Innovation Crush

When it comes to multi-hyphenates, Ben Parr is one of the best. Among many things, he is the multi-award winning former Editor-at-Large of Mashable, a columnist at Inc Magazine, a regular CNET pundint, Founder of Dominate Ventures, and author of CAPTIVOLOGY, the quintessential book on the science of attention. On this installment of 'Crush, Ben walks through how attention works in the age of information, things his grandfather instilled him, getting over his own ego, and tips and tricks of the intersection of startups, marketing, and venture capital. www.captivology.com

Among many things, Dennis Hong is an award-winning roboticist, a magician, a best selling author, and a master chef. Robotics (his "day job," as he puts it) has won him spots on Popular Science's "Brilliant 10" list, Purdue University's "40 under 40," a place on the TED main stage, and get this - the coveted Louis Vuitton Cup Best Humanoid Award. The all-star roboticist stops by Innovation Crush to dish on his personal philosophies, squash the fear of the machines, riff on science education, his experience as a contestant on Master Chef, and tell us what ties all his many sides together. Oh, and he also built a car for the blind to drive. ;) Feat. guest host, Paula Miranda. https://twitter.com/dennishongrobot http://www.romela.org/ https://twitter.com/paulaisms

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. www.twitter.com/chamillionaire www.twitter.com/rarefrom1906

2015 marks the 30th anniversary of MacGyver, an action-packed, hit TV series focused high-pressure problem solving and ingenuity. No weapons, few resources, and no way out. Ironically, this is a place we all find ourselves in often. Enter Lee Zlotoff, award winning filmmaker, writer, producer, and MacGyver creator...and now the mind behind The MacGyver Method - systemized tactics for finding and creating solutions to any problem. Like his show, Lee has been all over the world helping organizations and individuals alike combine science, ingenuity, and existing skill sets to develop creative solutions to challenges big and small. On Innovation Crush, Lee breaks down the MacGyver Method, his theories on unleashing innovation, success of the program, partnerships with organizations like University of Michigan and the White House, and his current search for the next MacGyver. http://www.thenextmacgyver.com/

How do you win TIME Magazine's invention of the year? Build a device that helps a fully paralyzed graffiti artist create art with only his eyes. This is how Elliot Kotek and his business partner, Mick Ebeling began Not Impossible, an organization that exploits the possibilities of technology for- as they put it - "the sake of humanity." In the past 7 years since the Eyewriter, Not Impossible has gone on to win both hearts and awards for inspiring projects that have allowed people to speak for the first time in 17 years, feed themselves after losing their arms, walk again, and plenty more. Along the way, they've managed to work with partners like Intel, HP, and others for marketing amplification and technology development. On Innovation Crush, Elliot breaks down Not Impossible's methodology for innovation, ideas, amplification, entrepreneurship, and creating good in the world. (recorded on location at SXSW) More Projects at: http://www.notimpossiblenow.com/labs

Jon Werner has mastered the true artistry of innovation; exploring every endeavor with a sense of childlike wonder. Quite literally, he is adidas Innovation Explorer (real title), and has led the company's effort to create and/or apply trends in technology and fashion for the past 8 years. On Innovation Crush, Jon explains his role, his successes (including winning a CES Innovation Award for adidas new connected soccer ball), and how he retains his sense of ingenuity and invention day in and day out. (recorded on location @ SXSW)

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. https://twitter.com/cenkuygur twitter.com/paulaisms www.tytnetwork.com

Steve Streit is credited (pun intended) as the inventor of the prepaid credit card. In the beginning, he figured Ivy League college kids would flock to his invention, but quickly realized that his target audience was far more vast; catering to both millenials and underserved communities alike. Fast forward to 2015, and Steve's company, Green Dot Corporation has revolutionized banking through tens of millions of prepaid cards, a bank (Go Bank) with no brick and mortar facilities, and more atms than Chase and Bank of America combined. On Innovation Crush, Steve walks us through the bumps, bruises, and triumphs along his journey from radio personality & producer to the becoming the country's leading financial revolutionary. www.greendot.com

At age 5, Jason Mayden almost died due to an infection in his blood. On his near-death bed, he had visions of what he wanted his future to look like, and after surviving the experience, he held on to that vision. Fast forward to age 19, when Jason becomes the youngest design hire at the Jordan brand. Over the next 13 years, he would become Head of Global Design, launching everything from special edition shoes to the fuel band. On this special episode of Innovation Crush - in partnership with Behind the Hustle - Jason breaks down design, his personal philosophies, his successes with Jordan, and his new found journey as an entrepreneur with Mark One. www.twitter.com/jaymay_chicity www.twitter.com/behindthehustle

What's the best way to change perceptions? Tell jokes about the very thing you want to change. Maz Jobrani is an entrepreneur, comedian, actor, and now author whose Iranian roots are deeply embedded in everything he touches. Like George Lopez, or Chris Rock, his comedy and his heritage are intertwined with hilarious, thought provoking socio-political views. The former PhD candidate has broken comedy records, appeared on 24 alongside Kiefer Sutherland, and created the first Middle Eastern comedy tour (Axis of Evil). On Innovation Crush, Maz dishes on social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and how "be funny first" has been the secret to his success. https://twitter.com/MazJobrani www.mazjobrani.com

When it comes to innovation, Bob Safian sits high above the fray, with a panoramic view of the world filled with inspiring ideas. As the leader of the leading publication about leading innovations in leading businesses, the Editor-In-Chief curates some of the most compelling moments in business and creativity. Stocked full of live events, print magazines, online editorial, social media chatter, the publication reaches and inspires tens of millions of people each month. As 2015 marks Fast Company's 20th anniversary, Bob joins Innovation Crush to chat storytelling, growth, leadership, and inspiration. www.twitter.com/rsafian www.fastcompany.com

Jess Weiner (yes, pronounced like the hot dog), grew up consuming media cascaded with women who looked nothing like her. Even at a young age, the bullied performing arts enthusiast knew her life's work would be focused on image consciousness and empowerment. Fast forward to 2015 and that young girl has become a highly sought after media maven, consulting with the world's top brands on creatomg empowering interactions with today's women and young girls. In fact, for the past 9 years, Jess has served as Dove's Global Self Esteem Ambassador, leading programs and creative engagements aimed at the women the brand serves through its powerful messaging. On Innovation Crush, Jess breaks down the myths behind industry buzzwords like "authenticity" and "empowerment," how improv encourages her consulting, the hurdles of entrepreneurship, and sheds light on the creative craftsmanship that goes in to supporting the groups that brands promise to support. http://jessweiner.com/ www.twitter.com/jessweiner

When it comes to design thinking, few do it better than Tristan Walker. Early in his career, the award winning, 30-year-old entrepreneur served as an intern at then fledgling "microblogging" site, Twitter. Later, he moved on to become the golden child of Foursquare, helping build it to the point of cultural critical mass. And now in addition to co-founding Code 2040, an organization designed to discover and create successful minority techies, Tristan helms his own Andreessen Horowitz supported operation, Walker & Company, focused on creating suite of non-digital, consumer conscious products. On Innovation Crush, Walker breaks down his mastery of designing products and relevant marketplace experiences for his customers, building a team focused on innovation and diversity, and how his humble upbringing shapes his business thinking today. www.getbevel.com www.code2040.org

We've heard many times before that "Content is King." But how do you lead people to that content? How do you keep them there when choices are vast and attention spans are low? How do you keep them coming back again and again? This round table installment of Innovation Crush brings together top executives from Disney Online Originals, Defy Media, and Engage LA to uncover the strategies behind highly sought after successes in audience engagement, leveraging the new creatives, and working with brands. http://www.talkforumnyc.com/talk-conference/engage-la-digital-storytelling-conference/

For 8 years, Dr. Andy Walshe has served as Red Bull's High Performance Director. As such, the good doctor helps the athletes, musicians, artists, and performers Red Bull supports, push far beyond their physical, mental, and spiritual limitations. Part mad scientist, part genius, and part life coach, Andy creates scientifically rooted experiments and experiences designed to "give wings" to both the participants as well as the Red Bull organization. On Innovation Crush, Andy uncovers the science behind the madness, and shares what he's learned about the physical and mental potential we all possess to achieve greatness.