The Glow Up - Fabulous conversations with innovative minds.

Julie Smithson is the CEO of MetaVRse and co-founder of 6ix Ventures, a mission-driven family of companies building an ecosystem for the next generation of educational innovation. Recognized as a pioneering entrepreneur, Julie brings a unique blend of hands-on experience from launching 200+ immersive projects and a personal commitment to preparing future leaders to thrive in a world shaped by emerging technology.Key Takeaways:Family of Purpose-Driven Ventures: 6ix Ventures unites MetaVRse, Unlimited Awesome, and a sovereign data solution, all under a mission to inspire and educate the next generation-to think and act with social, economic, and environmental sustainability, using cutting-edge tools.Immersive, Curriculum-Integrated Learning: Unlimited Awesome tackles the gaps left by traditional education: perseverance, teamwork, social impact, environmental literacy, and financial skills. Their curriculum is delivered through immersive, interactive digital experiences powered by MetaVRse.Experimental R&D, Powered by Clients: 200+ MetaVRse projects with global brands like Mars Wrigley, spanning healthcare training, consumer engagement, and gamified learning have fueled innovation and validated new models for spatial education and community.Technological Convergence: Julie’s vision fuses spatial computing, AI, and blockchain/Web3 to build learning ecosystems and commerce that mirror how youth already play, collaborate, and transact online-bringing game mechanics, digital rewards, and avatars into education and training.Digital Identity & Sovereign Data: Avatars become not just game characters, but digital identities, linking learning, collaboration, and commerce. Julie advocates for sovereign data ownership, enabling users to carry their credentials and assets across platforms while retaining control.Community-Building & Inclusion: Julie is also a co-founder of XR Women, building the world’s largest global network of women in spatial computing. She believes the future of education and commerce must be inclusive, collaborative, and values-driven.About Julie SmithsonJulie Smithson’s personal mission is to ‘inspire and educate people to think and act in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible way’.Julie is the Co-Founder and CEO of METAVRSE, a 3D creation platform the spatial web, akin to ‘Canva’ for immersive experiences. Julie Smithson is also Co-Founder of Unlimited Awesome, a venture focused on implementing success principles to drive digital innovation. As Co-Founder of XR Women, Julie Smithson leads the world’s largest global community dedicated to empowering women in virtual platforms. Over the past four years, she and her team have organized more than 192 immersive events, featuring prominent women speakers from the industry and engaging a diverse, growing membership of over 1,200 women across 60+ countries.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

5/9/25 • 31:07

Ashley Coffey is the CEO of Coffey and Consult and host of the Coffey and Code podcast. She specializes in bridging the gap between technology and people, helping small and medium-sized businesses—especially in Oklahoma and the Midwest—leverage emerging technologies like AI for efficiency, profitability, and empowerment.Key Takeaways:Making Tech Accessible: Ashley founded Coffey and Consult to bring innovation and technology consulting to businesses in Oklahoma, eliminating the need for local founders to seek coastal agencies for modern expertise.AI and Tech Adoption: She demystifies AI for business owners, focusing on practical adoption, minimizing “tech overwhelm,” and maximizing efficiency with the right tools.Industry-Agnostic Approach: Ashley works across sectors, emphasizing that technology and AI are universal enablers. She often finds companies overspending on fragmented, redundant software stacks and helps them consolidate and optimize instead.Education First—Teaching to Fish: Ashley’s consulting goes beyond tool recommendations. She teaches organizations how to critically assess their business problems and technology needs (not just “what’s the best tool?” but “what’s the best tool for our outcome?”), fostering sustainable, independent tech decision-making.Championing Human Connection: Despite AI’s rise, Ashley believes the “human touch” is at a premium—helping clients see technology as an enabler for more meaningful work, not a replacement for human insight.Impact-Driven and Iterative: She measures her success by how empowered her clients become—tracking increased efficiency, reduced software bloat, and improved confidence and independence in tech decision-making.Empowering with AI Literacy: Ashley highlights a knowledge gap: many business owners (and even younger generations) struggle to use AI effectively. She provides hands-on workshops to move clients from AI “search engine” users to strategic AI partners, emphasizing clear articulation and thoughtful prompting.About Ashely CoffeyAshley Coffey is an emerging technologies subject matter expert with over a decade of experience in the technology industry, including roles in both the public, private and non-profit sectors, and is recognized by the Journal Record in the 2022 Powerlist of Innovative Women in Oklahoma. Ashley interweaves her lived experience and diverse background across industries to help companies achieve greater efficiency and profitability by leveraging technology in meaningful ways.Ashley is a TEDx speaker and has presented professionally on emerging technologies nationwide, including Harvard and SXSW-EDU. She serves on the Boards of the American Marketing Association, Oklahoma Chapter, and SXSW Pitch. In addition, she volunteers as a mentor in the OKC community for young women pursuing careers in technology. A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

5/2/25 • 31:38

Melissa Hollis is the CEO and co-founder of Taylor Street Collective, a marketing and go-to-market strategy firm focused on helping startups and startup-adjacent service providers clarify their messaging and accelerate their growth. With a background as the “vicarious entrepreneur,” Melissa has built her career by becoming the first marketing hire at numerous startups, driving foundational brand strategy, and working directly with founders to bring their visions to life.Key Takeaways:Clarity Above All: Melissa believes the most critical part of startup marketing is getting to the “why behind the why.” She helps founders distill their company’s core value down to a powerful, clear statement, ensuring the most important message always leads on the home page and in investor decks.Empathy-Driven Research: Taylor Street’s process always begins with in-depth customer research. By developing high-empathy marketing teams (even seeking out folks from acting/theatre backgrounds), Melissa ensures her team can truly step into the shoes of founders and their customers.Founders Shouldn’t Go It Alone: Melissa is passionate about building collaborative networks for founders and for fractional CMOs, stressing that partnership and shared expertise are key to survival and success.Evolving with AI: Though once hesitant, Taylor Street now transparently and actively integrates AI tools into foundational marketing work for startups, co-building AI-powered “marketing interns” tailored to each brand’s research, FAQ, and legacy content.Giving Back: Melissa highlights the impact of Girls Inc of the Pacific Northwest, an organization she supports for empowering girls to become strong, smart, and bold, and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community for marketers as well as founders.Melissa’s own “glow up” for the next year is to scale Taylor Street’s new AI-powered marketing foundation kits, enabling startups to hit product-market fit 80% faster by seamlessly blending human empathy and research with AI-driven efficiency.About Melissa Hollis Co-Founder + Conversion-Obsessed Creative LeaderMelissa is a marketing communications professional and vicarious entrepreneur with 10+ years building brands and go-to-market strategies across industries such as accounting and tax, healthcare, real estate, finance, and tech.Everyone who has worked with Melissa will tell you she is someone who truly listens when you tell her about your passions and, more than that, she hears and articulates what your heart is trying to convey when you might not have the right words. She takes the most pride in her proven ability to take subjects that are often overlooked and bring their most compelling aspects to the forefront with fresh perspective that are hard to resist. A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

4/25/25 • 36:08

Dr. Jane Harrington is the CEO and Co-founder of Med Micro Maps, a company developing virtual reality experiences to teach microbiology and infectious disease concepts.Key Takeaways:Med Micro Maps uses VR to create immersive, mission-based games for life science learners to explore viruses and bacteria.The company's approach combines color-coding, 3D visualization, and gamification to make learning microbiology more engaging and accessible.Their VR experiences are designed to cater to visual and hands-on learners, who make up over 80% of students interviewed.Med Micro Maps integrates AI to personalize learning experiences and adapt content to individual user levels.The company is expanding beyond medical education to reach broader audiences interested in understanding microbes and health.Dr. Harrington's journey began as a bench researcher and educator, recognizing the limitations of traditional microbiology education methods. Med Micro Maps evolved from her desire to make microbiology more accessible and engaging, especially as hands-on lab experiences became less common in educational settings.The company's innovative approach uses a color-coded compass system to help learners understand different types of microbes and their characteristics. This visual method, combined with interactive 3D models in VR, aims to make complex concepts more intuitive and memorable.Med Micro Maps has recently completed its National Science Foundation Phase One minimal viable product and participated in the ICORP Program, conducting extensive user research. This process led to a shift in their target audience, expanding from medical students to include a broader range of learners interested in life sciences.About Dr. Jane Harrington.Dr. Jane Harrington is the CEO/Co-Founder of MedMicroMaps and she is leading an innovative team to create an immersive microbial metaverse.  Her life mission is to apply the knowledge acquired from her training as a bacteriology bench researcher with her decades of experience as a medical school educator to make microbiology fun and engaging for students of tomorrow. After working at colleges in 4 different countries, the pandemic revealed the need for new teaching modalities for personalized learning, especially for bilingual and neurodivergent students.  By leveraging emerging technologies of AI & XR, Dr. Jane aims to revolutionize the learning experience for medical and nursing students by transporting the user to the nanometer perspective in the human body where they can play and talk with super-sized microbes.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

4/17/25 • 47:16

Julie Schulz and Mike Dovidio are innovators at Avalon Healthcare Solutions, focusing on using lab data and AI to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly in managing GLP1 medications and addressing rising healthcare costs.Key Takeaways:Avalon uses lab values data to help improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of care, especially in laboratory medicine and provider decision-making.The company addresses the financial strain of GLP1 medications (like Ozempic) on healthcare systems by developing tools to identify patients who would benefit most.Their approach focuses on comprehensive cardiometabolic health assessment rather than single metrics like BMI to determine appropriate candidates for GLP1s.Avalon aims to improve health equity by ensuring medications reach patients with the greatest need rather than just those with better resources.The company leverages three data pillars: medical claims, pharmacy claims, and lab values to create comprehensive healthcare insights.Julie Schulz, VP of Product at Avalon, brings her physician background to oversee their lab values management portfolio. She focuses on using laboratory data to improve healthcare decisions, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of genetics and personalized medicine. Her approach centers on making complex medical information accessible to providers while ensuring cost-effective care.Mike Dovidio, a pharmacist by training and Product Manager at Avalon, oversees their specialty pharmacy solution. He highlights the critical challenge of GLP1 medications, which are straining healthcare budgets to the point where some insurers are laying off staff to cover costs. The medications' expanding indications could potentially apply to over half the US population, creating an unsustainable financial situation.Avalon's innovative approach involves looking beyond simple metrics like BMI to assess patients' cardiometabolic health through comprehensive lab testing. This allows for more personalized care decisions and helps ensure that limited healthcare resources are directed to those who need them most. Their analysis has revealed that healthier diabetic patients are three times more likely to receive GLP1 prescriptions, highlighting inequities in the current system.About the guestsDr. Julie Shultz is a physician executive and product leader with experience building and leading healthcare decision support, analytics, and B2C products. Specifically, she focuses on value-based care, women's health, medical device, pharma, and patient & physician engagement.Mike Dovidio holds a PharmD from Duquesne University and a rich background in managing business operations and driving strategic initiatives. At Avalon, he oversees the Specialty Prescription product’s strategy, development, configuration, and maintenance. He brings experience integrating software to enhance clinical operations and implements solutions for specialty pharmacy services.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

4/10/25 • 31:42

Dr. Colin Banas is the Chief Medical Officer at DrFirst, a company focused on end-to-end medication management. Here's a summary of the key points from his interview:Key Takeaways:DrFirst aims to get patients on therapy and keep them on therapy through frictionless medication management processes.The company uses data and AI to personalize patient experiences and improve medication adherence.DrFirst is focusing on optimizing the specialty medication experience, addressing challenges in prior authorization and transparency.Dr. Banas emphasizes the importance of augmented intelligence to assist clinicians and tackle administrative burdens.The company touches a quarter of all prescriptions in the United States, providing significant scale for impact.Dr. Banas's journey into healthcare technology began when he co-founded the Office of Clinical Transformation at his previous hospital, aiming to improve the electronic medical record system. He later joined DrFirst to have a broader impact on medication management.DrFirst uses data to measure the success of their interventions, tracking metrics such as adherence rates, time savings for healthcare providers, and improvements in patient safety. They're currently focused on addressing the growing complexity of specialty medications.Looking ahead, Dr. Banas envisions using augmented intelligence to improve transparency and reduce administrative burdens in medication management, particularly for specialty medications.About Dr. Colin Banas ----Colin is an Internal Medicine Hospitalist and former Chief Medical Information Officer for VCU Health System in Richmond, Virginia. He has testified before the U.S. Senate and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) on health IT and the Meaningful Use program, and is a former Health IT Fellow for the ONC. His interests center on the role of big data and analytics on patient outcomes and on novel forms of clinical decision support that are outside the realm of traditional rules and alerts, including real-time dashboarding and intuitive usability designs. He also helped spearhead the VCU effort to participate in the Open Notes initiative, where patients have access to their clinical documentation in real time.In 2017, Colin received the HIMSS-AMDIS award for Physician Executive of the Year from his peers. He earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Virginia, his M.D. from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and a master’s in Healthcare Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

1/30/25 • 28:32

Adrian Rashad Driscoll is the CEO of Collimation and a top 100 XR expert focused on storytelling through immersive technologies. Here's a summary of the key points from his interview:Key Takeaways:Driscoll emphasizes using XR technology to create impactful, empathetic stories rather than just for gimmicks.He developed "Footprints Through Time," an AR experience about the transatlantic slave trade, using volumetric capture and animation to create empathy.Collimation focuses on making technology invisible to let stories have visibility.Driscoll advocates for inclusive technology development and responsible AI use.He's working on making concerts more accessible through XR, aiming to provide the energy of a mega concert with the intimacy of MTV Unplugged.Driscoll's journey into XR began 12 years ago as a contractor for Oculus. He founded Collimation to tell impactful stories using immersive technologies. A key project, "Footprints Through Time," uses AR to educate about the transatlantic slave trade, emphasizing empathy and understanding over confrontation.Driscoll stresses the importance of narrative-first approaches in XR projects, often advising clients that photorealism isn't always necessary for impactful experiences. He aims to keep technology invisible, letting the story take center stage.Looking ahead, Driscoll wants to scale up initiatives like the Scale Up Immersive program, which helped 30 companies enter the XR space. Collimation has recently opened its seed funding round after five years of bootstrapping.About Adrian Rashad Driscoll Social Alchemist, VR Nerd, Executive TroublemakerFrom the small city of Barstow CA, (yeah, the pitstop on the way to Vegas) Adrian Rashad Driscoll followed his dream of becoming a professional actor and moved to Los Angeles. Shortly after that, he was woken up. After 15 years of great weather and bad traffic, he now makes his living as a filmmakerand Immersive Media creative. He has had the privilege of working with large companies such as CBS, NBC, KTLA, The CW, Paramount, Facebook, Microsoft, United Way, and more to push the boundaries of immersive media whilst producing great XR titles and experiences. In 2020, Adrian partnered with music legend Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton to form the immersive media production house, Collimation with a dedication to bridge entertainment with emerging media. In addition, Adrian teachesin multiple education programs around the world to bring more people intoimmersive media. He also teaches at the OYA & EAST education programs on multiple XR initiativesgeared towards education, entertainment, and medical research. His goal is to create opportunities for under-served communities and using said opportunities, to change their current trajectory. “Frenchfries” are the key to his heart.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

1/23/25 • 36:12

Nic Hill is the co-founder and head of the interactive department at Sawhorse Productions, a creative agency that focuses on innovative brand storytelling through immersive and interactive technologies.Key Takeaways:Sawhorse evolved from a traditional film production company to a creative agency specializing in branded content and immersive experiences.The company leverages platforms like Roblox and Fortnite to create engaging, interactive brand experiences.Immersive technologies offer deeper engagement and longer interaction times compared to traditional marketing methods.Nic emphasizes the importance of providing value and authenticity in branded experiences, especially for younger audiences.Sawhorse's approach includes rapid prototyping and real-time feedback through community engagement.Nic's journey began as a filmmaker in his youth, evolving through documentary production to founding Sawhorse Productions. The company transitioned from traditional video production to creating immersive brand experiences, particularly during the pandemic. Sawhorse now focuses on building 3D worlds and interactive experiences for brands, aiming to tell stories in more engaging and persistent ways.Nic highlights the shift in marketing approaches, especially for younger audiences who value authenticity and engagement over traditional advertising. He emphasizes the importance of creating experiences that provide value to users, rather than just pushing brand messages.Looking ahead, Nic aims to continue pushing the boundaries of brand storytelling through emerging technologies like augmented reality. He sees Sawhorse as a leader in this space and is committed to exploring new ways to connect brands with their audiences.About Nic HillNic Hill is the Co-founder and Head of Interactive at Sawhorse, a leading agency specializing in branded content and gaming. During his tenure, Nic has cultivated a dynamic team of leaders in the innovation space and has created immersive interactive experiences for some of the biggest brands, studios and agencies in the world. He strives to push the envelope on interactive storytelling by blurring the line between film and gaming. Before this role, Nic was an independent film director / editor and created internationally acclaimed documentarie films. In his spare time he enjoys DJing, biking and spending time with his wife and two kids in Los Angeles.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

1/16/25 • 29:18

Amir Baradaran is the founder of Niloom, a company focused on making augmented reality (AR) content creation more accessible through a no-code platform powered by generative AI.Key Takeaways:Current barriers to AR content creation include technical complexity, high costs, and time-consuming processes.Niloom aims to democratize AR creation by providing a no-code solution for the creative community.The platform integrates generative AI throughout the content creation workflow, from ideation to publishing.Niloom's goal is to improve the shortage of quality content in the AR/VR ecosystem by empowering more creators.The company is focused on rapid prototyping and user feedback to continually improve their platform.Amir highlights the current challenges in AR content creation, noting that only about 230,000 people have created the majority of AR/VR projects worldwide. This scarcity is due to the technical expertise required, with tools like Unity taking 3-6 months to learn before even starting a project.Niloom's platform aims to solve this by allowing creators to generate AR experiences through natural language prompts. Users can describe scenes, characters, and actions, with the AI interpreting and creating the content. The platform also offers the ability to add specific assets like 3D models, sounds, and visual effects.Looking ahead, Amir envisions partnerships with hardware manufacturers to bundle Niloom subscriptions with AR devices. He also hopes to establish an artist residency program, inspired by his own experiences with companies like Metaio (now part of Apple).About Amir BaradaranAmir Baradaran is the founder & CEO of Niloom.ai - Prompt to AR/VR (formerly ABXR Engine), a groundbreaking Generative AI-powered content creation platform for spatial computing. Baradaran is also an artist, technologist, and scholar who specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) and spatial computing. Baradaran was a leading lecturer in Spatial Computing at Columbia University, where Niloom was born. He is the guest editor for the “AI and Society” Academic Journal for a special edition on AI and the ArtSci Ecosystem. He also founded AnotherAI in Art: A global platform to decolonize the future of AI and artmaking (Partnership with the New Museum & NEW INC). Baradaran is the recipient of Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio fellowship, Knight Foundation Arts Award, Canada Council for the Arts New-Chapter & 150th Anniversary Prize, UC Berkeley residency, International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Future of AR Prize, and Morgan Stanley Pulse Art Fair grant. He is a member of Columbia University’s Computer Graphics and User Interfaces Lab and the Digital Storytelling Lab. Baradaran is a TEDx speaker, and an invited presenter to His Holiness Dalai Lama’s World Headquarters for the Summit on Fostering Ethics and Compassion through Museums. A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

1/9/25 • 29:26

Dr. Muhsinah Morris is the founder of Metaverse United, a professor, advocate, mom, and STEM innovator focused on lowering barriers to entry into the next iteration of the web, including extended reality technologies and AI-powered virtual worlds.Key Takeaways:Metaverse United trains educators on using AI and XR effectively in education and developing metaverse culture.Dr. Morris works with the neurodivergent community, helping parents understand technologies their children interact with.She emphasizes the importance of inclusiveness for neurodivergent individuals in technology development.Dr. Morris is developing a faith-based VR app called Walk the Word to address mental health and spiritual needs.She advocates for responsible AI use and raising awareness about its impact on young people.Dr. Morris's journey into technology advocacy began with her personal experiences as a neurodivergent individual and parent of a child with autism. She leverages her background in STEM and education to create inclusive technological solutions. Her work at Morehouse College's metaversity and with Metaverse United allows her to serve diverse demographics, from educators to families with neurodivergent children.A key focus of Dr. Morris's work is helping the neurodivergent community navigate the digital world safely and effectively. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and setting guardrails for AI and other emerging technologies, especially for young users.About Dr. Muhsinah MorrisMeet the first ever Metaversity Director, Dr. Muhsinah Lateefah Morris.  She is a Morehouse Professor and Director of Morehouse in the Metaverse. She is a proud member of the inaugural HBCU IP Futures Collaborative: Powered by Michelson IP and inaugural HBCU Faculty Fellow for the Propel Center funded by Southern Company and Apple.  A BS chemistry graduate of the HBCU Clark Atlanta University.  She obtained an MS & PhD from the Harvard of the South, Emory University in Biomolecular Chemistry. Dr. Morris has been part of and leading Morehouse’s Metaversity project since the Spring of 2021.  She’s won awards for Teaching Excellence at Morehouse College, Best Emerging Technology and Innovation from CBRE, First Place Unconventional Innovation in Industry by T-Mobile, and Educator of the Year for 2022 by STEM Women Atlanta. She resides in McDonough GA with her husband and five sons. One of her sons has autism and she advocates for the entire autism community as a member of the Community Advisory Council and advocacy Ambassadors for Autism Speaks.  She’s a VR pioneer in education and is transforming learning globally.  She is affectionately known as Dr. M.O.M. (Molder of Minds) by all her students.  A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

1/2/25 • 26:04

Sandra Johnson is the Senior Vice President of Client Services at CliniComp, an EHR provider with 40 years of experience in the healthcare technology space. CliniComp is launching its first full EHR solution suite for the commercial market, focusing on providing integrated solutions that offer a holistic view of patient care across various healthcare settings.Key Takeaways:CliniComp's EHR system aims to provide a comprehensive, longitudinal patient record across all care settings.The platform incorporates real-time reports, alerts, and early warning dashboards for improved clinical decision-making.CliniComp is expanding beyond inpatient care to include ambulatory, ancillary, and revenue cycle management services.The company focuses on bringing superior technology at a more affordable price point to underserved communities, such as rural and critical access hospitals.CliniComp emphasizes the importance of integrating AI and telehealth components to enhance care accessibility and efficiency.Sandra highlights the evolution of EHR systems from administrative tools to comprehensive platforms that enable better patient care. CliniComp's approach includes incorporating intrinsic AI to automate workflows and streamline processes, making it easier for healthcare providers to access and utilize patient data effectively.The company's experience with the Veterans Administration has informed their development of robust telehealth and remote patient monitoring capabilities, addressing the needs of patients in rural or remote areas. This focus on accessibility and comprehensive care aligns with the broader industry trend of using technology to reduce barriers to healthcare access.Sandra emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and rapid iteration in product development. CliniComp's agile approach allows them to quickly incorporate user insights and evolve their product to meet changing healthcare needs.About Sandra JohnsonAs Senior Vice President of Client Services, Sandra Johnson is responsible for delivering healthcare IT solutions and managing the customer experience to ensure CliniComp’s technology is continuously evolving to meet the changing needs within the healthcare community. Sandra oversees all aspects of the customer lifecycle including account & project management, application support, clinical services, cybersecurity, and learning & development for our global customer base.Sandra Johnson is known for her understanding of today’s healthcare challenges and partnering with customers to provide innovative solutions that address their challenges. She shares the organization's passion for continuous innovation and improvement and has played an integral role in developing our System as a Service model. This approach takes the burden of implementation and sustainment off the customer as CliniComp takes responsibility for all aspects of the system from configuration and testing to installation, training, optimization, maintenance, and 24/7 support.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

12/26/24 • 19:51

Dr. John Showalter is the Chief Strategy Officer at Linus Health, a company focused on early detection of cognitive impairment and dementia. They develop digital cognitive assessments and engagement tools to help people think about their brain health, get diagnosed, and receive lifestyle medicine suggestions.Key Takeaways:Linus Health modernized the Minicog test, making it more accurate and accessible for detecting mild cognitive impairment.Their digital assessment can be administered by medical assistants, making it easier to integrate into primary care visits.The company provides a Brain Health Action Plan to give patients agency over their brain health.Linus Health emphasizes the importance of early detection, as 30% of people over 65 have mild cognitive impairment.Their approach combines systematic inventive thinking with new technologies to address cognitive health.Dr. Showalter's journey to Linus Health began with his background in internal medicine and informatics. He worked on various health IT projects, including predicting sepsis and detecting domestic violence in EHRs. His passion for dementia care was sparked by personal experience with his grandmother's rapid decline.Linus Health's technology aims to catch cognitive issues early when interventions can be most effective. Their assessment tool is designed to be user-friendly and integrated into regular check-ups, potentially reducing the risk of dementia by up to 50% through early intervention.The company faces the challenge of introducing new ideas about brain health and potential outcomes to both healthcare providers and patients. They focus on providing clear, actionable information and emphasize the importance of brain health alongside other routine health checks.Looking ahead, Dr. Showalter envisions a future where brain health assessments are as common as blood pressure checks, and where early intervention can significantly impact cognitive health outcomes.About Dr. John ShowalterJohn Showalter, MD, MSIS, is board-certified in internal medicine and informatics and serves as Chief Strategy Officer of Linus Health, a digital health company enabling early detection of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Linus Health has won Time Magazine’s Best Inventions and Fast Company’s Innovation by Design awards for its work in bringing the power of digital cognitive assessments to PCPs. Dr. Showalter also practices medicine in Danville, Pa., with a focus on cognitive care and dementia prevention.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

12/26/24 • 20:03

Special Mini-Series From HLTH 2024The healthcare industry accounts for nearly one third of the USA's GDP and yet all Americans can agree that the system is ripe for innovation, heck even just plain 'improvements' would be great. So, I took Awesome Future to HLTH 2024, one of the largest yearly gatherings for healthcare technology professionals and innovators. As part of the Like A Girl Media podcast network we recorded these four interviews on the show floor, direct from Media Central, to dive into the state of innovation in health IT and startups. We'll share two episodes starting Thursday, December 19th and two more starting on the 26th. If you enjoy these episodes, could you share them with a friend?____ Liz Jensen, PhD, MSN, RN-BC, Clinical Director at Direct Supply Innovation and Technology Center, shares insights on The Glow Up podcast about innovating in long-term care. From connecting nurses with tech developers to advocating for policy changes, Jensen is reshaping the future of aging care.Key insights include:The critical need for innovation in long-term care due to demographic shiftsThe power of nurse-led initiatives like the Spark Collective in driving meaningful innovationThe importance of preserving choice and independence for older adultsJensen's work offers valuable lessons on addressing the challenges of an aging population through technology and policy advocacy.Don't forget to like, and subscribe to stay updated on more inspiring stories of innovation and resilience on The Glow Up - Fabulous conversations with innovative minds!About Liz JensenLiz Jensen, PhD, MSN, RN-BC is the Clinical Director at Direct Supply Innovation & Technology Center @MSOE. In her practice she collaborates with leaders in tech, business, academia, healthcare, and senior care/living to define, vet, and test solutions to the most challenging problems facing senior care and living providers. She runs the SPARK Clinical Collective, bringing clinicians, technology developers, engineers, and product designers together to build, test and pilot innovative solutions that address workforce retention, as well as health and safety outcomes of people residing in senior care/living centers. Dr. Jensen draws from her prior experience as a senior care nurse executive, educator, and direct care nurse to inform her education and advocacy efforts with policy makers, researchers, and investors in senior care. She holds a BSN from Creighton University, MSN from Cardinal Stritch University and PhD in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning & Service from Cardinal Stritch University researching future technology development and investment priorities of nursing executives in long termcare.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

12/19/24 • 19:38

Special Mini-Series From HLTH 2024The healthcare industry accounts for nearly one third of the USA's GDP and yet all Americans can agree that the system is ripe for innovation, heck even just plain 'improvements' would be great.So, I took Awesome Future to HLTH 2024, one of the largest yearly gatherings for healthcare technology professionals and innovators. As part of the Like A Girl Media podcast network we recorded these four interviews on the show floor, direct from Media Central, to dive into the state of innovation in health IT and startups. We'll share two episodes starting Thursday, December 19th and two more starting on the 26th. If you enjoy these episodes, could you share them with a friend?____Dr. Allen Gee is a neurologist, neuroscientist, and innovator who leads the Wyoming Health Innovation Living Lab (WHIL). Key Takeaways:WHIL focuses on vetting and operationalizing healthcare technologies, particularly in neural health.Dr. Gee aims to address the devastating impacts of cognitive decline through early detection and intervention.The lab uses innovative technologies to assess mobility, cognition, speech, and vision to predict health trajectories.Dr. Gee emphasizes the importance of personalized, precision neural health to improve overall wellbeing.WHIL is helping to develop and clinically test tools that identify cognitive decline early and empower individuals to manage their health.Dr. Gee's work at WHIL involves partnering with companies to test and implement healthcare technologies. He focuses on neural health, aiming to enhance cognition and mobility to help people live independently longer. The lab uses cutting-edge technologies to assess various aspects of health, including speech analytics and vision system digitization.Dr. Gee emphasizes the concept of "neurohealth," which encompasses the entire nervous system and its interaction with the world. He advocates for a holistic approach to health, focusing on sleep, nutrition, movement, and mindfulness. His goal is to use technology and data to provide personalized insights and interventions that can improve overall health outcomes.___About Allen GeeMD, PhD, FAAN  Dr Gee is a board-certified neurologist and founder of Frontier NeuroHealth, a private neurology practice with clinics throughout Wyoming.  Dr. Gee also holds a PhD in Psychoneuroimmunology, the study of how your immune system and your central nervous system interact. With a passion for using technology to improve patients’ lives, Dr. Gee designed WHILL to be an innovation ecosystem that is clinically-integrated and equipped to support the needs of technology companies that are developing, expanding, or launching disruptive healthcare solutions.  Dr. Gee is also founder of Optimal NeuroHealth which prA "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

12/19/24 • 15:43

Ashley Hamic, a rare disease mom and advocate, is the founder of Wish Ware Accessories, a company dedicated to creating innovative, adaptable, and personalized accessories for families with rare diseases. Here are the key takeaways from her conversation:Personal Origin Story: Ashley's journey began with her son Maddox's diagnosis of CTNNB1 syndrome, a rare condition that affects his physical, emotional, and mental abilities. This led her to create customized solutions to address his specific needs.Community Engagement: Ashley connected with other families in the CTNNB1 community, particularly through Effie Parks, who requested a wheelchair-friendly blanket for her son Ford. This collaboration sparked the development of various accessories tailored to the needs of children with disabilities.Innovative Products: Wish Ware Accessories includes items like waterproof blankets with straps to secure them in place, sensory books, and adaptive clothing such as swift-change t-shirts designed for children with tracheotomy tubes. These products aim to provide comfort, individuality, and practical solutions for daily challenges.Background in High Tech: Ashley's 18-year career in high tech, including roles in auditing, engineering, and operations management at companies like Cisco, has equipped her with valuable skills in product development, user experience, and iterative design.Iterative Design Process: Ashley emphasizes the importance of direct feedback from the community. She works closely with parents to understand their needs, creates prototypes, and iterates based on feedback to ensure the final products meet their requirements.Key Takeaways:Addressing Rare Disease Needs: Wish Ware Accessories focuses on solving daily challenges faced by families with rare diseases through customized and adaptable products.Community-Driven Design: The company's products are developed in close collaboration with the community, ensuring they meet specific needs and provide individuality.High Tech Background: Ashley's experience in high tech has been instrumental in her approach to product development and user experience.Impact on Quality of Life: The accessories aim to provide comfort, agency, and the ability for children with disabilities to feel more like their peers.About Ashley Hamic, Founder, Wish Wear AccessoriesAshley Hamic is the founder of Wish Wear Accessories creating innovative, fun, and functional products for children with disabilities. When her son Maddox was diagnosed with CTNNB1, a rare genetic disorder, Ashley began a mission to support families facing similar challenges. Wish Wear Accessories helps make everyday life a little easier with custom-made waterproof wheelchair accessories and other adaptable products that allow children to express their individuality. Ashley’s journey as a rare disease mom and her commitment to inclusion have shaped Wish Wear Accessories into a brand with empathy and community connection at its heart.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

12/12/24 • 29:36

Sarah Ticho and Niki Smit are the creators of SoulPaint, an innovative virtual reality (VR) experience designed to make emotions visible and help people connect with their bodies and feelings. Here are the key takeaways from their conversation:Origin Story: Sarah's personal experience navigating the healthcare system and feeling unheard led her to explore VR as a tool for expressing complex emotional states. She discovered body mapping, a process where individuals draw their emotions on a physical body outline, and saw potential in translating this to VR.Collaboration: Sarah and Niki met while working on a breath-controlled VR experience called Deep. Their collaboration on SoulPaint began when they discussed combining Sarah's healthcare insights with Niki's game design expertise to create an immersive experience where users can paint their emotions onto a 3D avatar in VR.Innovative Features: SoulPaint allows users to express emotions through painting and embodiment in VR. The experience leverages the visual and associative nature of human thinking to bypass language barriers in describing emotions. Users can paint their feelings onto a 3D avatar and then reflect on their creation, providing a new way to understand and communicate emotional experiences.Therapeutic Benefits: The platform aims to address challenges in communicating complex emotional experiences, particularly in healthcare settings where time is limited. By using play and embodiment, SoulPaint helps users access their subconscious feelings in a freer and more instinctive way.Future Vision: The creators envision SoulPaint as a tool for mental wellbeing and emotional regulation, leveraging the engaging nature of VR and game design to create healthy behaviors.--- About Soul Paint - www.soulpaint.coNiki Smit is an interactive artist creating playful experiences at the intersection of art, science and education. As co-director of Monobanda he has directed several award winning experiences including Explore Deep, Remembering, In My Absence and The Shape of Us. In 2020 he was awarded the Dutch Directors Guild award for Best Digital Storytelling.Sarah Ticho is a multi-award-winning artist, strategist, and entrepreneur. She is founder of Hatsumi, a multidisciplinary agency dedicated to advancing human-centred experiences at the intersection of immersive art, scientific research, and healthcare. As co-director of the XR HealthAlliance, she supports the equitable adoption of immersive technology for healthcare across strategy and policy. Her work is featured in Forbes and BBC, and she speaks at festivals and institutions globally.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

11/28/24 • 44:33

Dan Scarfe is the CEO and founder of XRAI, a company that develops augmented reality solutions to break down communication barriers, particularly for those with hearing loss and across language differences.Key Takeaways:Origin Story: XRAI was born from Dan's personal experience with his grandfather who had lost his hearing, inspiring the idea to combine real-time subtitles with augmented reality.Evolving Technology: Starting with assistive technology for hearing loss, XRAI expanded to facilitate cross-language communication and make events more accessible.Innovative Features: XRAI's "Auto Reverse" feature allows for seamless two-way conversations across languages, a significant improvement over traditional translation methods.Market Timing: Dan emphasizes the importance of timing in tech innovation, balancing between being too early and too late in the market.Hardware Challenges: While software capabilities are advancing, XRAI is still waiting for hardware breakthroughs to achieve the ideal AR glasses experience.Dan's journey with XRAI began two and a half years ago, evolving from his background in enterprise IT. The company's initial focus was on providing real-time subtitles for individuals with hearing loss. However, they quickly expanded their vision to address language barriers, enabling conversations across 140 different languages.XRAI's technology goes beyond simple translation. Their "Auto Reverse" feature allows for fluid two-way conversations, automatically detecting the spoken language and providing captions in the listener's preferred language. This approach significantly improves upon traditional translation methods by reducing communication delays.Dan highlights the importance of balancing customer feedback with maintaining a focused vision. While open to user suggestions, he emphasizes the need to "stick to their knitting" and excel in a few key areas rather than trying to do everything.The company faces challenges in hardware development, as the ideal AR glasses (lightweight, all-day wearable, full-color) are still a few years away. However, Dan sees this as an opportunity, positioning XRAI to be ready when the hardware catches up to their software capabilities.Looking ahead, XRAI aims to continue refining their technology and expanding its applications, potentially revolutionizing how we communicate across languages and accessibility needs.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

11/21/24 • 22:58

Richard Zreik is the founder of InnoVationGirls, and Tereze Bogdane is a student and active member of the community. InnoVationGirls is a global community of young Gen Z girls and non-binary individuals working on innovative solutions to global problems, with a current focus on solving fast fashion waste using new technologies.Key Takeaways:Origin Story: InnoVationGirls was born from Richard's personal experience as a father, recognizing gender inequity in the workplace.Global Community: IVG has evolved into a worldwide network of young innovators, working remotely across many countries.Technology Focus: The group utilizes cutting-edge technologies like VR, AR, NFTs, and DAOs in their projects.Fast Fashion Solution: IVG is currently working on addressing fast fashion waste through innovative use of technology and creative thinking.Award-Winning Work: The team has gained international recognition, including winning best in show at the Augmented World Expo in Vienna.Richard's journey began when he became a father and noticed the unfair treatment of women in the workplace. This realization led him and his wife to quit their corporate jobs and create a business model that could bring about change. InnoVationGirls evolved from this mission, aiming to tap into the latent innovative energy of young minds.Tereze, representing the student perspective, describes IVG as a fun and engaging community where learning happens naturally through collaboration and creative problem-solving. She emphasizes the power of storytelling and the excitement of being part of a movement fighting for a better future.The group's approach combines systematic inventive thinking with new technologies. Their current project on fast fashion waste involves using leftover fabric to create patches with NFC tags, turning them into NFTs that can represent tickets or memories.IVG's success is evident in their collaborations with major companies like Meta, Procter & Gamble, and General Electric. In one project for GE, they developed a solution for recycling K-cups in the workplace, which won first place among 50 competing teams.Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivgworld-sesame/sesame-design-with-conscience   (live 11/18)Website: https://ivg.world/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovationgirlsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivg.world/A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

11/14/24 • 38:34

Moody Mattan is the co-founder and CEO of Brand XR, a company that offers a no-code augmented reality platform and professional XR services, focusing on making AR technology accessible to non-technical users and businesses.Key Takeaways:No-Code AR Platform: Brand XR's Studio allows users to create AR experiences without coding, similar to website builders like Squarespace or Wix.AR Murals: A unique product combining physical murals with AR technology, used by major brands like Verizon for engaging local communities.Rapid Prototyping: Brand XR emphasizes quick turnaround on prototypes, allowing clients to experience and provide feedback on AR projects within weeks.Industry Evolution: Moody's journey reflects the rapid growth and changes in the AR/VR industry over the past decade.Moody's journey into AR began during his time in venture capital, where he first encountered AR technology through an investment in Meta (not Facebook's Meta). This experience led him to start a company producing Google Cardboard VR viewers, which sold millions of units.Brand XR was born from Moody's realization that there was a need for easy-to-use AR creation tools. The company now offers both a no-code platform for creating AR experiences and professional services for custom projects.One of Brand XR's standout products is their AR murals, which combine physical street art with interactive AR elements. These projects, like those for Verizon, involve collaboration between local artists, Brand XR's team, and the client's marketing departments to create engaging, localized experiences.Moody emphasizes the importance of rapid prototyping in their process, allowing clients to experience and provide feedback on AR projects within weeks. This approach has been crucial in helping clients understand and engage with the technology.Looking ahead, Brand XR continues to focus on making AR technology accessible and useful for a wide range of applications, from marketing to education.__ About Moody MattanMahmoud “Moody” Mattan is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of BrandXR, a No-Code Augmented Reality Platform and award-winning XR Studio. Under Moody’s leadership, BrandXR has delivered cutting-edge AR experiences for major brands such as Chevy, NASA, the NBA, and Verizon, transforming how these companies engage with their audiences. He has also established strategic AR partnerships with META, Snapchat, and TikTok, positioning BrandXR as a top AR creator in the industry.Before founding BrandXR, Mr. Mattan built PowisVR, a multi-million-dollar virtual reality headset and mobile accessories business. His venture capital experience includes leading investments in Meta, Sidecar, and Genius (formerly Rap Genius) at Pegasus Tech Ventures. With a venture capital, business development, and marketing background, Mr. Mattan specializes in finding profitable strategies for emerging technologies.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

10/31/24 • 35:43

Tristan Elizabeth Gribben is the founder of Flow, an immersive meditation technology platform that aims to make meditation accessible and effective for modern, busy people.Key Takeaways:Innovative Approach: Flow combines technology with a unique meditation method (Breathe, Move, Let Go, Calm, Focus, Restore) to provide immediate access to the benefits of meditation.Multi-Platform Accessibility: Initially focused on VR, Flow has expanded to web, mobile, tablets, and TV, making it widely accessible across various devices.Adaptability: The company pivoted during COVID-19, expanding beyond VR to meet changing customer needs and preferences.Wide-ranging Applications: Flow is being used in corporate settings, prisons, rehab centers, and hospitals, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness.Measurable Impact: The company focuses on gathering data and testimonials to quantify the benefits of their meditation technology.Tristan's journey with Flow began in 2015, driven by her passion for meditation and a vision to make its profound benefits more accessible through technology. The company started with VR but has since expanded to multiple platforms to reach a wider audience.Flow's unique approach combines immersive technology with a structured meditation method that includes breathing, movement, letting go of tension, finding calm, focusing, and restoring. This method has proven effective even for those who typically struggle with traditional meditation practices.The company has faced challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has shown resilience by adapting their product offerings and expanding their reach. They've successfully implemented their technology in various settings, from corporate environments to healthcare facilities.Tristan emphasizes the importance of listening to customer feedback while staying true to the core mission. This approach has led to positive developments, such as expanding to different platforms based on user needs in various settings.Looking ahead, Flow aims to continue expanding its reach and impact, with a focus on providing accessible, effective meditation tools for diverse populations.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

10/24/24 • 36:04

Jennifer Johnson is the founder and CEO of JennJ Health and Fitness, focusing on digital health solutions for breast cancer patients. Her flagship product, FitnessCan, is a health and fitness app designed to support breast cancer patients before, during, and after treatment.Key Takeaways:Personal Experience Driving Innovation: Jennifer's own breast cancer diagnosis led her to create FitnessCan, addressing a gap in health tracking for cancer patients.Data-Driven Health Management: FitnessCan integrates wearable data, medication tracking, and journaling to provide a comprehensive health overview for patients and healthcare providers.Empowering Patients: The app aims to help breast cancer patients stay active during treatment, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life.Addressing Health Disparities: Jennifer's focus on health equity extends to increasing diversity in clinical trials and improving outcomes for women of color.Innovative Business Model: FitnessCan uses a freemium model, leveraging user data to provide value to healthcare providers, payers, and pharmaceutical companies.Jennifer's journey into health tech entrepreneurship began with her unexpected diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer at a young age. As a fitness enthusiast and data analytics professional, she tracked her health meticulously during treatment, which inspired the creation of FitnessCan.The app integrates data from wearables, medication tracking, and journaling to provide a comprehensive view of a patient's health during cancer treatment. This holistic approach allows patients to share detailed information with their healthcare providers, potentially leading to better-informed care decisions.Jennifer emphasizes the importance of staying active during cancer treatment, citing studies that show up to 40% better outcomes for active patients. FitnessCan aims to make this easier by providing tailored suggestions based on the user's current health status.A key aspect of Jennifer's mission is addressing health disparities, particularly for women of color. She highlights that Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer and represent less than 3% of clinical trials. FitnessCan aims to contribute to real-world evidence studies, potentially increasing diversity in research.Jennifer's story is one of turning personal adversity into innovation, leveraging her professional experience in health tech to create a solution that could benefit many others facing similar challenges.About our guest: Jennifer Johnson is the Founder and CEO of JennJ Health, dedicated to empowering breast cancer patients through digital fitness and wellness solutions. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare operations and as a breast cancer survivor herself, Jennifer is passionate about bridging gaps in patient care. JennJ Health's flagship product, the FitnessCan app, offers personalized fitness plans, mental wellness support, and a stA "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

10/17/24 • 32:30

Caspar Thykier is the CEO and co-founder of Zappar (zappar.com), a company focused on augmented reality (AR) technology. With a background in marketing and advertising, Caspar has been exploring the potential of AR for over 13 years.Key Takeaways:AR Evolution: Zappar has been at the forefront of AR development since mobile devices made the technology more accessible.Problem-Solving Focus: The company's approach is centered on finding practical applications for AR that solve real-world problems.Adaptability: Over 13 years, Zappar has navigated changing markets, evolving technology, and competition from tech giants.User-Centric Approach: Caspar emphasizes the importance of focusing on user experience and value rather than the technology itself.Diverse Applications: Zappar has found uses for AR ranging from enhancing children's toys to improving accessibility on product packaging.Caspar's journey into AR began with a background in virtual worlds, particularly with PlayStation Home. The founding of Zappar was driven by the question, "What is AR on mobile devices good for?" This question has guided their innovation process for over a decade.The company's approach to innovation is multifaceted. They focus on creating practical applications that people will actually pay for, rather than relying solely on investment. This has led them to explore various use cases, from entertainment with Hasbro toys to accessibility solutions for Unilever product packaging.A key insight Caspar shares is that people don't care about AR as a technology; they care about the value it provides. This user-centric approach has helped Zappar navigate the challenges of creating a market for a new technology while competing with larger tech companies.Caspar highlights two significant projects that showcase Zappar's evolution:Collaboration with Hasbro to enhance toys with AR, which required solving technical challenges like printing codes on various materials at high speeds.Developing Zapvision, an enhancement to QR codes that improves accessibility for visually impaired individuals, in partnership with Unilever.About Caspar ThykierCaspar Thykier is the Co-Founder and CEO of Zappar, the world’s leading computer vision company, specialising in AR, MR and WebAR technologies. Caspar and the Zappar team have been vanguards in the XR industry for over 13 years, pioneering the tools, technology and hardware used by brands, businesses and XR creators across the world. Prior to founding Zappar, Caspar spent 15 years as a board director and managing director of major advertising agencies.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

10/10/24 • 35:43

Howard 702 Taylor is a VR digital enthusiast and content creator who hosts "The Howard Hour," a weekly series in Horizon Worlds. Howard's mission is to bring awareness to VR, XR, and AR technologies in the metaverse, highlighting what's cool and what to avoid.Key Takeaways:VR as a Platform for Connection: Howard discovered VR's potential for community building and creative expression through experiences in Horizon Worlds.Tethering Virtual and Real Experiences: Howard emphasizes the importance of maintaining organic, genuine interactions in virtual spaces, recognizing the real emotions and energy people bring into VR.Impact Beyond Entertainment: The Howard Hour has shown its potential to positively influence viewers' lives, even preventing potentially harmful actions.Global Reach of VR Content: Howard's experience at AWE demonstrated the international impact of his work, transcending language barriers.Future Focus on Mental Health: Howard plans to expand The Howard Hour to address mental health issues and create a space for authentic human experiences in the digital realm.Howard's journey into VR began with a serendipitous experience in Horizon Worlds, where he performed his music in a virtual comedy club. This moment revealed VR's potential for creative expression and community building, inspiring the creation of The Howard Hour.The concept of "tethering" the metaverse to real life is central to Howard's approach. He stresses the importance of maintaining genuine, organic interactions in virtual spaces, recognizing that real emotions and energy translate into VR experiences. This philosophy has led to meaningful connections and impactful moments with his audience.A pivotal moment for Howard was when a viewer shared that The Howard Hour had prevented them from making a potentially life-altering mistake. This experience underscored the show's potential to positively influence lives beyond mere entertainment.Howard's impact was further validated at the AWE conference, where an international attendee recognized him and shared a clip from The Howard Hour, demonstrating the global reach of his content despite language barriers.About Howard TaylorHoward702lv is a virtual personality known for his presence on the Howard Hour Live show in the metaverse. With a charismatic and engaging personality, Howard702lv brings a unique perspective to the show, offering insightful commentary on a variety of topics ranging from technology and gaming to current events and pop culture. As a seasoned virtual entertainer, Howard702lv has built a loyal following of fans who tune in regularly to watch him in action on the show. His quick wit, infectious energy, and passion for engaging with his audience make him a standout figure in the metaverse entertainment scene.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

10/3/24 • 24:01

Austin Stanbury is the co-founder of Augmented Info Systems, a VR development studio focused on enhancing accessibility in education, particularly for neurodivergent individuals with high support needs. The company aims to create immersive learning experiences that benefit all students by addressing diverse learning styles and needs.Key Takeaways:Accessibility in Education: Augmented Info Systems prioritizes making educational tools accessible for neurodivergent individuals, which ultimately enhances the learning experience for everyone.Virtual Reality as a "Helping Technology": VR is utilized to simulate real-life scenarios, allowing users to practice skills and navigate challenging social interactions in a safe environment.Vocational Training Support: The company develops tools that help neurodiverse individuals build confidence and autonomy through vocational training and mental health support.Collaboration with Institutions: Partnering with educational institutions and support centers provides valuable insights into the needs of neurodiverse learners, ensuring the tools developed are effective and relevant.Long-Term Vision: Austin dreams of establishing an educational facility that leverages VR across all subjects, aiming to remove barriers to learning and provide multimodal instruction tailored to individual needs.Austin discusses how VR can help individuals practice everyday situations, such as workplace interactions or health-related scenarios, which can be particularly daunting for those with anxiety or social challenges. This approach not only prepares users for real-world experiences but also fosters personal dignity and self-esteem.The insights gained from collaborating with support centers have been instrumental in shaping the direction of Augmented Info Systems. Austin emphasizes that the focus should always be on the needs of the people being served, ensuring that the technology developed genuinely addresses their challenges.About Austin Stanburry:Austin Stanbury, CEO of Augmented Info Systems (AIS), has a wealth of expertise in project management, edutech, and virtual reality development. His professional experience spans roles as an adjunct professor, senior consultant, and co-founder. Austin's work has been showcased globally at major venues including AWE, ACM VRST, IEEE GEM, and Games for Change. He is dedicated to establishing virtual reality as a default educational technology for everyone.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

9/26/24 • 28:50

Alicia Navarrette shares the journey of Cheechable, a community of digital creators and ethnobotanists working towards a symbiotic future. Learn how they're leveraging mixed reality to open minds and inspire new possibilities in the emerging cannabis industry.Alicia Navarrette, Creator of CheechableCheechable is an immersive independent media collective where digital creators and ethnobotany intersect. The mission of the organization is to inspire, instruct, and invigorate our capacity to live a symbiotic existence.We are a community who is open to experimentation, cultural research, and design as the pathways to sustainable futures.The commercial landscape of the 21st Century has shown us needs in social, economic, and environmental perspectives that have been previously underrepresented. Cheechable conversations are representative of humanities’ future concerns, like sustainable community systems, new experiential language, and creating space.   We deliver these explorations with a quarterly publication, talk show, and live events. We further examine these ideas of culture and commercialism in the Futurist blog and carry limited product runs in our shop. We accept written, visual, short film, short animation, and performance contributions on a rolling basis. Check out cheechable.com or @cheechable_world on instagram for more ways to get involved or hire our design team. A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

9/19/24 • 33:26

Alan Smithson, co-founder of MetaVRse and Unlimited Awesome shares his entrepreneurial journey, which includes extensive work in music technology and virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Key Takeaways:Persistence is Key: Staying committed to your vision is essential, even when faced with setbacks.Transforming Education: Alan aims to revolutionize the education system by integrating modern technologies and success principles.Global Innovation Access: Unlimited Awesome seeks to democratize access to innovation and entrepreneurship for individuals worldwide.The Power of Gratitude: Practicing gratitude and mindfulness is foundational to success and resilience.Together with wife, Julie, Alan has been working for over two decades to create a new education system that focuses on success principles rather than traditional subjects. They realized that existing educational frameworks were not adapting to emerging technologies like AI and XR. This realization led them to embark on a mission to build a comprehensive education system from scratch, one that inspires and educates future leaders to act responsibly in social, economic, and environmental contexts.Throughout the conversation, Alan emphasizes the importance of persistence in entrepreneurship, reinforcing the idea that setbacks are merely bumps in the road on a larger mission.Unlimited Awesome seeks to democratize entrepreneurship, leveraging AI to connect individuals globally. Alan envisions a future where anyone, regardless of their background, can participate in the innovation landscape.Alan SmithsonAlan Smithson is a father, founder and futurist. His purpose in life is to inspire and educate people to think and act in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible way. Alan and Julie, his wife and partner make creator tools including; METAVRSE, 3D creation engine for the spatial web, Your Director AI, automatic AI video switching and Emulator, a touchscreen system for the music industry. The couple is building a new education and entrepreneur system to encourage global innovation through technology called Unlimited Awesome. He is a board advisor to HSTAR Space, a space transportation company and a juror for The One Creativity Awards and Named Top Retail Expert, 2023 and 2024. Named Top 50 Digital Futurists (2022), Alan is a TEDx Speaker, and host of Daily Tech News w/ Alan Smithson.A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

9/12/24 • 30:25

Elizabeth Bieniek shares her journey from navigating the complexities of Cisco to embracing entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of fostering innovation within corporate structures.Takeaways:Persistence is Key: Stay committed to innovative ideas, even when they seem ahead of their time.Filter Feedback Wisely: Be cautious about whose advice you take, especially from those without relevant experience.Embrace Customer Insights: Customer engagement can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and validate innovative concepts.Celebrate Small Wins: Simple gestures can significantly boost team morale during challenging phases.Cultivate Company Culture: Actively protect and nurture your organization's culture to ensure innovation thrives.The "intrapreneurial mindset" is explored as a blend of stubbornness and resilience needed to push through corporate red tape. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of persistence in innovation, noting that many groundbreaking ideas require time to mature.Her book, Cake on Tuesday: 25 Lessons to Unlock Corporate Innovation, serves as a guide for navigating innovation. A critical lesson: "be careful who you listen to." This underscores the necessity of filtering feedback, especially when pursuing uncharted territories.The origin of Elizabeth's book title, inspired by a morale-boosting initiative during a challenging project phase. The "Cake on Tuesday" concept illustrates the significance of small gestures in maintaining team spirit and culture, especially during the "barren middle" of innovation projects.Elizabeth Bieniek is an author, speaker, and consultant focused on “good peopling” as the secret to exceptional execution. As a founder and Fortune 100 innovation and engineering leadership veteran, her expertise lies in challenging assumptions, embracing diverse perspectives, and leading through ambiguity to build empowered, resilient teams that last. Named to Toptal’s 10 most influential “Female Pioneers in Technology,” she has spoken on bridging the gap between human connection and innovation at EmTech NEXT, Chatham House, ITEXPO, AWE, and the Global AI Community. Her leadership and innovation philosophy have been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Inc., International Business Times, and Women in Business. https://www.elizabethbieniek.com/ A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

9/4/24 • 28:09

Most innovative ideas are ahead of their time, which makes staying on the playing field long enough for your idea to hit one of the most crucial skills for any founder or new business.The Glow Up talks with innovators about their big ideas and how they stay resilient in the face of change; and how they find and build the value that will drive their future success.  A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success. If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.

7/23/24 • 02:14