Best LEAP HR Insider Podcasts (2025)

1
AI's Impact on Insurance Claims: Insights from Voltaire Founder Yo Sub Kwon 39:27

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9d ago39:27

39:27

Voltaire is an AI-powered program founded by Yo Sub Kwon, designed to help insurance carriers by making claims correspondence faster, more accurate, and cheaper. Kwon, a technologist who started programming at 12 and launched his first company at 16, has a background in founding multiple companies, including Launchkey and one of the earliest US-bas…

1
Automating Professional Services: Caddi CEO Alejandro Castellano on Using AI to Tackle Admin Work 35:05

2M ago35:05

35:05

Peter Ho welcomed Alejandro Castellano to the podcast to discuss how he uses technology to make operations and businesses work smarter. Alejandro shared his background, starting with a childhood dream of being an inventor in Lima, Peru, leading him to study electrical engineering. He pursued entrepreneurial ventures early, starting an EdTech compan…

1
Building the Zillow for Small Business: An Interview with Baton Founder Chat Joglekar 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

This podcast episode features an interview with Chat Joglekar, the founder and CEO of Baton, a company aiming to be the "Zillow for small business". Chat, an experienced executive with previous roles at Google and Zillow, was inspired to start Baton after a friend's frustrating experience trying to buy a small business, highlighting the lack of tra…

1
Democratizing Franchise Ownership: Inside Franzy with Co-founder Alex Smereczniak 32:39

2M ago32:39

32:39

In this episode, we interview Alex Smereczniak, a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Franzy, a franchise discovery and acquisition platform, and former CEO of 2 U Laundry and Laundry Lab. Alex shares his journey of growing 2 U Laundry/Laundry Lab to over 30 locations and his decision to hire a CEO and move to a board position. This t…

1
Scaling Startups and Building Finance Teams: Insights from CFO Julian Lange 53:04

2M ago53:04

53:04

Peter Ho welcomes Julian Lange, an experienced CFO who has guided companies from startup to IPO, including scaling Marley Spoon and leading VC fundraising for Aiven. Currently CFO at Upvest, Julian brings strategic financial leadership and a passion for team development. Julian's Career Journey: Julian shares his background, starting with 10 years …

1
AI and Accounting: Enhancing Efficiency and Upleveling Accountants 36:20

3M ago36:20

36:20

The interview with Alex Lee, CEO of Truewind, explores how his company uses artificial intelligence to streamline accounting processes for accounting firms. Truewind is presented as a "digital staff accountant" that utilizes AI to perform accounting tasks with greater efficiency and predictability. Lee's background is in aerospace engineering, havi…

1
Building Beyond the Black Box: Nate Helbach on Differentiated Multifamily Design 42:15

4M ago42:15

42:15

Nate Helbach, founder and CEO of Neutral, discusses his company's mission to redefine real estate development through sustainable practices and a focus on tenant wellness. Neutral aims to construct mixed-use and multifamily developments that achieve carbon neutrality. Inspiration and Background: Nate was inspired to start Neutral by the lack of dif…

1
The Strategic CFO: Insights from Dan Hilton of BluMetric 39:24

4M ago39:24

39:24

In this episode of Value Drivers, we welcome Dan Hilton, the CFO of BluMetric (Ticker: BLM), a Canadian environmental consulting and water technology company. Dan shares his extensive experience spanning over 30 years in both startup and established technology firms. He discusses his varied career, which includes serving on both public and private …

1
AI or Not: Protecting Against Generative AI Risks 37:27

4M ago37:27

37:27

Anatoly (“Toly”) Kvitnitsky, founder and CEO of AI or Not, an AI detection startup, was interviewed on the Value Drivers podcast. Kvitnitsky's background includes a decade in fraud and KYC protection, followed by a stint as a VC at a major financial institution, which ultimately led him to start AI or Not in late 2023. His motivation stemmed from t…

1
Cleerly's Vision for a World Without Heart Attacks: A Conversation with CEO Dr. James Min 37:04

4M ago37:04

37:04

Dr. James Min, founder and CEO of Cleerly, is interviewed about his journey from a medical background to entrepreneurship. Dr. Min, a cardiologist by training, spent 15 years at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Cornell Medical College. He discusses the development of the coronary CT angiogram, a tool that allowed his team to learn about vascular …

1
Unlocking Value in Mining: A CEO’s Perspective on Leadership and Growth 42:29

5M ago42:29

42:29

This interview with Brodie Sutherland, CEO of Tocvan Ventures (Ticker: TOC), provides insights into the company's operations, the mining industry, and Sutherland's leadership philosophy. Tocvan Ventures is a publicly traded natural resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. Sutherland, a geologi…

1
Enterprise Grade Contract AI: Insights from Pramata CEO Praful Saklani 46:33

5M ago46:33

46:33

The podcast features a conversation with Praful Saklani, the CEO of Pramata, a company focused on simplifying contract management using AI. Saklani shares his extensive entrepreneurial journey, beginning with his early involvement in the internet world in the mid-1990s after graduating from Swarthmore College with a degree in Economics and Politica…

1
From Social Media to AI Compute: The Piotr Tomasik Story 34:00

5M ago34:00

34:00

Piotr Tomasik, co-founder and COO of TensorWave, was interviewed on Value Drivers. Tomasik discusses his journey into AI, his entrepreneurial background, and the founding of TensorWave. He grew up in the Bay Area, and moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV for computer science. He was drawn into the startup world after being recruited by a professor int…

1
SUMMER SPECIAL: Mumbition feat. Jacqui Ooi 31:56

5M ago31:56

31:56

Hello and Happy 2025 to you! It's been a while between episodes but today we're bringing you a special conversation from our friends over at the Mumbition podcast, featuring our very own Jacqui Ooi. This episode takes you behind the scenes of our work with career-changing women, with lots of great insights and inspiration for anyone on the cusp of …

1
From Layoff to Launch: An Entrepreneur's Journey to Creating a Startup in the HR Tech Space 41:38

6M ago41:38

41:38

In this episode of Value Drivers, Peter Ho sits down with Andy Hamilton, a serial entrepreneur and the CEO and co-Founder of When, a company revolutionizing the employee offboarding experience. Andy shares his journey from real estate tech to founding When after personally experiencing the challenges of navigating health insurance and limited suppo…

1
Beyond the Leasing Office: How Tour24 is Empowering Renters and Property Managers with Self-Guided Tours 41:00

6M ago41:00

41:00

Welcome to Value Drivers, the podcast exploring the forces driving value creation in today’s business landscape. Today’s guest is David Cohen, CFO of Tour24, a proptech company transforming the multifamily rental market with its self-guided tour platform. About David Cohen: David Cohen has over 35 years of experience in finance and investment. Befo…

1
Five Cards, One Payment: The Kasheesh Solution 32:04

6M ago32:04

32:04

Sam Miller, founder and CEO of Kasheesh, shared his entrepreneurial journey and insights into the company's payment solution. After studying economics at the University of Maryland, Miller embarked on a career path in the startup world. Miller has a rich history of success in the startup world, having founded and exited two companies before taking …

1
From Ukraine to Silicon Valley: Vlad Panchenko's Entrepreneurial Journey 43:52

7M ago43:52

43:52

Vlad Panchenko, the founder of Portal AI, joins Peter Ho this week and shares his journey from his roots in Ukraine to the heart of Silicon Valley, highlighting his four companies and his evolving entrepreneurial vision. The discussion explores Panchenko's entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of the gaming industry, the impact of AI on businesses…

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From Big 4 to CFO: Conor Tierney's Journey to Leading a Lidar Tech Company 38:42

7M ago38:42

38:42

Conor Tierney, CFO of AEye, a lidar sensor company, discusses his career journey, the lidar technology and market opportunity, AEye’s business model and financial strategy, and his advice for those starting their careers. Originally from Ireland, Tierney began his career working for PwC in the Silicon Valley during the early 2000s. He gained valuab…

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Leveling the Healthcare Playing Field: A Conversation with PayZen's Itzik Cohen 39:33

8M ago39:33

39:33

In this episode, we speak with Itzik Cohen, CEO of PayZen, a fintech company transforming healthcare affordability. Drawing on his experience as a professional basketball player, Cohen shares how teamwork, leadership, and focus are central to both sports and business. PayZen’s mission is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for patient…

1
Streamlining Retirement Planning: Innovations and Insights with 401Go's Daniel Beck 37:58

8M ago37:58

37:58

Episode Summary In this episode, Daniel Beck, founder and CEO of 401Go, discusses his approach to simplifying retirement planning for small businesses. Drawing on his diverse experience across industries, Daniel explains how 401Go automates 401(k) plan setup, making it easier for small businesses to manage compliance and offer competitive employee …

1
Beyond the Spreadsheet: Modernizing Maintenance Management with Patricia Sagastume 38:30

9M ago38:30

38:30

Patricia Sagastume, the head of Finance at Limble, shares her entrepreneurial journey with us. Rooted in a family of entrepreneurs, Patricia’s story is one of grit and growth, as she recalls her early days at a software escrow company that prepped her for greater ventures. Alongside her brother, she co-founded Limble, a computerized maintenance man…

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Unlocking the Power of Graphene with Kjirstin Breure 34:07

9M ago34:07

34:07

Join us for a conversation with Kjirstin Breure, the President and CEO of Hydrograph, as she takes us through the journey of Hydrograph from its early phase at Kansas State University to becoming a publicly traded entity with operations in the US and UK. Kjirstin shares her path from working in various tech startups to becoming the founding team me…

1
Navigating the Semiconductor Frontier: Jessica Gomez on MEMS, Federal Grants, and Industry Innovations 42:47

9M ago42:47

42:47

Jessica Gomez, the founder and CEO of Rogue Valley Micro Devices, takes us on a journey from Long Island to Southern Oregon, where she and her husband carved out a niche in the competitive semiconductor industry. We unpack the world of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) and their broad applications in consumer electronics, automotive, and defe…

1
Building the Future: Ernest Popescu on Revolutionizing Data Centers in Urban Markets 42:11

9M ago42:11

42:11

Ernest Popescu, the founder and CEO of Metrobloks, shares his career trajectory from the worlds of automotive and aerospace to pivotal roles at AWS and Facebook. Ernest's expertise in data center development offers invaluable insights into capacity planning and the drive behind Metrobloks. Metrobloks is on a mission to revolutionize urban, underser…

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The Entrepreneurial Leap - Fran Brzyski's Path to Building Hark 31:19

9M ago31:19

31:19

What drives someone to leave the corporate world and embrace the uncertainty of startups? Hear Fran Brzyski 's story from his days at JP Morgan, where he felt boxed in, to his thrilling adventures across multiple startups like Rocket Trip. Fran shares the highs and lows of founding Hark, a platform transforming customer engagement with asynchronous…

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Adrienne Prentice on Empowering Employees with Care Solutions 38:15

10M ago38:15

38:15

Adrienne Prentice, the founder and CEO of Keep Company, joins us to share her transition from attorney to leadership coach and entrepreneurship. Through her personal journey, Adrienne provides deep insights into the significant challenges faced by working parents and caregivers, highlighting the tough choices between career aspirations and family o…

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From Ukraine to Silicon Valley: Lesya Arnold on Recruiting A Players for Startups 34:10

11M ago34:10

34:10

Lesya Arnold, the founder and CEO of A Players Recruiting, walks us through her career journey that began at the tender age of 12 in Ukraine. By 17, she was already a tech recruiter, and her move to the US only amplified her impact. Lesya shares her experiences navigating cultural differences between Ukrainian and American recruiting practices, emp…

1
Navigating the Future of Consulting: AI, Digital Transformation, and Career Insights with Mayank Mittal 44:58

11M ago44:58

44:58

Can smaller consulting firms ever compete with the giants like BCG and McKinsey? Today, we dig into the unconventional paths and creative approaches that smaller firms leverage to carve out their own space in the consulting world. Join us as we welcome back Mayank Mittal, a tech industry executive and the author of "The Art of Building Great Produc…

1
Atomic Financial: Empowering Consumers through Seamless Account Switching and AI-Driven Finance 37:02

11M ago37:02

37:02

Jordan Wright, CEO of Atomic Financial, provides insights into the company's evolution and strategic focus. Atomic emerged from Wright's previous venture, Unbill, with a mission to revolutionize consumer banking. Central to their business model is a per-transaction fee structure aimed at facilitating seamless account switching for major banks, ensu…

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Navigating the Evolving Landscape of the Space Industry 37:23

11M ago37:23

37:23

In this episode, Jeff Thornburg, founder of Portal Space Systems, shares insights on revolutionizing the space industry. From the shift towards commercial space companies like SpaceX to the importance of aligning with customer needs, Thornburg emphasizes the value of strong relationships and operational efficiency. He discusses the need for maneuve…

1
AI-Driven Athlete Marketing: Navigating NCAA Rule Changes 36:54

12M ago36:54

36:54

Ayden Syal, CEO of MOGL, discussed his transition from finance to running a startup focusing on influencer marketing for athletes. He explained the impact of NCAA rule changes allowing athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) since July 2021. Athletes can now engage in sponsorships, endorsements, and more to leverage their audienc…

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Innovating Women's Health: The Daré Bioscience Leadership Approach 41:50

12M ago41:50

41:50

In this episode, Sabrina Matucci-Johnson, CEO of Daré Bioscience (Ticker: DARE), shares insights on advancing women's health products in the biotech industry. She discusses the challenges and strategies for successful commercialization, including leveraging partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, utilizing non-dilutive funding like grants, and …

1
Innovations in PCB Manufacturing with FlashPCB CEO Thomas Castner 39:33

1y ago39:33

39:33

The conversation sheds light on the journey of Thomas Castner, CEO and co-founder of Flash PCB. The conversation covers Thomas’ background, the company's unique value proposition, its recent funding from SBIR, and the challenges they face in the day-to-day operations. Thomas, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon Universi…

1
The Journey from Real Estate to Tech: Transforming the B2B Supply Chain 36:20

1y ago36:20

36:20

Peter Ho sat down with Alex Witcpalek, the CEO and founder of Continuum. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by Continuum, as well as the strategies and values that have contributed to the company's success. Alex's background is an important starting point as it provides context for his approach to leading Continuum.…

1
Unlocking AI Insights for the C-suite: A Conversation with Joe Essenfeld, CEO of Fora 35:32

1y ago35:32

35:32

Joe Essenfeld, the founder of Fora, and Peter Ho discussed Fora's innovative approach to using AI to make enterprise operations more efficient. The company aims to provide C-suite executives with insights from meetings and conversations, allowing them to make strategic decisions based on qualitative data. Fora's focus is on enhancing productivity a…

1
Empowering Financial Wellness: A Conversation with Nav.it Founder Erin Papworth 37:46

1y ago37:46

37:46

Peter Ho sat down with Erin Papworth, the founder of Nav.it, a financial wellness platform aimed at reducing financial stress for individuals and employees. Papworth, a seasoned entrepreneur with experience managing multi-million dollar programs, shared insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a startup. She discussed the transition fr…

1
Accelerating Property Claims with AI: The Digsfact Journey 34:03

1y ago34:03

34:03

Nishant Tomar, the Chairman & CEO at Digsfact, shares his journey from a house fire in 2017 to launching a startup using AI for property claims. His motivation to found Digsfact stemmed from a personal experience when his home was affected by a fire in 2017, leading him to identify critical pain points in the property repair and insurance claims pr…

1
Balancing Parenthood: Navigating Challenges in Paid Leave Solutions (Dirk Doebler, CEO of Parento) 39:30

1y ago39:30

39:30

Balancing Parenthood: Navigating Challenges in Paid Leave Solutions Peter Ho welcomed special guest Dirk Doebler, the founder and CEO of Parento, a company that focuses on providing parental support and leave solutions for working families. The discussion delved into Dirk's diverse background and the journey that led him to establish Parento, as we…

1
Optimizing Healing: A Journey with MEND CEO Eziah Zaidi-Syed 36:33

1y ago36:33

36:33

Eziah Zaidi-Syed, CEO of MEND, discusses the company’s evidence-based approach to optimize healing with personalized nutrition and their platform's focus on enhancing patient care during and after surgical procedures. Eziah delves into the company’s unique integrated platform for precision care and the challenges and insights on fundraising, handli…

1
Nina Karnikowski | Mindful traveller – how she reimagined her dream career to support the planet 37:21

1y ago37:21

37:21

What do you do when your dream career suddenly loses its shine? Do you give it up for something new – or change the way you’re doing it? If anyone had a dream career, it was Nina Karnikowski. As a travel writer at the Sydney Morning Herald, and later going freelance, she was off on adventurous travels a dozen times a year. But in 2019, she went on …

1
Jeff Perlman, founder of Bright Power 41:49

1y ago41:49

41:49

In a recent interview, Peter Ho sat down with Jeff Perlman, the founder of Bright Power—a premier provider of energy and water management services for real estate owners, investors, and operators. The interview provides insight into Perlman's journey, the company's services, and the challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy and energy ef…

1
Jeff Lambert - CEO of Tiicker 37:51

1y ago37:51

37:51

In a recent conversation between Peter Ho and Jeff Lambert, the founder of Tiicker, an intelligent software startup, the topic of conversation revolved around Tiicker, a platform that connects individual retail investors with publicly traded companies to offer perks and rewards for stock ownership. The discussion delved into the concept of verified…

1
A sneak peek inside our Career Change Kickstarter course 3:40

1y ago3:40

3:40

Are you at a career crossroads and thinking about ‘what’s next’ for you? Then you’ll want to dive into this mini episode, to find out how our Career Change Kickstarter course can help you! If you’re feeling the niggle (or roar) of needing a change, but you’re not sure what you want to do next or what steps to take, this course is for you. Applicati…

1
John Ennis - founder and CEO of Neoswap 40:22

1y ago40:22

40:22

Show Notes [01:14] John gave the audience a high level summary of his background. Originally, John is a mathematician. After post doc in computational neuroscience, he went into market research consulting. Five years ago, he started his first company, Agora, followed by Neoswap. [02:02] John discussed the market opportunity of Neoswap which is pion…

1
Jon Cheney - Founder and CEO of Velocity Access 54:03

1+ y ago54:03

54:03

Jon Cheney, founder and CEO of Velocity Access, discussed how he is building an enhanced ticketing platform by improving the overall experience of the patrons. Show Notes [01:12] Jon gave the audience a brief overview of his background. He has lived in different countries and started selling products door to door when he was 8. Before Velocity Acce…

1
Mike Starr - founder and CEO of Trackd 34:13

1+ y ago34:13

34:13

Mike Starr, founder and CEO of Trackd, discussed how he and his team help customers minimize vulnerabilities. Show Notes [01:20] Mike provided a brief overview of his background. Before launching trackd, Mike worked at the homeland security department and another startup. Most of the groups he worked in the government were mission focus (i.e. not b…

1
Kunal Agarwal - founder and CEO of Dope Security 32:53

1+ y ago32:53

32:53

Kunal Agarwal discussed how he and his team makes cyber security a first class experience for his customers. Show Notes [02:19] Kunal shared with the audience his interest and passion in hacking, including an incident when he was in high school. [04:43] Kunal discussed the genesis of Dope Security and meaning behind the company name. In his view, i…

1
Scot Wingo - founder of Spiffy and Triangle Tweener Fund 38:55

1+ y ago38:55

38:55

Show Notes [01:18] Scot gave a brief outline of his background. Scot has a technology background and two career journeys: a serial entrepreneur and investor/enthusiast/mentor of entrepreneurship. [03:29] Scot provided a high level overview of Spiffy, a mobile car care company which is nationwide. The team is trying to build Starbucks for car care. …

1
Palash Soni Discussed his Journey of Building Goldcast and Scale it to Profitability 31:44

1+ y ago31:44

31:44

Show Notes [01:36] Palash discussed his background and the genesis of Goldcast. He came to business school with the specific intent of starting a company. The timing was right (Covid) and the market opportunity is at a point where he wanted to launch the company rather than waiting for the completion of his MBA. [05:23] Palash walked us through the…