Innovation Crush

Magician turned composer turned powerhouse tech journalist, and best-selling author, David Pogue has built his career on an i'm-just-like-you-foundation. Admittedly, he is NOT some life-long tech geek who took spent years hacking security systems, taking computers apart, or building robots. Instead, he is simply really good at breaking things down to basic terms. So good in fact, that he as amassed millions of fans and followers all over the world, whether via his NOVA TV series on PBS, or his Yahoo Tech column, or the occasional musical TED talk, and then some. On Innovation Crush, David dishes on some tech industry secrets, his own personal productivity shortcuts, the future of artificial intelligence, failure, and how music parallels with his life today.

At 28 years old, Mike Rothenberg created a venture capital fund to invest in future forward technologies. 3 years and 60 companies later, the former US Math Olympian's portfolio boasts everything from artificial intelligence, to virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics, and even commercial space travel. One of the few venture firms to have built a noticeable brand, Rothenberg Ventures is known-- among other things-- for its annual Founder's Field Day, bringing it's portfolio companies together for a day of fun, networking at San Francisco's AT&T park. On Innovation Crush, Mike discusses the 10 year journey to start his company, his love of mathematics as a kid, how brands should approach frontier tech, and how his company navigates political and consumer hurdles. ... and more! rothenbergventures.com/

Hip Hop artist turned gallerist turned marketer, turned television writer, and now author, Jensen Karp embodies free form artistry. After signing a million-dollar record deal at age 12, Jensen (fka Hot Karl) has gone on to work in varied creative capacities with everyone from Kanye West to Star Wars, to the ESPYS, Mattel, and Nicole Richie to name a few. On Innovation Crush, Jensen discusses getting into the creative zone, pushing pop culture on corporate america, his record-breaking stint as a battle rapper, that one time he spoofed Shia LeBoeuf's art exhibit, personal branding, and his new book, Kanye West Owes Me $300: And Other True Stories from a White Rapper Who Almost Made It Big. jensenkarp.com/

"If God was a DJ, he damn sure used Serato! -Fan When it comes to reinventing an industry, AJ Bertenshaw knows his stuff. In 2004, AJ and his partner. Stephen West, launched Serato Scratch Live, a technology that would revolutionize the very industry that provides the brick-and-mortar soundtrack to music enthusiasts and partygoers all over the planet. For DJ'ing this meant, going up against hard core vinyl purists, cd spinners, and their fans. That was 2 million registered users ago-- which includes the likes of Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak, DJ Premier, Z-Trip, and more. Now he's at it again. This year, Serato launched Pyro, the company's first consumer app, which allows anyone to DJ... like a DJ via their mobile device. On Innovation Crush, AJ dishes on the company's early days as an insular tech platform, the unexpected turns as an entrepreneur, and how he took over the world, one turntable at a time. seratopyro.com/

Having worked with more than 40 television networks, created over 220 original series, and just north of 1600 episodes of television under their belts, it's no wonder that Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato have created a World of Wonder. World of Wonder was formed in the 1980's to manage the business affairs of the duo's early music career, and over the years became a film making power house, documenting the likes of Monica Lewinsky, Chaz Bono, RuPaul, and most recently produced HBO's MAPPLETHORPE - LOOK AT THE PICTURES. On Innovation Crush, we explore the ins and outs of fringe culture, the journey of entrepreneurship, the power of storytelling, the art of pitching, and innovation made simple.

Part two of an amazing conversation with NASA's Deputy Director of Communications. On this first ever "part two" episode of Innovation Crush, we talk bringing science to corporate America, breaking down gender biases, the impact of pornography, and her methods for overcoming stigma. Wooohooo!!!

Troy Carter doesn't mind being known as "the VC formerly known as Lady Gaga's manager." The bets he made to move the iconic artist from obscurity to super-stardom are the same bets he's made for organizations like Lyft, Uber, Spotify, Warby Parker, and countless others. His ability to spot winners in both entertainment and business is uncanny, fueled by his one true skill--empathy. It's this empathy that gives him the wherewithal to think like a consumer, feel like an artist, move like hustler, and make money like a BOSS. On Innovation Crush, Troy dishes on the science of his success, dropping out of high school, diversity in entrepreneurship, his personal heroes, and how he constantly manages to shift perceptions of who and what he is.

Cenk Uygur has mastered the art of news and storytelling for the digital generation. As co-founder and CEO of The Young Turks, his news platform amasses BILLIONS of impressions each month through content deals with the likes of Hulu, Facebook, and YouTube (TYT has 2 Million subscribers on YouTube alone) and even broadcasts live, daily. Numbers like these - especially for millienial audiences - put traditional news outlets to shame and there is certainly more to come. On Innovation Crush, Cenk divulges on the difference between truth and honesty, how news and politics don't mix, and his experience as a multi-hyphenate journalist and CEO. feat special guest co-host, Paula Miranda. http://twitter.com/cenkuygur http://twitter.com/paulaisms http://www.tytnetwork.com

Astronomer, researcher, science pundit, podcaster, geek, nerd, former bullying victim, TV host, PR maven-- these are just a few of the things to describe the force that is Dr. Michelle Thaller, NASA's Deputy Director of Science Communication. In her day-to-day, Michelle spends most of her time teaching the organization, it's engineers, and the public about how to translate the science of the universe into palatable information and experiences. On this episode of Innovation Crush, recorded live in Panama, the "always on" Michelle talks about being authentic, connecting concepts with audiences, overcoming bullying, and living out one's passions. Shout out to the good folks at Hatchexperience.org for helping serendipity do it's thang!

In the middle of Panamanian jungle, a small town has been forming. Not just any town, a place that is re-imagining everything from civic infrastructure, to sustainability, education, ethics, creativity and more-- all while celebrating the lives and passions of everyone who encounters it. The place is described as "a new village being built in a Panamanian river valley to bring together entrepreneurs, artists, scientists and modern day romantics." This is Kalu Yala, the brainchild of Jimmy Stice, a real estate pioneer, marketing aficionado, and an all around cool guy with good ol' Southern charm. On this episode Innovation Crush (recorded in the jungle), Jimmy discusses how Kalu Yala came to be, what he's had to navigate to build his vision, how the essence brand extends beyond it's physical locale, and what it takes to be a leader of a massive undertaking. More at: https://kaluyala.com/

T.K. Coleman is passionate about others realizing their most passionate pursuits. The classically trained philosopher, 90's movie lover, and business educator champions breaking down personal barriers in order to get to your highest creative self. Among other things, he is the Education Director for Praxis, a 10-month apprenticeship program that combines a traditional liberal arts education with practical skills training, 1-on-1 coaching, academic mentoring, group discussions, professional-development workshops, and real-word business experience. On Innovation Crush, TK talks everything from teamwork to child entrepreneurship, to financial structures,-- all at the intersection of personal development. Along the way, he breaks down key points of why we do--and don't do--the things we need for top tier creativity. http://www.discoverpraxis.com/

A high school graduate at age 14, and a college graduate at age, 18, Brian Wong is now - at age 24 - one of the most savvy and intuitive entrepreneurs in America. His company, Kiip, is a rewards and loyalty platform geared towards customers on mobile devices, giving out over 11 rewards per second, and close to 500 million monthly "moments" - a term he and his team coined referencing engagement opportunities. A natural observer, Brian's professional and personal curiosity is rooted in cultural behavior, social psychology, and smart business thinking. On Innovation Crush, Brian discusses everything from how to nurture gifted children, to improving one's creative spark, to team leadership, and the globalization of rewards.

Marika Anthony Shaw is commonly known as a member of the super music group, Arcade Fire. A classically trained violinist raised by a linguistics pioneer, Marika grew up watching her mom revitalize dying languages in remote areas of the world. Later, while touring the world herself with Arcade Fire, Marika had an epiphany. If bands added $1 to the price of their ticket sales, the lump sum could be donated to a charity of the group's choice. Thus, www.Plus1.org was born. Now in it's second year, Plus1 has turned Marika into a full time business woman, changing the world one dollar at a time. On Innovation Crush, Marika discusses her transition from band mate to CEO, the hurdles and triumphs she's faced along the way, thought leadership, the art of persuasion, and an obvious passion for change. Feat guest host, Monika Bielskyte, founder of All Future Everything.

What happens when you take a Boeing-grade rocket scientist and send him all over the planet with National Geographic? You birth an entirely new industry. Shah Selbe is one of the key pioneers of Conservation Tech, a field that combines social media, technology, science and social psychology to solve the Earth's problem. As a NatGeo Explorer, he is one of few selected to go on MacGyver-like missions in remote areas most affected by things like climate change, poaching, illegal fishing, drilling, extinction, and sometimes mother nature herself. Along the way, he has coined the phrase, "Internet of Earth Things," highlighting the fact that next evolution of digital/social connectivity is being connected to the planet. On Innovation Crush, Shah discusses the hurdles of being a young scientist among is stayed peers, his transition from rocket to earth science, his desire to work with VC's, and and that one time he used a FedEx strategy to solve a fishing problem.

If this was the Oscars, this would be the Best Film winner. We looked at listens, shares, downloads and likes and hands down, the top episode of 2015 was Chamillionare's "From Rap Ventures to Venture Capital." Early in his Grammy award winning career, rapper, Chamillionaire learned some valuable lessons about business. Whether bootstrapping his own sales of mixtapes, negotiating higher payouts from his label, developing off the wall promotional marketing schemes, or reinvesting his money into multiple ventures, he always looked for smarter and better ways to achieve success. Fast forward to almost 10 years later, where Chamillionaire is a key investor in Maker Studios, an adviser to several startups and established companies, and now entrepreneur in residence at Upfront Ventures, Los Angeles' largest venture capital fund. On Innovation Crush, Cham dishes on everything from growing up poor, to serial entrepreneurship, world changing technologies, avoiding social media, and having never wanted to be famous. feat. guest co-host, David Wong.