How can schools shift from drowning in data to making decisions that help students thrive? Otus founder and former educator Chris Hull joins Natalie to explain how technology in education isn't just about collecting more data, it's about making it usable. Chris shares how Otis empowers schools to act on assessment results, track student behavior, and support educators with AI-powered insights. He reflects on how the shift from fragmented tools to a centralized profile for every student can transform learning, drive earlier interventions, and tailor education to the individual, all while giving time back to teachers.

[00:01 - 04:29] From Classroom Frustration to Founding Otis

• How Chris’s early tech efforts as a 7th-grade teacher exposed gaps in education systems

• Why more technology led to more chaos, not clarity

• The significance of creating a “medical chart” model for students' educational journeys

[04:30 - 08:00] Why Schools Struggle with Innovation

• The importance of focusing on actual learning outcomes amid competing demands

• How outdated methods of measuring learning obscure student needs

• What resumes can teach us about improving student progress tracking

[08:01 - 13:46] Building a Full Picture of Each Student

• Why schools need data beyond grades: behavior, attendance, third-party scores

• How Otis simplifies tracking and reporting for overburdened educators

• The need for personalized plans that scale across the student body

[13:47 - 18:37] Real Insights and Impact from Otis Users

• How earlier identification helped one Florida district reduce absenteeism

• The importance of comparing teaching strategies and programs using real-time data

• What schools are discovering by layering AI into trend analysis

[18:38 - 23:54] Personalization and the Future of Education Tech

• Why AI acts as a bridge, not a replacement, for educator decision-making

• The role of Otis as a curriculum assistant in partnership with Discovery Education

• The importance of capturing and passing along learning insights between teachers and grades

Quotes:

“Our goal isn’t to be the innovation. It’s to enable the educator to be innovative.” - Chris Hull

“AI doesn’t replace teachers—it gives them time back to focus on what matters.” - Chris Hull

Connect with Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chull9

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

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How can you remove emotion from investing — and make decisions backed purely by data?

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie Born sits down with Andrew Einhorn, CEO and Co-founder of Level Fields, an AI-driven fintech platform that analyzes real-world events to uncover investment opportunities. With a career that began in epidemiology and transitioned into defense consulting and software, Andrew shares how his fascination with data and pattern recognition led him to create tools that help everyday investors make informed decisions. He discusses how global events shape financial markets, how to identify reliable investment signals, and why emotional detachment—paired with the right data—can lead to better results.

[00:01 - 05:00] | How an Epidemiologist Built a Fintech Tool

• How studying environmental contamination led to software development

• The importance of following data rather than gut feelings

• Why building software unlocked a creative and scalable way to solve problems

[05:01 - 10:49] | Why Past Pandemics Helped Predict the COVID Rebound

• The importance of recognizing patterns in government and market responses

• How comparing Zika and swine flu informed COVID analysis

• Why emotion-free analysis led to accurate predictions while others panicked

[10:50 - 15:34] | How AI Detects Market-Moving Events

• The importance of CEO changes, lawsuits, and product failures as stock indicators

• How AI tools reduce noise and increase clarity for investors

• Why consistent events provide more reliable signals than black swan moments

[15:35 - 21:16] | The Importance of Ignoring Headlines and Watching Behavior

• Why dividend increases and stock buybacks signal strength

• The importance of ignoring negative media narratives in favor of data

• How analyzing company behavior reveals internal confidence long before analysts notice

[21:17 - 26:04] | How to Invest Like an Insider Without Being One

• How billionaires entering a company often triggers a turnaround

• The importance of watching early moves like executive changes and layoffs

• Why Salesforce’s rebound shows the power of understanding corporate playbooks

Quotes:

“The market reacts to events, not opinions. Patterns repeat if you know where to look.” — Andrew Einhorn

“The same events happen again and again—and the market reacts the same way. The data proves it.” - Andrew Einhorn

Connect with Andrew:

LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/einhorn



LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

What happens when AI fills 90% of the Internet with junk? The rise of AI-generated content is transforming the digital landscape—but at what cost? Mike Todasco, AI researcher and former Head of Innovation at PayPal, joins Natalie Born to discuss the impact of "AI slop"—a flood of low-quality, auto-generated content—and what it means for businesses, content creators, and consumers. He explores how AI is being used to create books, blog posts, and even fake news at an unprecedented scale. Will AI-generated junk take over, or will human creativity remain indispensable? Tune in to uncover how AI is reshaping everything from online search to personal productivity.

[00:01 - 06:07] The Evolution of AI & Innovation

• Mike Todasco shares his journey from finance to AI research

• His experience running innovation at PayPal after its split from eBay

• How AI became his focus at San Diego State University’s AI Center

[06:08 - 12:48] The Rise of "AI Slop"

• AI-generated content is flooding the internet with low-quality material

• Many AI-generated books on Amazon are essentially unreadable

• Gartner predicts 90% of internet content could be AI-generated by 2030

[12:49 - 16:33] Human vs. AI: What Will Win?

• AI-generated content lacks emotional depth and true storytelling

• People are drawn to human-made art and stories over machine-made creations.

• AI tools will enhance, not replace, human creativity.

[16:34 - 24:00] AI in Daily Life: Helpful or Harmful?

• Mike uses AI for personal productivity, parenting, and even healthcare

• AI can analyze health data, suggest parenting strategies, and help with cooking

• The future of AI in healthcare will see doctors using AI as an essential tool

[24:01 - 36:16] How Businesses Should Be Using AI Right Now

• Companies must set clear AI policies as employees are already using it

• AI should be integrated into workflows to improve efficiency

• Organizations should foster knowledge-sharing around AI use cases

Quotes:

"AI is great at generating content, but it still struggles to create anything with true heart and experience.” - Mike Todasco

"AI slop is just junk being thrown onto the internet—words without purpose or artistry." - Mike Todasco

Connect with Mike:

LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikesaideas/



LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

Innovation is often seen as the domain of tech giants and industry disruptors, but what about small and medium-sized enterprises? Are they at a disadvantage, or do they have unique opportunities to innovate faster than their larger competitors?

Bruce Vojak, founder of Breakthrough Innovation Advisors and author of No Excuses Innovation, joins the podcast to discuss why mature businesses struggle with innovation, the fears that hold them back, and the simple, low-cost steps they can take to start thinking differently. He breaks down the myths surrounding innovation and provides practical insights for business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.

[00:01 - 05:48] The Innovation Struggle for Small Businesses

• Why mature enterprises often avoid innovation
• Understanding the S-curve and business growth cycles
• The danger of focusing only on efficiency instead of renewal

[05:49 - 10:33] The Three Barriers to Innovation

• Expertise gaps in mature companies
• Financial mindsets that resist risk-taking
• The role of fear in preventing new ideas

[10:34 - 15:24] Culture as the Key to Innovation

• How company culture can either unlock or stifle innovation
• The balance between empowerment and accountability
• Lessons from Hewlett-Packard’s Medal of Defiance

[15:25 - 20:00] Innovation Without Big Budgets

• Why innovation doesn’t have to be expensive
• Small but effective ways to start innovating today
• The power of listening to customers for ideas

[20:01 - 24:12] Practical Takeaways for Business Leaders

• Looking for patterns in customer behavior
• Turning small workarounds into real innovations
• The importance of a discovery mindset in leadership

"A lot of companies excel at streamlining operations, but few have the expertise to truly renew their business." – Bruce Vojak

"Innovation doesn’t have to be a massive initiative. It starts with asking the right questions and listening to your customers." – Bruce Vojak

Connect with Bruce:

Website: https://www.breakthrough-innovation-advisors.com/bruce-vojak/

LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bvojak



LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

Are you building a personal brand that attracts opportunities, or are you hiding behind your title on LinkedIn?

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie speaks with branding expert and serial entrepreneur Brandon Lee about the power of reputation in driving business success. Brandon shares insights from his decades of experience in personal branding, content marketing, and sales. He challenges leaders to step out of obscurity, leverage platforms like LinkedIn effectively, and build meaningful connections that create revenue opportunities.

[00:01 - 07:26] From Employee to Entrepreneur

• Brandon’s journey from being an unsatisfied employee to launching multiple businesses

• The excitement of startup culture and embracing uncertainty

• Learning the power of personal branding before it had a name

[07:27 - 14:38] The LinkedIn Networking Mistake Most People Make

• Why people treat LinkedIn differently than in-person networking events

• The dangers of “pitch-slapping” connections

• How traditional sales tactics are failing in a digital-first world

[14:39 - 21:53] Relationship-First Selling in a Digital World

• Why personal branding is essential for sales and leadership

• How posting valuable content creates trust before a sales conversation

• The power of authenticity in networking

[21:54 - 28:30] Why CEOs Need to Show Up on LinkedIn

• The impact of a CEO’s presence on business growth

• How executives can effectively use LinkedIn without feeling overwhelmed

• Lessons from iconic leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk

[28:31 - 33:47] Practical Steps to Overcome Posting Fear

• How to ease into content creation without overthinking

• The benefits of live shows and podcasts for thought leadership

• Why consistency is more important than perfection

Quotes:

"Everything for me has always been relationship first, business second." - Brandon Lee

"You only fist bump people you have a connection with, but you'll shake hands with anybody." - Brandon Lee

Connect with Brandon:

Website: https://getfistbumps.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonleedigital

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!

What does it take to lead innovation at one of America's fastest-growing dessert brands, rotating an entirely new menu weekly across 1,200+ locations?

In this illuminating episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, host Natalie Born sits down with Grace Chadwick, COO of Crumbl. Grace shares her fascinating journey from technology consulting to leading major food industry brands, ultimately landing at the helm of Crumbl. She reveals the complex operational challenges behind Crumbl's weekly rotating menu, the role of technology in scaling innovation, and how the company's mission to bring friends and family together drives every decision. The conversation offers valuable insights into balancing rapid innovation with operational excellence while maintaining a culture that thrives on constant change.

[00:01 - 5:00] From Tech to Treats: An Unexpected Journey

Transitioned from technology consulting to food industry through Burger King

Found passion in seeing entire business cycle play out in single day

Embraced continuous learning and new challenges

[05:01 - 10:26] The Art of Weekly Innovation at Scale

Manages rotating menu across 1,200+ locations weekly

Implements precise training systems for consistent execution

Balances innovation with operational complexity

[10:27 - 15:45] Technology as the Innovation Backbone

Built proprietary POS system from ground up

Leverages tech for seamless menu rotation and training

Applies AB testing principles to product development

[15:46 - 21:17] Evolution Beyond Cookies

Expanding from Crumbl Cookies to simply "Crumbl"

Partnering with celebrities like Jimmy Fallon

Focusing on creating meaningful moments for customers

[21:18 - 27:50] Leadership in a Fast-Paced Innovation Culture

Cultivating adaptable team members who thrive on change

Balancing relationships with results

Emphasizing action as the key to innovation

Quotes:

"It's all about the people that you have and the actions that you take every day to ensure that your people know how much you care about them." - Grace Chadwick

"With innovation, you won't know anything until you try. It is all about the action..." - Grace Chadwick

Connect with Grace:

Website: https://crumblcookies.com/index.html

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracielachadwick

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone empower their businesses through collaboration, innovation, and transformation by sharing this episode or clicking here to listen to our previous episodes.

Check Natalie's new book, SET IT ON FIRE: The Art of Innovation, available now at setitonfire.co

These are proven solutions to advance your leadership and innovation process. Check out our website innovationmeetsleadership.com, or connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Let's go transform something!