Cory shares his background co-owning a family marketing business that evolved from pre-internet, handshake-based relationships to modern digital operations, and explains how he uses aviation metaphors to emphasize continual course correction. They discuss how abundant low-cost tools and fast-changing AI create distraction and “C+” execution, shrinking attention spans, and over-reliance that can reduce depth in decision-making. 

Cory stresses intentional, values-based leadership, ethical growth, and combining tech with community and trust, including narrowing tools to a few core platforms. His actionable tip: step away from screens to reflect, clarify the ideal client and problem, and then use technology deliberately.

Host Joshua McNary interviews Steve Shriver, CEO of EcoLips and Bug Soother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a serial entrepreneur who owns five businesses and advises startups. Shriver describes EcoLips as a certified B Corp guided by the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit, and shares how mountaineering experiences shape his approach to goal-setting, resilience, and perspective. 

He outlines his other ventures—Bug Soother, Brewhemia cafe, Soko Outfitters, and The Olympic event venue—plus a new patented product, Secure Outlet, and recounts making and distributing hand sanitizer during COVID through a partnership with Cedar Ridge Distillery. On technology, he discusses manufacturing automation, the Red Zone production monitoring system, challenges of equipment uptime and power needs, and the complexity of disparate tools driving a move to the DCOM ERP. 

They also discuss early experimentation with ChatGPT, organizational change management, and Shriver’s advice to “try something new” with technology.

Host Joshua McNary interviews Doug Wagner, morning show host on News Radio 600 WMT and News Talk 1420 WOC (iHeart Media), about radio’s evolution and technology’s impact on media, public service, and community information. 

Doug describes AM radio’s historic reach, today’s distribution through the iHeartRadio app and podcasts, and the ongoing value of live, local news, weather, traffic, and sports. He explains how modern radio segments content across wide geographic audiences while staying local, recounts handling breaking news through rapid studio coordination, and outlines a tech environment shaped by proprietary systems, reliability needs, and security-driven limitations. Then Doug shares his workflow for curating dozens of daily stories, listener engagement via texts and app “talkback,” and advice to not fear technology and to delegate specialized digital tasks to skilled staff.

In this energetic conversation, you’ll hear how Alex leverages platforms like Shopify and Faire to streamline everything from wholesale relationships to in-person sales, and why taking action and embracing everyday technology is key for any business owner. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a side-hustler, or a seasoned entrepreneur, you’ll walk away inspired to bundle your challenges, choose the right tech tools, and focus on progress over perfection. 

Joshua and Greg dive into real-world stories about helping businesses navigate tech challenges, the nuts and bolts of running a remote IT company, and the importance of building standardized, forward-thinking processes. They explore the evolving threat landscape—from Microsoft outages to ransomware attacks—and emphasize how staying proactive, resilient, and informed is more important than ever.

You’ll also hear practical advice for small and mid-sized business owners—including the critical need for standardization, robust backup strategies, and keeping up with the rapid advancements in AI technology. Whether you’re a tech leader, business owner, or just curious about how the intersection of technology and risk impacts the modern enterprise, this conversation is packed with insights and actionable tips to help you unleash your inner BizTech superhero.

In the episode, Joshua and Cherie dive into the real-world tech journey behind Member Marketplace—from hustling with WordPress plugins and family collaborations to developing a proprietary, scalable platform that empowers chambers and local organizations to serve entrepreneurs in their communities. You’ll hear firsthand how Cherie willingness to take action, embrace feedback, and build scrappy solutions has led to innovative tools that make selling, connecting, and thriving online accessible to even the busiest small business owners.

Plus, stick around for insights on evolving tech stacks, harnessing AI for local commerce, and strategies to help business owners overcome the barriers to digital growth. Whether you’re a tech founder, a small business owner, or just someone curious about the future of local marketplaces, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice to help you unlock your own technology superpowers.

Whether you’re curious about building authentic content in the age of AI, the importance of mission-driven messaging, or practical tips for refreshing your business story, Suzy brings plenty of insights and inspiring anecdotes to the table.

Listen as we explore how combining human creativity and AI tools can elevate your company’s narrative—and discover actionable advice to help your business stand out in today’s fast-changing world.

Together, we explore how technology—from QuickBooks and Square to Google Drive and HoneyBook—is woven into her day-to-day operations, empowering her to streamline workflows and manage growth across multiple ventures. Whether you’re a fellow business owner or just curious about what happens behind the scenes in your favorite local spot, you’ll take away valuable insights on building efficient processes, leveraging tech tools, and adapting to new challenges in the ever-evolving world of small business.

Joshua and Maddy dive into the realities of writing and business in the age of AI, discussing how automation, SaaS tools, and artificial intelligence are transforming workflows—while also highlighting why processes and human expertise remain essential. Maddy shares her experiences leveraging tools like Zapier, Loom, Scribe, and cutting-edge AI to boost productivity, curate information, and avoid the pitfalls of chasing every shiny new feature. You’ll also hear practical advice for small and mid-sized businesses looking to make the most of today’s technology, plus candid reflections on balancing originality, ethics, and efficiency in a tech-driven work world.

Whether you’re curious about the latest marketing tech, want actionable tips to optimize your processes, or just need inspiration to become the superhero in your own business, this episode packs insights and strategies you won’t want to miss!

You’ll hear how Andy balances the rapid pace of technological change with the timeless importance of human connection and trust in building strong business communities. You’ll get an inside look at the tools and strategies he uses to scale big impact with limited resources—leveraging everything from Slack and Zoom to the evolving world of AI agents—while never losing sight of the relationships that make it all work.

Whether you’re a business owner, a tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about community building, this conversation is packed with wisdom, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on being a true BizTech superhero in today’s landscape.

You’ll hear Jen discuss the importance of adapting to different learning styles and modalities, building trusted partnerships with tech providers, and why every company today—regardless of industry—needs to think like a tech company. Listen for candid stories about trial and error, budget balancing, the need for trustworthy guidance, and practical advice for businesses looking to leverage technology smarter.

Whether you’re in education, tech, or just looking to keep your business future-ready, Jen’s journey will inspire you to unleash your own biztech superpowers.

Together, Joshua and Nicole explore practical challenges and real-world solutions—ranging from technology adoption during mergers and acquisitions, to navigating generational differences and enhancing client onboarding. Plus, you’ll hear their thoughts on harnessing artificial intelligence for sales, marketing, and operational excellence. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own tech roadmap or want to learn actionable tips for differentiating your business in the marketplace, this episode is packed with fresh ideas and expert advice you won’t want to miss.

Alyx dives deep into the evolution of her company, highlighting the technological pivots, challenges of building both physical and digital products, and the unique market needs around women’s health. She also opens up about her passion for breaking taboos, her drive as a non-technical founder, and the lessons learned in creating tech that truly meets users where they are. Along the way, they discuss the vital role of user feedback, privacy concerns, and how innovation and empathy power disruptive solutions in femtech.

Tune in for inspiring stories from the frontlines of health tech, actionable advice for entrepreneurs, plus a fresh perspective on how technology can fuel personal transformation and business growth.

They dive deep into the ever-evolving relationship between technology and the human side of business, exploring when to implement new tools, how to avoid falling for the latest tech trends without a clear purpose, and why alignment and clarity on outcomes remain the real superpowers for any team. Mat also shares practical tips from his day-to-day work, including how to balance process changes with tech adoption, set ground rules for communication tools, and embrace practices like “pre-mortems” to sidestep potential pitfalls before rolling out new technology.

Whether you’re in a large organization or a small consultancy, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking perspectives on making tech work for you—not the other way around.

Cait delves into the evolving role of technology in branding, from practical productivity tools to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. They explore how to approach tech strategically—making it work for your business rather than letting it run the show—and discuss the importance of aligning technology choices with your core values. Plus, Cait opens up about balancing productivity and rest in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship and how business owners can recharge while still leveraging the latest tech.

If you’re looking for actionable insights on using technology with intention, staying true to your mission, and thriving as a business leader in 2025 and beyond, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

People Cait mentioned: 

• Maren Gauldin - Enneagram Coach
• Brooke Hartnett - Websites

We explore Playhouse’s unique approach to empowering businesses with blockchain-based, first-party data strategies—making data ownership accessible, actionable, and future-proof. Connor also pulls back the curtain on his tech stack, sharing how he leverages tools like WordPress, Django, Python, and AI-driven platforms like Cursor, Claude, and ChatGPT to stay nimble and productive. Plus, he dishes on practical tips for founders, the importance of action over analysis paralysis, and how integrating the latest technology can help supercharge any organization.

Tune in for a conversation packed with insights on AI, data privacy, building tech from the ground up, and actionable advice for founders ready to embrace their inner BizTech superhero—no cape required!

Explore the importance of keeping the human element in technology, figuring out where your audience truly resides, and how to use innovative tools like SparkToro to pinpoint and engage with your target market. This episode is packed with insights, anecdotes, and practical tips for any business looking to harness the power of technology for marketing success. Tune in and unleash your inner biz tech superhero!