A Few Things with Jim Barrood

We discussed a few things including

1. Their career journeys

2. Miami ecosystem

3. Austin/Texas ecosystem

4. Trends, opps and challenges for entrepreneurs and startup communities

5. Outlook for 2026
 

Melissa Medina has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, investor, community leader and philanthropist. A native to Miami, she is CEO & Co-Founder of eMerge Americas with a mission of helping transform South Florida into ...

We discussed a few things including: 

1. Your career journeys

2. Gitte's biotech venture

3. Garnet's venture capital firm

4. Discuss effects of federal policies on innovation ecosystem

5. Discuss outlook for 2026 

Garnet Heraman is a serial entrepreneur and investor with 25 years experience at the intersection of innovation + technology. Originally from the island nation of Trinidad & Tobago, he was educated at Columbia University ...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys
2. Carta
3. Archangel and Techstars
4. Current trends
5. Outlook for investing for 2026

Hamza Shad is an insights manager at Carta, where he analyzes data on startups and the venture capital ecosystem. He leads Carta's quarterly State of Pre-Seed report on early-stage companies and has spoken at Startup Grind, 500 Global, SOSV, the World Bank, and more. 

Previously, Hamza condu...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys

2. Merck's venture strategy and GHIF story

3. MSD Idea Studios

4. CVC landscape and trends

5. Outlook for pharma and innovation

Bill has led MSD Global Health Innovation (GHI) since 2010, playing a strong role in the US company’s transition a decade ago from general consumer pharmaceuticals to a focus on biopharmaceuticals and oncology.

With 45 portfolio companies and about 80%...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Jenny's career journey  

2. The funding environment, then your fund

3. What she is seeing at the universities she teaches at; trends in young talent

4. Her new book

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re startup ecosystem

Jenny Fielding is a seasoned venture capitalist and technology trailblazer with a diverse background in law, finance, and entrepreneurship. As the founder of two tech startups...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys  

2. History of NFHA

3. Michael's impact on organization; AI in housing/financial services

4. April 28-30 Responsible AI Symposium  
https://events.nationalfairhousing.org/2025AISymposium

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re fair housing and technology

Lisa Rice is the President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the nation’s only national civil rights ...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys

2. Ben's Coaching approach

3. Tara's coaching approach; future coach for college students

4. Ben's book, CLIMB

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re health and mental health.

Tara Thurber is the Founder | Director of Partnerships at DefinedTalent and Head Coach | FUTURE COACH. She is a connector, committed to helping people realize their visions and take action to bring t...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Thierry's career journey  

2. Nokia Bell Labs history and current research

3. AI and Generative AI

4. Space and network on the moon

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities in tech

Thierry Klein is the President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia. His global multi-disciplinary team conducts fundamental and applied research focused on new Nokia value chains, business opportunities and ecosystem...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys  

2. The Meet Group

3. Noom

4. New book Designing Success and female entrepreneurship

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re health, wellness and tech

Geoff is the CEO of Noom. He is also a serial entrepreneur and long-time public company CEO.

He co-founded The Meet Group, a NASDAQ-listed social dating and live-streaming company connecting millions of active users globally....

We discussed a few things including:
1. Kay's career journey
2. The startup/funding landscape, particularly for women
3. Springboard accelerator and thesis
4. Trends, challenges and opportunities re new ventures and funding

Kay Koplovitz is the founder and former Chairman & CEO of USA Networks, the SyFy Channel and USA Networks International, a multi-billion-dollar cable program company. Ms. Koplovitz ran the network for 21 years before...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Mike's career journey

2. How education has changed since pandemic

3. AI related opportunities challenges

4. New book

5. Future trends and forecasts

Michael B. Horn strives to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions and fulfill their potential through his writing, speaking, and work with a portfolio of education organizations. His new best-seller is Job Moves: 9 Steps for M...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys

2.  Scaling Shoott

3. Launching Lexore (formerly Frame Me)

4. Lessons learned

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re photo and video industries

Sequoia Blodgett is a visionary entrepreneur at the intersection of media and technology. As the CEO and co-founder of Lexore, an AI-powered video production platform, she is transforming how agencies create high-quality video cont...

It was great, as usual, to chat with Len Green, CPA, MBA, serial entrepreneur and founder/chair of The Green Group. He shared his wisdom and practical insights during a wide ranging AMA session.

* Links to full convo in comments

We discussed a few things including:

1. Len's entrepreneurial journey

2. How entrepreneurs can save money 

3. Preferred corporate structures for new and growing businesses

4. Things to consider as we await new ...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys

2. Crypto/blockchain history

3. Bitcoin timeline and latest surge

4. How Biden administration affected industry and expectations under Trump

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities relating to crypto
 

Lou Kerner is a Founding Partner of CryptoOracle, a Crypto VC and Advisory firm focused exclusively on investing and advising entities leveraging, blockchain, cryptocurrency, sma...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys 

2. Roboburger and Shark Tank success

3. Unionwear's long term growth

4. How the ecosystem has supported them

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re manufacturing

Mitch started Unionwear in 1992 with six sewers and a contract to make baseball hats for Ralph Lauren.

Now Unionwear is one of the largest private employers of Newark residents, with 175 employees, and contracts t...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys  

2. AI and education

3. AI and talent/workforce

4. Amber's book  

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re AI and education/talent

Alex Swartsel is managing director of Jobs for the Future (JFF) Labs' Insights practice, a growing team that helps decision-makers across the  education-to-career landscape understand and prepare for the emerging trends, technologies, and innova...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Jordan's career journey

2.  Historical progress

3. Latest AI developments

4. How we can leverage AI

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re AI

Jordan is an AI strategist and founder and host of Everyday AI. Everyday AI is a fast-growing media company helping everyday professionals grow their companies and careers with Generative AI through its daily livestream, podcast and newsletter.

Everyday AI...

We discussed  a few things including:

1. Guy's amazing career journey

2. His perspectives on the latest technology 

3. Insights on entrepreneurship

4. Guy's new book, Think Remarkable

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re startup landscape, tech, etc.
 

Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva and host of the Remarkable People podcast. He was the chief evangelist of Apple, trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation, Mercedes-Benz brand...

We discussed a few things including:

1. Their career journeys  

2. Gen AI and education

3. Nihat's iLearn schools

4. Jason's teaching and AI journey

5. Trends, challenges and opportunities re tech and education

Nihat Guvercin is an educational administrator passionate about enhancing public education through technology. He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, a Master of Education in Administration, and a Bachelor of Sc...