Sidecar Sync

Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Sidecar Sync: Your Weekly Dose of Innovation for Associations. Hosted by Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias, this podcast is your definitive source for the latest news, insights, and trends in the association world with a special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its pivotal role in shaping the future. Each week, we delve into the most pressing topics, spotlighting the transformative role of emerging technologies and their profound impact on associations. With a commitment to cutting through the noise, Sidecar Sync offers listeners clear, informed discussions, expert perspectives, and a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing associations today. Whether you're an association professional, tech enthusiast, or just keen on staying updated, Sidecar Sync ensures you're always ahead of the curve. Join us for enlightening conversations and a fresh take on the ever-evolving world of associations. 

  1. The Physical AI Moment: Dispatches from CES 2026 | 117

    4 DAYS AGO

    The Physical AI Moment: Dispatches from CES 2026 | 117

    Send us a text CES 2026 brought the heat—and the robots. In this episode, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias break down the biggest stories from the Consumer Electronics Show, where AI made its move from code to corporeal. They cover Meta’s $2B acquisition of Manus, Groq’s $20B licensing deal with Nvidia, and how LPUs are set to revolutionize inference computing. From humanoid robots dancing across stages to Nvidia’s open-source models reshaping robotics and autonomous vehicles, this episode offers a rapid-fire tour of the tech shaping our future. Plus, Amith shares why AI pilots are more about learning than proof—and yes, we dream about robots doing the dishes.   🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Register for digitalNow2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai 📧 Test out our customer service agent Izzy by emailing help@sidecar.ai 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: CES 2026 ➔ https://www.ces.tech Atlas Humanoid Robot ➔ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73kf_iLAP0 Groq ➔ https://groq.com Cerebras ➔ https://cerebras.net Gemini by Google DeepMind ➔ https://deepmind.google HeyGen ➔ https://www.heygen.com 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    47 min
  2. The 95% Problem: Fixing What’s Broken in Enterprise AI | 116

    8 JAN

    The 95% Problem: Fixing What’s Broken in Enterprise AI | 116

    Send us a text In this episode of Sidecar Sync, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias dig into the startling findings of a recent MIT study: 95% of enterprise AI initiatives are failing to deliver measurable impact. Why are so many organizations investing in AI only to watch their efforts fizzle? Mallory and Amith unpack 10 core reasons for these failures—ranging from building chat-first features instead of end-to-end workflows, to skipping the unglamorous data cleanup that powers real results. Drawing from Vishwas Lele’s insightful LinkedIn post and their own experiences in the association world, the duo shares practical guidance for leaders ready to move beyond flashy demos and into lasting value. Plus, they explore why your staff still prefer ChatGPT over that expensive new AMS add-on, and what associations can do to shift from AI experiments to real transformation. 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 📧 Test out our customer service agent Izzy by emailing help@sidecar.ai 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ChatGPT ➔ https://chat.openai.com Claude ➔ https://claude.ai pWin.ai ➔ https://www.pwin.ai 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    39 min
  3. The New Year AI Checkup: What We Got Right in 2025 and What’s Coming in 2026 | 115

    1 JAN

    The New Year AI Checkup: What We Got Right in 2025 and What’s Coming in 2026 | 115

    Send us a text In this annual predictions spectacular, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias kick off 2026 by looking back at how well their 2025 AI forecasts held up (spoiler: pretty darn well) and then boldly lay out what’s coming next for artificial intelligence, associations, and knowledge work. From real-world AI recruiting agents and voice-first interfaces to the rise of AI literacy as a job requirement, the shift from SEO to AEO, and the very real possibility of AI-native platforms disrupting traditional associations, this episode is packed with practical insight and big-picture thinking. Whether you’re an association leader or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for making 2026 the year you move from experimenting with AI to truly leading with it.   🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 📧 Test out our customer service agent Izzy by emailing help@sidecar.ai 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode Gemini 3 Pro ➔ https://deepmind.google/technologies/gemini/ Claude Haiku 4.5 ➔ https://www.anthropic.com ElevenLabs  ➔ https://elevenlabs.io ChatGPT ➔ https://chat.openai.com Sora 2 ➔ https://openai.com/sora Veo 3 ➔ https://deepmind.google/technologies/veo/ NotebookLM ➔ https://notebooklm.google Gamma ➔ https://gamma.app 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    52 min
  4. Supersonic Moments: The NFL’s Flight Problem & 100 Trillion Tokens | 114

    25/12/2025

    Supersonic Moments: The NFL’s Flight Problem & 100 Trillion Tokens | 114

    Send us a text In this special holiday edition of Sidecar Sync, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias unwrap two stories that feel wildly different—but point to the same big idea: technology breaks barriers we once assumed were permanent. First, they dive into the NFL’s quiet fascination with supersonic flight and how faster-than-sound travel could reshape sports, conferences, and global strategy. Then they shift gears to AI, unpacking a massive new study analyzing 100 trillion tokens of real-world usage to reveal how people actually use AI—from role-play and storytelling to agentic workflows and open-source models. Together, these stories challenge associations to rethink what’s “unsolvable,” adopt an abundance mindset, and ask the most important question of all: what’s your supersonic moment? 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: NFL & Supersonic Flight ➔ https://shorturl.at/hnedE OpenRouter’s State of AI ➔ https://openrouter.ai/state-of-ai OpenRouter ➔ https://openrouter.ai DeepSeek ➔ https://www.deepseek.com Qwen ➔ https://qwen.ai Claude (Anthropic) ➔ https://www.anthropic.com 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    37 min
  5. Domain-Specific AI : How Legal, Medical, and Engineering Are Being Reimagined | 113

    18/12/2025

    Domain-Specific AI : How Legal, Medical, and Engineering Are Being Reimagined | 113

    Send us a text Domain-specific AI is having its ‘main character’ moment—and Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias break down three sharp examples. They unpack Three Points Law, an AI-first UK firm using tools like Legora and Qanooni to move beyond billable hours into value-based pricing; dive into Project Prometheus, Jeff Bezos’ big bet on ‘physical AI’ that learns from real-world experiments; and explore OpenEvidence as evidence-grounded clinical copilots surge in adoption alongside the American Hospital Association’s push for practical implementation. The throughline for associations: your domain expertise can become your biggest AI advantage—if you pick the right path between partnering, aggregating, or building.    🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026   🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Legora ➔ https://legora.com/ Qanooni ➔ https://qanooni.ai/ Project Prometheus ➔ https://shorturl.at/w9ZNZ OpenEvidence ➔ https://www.openevidence.com/ Gemini 3 Pro ➔ https://deepmind.google/models/gemini/pro/ AHA November Market Scan ➔ https://shorturl.at/ySt96 AI-First Law Firm ➔ https://threepointslaw.com/ 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    38 min
  6. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: AI & Legal Relevance with Ernie the Attorney | 112

    11/12/2025

    Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: AI & Legal Relevance with Ernie the Attorney | 112

    Send us a text In this eye-opening episode, Mallory Mejias sits down with Ernie Svenson—better known as Ernie the Attorney—to talk tech, tradition, and the tectonic shifts in how professionals learn and connect. A former litigator turned AI advocate, Ernie shares why he believes many associations are at a crossroads: adapt to how members actually work today or risk becoming irrelevant. From the viral LinkedIn post that questioned the value of bar associations, to the behind-the-scenes of building a thriving online community for lawyers, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for association leaders.   Ernie Svenson is a former New Orleans litigator who now helps solo and small-firm lawyers simplify their practices through automation, outsourcing, and practical tech. Known as “Ernie the Attorney,” he founded the Inner Circle, a membership community for lawyers seeking a simpler, more enjoyable practice. He’s authored several ABA books, is a frequent speaker, and has been recognized as an ABA Legal Rebel and Fastcase 50 honoree.   https://ernietheattorney.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernieattorney/ 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026   🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Ernie's LinkedIn Post ➔ https://shorturl.at/IyJen Granola AI ➔ https://www.granola.so Circle ➔ https://circle.so ViewIQ ➔ https://viewiq.ai ChatGPT ➔ https://chat.openai.com 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    51 min
  7. The November Model Wave: DeepSeek 3.2, Gemini 3, Claude 4.5, Mistral 3, and OpenAI's Code Red Moment | 111

    04/12/2025

    The November Model Wave: DeepSeek 3.2, Gemini 3, Claude 4.5, Mistral 3, and OpenAI's Code Red Moment | 111

    Send us a text This week on Sidecar Sync, Mallory Mejias and Amith Nagarajan unpack one of the most explosive weeks in AI so far—from the stunning debut of Google's Gemini 3 to the jaw-dropping image generation of Nano Banana Pro, and the best-in-class coding chops of Claude Opus 4.5. They also dive into Mistral 3 and DeepSeek 3.2, two powerful open-weight alternatives making waves in the AI space. With OpenAI allegedly declaring a Code Red in response, the co-hosts break down what this all means for the future of associations and how to stay agile amid rapid innovation. 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: DeepSeek 3.2 ➔ https://github.com/deepseek-ai Gemini 3 ➔ https://deepmind.google/technologies/gemini Claude Opus 4.5 ➔ https://claude.ai Nano Banana Pro ➔ https://deepmind.google/technologies/gemini#image-generation Mistral 3 ➔ https://mistral.ai/news/mistral-3 ChatGPT ➔ https://openai.com/chatgpt 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    50 min
  8. Claiming the Right to Win: How IFT Built CoDeveloper with Jay Gilbert | 110

    27/11/2025

    Claiming the Right to Win: How IFT Built CoDeveloper with Jay Gilbert | 110

    Send us a text When an association with 85 years of food science knowledge decides to launch an AI product, what happens? In this episode, Mallory Mejias sits down with Jay Gilbert, Director of Scientific Programs and Product Development at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), to explore how IFT built CoDeveloper, an AI-powered platform designed to streamline R&D in food innovation. Jay shares how his journey from student member to staff gave him a unique edge in shaping tech that’s both useful and trusted. You’ll hear how IFT gained board buy-in, brought staff along for the ride, and maintained privacy for proprietary food formulas — all while keeping their mission at the center. If you're curious about launching member-focused AI tools, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiration.   Jay is the Director of Scientific Programs & Product Development at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). A longtime member who joined staff in 2017, he has supported everything from special interest groups to IFT’s annual scientific program. Today, he leads new product development and serves as product lead for CoDeveloper – Powered by IFT, an AI-enabled platform that brings IFT’s 85+ years of science and research directly into the R&D process to accelerate food product development.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaytgilbert/ https://www.ift.org/ 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: CoDeveloper ➔ https://codeveloper.ift.org ChatGPT ➔ https://chat.openai.com 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    39 min
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About

Welcome to Sidecar Sync: Your Weekly Dose of Innovation for Associations. Hosted by Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias, this podcast is your definitive source for the latest news, insights, and trends in the association world with a special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its pivotal role in shaping the future. Each week, we delve into the most pressing topics, spotlighting the transformative role of emerging technologies and their profound impact on associations. With a commitment to cutting through the noise, Sidecar Sync offers listeners clear, informed discussions, expert perspectives, and a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing associations today. Whether you're an association professional, tech enthusiast, or just keen on staying updated, Sidecar Sync ensures you're always ahead of the curve. Join us for enlightening conversations and a fresh take on the ever-evolving world of associations. 

Information

  • Creator
    Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sidecar Sync
  • Show Website
    Sidecar Sync

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