Tech'ed Up Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:22:08 -0400 https://www.nikichristoff.com/techedup en-us © 2026 Tech'ed Up yes 30b7875e-a26f-593e-a793-861187ea2c74 techeduppodcast@gmail.com Niki Christoff episodic false What's happening on the frontlines of tech? Tune in for a zippy conversation about emerging technology hosted by industry veteran Niki Christoff.  From the C-Suite and Capitol Hill to AI and crypto, quantum computing to the decentralized internet, Niki breaks down the trends in tech to help savvy listeners get even smarter.  Guests include experts, enthusiasts, regulators, policymakers, CEOs, and reporters.  


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]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Niki Christoff, technology, tech, crypto, bitcoin, quantum computing, AI, start-ups, cybersecurity, OpenAi, Uber, Google Niki Christoff techeduppodcast@gmail.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/g0u3tu6q1ilylaiuzt5ucm89tjnw?.jpg Tech'ed Up https://www.nikichristoff.com/techedup Niki Christoff Banking’s API Revolution • Paul LaRusso (Akoya) & Nicole Elam (NBA) Banking’s API Revolution • Paul LaRusso (Akoya) & Nicole Elam (NBA) Akoya CEO Paul LaRusso and National Bankers Association President & CEO Nicole Elam join Niki in the studio to break down the API revolution in banking. They explore why, after decades of traditional banking, there’s been a growing demand for so-called “open banking,” what the CFPB's new rule means for consumers and financial institutions, and how organizations are navigating this tech transition. Plus, Niki shares why screen scraping makes her nervous, Nicole predicts that the future of banking means being both high-tech and high-touch, and Paul makes the case for consumer control of their banking data. 

 “As a consumer, I should be able to choose what application I want to use, what data I want to use, and with who and for how long. And we're trying to empower that consumer to do that.” -Paul LaRusso

“Fintechs were thought of as disruptors and now they're not seen as disruptors. Now they're a necessary partner that you've got to have at the table to help you serve your customers.” - Nicole Elam

]]> Akoya CEO Paul LaRusso and National Bankers Association President & CEO Nicole Elam join Niki in the studio to break down the API revolution in banking. They explore why, after decades of traditional banking, there’s been a growing demand for so-called “open banking,” what the CFPB's new rule means for consumers and financial institutions, and how organizations are navigating this tech transition. Plus, Niki shares why screen scraping makes her nervous, Nicole predicts that the future of banking means being both high-tech and high-touch, and Paul makes the case for consumer control of their banking data. 

 “As a consumer, I should be able to choose what application I want to use, what data I want to use, and with who and for how long. And we're trying to empower that consumer to do that.” -Paul LaRusso

“Fintechs were thought of as disruptors and now they're not seen as disruptors. Now they're a necessary partner that you've got to have at the table to help you serve your customers.” - Nicole Elam

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-16247081 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1858 full false SCOTUS Tech Docket • Chris Mohr (SIIA) SCOTUS Tech Docket • Chris Mohr (SIIA) President of the Software Information Industry Association, Chris Mohr, joins Niki in the studio to break down two major tech cases at the Supreme Court involving Meta and NVIDIA, discuss what's next for Section 230 regulation, and share insights from his career transition from private practice to tech policy advocacy. Chris talks about how the courts are increasingly being used to shape tech policy as Congress remains gridlocked on major issues and Niki offers some free advice on deprecation policies. 

“...power doesn't like vacuums, right? So, where does that power go? If Congress isn't passing laws, then the courts have to interpret the old ones to new cases.” -Chris Mohr

]]> President of the Software Information Industry Association, Chris Mohr, joins Niki in the studio to break down two major tech cases at the Supreme Court involving Meta and NVIDIA, discuss what's next for Section 230 regulation, and share insights from his career transition from private practice to tech policy advocacy. Chris talks about how the courts are increasingly being used to shape tech policy as Congress remains gridlocked on major issues and Niki offers some free advice on deprecation policies. 

“...power doesn't like vacuums, right? So, where does that power go? If Congress isn't passing laws, then the courts have to interpret the old ones to new cases.” -Chris Mohr

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-16178289 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1758 full false The Art of the Pivot • Gary Shapiro (CTA) The Art of the Pivot • Gary Shapiro (CTA) CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, Gary Shapiro, joins Niki in the studio for an informal chat about his new book Pivot or Die. They discuss pivotal moments in his career, leading the influential trade association fighting for tech and innovation, and looking to the future of tech in America.  

“We have to recognize that technology and innovation are actually our secret sauce in this country that allows us to do all these amazing things, and have a strong economy, and grow our way into the future.” -Gary Shapiro

  • Follow Gary on X
  • Learn more about CTA
  • Get tickets to CES
  • Buy Pivot or Die here
]]> CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, Gary Shapiro, joins Niki in the studio for an informal chat about his new book Pivot or Die. They discuss pivotal moments in his career, leading the influential trade association fighting for tech and innovation, and looking to the future of tech in America.  

“We have to recognize that technology and innovation are actually our secret sauce in this country that allows us to do all these amazing things, and have a strong economy, and grow our way into the future.” -Gary Shapiro

  • Follow Gary on X
  • Learn more about CTA
  • Get tickets to CES
  • Buy Pivot or Die here
]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-16092469 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1665 full false Lessons from Twitter’s Takeover • Lauren Culbertson Grieco Lessons from Twitter’s Takeover • Lauren Culbertson Grieco Twitter's former Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for the US and Canada, Lauren Culbertson Grieco, joins Niki in the studio to talk about her career - from tweeting for senators to navigating Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. Currently President of The Ledyard Group, she shares leadership lessons from the transition days at X, and she and Niki swaptech policy stories. They also share a prediction about what will dominate legislators’ tech agenda in the next Congress. 

“Most of the people who worked at Twitter and some of the ones who still work there have a very strong sense of mission for what the platform means in the world.” -Lauren Culbertson

]]> Twitter's former Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for the US and Canada, Lauren Culbertson Grieco, joins Niki in the studio to talk about her career - from tweeting for senators to navigating Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. Currently President of The Ledyard Group, she shares leadership lessons from the transition days at X, and she and Niki swaptech policy stories. They also share a prediction about what will dominate legislators’ tech agenda in the next Congress. 

“Most of the people who worked at Twitter and some of the ones who still work there have a very strong sense of mission for what the platform means in the world.” -Lauren Culbertson

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-16018676 Thu, 31 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1771 full false Profiles in Tech: From Campaigns to Crypto • Julie Stitzel (DCG) Profiles in Tech: From Campaigns to Crypto • Julie Stitzel (DCG) Sr. VP of Policy at Digital Currency Group, Julie Stitzel, sits down with Niki in the D.C. studio to talk about their shared path from Midwestern upbringings to helping shape crypto policy in the nation’s capital. Julie shares her admiration for Hill staffers and why she remains optimistic for the future of crypto in the U.S. They also do a little arm-chair quarterbacking on the 2024 presidential campaign. 

“...when I think about innovation, I think the U.S. should be the place where people come. These innovators, these builders should feel free and excited about building in the U.S. and it's been the opposite experience for builders in the digital asset space.” -Julie Stitzel

]]> Sr. VP of Policy at Digital Currency Group, Julie Stitzel, sits down with Niki in the D.C. studio to talk about their shared path from Midwestern upbringings to helping shape crypto policy in the nation’s capital. Julie shares her admiration for Hill staffers and why she remains optimistic for the future of crypto in the U.S. They also do a little arm-chair quarterbacking on the 2024 presidential campaign. 

“...when I think about innovation, I think the U.S. should be the place where people come. These innovators, these builders should feel free and excited about building in the U.S. and it's been the opposite experience for builders in the digital asset space.” -Julie Stitzel

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15910154 Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1594 full false AI’s Campaign Influence • Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) AI’s Campaign Influence • Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) New York Times reporter, Sheera Frenkel, joins Niki remotely to talk about the AI 2024 campaign season that wasn’t. She shares insights from her reporting on tech, shedding light on the reluctance to use AI by US campaigns compared to other countries, the rush by foreign adversaries to capitalize on AI’s capability to enhance disinformation campaigns, and lays out what has led Facebook to step back from political coverage. 

“While our candidates are not excited about using AI…There are nation-states all over the world who are super excited about the possibilities of AI and how it lets them reach Americans in unprecedented ways.” -Sheera Frenkel

]]> New York Times reporter, Sheera Frenkel, joins Niki remotely to talk about the AI 2024 campaign season that wasn’t. She shares insights from her reporting on tech, shedding light on the reluctance to use AI by US campaigns compared to other countries, the rush by foreign adversaries to capitalize on AI’s capability to enhance disinformation campaigns, and lays out what has led Facebook to step back from political coverage. 

“While our candidates are not excited about using AI…There are nation-states all over the world who are super excited about the possibilities of AI and how it lets them reach Americans in unprecedented ways.” -Sheera Frenkel

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15852241 Thu, 03 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1822 website full false Quantum 101 • Murray Thom (D-Wave) Quantum 101 • Murray Thom (D-Wave) VP of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave, Murray Thom, joins Niki remotely to explore the basics of quantum computing and share some real-world, right-now applications of this leap in compute power. They talk AI, the impact that efficiency improvements have on daily life, and the exciting potential of quantum to facilitate breakthroughs in health care and drug discovery. 

“There's a really deep technical connection between quantum computing and artificial intelligence.” -Murray Thom

]]> VP of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave, Murray Thom, joins Niki remotely to explore the basics of quantum computing and share some real-world, right-now applications of this leap in compute power. They talk AI, the impact that efficiency improvements have on daily life, and the exciting potential of quantum to facilitate breakthroughs in health care and drug discovery. 

“There's a really deep technical connection between quantum computing and artificial intelligence.” -Murray Thom

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15769186 Thu, 19 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1781 full false Venture Capital Meets Mission Critical • Steve Bowsher, IQT (In-Q-Tel) Venture Capital Meets Mission Critical • Steve Bowsher, IQT (In-Q-Tel) President and CEO of IQT (In-Q-Tel), Steve Bowsher pulls back the curtain on this CIA-launched non-profit that's been quietly shaping national security for a quarter-century. Steve shares what he looks for in game-changing startup teams, why IQT is not your average VC, and divulges what emerging technology he’s most excited about right now. 

“People think of us as an investment platform, but the heart of what we do is to facilitate the piloting of technology” -Steve Bowsher

]]> President and CEO of IQT (In-Q-Tel), Steve Bowsher pulls back the curtain on this CIA-launched non-profit that's been quietly shaping national security for a quarter-century. Steve shares what he looks for in game-changing startup teams, why IQT is not your average VC, and divulges what emerging technology he’s most excited about right now. 

“People think of us as an investment platform, but the heart of what we do is to facilitate the piloting of technology” -Steve Bowsher

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15688120 Thu, 05 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1443 full false Tech on the Hill • Andrew Desiderio (Punchbowl News) Tech on the Hill • Andrew Desiderio (Punchbowl News) Punchbowl News reporter, Andrew Desiderio joins Niki in the studio to share his insider handicapping of the state of play of tech policy on the Hill. They talk KOSA/COPPA 2.0, the DEFIANCE Act, and legislative gridlock. Andrew shares why 2024 has been a good year for major tech policy legislation despite the Senate being de-incentivized to pass tech legislation, the House likely to shut down what few bills passed the Senate before August recess, and other agencies being reluctant to pick up the slack. 

“When we look back on 2024, in terms of major tech policy legislation, we'll have seen some pretty landmark bills…” -Andrew Desiderio

]]> Punchbowl News reporter, Andrew Desiderio joins Niki in the studio to share his insider handicapping of the state of play of tech policy on the Hill. They talk KOSA/COPPA 2.0, the DEFIANCE Act, and legislative gridlock. Andrew shares why 2024 has been a good year for major tech policy legislation despite the Senate being de-incentivized to pass tech legislation, the House likely to shut down what few bills passed the Senate before August recess, and other agencies being reluctant to pick up the slack. 

“When we look back on 2024, in terms of major tech policy legislation, we'll have seen some pretty landmark bills…” -Andrew Desiderio

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15600688 Thu, 22 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1377 full false Profiles in Tech: Grit & Gratitude • Tiffany Moore (CTA) Profiles in Tech: Grit & Gratitude • Tiffany Moore (CTA) SVP of Political and Industry Affairs at the Consumer Technology Association, Tiffany Moore, gives a behind-the-scenes look at their popular CES tradeshow, shares why she’s passionate about their $10 million venture fund focused on increasing diversity in tech, and talks about the importance of GlobalWIN in helping to mentor others.  

"...whether you're a large company with a keynote that seats a thousand people, or you’re a startup with a 12 foot table, there is a place for you at CES.”  -Tiffany Moore

]]> SVP of Political and Industry Affairs at the Consumer Technology Association, Tiffany Moore, gives a behind-the-scenes look at their popular CES tradeshow, shares why she’s passionate about their $10 million venture fund focused on increasing diversity in tech, and talks about the importance of GlobalWIN in helping to mentor others.  

"...whether you're a large company with a keynote that seats a thousand people, or you’re a startup with a 12 foot table, there is a place for you at CES.”  -Tiffany Moore

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15535085 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1368 full false The Case for Digital Solidarity • Pablo Chavez The Case for Digital Solidarity • Pablo Chavez Adjunct Fellow at CNAS and Founder of Tech Policy Solutions, Pablo Chavez joins Niki in the studio to explain digital solidarity and digital sovereignty, swap campaign convention memories, and discuss US policy when it comes to the global internet. They talk State Dept. footnotes, the TikTok ban, and the future of the open internet. 

“ ...the United States, increasingly as a matter of foreign policy on digital matters is a little bit in a defensive crouch.” -Pablo Chavez




]]> Adjunct Fellow at CNAS and Founder of Tech Policy Solutions, Pablo Chavez joins Niki in the studio to explain digital solidarity and digital sovereignty, swap campaign convention memories, and discuss US policy when it comes to the global internet. They talk State Dept. footnotes, the TikTok ban, and the future of the open internet. 

“ ...the United States, increasingly as a matter of foreign policy on digital matters is a little bit in a defensive crouch.” -Pablo Chavez




]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15441689 Thu, 25 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1643 full false The State of Tech Policy • Dave Barmore The State of Tech Policy • Dave Barmore Runway Strategies Co-Founder Dave Barmore joins Niki in the studio for a deep dive into the wave of tech regulations coming from the states. They talk about gridlock at the federal level and why tech needs to pay attention to the states when it comes to pending policy regulations facing AI, data privacy, and social media.

"in terms of bills getting passed and laws regulating tech, whether that's AI, data privacy, social media. Don't sleep on the states." -Dave Barmore

]]> Runway Strategies Co-Founder Dave Barmore joins Niki in the studio for a deep dive into the wave of tech regulations coming from the states. They talk about gridlock at the federal level and why tech needs to pay attention to the states when it comes to pending policy regulations facing AI, data privacy, and social media.

"in terms of bills getting passed and laws regulating tech, whether that's AI, data privacy, social media. Don't sleep on the states." -Dave Barmore

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15380897 Thu, 11 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1679 full false Fun & Games at Discord • Ross LaJeunesse Fun & Games at Discord • Ross LaJeunesse Head of Global Public Policy at Discord, Ross LaJeunesse, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how the app delivers today on the original promise of the internet - community and communication. He lays out how Discord fosters genuine servers-based connection, why it’s so important to small game developers, and what regulators should consider when they try to regulate Big Tech. Plus, he reviews just how huge gaming has become globally. 

“Discord is one of those places. It's community, it's belonging, and it's economic opportunity. It's a platform for entrepreneurs, creative entrepreneurs, small businesses.” -Ross LaJeunesse

]]> Head of Global Public Policy at Discord, Ross LaJeunesse, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how the app delivers today on the original promise of the internet - community and communication. He lays out how Discord fosters genuine servers-based connection, why it’s so important to small game developers, and what regulators should consider when they try to regulate Big Tech. Plus, he reviews just how huge gaming has become globally. 

“Discord is one of those places. It's community, it's belonging, and it's economic opportunity. It's a platform for entrepreneurs, creative entrepreneurs, small businesses.” -Ross LaJeunesse

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15316145 Thu, 27 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1628 full false Blockchain's Promise • Sheila Warren Blockchain's Promise • Sheila Warren Crypto Council for Innovation CEO Sheila Warren breaks down crypto, Web3, and blockchain once and for all. She and Niki discuss crypto’s future on Capitol Hill and how it might impact this election season, the critical role blockchain has in making AI more transparent, and why you might already have a Web3 mindset. 

“Things like authenticity, tracking, accountability, I think, are becoming even more important than they ever were before.” -Sheila Warren

]]> Crypto Council for Innovation CEO Sheila Warren breaks down crypto, Web3, and blockchain once and for all. She and Niki discuss crypto’s future on Capitol Hill and how it might impact this election season, the critical role blockchain has in making AI more transparent, and why you might already have a Web3 mindset. 

“Things like authenticity, tracking, accountability, I think, are becoming even more important than they ever were before.” -Sheila Warren

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15231844 Thu, 13 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1908 full false AI Mythbusting • Nikki Pope (NVIDIA) AI Mythbusting • Nikki Pope (NVIDIA) NVIDIA’s Head of AI & Legal Ethics, Nikki Pope, talks about why how we talk about artificial intelligence matters and why making the tech representative of more people is important. She and Niki break down some of the myths surrounding the tech and re-examine what regulators should be focused on when they think of “existential threat” and AI. Spoiler alert - it’s not what Hollywood thinks! 

“...democratization of AI means making sure that we don't leave cultures and languages and communities behind as we all go running breakneck into the future.” -Nikki Pope

]]> NVIDIA’s Head of AI & Legal Ethics, Nikki Pope, talks about why how we talk about artificial intelligence matters and why making the tech representative of more people is important. She and Niki break down some of the myths surrounding the tech and re-examine what regulators should be focused on when they think of “existential threat” and AI. Spoiler alert - it’s not what Hollywood thinks! 

“...democratization of AI means making sure that we don't leave cultures and languages and communities behind as we all go running breakneck into the future.” -Nikki Pope

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15116029 Thu, 30 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1579 full false Archer Aviation Takes Off • Adam Goldstein Archer Aviation Takes Off • Adam Goldstein Archer Aviation Founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, joins Niki in the studio to talk about why, after years of flying cars being science fiction, the eVTOL industry is taking off now, how coordination with the FAA is critical to American dominance in the industry, and what the future of travel looks like. He lays out a future in which flying cars will be as accessible as automobiles. 

“...talent and capital are the two advantages that the US has that nowhere else in the world has.” -Adam Goldstein

  • Follow Adam on Twitter 
  • Check out Usher’s video featuring an eVOTL
  • Learn more about Archer
]]> Archer Aviation Founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, joins Niki in the studio to talk about why, after years of flying cars being science fiction, the eVTOL industry is taking off now, how coordination with the FAA is critical to American dominance in the industry, and what the future of travel looks like. He lays out a future in which flying cars will be as accessible as automobiles. 

“...talent and capital are the two advantages that the US has that nowhere else in the world has.” -Adam Goldstein

  • Follow Adam on Twitter 
  • Check out Usher’s video featuring an eVOTL
  • Learn more about Archer
]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-15018369 Thu, 16 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1754 full false A NewNet • Frank McCourt A NewNet • Frank McCourt Philanthropist and author of ‘Our Biggest Fight’, Frank McCourt sits down with Niki in the studio to lay out his vision for a decentralized internet. He shares why Project Liberty is focused on personhood online instead of data privacy, why a digital bill of rights is not the answer, and shares his optimism for technologists’ ability to build a better digital future. 

 “Let's re-decentralize the Internet so that we put people back in charge.” - Frank McCourt

]]> Philanthropist and author of ‘Our Biggest Fight’, Frank McCourt sits down with Niki in the studio to lay out his vision for a decentralized internet. He shares why Project Liberty is focused on personhood online instead of data privacy, why a digital bill of rights is not the answer, and shares his optimism for technologists’ ability to build a better digital future. 

 “Let's re-decentralize the Internet so that we put people back in charge.” - Frank McCourt

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14989933 Thu, 02 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1356 full false Quick Tech Takes • Surveillance, TikTok & Robots Quick Tech Takes • Surveillance, TikTok & Robots Corporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, sits down with Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio to talk about what’s moving fast in tech news. They break down big legislative moves in Congress with the expansion of FISA Section 702 adding extra surveillance remit to the US government, the TikTok divestiture bill dominating the headlines - and why it’s not a ban, and critique the moves of the new Boston Dynamics Atlas robot. 

“I had really thought that one of the most enduring takeaways from our last administration and the presidency would be a distrust for executive power. To see an expansion of executive power is really interesting in this moment. ” - Kat Mauler


]]> Corporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, sits down with Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio to talk about what’s moving fast in tech news. They break down big legislative moves in Congress with the expansion of FISA Section 702 adding extra surveillance remit to the US government, the TikTok divestiture bill dominating the headlines - and why it’s not a ban, and critique the moves of the new Boston Dynamics Atlas robot. 

“I had really thought that one of the most enduring takeaways from our last administration and the presidency would be a distrust for executive power. To see an expansion of executive power is really interesting in this moment. ” - Kat Mauler


]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14950676 Thu, 25 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1192 full false Profiles in Tech: Fighting Online Hate • Imran Ahmed Profiles in Tech: Fighting Online Hate • Imran Ahmed The CEO and Founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Imran Ahmed, joins Niki in the studio to talk about what his recent win against Elon Musk means for the proliferation of hate speech online. He and Niki debate who has moral responsibility for online hate but both agree the current climate is untenable.

“CCDH advocates a market regulatory solution to a market regulatory failure.” -Imran Ahmed

]]> The CEO and Founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Imran Ahmed, joins Niki in the studio to talk about what his recent win against Elon Musk means for the proliferation of hate speech online. He and Niki debate who has moral responsibility for online hate but both agree the current climate is untenable.

“CCDH advocates a market regulatory solution to a market regulatory failure.” -Imran Ahmed

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14893968 Thu, 18 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1181 full false Quick Tech Takes • Privacy Legislation & Tech's AI Data Race Quick Tech Takes • Privacy Legislation & Tech's AI Data Race Corporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, joins Niki for a D.C. insider take on the latest tech headlines. They talk AI’s insatiable appetite for data and the landmark bipartisan data privacy bill making waves this week. Added bonus, zombie attacks in the Terms & Conditions and the sad trombone sounds of Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” tech. 

“You always want tech to move ahead of regulators. If tech moved at the speed of government, we would be much less competitive.” - Kat Mauler

  • Follow Kat on LinkedIn 
  • Read The Verge article on AI and copyright laws 
  • Learn more about the American Data Privacy bill in the WaPo 
]]> Corporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, joins Niki for a D.C. insider take on the latest tech headlines. They talk AI’s insatiable appetite for data and the landmark bipartisan data privacy bill making waves this week. Added bonus, zombie attacks in the Terms & Conditions and the sad trombone sounds of Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” tech. 

“You always want tech to move ahead of regulators. If tech moved at the speed of government, we would be much less competitive.” - Kat Mauler

  • Follow Kat on LinkedIn 
  • Read The Verge article on AI and copyright laws 
  • Learn more about the American Data Privacy bill in the WaPo 
]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14864280 Thu, 11 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1270 full false Profiles in Tech: Put Yourself in The Room • Jill Hazelbaker (Uber) Profiles in Tech: Put Yourself in The Room • Jill Hazelbaker (Uber) SVP of Marketing and Public Affairs at Uber, Jill Hazelbaker, shares lessons learned from her career at the comms helm of John McCain’s presidential campaign, to jumping in head-first at Google, to what keeps her engaged and energized at Uber.  

“...most companies get a honeymoon period, and you would be very wise to use it to think about those arguments and think about your allies…” -Jill Hazelbaker

]]> SVP of Marketing and Public Affairs at Uber, Jill Hazelbaker, shares lessons learned from her career at the comms helm of John McCain’s presidential campaign, to jumping in head-first at Google, to what keeps her engaged and energized at Uber.  

“...most companies get a honeymoon period, and you would be very wise to use it to think about those arguments and think about your allies…” -Jill Hazelbaker

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14794445 Thu, 04 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1835 website full false Quick Tech Takes • U.S. v. Apple & "The Rewiring of Childhood" Quick Tech Takes • U.S. v. Apple & "The Rewiring of Childhood" Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They dive into the latest Big Tech anti-trust litigation and have a candid talk about childhood in the smartphone era. 

“Apple hasn't done anything in the U.S. differently than in Europe. So it's peculiarly American that we've ended up in this situation.” - Adam Kovacevich

]]> Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They dive into the latest Big Tech anti-trust litigation and have a candid talk about childhood in the smartphone era. 

“Apple hasn't done anything in the U.S. differently than in Europe. So it's peculiarly American that we've ended up in this situation.” - Adam Kovacevich

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14773187 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1438 full false "Regulatory Hacking" • Evan Burfield "Regulatory Hacking" • Evan Burfield Head of Strategy at The Future US, Evan Burfield, joins Niki with an update on how hacking the regulatory environment for start-ups has changed over the last few years. They take a deep dive into minerals and bioeconomy tech, talk human brain interfaces, and how building coalitions is essential to being strategic in approaching Washington. 

“The Department of Defense can be an incredibly useful partner to a wide range of startups.” -Evan Burfield

]]> Head of Strategy at The Future US, Evan Burfield, joins Niki with an update on how hacking the regulatory environment for start-ups has changed over the last few years. They take a deep dive into minerals and bioeconomy tech, talk human brain interfaces, and how building coalitions is essential to being strategic in approaching Washington. 

“The Department of Defense can be an incredibly useful partner to a wide range of startups.” -Evan Burfield

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14577442 Thu, 21 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1422 full false Quick Tech Takes • TikTok & EU's Digital Markets Act Quick Tech Takes • TikTok & EU's Digital Markets Act Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They talk about TikTok’s headache in Washington, Europe’s misguided Digital Markets Act, and the state of play in Congress. 

“Even if this bill founders this year, the issue doesn't go away, right? That's the thing. The issue never goes away. There's no path really for TikTok to be a successful app in this country long-term and still be owned by ByteDance.” - Adam Kovacevich

]]> Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They talk about TikTok’s headache in Washington, Europe’s misguided Digital Markets Act, and the state of play in Congress. 

“Even if this bill founders this year, the issue doesn't go away, right? That's the thing. The issue never goes away. There's no path really for TikTok to be a successful app in this country long-term and still be owned by ByteDance.” - Adam Kovacevich

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14683621 Thu, 14 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1284 full false Billionaires Playing Politics • Teddy Schleifer (Puck) Billionaires Playing Politics • Teddy Schleifer (Puck) Puck reporter Teddy Schleifer pulls back the curtain on tech billionaires and political contributions.  He and Niki look into the money and influence wielded by Silicon Valley titans over the presidential campaign. They talk about effective altruists, the “red-pilling” of Silicon Valley, and why tech donations to third-party candidates will continue to make things interesting this election season. 

“We write about these donor advisors not because it's necessarily the juiciest stuff in the world, but [because] I think it tells you that this person is going to be spending 10 million plus a cycle.” -Teddy Schleifer

]]> Puck reporter Teddy Schleifer pulls back the curtain on tech billionaires and political contributions.  He and Niki look into the money and influence wielded by Silicon Valley titans over the presidential campaign. They talk about effective altruists, the “red-pilling” of Silicon Valley, and why tech donations to third-party candidates will continue to make things interesting this election season. 

“We write about these donor advisors not because it's necessarily the juiciest stuff in the world, but [because] I think it tells you that this person is going to be spending 10 million plus a cycle.” -Teddy Schleifer

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14635881 Thu, 07 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1656 full false Quick Tech Takes • “Spamouflage,” Google Gemini, & ChatGPT Quick Tech Takes • “Spamouflage,” Google Gemini, & ChatGPT Steer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the second installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines. They talk “Spamoflauge”, Gemini, and Chat GPT. 


]]> Steer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the second installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines. They talk “Spamoflauge”, Gemini, and Chat GPT. 


]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14589690 Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1376 full false The AI Ripple Effect • Dex Hunter-Torricke (DeepMind) The AI Ripple Effect • Dex Hunter-Torricke (DeepMind) Head of Global Communications and Marketing at DeepMind, Dex Hunter-Torricke, joins Niki in the studio to inject some optimism and hope into the doom n’ gloom AI conversations dominating the airwaves. He highlights exponentially innovative developments at the Google subsidiary like AlhpaFold, scientific discoveries of new crystals and minerals, and AI-improved weather forecasting - all of which feeds his optimism for the future of tech. 

“AI is just opening up such extraordinary new possibilities for us in this century. So, I think it's actually hard, once you understand where the technology is going, not to be an optimist.” -Dex Hunter-Torricke 

]]> Head of Global Communications and Marketing at DeepMind, Dex Hunter-Torricke, joins Niki in the studio to inject some optimism and hope into the doom n’ gloom AI conversations dominating the airwaves. He highlights exponentially innovative developments at the Google subsidiary like AlhpaFold, scientific discoveries of new crystals and minerals, and AI-improved weather forecasting - all of which feeds his optimism for the future of tech. 

“AI is just opening up such extraordinary new possibilities for us in this century. So, I think it's actually hard, once you understand where the technology is going, not to be an optimist.” -Dex Hunter-Torricke 

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14466549 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1365 full false Quick Tech Takes • Layoffs & Spy Satellites Quick Tech Takes • Layoffs & Spy Satellites Steer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the first installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines.  They swap hot takes on “jargon monoxide” when it comes to corporate layoffs, the new space race for AI-augmented satellite surveillance, and the Swifties’ impact on Super Bowl advertising. 

“...people are talking about [faster data processing in space] in the national security community a ton because obviously, that intelligence will be invaluable, but it's just as applicable across tech.” -Lauren Tomlinson

]]> Steer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the first installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines.  They swap hot takes on “jargon monoxide” when it comes to corporate layoffs, the new space race for AI-augmented satellite surveillance, and the Swifties’ impact on Super Bowl advertising. 

“...people are talking about [faster data processing in space] in the national security community a ton because obviously, that intelligence will be invaluable, but it's just as applicable across tech.” -Lauren Tomlinson

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14497323 Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1397 full false The Future of Podcasting • Jordan Newman (Spotify) The Future of Podcasting • Jordan Newman (Spotify) Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships, Jordan Newman, joins Niki remotely to celebrate Tech’ed Up going weekly and to share podcasting tips and tricks. This episode is a great listen for anyone who has thought they might want to join the ever-growing community of podcasters. Jordan also offers his take on what he thinks the impact of AI will be on the industry.

“...podcasting is one of the few mediums that we have left that is really focused on long-form versus short-form.” -Jordan Newman

]]> Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships, Jordan Newman, joins Niki remotely to celebrate Tech’ed Up going weekly and to share podcasting tips and tricks. This episode is a great listen for anyone who has thought they might want to join the ever-growing community of podcasters. Jordan also offers his take on what he thinks the impact of AI will be on the industry.

“...podcasting is one of the few mediums that we have left that is really focused on long-form versus short-form.” -Jordan Newman

]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14449486 Thu, 08 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1491 full false Reframing AI • Chloe Autio Reframing AI • Chloe Autio DC-based AI policy and governance expert, Chloe Autio, joins Niki in the studio to break down the state of play in Washington for AI regulations this year. They explore AI’s PR challenge, talk about the awkward optics of recent Congressional briefings, and Chloe explains why the term “artificial intelligence” conceals more than it reveals.  

“It really should be more about not whether or not AI is going to take your job, but whether or not someone who uses and knows how to use AI will replace your job.” - Chloe Autio

  • Sign up for a class with Chloe at the Future of Privacy Forum
  • Follow Chloe on LinkedIn 
]]> DC-based AI policy and governance expert, Chloe Autio, joins Niki in the studio to break down the state of play in Washington for AI regulations this year. They explore AI’s PR challenge, talk about the awkward optics of recent Congressional briefings, and Chloe explains why the term “artificial intelligence” conceals more than it reveals.  

“It really should be more about not whether or not AI is going to take your job, but whether or not someone who uses and knows how to use AI will replace your job.” - Chloe Autio

  • Sign up for a class with Chloe at the Future of Privacy Forum
  • Follow Chloe on LinkedIn 
]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14369514 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500 2026 full false Tech'ed Up Welcome Trailer 2024 Tech'ed Up Welcome Trailer 2024 What’s happening on the frontlines of tech? Tune in to Tech'ed Up for zippy conversations about emerging technology hosted by industry veteran Niki Christoff.

From the C-Suite and Capitol Hill to AI and crypto, quantum computing to the decentralized internet, Niki breaks down the trends in tech to help savvy listeners get even smarter. Guests include experts, enthusiasts, regulators, policymakers, CEOs, and reporters. 

Listen here or anywhere you get your podcasts to learn more from Niki and guests like SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, SeedAI Founder & President Austin Carson, Bloomberg podcast host & NY Times best-selling author Ashlee Vance, and Stellar Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon. 

New episodes premiere bi-weekly on Thursdays. Subscribe for the latest episode on YouTube, follow on Instagram, or listen on your podcast app of choice. 



]]> What’s happening on the frontlines of tech? Tune in to Tech'ed Up for zippy conversations about emerging technology hosted by industry veteran Niki Christoff.

From the C-Suite and Capitol Hill to AI and crypto, quantum computing to the decentralized internet, Niki breaks down the trends in tech to help savvy listeners get even smarter. Guests include experts, enthusiasts, regulators, policymakers, CEOs, and reporters. 

Listen here or anywhere you get your podcasts to learn more from Niki and guests like SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, SeedAI Founder & President Austin Carson, Bloomberg podcast host & NY Times best-selling author Ashlee Vance, and Stellar Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon. 

New episodes premiere bi-weekly on Thursdays. Subscribe for the latest episode on YouTube, follow on Instagram, or listen on your podcast app of choice. 



]]> Niki Christoff Buzzsprout-14341120 Fri, 19 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500 98 trailer false The Future of Digital Money • Matt Swinehart The Future of Digital Money • Matt Swinehart Managing Director at Rock Creek Global Advisors, Matt Swinehart, joins Niki in the studio to talk fintech and the future fate of the USD. Matt previews why alternatives to the US Dollar will be a hot topic globally in 2024, how the Libra project still impacts the way regulators are thinking about crypto, and shares his take on why the EU approaches tech regulation differently than the US. Niki shares her take on Bitcoin and what might have been and Matt forecasts the state of play for regulation with AI in fintech. 

“There is no world, I think, in which crypto will ever be dead. Even when it comes to things like unbacked crypto, there is such momentum in the market that the goal of regulators is not to reduce that activity to zero.”  - Matt Swinehart

]]> Managing Director at Rock Creek Global Advisors, Matt Swinehart, joins Niki in the studio to talk fintech and the future fate of the USD. Matt previews why alternatives to the US Dollar will be a hot topic globally in 2024, how the Libra project still impacts the way regulators are thinking about crypto, and shares his take on why the EU approaches tech regulation differently than the US. Niki shares her take on Bitcoin and what might have been and Matt forecasts the state of play for regulation with AI in fintech. 

“There is no world, I think, in which crypto will ever be dead. Even when it comes to things like unbacked crypto, there is such momentum in the market that the goal of regulators is not to reduce that activity to zero.”  - Matt Swinehart

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-14284966 Thu, 11 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1648 full false Profiles in Tech: Running at Walls • Meghan Joyce (Duckbill) Profiles in Tech: Running at Walls • Meghan Joyce (Duckbill) Meghan Joyce, Co-Founder and CEO of AI startup Duckbill, joins Niki in the latest installment of our Profiles in Tech Series. She shares insights from her unconventional career path from the Treasury Department to raising venture capital for an early-stage Boston tech company with stops along the way at Bain Capital, Uber, and Oscar Healthcare. Niki and Meghan share their optimism for the incredible opportunities AI offers both businesses and consumers. 

“What's so exciting as an entrepreneur in this space is the playing field is still wide open. It's not clear what the winning business model is going to be, where the clearest product market fit is, and that creates enormous potential. And I wouldn't be surprised if we see some many cycles of boom and bust here and a transformation of how we all think about AI.” -Meghan Joyce


  • Follow Meghan on LinkedIn
  • Learn more about Duckbill 
  • Try out Duckbill as a friend of the pod for one month free 
]]> Meghan Joyce, Co-Founder and CEO of AI startup Duckbill, joins Niki in the latest installment of our Profiles in Tech Series. She shares insights from her unconventional career path from the Treasury Department to raising venture capital for an early-stage Boston tech company with stops along the way at Bain Capital, Uber, and Oscar Healthcare. Niki and Meghan share their optimism for the incredible opportunities AI offers both businesses and consumers. 

“What's so exciting as an entrepreneur in this space is the playing field is still wide open. It's not clear what the winning business model is going to be, where the clearest product market fit is, and that creates enormous potential. And I wouldn't be surprised if we see some many cycles of boom and bust here and a transformation of how we all think about AI.” -Meghan Joyce


  • Follow Meghan on LinkedIn
  • Learn more about Duckbill 
  • Try out Duckbill as a friend of the pod for one month free 
]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-14174302 Thu, 28 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1843 full false 2023 Wrap-Up: Tech in DC • Bruce Mehlman 2023 Wrap-Up: Tech in DC • Bruce Mehlman Bruce Mehlman, founder of Mehlman Consulting, a bi-partisan lobbying juggernaut in Washington, DC, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on 2023 and tech. They have a spirited conversation about politics, progress, and the state of play for tech regulation that touches on AI, tech’s impact on polling, and social media. 

“AI's existence doesn't mean, okay, now we're all going to settle all those old hard things…it's not endemic to some kind of Washington dysfunction that we haven't solved it. It's that hard things are hard.” -Bruce Mehlman



]]> Bruce Mehlman, founder of Mehlman Consulting, a bi-partisan lobbying juggernaut in Washington, DC, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on 2023 and tech. They have a spirited conversation about politics, progress, and the state of play for tech regulation that touches on AI, tech’s impact on polling, and social media. 

“AI's existence doesn't mean, okay, now we're all going to settle all those old hard things…it's not endemic to some kind of Washington dysfunction that we haven't solved it. It's that hard things are hard.” -Bruce Mehlman



]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-14142525 Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1713 full false Tech at the CIA • Sheetal Patel Tech at the CIA • Sheetal Patel Assistant Director of the CIA for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center, Sheetal Patel, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how important tech is to their mission, partnerships with the private sector, and why they are actively recruiting technologists. This episode looks back at technology that the CIA helped bring to our everyday lives and looks forward to the impact of AI. 

“The global strategic competition in emerging technology is actually occurring in the private sector. And so, for us, for CIA in particular, but I would say for my intelligence community colleagues as well, working with the private sector has never been so important.” -Sheetal Patel

]]> Assistant Director of the CIA for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center, Sheetal Patel, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how important tech is to their mission, partnerships with the private sector, and why they are actively recruiting technologists. This episode looks back at technology that the CIA helped bring to our everyday lives and looks forward to the impact of AI. 

“The global strategic competition in emerging technology is actually occurring in the private sector. And so, for us, for CIA in particular, but I would say for my intelligence community colleagues as well, working with the private sector has never been so important.” -Sheetal Patel

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-14056777 Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1802 website full false Take Back Your Data • Martina Larkin (Project Liberty) Take Back Your Data • Martina Larkin (Project Liberty) CEO of Project Liberty, Martina Larkin, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk about the non-profit’s hope for the future of the internet. They take a deep dive into data, decentralization, and how DSNP gives power back to the user. Niki makes the case for a digital backpack or ID and Martina shares how researchers, NGOs, and tech can partner together to make the next generation of the web safer for all.

"This is not about pointing out the harms or the problems only. This is really about building a solution and an alternative way forward." - Martina Larkin

]]> CEO of Project Liberty, Martina Larkin, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk about the non-profit’s hope for the future of the internet. They take a deep dive into data, decentralization, and how DSNP gives power back to the user. Niki makes the case for a digital backpack or ID and Martina shares how researchers, NGOs, and tech can partner together to make the next generation of the web safer for all.

"This is not about pointing out the harms or the problems only. This is really about building a solution and an alternative way forward." - Martina Larkin

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13962633 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1695 full false "Futureproof" • Kevin Roose (New York Times) "Futureproof" • Kevin Roose (New York Times) New York Times reporter and host of the popular podcast Hard Fork, Kevin Roose, joins Niki remotely to talk all things AI and why he’s a “sub-optomist” when it comes to how this latest tech revolution will impact our future. He shares some tips from his book, Futureproof, about how to be resilient in the age of AI in the workplace. Turns out being more human is the answer because you just can’t out-hustle a machine.

“People should start thinking about it [AI] more as a tool for displacing tasks within jobs rather than entire jobs.”  Kevin Roose

]]> New York Times reporter and host of the popular podcast Hard Fork, Kevin Roose, joins Niki remotely to talk all things AI and why he’s a “sub-optomist” when it comes to how this latest tech revolution will impact our future. He shares some tips from his book, Futureproof, about how to be resilient in the age of AI in the workplace. Turns out being more human is the answer because you just can’t out-hustle a machine.

“People should start thinking about it [AI] more as a tool for displacing tasks within jobs rather than entire jobs.”  Kevin Roose

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13875310 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1970 full false Digital Ticket Era • Laura Dooley (StubHub) Digital Ticket Era • Laura Dooley (StubHub) Laura Dooley,  Head of Global Government Relations at StubHub, sits down with Niki in the studio to talk about the tech behind ticket pricing, why competition in the ticketing industry is so important for consumers, and highlights some smart and reasonable paths for policy solutions that will empower consumers and fans.

"When you buy a ticket, it should be yours. That's our point of view. Do what you want with it. Unfortunately, that's not how it works in the status quo." - Laura Dooley

]]> Laura Dooley,  Head of Global Government Relations at StubHub, sits down with Niki in the studio to talk about the tech behind ticket pricing, why competition in the ticketing industry is so important for consumers, and highlights some smart and reasonable paths for policy solutions that will empower consumers and fans.

"When you buy a ticket, it should be yours. That's our point of view. Do what you want with it. Unfortunately, that's not how it works in the status quo." - Laura Dooley

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13802953 Thu, 19 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400 2021 full false Fintech in D.C. • Penny Lee & Amena Ross Fintech in D.C. • Penny Lee & Amena Ross Niki is joined by Penny Lee, President & CEO of the Financial Technology Association and Amena Ross, Head of Global Policy at CashApp for a fintech coffee klatch: What’s brewing in DC for fintech? They have a lively conversation about open banking, the fate of the CFPB, and data privacy. Amena explains why screen scraping is a good thing and Penny makes the case for keeping America in the lead when it comes to fintech regulation.

"Data is like the new oil." -Amena Ross

"We need to have a federal data privacy law that clearly spells out what you can and cannot do with that data." - Penny Lee

]]> Niki is joined by Penny Lee, President & CEO of the Financial Technology Association and Amena Ross, Head of Global Policy at CashApp for a fintech coffee klatch: What’s brewing in DC for fintech? They have a lively conversation about open banking, the fate of the CFPB, and data privacy. Amena explains why screen scraping is a good thing and Penny makes the case for keeping America in the lead when it comes to fintech regulation.

"Data is like the new oil." -Amena Ross

"We need to have a federal data privacy law that clearly spells out what you can and cannot do with that data." - Penny Lee

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13717257 Thu, 05 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1851 full false Tech’ed Up Turns 2! Tech’ed Up Turns 2! Niki looks back at the last two years of Tech’ed Up and shares some of her favorite moments from the podcast.  This episode highlights engaging clips from episodes featuring Bloomberg reporter Ashlee Vance, US presidential candidate and former Congressman Will Hurd, Washingtonian Tech Titan 2023 Amy Gilliland of GDIT, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Development Foundation, and many more.  

Listen in as Niki and guests explore all things tech: covering emerging technology from AI to crypto, speculating about government regulation, and geeking out about the future of tech in general. 

]]> Niki looks back at the last two years of Tech’ed Up and shares some of her favorite moments from the podcast.  This episode highlights engaging clips from episodes featuring Bloomberg reporter Ashlee Vance, US presidential candidate and former Congressman Will Hurd, Washingtonian Tech Titan 2023 Amy Gilliland of GDIT, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Development Foundation, and many more.  

Listen in as Niki and guests explore all things tech: covering emerging technology from AI to crypto, speculating about government regulation, and geeking out about the future of tech in general. 

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13629325 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1307 full false Profiles in Tech: From Oxford to Reddit • Jessica Ashooh Profiles in Tech: From Oxford to Reddit • Jessica Ashooh Senior Director of Policy at Reddit, Jessica Ashooh, joins Niki remotely to talk about her non-traditional path to Silicon Valley - from earning a Ph.D. in International relations, to working in Abu Dhabi and at think tanks. They take a quick dive into how Reddit works, why its community is so passionate about governance, and, of course, talk cat subreddit threads.

"I would say that Reddit is the democratic curation engine of the internet." -Jessica Ashooh

]]> Senior Director of Policy at Reddit, Jessica Ashooh, joins Niki remotely to talk about her non-traditional path to Silicon Valley - from earning a Ph.D. in International relations, to working in Abu Dhabi and at think tanks. They take a quick dive into how Reddit works, why its community is so passionate about governance, and, of course, talk cat subreddit threads.

"I would say that Reddit is the democratic curation engine of the internet." -Jessica Ashooh

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13544232 Thu, 07 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1679 full false Smart Guns 101 • Kai Kloepfer (Biofire) Smart Guns 101 • Kai Kloepfer (Biofire) CEO of Biofire, Kai Kloepfer, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk smart guns. They explore the technology that helps make these guns a safer option for home protection, the unique challenges of developing deep tech hardware, and some sobering statistics that keep Kai and his team motivated to help with one small part of a major, uniquely American, public health epidemic.

"…there's a big need for applying American innovation and ingenuity to all sorts of areas." -Kai Kloepfer

]]> CEO of Biofire, Kai Kloepfer, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk smart guns. They explore the technology that helps make these guns a safer option for home protection, the unique challenges of developing deep tech hardware, and some sobering statistics that keep Kai and his team motivated to help with one small part of a major, uniquely American, public health epidemic.

"…there's a big need for applying American innovation and ingenuity to all sorts of areas." -Kai Kloepfer

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13459299 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1452 full false Is Crypto Back from the Dead? • John Rizzo Is Crypto Back from the Dead? • John Rizzo Former U.S. Treasury spokesperson, current SVP of Public Affairs at Clyde Group, and crypto commentator John Rizzo joins Niki in the studio to talk about the state of play of crypto. Is there a future for crypto in America or will unelected bureaucrats successfully push the industry overseas? They discuss the broader regulatory climate and how other emerging technology, such as AI, could find itself in a similar deathmatch in Washington. 

"I think the AI industry is in real danger of getting run over by Washington if they don't make fast moves now." -John Rizzo

]]> Former U.S. Treasury spokesperson, current SVP of Public Affairs at Clyde Group, and crypto commentator John Rizzo joins Niki in the studio to talk about the state of play of crypto. Is there a future for crypto in America or will unelected bureaucrats successfully push the industry overseas? They discuss the broader regulatory climate and how other emerging technology, such as AI, could find itself in a similar deathmatch in Washington. 

"I think the AI industry is in real danger of getting run over by Washington if they don't make fast moves now." -John Rizzo

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13378088 Thu, 10 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1906 full false DC & Tech Hot Topics • Ashley Gold (Axios) DC & Tech Hot Topics • Ashley Gold (Axios) Axios reporter Ashley Gold joins Niki in the studio for a lighthearted conversation about what Big Tech should expect from Congress this year. They talk Federal Trade Commission dynamics, Ticketmaster drama, and foreign investments in the United States. Ashley shares her insights as the lead reporter for Axios’ Pro Tech Policy newsletter: Who’s interested and what’s what? And Niki cracks wise about Taylor Swift, Vrbo, and TikTok (of course).

"We're still talking about AI at a pretty high level, but the level of seriousness is something I haven't seen with other tech policy issues for a while." -Ashley Gold

]]> Axios reporter Ashley Gold joins Niki in the studio for a lighthearted conversation about what Big Tech should expect from Congress this year. They talk Federal Trade Commission dynamics, Ticketmaster drama, and foreign investments in the United States. Ashley shares her insights as the lead reporter for Axios’ Pro Tech Policy newsletter: Who’s interested and what’s what? And Niki cracks wise about Taylor Swift, Vrbo, and TikTok (of course).

"We're still talking about AI at a pretty high level, but the level of seriousness is something I haven't seen with other tech policy issues for a while." -Ashley Gold

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13296178 Thu, 27 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1420 full false AI, Hacks & Cyber Attacks • Paul Rosenzweig AI, Hacks & Cyber Attacks • Paul Rosenzweig Former Department of Homeland Security official, Paul Rosenzweig, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on AI, hacking, and national security.  They dish some stories from the past and take a look to the future of big tech in China, talk AI hallucinations, and Paul shares his thoughts on what Congress should be doing to respond to the changing - and rapidly evolving - national security landscape.  

"It {AI] already has its own problems with hallucinations and things like that. Imagine if the hallucinations weren't accidental but were forced upon us by outside bad actors?" - Paul Rosenzweig

]]> Former Department of Homeland Security official, Paul Rosenzweig, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on AI, hacking, and national security.  They dish some stories from the past and take a look to the future of big tech in China, talk AI hallucinations, and Paul shares his thoughts on what Congress should be doing to respond to the changing - and rapidly evolving - national security landscape.  

"It {AI] already has its own problems with hallucinations and things like that. Imagine if the hallucinations weren't accidental but were forced upon us by outside bad actors?" - Paul Rosenzweig

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13212185 Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1874 full false Race for Space • Ashlee Vance (Bloomberg) Race for Space • Ashlee Vance (Bloomberg) NY Times best-selling author, reporter, and host of Hello World, Ashlee Vance joins Niki to talk about the wild and wonderful characters driving the new space race. He shares stories from his new book ‘When the Heavens Went on Sale’ and why he believes this new space gold rush will change life as we know it.  

"...if you're interested in money and, and sort of power and what's going on, low Earth orbit is, is where all the action is." -Ashlee Vance

]]> NY Times best-selling author, reporter, and host of Hello World, Ashlee Vance joins Niki to talk about the wild and wonderful characters driving the new space race. He shares stories from his new book ‘When the Heavens Went on Sale’ and why he believes this new space gold rush will change life as we know it.  

"...if you're interested in money and, and sort of power and what's going on, low Earth orbit is, is where all the action is." -Ashlee Vance

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13126716 Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400 2291 full false The Deep & Dark Web • Matteo Tomasini (District 4 Labs) The Deep & Dark Web • Matteo Tomasini (District 4 Labs) Cyber defense expert, Matteo Tomasini, joins Niki on the podcast to shine a light into the deepest, darkest parts of the web. He explains the differences between the “Clearnet" aka the surface web, deep web, and the dark web. While they dive into the dangerous - and legitimate - motivations for anonymous web browsing, Matteo also provides helpful tips for protecting your own privacy online. 

"…the hard part is a lot of people just don't know. So, they just kind of will blindly visit websites, click on things, allow location, do this without understanding what the repercussions of that are." -Matteo Tomasini

]]> Cyber defense expert, Matteo Tomasini, joins Niki on the podcast to shine a light into the deepest, darkest parts of the web. He explains the differences between the “Clearnet" aka the surface web, deep web, and the dark web. While they dive into the dangerous - and legitimate - motivations for anonymous web browsing, Matteo also provides helpful tips for protecting your own privacy online. 

"…the hard part is a lot of people just don't know. So, they just kind of will blindly visit websites, click on things, allow location, do this without understanding what the repercussions of that are." -Matteo Tomasini

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-13033634 Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400 2019 full false "Deep Fake Drake" • Jessica Powell (AudioShake) "Deep Fake Drake" • Jessica Powell (AudioShake) CEO and co-founder of AudioShake, Jessica Powell, joins Niki remotely to talk AI and music. Her company created tech that has helped artists and fans alike since before we ever heard of a musical “deep fake.” In this episode, they chat karaoke, video game music, and Jessica breaks down what a stem is - as well as the creative impact AI will have on the music industry as we know it.

"…what more logical next iteration of fandom and fan engagement than trying to create music with your favorite artist's voice, right?....I can see a whole infrastructure that could easily spring up to support all that. " - Jessica Powell

]]> CEO and co-founder of AudioShake, Jessica Powell, joins Niki remotely to talk AI and music. Her company created tech that has helped artists and fans alike since before we ever heard of a musical “deep fake.” In this episode, they chat karaoke, video game music, and Jessica breaks down what a stem is - as well as the creative impact AI will have on the music industry as we know it.

"…what more logical next iteration of fandom and fan engagement than trying to create music with your favorite artist's voice, right?....I can see a whole infrastructure that could easily spring up to support all that. " - Jessica Powell

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12947648 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1684 full false Kids & Social Media Addiction • Previn Warren Kids & Social Media Addiction • Previn Warren Washington-based litigator, Previn Warren, joins Niki in the studio to talk about his law firm’s multi-district litigation against social media giants Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. They discuss the growing epidemic of social media addiction among teens and tweens, and its impact on kids’ mental health, their developing brains, and bodies.

"…we [Motley Rice]were kind of at the forefront of fighting the tobacco wars and preventing cigar companies from marketing to kids. Right? So, we won that fight in the nineties. And to me, this is really the sequel." -Previn Warren

**This episode contains some serious subject matter including mentions of suicide, eating disorders, and violent sexual social media content.**


]]> Washington-based litigator, Previn Warren, joins Niki in the studio to talk about his law firm’s multi-district litigation against social media giants Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. They discuss the growing epidemic of social media addiction among teens and tweens, and its impact on kids’ mental health, their developing brains, and bodies.

"…we [Motley Rice]were kind of at the forefront of fighting the tobacco wars and preventing cigar companies from marketing to kids. Right? So, we won that fight in the nineties. And to me, this is really the sequel." -Previn Warren

**This episode contains some serious subject matter including mentions of suicide, eating disorders, and violent sexual social media content.**


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12867467 Thu, 18 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1756 full false Crypto for Good (for real) • Denelle Dixon (Stellar Development Foundation) Crypto for Good (for real) • Denelle Dixon (Stellar Development Foundation) Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Foundation, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the real world, right-now positive use cases blockchain technology is having on the underbanked. They explore the work the foundation is doing with the UNHCR and IRC in Ukraine, their partnership with MoneyGram, and why you should care. Denelle shares some sage advice for the industry on how to better communicate with regulators.  

"I actually feel like we're gonna make this, we're gonna make a shift here in the United States because we have to, because I don't wanna see technology leave this country. I don't wanna see operators leave this country. And I, I actually don't think that they will if we can just have those conversations and listen to one another." -Denelle Dixon

]]> Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Foundation, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the real world, right-now positive use cases blockchain technology is having on the underbanked. They explore the work the foundation is doing with the UNHCR and IRC in Ukraine, their partnership with MoneyGram, and why you should care. Denelle shares some sage advice for the industry on how to better communicate with regulators.  

"I actually feel like we're gonna make this, we're gonna make a shift here in the United States because we have to, because I don't wanna see technology leave this country. I don't wanna see operators leave this country. And I, I actually don't think that they will if we can just have those conversations and listen to one another." -Denelle Dixon

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12759929 Thu, 04 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1895 full false AI Deep Dive • Dorothy Chou (Google DeepMind) AI Deep Dive • Dorothy Chou (Google DeepMind) Head of Public Affairs for DeepMind, Dorothy Chou, is in Washington from London and joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up Studio to talk about the massive impact AI is already having on science, work, and the future of our economy. They cover the hard questions we all should be asking as this tech develops at breakneck speed, discuss the role of government in shaping this emerging tech, and highlight the importance of wrangling all kinds of people to shape the data and norms that underpin AI.

“There needs to be a real renegotiation of what all of our roles are in this process as technology makes it into society. And I think that the dialogue between scientists and policymakers, it's never been more important.” -Dorothy Chou

]]> Head of Public Affairs for DeepMind, Dorothy Chou, is in Washington from London and joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up Studio to talk about the massive impact AI is already having on science, work, and the future of our economy. They cover the hard questions we all should be asking as this tech develops at breakneck speed, discuss the role of government in shaping this emerging tech, and highlight the importance of wrangling all kinds of people to shape the data and norms that underpin AI.

“There needs to be a real renegotiation of what all of our roles are in this process as technology makes it into society. And I think that the dialogue between scientists and policymakers, it's never been more important.” -Dorothy Chou

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12668100 Thu, 20 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1822 full false Cyber Safety • Debbie Taylor Moore (IBM) Cyber Safety • Debbie Taylor Moore (IBM) Cybersecurity veteran and VP of Global Security at IBM Consulting, Debbie Taylor Moore, joins Niki in the studio for an eye-opening discussion on the future of cybersecurity threats, the need for cyber literacy, and practical advice on how to protect yourself, your data, and your home online in the event of a critical breach or outage.

"On the flip side, the bad guys or threat actors can use it [AI] for propagating disinformation, for propagating bots, malware, denial of service attacks, at much greater scale and speed, and with much greater efficiency." -Debbie Taylor Moore

]]> Cybersecurity veteran and VP of Global Security at IBM Consulting, Debbie Taylor Moore, joins Niki in the studio for an eye-opening discussion on the future of cybersecurity threats, the need for cyber literacy, and practical advice on how to protect yourself, your data, and your home online in the event of a critical breach or outage.

"On the flip side, the bad guys or threat actors can use it [AI] for propagating disinformation, for propagating bots, malware, denial of service attacks, at much greater scale and speed, and with much greater efficiency." -Debbie Taylor Moore

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12596537 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1834 full false Bye, Trolls • Tracy Chou (Block Party) Bye, Trolls • Tracy Chou (Block Party) Block Party CEO & Founder, Tracy Chou, joins Niki remotely to talk about what her team is doing to make the internet a safer place and why she’s passionate about their mission. Her app puts control back in the hands of social media users using block lists, lock-out filters, and other tips and tricks to combat trolls. The conversation covers why the social media giants aren’t incentivized to do this work themselves, what action is needed for third-party app innovation to thrive, and what, as users (and people) our options are - and should be.

"…it [API access] is actually a win-win-win where the platforms don't have to invest their product and engineering resources in building out the surface area of safety product. And it's some stuff that would never make sense for them to build." -Tracy Chou

○ Follow Tracy on LinkedIn
○ Learn more about Block Party
○ Follow Block Party on Twitter
○ Follow Niki on Twitter


]]> Block Party CEO & Founder, Tracy Chou, joins Niki remotely to talk about what her team is doing to make the internet a safer place and why she’s passionate about their mission. Her app puts control back in the hands of social media users using block lists, lock-out filters, and other tips and tricks to combat trolls. The conversation covers why the social media giants aren’t incentivized to do this work themselves, what action is needed for third-party app innovation to thrive, and what, as users (and people) our options are - and should be.

"…it [API access] is actually a win-win-win where the platforms don't have to invest their product and engineering resources in building out the surface area of safety product. And it's some stuff that would never make sense for them to build." -Tracy Chou

○ Follow Tracy on LinkedIn
○ Learn more about Block Party
○ Follow Block Party on Twitter
○ Follow Niki on Twitter


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12486889 Thu, 23 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400 1404 full false Online Speech & The Supreme Court • Emily Birnbaum (Bloomberg) Online Speech & The Supreme Court • Emily Birnbaum (Bloomberg) Bloomberg reporter Emily Birnbaum visits Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about online speech and the U.S. Supreme Court’s forthcoming opinion on Gonzalez v. Google. This conversation covers the Justices’ overall vibes, the limitations of Section 230, Niki’s observations from inside the courtroom, and Emily’s assessment of the stakes for tech companies. 

…it's interesting because it's, like, Google's power and influence actually did affect who was able to argue for the plaintiffs in this case." -Emily Birnbaum



]]> Bloomberg reporter Emily Birnbaum visits Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about online speech and the U.S. Supreme Court’s forthcoming opinion on Gonzalez v. Google. This conversation covers the Justices’ overall vibes, the limitations of Section 230, Niki’s observations from inside the courtroom, and Emily’s assessment of the stakes for tech companies. 

…it's interesting because it's, like, Google's power and influence actually did affect who was able to argue for the plaintiffs in this case." -Emily Birnbaum



]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12394374 Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1987 full false Making Sense of the Metaverse • Denise Zheng (Accenture) Making Sense of the Metaverse • Denise Zheng (Accenture) Denise Zheng, Managing Director for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the CEO at Accenture, joins Niki in the studio to highlight ways the metaverse is already being put to work in business.  She goes beyond the jargon of XR, AI, and web3 and explains what the metaverse is and why she thinks right now is a pivotal moment in the development of a tech that is sure to shape our future.  

"We need to design the metaverse so that it's human-centric, right? But from a privacy, security, and safety standpoint, we found that consumers care about that the most. And that means, I think, companies need to lean forward, they need to lean further forward than they have in the past…" -Denise Zheng

]]> Denise Zheng, Managing Director for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the CEO at Accenture, joins Niki in the studio to highlight ways the metaverse is already being put to work in business.  She goes beyond the jargon of XR, AI, and web3 and explains what the metaverse is and why she thinks right now is a pivotal moment in the development of a tech that is sure to shape our future.  

"We need to design the metaverse so that it's human-centric, right? But from a privacy, security, and safety standpoint, we found that consumers care about that the most. And that means, I think, companies need to lean forward, they need to lean further forward than they have in the past…" -Denise Zheng

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12306012 Thu, 23 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1604 full false “Facts Favor the Optimist” • Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) “Facts Favor the Optimist” • Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) Former Congressman and presidential candidate, John Delaney, joins Niki in the studio to discuss bipartisanship, practical policymaking, and answering the call to serve.  From investing in de-carbonization projects to crafting AI policy, from banning gas stoves to TikTok, they cover it all in this wide-ranging conversation.

"I think technological improvement, by any measure, has improved the condition of humanity across time, full stop. And it's doing that as we speak today. There's no question about it." -Rep. John Delaney

]]> Former Congressman and presidential candidate, John Delaney, joins Niki in the studio to discuss bipartisanship, practical policymaking, and answering the call to serve.  From investing in de-carbonization projects to crafting AI policy, from banning gas stoves to TikTok, they cover it all in this wide-ranging conversation.

"I think technological improvement, by any measure, has improved the condition of humanity across time, full stop. And it's doing that as we speak today. There's no question about it." -Rep. John Delaney

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12210860 Thu, 09 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1621 website full false Chips, China & TikTok • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) Chips, China & TikTok • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) joins Niki from Capitol Hill to take a deep dive into tech issues facing the 118th Congress. Specifically, Sen. Warner lays out the national security risks the United States faces from the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement in one of America’s favorite apps: TikTok. This conversation includes a look back at last year’s passage of the CHIPs Act and a look forward to his potential bipartisan social media legislation.

"…look at what the kids in China are getting on their equivalent TikTok accounts versus what our kids are seeing.  That shows the power of the algorithms in terms of how they can drive certain content." -Senator Mark Warner

]]> Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) joins Niki from Capitol Hill to take a deep dive into tech issues facing the 118th Congress. Specifically, Sen. Warner lays out the national security risks the United States faces from the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement in one of America’s favorite apps: TikTok. This conversation includes a look back at last year’s passage of the CHIPs Act and a look forward to his potential bipartisan social media legislation.

"…look at what the kids in China are getting on their equivalent TikTok accounts versus what our kids are seeing.  That shows the power of the algorithms in terms of how they can drive certain content." -Senator Mark Warner

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12117767 Thu, 26 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1228 website full false Crypto Aftershocks: Live from CES • Sheila Warren Crypto Aftershocks: Live from CES • Sheila Warren Taped live from the main stage at the CES conference in Las Vegas, CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation Sheila Warren and Niki chat about all things crypto. After the crypto earthquake of FTX and the beginning of another crypto winter, what aftershocks does the industry face? Sheila shares why she’s still a true believer in the blockchain.

"It [blockchain technology] is an architecture. It is an infrastructure. What we do with it is gonna be up to all of us, but preserving it and ensuring it remains as open, as decentralized as possible, I think that is very much critical. " -Sheila Warren

]]> Taped live from the main stage at the CES conference in Las Vegas, CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation Sheila Warren and Niki chat about all things crypto. After the crypto earthquake of FTX and the beginning of another crypto winter, what aftershocks does the industry face? Sheila shares why she’s still a true believer in the blockchain.

"It [blockchain technology] is an architecture. It is an infrastructure. What we do with it is gonna be up to all of us, but preserving it and ensuring it remains as open, as decentralized as possible, I think that is very much critical. " -Sheila Warren

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-12025527 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500 1784 full false The Business of Cyber • Stefanie Drysdale The Business of Cyber • Stefanie Drysdale Security start-up Prescient's VP of Cyber, Stefanie Drysdale,  joins Niki in the studio to talk insider threats, whistleblowers, and bug bounties.  She gives a pulse check on developments inside and outside the security business, including her fears for the future of the cyber industry if we lose focus on who the bad guys are.

"I always tell people that if you touch technology, that you are somewhat responsible for being a cyber expert, at least to a degree." -Stefanie Drysdale

]]> Security start-up Prescient's VP of Cyber, Stefanie Drysdale,  joins Niki in the studio to talk insider threats, whistleblowers, and bug bounties.  She gives a pulse check on developments inside and outside the security business, including her fears for the future of the cyber industry if we lose focus on who the bad guys are.

"I always tell people that if you touch technology, that you are somewhat responsible for being a cyber expert, at least to a degree." -Stefanie Drysdale

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11937494 Thu, 29 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0500 1470 full false Workplace Mental Health • Malcom Glenn Workplace Mental Health • Malcom Glenn CEO of MG Equity Consulting and New America Fellow, Malcom Glenn, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the role businesses can play in promoting mental health and equity for employees. They touch on some popular misconceptions about Gen Z, why “quiet-quitting” is a misnomer, and the business case for doing right by people.Malcom shares some insights from his days at Uber and Niki explains why she’ll always be a Googler at heart. 

"Sometimes, doing things for certain communities actually helps everyone in your business…" -Malcom Glenn


]]> CEO of MG Equity Consulting and New America Fellow, Malcom Glenn, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the role businesses can play in promoting mental health and equity for employees. They touch on some popular misconceptions about Gen Z, why “quiet-quitting” is a misnomer, and the business case for doing right by people.Malcom shares some insights from his days at Uber and Niki explains why she’ll always be a Googler at heart. 

"Sometimes, doing things for certain communities actually helps everyone in your business…" -Malcom Glenn


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11870704 Thu, 15 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0500 1461 full false Is Tech Policy Passé? • Karen Kornbluh Is Tech Policy Passé? • Karen Kornbluh Former Ambassador and Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, Karen Kornbluh, joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about whether tech policy is passé, the ongoing Twitter implosion, and misinformation being a loser. This conversation covers the erosion of trust in institutions, cynicism as a by product of social media, and the power of storytelling to combat both.

"I hope we can get past the techlash to see it as technology as we used to, which is with this sense of optimism and magic." -Karen Kornbluh


○ Read Karen’s New York Times profile
○ Donate to Wikipedia
○ Follow Niki on Twitter

]]> Former Ambassador and Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, Karen Kornbluh, joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about whether tech policy is passé, the ongoing Twitter implosion, and misinformation being a loser. This conversation covers the erosion of trust in institutions, cynicism as a by product of social media, and the power of storytelling to combat both.

"I hope we can get past the techlash to see it as technology as we used to, which is with this sense of optimism and magic." -Karen Kornbluh


○ Read Karen’s New York Times profile
○ Donate to Wikipedia
○ Follow Niki on Twitter

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11791186 Thu, 01 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0500 1662 full false Crypto Shockwaves • Dante Disparte (Circle) Crypto Shockwaves • Dante Disparte (Circle) Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy at Circle joins Niki in the studio hot on the heels of the FTX meltdown in this episode of Tech’ed Up.  They discuss the need for regulation, the role of stablecoins, and the argument for optimism about the future of crypto.   

"…you cannot say as a representative of the people that you care about protecting consumers and markets and do nothing about sensible legislation and sensible regulation for the industry in the United States." -Dante Disparte

]]> Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy at Circle joins Niki in the studio hot on the heels of the FTX meltdown in this episode of Tech’ed Up.  They discuss the need for regulation, the role of stablecoins, and the argument for optimism about the future of crypto.   

"…you cannot say as a representative of the people that you care about protecting consumers and markets and do nothing about sensible legislation and sensible regulation for the industry in the United States." -Dante Disparte

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11708913 Thu, 17 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0500 1883 full false Is AI Becoming Sentient? • Nitasha Tiku (Washington Post) Is AI Becoming Sentient? • Nitasha Tiku (Washington Post) Washington Post reporter Nitasha Tiku joins Niki remotely to discuss the latest innovations in AI. We get to know LaMDA, the AI a Google engineer believes is conscious, and discuss the brand new text-to-image generator, DALL-E. We also wax philosophical about the impact of sci-fi on our understanding of AI technology.  Nitasha dives beneath the fun and viral consumer developments in AI to explore what’s lurking beneath.   

"When you think about that's what's undergirding this generative technology that you want to use to power the next phase of the internet it should make you pause and think." -Nitasha Tiku

]]> Washington Post reporter Nitasha Tiku joins Niki remotely to discuss the latest innovations in AI. We get to know LaMDA, the AI a Google engineer believes is conscious, and discuss the brand new text-to-image generator, DALL-E. We also wax philosophical about the impact of sci-fi on our understanding of AI technology.  Nitasha dives beneath the fun and viral consumer developments in AI to explore what’s lurking beneath.   

"When you think about that's what's undergirding this generative technology that you want to use to power the next phase of the internet it should make you pause and think." -Nitasha Tiku

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11618462 Thu, 03 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1915 full false YouTube’s "Rise to World Domination” • Mark Bergen (Bloomberg) YouTube’s "Rise to World Domination” • Mark Bergen (Bloomberg) Bloomberg reporter Mark Bergen joins Niki remotely to discuss his new book “Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube’s Chaotic Rise to World Domination.”  We dive into the behind-the-scenes impact Google has had on shaping YouTube into the search juggernaut it is today.  Mark details the outsized influence YouTube has on the social media landscape while remaining a “sleeping giant” largely ignored by regulators and protected from much of the “techlash” its competitors have faced.

"My optimistic take is that all this new pressure on regulation could force YouTube to disclose and be a lot more transparent of a place." -Mark Bergen

Links:

]]> Bloomberg reporter Mark Bergen joins Niki remotely to discuss his new book “Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube’s Chaotic Rise to World Domination.”  We dive into the behind-the-scenes impact Google has had on shaping YouTube into the search juggernaut it is today.  Mark details the outsized influence YouTube has on the social media landscape while remaining a “sleeping giant” largely ignored by regulators and protected from much of the “techlash” its competitors have faced.

"My optimistic take is that all this new pressure on regulation could force YouTube to disclose and be a lot more transparent of a place." -Mark Bergen

Links:

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11522838 Thu, 20 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1984 full false SEC v. Ripple • Stu Alderoty SEC v. Ripple • Stu Alderoty General Counsel of Ripple Labs, Stu Alderoty, joins Niki in the studio to discuss the need for Washington to establish regulatory clarity for digital assets.   He takes listeners on a deep dive into how blockchain can simplify cross-border payments, the crypto industry’s appetite for clear regulations, and Ripple’s engagement in D.C. – including litigation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“...we don't want to be free of regulation. We're not asking for this to be the Wild West. We want regulation, but we want regulation that is clear. And we want regulation that we can understand, and regulation that we can follow, and regulation that is suited to the technology.” - Stu Alderoty

Links: 

]]> General Counsel of Ripple Labs, Stu Alderoty, joins Niki in the studio to discuss the need for Washington to establish regulatory clarity for digital assets.   He takes listeners on a deep dive into how blockchain can simplify cross-border payments, the crypto industry’s appetite for clear regulations, and Ripple’s engagement in D.C. – including litigation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“...we don't want to be free of regulation. We're not asking for this to be the Wild West. We want regulation, but we want regulation that is clear. And we want regulation that we can understand, and regulation that we can follow, and regulation that is suited to the technology.” - Stu Alderoty

Links: 

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11436292 Thu, 06 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1679 full false The Story of Grindr • Patrick Lenihan The Story of Grindr • Patrick Lenihan VP and Head of Global Communications at Grindr and long-time tech veteran, Patrick Lenihan, joins Niki remotely to talk about the iconic dating app. The company is both a “start-up” and one of the first-ever geospatial social networking applications…and now it’s preparing to go public. The conversation ranges from Grindr itself to the company’s business, mission, and current work to bring public health information to the LGBTQ+ community. 

"It's a great business. It's got an amazing social mission. We've got awesome people." -Patrick Lenihan

Follow Niki on Twitter

]]> VP and Head of Global Communications at Grindr and long-time tech veteran, Patrick Lenihan, joins Niki remotely to talk about the iconic dating app. The company is both a “start-up” and one of the first-ever geospatial social networking applications…and now it’s preparing to go public. The conversation ranges from Grindr itself to the company’s business, mission, and current work to bring public health information to the LGBTQ+ community. 

"It's a great business. It's got an amazing social mission. We've got awesome people." -Patrick Lenihan

Follow Niki on Twitter

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11353760 Thu, 22 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1513 full false The Crypto Cavalry Has Arrived • Tory Newmyer (Washington Post) The Crypto Cavalry Has Arrived • Tory Newmyer (Washington Post) Washington Post reporter Tory Newmyer joins Niki in the studio to discuss his coverage of the crypto lobby’s full-court press in Washington. Tory’s watched and reported as the crypto lobby exploded within the last year. In this episode, he joins Niki to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next for the industry’s expanding influence campaign.

"…it  [the infrastructure bill] woke crypto up to this idea that Washington did, does present an existential threat. And you may not care about Washington. But Washington cares about you. And that is a realization that waves of the tech industry, I think have kind of gone through over the last 20 years. But crypto got it so fast." -Tory Newmyer

]]> Washington Post reporter Tory Newmyer joins Niki in the studio to discuss his coverage of the crypto lobby’s full-court press in Washington. Tory’s watched and reported as the crypto lobby exploded within the last year. In this episode, he joins Niki to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next for the industry’s expanding influence campaign.

"…it  [the infrastructure bill] woke crypto up to this idea that Washington did, does present an existential threat. And you may not care about Washington. But Washington cares about you. And that is a realization that waves of the tech industry, I think have kind of gone through over the last 20 years. But crypto got it so fast." -Tory Newmyer

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11270301 Thu, 08 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1686 full false TikTok: China’s Trojan Horse • FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr TikTok: China’s Trojan Horse • FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) joins Niki in the studio to discuss his concerns about the viral video app TikTok. Do TikTok’s data practices pose a threat to our national security by collecting and sharing information with the Chinese Community Party? In this episode, Commissioner Carr gives his take on the situation and the stakes.

"…that just exposed years of TikTok lobbying in D.C. as being nothing more than gaslighting. Because once this data is accessed from inside China, then can you bar the door?  There's no protection. " -Brendan Carr



]]> Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) joins Niki in the studio to discuss his concerns about the viral video app TikTok. Do TikTok’s data practices pose a threat to our national security by collecting and sharing information with the Chinese Community Party? In this episode, Commissioner Carr gives his take on the situation and the stakes.

"…that just exposed years of TikTok lobbying in D.C. as being nothing more than gaslighting. Because once this data is accessed from inside China, then can you bar the door?  There's no protection. " -Brendan Carr



]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11190212 Thu, 25 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1338 website full false "China Could Win a War in 72 Hours" • Sean Gourley (PrimerAI) "China Could Win a War in 72 Hours" • Sean Gourley (PrimerAI) Physicist and Rhodes Scholar, Sean Gourley, founded Primer, a start-up building mission-critical AI capabilities for the United States and its closest allies. He joins Niki in the studio to discuss Silicon Valley’s ambivalence about building and selling defense capabilities necessary to protect democracies. He explains how artificial intelligence is a “third offset” – following nuclear weapons and precision munitions – that could end a war in just 72 hours. And China is hyper-focused on overtaking the United States in this arms race.

“AI is a technology so powerful that the country that wields it will quickly defeat any opponent who does not.” -Sean Gourley

]]> Physicist and Rhodes Scholar, Sean Gourley, founded Primer, a start-up building mission-critical AI capabilities for the United States and its closest allies. He joins Niki in the studio to discuss Silicon Valley’s ambivalence about building and selling defense capabilities necessary to protect democracies. He explains how artificial intelligence is a “third offset” – following nuclear weapons and precision munitions – that could end a war in just 72 hours. And China is hyper-focused on overtaking the United States in this arms race.

“AI is a technology so powerful that the country that wields it will quickly defeat any opponent who does not.” -Sean Gourley

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11113692 Thu, 11 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1584 full false Untangling the Supply Chain • VC Santosh Sankar Untangling the Supply Chain • VC Santosh Sankar Co-founder of venture capital firm Dynamo,  Santosh Sankar, joins Niki from Chattanooga to explain how the supply chain became everyone’s business during the pandemic - and the solutions his portfolio companies are building to fix it.

“In the background has been this thing, supply chain, and when it works, we don't think about it. When it breaks down, there's a lot of concern, and there's a lot of conversation to be had.”  -Santosh Sankar

]]> Co-founder of venture capital firm Dynamo,  Santosh Sankar, joins Niki from Chattanooga to explain how the supply chain became everyone’s business during the pandemic - and the solutions his portfolio companies are building to fix it.

“In the background has been this thing, supply chain, and when it works, we don't think about it. When it breaks down, there's a lot of concern, and there's a lot of conversation to be had.”  -Santosh Sankar

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-11036717 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1810 full false Blockchain Growing Pains • Kathleen Breitman (Tezos) Blockchain Growing Pains • Kathleen Breitman (Tezos) Co-founder of Tezos, one of the first blockchains, Kathleen Breitman joins Niki from London to tell the story of the network she founded and her commitment to democratic governance in crypto. She also shares her thoughts on the risks of building a business dependent on a charismatic leader.

"Cryptocurrencies allow for something very unique to happen that we've been trying to solve for hundreds of years." -Kathleen Breitman

]]> Co-founder of Tezos, one of the first blockchains, Kathleen Breitman joins Niki from London to tell the story of the network she founded and her commitment to democratic governance in crypto. She also shares her thoughts on the risks of building a business dependent on a charismatic leader.

"Cryptocurrencies allow for something very unique to happen that we've been trying to solve for hundreds of years." -Kathleen Breitman

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10956085 Thu, 14 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1554 full false Building Without Scaling Harm • Miriam Vogel (EqualAI) Building Without Scaling Harm • Miriam Vogel (EqualAI) CEO of Equal AI and White House technology advisor, Miriam Vogel, joins Niki in the studio to discuss her work to reduce algorithmic bias in the deployment of artificial intelligence. In this episode, Miriam explains why this is a critical moment to make sure we are using AI as a solution to increase fairness and build trust, and not as a scaling function for harms that already exist.

“We have this critical moment here where we can take safeguards and make sure that we are using AI as a solution and not as a scaling function for harm.” -Miriam Vogel

]]> CEO of Equal AI and White House technology advisor, Miriam Vogel, joins Niki in the studio to discuss her work to reduce algorithmic bias in the deployment of artificial intelligence. In this episode, Miriam explains why this is a critical moment to make sure we are using AI as a solution to increase fairness and build trust, and not as a scaling function for harms that already exist.

“We have this critical moment here where we can take safeguards and make sure that we are using AI as a solution and not as a scaling function for harm.” -Miriam Vogel

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10879467 Thu, 30 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1551 full false AgTech can Fix Farms • VC Connie Bowen AgTech can Fix Farms • VC Connie Bowen Venture capitalist and AgTech (aka agriculture technology) investor, Connie Bowen, is raising capital to help fix some of the toughest challenges facing food systems and farming. She has some straight talk for Silicon Valley investors who are pouring money into agri-farm tech that just isn’t going to work.

 "I think you’ll see a lot of venture capitalists investing in robots that are gonna fully automate farming, and that's not going to work. That is my hot take." -Connie Bowen

]]> Venture capitalist and AgTech (aka agriculture technology) investor, Connie Bowen, is raising capital to help fix some of the toughest challenges facing food systems and farming. She has some straight talk for Silicon Valley investors who are pouring money into agri-farm tech that just isn’t going to work.

 "I think you’ll see a lot of venture capitalists investing in robots that are gonna fully automate farming, and that's not going to work. That is my hot take." -Connie Bowen

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10718681 Thu, 16 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1499 full false Making Cyberflashing a Crime • Payton Iheme (Bumble) Making Cyberflashing a Crime • Payton Iheme (Bumble) Bumble's Americas public policy lead Payton Iheme joins Niki Christoff in the studio to discuss the company campaign to criminalize cyberflashing.  More than half of women between 18-24 years old have received an unwanted, unsolicited lewd digital image, but that behavior is only illegal in two states. In-person flashing is a crime in all 50 states and it's time for laws to update to protect the digital world too.

"The internet is the economic driver of our generation and it will be going forward. Why should a large percentage of the human population have one experience on it and the others have another? " -Payton Iheme

]]> Bumble's Americas public policy lead Payton Iheme joins Niki Christoff in the studio to discuss the company campaign to criminalize cyberflashing.  More than half of women between 18-24 years old have received an unwanted, unsolicited lewd digital image, but that behavior is only illegal in two states. In-person flashing is a crime in all 50 states and it's time for laws to update to protect the digital world too.

"The internet is the economic driver of our generation and it will be going forward. Why should a large percentage of the human population have one experience on it and the others have another? " -Payton Iheme

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10712569 Thu, 02 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1586 full true Elon Musk's Twitter Deal • Kate Conger (New York Times) Elon Musk's Twitter Deal • Kate Conger (New York Times) New York Times technology reporter, Kate Conger, covers social media and the gig economy based in Silicon Valley. She joins Niki in the studio in D.C. at the height of the Twitter drama to discuss what’s going on with Elon Musk, his bid to buy the social media platform, and what it’s like to report on tech during high-stakes moments.

"...we're talking about sort of an ideological shift for the business and also a financial shift and a business shift." -Kate Conger

]]> New York Times technology reporter, Kate Conger, covers social media and the gig economy based in Silicon Valley. She joins Niki in the studio in D.C. at the height of the Twitter drama to discuss what’s going on with Elon Musk, his bid to buy the social media platform, and what it’s like to report on tech during high-stakes moments.

"...we're talking about sort of an ideological shift for the business and also a financial shift and a business shift." -Kate Conger

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10639545 Thu, 19 May 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1768 full false Solving Crimes on the Blockchain • Jennifer Vander Veer (TRM Labs) Solving Crimes on the Blockchain • Jennifer Vander Veer (TRM Labs) Former FBI agent, Jennifer Vander Veer,  now runs product strategy at TRM Labs.  She joins Niki to discuss what it was like to be one of the first cops on the digital currency beat, how criminals think about emerging technology, and separating fact from fiction when it comes to information retained on distributed ledgers.  She believes that blockchain technology could ultimately lead to a safer financial system.

“If you want crypto to become adopted fully and mainstream, you're going to have to have the kind of security and regulations and risk mitigation in place that the rest of the financial sector has.” -Jennifer Vander Veer


]]> Former FBI agent, Jennifer Vander Veer,  now runs product strategy at TRM Labs.  She joins Niki to discuss what it was like to be one of the first cops on the digital currency beat, how criminals think about emerging technology, and separating fact from fiction when it comes to information retained on distributed ledgers.  She believes that blockchain technology could ultimately lead to a safer financial system.

“If you want crypto to become adopted fully and mainstream, you're going to have to have the kind of security and regulations and risk mitigation in place that the rest of the financial sector has.” -Jennifer Vander Veer


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10592353 Thu, 12 May 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1333 full false Building U.S. Mission-Focused Tech • Amy Gilliland Building U.S. Mission-Focused Tech • Amy Gilliland  President of General Dynamics Information Technology, Amy Gilliland, is now the president of General Dynamics Information Technology. Having served for a decade as a U.S. Navy officer, Amy joins Niki in the studio to discuss her passion for mission-oriented tech. Her leadership is focused on hiring veterans, building cool tools with AI and high-performance computing, and focusing on employee mental health. She always asks, “How are you...really?” 


"Why do we come to work? Why do we do what we do? The mission…does excite employees. And to that extent, they can understand that it's pretty cool, cutting edge technology that we are working on."  -Amy Gilliland

]]>  President of General Dynamics Information Technology, Amy Gilliland, is now the president of General Dynamics Information Technology. Having served for a decade as a U.S. Navy officer, Amy joins Niki in the studio to discuss her passion for mission-oriented tech. Her leadership is focused on hiring veterans, building cool tools with AI and high-performance computing, and focusing on employee mental health. She always asks, “How are you...really?” 


"Why do we come to work? Why do we do what we do? The mission…does excite employees. And to that extent, they can understand that it's pretty cool, cutting edge technology that we are working on."  -Amy Gilliland

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10515228 Thu, 28 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1613 full false Battling Big Tech Backlash • Author Nirit Weiss-Blatt Battling Big Tech Backlash • Author Nirit Weiss-Blatt Author and academic, Dr. Nirit Weiss-Blatt, Ph.D, applies AI modeling to analyze large data sets of tech coverage to answer the question: Why is there a backlash gainst Big Tech and is their comms strategy working? Her first book, The Techlash and Tech Crisis Communication, chronicles how mainstream coverage of the tech industry shifted from a long period of utopianism to our current state of dystopianism.

"We've been over utopian, but we are clearly over-dystopian now. And we should seek a more nuanced discussion." - Dr. Nirit Weiss-Blatt

]]> Author and academic, Dr. Nirit Weiss-Blatt, Ph.D, applies AI modeling to analyze large data sets of tech coverage to answer the question: Why is there a backlash gainst Big Tech and is their comms strategy working? Her first book, The Techlash and Tech Crisis Communication, chronicles how mainstream coverage of the tech industry shifted from a long period of utopianism to our current state of dystopianism.

"We've been over utopian, but we are clearly over-dystopian now. And we should seek a more nuanced discussion." - Dr. Nirit Weiss-Blatt

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10390936 Thu, 07 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1631 full false "No, Your Computer Isn't Listening to You" • Austin Carson (SeedAI) "No, Your Computer Isn't Listening to You" • Austin Carson (SeedAI) AI enthusiast and founder of SeedAI, Austin Carson, started a non-profit to get artificial intelligence projects launched in new and diverse communities across America.  We talk about “machines thinking for themselves,” bias in code (and in the world), and Austin finally answers the burning question: Are our computers eavesdropping?

"Just like we are, it (the internet) aggregates our good things and aggregates our bad things and that lays us kind of bare in front of ourselves in the world." -Austin Carson 

]]> AI enthusiast and founder of SeedAI, Austin Carson, started a non-profit to get artificial intelligence projects launched in new and diverse communities across America.  We talk about “machines thinking for themselves,” bias in code (and in the world), and Austin finally answers the burning question: Are our computers eavesdropping?

"Just like we are, it (the internet) aggregates our good things and aggregates our bad things and that lays us kind of bare in front of ourselves in the world." -Austin Carson 

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10349908 Thu, 31 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1390 full false Crypto 101: Understanding Stablecoins • Chris Grieco Crypto 101: Understanding Stablecoins • Chris Grieco Attorney Chris Grieco is General Counsel for a crypto startup that has created a stablecoin protocol.  An alumnus of the Department of Justice, White House Counsel's office, and a former federal prosecutor, Chris knows his way around the corridors of Washington. In this episode, he joins Niki at the Tech'ed Up studio to explore the concepts of stablecoins, a digital dollar, and "decentralized finance" AKA DeFi.

"…another kind of theme of crypto, I think, is that people don't necessarily take your word for anything, you, y’know, have to be able to prove it on the blockchain." Chris Grieco

]]> Attorney Chris Grieco is General Counsel for a crypto startup that has created a stablecoin protocol.  An alumnus of the Department of Justice, White House Counsel's office, and a former federal prosecutor, Chris knows his way around the corridors of Washington. In this episode, he joins Niki at the Tech'ed Up studio to explore the concepts of stablecoins, a digital dollar, and "decentralized finance" AKA DeFi.

"…another kind of theme of crypto, I think, is that people don't necessarily take your word for anything, you, y’know, have to be able to prove it on the blockchain." Chris Grieco

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10264232 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1506 full false Ethereum Explained • Laura Shin Ethereum Explained • Laura Shin Crypto journalist, podcaster, and author Laura Shin joins Niki from New York to talk about her new book, “The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze.” She recounts the origins of Ethereum, the second most important blockchain, and the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap after Bitcoin, and sheds light on the unlikely founder, a teenager named Vitalik Buterin.

 "I did not realize when I started reporting it. However, by the end, it was very clear that this book was also a coming of age story for Vitalik (Ethereum creator). " -Laura Shin

]]> Crypto journalist, podcaster, and author Laura Shin joins Niki from New York to talk about her new book, “The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze.” She recounts the origins of Ethereum, the second most important blockchain, and the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap after Bitcoin, and sheds light on the unlikely founder, a teenager named Vitalik Buterin.

 "I did not realize when I started reporting it. However, by the end, it was very clear that this book was also a coming of age story for Vitalik (Ethereum creator). " -Laura Shin

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10218327 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500 1499 full false Start-Up: Telehealth for Women • Chelsea Kohler Start-Up: Telehealth for Women • Chelsea Kohler Digital health start-up, Favor,  is on a mission to make reproductive care more accessible and convenient, especially to members of Gen Z. Chief Marketing Officer, Chelsea Kohler, joins Niki Christoff from San Francisco to break down the latest trends in digital health and to discuss how the pandemic has shifted attitudes - and regulations - around telehealth.

"I can't imagine a world in which any other medication that people are on for three plus decades still needs to be picked up every month." -Chelsea Kohler



]]> Digital health start-up, Favor,  is on a mission to make reproductive care more accessible and convenient, especially to members of Gen Z. Chief Marketing Officer, Chelsea Kohler, joins Niki Christoff from San Francisco to break down the latest trends in digital health and to discuss how the pandemic has shifted attitudes - and regulations - around telehealth.

"I can't imagine a world in which any other medication that people are on for three plus decades still needs to be picked up every month." -Chelsea Kohler



]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10176690 Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500 1346 full false Start-Up: Refinancing Auto Loans Online • Kevin Bennett Start-Up: Refinancing Auto Loans Online • Kevin Bennett CEO of fintech startup Caribou Kevin Bennett joins Niki in the studio to lament the ‘double marginalizing experience’ of buying a car – being treated like crap and paying for the privilege.. Luckily, his D.C-based company is here to help. 

"We do think that the period and the time and the days of cars being reasonably priced is probably over." -Kevin Bennett

]]> CEO of fintech startup Caribou Kevin Bennett joins Niki in the studio to lament the ‘double marginalizing experience’ of buying a car – being treated like crap and paying for the privilege.. Luckily, his D.C-based company is here to help. 

"We do think that the period and the time and the days of cars being reasonably priced is probably over." -Kevin Bennett

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10128913 Thu, 24 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500 1008 full false Parenting in the Algorithm Age • Kat Mauler (Google) Parenting in the Algorithm Age • Kat Mauler (Google) Tech industry veteran Kat Mauler joins Niki in the studio to talk about the challenges–and opportunities–of parenting in the age of smartphones and what it’s like trying to raise ‘full-stack humans’ whose personalities aren't driven by what the algorithms reward.

"What I don't want is to think of this as being dystopian. What I want is to think of this as being an opportunity. We know that the world will be different in 30 years." -Kat Mauler 

Ideas of great parenting apps or tools or tips or tricks? 
Email us at techeduppodcast@gmail.com

]]> Tech industry veteran Kat Mauler joins Niki in the studio to talk about the challenges–and opportunities–of parenting in the age of smartphones and what it’s like trying to raise ‘full-stack humans’ whose personalities aren't driven by what the algorithms reward.

"What I don't want is to think of this as being dystopian. What I want is to think of this as being an opportunity. We know that the world will be different in 30 years." -Kat Mauler 

Ideas of great parenting apps or tools or tips or tricks? 
Email us at techeduppodcast@gmail.com

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10088277 Thu, 17 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500 1560 full false Self-Driving Hits the Highway • Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli (Aurora) Self-Driving Hits the Highway • Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli (Aurora) Vice President of Partner Products, Programs & Operations of autonomous vehicle startup Aurora Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli joins Niki in the studio. They discuss how self-driving technology could transform our highways, help with our long-haul trucker shortage, and shore up America’s supply chain.

“You can build the best technology in the world, but if the market isn't ready for it or doesn't want it, then, you know, what's the point?” -Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli

]]> Vice President of Partner Products, Programs & Operations of autonomous vehicle startup Aurora Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli joins Niki in the studio. They discuss how self-driving technology could transform our highways, help with our long-haul trucker shortage, and shore up America’s supply chain.

“You can build the best technology in the world, but if the market isn't ready for it or doesn't want it, then, you know, what's the point?” -Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-10043805 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0500 1414 full false Antitrust: Breaking Up Big Tech • Ashley Gold (Axios) Antitrust: Breaking Up Big Tech • Ashley Gold (Axios) Technology policy reporter Ashley Gold covers antitrust news for Axios based in Washington, D.C.  She joins Niki in the studio to discuss the U.S. federal government’s crusade against the dominance of Big Tech', and to answer the question: Do voters really want these regulations, or has Congress lost the plot? 


" …we're still in sort of a wait-and-see mode to see whether any of these actions will  result in fundamentally changing how tech operates, but tech is more spooked right now than they have been in a couple of years" -Ashley Gold


]]> Technology policy reporter Ashley Gold covers antitrust news for Axios based in Washington, D.C.  She joins Niki in the studio to discuss the U.S. federal government’s crusade against the dominance of Big Tech', and to answer the question: Do voters really want these regulations, or has Congress lost the plot? 


" …we're still in sort of a wait-and-see mode to see whether any of these actions will  result in fundamentally changing how tech operates, but tech is more spooked right now than they have been in a couple of years" -Ashley Gold


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9958199 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 04:00:00 -0500 1110 full false Lessons from Silicon Valley's C-Suite • Ann Hiatt Lessons from Silicon Valley's C-Suite • Ann Hiatt Former right-hand to legendary tech CEOs Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt Ann Hiatt  joins Niki remotely to tease out the lessons she learned from her high-powered, high-stakes career spent at some of the world’s most prominent tech companies. Ann is also the author of Bet on Yourself: Recognize, Own, and Implement Breakthrough Opportunities and works as a leadership strategy consultant for entrepreneurs around the world.

"I'm a big believer, especially if you're working at that pace, that your job needs to give as much to you, as you give to it." -Ann Hiatt


]]> Former right-hand to legendary tech CEOs Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt Ann Hiatt  joins Niki remotely to tease out the lessons she learned from her high-powered, high-stakes career spent at some of the world’s most prominent tech companies. Ann is also the author of Bet on Yourself: Recognize, Own, and Implement Breakthrough Opportunities and works as a leadership strategy consultant for entrepreneurs around the world.

"I'm a big believer, especially if you're working at that pace, that your job needs to give as much to you, as you give to it." -Ann Hiatt


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9917108 Thu, 20 Jan 2022 04:00:00 -0500 2176 full false The Case for Digital Currency • Deana Burke The Case for Digital Currency • Deana Burke Deana Burke is a communications partner at Celo, a mobile-first blockchain enabling peer-to-peer payments. She joins Niki Christoff and makes the case for Bitcoin: Why should we care about it at all? Deana is passionate about making sure people who don’t work in finance or technology can participate in this “revolution in money.” She also explains what the heck are DAOs.

"I think that the lesson… is that you don't have to fully understand everything that's happening in crypto. You don't have to understand every term or every idea that you come across in order to participate." -Deana Burke

]]> Deana Burke is a communications partner at Celo, a mobile-first blockchain enabling peer-to-peer payments. She joins Niki Christoff and makes the case for Bitcoin: Why should we care about it at all? Deana is passionate about making sure people who don’t work in finance or technology can participate in this “revolution in money.” She also explains what the heck are DAOs.

"I think that the lesson… is that you don't have to fully understand everything that's happening in crypto. You don't have to understand every term or every idea that you come across in order to participate." -Deana Burke

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9873635 Thu, 13 Jan 2022 04:00:00 -0500 1534 full false Satellites & Space Junk • Charles Miller (Lynk) Satellites & Space Junk • Charles Miller (Lynk) Co-founder and CEO of Lynk Charles Miller joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about billionaires traveling to space (unpopular opinion: we're for it), space junk, and how 5G is not a solution to  0G.  His start-up is launching a network of satellites that will connect every smartphone on the planet to broadband coverage, filling in the dead zones.

"There's lots of things you can do in space that will save lives and change lives on earth." -Charles Miller


]]> Co-founder and CEO of Lynk Charles Miller joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about billionaires traveling to space (unpopular opinion: we're for it), space junk, and how 5G is not a solution to  0G.  His start-up is launching a network of satellites that will connect every smartphone on the planet to broadband coverage, filling in the dead zones.

"There's lots of things you can do in space that will save lives and change lives on earth." -Charles Miller


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9764076 Thu, 23 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0500 1322 full false AI: What do people think? • Leo Rees AI: What do people think? • Leo Rees British tech advocacy consultancy, Milltown Partners, recently completed a first-of-its-kind study on international attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Director of Technology Policy, Leo Rees, says where you live - U.S., UK, France, or Germany - has a lot to do with how you feel about AI. Bonus: Stay tuned until the end of the episode, when Leo tells Niki about his adventure buying his first NFT. 

 "I think that people are really optimistic about the potential of AI when they think about challenges that they know are currently too big for us with our current tools to take on and take forward. " -Leo Rees


]]> British tech advocacy consultancy, Milltown Partners, recently completed a first-of-its-kind study on international attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Director of Technology Policy, Leo Rees, says where you live - U.S., UK, France, or Germany - has a lot to do with how you feel about AI. Bonus: Stay tuned until the end of the episode, when Leo tells Niki about his adventure buying his first NFT. 

 "I think that people are really optimistic about the potential of AI when they think about challenges that they know are currently too big for us with our current tools to take on and take forward. " -Leo Rees


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9727047 Thu, 16 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0500 1264 full false WTF is Web3? • Sheila Warren (Crypto Council for Innovation) WTF is Web3? • Sheila Warren (Crypto Council for Innovation) Founder of the blockchain and digital assets team at the World Economic Forum Sheila Warren joins Niki Christoff for a conversation about web3. What is it, what does it have to do with the metaverse, and why is it all over the news? Sheila, who is the inaugural CEO of the Crypto Council on Innovation, makes the case that the potential of decentralization lies in individual empowerment and connection.

"You know, there's something really big that's happening here. And I think no matter where you are in the world, people have a sense of that and they know that it's coming through a digital environment." -Sheila Warren

]]> Founder of the blockchain and digital assets team at the World Economic Forum Sheila Warren joins Niki Christoff for a conversation about web3. What is it, what does it have to do with the metaverse, and why is it all over the news? Sheila, who is the inaugural CEO of the Crypto Council on Innovation, makes the case that the potential of decentralization lies in individual empowerment and connection.

"You know, there's something really big that's happening here. And I think no matter where you are in the world, people have a sense of that and they know that it's coming through a digital environment." -Sheila Warren

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9688171 Thu, 09 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0500 1358 full false Making Sense of the Metaverse • Emily Birnbaum (POLITICO) Making Sense of the Metaverse • Emily Birnbaum (POLITICO) Tech lobbying and "influence" reporter Emily Birnbaum joins Niki Christoff in the studio for a quick conversation about what the metaverse is, why Facebook changed its name to Meta, and how close we are to this virtual 3D future. Do we really have to go there? 


"…If they [Facebook] dominate the metaverse, if they're one of the corporations that gets in there early, then they are going to dictate the rules of the road for other people, or potentially could." -Emily Birnbaum


]]> Tech lobbying and "influence" reporter Emily Birnbaum joins Niki Christoff in the studio for a quick conversation about what the metaverse is, why Facebook changed its name to Meta, and how close we are to this virtual 3D future. Do we really have to go there? 


"…If they [Facebook] dominate the metaverse, if they're one of the corporations that gets in there early, then they are going to dictate the rules of the road for other people, or potentially could." -Emily Birnbaum


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9645760 Thu, 02 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0500 1029 full false Battling Disinformation • Camille François Battling Disinformation • Camille François Disinformation expert Camille François sits down in the studio with Niki to explain what a troll farm is, how they operate, and the business of building fake online influencers. Plus, what's the difference between misinformation and disinformation? It's a game of cat and mouse between bad actors and teams trying to make social media safer.

"How the hell are you going to know whether something that's fake has been propagated by someone who's there trying to deceive you, or whether it's your uncle again, who really should get off Facebook?" -Camille François 

]]> Disinformation expert Camille François sits down in the studio with Niki to explain what a troll farm is, how they operate, and the business of building fake online influencers. Plus, what's the difference between misinformation and disinformation? It's a game of cat and mouse between bad actors and teams trying to make social media safer.

"How the hell are you going to know whether something that's fake has been propagated by someone who's there trying to deceive you, or whether it's your uncle again, who really should get off Facebook?" -Camille François 

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9566884 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 02:00:00 -0500 1646 full false Cleaning Up Cyberspace • Niloo Razi Howe Cleaning Up Cyberspace • Niloo Razi Howe Cybersecurity expert and tech investor Niloo Razi Howe visits the studio to talk with Niki Christoff about all things cyberspace -- from cyberbullying and ransomware to disinformation and surveillance.  It's important to our national security mission that smart people engineer solutions to these problems.

"We have a distributed cyber Pearl Harbor happening. There's so much coming at us from so many dimensions. It's time to wake up." -Niloo Razi Howe


]]> Cybersecurity expert and tech investor Niloo Razi Howe visits the studio to talk with Niki Christoff about all things cyberspace -- from cyberbullying and ransomware to disinformation and surveillance.  It's important to our national security mission that smart people engineer solutions to these problems.

"We have a distributed cyber Pearl Harbor happening. There's so much coming at us from so many dimensions. It's time to wake up." -Niloo Razi Howe


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9525312 Thu, 11 Nov 2021 02:00:00 -0500 1676 full false Surviving a North Korean Cyber Attack • Stevan Bernard Surviving a North Korean Cyber Attack • Stevan Bernard Retired head of global security for Sony Pictures Stevan Bernard wrangled a targeted North Korean cyber attack. In this episode, he walks host Niki Christoff through the hours, days, and weeks after state-sponsored hackers infiltrated the corporate computer network. The conversation covers cybercrime, gunslingers on the Dark Web, the Lazarus Group, multi-factor authentication, password managers, and the importance of having a survival mentality.

"If you think that your employees are not also victims when you have a cyber attack, you're mistaken." -Stevan Bernard

]]> Retired head of global security for Sony Pictures Stevan Bernard wrangled a targeted North Korean cyber attack. In this episode, he walks host Niki Christoff through the hours, days, and weeks after state-sponsored hackers infiltrated the corporate computer network. The conversation covers cybercrime, gunslingers on the Dark Web, the Lazarus Group, multi-factor authentication, password managers, and the importance of having a survival mentality.

"If you think that your employees are not also victims when you have a cyber attack, you're mistaken." -Stevan Bernard

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9483592 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1648 full false Regulating Digital Currency • SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce Regulating Digital Currency • SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce Commissioner Hester Peirce of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) joins Niki Christoff in the studio to chat cryptocurrency and regulators: the players and the stakes. Affectionately known as "CryptoMom," Commissioner Peirce outlines her vision of protecting investors and consumers while fostering new crypto projects. 

“It is understandable that there's focus on regulation at the start because we've really dragged our heels and haven't provided a clear regulatory framework.”-Hester Peirce

]]> Commissioner Hester Peirce of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) joins Niki Christoff in the studio to chat cryptocurrency and regulators: the players and the stakes. Affectionately known as "CryptoMom," Commissioner Peirce outlines her vision of protecting investors and consumers while fostering new crypto projects. 

“It is understandable that there's focus on regulation at the start because we've really dragged our heels and haven't provided a clear regulatory framework.”-Hester Peirce

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9446053 Thu, 28 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400 1732 full false What are NFTs? • Macey Smith What are NFTs? • Macey Smith In the second episode of our Crypto 101 series, blockchain expert Macey Smith, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to break down non-fungible tokens (aka NFTs) for those of us who aren’t billionaire art collectors, expert gamers, or Mark Cuban. Niki and Macey chat about the Ethereum blockchain, OpenSea marketplace, CryptoPunk NFTs...and a vision for how smart contracts can create a vibrant marketplace for creators and collectors in the not-too-distant future.

At the end of the day, people just like to own things that they think are cool and that they can brag about and whether it's something physical or not- digital is sexy now, y’know? - Macey Smith

]]> In the second episode of our Crypto 101 series, blockchain expert Macey Smith, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to break down non-fungible tokens (aka NFTs) for those of us who aren’t billionaire art collectors, expert gamers, or Mark Cuban. Niki and Macey chat about the Ethereum blockchain, OpenSea marketplace, CryptoPunk NFTs...and a vision for how smart contracts can create a vibrant marketplace for creators and collectors in the not-too-distant future.

At the end of the day, people just like to own things that they think are cool and that they can brag about and whether it's something physical or not- digital is sexy now, y’know? - Macey Smith

]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9382091 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400 1230 full false Crypto 101: The Basics of Blockchain • Jamie Smith Crypto 101: The Basics of Blockchain • Jamie Smith White House deputy press secretary and former Bitfury exec Jamie Smith joins Niki Christoff in the studio to explain the basics of blockchain technology. She says it’s time for all of us to start paying attention to this space. And it's totally okay if you don’t understand it yet.

"I would say to tech companies who work in this space: it's time to be, you know, a full grownup. Avoiding Washington is not possible. It is not an option." -Jamie Smith


]]> White House deputy press secretary and former Bitfury exec Jamie Smith joins Niki Christoff in the studio to explain the basics of blockchain technology. She says it’s time for all of us to start paying attention to this space. And it's totally okay if you don’t understand it yet.

"I would say to tech companies who work in this space: it's time to be, you know, a full grownup. Avoiding Washington is not possible. It is not an option." -Jamie Smith


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9361990 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400 1420 full false AI: Winning the New Cold War • Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) AI: Winning the New Cold War • Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) Former Congressman and ex-CIA operative, Will Hurd, joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about the power and potential of artificial intelligence. The conversation covers the basics of AI and 5G, the Chinese government's global ambitions, why Rep. Hurd believes we're in the midst of a new Cold War, and how he thinks the United States can catch up.  His new book, American Reboot, expands on this vision for U.S. competitiveness. 

 “We have AI now that can help farmers grow more crops, use less water, use less land. Hello?! Why would we not try to push that and move at lightspeed in order to pull that off?”- Will Hurd


]]> Former Congressman and ex-CIA operative, Will Hurd, joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about the power and potential of artificial intelligence. The conversation covers the basics of AI and 5G, the Chinese government's global ambitions, why Rep. Hurd believes we're in the midst of a new Cold War, and how he thinks the United States can catch up.  His new book, American Reboot, expands on this vision for U.S. competitiveness. 

 “We have AI now that can help farmers grow more crops, use less water, use less land. Hello?! Why would we not try to push that and move at lightspeed in order to pull that off?”- Will Hurd


]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9315566 Thu, 07 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0400 1629 full false Facebook: "An Ugly Truth" • Cecilia Kang (New York Times) Facebook: "An Ugly Truth" • Cecilia Kang (New York Times) New York Times technology reporter and Pulitzer finalist, Cecilia Kang, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to talk all things Facebook. Taped the same day Congress grilled company executives over Instagram's effect on kids, this conversation covers Facebook's unusual corporate structure and how its apps are used around the world. Bonus: hot takes on Mark Zuckerberg’s tweenage ambition to be a modern-day Roman emperor.

 “I think the key here is that they don't for a moment tap the brakes. [Facebook’s] goal continues to be: more and more engagement and staying ahead and growth and scaling.” -Cecila Kang



]]> New York Times technology reporter and Pulitzer finalist, Cecilia Kang, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to talk all things Facebook. Taped the same day Congress grilled company executives over Instagram's effect on kids, this conversation covers Facebook's unusual corporate structure and how its apps are used around the world. Bonus: hot takes on Mark Zuckerberg’s tweenage ambition to be a modern-day Roman emperor.

 “I think the key here is that they don't for a moment tap the brakes. [Facebook’s] goal continues to be: more and more engagement and staying ahead and growth and scaling.” -Cecila Kang



]]> bWitched Media Buzzsprout-9280969 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0400 1796 full false