Shows
The Disruptor PodcastDesign Thinking Meets Nonprofit Leadership: A Practical GuideJohn 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...2025-07-2907 min
The Disruptor PodcastRethinking ERP: AI-Driven Workflow InnovationIn 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. ...2025-07-2226 min
The Disruptor PodcastIs Design Dead? Saving Design in the Modern EnterpriseDesign isn't dead, but it's evolving fastNick 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.HighlightsWhy commoditization pushed Nick to reinvent his design careerCommon enterprise pitfalls when integrating design and researchThe false promise of speed without strategic design thinkingHow design and development teams can collaborate more effectivelyWhat AI and generative tools mean fo...2025-06-1018 min
The Disruptor PodcastMainframe Modernization: From Black Box to ClarityWelcome 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...2025-05-1322 min
The Disruptor PodcastDisruption in Data: Why Digital Migrations Fail and How to SucceedWelcome 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...2025-04-2921 min
The Disruptor PodcastTransforming Board Dynamics: Strategies for High-Impact Non-Profit LeadershipChapter 5: Defining High-Performance in Nonprofit BoardsIn 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 HighlightsActionable strategies for aligning board governance with mission success.Real-world examples of innovative approaches that high-performing boards take to meet modern challenges.How to position your nonprofit for long-term sustainability by balancing governance, strategic oversight, and stakeholder engagementK...2025-01-1306 min
The Disruptor PodcastChapter 4: The Crucial Role of High-Performing BoardsIn 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 TakeawaysBalancing Fundraising and ProgrammingFin...2025-01-0604 min
The Disruptor PodcastChapter 3: Identifying the Beneficiaries of Board InsightsIn 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 TakeawaysIdentify and Empower Stakeholders: Learn the five key beneficiaries of board insights – board members, executives, staff, volunteers, and the c...2024-12-2304 min
The Disruptor PodcastChapter 2: Lessons from the Boardroom: The High-Performance JourneyIn 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...2024-12-1803 min
The Disruptor PodcastTransforming Not-for-Profit Governance: From Boardroom Innovation to Sustainable ImpactJoin 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...2024-11-2703 min
The Disruptor PodcastRedefining Boardroom Success: Strategies for High-Performance Governance in Not-for-ProfitsRedefining Boardroom Success: Strategies for High-Performance Governance in Not-for-ProfitIn 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:Why traditional CEO-centric approaches fall shortHow to align programming with funding sustainability Essential frameworks for evaluating mission impactPractical strategies for recruiting and retaining top boa...2024-11-2103 min
The Disruptor PodcastBeyond the Founder: Beating the Odds in Family Business SuccessionIn 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:The alarming statistics behind family business failuresCommon mistakes in succession planningThe importance of early planning and overcoming egoKey financial practices often overlooked by family businessesThe value of fractional CFO services...2024-10-1019 min
The Disruptor PodcastElevating Leadership: The Art of Handling Tough Conversations"Managing confrontation is hard, leading through conflict is harder, avoiding either is not an option." - Andrew NetschayIn 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...2024-09-1920 min
The Disruptor PodcastDisrupting the Status Quo and Overcoming Healthcare Supply Chain ChallengesIn 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:Luká shares his journey from studying renewable energy to tackling healthcare supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pan...2024-09-0321 min
The Disruptor PodcastAddressing Mass Incarceration Creep: A Discussion with the Honorable Ray Headen (Part 3)Addressing Mass Incarceration Creep with Judge Ray HeadenWhat 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...2024-06-2722 min
The Disruptor PodcastUnlocking 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...2024-06-2012 min
The Disruptor PodcastNavigating Startup Challenges: The Synergy of Empathy, Design Thinking, and InnovationEmbark 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...2024-06-1335 min
The Disruptor PodcastInnovating With Design Thinking: From 'Cupcakes' to "Blue Ocean" TriumphsPrepare 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...2024-06-0622 min
The Disruptor PodcastInnovation 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 TrailblazerWhat 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. 2024-06-0414 min
The Disruptor PodcastNavigating the Currents of Change: Mastering Disruption, Design Thinking, and Customer-Centric InnovationIn 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. ...2024-03-2816 min
The Disruptor PodcastArtificial 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:A...2024-03-1819 min
The Disruptor PodcastBreaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Business and Embracing Tech for Workplace EquityIn 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...2024-03-1432 min
The Disruptor PodcastElevate Your Cloud Game: Expert Strategies for Cloud Native OperationsWelcome 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.2024-03-0721 min
The Disruptor PodcastConquering Limits: Gary Guller's Ascent to Mount Everest and the Power of Human SpiritIn 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:2024-02-2440 min
The Disruptor PodcastMastering Cloud Economics: Harnessing FinOps for Optimal Financial ControlIn 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...2024-02-1319 min
The Disruptor PodcastThe Strength to Climb: Supporting Dreams and Sherpa ResilienceThere 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...2024-02-0726 min