Grit Daily Startup Show

Munawar Karim has spent decades working at the edge of physics, aviation design, and global infrastructure, tackling problems most have long set aside. In this episode, his work spans from a breakthrough approach to electron stability to aircraft innovation and energy proposals shaped as much by politics as by engineering. It’s a conversation about persistence, big ideas, and what it takes to keep moving forward when the world isn’t ready to listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Phillip Lanos speaks with PSQ Productions founder Mark Entner about building a large-scale events business that operates at the intersection of public partnership, private execution, and community experience. Entner shares how PSQ Productions grew from entrepreneurial ambition into a major live-events operation, managing venues, festivals, and concerts while navigating trust, logistics, and city relationships. The conversation explores why successful events are ultimately about more than production, they are about creating places where people can gather, celebrate, and feel connected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Phillip Lanos speaks with Freehold Group CEO Brendan McDermott about how retail design, fabrication, and installation shape the way consumers experience major brands in the real world. McDermott explains how experiential marketing extends far beyond pop-ups, touching everything from flagship stores and cultural activations to in-store beauty concepts and seasonal retail moments. The conversation explores what it takes to scale those experiences across the country while preserving brand consistency, operational discipline, and a strong internal team culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Phillip Lanos speaks with five-time Emmy Award-winning producer and Digital Rights Network founder Neil Mandt about the emerging fight over who controls the digital layer of the physical world. Mandt explains why augmented reality is no longer a futuristic concept, but a present-day business, legal, and property rights issue that could reshape real estate, advertising, media, and commerce. The conversation explores how Digital Rights Network aims to build the infrastructure for a new layer economy, where ownership, licensing, and trust will define the future of AR.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Pinedo shares how leading inside a youth correctional facility reshaped his understanding of leadership, trust, and human potential. Drawing from decades of experience, he explains why empathy, non-judgmental curiosity, and intentional presence are the true foundations of influence. This conversation explores how integrating values across work and life can transform culture, performance, and personal fulfillment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phillip Lanos and Sharon Wood explore the intersection of gaming, family connections, and memory enhancement. Sharon shares her journey from marketing in the gaming industry to creating products that foster joy and dignity for individuals with fading memories. They discuss the importance of relationships, the science behind gaming, and the innovative approaches being taken to enhance quality of life through interactive experiences. The conversation emphasizes the need for cross-generational connections and the potential of technology to bring families closer together. Connect with Sharon Wood: https://happypeoplegames.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Whalen, CTO of Prove AI, explains why many enterprises are stalling with generative AI by treating it like traditional software and postponing the hard parts like observability, debugging, and governance. He breaks down what “observability” actually means in AI systems, why outcome-based metrics matter more than chasing black-box explanations, and how Prove AI helps teams collect the right telemetry to reach production safely. The conversation also explores agentic workflows, human oversight, and why technical leaders need to change how their organizations operate if they want gen AI to deliver real value.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Cady, founder of HEAL MVMNT and former Reddit creative strategist, joins the show to explore why technology is advancing faster than the moral frameworks needed to guide it. He explains how his organization helps leaders align community, culture, and purpose so companies can scale without losing their humanity. Cady also shares why keeping a “human in the loop” is essential in the AI era and how defining a clear north star enables businesses to grow with intention rather than drift off course.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Van Camp and Carlson join Phillip Lanos to unpack the moment when fast-growing businesses outgrow basic tax prep and start needing real cash flow visibility, risk strategy, and proactive advisory support. They break down why many CPAs default to familiar year-end moves, how liquidity becomes a hidden failure point, and what owners should look for in an advisory team as complexity rises. The conversation also introduces 831B structures as a framework for enterprise risk management, and explains how the right planning mindset can help protect both what a company has built and what it is trying to become.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode spotlights Himanshu Rathore, the operations leader behind Teleperformance Thailand’s remarkable rise as a global talent hub. Listeners will hear how people-first leadership, multicultural collaboration, and crisis-tested resilience shaped one of the company’s strongest success stories. It is a compelling look at what modern operational excellence truly requires.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.