TechVibe Pittsburgh

Jonathan Kersting

Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the tPittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation. Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: "Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department." Don't miss out—click to listen now! TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Tune in Sundays at 6 AM 10 100.1 FM AM 1020 KDKA.

  1. 1 DAY AGO ·  VIDEO

    TechVibe's Marketing Mash Up Rewind: Has the Marketing Funnel Collapsed?

    Is the marketing funnel dead... or has it simply mutated into something far messier? In this episode of Techvibe's Mash Up Rewind, Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Cooper Munroe of the Motherhood unpack one of the biggest questions facing marketers today: has the traditional funnel collapsed into a maze of search, social, AI, Reddit, reviews, referrals, and word-of-mouth? What follows is a lively, candid conversation with marketers, founders, and business leaders wrestling with how people actually make decisions now. From the rise of "shopping media" and the growing distrust of polished brand messaging to the surprising influence of Reddit, AI search, and niche community conversations, this episode explores how customer journeys have become more fragmented, less predictable, and much harder to measure. The group digs into why B2B buying paths are especially long and tangled, why attribution can feel almost impossible, and how buyers now arrive more "pre-educated" than ever, even if some of that education is incomplete or flat-out wrong. Along the way, the discussion surfaces practical insights around content freshness, brand authenticity, schema tags, Google Ads, and why simply showing up in more places is no longer enough. If today's funnel feels more like Plinko than a straight path to conversion, this episode explains why, and what marketers can do about it. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology industry.

    13 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Pittsburgh Tech Entrepreneur Sells IQ Inc.—What's Next After 30 Years of Building?

    What does it take to build a company that lasts more than three decades… and then have the courage to hand it off so it can grow even bigger? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we sit down with Barbara VanKirk, founder of IQ Inc, to unpack a story that's been 30+ years in the making. From her early days at Westinghouse Electric Corporation to building a people-first engineering company in Pittsburgh, Barb shares how curiosity, culture, and a commitment to growth shaped IQ Inc.'s journey. Then, the story takes a global turn. Enter Critical Software—a Portugal-based, mission-critical engineering firm with big ambitions in the U.S. market. Joined by COO João Brito and Chief People Officer Filipa Carmo, the conversation explores why Pittsburgh, why now, and why IQ Inc. was the perfect fit. Spoiler: it wasn't just about engineering expertise. It was about culture. From shared values around people-first leadership to global strategy and expansion, this episode captures a rare moment when legacy meets lift-off. With ties to Carnegie Mellon University and a deep respect for Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, Critical Software is planting a flag—and planning to grow. This isn't just an acquisition story. It's a blueprint for building something meaningful… and knowing when it's time to take it further.

    22 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    Cyburgh Preview: AI Security in Production with Brenasia Ward-Caldwell

    What happens when AI is already in production, but security teams are still racing to catch up? In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting talks with Brenasia Ward-Caldwell, Senior Security and AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft, about her upcoming AI Security in Production panel at Cyburgh. Brenasia works with organizations across the country, helping them think through modern security strategy, and she brings that frontline perspective to one of the most urgent conversations in tech right now: how to secure AI tools that are being adopted faster than many organizations can inventory, govern, or measure. The conversation moves beyond the basic question of whether companies need an AI policy. At this point, Brenasia notes, most boards have already made that call. The real challenge is the growing gap between what organizations have written down and what is actually happening inside fast-moving production environments. From shadow AI to shifting ownership of AI risk to the need for non-negotiable security controls, this episode previews the kind of practical, high-stakes discussion Cyburgh attendees can expect to hear on stage. Jonathan and Brenasia also touch on the magic of Cyburgh itself, especially the off-stage conversations where ideas, concerns, and candid opinions bubble up between sessions. Add in Brenasia's perspective from a recent industry roundtable at NAB in Las Vegas, where content security and remediation patterns were hot topics, and this episode becomes a sharp snapshot of where AI security stands right now. You'll get a fast, practical preview of the AI governance and security issues every enterprise is now facing. Hit PLAY now to get ready for Cyburgh and hear why securing AI in production may be one of the biggest cybersecurity challenges of the year. Learn more about Cyburgh here. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

    5 min

  4. 2 MAY

    How Pittsburgh-Based Outcome Logix Is Reinventing Talent in the AI Era

    What if hiring the right tech talent wasn't a gamble… but a precision-engineered system? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we sit down with Sandesh Sukumaran, founder of Outcome Logix, to unpack how he's rewriting the rules of hiring in a world where speed, accuracy, and AI-driven insights matter more than ever. Sandesh takes us inside his "tech-enabled staffing" model, where proprietary platforms, video-based screening, and expert-led interviews converge to eliminate guesswork and dramatically improve hiring outcomes. Instead of resumes getting lost in translation, candidates are evaluated based on real competencies, real conversations, and real-world fit. But that's just the opening act. We also explore a powerful twist on corporate social responsibility: Outcome Logix's Democratic CSR initiative, where employees, partners, and communities nominate and vote on causes that matter most to them. It's a shift from top-down giving to something far more human and participatory—turning impact into a shared decision. Hit play to discover: How AI and tools like Copilot are reshaping hiring expectations (and lowering experience barriers) Why "screened talent" beats traditional resumes every time The surprising trend toward hiring earlier-career talent in an AI-powered world How Democratic CSR is redefining what it means to give back as a company The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe Radio to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

    22 min

  5. 1 MAY

    Woolpert's Aaron Morris on Real-World AI and Pittsburgh Tech

    What happens when AI stops being a buzzword and starts helping the physical world work better? In this episode of TechVibe Fireside Chat, Jonathan Kersting sits down with Aaron Morris, Head of AI at Woolpert, to explore how one of the world's most fascinating architecture, engineering, and geospatial firms is using artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems at serious scale. You'll hear how Woolpert is turning massive streams of raw geospatial data into actionable insights that can improve infrastructure, monitor terrain, support utilities, and help clients make smarter decisions about the built environment. Aaron also shares why the future of AI is not about removing people from the process, but about building better systems with humans still firmly in the loop. For tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovation fans, this conversation offers a powerful look at what AI looks like when it moves beyond gimmicks and starts delivering value where it really counts: in the field, in operations, and in the infrastructure that keeps society moving. And then the episode takes a fantastic turn. Aaron closes with the story of building his own version of KITT from Knight Rider during his startup days, a tale involving a black Pontiac Firebird, a fundraising promise, a Butler County connection, a History Channel appearance, and one hilarious surprise when the car's voice box arrived from Italy. Hit play for a conversation about AI, geospatial innovation, Pittsburgh's role in the future of technology, and a little retro-tech magic to bring it all home.

    30 min

  6. 24 APR

    Pittsburgh Tech Meets Human Services with Monica Fletcher of Auberle

    What happens when a nonprofit starts thinking like a high-performing tech-enabled organization? In this TechVibe/Fireside Chart conversation, we sit down with Monica Fletcher, Chief Administrative Officer of Auberle, to explore how a 75-year-old human services organization is embracing data, digital tools, and AI to better serve thousands of people across Western Pennsylvania. Fletcher shares how her 27-year career in consulting, research, and strategy is helping Auberle move from paper-heavy legacy systems to a more efficient, insight-driven culture. You'll hear how Auberle is identifying friction in everyday workflows, digitizing processes, and rolling out Microsoft Copilot with careful governance to reduce administrative burden on frontline staff. The goal is simple but powerful: give employees more time to focus on people, not paperwork. Fletcher also explains why "tech first" does not mean "tech only," and why the smartest systems are the ones that strengthen human-centered work rather than replace it. Three reasons to hit play: Learn how to spot and eliminate workflow friction before it drains time, energy, and impact Hear a practical nonprofit AI strategy grounded in governance, clarity, and real use cases Get a fresh take on leadership and sustainability from someone bringing private-sector discipline into human services From foster care and housing support to behavioral health and workforce development, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how better systems can help mission-driven organizations do more good. Hit play to hear how Monica Fletcher is helping Auberle build the digital backbone for its future. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

    19 min

  7. 23 APR

    Inside ProductCamp Pittsburgh: Live Product Dissections and Big Product Ideas

    What happens when one of the country's fastest-growing product communities brings in one of product management's biggest names for a live, idea-packed showdown? You get this episode of TechVibe! Host Jonathan Kersting sits down with Nathan Mancine, the force behind ProductCamp Pittsburgh, and Dan Olsen, author of The Lean Product Playbook, to talk about why this year's event is shaping up to be a must-attend gathering for product leaders, builders, founders, and curious entrepreneurs. From ProductCamp's unconference roots and growing leadership track to Dan's live on-stage product dissections, this conversation is loaded with insight, energy, and real-world product strategy. But this episode also charges straight into one of the most important shifts happening in tech right now: vibe coding. Dan explains why AI is not killing product management, but actually making great product thinking even more essential. As prototyping gets faster and building gets easier, the real winners will be the people who know how to test ideas, validate demand, and create products customers actually want. You'll hear why ProductCamp Pittsburgh has become such a magnet for the region's product community, why Dan is so excited to return, and why entrepreneurs should be paying close attention to tools that can turn rough concepts into working prototypes at warp speed. This one is part event preview, part masterclass, and part rally cry for anyone building in the age of AI. Hit play to hear why Pittsburgh's product scene is booming, why ProductCamp keeps leveling up, and why the future belongs to builders who combine AI speed with sharp product instincts. Register for ProductCamp Here.

    19 min

  8. 22 APR

    From Engineer Speak to Soldier Speak: How MCM Learning Helps Defense Tech Get Field-Ready

    What does it really take to get innovative technology into the hands of the people who need it most, especially when the customer is the U.S. government? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, Daniel Mihalcik of MCM Learning breaks down how his company helps bridge the gap between great engineering and real-world deployment. With roots in audio, video, and performance-based training, MCM Learning has evolved into a powerful behind-the-scenes partner for defense, government, and industry, helping turn complex products into usable, understandable, field-ready solutions. From technical manuals and training systems to logistics support and cybersecurity education, MCM is making sure innovation doesn't get stuck in red tape. Daniel also shares how his 20-year Marine Corps career shapes the company's mission and why that firsthand experience matters when building products and documentation for service members. This conversation is a fascinating look at how MCM works with engineering firms, defense contractors, and emerging technology companies to translate "engineer speak" into something a soldier can actually use, while helping programs move faster and more effectively through the federal pipeline. You'll also hear why Pittsburgh is such an exciting market for MCM Learning, especially as opportunities grow around autonomy, drones, defense tech, and cybersecurity. If you're a startup founder, product builder, or tech leader curious about selling into government, this episode is packed with insight on what it takes to move from a cool product to a true program of record. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

    16 min
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About

Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the tPittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation. Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: "Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department." Don't miss out—click to listen now! TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Tune in Sundays at 6 AM 10 100.1 FM AM 1020 KDKA.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Kersting
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    TechVibe Pittsburgh