Navigate The AI Era Through Our Startup Podcast
The Rebellious Times Podcast is a startup podcast that explores the intersection of human ambition and technology through deep conversations with founders, innovators and thought leaders. Each episode uncovers insights on scaling businesses, leveraging AI and thriving in today’s transformative business landscape.
Podcast Themes
Tech
Startups
Work
Life
Chris Januszewski
Howdy, I’m Chris! Welcome to the Rebellious Times Podcast where I seek out stories from leaders across a broad range of innovative and disruptive startups.
By coming together and sharing our perspectives, perhaps we can make sense of this crazy world as we each strive to find our place in the rapidly changing tech and social landscape – ultimately earning our freedom!
Startup Podcast Episodes
Episode 39: Founder Resilience in Venture Capital – Fail Fast, Learn Faster with Zoe Leavitt
Why Founder Market Fit Matters More Than Ever in Venture Capital “Founder market fit before product market fit.” - Zoe Leavitt That insight from Zoe Leavitt captures a major shift in today’s startup landscape. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, I sit...
Episode 38: The Gunshot That Started It All – Geoff Curtis on Redemption, Accountability and Building ZivTrack
How Accountability Technology Is Transforming Mental Health Recovery ““Recovery doesn’t happen in weekly sessions. It happens in the days in between.”” - Geoff Curtis In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, host Chris Januszewski sits down with Geoff...
Episode 37: Large Numerical Models – The Next Intelligence with Sriya.AI
How Large Numerical Models Are Redefining the Future of AI Analytics “The future is a combination of an LLM and an LNM.” - Dr. Srinivas Kalimbi Most AI conversations today focus on large language models. However, language alone is not enough. In this episode of the...
ATX4: Can We Trust the Internet Again? Ethos Social Thinks So.
How AI-Verified Social Media Platforms Are Rebuilding Digital Trust “We’re all wasting time on social media.” - Brogan Neagle Social media promised connection. Instead, it often delivers noise, bots, and abuse. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast –...
Episode 36: A Hacker’s Guide to Building a Cybersecurity Empire
How External Threat Intelligence Is Redefining Modern Cybersecurity “A hacker is a guy who prefers to break into things.” - Setu Parimi That simple definition sets the tone for this episode of our Startup Podcast. In this conversation, host Chris Januszewski sits...
Episode 35: Building Software for Social Good – A Female Founder’s Journey
How Social Impact Measurement Software Is Changing Nonprofits “If not me, who’s going to bring it to life?” — Sheri Chaney Jones In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, host Chris Januszewski sits down with Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder and CEO of...
Episode 34: Building an Agency That Puts People Before Profits
What does it really mean to build a people-first agency? Join Chris in conversation on our startup podcast with Barbara Stephenson, Agency Principal of 300FeetOut, as we explore what it really takes to build a people-first digital marketing agency in a...
Episode 33: Engineering Success from Nuclear Weapons to Modern AI Automation
What Happens When Engineering Discipline Meets AI Automation? AI adoption often fails because it lacks discipline. However, this episode shows what happens when engineering rigor leads the way. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski sits...
ATX3: Practical AI for Real Work – Inside OptiMindAI
Why Most Businesses Struggle to Get Value from AI AI is everywhere. However, value is not. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast – Austin Startup Series (ATX3), Chris Januszewski sits down with Eric Gonzalez, CEO of OptiMindAI, to unpack why so many...
Episode 32: Building a Private Social Network for the Great Outdoors
Reconnecting with Nature, Community, and Purpose Camping has always been about more than tents and trails. It is about connection. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski sits down with Robert McMillan, CEO of Camping.Tools, to explore...
Episode 31: Reinventing Messaging – How RCS is Transforming Customer Conversations
Why SMS Is No Longer Enough Text messaging changed how businesses communicate.However, SMS has not evolved. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski sits down with Michael Lamb, CEO of nativeMsg, to explore how Rich Communication Services...
Episode 30: Eliminating Soul-Crushing Work Through Intelligent Automation
Why Intelligent Automation Is About People, Not Just AI Automation should not drain creativity. It should restore it. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski speaks with Isaac Hicks, CEO of Autonomi, about how intelligent automation is...
Episode 29: Rethinking Work as a Product for the AI Age
Why Hiring Is Broken — and How Work as a Product Fixes It Hiring is one of the hardest problems in business.For small companies, it is also one of the most expensive. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski speaks with Josh Hill, CEO of...
Episode 28: Breaking Records in Business and Athletics with John Solleder
Discipline, Resilience, and Simplicity: Lessons from John Solleder Building strength is not just about lifting weights. It is also about building character. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski sits down with John Solleder, host of The...
ATX2: From Palo Alto to Austin – Shaking Up Shipping
Reimagining Shipping Through AI – From Palo Alto to Austin’s Startup Scene Austin, Texas continues to shine as one of America’s fastest-growing startup hubs and The Rebellious Times Podcast is back with the second installment of the Austin Tech Series (ATX2) to...
Episode 27: From Light to Leadership: Building Critical Network Infrastructure
The Hidden Backbone of AI: How Optical Networking Powers the Future Behind every AI model, every chatbot, and every connected device lies something invisible — the network infrastructure that makes it all possible. In this episode of TheRebellious Times Podcast,...
Episode 26: Making AI Accessible for All Businesses
How Qebot Is Simplifying AI for Small Businesses “AI isn’t just a tool — it’s a team member.” In this episode of The Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski speaks with Matt White, CEO of Qebot, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping small-business...
ATX1: Revolutionizing Farm-to-Fork – Building ProduceX in the Heart of Texas
Reimagining the Fresh Produce Supply Chain in Austin’s Booming Startup Scene Austin, Texas isn’t just home to live music and great barbecue, it’s also one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in the United States. In this first episode of the Austin Tech...
Episode 25: From Oracle to AI Pioneer – Building Technology with Soul
Building Technology with Soul: Why AI Governance Matters for Small Businesses “AI is no longer just a technical discussion — it’s a strategic imperative.” In this episode of The Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski speaks with David Espíndola, founder and...
Episode 24: Working Smarter Not Harder: An Engineer’s Guide to Business Evolution
From Engineer to Entrepreneur – Dave Hall, CEO of Hallfield Controls “Diversity in the customer base is key.” In this episode of The Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris Januszewski speaks with Dave Hall, CEO of Hallfield Controls, about building a resilient engineering...
Episode 23: Beyond the Game: Building the Future of Youth Sports Development
Transforming Youth Sports Development Through Technology and Purpose “Only 7 percent of kids play in college.” That reality inspired Tim Livingston, former college basketball player and now CEO of Aces Nation, to rethink how youth sports should work. In this...
Episode 22: The Enterprise AI Reality Gap: Moving Beyond Pilot Programs
Bridging the Enterprise AI Reality Gap “Lead with relationships.” In this episode of The Rebellious Times Podcast, host Chris Januszewski sits down with Michelle Tinsley, CEO of Sciata, to talk about closing the gap between AI ambition and real-world results....
Episode 21: Breaking Records and Building Capacity: A Journey from $100K College Sales to AI Pioneer
Ethical AI Technology That Helps Save Lives “Everybody needs a coach in life.” In this episode of The Rebellious Times Podcast, host Chris Januszewski talks with Dustin Hillis, CEO of SafeSpace Global, about the future of ethical AI technology and how innovation...
Episode 20: The Zero-to-One Specialist: The Journey Of A Serial Founder
Smarter E-Commerce Inventory Management Through AI “Every single brand has this problem.” In the latest episode of The Rebellious Times Podcast, Chris sits down with Fabricio Miranda, CEO of Flieber, to unpack how AI-driven e-commerce inventory management is...
Episode 19: The Live Stream Visionary: How a Tech Pioneer Transformed Digital Entertainment
The Power Of Live Video Experiences - Bulldog DM "Over one billion audience engagements" - that's the power of premium live video experiences. Join me in conversation with John Petrocelli, CEO of Bulldog DM, as we explore: Key Highlights: • Creating interactive...
Episode 18: Beyond AI: Quantum Computing and the Future of Business with Joe Reddix
The Potential Of AI And Quantum Computing Through A Business Lens "Computational power is the new currency" - a powerful insight into our technological future. Join Chris in conversation with Joe Reddix, a technology visionary with six decades of experience, as we...
Episode 17: From Bolton to the Boardroom: A Mental Health Pioneer’s Journey In Addiction Awareness
Making An Impact Through Addiction Awareness - WHYSUP "I was completely broken" - raw honesty from a friend who turned his rock bottom into a mission to help others through addiction awareness. Join me in conversation with Mark Murray, founder of WHYSUP, as we...
Episode 16: Reader Relationship Management: How Storiad is Revolutionizing Author Success
Reader Relationship Management - Storiad "We call ourselves a DIY Plus model" - reimagining book marketing for the digital age. Join Chris on our startup podcast with Ramzi Hajj, CEO of Storiad, as we explore: Key Highlights: • Transforming book promotion through...
Episode 15: Master the Podcasting Journey: Essential Tips from Podcast Hall of Famer Todd Cochrane
IN MEMORIAM: A Tribute to Todd Cochrane - Pioneer, Mentor, and Podcasting Hall of Famer With heavy hearts, we share one of Todd's final interviews, recorded August 2025. As the founder of Blubrry and a true podcasting pioneer, Todd's impact on our industry cannot...
Episode 14: The Hidden Playbook: How Creative Financing is Saving Companies When Banks Say No
https://youtu.be/UcoYX6XMknE Creative Financing And The Transforming Lending Landscape - Finmark "AI is taking over in many areas of banking." - a insightful discussion on finance in today's digital age. Join me on our startup podcast with Roberto Rivera, CEO of...
Episode 13: From Defense Tech to No-Code: Pioneering the Future of Decentralized Computing
Edge computing and peer-to-peer in defense tech - Socket Supply In this episode of the Rebellious Times podcast, Chris Januszewski speaks with Paolo Fragomeni, CEO of Socket Supply, about revolutionizing computing through peer-to-peer technology and edge computing...
Episode 12: The Human Side of AI Implementation: Lessons from Entromy’s Journey
AI Implementation For Organizational Transformation - Entromy "AI literacy isn't just a nice to have" - a crucial insight for today's leaders navigating organizational transformation through AI implementation. Join me in conversation with Kara Whitaker, VP of...
Episode 11: Balancing the Books & Life: How Modern CFOs Are Ending Spreadsheet Slavery
Ending Spredsheet Slavery For CFOs - Finnt "You can't get time back" - a powerful reminder as we explore the future of finance and ending spreadsheet slavery. Join me in conversation with Anji Ismail, CEO of Finnt, as we explore: Key Highlights: • The journey from...
Episode 10: From HR to AI: How a Non-Technical Founder is Disrupting HR Compliance
The Future of AI in HR Compliance - VirgilHR "Empower HR professionals to be more strategic" - turning HR compliance expertise into groundbreaking technology. Join Chris, growth partner to startups, on our startup podcast with Jocelyn King, CEO of VirgilHR, as we...
Episode 9: Married to the Mission: A Founder Couple’s Tech Journey
Innovation in Digital Home Management - HomeZada "We spend 33% annually on our homes" - yet most of us lack a digital home management system to manage this vital investment. Join Chris, founder of Rebel Commerce Solutions, on our startup podcast with Elizabeth...
Episode 8: The Bootstrap Blueprint: Building a Profitable B2B Tech Company Without VC Money
The Bootstrap Path to Startup Success - Zappix "Cashflow is king" - wisdom from a leader who chose the bootstrap path to startup success. Join Chris, growth partner for B2B SaaS companies, on our startup podcast with Yossi Abraham, CEO of Zappix: Key Highlights: •...
Episode 7: From 45 Days to Real-Time: Transforming Loan Due Diligence with Intelligent Blockchain
Revolutionizing structured finance through AI and blockchain - Intain "We wanted to build something which was similar to a public exchange." - an ambitious goal that focuses on revolutionizing structured finance through AI and blockchain. Join Chris...
Episode 6: Legal Innovation and Leadership: Balancing Business Success with Mental Wellness
Legal innovation in dispute resolution - New Era ADR "Litigation is a broken process" - a powerful statement that sparked a revolution in dispute resolution through legal innovation. Join Chris, growth partner for startups, on our podcast with Collin Williams, CEO...
Episode 5: Breaking Financial Barriers: Pngme’s Mission to Democratize Banking in Africa
Democratizing Banking In Africa - The Pngme Story "Everyone deserves equal access to finance" - a powerful mission driving innovation in emerging markets with the goal of democratizing banking in Africa. Join me on our startup podcast with Rob Hiff, VP of Growth at...
Episode 4: The Future of Personal Style – How AI & Human Expertise are Revolutionizing Fashion Retail
Revolutionizing Shopping With AI Fashion Retail - The Wishi Story "Personalization isn't just a feature - it's the future of e-commerce" - insights on transforming luxury fashion and retail with AI. Join Chris on our startup podcast with Clea O'Hana, CEO and...
Episode 3: From Parking Pain to Profit: How Wayleadr is Transforming the Arrival Experience
From Parking Pain to Profit: How Wayleadr is Transforming the Arrival Experience "We want to impact billions of journeys" - a bold vision for transforming how we think about parking and the arrival experience. Join Chris, growth partner to startups, on our startup...
Episode 2: AI Readiness Gap: What Startup Founders Need to Know Before Investing
AI Readiness Gap: What Startup Founders Need to Know Before Investing Join me in conversation with Kevin Israel, VP of Delivery Support at Terazo, as we help startups navigate the AI readiness gap on our startup podcast. "AI is just a tool, not a solution" - a...
Episode 1: Cahoot Peer-to-Peer Returns Fulfillment For Ecommerce
Join Chris Januszewski, founder of Rebel Commerce Solutions, on our startup podcast with Manish Chowdhary, CEO of Cahoot and Pulse Commerce, as we explore Peer-to-peer returns fulfillment for ecommerce on our startup podcast. "The future of e-commerce fulfillment...