EduK8
By Brandon Na
If you care about education, you should enjoy the great answers to poignant questions about how we learn.
EduK8Jul 19, 2023
Serial CFO Frank Colich Teaches Us How to Be a Great Father
Chief Financial Officer of VC Darling Karbon
Chief Financial Officer of Rescale
Chief Financial Officer of RoundGlass
Chief Financial Officer of Skytap
Chief Financial Officer of 3Tier
Frank Colich's LinkedIn profile reads better than most executives in history. If you look at how consistent he is in obtaining literally the top financial roles, you'll see he really knows how to be successful in the startup world and "Frankly-Lee" the business world in general.
There's a lot to be learned from our father of 2 young men and again, CFO of 5 amazing business success.
Salience Digital's Founder Brandon Na hosts today's podcast.
What AI Ought to Do | Head of Ought.org's Engineering, James Brady, Shares why Elon Musk & the Future of Life Institute are asking us to SLOW Down
James Brady, Head of Engineering at Ought.org and one of the impressive signatories on the open letter to "pause Giant AI Experiments" (in addition to: Elon Musk and some other notable minds and leaders in society including:
- Steve Wozniak, Co-founder, Apple
- Andrew Yang, Forward Party, Co-Chair, Presidential Candidate 2020, NYT Bestselling Author, Presidential Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship
- Yoshua Bengio, Founder and Scientific Director at Mila, Turing Prize winner and professor at University of Montreal
- Stuart Russell, Berkeley, Professor of Computer Science, director of the Center for Intelligent Systems, and co-author of the standard textbook “Artificial Intelligence: a Modern Approach"
- Bart Selman, Cornell, Professor of Computer Science, past president of AAAI
and 27559 other well known souls) helps us understand the many implications of AI, society and very importantly for us, Education.
We spend more than the average time with James exploring his life as a son of teachers (who I truly admire), a Cambridge University grad and one of the earliest Y Combinator alumni. His thoughts are ones that I want to come back and listen to over and over again. I feel like the didactic impact from just this conversation is worth at least 3 or 8 listens to this one interview.
I highly recommend contrasting it with Lex Fridman's interview of Sam Altman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Guz73e6fw) or even Guy Raz's interview with him (https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/hibt-lab-openai-sam-altman/id1150510297?i=1000580232536) or even Reid Hoffman's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPJIpx3KscY). I think Tim Ferris also did one with him at one point, but I can't find it to share. Please feel free to add it to the comments or anywhere you can.
James is a fascinating perspective and this interview, I believe is possibly worth listening just as much as the 3 former ones -- just saying.
"Great Debaters" Chris Medina Argues for a Forensic Education
Denzel Washington might be the glamorous version of how a debate coach could be, but Chris Medina (current coach of the famous program in the movie) is the modern day Melvin B. Tolson & has helped the "debate program [win] more than 50 national championships, even though the 1,300-student college competes against much larger institutions. Medina’s students are shaped more by adversity than privilege, but debate has boosted their self-confidence and self-perceptions, igniting new ambitions and intellectual passions."
Education is Never too Late with Kate @Lately.ai
Hyperboles are dangerous, but after listening to this interview with the CEO/Founder of Lately.ai, I think you'll be calling this conversation one of the most memorable in podcast history. We were sincerely graced by a founder who's had an incredibly rich life already before starting Lately.ai and it will explain why she becomes next Sara Blakely v 2.0.
Ta Corrales, MIT Costa Rican Startup Founder provides Amazing Education Insights
Ta Corrales, an incredible Latino startup founder elucidates to us the Costa Rican perspective to Education. Through her amazing mother's "startup" spirit in building a school through her current startup https://www.smithassembly.com, we get to learn so many amazing thoughts from this wonderful startup co-founder (re: education). If you're curious about how the Massachusetts Institute of Technology grad and Chief Product Officer thinks about how to spread product goodness, you'll want to take a listen!
After a 4.75 billion Successful Exit, Seattle Founder Aaron Bird talks Education, Startups & Life
Former Founder/CEO of Bizable Aaron Bird sells to Marketo and shortly thereafter sells to Adobe for $4.75 billion. Today, Aaron is running the startup studio Pienza. You should check it out! Adobe on Thursday announced that it's acquiring Marketo, a company that sells marketing software, from Vista Equity Partners for $4.75 billion. Sep 20, 2018
EduK8 Update
LA's Premiere VC Minnie Ingersoll Tells us How to Win at Life
The beauty of "EduK8" is that we give you perspectives from people who disrupt and win at life. While we respect our "educators," we believe there is a need to examine the education system from people who've navigated through what might be broken and figured a way to leverage what is available. Minnie Ingersoll, not only graduated from two of the top educational institutions, but she also was one of the first 500 of possibly the most ubiquitous online organization in the world: Google. She's also served as a Commissioner for the City and County of San Francisco, helped lead Code for America as their COO, started and led a successful startup in the automotive industry and now invests and guides some of the future disrupters like wish, pluto tv & Data Science via TenOneTen Ventures.
Top Anxiety Tips: Best of the 5 Qs Vol VI
Starting off the New Year, we share some more amazing tips on how to get through any difficulty you might be experiencing. From an amazing & optimistic CTO to a humane & incredibly intelligent Venture Capitalist to a impressive & wise writer, you get very relatable advice on what to do when you might think the cards are against you.
The following amazing voices share their best advice when it comes to dealing with the tough times.
- Angela Ma (the impressive & wise writer) - for more with Angela, listen to her interview here: https://apple.co/3r0Cjt3
- Claudius Mbemba (the amazing & optimistic CTO) - for more w/ Claudius, listen to his episode here: http://apple.co/35eKQiP
- Minnie Ingersoll (the humane & incredibly intelligent Venture Capitalist) - for the full interview, tune back in the week of the 11th of Jan, 2021!
Teaser for 2021
EduK8 Interviews 2020 GeekWire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nominee
Claudius Mbemba shares how he juggled Work & D1 College Football while maintaining nearly a 4.0 GPA in Computer Science at The Ohio State University. This very enjoyable interview tells you that almost anything is possible if you have the drive like Mbemba did.
Future Vonnegut? Amazing writer Angela Ma shares her wise Gen Y thoughts
From archaeological digs in Israel to crossing the Nile River on a scooter, Angela Ma confides in us her "deep thoughts" on what has transformed her from young story teller to 20-something blogger. Her experiences are as diverse as the colors in the rainbow. If you become a Patreon supporter of hers, she'll keep you abreast of the many other fascinating tales she'll share beyond what's already in her growing blog.
Visit Angela at https://angelama.blog and you may trip into a treasure trove of experiences that you might not want to leave. A few of the titles include:
- I Have A Problem With The Nation’s #1 High School (Virual post)
- I Traveled Europe with $450 and a Bottle of Hand Soap
- Tiny Tales #1: I Fell Out of a Plane at 10,000 Feet
- When I Became an Archaeologist
- 764 Miles, 3 Days, 1 Butt: My Trek Across Senegal
- When I Became A Cheerleader
Founder of an Organization in 70 Cities Expounds on how he was "Educated"
Early stage startup platform and network Founder's Live has graced tens of thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe and today, we were graced by the organization's founder himself: Nick Hughes. Authenticity is one of the pillars of the organization and you can tell that Nick espouses this very important core and through the conversation with the man with a mission to empower many "dreamers" out there was one you will enjoy. For more details on Founder's live, visit https://www.founderslive.com. And Nick's LinkedIn profile is here.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Best of the 5Qs Vol V (Lazaro Carrion, Jin Woo Yu & Nick Hughes)
"Dean of Students" of the New Technologists (by Microsoft) Lazaro Carrion, Co-founder of Mental Health Startup Jin Woo Yu and Founder of Founder's Live Nick Hughes gives you some of the best tips for anxiety and the stressful times in life.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Seed Backed Startup Founder Kwame Boler Tells us Really "How it is"
Recently funded Co-founder of Neu (a startup that WILL take over the "on-demand cleaning" industry), Kwame Boler, details his amazing journey in how he's went from graduating with a Computer Engineering Degree just 6 years ago to being one of Seattle's leading startups. His thoughts are truly artistic and you'll want to listen in.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Anxiety Tips aka Best of the 5Qs Vol IV (Viktor Shvets, Jen Hong & Kwame Boler)
Coming up is another compilation of the best of the 3rd Q in the 5 Qs I ask at the end of each of the interviews. With that said, I know some of you have very little time to listen to the longer answers. As a result, I tried to create a TL;DR which some of you know as “too long; didn’t read”. Maybe this should be a TL;DL? Well, here’s the summary: Managing Director Viktor Shvets wishes he had the advice he’s going to give which is treat each goal as a smaller step; Overachiever Startup founder Jen Hong tells us to get a counselor & get a valuable book you’ll have to listen to her answer to discover the title and Seed Funded Startup CEO Kwame Boler identifies sometimes it’s simply sheer will, BUT with hidden support that I’d recommend for all you pay attention to.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Rocket Scientist & Startup CEO shares a rare glimpse into her Journey to Smith Assembly
In today’s show, we’re graced by future astronaut & current sailor, Liz Hunt. She leads one of the more transformative future B Corps you should be looking out for. Her company focuses on workshops that apply global perspectives in design thinking, and creates environments that empower teams to engage, open up, and create efficaciously. With their services and help, frankly companies will be able to build significantly stronger offerings. Liz also geeks out on science fiction and frankly may still achieve her lifelong dream of flying out into space leveraging her Aerospace Engineering degree from UT Austin. It’s always enjoyable to talk to my friend Liz, but today, you’ll get to share in our amazing conversations. Check out SmithAssembly.com
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Make Education Great Again
Education is going to be a priority again for the World’s Largest Economy
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
MUST LISTEN: Best of the 5 Qs (The best advice for life's challenges) Vol III (Liz Hunt, Charles Pensig & Emily Carrion)
Liz Hunt (Rocket Scientist), Charles Pensig (Data Scientist) and Emily Carrion (Marketing Scientist) provides some of the best advice you will get when it comes to coping with the many difficulties we face living in our dynamic world.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
The “Chief Incubator” (CEO) of a Hong Kong Foundation shares an Unorthodox Journey to "Actualizing"
We learn about the incredible journey of the CEO of Hong Kong's Chicken Soup Foundation, Cindy Chow. Her path was unique compared to many elite individuals who got to attend boarding school in the UK or one of the best International School's in Hong Kong. She made many of these decisions before she was even "of age." She tells us how a thin young Asian woman can be as strong as Hercules and serves as an inspiration to women of every generation.
A couple of facts I didn't know about Cindy besides her boarding school experience are:
- she has 2 Masters degrees
- her first job out of the "Harvard" of Hong Kong was being a stewardess
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
The Best Advice when you "feel down" by 3 Incredible CEOs & Disrupters Vol II (Cindy Chow, Rand Fishkin, Eddie Maalouf)
A 20 something Internet Entrepreneur who makes salaries CEOs dream of, the Modern Day Godfather of one of the most revolutionary Digital Marketing Channels and the CEO of a huge Hong Kong Non-Profit serving a base of 12,000 and delivering HK$70 million in household savings to families at risk ALL give their BEST advice on how to deal with the challenges in life. We are lucky to get some of the best minds in the world to help you deal with everything from small bouts of frustration to deep bouts of depression. These tips may be lifesavers.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Overachieving Startup Founder Jennifer Hong Shares Her Secrets & Stories
Over achiever, Resume Builder, and graduate from NYU with a BA & MA, Jennifer Hong's confessions are fascinatingly revealing and refreshing. Her impressive story revolves around candid thoughts about how she navigated programs both stateside and internationally. She tells us about how she challenged her teachers, how she was even more intense than her parents and offers a very appealing paradigm shift in society today. She joined us from Australia.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
New Technologists by Microsoft's "Dean of Students" Lazaro Carrion
Without a doubt, Lazaro Carrion is a making a HUGE impact on the lives of many students of color and students who normally wouldn't have a chance to join the ranks of a top tech company like Microsoft. Cyborg Mobile's Project Director & Director of The New Technologists program, a joint program with Microsoft & Cyborg, is a competitive innovation program that provides real life, hands-on training for underserved and underrepresented college students. The program participants learn app building, web development and project management skills from some of the most experienced top engineers in the world. Very importantly, they get to experience how their voices matter and are needed in the world of technology. Carrion is also a National Board Member of the College Success Foundation, where scholarships & support are given to inspire underserved, low-income students to finish high school, graduate from college and succeed in life.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Best of the "5Qs": Great Solutions for when you are down Vol 1 (Honor Gunday, Melanie Kong, Christine Witcher & Derek Chang)
One incredible gift of the show I’ve received from all the guests is their answer to what I initially called the "lightning round. " Part of the reason I created the show is for everyone to learn from all the incredible guests. I knew their perspectives and opinions would be invaluable about any topic we asked. One question I felt compelled to ask was "What was their best advice in getting through a tough situation" as either a student or at the workplace?
These 3 guests graciously provided their best answers:
- Honor Gunday, CEO and Founder of 3 Startups
- Melanie Kong and Christine Witcher, Co-founders of the exciting Education startup Floop
- Derek Chang, Co-founder of Data Science Startup Stratus Data
Personally, I've seen many younger people struggle to "find their way". I've done things from "just being there to listen" to frankly this now where I hope I can gather the best tips on how to beat the the times we struggle.
As we end suicide prevention month, I feel like this is very timely and hope all of you out there will enjoy what our great guests have shared. I know I did. Oh, by the way, we're probably going to change the name of the segment "5Qs" after one listener (and friend) suggested the great new moniker. Thank you Glass!
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Mental Health Startup Co-Founder & Stanford Graduate Jin Woo Yu Exposes one Educational Gap in Korea
Today's episode is quite special to me. The interview is basically education coming full circle.
Our guest today is a former student, but now, possibly a future mentor or at least a peer that will be paving a new path in the startup world in the health sector. I taught our guest as a young student in Busan, South Korea (the second largest city in the country) many years ago. I had no idea he was really listening, but funny enough, he was one of the best listeners that I had. He listened so well, he took his respect for his instructors to a high level and leveraged it into the most competitive University in the United States.
Mr. Jin Woo Yu is now a graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Computer Science -- which btw, is one of the hardest programs to get into any University these days, on top of being in the most selective University in the U.S., if not the world (if you use the statistics that are publicly available). He's also obtaining his MS in Science & Engineering, which he didn't even tell me, but I had to find out via a quick scan of his LinkedIn profile.
And today, he's Co-founder with 3 other Stanford grads of Prairie Health, a leading Mental Health Startup based in the Bay Area.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
The Humble Superstar behind one of the Best Reading Teachers I’ve met in Life Shares his “Secrets”
More than 4 decades in Education after acquiring a Masters from UVA and a bachelors from a top liberal arts program, Davidson, Mr. Bob Currie who also teaches French shares how he’s helped many students through the years, but very importantly his daughters become great the most amazing contributors to society. This is not an episode to miss and we are planning to more than just this one episode with Mr. Currie.
- M.A., University of Virginia
- Graduate Study in French, Middlebury College Language Schools
- B.A., Davidson College
- Secondary Education & Teaching, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
20 something Entrepreneur Eddie Maalouf helps us understand the Millennial Mentality
The younger generations of today are our hope and Eddie Maalouf shares how disrupters like him in his generation think about how we're educated. University of Georgia graduate and an International success in digital marketing, Maalouf is looking to understand how to truly build something that will make a lasting difference. We are lucky to have a very thoughtful guest on the show today and you should enjoy how even in digital marketing, we can be considerate, intelligent and also very impactful in every way when helping people build their businesses. Maalouf describes a little how.
Maalouf is Founding Partner at 4Media Marketing
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Education Disrupters talk Feedback: Co-founders of Floop, Melanie Kong & Christine Witcher grace us with what may become the gold standard in teaching
Engineering & Entrepreneurship Instructor and CEO Melanie Kong and MS Science Department Chair & Technology & Innovation Specialist & Co-Founder Christine Witcher of Floop Edu share insight into how education can be immensely instead with an effective "feedback" process enhanced by today's technology. Their startup not only focuses on this critical element, but their mission to fix this may revolutionize what we see in today's public and private systems. Listen in and hear how Floop may help many teachers achieve their benevolent goals and what may some day make lives of students many times better. Learn why these 2 ladies have won the Global Startup Battle Education Track , the MSNBC Open Possibilities Award& were the Startup Weekend EDU Seattle Winner -- along with the winner of Founders Live, the night I met Melanie.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Head of Global Strategy for Macquarie Group & Author Viktor Shvets poses “The Great Rupture”
Economist, Historian, Strategist, Thought Leader, Managing Director and now Author (basically a Polymath) Viktor Shvets shares views developed after being educated by the East and the West. Mr. Shvets incredible resume includes all the top global financial management behemoths in top capacities along with more accolades than LinkedIn allows.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Webb Schools. UPenn. Data Science Startup Co-founder Expounds on an Interesting Education Journey
Stratus Data Co-founder & Ivy League (University of Pennsylvania) Grad Charles Pensig Provides Fascinating Perspectives on Education - in Particular his Private School Path which Benefited him Immensely.
What's Charles "go to" dish? Who does he think is a great role model for society? Who is Charles' hero?
Answers to these questions are all in the episode.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
CMO Emily Carrion of Security Startup Rubica shares secrets in developing a well rounded student
Top Seattle Startup Executive Emily Carrion details her bilingual educational journey from a Spanish Immersion program to one of the Pacific Northwest’s Top Liberal Arts Programs. Learn how one top “disruptor” thinks about how we could alter the didactic methods of the future. You won’t guess who her recommendation for a role model is!
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Founder/Wizard of Moz Rand Fishkin candidly critiques marketing education and more on EduK8
SparkToro CEO/Co-founder Rand Fishkin & one of the true pioneers in the Search Engine Optimization field shares his educational story and offers contrarian ideas about what we could do regarding the didactic methods of today.
Who’s his recommendation for a role model? Listen in and find out.
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Stratus Data Co-founder & Stanford Ph.D. Grad Derek Chang talks about Caltech, Stanford & more
Founding Partner of Data Science Strategy & Execution Firm Stratus Data, Derek Chang methodically shares insights about If our Education system prepares our startups with the proper qualifications, his satisfaction of his elite education and even tells us a little bit about how his company was formed.
Look out to hear: "Who does Derek think is a great role model?"
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Stanford Graduate and CEO Honor Gunday of Paymentwall shares his thoughts about Elite Education
CEO/Founder of a leading Fintech Company PaymentWall elucidates why Stanford may not produce the best team members for your company. Honor Gunday provides frank and honest insights about International vs. US Education and many more didactic thoughts. You'll want to invest your next run or drive listening to one of the most talented entrepreneurs in today's FinTech marketplace. Who’s his hero?
Honor is also Founder of Terminal3 and FasterPay
Enjoy the latest episode of EduK8 hosted by Brandon Na on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Overcast and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.