Leslie Danford is the Founder and CEO of Vitaminis, a clean-label functional food and beverage brand that delivers whole-food-based juice shots designed to support gut health and immunity.

Laura Markewicz is the Founder of Lotza, a better-for-you beverage made for people who want to celebrate without the morning-after slump.

RJ Pire is the Founder of Service ID, a tech startup that uses AI-driven tools to help utilities and municipalities identify and remove lead service lines.

Bradley Will is the Founder and CEO of Mumbies, a Milwaukee-based company creating natural, sustainable chew toys and treats for dogs made from materials like coffee tree wood and coconut husk.

Meeting the needs of our health, celebrations, snacks, and essential utilities can feel complicated in a world full of choices and compromises. What if there were smarter, cleaner, and more enjoyable ways to nourish our bodies, celebrate mindfully, feed our pets, and modernize essential services — without the usual headaches?

Leslie Danford, Laura Markewicz, Bradley Will, and RJ Pire reveal how they're redefining their industries with innovation, taste, and practicality. Leslie shares how Vitaminis delivers functional nutrients through fruit-based, no-sugar-added shots, making daily nutrition simple and guilt-free. Laura explains how Lotza reinvents soda with real fruit, low sugar, and functional benefits, allowing celebrations without the next-day slump. Bradley highlights Mumbies' approach to creating snacks that combine flavor, convenience, and nutrition for pets. RJ draws on nearly a decade of regulatory experience to demonstrate how Service ID enables utilities to modernize their infrastructure, enhance compliance, and better serve their communities.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks with Leslie Danford, Laura Markewicz, Bradley Will, and RJ Pire about building functional food and beverage brands, creating healthier snacks for kids, and streamlining utility operations. They discuss innovation, practical solutions, and finding a balance between wellness and enjoyment. They also share insights on clean-label ingredients, functional benefits, and modernizing essential services.

Sanish Mondkar is the Founder and CEO of Legion Technologies, a company specializing in AI-powered workforce management solutions that optimize labor efficiency and enhance hourly employee engagement. Under his leadership, Legion has become a trusted platform for automating scheduling, forecasting, and communication across major industries. Before Legion, Sanish served as Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer at SAP, and earlier at Ariba. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Pune and a master's in computer science from Cornell University.

In today's fast-paced world of retail, hospitality, and other hourly-based industries, companies are racing to balance efficiency with employee satisfaction. But as technology reshapes how businesses operate, can AI actually make hourly work more engaging, flexible, and fulfilling?

Sanish Mondkar, a seasoned technology leader and AI innovator, believes it can. He explains that traditional workforce management systems were built to control labor costs, not empower people — and that's where AI can fundamentally shift the equation. By automating scheduling, predicting demand, and empowering employees with control over their work schedules, companies can reduce attrition while fostering a more motivated workforce. Sanish also points out that real transformation comes when AI is transparent, explainable, and trusted by both managers and frontline workers.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Sanish Mondkar, Founder and CEO of Legion Technologies, to discuss how AI can drive employee engagement and operational excellence. They talk about Legion's AI-powered scheduling innovations, the "trifecta" that reduces attrition, and how automation builds trust between employers and staff. Sanish also shares lessons from scaling Legion with major brands like Dollar General and Philz Coffee.

Jason Patel is the Co-founder and CEO of Open Forge AI, a B2B SaaS company that helps businesses expand their visibility across AI-driven search and answer engines. Before this, he built and successfully exited Transizion, an edtech company providing personalized career and college guidance. At Open Forge AI, Jason leads strategy and product development, leveraging his expertise in technology and marketing. He holds a bachelor's degree in political communication from The George Washington University.

The marketing landscape is evolving faster than ever, driven by the rapid integration of AI into search and discovery. Traditional SEO strategies that once guaranteed visibility are losing traction as generative AI reshapes how consumers find products, services, and brands. So how can businesses ensure they're not left behind in this new digital frontier?

Drawing from his experience building AI-powered marketing tools, Jason Patel emphasizes that visibility in the age of ChatGPT requires more than traditional SEO tactics. He highlights how AI technologies are changing the rules of discoverability — brands must now optimize for ChatGPT and other AI systems, not just Google. By building tools that make websites machine-readable, automating content creation, and improving third-party citations, he's helping businesses future-proof their marketing strategies for a world where AI agents decide what gets seen. His approach bridges technical precision with strategic insight, giving companies the edge they need to stay competitive.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Jason Patel, Co-founder and CEO of Open Forge AI, to discuss how AI is transforming marketing visibility. They explore what GEO means for modern businesses, how AI agents are reshaping content strategy, and why technical optimization is vital for AI readiness. Jason also shares practical tips for entrepreneurs looking to leverage AI as a growth amplifier rather than a threat.