Prodity: Product by Design Kyle Evans

Ben Johnson is the CEO and founder of Particle41, a dev firm specializing in software development, DevOps, and data science. In this episode, Kyle and Ben explore the interaction between product management and software engineering, and how important both are to product development. Ben shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur and his approach to balancing work and life through the four pillars of faith, family, fitness, and finance. He delves into the importance of agile scrum processes, the role of a fractional CTO, and the significance of outcome-based communication in business. We also discuss the challenges and strategies for app modernization and team formation, exploring the importance of blamelessness and system optimization.
Ben Johnson
Benjamin Johnson is a serial technical co-founder with a track record of success and hands-on open-source programming experience. He has a wide range of being both a board-level advisor and founder but also an in-depth understanding of how things work. Through his 20+ years as a software developer and leader, he has gained extensive experience with remotely distributed development teams and business hacks.

Benjamin is the CEO & Founder of Particle41, a dev firm founded by industry veterans that aims to help companies accelerate their initiatives through Software Development, DevOps, and Data Science.

Links from the Show:LinkedIn: Ben Johnson
Books: Building a Story Brand
Links: Claude.ai, 99designs
Site: particle41.com

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It's hard to believe we're at episode 100! Who would have thought? Not me. So to celebrate, we've decided to talk about a few things we've learned through the past 100 episodes and highlight some discussions that have been part of the journey so far.
I wish I could highlight all the moments, but here are some episodes that will give you a sample of the topics and insights:
Learning from Others
Episode 29 - Balancing life and productEpisode 37 - Writing as a forcing functionEpisode 93 - Evolution and future of product managementPrioritizing is Everything
Episode 33 - 3 predictors of burnoutEpisode 67 - Emptying and refilling the tankEpisode 80 - Gathering and prioritizing feedbackFocus on People
Episode 49 - Human-centered designEpisode 70 - Breaking down silosEpisode 50 - Diverse perspectivesCreating a Clear Vision
Episode 58 - CreativityEpisode 69 - Product vision and strategyAdaptability
Episode 63 - Pivoting and inventionEpisode 91 - Evolution of technologyMore by Kyle:
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In this episode of Product by Design, host Kyle welcomes Chuck Rinker, founder and CEO of PRSONAS. Chuck shares his journey from a cattle farmer to a pioneer in AI and digital human technology. He delves into the creation of PRSONAS, one of the earliest AI avatar companies, and its mission to humanize technology. Chuck and Kyle discuss the transformative potential of AI avatars in healthcare, their impact on patient experiences, and their broader applications in various industries. We also explore the importance of empathy, trust, and practical implementation in leveraging AI for better human engagement. The conversation also touches on Chuck's personal experiences and the inspiration behind his passion for making technology more accessible and effective for people. Don't miss this incredibly enlightening conversation!
Chuck Rinker
Chuck Rinker is the founder of PRSONAS, one of the earliest digital human and AI Avatars companies, where he currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer. As an innovative tech leader, Chuck is deeply committed to transforming businesses through cutting-edge technologies. 
 
Beyond his accomplishments in the tech industry, Chuck is a late-stage colon cancer survivor, which has instilled in him an unwavering determination to make a meaningful impact in everything he does. Alongside his tech pursuits, he is also an experienced aviation pilot, finding solace and inspiration in the skies.

Links from the Show:Links: Prsonas.comLinkedin: Chuck Rinker

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In this episode, I sit down with Varag Gharibjanian, the founding partner of Actuate, a boutique advisory firm. Varag shares his personal journey from an engineering background to pioneering in business strategy and technology partnerships, especially within AR/VR spaces. We delve into his early career challenges, significant milestones at major tech companies, and the lessons learned from merging technology with business. Varag also discusses the current trends in XR and AI technologies, providing insights into future developments. If you're interested in business strategy, the future of technology, or growing a business, you won't want to miss this discussion.
Varag Gharibjanian
Varag Gharibjanian is a visionary leader known for his ability to drive growth through innovative strategies, disruptive technologies, and transformative deals. With a clear purpose of leaving the world better than he found it, Varag is passionate about bridging business opportunities with technology to create tech-enabled products that make a meaningful impact.

Over the last 10+ years, Varag has dedicated himself to untangling the knots and bottlenecks faced by enterprise and start-up technology companies. Drawing upon his expertise, he has assembled a team of unique strategists, operators, and technologists who share his vision of helping companies grow through better strategy and powerful deep technologies, including AI, AR, VR, hardware, semi, wireless, mobile, and IoT.

Links from the Show:Links: actuatetech.io

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Video has become ubiquitous in our communication. From virtual meetings and virtual doctor visits, to social media, virtual events, and live commerce, we expect video everywhere. But the technology that makes this happen isn’t easy, and needs and expectations are changing rapidly. So what does the future hold for our virtual communications? How have we solved these challenges in the past and how will we continue to solve them? How do we think about the UX of virtual communication and video? What should you do if you want to get into design and what communities should you join or create? We explore these questions and many others in this episode.
Pete Hawkes:I’m a designer and developer, tinkerer and mentor, with a passion for human-centered design and development. I have built next generation interfaces and experiences at the intersection both the digital and physical. I have contributed to patents in gestural and spatial design, developed remote collaboration prototypes and products to define new modes of work, and led cross-functional teams to envision and implement large-scale, immersive environments for fortune 500 companies including IBM, Lockheed Martin, and McKinsey. Storytelling and iteration are central to my work and process. I leverage narrative and prototyping at scale to align contributors and stakeholders around a shared vision and to connect and motivate the individuals and teams I work with.
Links from the Show:LinkedIn: Petehawkes.com, Peterhawkes.com
Books: So Anyway, Something Incredibly Wonderful Happens
Links: Swiss Army Knife, Daily.co

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In this episode, host Kyle Evans interviews Vikram Chalana, the founder behind Pictory, an innovative AI video creation tool for content marketers. With a deep background in technology and entrepreneurship, Chalana shares his journey from building a startup in his garage to leading a groundbreaking AI venture. Together, we delve into the evolution of content creation, emphasizing the shift towards video and the role of AI in enhancing productivity and storytelling, including Pictory's mission to democratize video creation, allowing professionals across various fields to craft compelling narratives without the need for complex tools. We also discuss the broader implications of AI in business and society, including the challenges and opportunities it presents.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or tech enthusiast, this episode provides valuable insights into the intersection of AI, content creation, and business strategy.
Vikram Chalana
Vikram Chalana is a visionary entrepreneur and trailblazer in the world of AI-driven content creation. As the CEO of Pictory, Vikram leads a team dedicated to revolutionizing the way we generate video and social content. With Pictory’s groundbreaking AI technology, long-form content, such as blogs and webinars, undergoes a miraculous transformation into a month’s worth of engaging visual and social media content – all accomplished in a matter of minutes.

Links from the Show:LinkedIn: Vikram Chalana
Books: Crossing the Chasm Podcast: This American Life
Links: Pictory.ai - Use code Podcast25

More by Kyle:
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