The Digital Executive

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Dr. Neja Zupan, global energy master, international speaker, and founder of the Energy Masters Academy. Dr. Zupan shares her powerful personal journey of surviving aggressive, hormone-dependent cancer after being given only a 5% chance to live—choosing an unconventional path focused on nervous system recalibration, emotional release, and energetic alignment. The conversation explores how energy mastery impacts leadership, why burnout stems from internal misalignment, and how conscious entrepreneurs can stop forcing success and begin attracting it. Dr. Zupan explains how energy—not strategy alone—is the true foundation of sustainable health, business growth, and aligned leadership in a world of increasing pressure and change.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Don Weber, former U.S. intelligence operative turned global communication strategist and executive coach. Drawing on more than 15 years in high-risk international intelligence work, Don shares hard-earned lessons on trust, verification, and reading human behavior when the stakes are highest. The conversation explores why authentic communication matters more than scripted leadership, how executives often miss critical verbal and nonverbal cues, and why baselining behavior is key in high-pressure situations. Don also reflects on the timeless leadership skills needed in an era of rapid technology, geopolitical tension, and information overload—emphasizing empathy, respect, and strong interpersonal communication as the true foundations of effective leadership.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Dr. Wendy Lynch, researcher, author, and pioneer of “analytic translation.” Wendy explains why most data and AI initiatives fail—not because of technology gaps, but due to miscommunication between business leaders and technical teams. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience with Fortune 100 companies, she shares how asking the right questions, building trust, and providing context can dramatically improve decision-making. Wendy also discusses board-level pressures around AI, why AI is as much a cultural shift as a technical one, and what leaders must do now to prepare for the future of analytics and AI.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with David Mainiero, Chief AI Officer at AI Digital and leader of AI Digital Labs, to explore how organizations can move beyond AI experimentation and achieve real enterprise impact. David shares how his entrepreneurial journey—from founding tech-enabled companies to enabling AI adoption in Fortune 100 legal departments—shapes his practical approach to enterprise AI strategy. The conversation covers why many companies get stuck in “pilot purgatory,” what it takes to operationalize AI at scale, and how leaders can balance quick wins with long-term transformation. David also discusses emerging AI use cases in research, strategy, and agent-driven workflows, and explains why leadership, communication, and employee empowerment will define the next generation of AI-first enterprises.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with David Sztyman, Chief Architect at Hydrolix, to explore how real-time streaming data and AI are reshaping observability and security operations. Drawing on two decades of experience across streaming, caching, security, and analytics, David explains why scale remains a constant challenge—and why traditional data warehouses can’t keep up with today’s real-time demands.The conversation dives into the critical role of streaming data architectures in detecting issues as they happen, from video performance problems to active security threats like DDoS attacks. David also shares a pragmatic approach to AI, emphasizing how teams can use machine learning and LLMs selectively to detect anomalies without driving up costs. Looking ahead, he discusses the rise of AI agents, automated remediation, and natural-language access to data—capabilities that will make observability and security insights accessible to far more people across the enterprise.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Dr. Ravi Kiran Nizampatnam, an internationally recognized expert in network security and enterprise cybersecurity architecture. With more than a decade of experience protecting mission-critical infrastructure across finance, healthcare, and media, Ravi explains how today’s most dangerous attacks no longer look like breaches—but like normal, trusted activity driven by compromised identities, APIs, and supply chains.The conversation dives deep into what Zero Trust done right really means, why treating it as a product instead of an architecture leads to failure, and how organizations can minimize blast radius and contain breaches in minutes rather than months. Ravi also shares the real-world frustrations that inspired his cybersecurity patents, the gaps created by siloed security tools, and why context—not more alerts—is the missing link. Looking ahead, he outlines how AI, cloud-native systems, and regulatory pressure will reshape enterprise security, emphasizing that resilient, identity-centric architecture—not just smarter algorithms—will define the next generation of secure organizations.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Brian J. Esposito, globally ranked top CEO and founder of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises. With leadership spanning more than 115 companies and 200+ joint ventures across 25+ industries, Brian shares the core philosophies that have driven his decades-long success—relationship-first leadership, disciplined profitability, and sustainable growth.Brian unpacks his transformational turnaround as CEO of Diamond Lake Minerals, revealing how experience, timing, team-building, and financial fundamentals fueled explosive shareholder value. The conversation explores how he identifies opportunities across diverse sectors, why his business principles remain industry-agnostic, and how structured diversification creates long-term resilience.Looking ahead, Brian discusses the “adapt or die” reality facing businesses today, the rise of tokenization as the next evolution of financial transactions, and why companies that ignore digital assets risk missing a major global audience. This episode offers hard-earned insights on leadership, innovation, and building enduring enterprises in an ever-changing market.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Ola Sars, Stockholm-based serial music tech entrepreneur, 2024 Billboard International Power Player, and founder and CEO of Soundtrack Technologies. Ola shares the core thesis that has guided his career for over two decades: the complete digital transformation of music production, distribution, and consumption. From co-founding Beats Music—later acquired by Apple and transformed into Apple Music—to building Soundtrack into the world’s leading B2B music streaming platform, Ola explains why businesses require a fundamentally different music solution than consumers.The conversation explores the economics of music streaming, how value is distributed across artists, labels, and platforms, and why streaming is healthier than ever for the industry overall. Ola also discusses the future of music in physical spaces like retail, hospitality, and fitness, highlighting how AI-driven curation and personalization—not AI-generated music—will shape how brands use music to enhance customer experiences and drive commercial value.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Hossein Berenji, owner of Berenji Divorce and Family Law Group, about how digital assets and cryptocurrency are reshaping high-net-worth divorce cases. Hossein explains why crypto is increasingly used—and hidden—by wealthy spouses, how cold wallets, privacy coins, and decentralized exchanges complicate asset discovery, and the forensic tools lawyers use to trace concealed wealth. The conversation also explores evolving digital asset laws, emerging legal tech trends, and what the future holds for divorce and family law as technology, wealth distribution, and social norms continue to change.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Ankit Chopra, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for Cloud and AI Products at Neo4j. Ankit shares how financial planning for cloud, AI, and agentic systems fundamentally differs from traditional FP&A—shifting from static forecasts to dynamic, usage-driven models designed for volatility. The conversation explores adaptive forecasting, modern pricing frameworks, and how autonomous financial agents are transforming cloud cost optimization by accelerating insight-to-action cycles. Ankit also highlights the most common financial mistakes early-stage AI and cloud startups make, from mispricing to confusing scale with pure revenue growth. Looking ahead, he outlines the future of FP&A as an intelligence-led function focused on insights, orchestration, and critical business judgment—where finance leaders blend technical fluency with analytical skepticism to shape what’s next.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Olivia Walker, a nationally recognized communications and PR strategist whose career spans the U.S. Marine Corps, senior federal roles in Washington, DC, and advising today’s top executives and technology-driven organizations. Olivia shares how her early experience in high-stakes government communications shaped her people-first, trust-driven approach to messaging and leadership. The conversation explores what it takes to craft compelling narratives that influence policy, elevate CEO thought leadership, and resonate with fragmented audiences—especially as AI-generated content reshapes media and public perception. From earned media and credibility to consistency, storytelling, and the evolving role of PR, this episode offers practical insight into building influence and trust in a rapidly changing communications landscape.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Nick Spina, CEO of Denovia, to explore a breakthrough approach to plastic recycling. Nick explains how Denovia’s rapid depolymerization technology breaks plastic waste down to its molecular building blocks in minutes—creating new, virgin-quality materials from discarded plastics and textiles. The conversation unpacks why traditional recycling has fallen short, how advanced chemical recycling can be both sustainable and profitable, and what Denovia’s real-world ARC pilot is revealing about scaling globally. From tackling fast fashion waste to turning trash into a renewable resource, this episode offers a hopeful, science-backed look at the future of recycling.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Doug Stephen, President of CGS Immersive, to explore how immersive technology and AI are reshaping workforce learning. Doug shares why traditional training often fails, introduces the concept of “scrap learning,” and explains how simulations, repetition, and experiential practice drive real business outcomes. Drawing on two decades of Fortune 1000 consulting experience, he highlights how immersive learning improves retention, confidence, and on-the-job performance—while delivering measurable ROI. The conversation also dives into AI-powered experiences, AR/VR, digital twins, and what the future of work looks like as onboarding, upskilling, and leadership development become more human, adaptive, and performance-driven.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Billy Huang, co-founder of CreatorFi and longtime innovator in data, identity, and digital revenue infrastructure. Billy shares how enterprise-scale data systems he built for brands like Coca-Cola and Under Armour now power CreatorFi’s AI-driven underwriting engine—unlocking fair, scalable credit access for creators, music catalogs, and gaming studios.He explains how CreatorFi fills a major market gap by predicting future creator earnings, enabling non-dilutive financing, and supporting cross-industry monetization from YouTube content to Roblox game worlds. Billy also discusses the emerging landscape of creator IP, the rise of AI-powered production tools, and why the next era of the creator economy will be defined by accessibility, ownership, and financial independence.A must-listen for creators, founders, and anyone building at the intersection of technology, finance, and digital culture.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, Brian Thomas interviews Esra Ozturk, Head of Product at Luffa, about how the company is transforming from a secure messaging platform into a decentralized loyalty and rewards network for creators, brands, and fans.Drawing from her experience at Meta, Uber, Zillow, and Instacart, Esra shares the core product principles that have remained constant in her career—starting with the human, designing for multi-sided ecosystems, and establishing clear success metrics. She explains how Luffa is redefining loyalty by making rewards portable, privacy-preserving, and embedded directly within encrypted conversations.Esra introduces the idea of a “fan passport,” a user-owned identity that travels across creator and brand ecosystems, enabling fans to be recognized for participation, advocacy, and engagement—not just spending. She also outlines the major technological shifts ahead: messaging becoming the primary OS for digital experiences, identity fading seamlessly into the background, and AI powering intelligent, respectful fan-brand interactions.Looking to the future, she predicts fans will expect to be treated as partners rather than audiences, and creators will need to own their relationships instead of renting reach on major platforms. Luffa, she emphasizes, is building the encrypted, portable, and interoperable foundation to power this next era of decentralized communication and fan loyalty.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) and former President of the University of Tulsa, to explore how frontier technologies like AI and synthetic biology are reshaping national security, public policy, and society.Drawing on his experience as Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Brad explains why AI is a powerful—yet potentially dangerous—force within the military and beyond. He shares what motivated him to launch ARI and highlights the urgent need for transparent testing, safety standards, and guardrails to prevent harms ranging from misinformation and terrorism risks to harm to children.Brad also outlines the policy innovations needed to keep pace, including government’s ability to hire top-tier technical talent and more agile regulatory approaches that leverage both public and private sector capabilities.Looking ahead, he warns that AI capable of automating most cognitive work could upend the social contract, challenge democracy, and redefine what it means to be human. ARI’s mission, he emphasizes, is to help society navigate toward the brighter future—one where frontier technology lifts humanity rather than destabilizes it.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Frank Palermo, Chief Operating Officer of New Rocket, to discuss how AI, digital workflows, and enterprise transformation are converging to reshape business operations. With a career rooted in software engineering, enterprise platforms, cloud, and data, Frank shares how his bilingual fluency in technology and business helps organizations ground emerging tech in real business value.Frank explains why executives don’t buy AI—they buy outcomes—and how reframing tech initiatives around measurable results like faster revenue, lower cost, and better customer experience is critical. He highlights the common gaps enterprises face, including fragmented processes and poor data foundations, and emphasizes that modernization starts with workflow understanding, not platforms.Looking ahead, Frank describes a future where AI becomes “invisible,” seamlessly orchestrating workflows, enhancing employee productivity, and enabling human–AI co-creation. High-performing enterprises, he argues, will be those that move quickly but responsibly—governing data, investing in skills, and treating AI transformation as an ongoing operational mindset.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Volodymyr Panchenko, visionary founder behind Suntechsoft, Skins.cash, DMarket, and now Portal.ai, to explore how trust, communication, and emotional intelligence shape every relationship—personal and professional.From pioneering digital asset marketplaces to building an AI engine that strengthens human connection, Panchenko shares his journey, his philosophy, and the life experiences that inspired Portal AI’s mission: helping people truly understand one another before the first conversation.He opens up about the emotional toll of fundraising, the breakthroughs that came from improving communication clarity, and how early users are experiencing deeper, more meaningful interactions. Panchenko also discusses the future of AI in human relationships—arguing that, like electricity, AI’s impact depends entirely on how we choose to use it.This episode is a compelling look at how technology can solve one of humanity’s oldest problems: miscommunication.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes serial entrepreneur and architect Jeff Mahony, founder of RYT, a purpose-built Layer-1 blockchain engineered for institutional-grade speed, security, and compliance. Jeff shares insights from founding and investing in over 30 companies across fintech, digital identity, and decentralized systems—and explains why most emerging tech fails when it tries to change user behavior or solve future problems instead of today’s.Jeff breaks down why existing blockchains fall short for real-world utility, from slow finality and massive hardware demands to insufficient security and lack of regulatory readiness. He explains how RYT's Proof of Majority consensus, true parallel execution, and native zero-knowledge support enable high throughput without compromising trust. Looking ahead, Jeff discusses how compliant blockchain infrastructure will evolve—from national-scale deployments to cross-border regulation and true interoperability across chains.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Adam Hamadache, founder and CEO of Formula and ScorePlan, and one of the most respected voices at the intersection of AI, SEO, and hospitality. Adam shares the key turning points that helped him transform his agency from early hustle to a scalable, systemized growth engine—including the reset brought by COVID, adopting the EOS operating model, and ultimately reinventing the agency structure around senior talent and client growth.Adam breaks down one of today’s biggest misconceptions: that AI search is just “one more channel.” Instead, he explains how AI is fundamentally reshaping digital marketing, creating two new responsibilities for every brand—getting recommended by AI and shaping how AI interprets your brand. He highlights why online reputation, structured content, and brand clarity now matter more than ever as AI-driven platforms begin curating only four personalized results instead of pages of search listings.Looking ahead, Adam explores a future where consumers rely on AI agents to research, filter, and purchase on their behalf—transforming how businesses must communicate, compete, and differentiate online. From the technologies that truly matter to the hype to avoid, Adam brings clarity, realism, and actionable guidance for leaders navigating rapid digital transformation across industries.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.