaim, and, most importantly, a strong and diverse community of collaborators, across the spectrum of disciplines in the for-profit and non-profit spheres. His maps of the Media Universe have become touchstones in the industry. Shapiro is an Emmy and Peabody Award winner, having produced or created more than 150 television series, specials, documentaries and podcasts, including Portlandia, Comedy Bang Bang, Maron, National Lampoon Radio Hour Podcast, The Roast Of Your Teenage Self, Dinner For Five, Please Like Me, Take My Wife, Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, Shrink, Trapped In The Closet, Harmonquest, Laurie Kilmartin’s 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad, Doug Stanhope’s No Place Like Home, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s HitRecord, Fortitude, Carlos, My Brother My Brother & Me, Brick City, This Film Is Not Yet Rated, and Funny Women of A Certain Age. He is a Professor for TV and Media at NYU/Stern School of Business and for Media Studies at Fordham University, a sought-after guest speaker for conferences and universities, as well as a frequent guest writer for publishers such as Huffington Post, Deadline and The Wrap, where he has made some rather bold predictions about the future of the media and entertainment industry, many of which have come to fruition. He is also an in-demand lecturer for companies and government agencies about Generation Y and Gene

Global Art and NFTs with Mikhaile Solomon

Join Mikhaile Solomon, Founding Director of PRIZM as she talks about her journey in art and this year's panel program including the growing interest in NFTs. During our talk we explore what opportunities is technology providing artists for receiving benefits from the resale of their work?  PRIZM returns for its ninth edition, taking place from November 30th through December 19th, 2021. A Preview for our Patrons will take place from November 24st to 30th, 2020. PRIZM Art Fair 2021 will be available for online viewing through PRIZM’s website and Artsy.net. Film screenings and PRIZM’s panel program will be available through the fair’s website. This year, PRIZM’s Mikhaile Solomon will present a curated exhibition entitled “Points of Contact. The special section will include 45 artists from various global locales including Congo, Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Maarten, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and the United States. Home – PRIZM

Media Disrupted with Amanda Lotz

Amanda D. Lotz, professor and author presents her latest book, Media Disrupted- When did the media companies know that they had to launch their own streaming services? The subscriber- funded services have created the most unique business venture developing a direct relationship with its subscribers.  We're taking a journey in this talk through the past two decades and the changes across, radio, television, cable and the recent streaming wars!  Amanda D. Lotz is a media studies professor at Queensland University of Technology. Her research focuses on understanding the implications of internet distribution on media industries, with a particular focus on U.S. television. She has also published two books on representations of gender on television and in the media. Bio / Contact — Amanda D. Lotz (amandalotz.com)

#MiamiTech with Leigh-Ann Buchanan

Leigh-Ann Buchanan talks about her journey from being an attorney to finding her way in the tech space.  In this podcast we talk about her purpose, passions and the black entrepreneurial stories that haven't been told.  Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, Esq. is a strategist, writer, facilitator, and frequent speaker on strategies for inclusive innovation and designing equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems.  She has supported innovation and technology leaders at Fortune 500 companies including Google, Facebook, Delta, P&G Ventures,  Airbnb, HSBC, and UBS. As a founder,  she has launched ventures from concept to scale, raised seven-figure philanthropic investments, and designed partnerships and platforms to connect innovators, young leaders, and communities with the capital and opportunities necessary to take their impact to the next level. Most notably, as the founding Executive Director of Venture Café Miami. She led the organization to exponential growth and impact to connect 50,000 innovators and establish 1000+ content partnerships with national and global organizations over a 5 year period. Leigh-Ann is also the founder of the Nyah Project, which bridges systemic opportunity gaps through transformative leadership fellowships abroad and tech-enabled college access coaching for disadvantaged youth of color. Under her leadership, 100% of Nyah Fellows attend college and over 90% win scholarships—amounting to over $10 million in scholarships since 2014. About — Leigh-Ann Buchanan (leighannbuchanan.com)

The Future of Electric Vehicles with Ebo Entsuah

In this innovative talk, we learn about the latest and the future of electric vehicles with expert Ebo Entsuah, a Policy Principal at Advanced Energy Economy (AEE). Florida is the third most populous state in the nation with over 21 million residents and growing. What are the current incentives and rebates available to purchase an EV and how is that different from the Federal Tax Credit. The technology has well advanced with some batteries even being interchangeable, making it an advantage in saving both gas and power. There are a number of charging stations throughout state and will continue to rise with more consumers making the shift. It is estimated that the carmakers will have about 81 models by 2025 for the public to own an EV. Coming soon: a Ford model called "Lightning" will have a generator, as part of the vehicle's features—a handy one for those living in states with recurring hurricanes and storms. While we may not be seeing flying cars just yet, this is an alternative for the environment and consumer budgets.   Ebo Reuel Isaac Entsuah is a Policy Principal at Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), where he leads AEE’s legislative and regulatory engagement in Florida and supports legislative and regulatory engagement in Virginia as well. Ebo is the youngest African American ever elected to Clermont’s City Council.  

#Roku on the rise with Gretel Perera

#Roku is dominating with subscribers not just in the United States, but in international markets like Latin America.  Meet Gretel Perera, a proud native of Venezuela and the Director of PR for Roku in Latin America. In this episode she takes us through her journey managing and leading public relations at various organizations. Our talk focuses on the international rise of Roku in Latin America and the role she plays promoting the brand expansion in the region.  Our conversation also discusses the current "streaming wars" and trends in content and viewership.    About Roku, Inc. Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. We connect users to the streaming content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku streaming players and TV-related audio devices are available in the U.S. and in select countries through direct retail sales and licensing arrangements with service operators. Roku TV™ models are available in the U.S. and in select countries through licensing arrangements with TV brands. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. U.S.A. For more information, visit www.roku.com.

The creative entrepreneurial process with Anjanette Delgado

A unique creative talk with our next guest-- Anjanette Delgado is a Puerto Rican writer and journalist. In this conversation we take a journey and learn about her passion for storytelling , as well as the creative entrepreneurial process during these unprecedented times.   She is the author of The Heartbreak Pill (Simon and Schuster, 2008), 2009 winner of the Latino International Book Award, and of The Clairvoyant of Calle Ocho (Kensington Publishing & Penguin Random House, 2014).  Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies, as well as in The Kenyon Review, Pleiades, Vogue, The New York Times ("Modern Love"), The Hong Kong Review, NPR, and HBO, among others. A Bread Loaf Conference alumni, she won an Emmy Award for feature writing in 1994, served as a judge for the Flannery O'Connor Short Fiction Award in 2015, and was a Peter Taylor Fellow in Fiction in 2016. Her short story "Lucky" was nominated for a 2020 Pushcart Prize, she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida International University, and lives in Miami, Florida. ANJANETTE DELGADO 

#eMerge: Building the tech hub of the Americas with Melissa Medina

Melissa Medina is a Founding Executive team member and President of eMerge Americas. In this talk she takes listeners through her journey with entrepreneurship deep in her DNA she's working hard to make #Miami and #SouthFlorida the next tech hub of the Americas. eMerge Americas, a venture-backed platform focused on transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas. The eMerge signature event, launched in 2014, is a global tech conference held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. With Melissa’s leadership, the eMerge Americas conference now attracts more than 16,000+ attendees from over 40 countries. eMerge gathers the brightest minds and convenes investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, business executives, government leaders, academia, and renowned subject matter experts from across the globe to discuss technologies transforming our lives.  In addition to the annual conference, eMerge organizes and hosts year-round executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, masterclasses, webinars, as well as publishes venture activity and investment insights reports and publications. Melissa has been at the forefront of helping to foster a thriving entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem in South Florida. Subsequent to the 2014 inaugural conference, Melissa assisted in the 2015 launch of the Women, Innovation & Technology summit (WIT), which convenes top female professionals from across the globe to showcase how they are transforming industries through technology & innovation. Melissa is extremely committed to and has a strong track record in supporting women and minority founders and entrepreneurs. Melissa Medina (emergeamericas.com)

Go Like Mariana! with Mariana Atencio

Go Like Mariana! What led Mariana Atencio to become an entrepreneur and co-found her company GoLike? Mariana Atencio, award-winning journalist, motivational speaker, best-selling author and co-founder of Go Like! Her journey takes us from the early days of her passion for storytelling working at Univision and NBC News to creating a unique path with her spirit of innovation and creativity . www.golikemariana.com 

Get on your feet! Entrepreneurship with Emilio Estefan

Get on your feet! What does it take to be an entrepreneur in these times...Hosted by producer, Maggie Salas-Amaro.  Emilio Estefan talks about his journey as an award- winning producer, recipient of 19 Grammys, director, entrepreneur, known for launching the careers of artists like Shakira, Ricky Martin just to name a few... His unique rhythm has crossed borders and created a cultural movement.  In this creative talk we discuss the timely premiere of the song "Libertad" and the role of technology in the recent protests in Cuba. 

Design and Lifestyle Tech with Martin Amado

Meet FIU Alumnus, MARTIN AMADO - TV personality, interior decorator, lifestyle expert, and author of One-Day Room Makeovers. He is currently a TV host/design expert on ION Television, a leading U.S. general entertainment network, a home contributor on Acceso Total on WSCV Telemundo 51 and NBC’s 6 In The Mix airing in South Florida, and nationally on Telemundo’s Al Rojo Vivo. Upcoming projects include a DIY series for CreateTV.Com.  Martin's early inspiration comes from working with his dad who was a contractor . In this conversation we discuss the role of technology in design and lifestyle, as the pandemic challenged everyone to reinvent themselves.  Prior to that, local viewers became familiar with his work on the home makeover segment Room for Improvement that aired on WSVN 7 News, FOX affiliate, for over 11 years; and most recently on SoFlo Home Project on WPLG Local 10, ABC affiliate, which he hosted for almost four years.  Source: MartinAmado.com

Mission to Mars II: Rover Tech Update with Elio Morillo

In our first interview with NASA, the Perseverance Rover was about to land on Mars. A few months later we connect with Elio Morillo, a system testbed engineer working on the Mars Mission. In this out-of-this-world talk we learn about his journey and what inspires his interest in space and science. For the last four years, he has contributed to the mission by developing and executing electrical integration procedures, verification and validation, and most recently, nominal and off-nominal operations readiness testing of Mars surface operations. Elio designed and executed testing procedures to verify flight systems capabilities for the Mars 2020 Remote Sensing Mast, Gain Antenna, Rover Motor Controller, Mars 2020 Engineering cameras, and the Mars Helicopter System. Source: NASA

Black Quantum Futurism with Rasheedah Phillips

What is Black Quantum Futurism? Our guest is Rasheedah Phillips, artist, author, attorney, community activist and 2021 Knight Arts+Tech Fellow.  Black Quantum Futurism is an interdisciplinary creative practice between Camae Ayewa and Rasheedah Phillips exploring the intersections of futurism, creative media, DIY aesthetics, and activism in marginalized communities through an alternative temporal lens. Their  work focuses on the recovery, collection and preservation of communal memories, histories, and futures.  Black Quantum Futurism has produced a number of experimental music projects, exhibitions, writing, films, performances, and community-based events, including the award-winning Community Futures Lab. SOURCE: Knight Foundation 2021 Knight Arts + Tech Fellowship – Knight Foundation

Virtual and Analog Public Realms with Rodolfo Peraza

Meet Rodolfo Peraza, a Cuban-born multimedia artist that began his journey in Havana, Cuba. His work focuses on public spaces, both virtual and physical.  Peraza is the founder of Fanguito Estudio in Havana (2009). In 2013, he launched the VRLab for the development of browser-based VR technology.  Peraza also created MUD Foundation (Miami, 2016) to advance the intersections between art and digital technologies by implementing artistic and educational programs.​ Rodolfo Peraza has been recognized with numerous recognitions and is a 2021 Knight Arts + Tech Fellow. 

Transmedia art, Robots, AI and Beyond with Stephanie Dinkins

In this conversation we feature Stephanie Dinkins, a transmedia artist who creates platforms for dialog about race, gender, aging, and our future histories. This impactful conversation takes listeners on a journey with a project Bina48, a humanoid robot in a  quest for friendship and questions about the future.    Dinkins’ art practice employs emerging technologies, documentary practices, and social collaboration toward equity and community sovereignty.  She is particularly driven to work with communities of color to co-create more equitable, values grounded social and technological ecosystems. Dinkins is a professor at Stony Brook University where she holds the Kusama Endowed Professor in Art. Stephanie Dinkins is a 2021 Knight Arts +Tech Fellow.  Source:  STEPHANIE DINKINS / www.stephaniedinkins.com   

Tech Policy and Access with Dr. Dominique Harrison

Do you know which technology policies are being introduced for legislation in Washington, D.C. ? Meet Dr. Dominique Harrison, Director of Technology Policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Our talk takes us to  explore three issue areas:  Platform accountability, broadband access privacy and algorithm experience.  Our conversation turns to learn more about Artificial Intelligence (AI) bias, and how it could produce discriminatory outcomes for communities of color.   

FinTech in Miami with Eric Rosenthal of Rapyd

Why Miami? Our next conversation is with Eric Rosenthal, VP and Managing Director, Americas for Rapyd. The company recently announced a $100 million Miami Tech Power initiative, placing the spotlight on Miami when it comes to tech companies sourcing talent and using our geography to further expand their businesses globally. 

The Era of Online Learning with Dr. Karla Kennedy

How do we keep inspiring students when the classroom now shifts to a digital platform? In this conversation, Dr. Karla Kennedy, Program Director of Online Learning for FIU CARTA takes us through some of the challenges of engagement in distance learning and the future .

Miami: The New Tech Frontier with Mayor Francis Suarez

Is Miami ready for the tech revolution? In this conversation we have the honor of featuring Mayor Francis Suarez, the first Miami-born mayor and FIU alumnus. Mayor Suarez talks about the opportunities that emerged to run the city during the pandemic, and the virtual platforms that exist for residents to start businesses and interact virtually without ever having to go in person to a government facility.  Our conversation turns to the "Miami Connected” initiative to bring  100,000 students free broadband connection and digital tools. Mayor Suarez is urging every city across the country to embrace , grow and expand their tech ecosystem.

The Art of Gaming with artist Leo Castaneda

The Art of Gaming... Art, gaming and virtual reality..  In this conversation our guest is visual artist Leo Castañeda, born in Colombia and from a talented family of artists and architects... We're talking about the intersection of art and virtual reality . 

Miami-Dade Tech talk with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

As we close Women's History Month, our guest is Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. The county's first female mayor will talk about her digital engagement strategies during her campaign in the time of the pandemic . We also discuss the initiative "Thrive 305",  a survey aimed to get feedback for determining  priorities,creating innovation and creativity between the government and the public.    Our conversation turns to the tech priorities and an econmic agenda called "Renew 305" creating partnerships and  a pipeline for training  welcoming both local talent and prospectives that want to call our county their headquarters or home. The podcast closes with the recent announcement to rename the Miami Heat's stadium to FTX Arena.  

Crypto Art and NFTs with David Anasagasti and Sam Pepper

The art world has changed and our guests David Anasagasti, digital artist and Sam Pepper, internet creative are  talking about crypto art and NFTs.... In this artistic conversation we learn all about what's happening and changing in the virtual art scene and beyond.    

What's in the forecast with Meteorologist Paola Elorza

The weather is always either a HOT or COLD topic... so what's in the forecast? Our conversation turns to the famous weather models and the current tech tools to predict everything from storms, hurricanes, and well the overall changing weather. We're talking to Meteorologist, Paola Elorza, a familiar face in South Florida and throughout Latin America, having been the face of weather reporting in her native Chile and later for Weather Channel Latin America. Paola Elorza, a well-known meteorologist for years at Univision and now as part of the weather team at WSCV, Telemundo 51.

VR Tech Innovation with Joanna Popper, Head of Global VR at HP

Joanna Popper, Head of Global VR at HP takes us on this unique experience to discuss the newest tools and innovation in headsets, backpacks and full body experiences in VR.  Did you know you can connect with people to build and collaborate on anything from visiting and building art to performing surgery with VR?   

The Future of Art with Lauren Shapiro

Lauren Shapiro, international artist takes us on a unique artistic journey to learn more about the intersection of technology and ceramics. Did you know that clay is one of the first tools and technology of mankind?  

Tech Conversations at FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator (Trailer)

Mission to Mars with NASA project manager, Dr. Andrew Johnson

In our inaugural episode, we connect with NASA's Mars 2020 Guidance Navigation and Control Subsystem Manager, Dr. Andrew E. Johnson, working on Terrain Relative Navigation for the Perseverance rover's mission in 2021. https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/technology/#Terrain-Relative-Navigation