Episodes

  • Building Trust and Credibility as a Tech Founder ft. Shayna Rattler Davis

    Building Trust and Credibility as a Tech Founder ft. Shayna Rattler Davis
    Mar 13 2026
    In this episode, Shayna Davis shares essential strategies for startup founders to build trust, enhance their leadership presence, and effectively communicate their vision. If you're looking to stand out in a crowded market and attract investors, talent, and customers, this conversation offers clear guidance grounded in real-world insights.

    Connect with Shayna:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaynarattler/
    https://shaynadavis.com/founder/

    Shayna Davis is a leadership strategist, STEM consultant, and award-winning host of a globally ranked podcast. With over 15 years of experience, she has helped global brands such as IBM, UNUM, and L’Oréal plus STEM startups equip their leaders to communicate with authority, strengthen external visibility, and represent their companies with credibility in high-stakes environments.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
    03:13 Focusing on Your Zone of Genius
    08:40 Strategies for Building Trust as a Founder
    09:08 Leadership Identity and Personal Point of View
    14:49 Using Personal Opinions to Differentiate
    20:19 Building Investor and Customer Confidence


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    25 mins
  • Coaching Early Stage Startups ft. Dave Cotter

    Coaching Early Stage Startups ft. Dave Cotter
    Mar 12 2026
    In this episode, startup expert Dave Cotter shares practical insights on how early-stage founders can avoid common pitfalls, leverage customer discovery, and foster effective leadership. If you're navigating the startup journey, these expert tips will clarify the critical steps to accelerate growth and avoid costly mistakes.

    Connect with Dave:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-r-cotter/

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Dave Cotter and His Journey
    01:52 The Importance of Customer Discovery
    05:29 Building an MVP and Customer Feedback
    09:21 Leadership and Team Dynamics in Startups
    13:01 Managing Chaos in Early Stage Startups
    16:54 Lessons Learned from Startup Experiences
    20:17 Advice for Early Stage Founders


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    25 mins
  • The Power of Inclusive Investing ft. Jessey Posey

    The Power of Inclusive Investing ft. Jessey Posey
    Mar 10 2026
    In this episode, Jesse Posey, a seasoned investor and advocate for impact-driven venture capital, shares his perspective on building diverse investment portfolios, assessing founders, and the long-term vision for accessible capital. Whether you're a founder at the pre-seed stage or an investor seeking to make meaningful change, Jesse's insights challenge traditional norms and highlight the potential for impact and profit to coexist.

    Connect with Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-posey/
    • Impact investing insights: ImpactAlpha
    • Impact biotech: Wink Therapeutics
    • Robotic ultrasound technology: Doppel Health
    • Alternative funding methods: Revenue-based Financing

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Jesse Posey's Background
    00:16 Jesse's Passion for Impact and Diversity in VC
    00:59 The Power of Representation in Investment Spaces
    02:08 The Role of Venture Capital in Community Impact
    03:27 Green Flags in Founders: Curiosity and Do-Ratio
    04:23 Analyzing Founders' Teams and Early Engagement
    06:11 Red Flags: Resistance to Learning and Rigidity
    08:24 Enticing Deals: Impact and Innovation in Healthcare
    11:01 Missed Opportunities and Deal Flow Insights
    11:41 Long-Term Vision for Jesse's Investment Goals
    15:28 Advice for Pre-Seed Founders: When to Take VC Money



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    17 mins
  • Accelerating Impact Funding with AI: A conversation with Ray Crick of Allegory

    Accelerating Impact Funding with AI: A conversation with Ray Crick of Allegory
    Mar 9 2026
    In this episode, we explore how Ray Crick is reshaping the impact funding landscape through technology. Ray shares how Allegory utilizes AI and digital systems to streamline grant processes, making capital accessible in days instead of months. This is a blueprint for founders disrupting traditional sectors with bold visions and innovative tech.

    Connect with Ray
    https://www.allegory.world/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/raycrick/

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
    00:17 The Problem: Accelerating Impact Capital
    01:04 Market Size and Impact Funding Potential
    02:24 Conviction to Build a Business in Impact Funding
    02:48 Ray Crick's Personal Experience in Crisis Response
    04:03 Using AI to Improve Grant Processes
    04:38 Early Traction and Pilot Success
    06:26 Product Validation and Self-Use
    07:07 Competitive Landscape and Differentiation
    08:18 Market Strategy: Focusing on Seekers First
    09:19 Partnerships and Fundraising Strategy
    11:11 Funding Goals and Investor Focus
    12:35 Final Thoughts and Contact Information


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    14 mins
  • Revolutionizing Content Discovery: The Decisio Approach

    Revolutionizing Content Discovery: The Decisio Approach
    Mar 6 2026

    In this episode, Chris Pearcey from Decisio shares his journey from data analytics at Nike to building an innovative recommendation platform that addresses the overwhelming choice in streaming entertainment. Discover how his background in analytics and product management is shaping a new way for users to find content they love, while emphasizing privacy and ethical data use.

    Connect with Chris:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpearcey/
    Download Decisio: https://shor.by/jiS0

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
    00:09 The Origin of Decisio: Inspiration from Dating Apps
    00:52 The Problem of Overchoice in Streaming Content
    01:54 Decisio's Solution: Combining Taste and Intent
    02:49 Market Context: Why Now Is the Perfect Time
    03:49 The Challenge of Content Saturation and Manipulation
    05:32 Supporting Indie Content and Discoverability
    06:11 Chris Pearcey's Background in Data and Product Management
    07:11 Recognizing the Market Opportunity and Aha Moment
    08:35 Global Market Potential and Future Vision
    09:38 Ensuring Data Privacy and Ethical Use
    10:40 User Control and Personalization
    14:44 Current App Status and Future Plans



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    16 mins
  • FeedCoyote Reveals What's Broken in Freelancing

    FeedCoyote Reveals What's Broken in Freelancing
    Mar 5 2026
    In this episode, Stevens from Feed Coyote shares how their platform is transforming freelance work by focusing on freelancer-to-freelancer networking and collaboration. We explore their unique approach, market potential, and the role of technology in scaling the freelance economy.

    Connect with Stevens:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevens-bonhomme-feedcoyote-freelancing-community/
    https://feedcoyote.com/

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and the Problem Feed Coyote Solves
    02:01 Feed Coyote's Unique Approach to Freelance Collaboration
    03:43 The Founder’s Background and Motivation
    05:47 Market Size and Growth of the Freelance Economy
    07:26 The Role of AI in Freelance Platforms
    08:39 Business Model and Monetization Strategy
    10:05 Global Reach and Handling International Payments
    11:34 Team and Product Development
    12:30 Future Vision and Growth Plans


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    13 mins
  • How Investors Bet on You

    How Investors Bet on You
    Mar 4 2026
    Understanding what investors really focus on at the earliest stages can dramatically change how you prepare and present your startup. In this episode, Chris breaks down the mindset of early-stage investors, emphasizing the importance of founder qualities over product details and providing actionable advice on how to navigate these critical conversations.

    Chapters
    00:00 Intro
    00:56 Investors Judge Quickly
    03:02 Founder Characteristics
    05:39 Navigating Coachability
    08:17 The Role of Pedigree

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    10 mins
  • Revolutionizing Women's Comfort: The Cooling Bra ft. Tayler Moore

    Revolutionizing Women's Comfort: The Cooling Bra ft. Tayler Moore
    Mar 3 2026
    In this conversation, Chris and Taylor Moore discuss the innovative concept of a cooling bra designed for women experiencing hormonal changes. Taylor shares her personal inspiration for the product, the challenges women face during menopause, and the importance of technology in providing relief. They delve into the complexities of developing hardware solutions, the significance of user feedback, and the need for a supportive team and investment to bring this product to market.

    Connect with Tayler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayler-moore-48b304184/

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to the Cooling Bra Concept
    02:40 Understanding the Problem of Hormonal Changes
    05:34 The Role of Technology in Women's Health
    08:11 Challenges in the Hardware Space
    10:44 Building a Team and Seeking Investment
    13:30 The Future of Women's Health Solutions

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    17 mins