The Disruptor Podcast
"The Disruptor Series," your blueprint for groundbreaking innovation, started as a periodic segment of the Apex Podcast. This is not your standard conversation around Design Thinking or Product Market Fit; this is the series that dares to go beyond conventional wisdom, confronting the status quo and exposing the raw power of disruptive thinking. Our journey begins with intensely provocative dialogues that set the stage for the unexpected. With a focus on Experience Disruptors, Product Market Fit, and a range of other captivating topics, we bring you face-to-face with the ideas that are revolutionizing traditional buying and selling experiences. But we don't...
How to WOW Customers for Life: Disney Secrets for Main Street Businesses
What if your business could deliver Disney-level customer experiences—without Disney’s budget?
In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz sits down with Vance Morris, a former Walt Disney World leader turned entrepreneur and customer experience authority.
From cast member to carpet cleaner to consultant, Vance has built a career proving that small businesses can create “wow moments” that inspire loyalty, referrals, and repeat revenue.
Vance shares the lessons he learned during his decade at Disney, including why simple systems and processes, not expensive gimmicks...
Don’t Build for Your Dog: The Case for Human-Centered Design in a World Obsessed with AI
When founders design products for themselves, or worse, for their “dog,” failure is almost inevitable.
In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz sits down with Oksana Kovalchuk, founder and CEO of ANODA.
This leading UX/UI design agency has guided more than 200 startups through Techstars and beyond.
From writing her first line of code at age five to mentoring thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide, Oksana has seen the same mistakes repeat themselves:
👉 Building solutions for a problem only one person has
👉Scaling too...
Design Thinking Meets Nonprofit Leadership: A Practical Guide
John Kundtz introduces his new book, "The Five-Step Not-for-Profit Strategy Blueprint," designed to help executive directors strengthen collaboration, governance, and growth.
This interview-style review examines how nonprofits can transform strategic planning from static documents into dynamic processes that drive meaningful impact through stakeholder-centered design thinking.
The "epiphany bridge" concept shifts focus from internal guessing to stakeholder co-creationDesign thinking's double diamond framework guides teams through problem exploration before solution developmentFive implementation steps: empathy to insight, walking in stakeholders' shoes, need to success statements, launch and adapt, and driving resultsThe "cupcake roadmap" approach starts with small p...Rethinking ERP: AI-Driven Workflow Innovation
In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz sits down with Harish Chandramowli, founder of Flaire Software, to explore how AI is revolutionizing traditional ERP systems.
Drawing on his background in cloud security at MongoDB and Bloomberg, Harish shares how his deep technical expertise and hands-on experience led him to create Flaire, a lightweight, AI-enabled workflow optimization platform specifically designed for the fashion industry.
Harish walks us through how most SMBs are stuck trying to force their business workflows into rigid ERP systems built for enterprise-scale complexity.
Is Design Dead? Saving Design in the Modern Enterprise
Design isn't dead, but it's evolving fast
Nick Cawthon, the founder of Gauge, a San Francisco–based consultancy, joins John on this episode of The Disruptor Podcast to explore why traditional enterprise design often fails and how smarter strategies can bridge the gap between creativity and business value.
Highlights
Mainframe Modernization: From Black Box to Clarity
Welcome to another edition of The Disruptor Podcast!
This is part two of our two-part series.
In this episode, Zengines CEO Caitlyn Truong returns to reveal how her team simplifies the high-stakes challenge of mainframe modernization.
She also discusses the challenges of mainframe modernization and how Zengines helps enterprises de-risk legacy systems with smart data lineage.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why legacy mainframes still dominate large enterprisesCommon missteps that derail modernization effortsHow Zengines turns “black box” systems into readable dataReal case studies from bankin...Disruption in Data: Why Digital Migrations Fail and How to Succeed
Welcome to another edition of The Disruptor Podcast!
In this episode, your host, John Kundtz, interviews Caitlyn Truong, CEO and Co-founder of Zengines.
This is part one of our two-part series.
Today's show explores how Zengines disrupts organizations' efforts to automate the end-to-end data conversion process.
Caitlyn shares information from her background in electrical and computer engineering and consulting. She often saw the problems with data conversion and migration in large organizations, especially in financial services.
This led her to co-found Zengines to he...
Transforming Board Dynamics: Strategies for High-Impact Non-Profit Leadership
Chapter 5: Defining High-Performance in Nonprofit Boards
In this episode of Board Room Bound, host John Kundtz takes you through what makes a nonprofit board high-performing.
Drawing on The Board Builder’s Blueprint, John explains the essential traits distinguishing exceptional boards.
Episode Highlights
K...
Chapter 4: The Crucial Role of High-Performing Boards
In this episode of Board Room Bound, host John Kundtz discusses the importance of cultivating high-performing nonprofit boards.
Drawing from Chapter 4 of his book, The Board Builder’s Blueprint: A Strategic Guide to Creating Exceptional Nonprofit Leadership, John explores how capable boards ensure mission success and organizational sustainability, even in challenging landscapes.
Whether you're a board chair, executive director, or aspiring nonprofit leader, this episode offers actionable insights to elevate your board’s performance and drive meaningful impact.
Key Takeaways
Chapter 3: Identifying the Beneficiaries of Board Insights
In this episode of Board Room Bound, host John Kundtz takes you inside Chapter 3 of The Board Builder's Blueprint to uncover a critical element of nonprofit leadership: understanding who benefits from your board’s insights and how to ensure those benefits are maximized.
Drawing from over 30 years of board experience, John outlines five key groups nonprofit boards must serve to achieve high performance and lasting impact.
Key Takeaways
Identify and Empower Stakeholders: Learn the five key beneficiaries of board insights – board members, executives, staff, volunteers, and the c...Chapter 2: Lessons from the Boardroom: The High-Performance Journey
In this episode of Board Room Bound, a subseries of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz outlines the essential steps for transforming your nonprofit board into a high-performance entity.
Drawing on over 35 years of board experience and insights from his book The Board Builder's Blueprint: A Strategic Guide to Creating Exceptional Nonprofit Leadership,
John outlines the key strategies that drive real, lasting impact in nonprofit governance.
Whether you're a seasoned board chair or a newly appointed board member, this episode delivers actionable insights to elevate your board's performance and al...
Transforming Not-for-Profit Governance: From Boardroom Innovation to Sustainable Impact
Join host John Kundtz, a veteran with over 35 years of nonprofit board experience, as he shares invaluable insights from his journey in transforming nonprofit governance.
Drawing from his extensive experience serving on multiple boards and his latest book, "The Board Builder's Blueprint," John reveals the essential elements of building and maintaining high-performance nonprofit boards.
Key Takeaways:
Discover why passion is paramount in board recruitment and how to identify truly committed board membersLearn strategies for cultivating a collaborative board culture that drives mission successUnderstand the importance of continuous learning and development in board...Redefining Boardroom Success: Strategies for High-Performance Governance in Not-for-Profits
Redefining Boardroom Success: Strategies for High-Performance Governance in Not-for-Profit
In this inaugural episode of Board Room Bound, host John Kundtz explores why high-performance governance isn't just a luxury — it's essential for nonprofit survival.
Drawing from his 35+ years of board experience, John outlines how to build and maintain an exceptional nonprofit board in today's challenging landscape of shrinking donor pools and fierce competition.
Key Insights:
Beyond the Founder: Beating the Odds in Family Business Succession
In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz discusses the challenges and opportunities facing family-owned businesses with guest Lowell Mora, CEO of Impact CFO.
Together, we explore why 50% of family businesses fail after the owner's death and how Lowell's "disruptive" approach can provide invaluable insights on avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring lasting success across generations.
Key Topics Discussed:
Elevating Leadership: The Art of Handling Tough Conversations
"Managing confrontation is hard, leading through conflict is harder, avoiding either is not an option." - Andrew Netschay
In this Disruptor podcast episode, Andrew Netschay of Warm Steel Consulting returns to the show to explore his Leadership Mindset module on Leading Through Confrontation.
Andrew shares strategies from his Enter The Leader program, focusing on conflict management and negotiation—critical skills for today's leaders.
He emphasizes emotional intelligence, empathy, and awareness as foundational tools for handling high-stakes negotiations and challenging discussions.
Drawing from his martial arts and boardroom ex...
Disrupting the Status Quo and Overcoming Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges
In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz interviews Luká Yancopoulos, CEO and founder of Grapevine, a groundbreaking startup revolutionizing the healthcare supply chain landscape.
They explore the pressing challenges and inefficiencies plaguing the healthcare sector, including high costs, tech lags, and dependency on single suppliers.
Luká shares insights on the benefits of digital transformation in healthcare procurement and management and outlines the common pitfalls organizations face in this journey.
Episode Highlights:
Addressing Mass Incarceration Creep: A Discussion with the Honorable Ray Headen (Part 3)
Addressing Mass Incarceration Creep with Judge Ray Headen
What if our justice system could be revolutionized by a simple, data-driven approach?
Discover the compelling insights of the Honorable Ray Hedden, who introduces the concept of "Mass Incarceration Creep."
In this final segment of the Disruptor Podcast, hosts John and Jan uncover with Judge Ray Headen the subtle disparities in sentencing that disproportionately affect poor Black males.
They emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive data analytics to ensure fairness and equality in our judicial system.
Ray shares his ambitious initiative to...
Unlocking Justice: Ray Hedden's Fight for Transparency and Fair Sentencing Through Data Innovation (Part 2)
What if the key to a fair and just legal system lies hidden within vast amounts of unexamined data? Join us on the Disruptor Podcast as we sit down with the Honorable Raymond C. Hedden to explore his transformative efforts in the judicial realm. Ray passionately discusses his groundbreaking work on a statewide criminal sentencing database in Ohio, aimed at eradicating implicit biases and ensuring equal treatment for all. This initiative, supported by Ohio Supreme Court justices, promises to bring long-overdue transparency and accountability to the sentencing process.
Throughout our conversation, Ray reflects on the historical context...
Navigating Startup Challenges: The Synergy of Empathy, Design Thinking, and Innovation
Embark on a transformative journey where failure paves the path to innovation, and empathy maps the way to understanding. Together, we navigate the startup ecosystem, championing the 'fail forward' mentality and the essential quest for product-market fit. Drawing inspiration from Andy Jassy's wisdom on mitigating the risks of unsuccessful endeavors, we share personal stories that highlight the resilience and adaptability required to thrive in the startup arena. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the practicalities of validating business concepts, leveraging design thinking and lean startup methodologies, and utilizing social media analytics as a powerful, cost-effective gauge of consumer...
Innovating With Design Thinking: From 'Cupcakes' to "Blue Ocean" Triumphs
Prepare to have your entrepreneurial mindset revolutionized as we introduce you to the marriage of design thinking and strategic innovation. Imagine starting your product journey with a 'cupcake'—a delectable morsel of customer delight, rather than settling for the bare-bones functionality of a typical 'minimum viable product.' This episode guides you through an Agile-inspired 'cake roadmap' that promises to sprinkle delight at every development stage, serving up practical advice for remote collaboration and iterative testing, designed to steer your ventures toward a mouthwatering product-market fit.
As the tide of competition rises, we sail into the uncharted wa...
Innovation and Friendship: The Disruptor Series with Ray Headen - Disrupting the Status Quo (Part 1)
Honoring a Legacy: Raymond C. Headen’s Journey from Cleveland Streets to Judicial Trailblazer
What happens when two childhood friends from opposite sides of the tracks join forces to disrupt the status quo?
Join us on a heartfelt journey as we celebrate the life and legacy of the Honorable Raymond C. Headen in a special three-part series of the Disruptor Podcast.
Hosted by John Kundtz and Jan Almasy, this episode takes an intimate look at Ray's inspiring transformation from an inner-city Cleveland kid to a trailblazer in the judicial community.
Navigating the Currents of Change: Mastering Disruption, Design Thinking, and Customer-Centric Innovation
In this Throwback Thursday (TBT) edition of The Disruptor Podcast, we delve deep into the whirlwind world of digital disruption, design thinking, and the critical importance of a customer-centric approach to innovation.
Join hosts Jan Almasy and John Kundtz, alongside special guest Nicholas Jayanty, as they explore the intricate dance between disrupting and being disrupted in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
What You'll Learn:
The Essence of Value Creation: Discover how businesses navigate the complex terrain of delivering value not just to themselves but, more importantly, to their customers.
...
Artificial Intelligence Insights with Greg Pruett: A Five-Step Blueprint for Success.
Welcome to a special edition of The Cloud Collective Podcast, where we explore the transformative world of artificial intelligence (AI) and focus on practical strategies for success.
In this episode, host John Kundtz is joined by Kyndryl Vice President and Distinguished Engineer Greg Pruett, a multi-patent holder and expert in infrastructure and cloud architecture.
Greg begins by clarifying the differences between traditional predictive AI and the emerging field of generative AI, which has the unique ability to create new content.
He then outlines the five crucial steps for getting started with AI:
Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Business and Embracing Tech for Workplace Equity
In this special Throwback Thursday edition of The Disruptor Podcast, we re-release an episode originally aired in March 2021 with Yolanda Albergottie on her podcast "5 Easy Things."
As we celebrate Women's History Month, join us in revisiting this insightful conversation that explores actionable tips and strategies aimed at advancing women in the workplace.
Drawing from research conducted by IBM's Advanced Business Institute, the episode highlights alarming statistics underscoring the challenges women, particularly women of color, continue to face in corporate America.
Despite the proven benefits of gender diversity at leadership levels, the data reveals...
Elevate Your Cloud Game: Expert Strategies for Cloud Native Operations
Welcome to a special edition of the "Cloud Collective Podcast," where we dive deep into the transformative world of cloud-native services and operations.
John Kundtz hosts this episode and features a conversation with Rishi Ranjan, a seasoned expert in Hyperscaler and Cloud Native Services.
Rishi shares his extensive experience in leading digital transformation initiatives and outlines the significant benefits organizations can realize by adopting a cloud-native strategy.
These include substantial cost reductions of up to 30%, increased predictability through automated operations, and enhanced flexibility and agility to accelerate cloud adoption.
<...
Conquering Limits: Gary Guller's Ascent to Mount Everest and the Power of Human Spirit
In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz and Jan Almasy are joined by adventurer, author, and motivational speaker Gary Guller to discuss his extraordinary journey to the summit of Mount Everest.
Despite losing his left arm in a tragic climbing accident at 19, Gary refused to let perceived limitations hold him back from pursuing his dreams.
Gary didn't just overcome his physical limitations; he shattered expectations by leading the first team of people with disabilities to Everest Base Camp and then going on to summit Mount Everest himself.
Key Highlights:<...
Mastering Cloud Economics: Harnessing FinOps for Optimal Financial Control
In this episode of the Cloud Collective Podcast, we dive into the world of Financial Operations (FinOps) with Anthony Dasari, Vice President of Modern Operations and Public Cloud Services Offerings at Kyndryl, for an in-depth look at Kyndryl's innovative approach to FinOps.
FinOps stands for cloud "financial operations" and is focused on bringing financial accountability, cost management, and optimization to the highly variable expenses of the cloud. As cloud costs skyrocket and billing confusion sets in, FinOps has emerged as a critical discipline for enterprises undergoing digital transformation.
In this discussion, Anthony outlines w...
The Strength to Climb: Supporting Dreams and Sherpa Resilience
There comes a moment when the strength of the human spirit truly shines, and nowhere is this more evident than in the extraordinary Sherpa community. Together, we trek through tales of bravery and resilience as these remarkable individuals guide climbers to remarkable heights, embodying the term 'Sherpa power.' Our journey begins with a profound account of empowerment, as those with physical challenges find joy in ice climbing at Everest Base Camp, a testament to the Sherpas' unwavering support and the transformative nature of unseen aid.
Risk and reward go hand in hand in the high-altitude drama...
Striking a Balance: Optimizing Enterprise Data Centers and Public Cloud
In this episode of The Cloud Collective Podcast, host John Kundtz interviews Robert Erickson, a cloud computing pioneer and VP of Strategy and Growth at Kyndryl.
We start by unpacking why less than a third of crucial workloads have transitioned to the public cloud. Then, delve into the art of balancing public cloud environments with traditional on-premises data centers.
Robert offers advice around best practices for getting started and insights on potential pitfalls and how to steer clear of them on your digital transformation journey.
Key Discussion Points:
Revolutionizing the Sales Landscape through Design Thinking
In this Throwback Thursday edition of The Disruptor podcast, co-hosts Jan Almasy and John Kundtz interview Ashley Welch, co-founder of Somersault Innovation and author of “Naked Sales.”
They discuss how design thinking can transform traditional sales techniques by building empathy, uncovering insights, and accelerating revenue growth.
Ashley explains how she helps sales teams move from pushing products to co-creating solutions tailored for each customer.
Quotes:
“Design Thinking Tools in the Hands of Sales Professionals is like p...
FinOps Insights: Strategic Tagging for Optimal Cloud Management
In this episode of the Cloud Collective Podcast, host John Kundtz interviews Sreeni Maheshwaram, a FinOps Certified practitioner and patent holder. They discuss valuable advice for companies starting a FinOps journey, focusing on common tagging pitfalls and mistakes.
With his extensive experience in IT and cloud architecture, Srini shares his expert insights on the role of tagging in cost management and resource allocation.
The discussion covers:
Enter the Leader: Knowing What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do
Conflict is inevitable in business, but with the right skills, leaders can turn discord into collaboration.
In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz engages with leadership expert Andrew Netschay.
Together, they delve deep into the essence of converting business conflicts into opportunities for collaboration. Drawing inspiration from his martial arts background, Netschay offers an alternative and refreshing lens on leadership, suggesting a paradigm shift in how confrontations should be approached and handled in the business milieu.
Key Discussion Points:
Pioneering Progress: ESG and Corporate Sustainability Conversations
In this episode of "The Cloud Collective Podcast," host Shalini Manjunath speaks with Faith Taylor, a renowned expert in global sustainability and ESG. They delve deep into effective strategies for businesses embarking on their ESG journey.
Key Highlights from the Discussion:
Understanding ESG: A robust ESG performance indicates that a business is ethically driven and dedicated to fostering positive change.
ESG Challenges: Companies often grapple with gathering precise organizational data, integrating ESG with their primary business model, and staying updated with new regulations.
Initiating...
Surviving Disruption: Exploring the Power of Stopping, Reflection, and Stillness with David Kundtz
Throwback Thursday edition of The Disruptor podcast
Meet David Kundtz: From the streets of Cleveland to the Catholic churches of Idaho and further south in Cali, Colombia, David's journey is an intriguing tapestry of challenges and change. Once a family psychotherapist for over two decades, David now relishes his retired life. But his passion? Writing, especially on mindfulness and mental health.
Disruption in the Modern Era: As we navigate the tumultuous 2020s, it's clear: disruption is the name of the game. Are you the one shaking things up like Netflix? Or...
Deciphering Ethnic Confusion: Mecenzéf, Metzenseifen, or Medzev and Stories from the Past
Welcome to this special Throwback Thursday edition of The Disruptor podcast.
In this remixed episode, originally aired on The Apex Podcast in November 2021, hosts Jan and John explore their family histories to uncover the ancestral origin of John's great-grandfather.
A couple of ago, Jan and John made an intriguing discovery - their families both hail from towns just 35 km apart in what is today Slovakia. Jan’s roots hail from Košice. John grew up hearing that his great-grandfather, Theodor Kundtz, emigrated from Metzenseifen to the United States in 1873, claiming to be Hungarian but speaking Germ...
Sovereign Clouds Demystified: The Blueprint for Resilient, Secure, and Compliant Digital Businesses
In this episode of The Cloud Collective Podcast, host John Kundtz interviews distinguished engineer Greg Pruett on the emerging topic of sovereign clouds. They discuss what sovereign clouds are, why they've become crucial for companies today, common mistakes to avoid when implementing them, and advice for getting started on the right foot.
As we delve into Greg's personal and professional interest in Sovereign Clouds, we'll uncover the potential pitfalls and mistakes that businesses often encounter while venturing into Sovereign Cloud solutions.
Greg's experience shines through, providing listeners with a clear roadmap t...
Managing and Optimizing Cloud Costs: Mistakes Every IT Finance Manager Needs to Avoid!
Are you tired of cloud costs spiraling out of control?
Do you want to unlock the full value of FinOps?
In this episode of The Cloud Collective, the host of The Disruptor Podcast, John Kundtz, chats with FinOps guru Kathryn Lin to explore the typical challenges companies navigate when embarking on their FinOps journey.
In this enlightening discussion, Katherine shares her impressive journey from acquiring her MBA at USC, specializing in technology commercialization, to working with Kyndryl and IBM.
She also delves into the importance of maximizing savings from overspending and...
Crafting Standout LinkedIn Content: Tactics for Amplifying Influence
Are you looking to amplify your professional influence and connections on LinkedIn?
In this episode, we sit down with the Disruptor himself as he shares his wealth of knowledge on becoming a thought leader in your industry.
Gain practical insights and actionable strategies for leveraging LinkedIn to drive sales success.
Key Takeaways:
1. Improved credibility and thought leadership: A complete, optimized profile demonstrates your expertise and establishes you as a credible thought leader.
2. More engagement and discussions: Tactics like using compelling headlines...
