She’s not waiting for permission. Flavilla Fon gang went from the ghettos of Paris to building Black Rise—one of the UK’s boldest tech tribes. She’s mixing identity, data, and storytelling to scale Black power through business. In this episode: -Why storytelling beats pitching in tech -How she turned oil & gas into a launchpad -Her strategy for building community-first platforms -Why AI is non-negotiable for Black excellence -The real ROI of diverse ecosystems Timestamps: 00:00 Intro — Paris...
Jul 16, 2025•42 min•Ep. 184
She was told she wasn't tall enough, thin enough, pretty enough. Now she’s rewriting the rules of beauty for everyone else. In this episode 183 of the Disruption Now Podcast, Sian Bitner-Kearney , founder of Rock Your Beauty, reveals how perfectionism, filters, and social media lies damage self-worth—and what it takes to break free. Her nonprofit is helping women embrace their authentic selves, one fashion show and workshop at a time. 🎙 Learn how Rock Your Beauty evolved from a charity event in...
Jul 16, 2025•29 min•Ep. 183
Laid off or lost in the noise? You’re not alone. Episode 182: Nicole Dunbar—Cornell -trained strategist and viral LinkedIn voice—joins Disruption Now to dissect the “white collar recession.” From AI displacement to hiring freezes, she breaks down how even top-tier pros are invisible in today’s job market. Learn: 6 proven job search strategies (only 1 involves job boards) -Why resumes alone fail—and what recruiters actually trust -The mindset shift every mid-career pro must make now -How to “netw...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 182
In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast , host Rob Richardson sits down with Jacob D. Frankel (Kobi ), the visionary Founder and CEO of Beyond Alpha Ventures . Jacob shares his journey from managing over $355 million in assets on Wall Street to leading a multi-strategy family office and hedge fund that invests in transformative technologies like AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. He discusses the importance of investing with purpose, the future of venture capital, and how Beyond Alp...
Jul 14, 2025•33 min•Ep. 181
Eric Brown Jr . is the founder of ELVTE Coaching and Consulting and a Generative AI innovation lead at Microsoft. In this powerful conversation with Rob Richardson, he unpacks how early adversity became fuel for legacy. From mentoring underserved youth to helping enterprise teams align tech with purpose, Eric proves that impact isn’t just about innovation — it’s about elevation. Disruption Now Episode 180 Inside This Episode: -Life Hacker Mindset: How reframing pain unlocks potential -AI with Em...
Jun 04, 2025•37 min•Ep. 180
"I went from door-to-door sales to closing million-dollar tech deals — but the real secret? Asking boldly. Watch [12:33] to hear how Jarrett Albritton turned Clubhouse conversations into 80,000 followers and landed 40+ recruiters on stage. Spoiler: His AI platform is changing how careers are built!" -Why are tech sales misunderstood (and why are they not what you think)? -The biggest misconception about tech sales that’s costing you $$$. -3 secrets to breaking into tech sales and dominating AI-d...
Apr 04, 2025•50 min•Ep. 179
In this episode of the Disruption Now podcast, host Rob Richardson engages in a dynamic conversation with Seema Alexander, a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist. They delve into Seema's rich background, from her upbringing in an entrepreneurial immigrant family to her current roles as co-founder of Virgent AI and DC Startup & Tech Week. The discussion traverses the evolution of entrepreneurship, the pivotal role of emerging technologies like AI, and the significance of community co...
Mar 24, 2025•52 min•Ep. 178
In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast, host Rob Richardson sits down with Rachel Desrochers , the founder of Gratitude Collective and a passionate advocate for gratitude, entrepreneurship, and community building. Rachel shares her journey of turning a simple idea into a thriving business while fostering a culture of kindness and connection. She discusses the power of gratitude in both personal and professional life, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how she supports other business ...
Mar 04, 2025•37 min•Ep. 177
In this episode of Disruption Now, Tremain Davis shares forward-thinking insights on how innovation is upending traditional business models and reshaping entire industries. Here are three things you can learn from this episode: Adaptive Leadership: Davis disrupts conventional norms by staying agile, empowering his team, and constantly reevaluating strategies to drive transformation. Leveraging Disruptive Technologies: Learn how embracing new technologies can drive sustainable growth and create a...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 176
Today's Disruption Now episode is with LaMar "The Coutureman "Wright. He is a trailblazer in curated lifestyle expertise and image consulting through his business, The Coutureman LLC. As a disruptor in his field, he challenges traditional notions of style and personal branding, helping individuals cultivate an elevated sense of confidence and self-expression through fashion, grooming, and lifestyle refinement. His approach goes beyond just aesthetics—it's about empowerment, self-identity, and ma...
Feb 10, 2025•20 min•Ep. 175
LEARN about Erin Reddick 's inspiring AI journey. She is the creator of ChatBlackGPT Beta, a platform advancing equity in AI. Erin shares how her unique upbringing as a Black woman adopted by a white father shaped her views on race, identity, and belonging. She discusses her transition from being laid off at Meta to becoming a trailblazer in ethical AI. The conversation dives deep into the challenges of promoting inclusivity in technology, the development of ChatBlackGPTBeta, and actionable advi...
Jan 31, 2025•38 min•Ep. 174
Disruption Now: Building a Fair Share for Culture and Media. Join us and disrupt! Today, we welcome the two most respected and innovative leaders to the Disruption Now Podcast. Joe and Dwain, despite their demanding schedules, have graciously made time to be DISRUPTIVE with us in this digital age. Joe and Dwain's impressive careers have led them to co-found Dream Exchange, a groundbreaking platform with a purpose and impact that cannot be overstated. Dream Exchange is the first minority-governed...
Jul 26, 2024•41 min•Ep. 172
Cyrus Harbin is the founder and host of the popular podcast "Tech is the New Black." He is a prominent figure in the tech community, known for empowering, educating, and entertaining his audience on leveraging the tech industry to enhance their lives. Through his podcast, Cyrus interviews industry leaders, tech influencers, and successful entrepreneurs, offering insights and practical advice on how to break into and thrive in the tech industry. Cyrus is also actively involved in community-buildi...
Jul 12, 2024•34 min•Ep. 171
John Hope Bryant is a prominent entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist known for his economic empowerment and financial literacy work. He founded Operation HOPE in 1992 following the Rodney King Riots in Los Angeles, with a mission to provide economic education and resources to underserved communities. Since its inception, Operation HOPE has served over 4 million individuals and directed nearly $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised areas. The organization focuses on improving cr...
Jul 06, 2024•49 min•Ep. 170
Step into the digital arena with John Cavanaugh, a renowned digital privacy and safety expert, on this episode of "Encrypting Freedom." Uncover the hidden pitfalls in your digital practices and learn how to fortify your data against the encroaching eyes of AI technologies. John doesn't just outline the problems; he arms you with robust, actionable strategies to take control of your digital identity. This episode isn't just about listening—it's about engaging. Discover resources, communities, and...
May 17, 2024•45 min•Ep. 169
Join Rob Richardson on this episode of Disruption Now as he sits down with Adam Kahn, Chief Creative Director at Grey Midwest, for a riveting discussion on artificial intelligence and its impact on the creative world. Together, they unpack whether AI is a looming threat or a transformative catalyst for creators. In this episode: Discover the Revolutionary Tools: Learn about the innovative AI technologies that are reshaping creativity, from automating mundane tasks to opening up new avenues for a...
May 03, 2024•28 min•Ep. 168
In this episode of "Disruption Now," I interview entrepreneur Pete Blackshaw, who shares his pioneering journey of using AI to protect brands. Blackshaw discusses how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the industry, providing a glimpse into the future and practical insights on how businesses can harness this technology for brand protection. He highlights the necessity for companies to adapt and the transformative potential of AI in managing brand integrity. This episode is essential list...
Apr 26, 2024•40 min•Ep. 167
John Johnson is the founder of a small studio. He works with Niantic Labs, which brought us Pokemon Go. Learn how he launched a multi-million dollar design studio and shifted his career from architect to entrepreneur. We also delve into his recent scare with cancer and how it has shaped his perspective as a father and business owner. Things to Learn: - How faith guides his entrepreneurial experience - How to deal with the struggle of entrepreneurship - How cancer gave him a new perspective. Lear...
Mar 26, 2024•53 min•Ep. 166
Should we ban TikTok? Is it really as dangerous as some say, or is it just a strawman argument to distract us? Listen to our discussion. Let's hear from James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana.
Jan 25, 2024•55 min•Ep. 165
Group Black is dramatically transforming the face of media ownership and investment. Kerel Cooper is President of Advertising at Group Black, where he leads Group Black's revenue operations, revenue strategy and planning, and insights teams. What You Will Learn Why Black Creators are underpaid for the value they bring Why equitable distribution of Advertising Dollars matters How to Thrive as a Black Corporate Leader ABOUT Kerel Cooper Kerel Cooper is President of Advertising at Group Black, wher...
Nov 30, 2023•39 min•Ep. 164
Joshua Ogundu is an advocate of equity, as he believes that it starts with everyone. The common belief that most successful startup founders began their journey from poverty and worked their way up to the top creates unrealistic expectations and makes true equity harder to achieve. Joshua Ogundu explains why this narrative needs to stop and suggests ways to launch a venture capital-backed company, even if you don't have a head start. What You Will Learn How you can get outside of your bubble and...
Nov 16, 2023•47 min•Ep. 163
"THE WORLD IS CHANGING FAST, but it doesn't have to be scary." Iliana Oris Valiente (IOV) is an optimist for the future of tech and society. IOV wants to encourage humans to live happy, healthy, and purposefully designed lives in a world of endless possibilities. She believes the key is to embrace the ever-shifting technological trends and chaos, actively shape the future, and thrive together. #disruptionow #digitalnomad #globaltrends What You Will Learn Current Global Trends in Tech The Future ...
Nov 06, 2023•58 min•Ep. 162
Kalista Zackhariyas isn't just envisioning a social media future centered on genuine human interactions – she's crafting it. As the dynamic CEO of SparkSeeker, she's pioneering the way. Learn more at https://sparkseeker.com/
Oct 05, 2023•42 min•Ep. 161
Meet Aswad Thomas , the indomitable Alliance for Safety and Justice Vice President. Once on the cusp of a glittering professional basketball career, a devastating gunshot wound forever altered his destiny. Yet, the injustice didn't end there. In his darkest hour, he was wrongfully labeled a criminal by the system that should have protected him. His is a tale of survival, rebirth, resilience, and redemption. Today, Aswad stands tall, channeling his experiences and passion into transformative chan...
Sep 28, 2023•24 min•Ep. 160
As innovations surge forward, so do the questions about A.I.'s inner workings. Our guest on Disruption Now is Javier Viaña Pérez, the co-founder of Rezon.ai and a Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Kavli Institute of Astrophysics and Space Research. His Ph.D. research revolved around the conception of novel transparent algorithms that provide accurate predictions and human-understandable justifications of the results.Reason.ai primarily focuses on comprehending the decision-making process of AI s...
Sep 21, 2023•34 min•Ep. 159
In 2020, over 2 million people were employed by the justice system, with an annual expenditure of a staggering 300 billion dollars in the United States alone. But what has all this investment achieved for victims of crimes? Our guest, Lenore Anderson, is co-founder of the Alliance For Safety and Justice and author of the eye-opening book, "In Their Names: The Untold Story of Mass Incarceration and Victims' Rights." What You will learn How the militarization of local policing destroys trust and s...
Sep 06, 2023•47 min•Ep. 158
Cessiah Lopez is an Affiliate of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy. She is a serial entrepreneur & web3 degen with proven experiences in growing small businesses & creating digital products that elevate self-improvement. Holding an LLM from the University of East Anglia, her thesis focused on the applicability of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) to modern e-commerce. She has since worked as an Operations and Strategist f...
May 12, 2023•37 min•Ep. 157
Diamond Doll is a highly skilled leader who excels at problem-solving and generating effective solutions. Her experience at Microsoft and Juul Labs demonstrates her commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and social responsibility in the workplace. As the founder of NFT CLT , she has taken her expertise and passion for Web3 education and onboarding to the next level, advising organizations on their transition to this exciting new field. She is a trusted community builder who plans educational even...
Apr 11, 2023•38 min•Ep. 156
Larry Brinker Jr. is an award-winning entrepreneur, impact investor, and mentor. He serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of Brinker, a group of family-owned and operated commercial construction service companies responsible for over $4 billion in construction projects, which plays a critical role in the transformation and revitalization of Detroit. He also serves as the CEO of the Brinker Family Asset Management Company. Before being named Chief Executive Officer and tasked with leadi...
Feb 21, 2023•37 min•Ep. 155
Mark is the CEO, co-founder, and chairman of Direct Digital Holdings, a Houston-based and founded adtech company that brings state-of-the-art buy-side and sell-side advertising platforms for clients (specializing in middle-sized markets) under one umbrella. Mark can speak to Direct Digital Holdings’ (DDH) success story and how he and the company are disrupting the adtech industry for companies in these markets, and how DDH is pioneering the space as a smaller but fast-growing player that also fo...
Feb 06, 2023•24 min•Ep. 154
