The Disruptor Podcast

John Kundtz

"The Disruptor Series," your blueprint for groundbreaking innovation, started as a periodic segment of the Apex Podcast.  This is not your standard conversation around Design Thinking or Product Market Fit; this is the series that dares to go beyond conventional wisdom, confronting the status quo and exposing the raw power of disruptive thinking.  Our journey begins with intensely provocative dialogues that set the stage for the unexpected.  With a focus on Experience Disruptors, Product Market Fit, and a range of other captivating topics, we bring you face-to-face with the ideas that are revolutionizing traditional buying and selling experiences.   But we don't stop at ideas; we dive into their real-world applications.  "The Disruptor" offers an unfiltered glimpse into the lives and minds of those who are being disrupted, creating disruption, or strategically navigating it.  Our guests range from industry veterans to daring newcomers, all willing to share their experiences in shifting the paradigms that define their stakeholders' experiences.  If you're tired of business as usual and eager to question the preconceived notions that hold back innovation, "The Disruptor Series" is your ticket to a transformative journey.  Tune in, disrupt yourself, and become an agent of change in an ever-evolving landscape....

  1. Seeq and You Shall Find: Killing the Directory Era

    OCT 20

    Seeq and You Shall Find: Killing the Directory Era

    In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz sits down with Jon Levesque, Founder and CEO of Seeq, to explore why the age of static directories such as Google, Yelp, and star ratings is officially over. Jon shares how Seeq, the world’s first Experience Network, transforms social content into living, bookable experiences. Instead of endless scrolling and fake reviews, Seeq turns creator videos into AI-assisted, mappable, and shoppable itineraries, bridging intent and action in one click. You’ll hear how Jon transitioned from setting up Microsoft stages to speaking on them, why he left corporate life to build something truly human-centered, and how his team is helping creators earn a real income while empowering users to get back out into the world again. Together, they discuss what it means to turn your phone from a prison into a compass and why the next digital revolution is rooted not in attention, but trust. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1️⃣ Why the “directory era” is dying—and what replaces it. 2️⃣ How Seeq lets creators monetize their content without chasing views. 3️⃣ Why the future of discovery is human-led and AI-assisted. How digital platforms can move us from an attention economy to a trust economy. About our guest: Jon Levesque is the Founder and CEO of Seeq, a first-of-its-kind experience network that connects discovery, storytelling, and real-world action. A former Microsoft and DocuSign executive, Jon has built global communities, led Fortune 500 engagement strategies, and now focuses on empowering creators to build trust-based economies where authenticity, not algorithms, wins. 👉 Learn more at seeq.ing or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn or follow him on Substack: Jon J. Levesque Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    22 min
  2. Creating Blue Oceans After the Sale: Ken Rapp’s Product Experience Revolution

    OCT 2

    Creating Blue Oceans After the Sale: Ken Rapp’s Product Experience Revolution

    Can you create blue oceans after the sale? In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz sits down with Ken Rapp, CEO and co-founder of BluStream, to discuss how to escape pre-sale “red ocean” battles by winning the ownership moment.  Born from a cracked acoustic guitar and a missing post-sale experience, Ken’s Product Experience (PX) playbook shows how to activate, engage, and nurture customers across the unboxing, usage, and care phases. You’ll hear why e-commerce commoditizes pre-sale behavior, why the first 30–90 days decide retention, and how two-way, context-aware journeys lift repeat purchase, customer satisfaction, and revenue. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1️⃣ Why the post-purchase window is where growth (and churn) really happens. 2️⃣ The three phases of product ownership: activation (unboxing/onboarding), engagement (usage), and nurturing (care/renewal). 3️⃣ How to design two-way, personalized journeys that time education, prompts, and offers to real usage. 4️⃣ Why asking for reviews too early backfires and what to do instead. About our guest: Ken Rapp is the CEO and co-founder of BluStream. He’s a commercialization leader and repeat founder focused on unmet needs, now helping D2C and subscription brands reduce churn and drive revenue by “owning” the product experience after the sale. Want a Deeper Dive? 👉 Connect with Ken on LinkedIn 👉 Visit BluStream.io for blogs, white papers, and access to the platform Buyer Experience Mini-Series: The Disruptor's Practical Steps to move from the Red Ocean to the Blue Ocean. 🎥 “Become an Experience Disruptor”  🎥 “Swimming in the Blue Ocean.”  Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    26 min
  3. The Life and Times of Theodor Joseph Kundtz

    SEP 16

    The Life and Times of Theodor Joseph Kundtz

    In this episode of The Disruptor, host John M. Kundtz takes listeners on a personal and historical journey into the remarkable life of his great-grandfather, Theodor Joseph Kundtz, an immigrant craftsman whose vision helped shape Cleveland and Lakewood at the turn of the 20th century. From his humble beginnings in Metzenseifen (today Medzev, Slovakia), Theodor crossed the Atlantic in 1873 with little more than his skills and determination.  Within decades, he became a leading manufacturer, supplying sewing machine cabinets, school furniture, bicycle rims, automobile bodies, and church furnishings across the United States.  His entrepreneurial spirit left a legacy that touched everything from industrial growth in Cleveland to the iconic Kundtz Castle in Lakewood, Ohio. John traces Theodor’s story through: ➡️ The family tree and roots in Europe. ➡️The immigrant journey that led to opportunity in Cleveland. ➡️The rise of the Theodor Kundtz Company, serving industries from sewing to automobiles. ➡️The construction and eventual fate of the Kundtz Castle, a Lakewood landmark. ➡️A lasting church furniture legacy, with Kundtz craftsmanship found in thousands of churches nationwide. Blending genealogy, industrial history, and personal reflection, this episode captures how one man’s story reflects both the immigrant experience and the rapid expansion of Cleveland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 🎧 Whether you’re a history buff, a Lakewood local, or curious about the immigrant roots of American entrepreneurship, this episode offers a compelling look into the past and how it still echoes today. Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    37 min
  4. How to WOW Customers for Life: Disney Secrets for Main Street Businesses

    SEP 3

    How to WOW Customers for Life: Disney Secrets for Main Street Businesses

    What if your business could deliver Disney-level customer experiences—without Disney’s budget? In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz sits down with Vance Morris, a former Walt Disney World leader turned entrepreneur and customer experience authority. From cast member to carpet cleaner to consultant, Vance has built a career proving that small businesses can create “wow moments” that inspire loyalty, referrals, and repeat revenue. Vance shares the lessons he learned during his decade at Disney, including why simple systems and processes, not expensive gimmicks, create lasting impressions. He also reveals the biggest mistake most service professionals make: chasing new customers while neglecting the ones they already have. Listeners will learn: 1️⃣ Why customer retention, not acquisition, is your most powerful competitive advantage. 2️⃣ How to apply Disney’s “systematic magic” to everyday customer interactions. 3️⃣ Practical, low-cost strategies for delighting clients—like handwritten thank-you notes, surprise gifts, or a simple follow-up call. 4️⃣ The mindset shift every professional services provider should adopt before pouring money into marketing. Whether you run a law firm, a dental practice, or a home services company, this conversation will help you turn ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences that customers can’t stop talking about. Resources & Links: 👉 Connect with Vance Morris on LinkedIn 👉 Download 52 Ways to WOW Your Customers Without Breaking the Bank 👉 Learn more about Vance’s work  at vancemorris.com Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    30 min
  5. Don’t Build for Your Dog: The Case for Human-Centered Design in a World Obsessed with AI

    AUG 20

    Don’t Build for Your Dog: The Case for Human-Centered Design in a World Obsessed with AI

    When founders design products for themselves, or worse, for their “dog,” failure is almost inevitable. In this episode of The Disruptor Podcast, host John Kundtz sits down with Oksana Kovalchuk, founder and CEO of ANODA.  This leading UX/UI design agency has guided more than 200 startups through Techstars and beyond. From writing her first line of code at age five to mentoring thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide, Oksana has seen the same mistakes repeat themselves: 👉 Building solutions for a problem only one person has 👉Scaling too soon—or not thinking about scale at all 👉Adding endless features instead of releasing an MVP 👉Trusting AI “hallucinations” instead of real customer feedback Oksana explains why walking in the user’s shoes is the single most critical step in building products that work, scale, and actually get adopted. She shares practical frameworks, from card sorting to real-world user validation, that keep startups from wasting months (and millions) on products no one wants. Listeners will also hear: 1. Why relying on AI without data or training leads to dead ends 2. How to use the “pizza slice” approach to launch MVPs in three months or less 3. Why ignoring cultural and regulatory differences can sink global expansion This episode is a must-listen for founders, product managers, and anyone tired of bloated apps that ignore the human experience. To learn more about Oksana and ANODA, visit her website and connect with Oksana on LinkedIn or follow her on X. Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    27 min
  6. Design Thinking Meets Nonprofit Leadership: A Practical Guide

    TRAILER

    Design Thinking Meets Nonprofit Leadership: A Practical Guide

    John 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 pilots before scaling to larger initiativesCommon traps include one-and-done planning, ignoring stakeholder voices, overestimating capacity, and "strategic silence"AI can serve as a co-pilot in summarizing feedback, clustering insights, and suggesting KPIsHow will you start planning for a brighter future, maybe even starting today? Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    7 min
  7. Rethinking ERP: AI-Driven Workflow Innovation

    JUL 22

    Rethinking ERP: AI-Driven Workflow Innovation

    In 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.  Instead, he advocates for a radically different approach: utilizing AI and platforms like Shopify to create customized operational workflows, without the overhead and cost associated with traditional ERP deployments. We discuss:  The evolution from cloud security to fashion-tech entrepreneurshipWhat a “schemaless ERP” really means—and why it mattersThe hidden costs and traps of customizing legacy ERP systemsReal-world examples of AI-driven workflow automation, including SKU creation and product launchesWhy knowing your internal workflows is critical before automating with AIHow AI is changing the speed, cost, and expectations around operational softwareHarish’s philosophy is clear: Don’t overbuild. Instead, understand your business deeply, build simple, iterate quickly, and only automate what’s ready for it. Whether you're a founder, operations leader, or curious technologist, this episode offers a fresh take on how to streamline your back office with modern tools and AI. To learn more about Harish and Flaire Software, visit their website (flairesoftware.com) and connect with Harish on LinkedIn. Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    27 min
  8. Is Design Dead? Saving Design in the Modern Enterprise

    JUN 10

    Is Design Dead? Saving Design in the Modern Enterprise

    Design isn't dead, but it's evolving fast Nick 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. Highlights Why 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 for design’s futureKey Insights / Quotes “Design was dying 10 years ago; it was being commoditized and boxed in.”“Faster doesn’t always mean better; we need space for user research and real feedback.”“Designers must now master both strategic thinking and front-end tech stacks.”“Experience matters, especially when discerning signal from noise in AI-generated content.”Deep Dive Opportunities Connect with Nick.  He would love to hear from you. As he says, "Please do make a connection, and we promise to respond back quickly. Life is short." Visit Gauge.io, a San Francisco–based consultancy helping teams design the right things, faster and smarter. Connect with Nick:  Email: hello@gauge.ioCall: +1 (510) 560-5472Slack: gauge-io.slack.comLinkedIn Comments or Questions? Send us a text Support the show *** Engage, Share, and Connect! Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful. Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community. Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights. Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn, and watch our YouTube channel. Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz. Got a disruptive story to share? We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!

    19 min

Trailers

About

"The Disruptor Series," your blueprint for groundbreaking innovation, started as a periodic segment of the Apex Podcast.  This is not your standard conversation around Design Thinking or Product Market Fit; this is the series that dares to go beyond conventional wisdom, confronting the status quo and exposing the raw power of disruptive thinking.  Our journey begins with intensely provocative dialogues that set the stage for the unexpected.  With a focus on Experience Disruptors, Product Market Fit, and a range of other captivating topics, we bring you face-to-face with the ideas that are revolutionizing traditional buying and selling experiences.   But we don't stop at ideas; we dive into their real-world applications.  "The Disruptor" offers an unfiltered glimpse into the lives and minds of those who are being disrupted, creating disruption, or strategically navigating it.  Our guests range from industry veterans to daring newcomers, all willing to share their experiences in shifting the paradigms that define their stakeholders' experiences.  If you're tired of business as usual and eager to question the preconceived notions that hold back innovation, "The Disruptor Series" is your ticket to a transformative journey.  Tune in, disrupt yourself, and become an agent of change in an ever-evolving landscape....