Helical Brew

Sura Hadi | Mike Ouren | Elizabeth Rodziewicz

Just like the DNA of Life from which the phrase, the DNA of Technology originated, the helical construct is a rollercoaster of endless learning, experimentation, and discovery. The Helical Brew Crew is here to take you along for the ride in a fun, relaxed and informative podcast that explores the twists and turns of technology. We are an enthusiastic group of engineering, scientific, and business professionals that share a passion for the development, mastery, and deployment of technology.

  1. #57 - It Worked Yesterday: What 20 Yrs of Lab Automation Svc Teaches You About Reality

    4D AGO

    #57 - It Worked Yesterday: What 20 Yrs of Lab Automation Svc Teaches You About Reality

    🎙️ Guest: Dave May | Owner & Lead Service Engineer, DCM Bioservices 🎧 Hosts: Mike Ouren & Sura Hadi 📺 Series: Automation in the Wild "You can't lie to the robot. It doesn't know." – Dave May When a 500lb robot dumps a $250,000 instrument on the floor, someone has to show up and fix it. That someone is Dave May. In this episode, Dave pulls back the curtain on what lab automation service really looks like — the duct tape on light curtains, the instruments collecting dust in corners, and why the robot is almost never actually the problem. 🧠 What You'll Learn: Why 25-30% of automation failures are actually user errorWhat buyers should always ask before signing a POHow proprietary software is changing third-party serviceWhy keeping your instrument clean is your best PM strategyWhat "validated" really means when the plate sealer isn't integratedThe real reason robots get fired for cycle time☕ Whether you're running a lab, buying automation, or keeping it alive after warranty — this one's for you. 🎧 Subscribe for new episodes →    / @helicalbrew   📩 Want to be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com 📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 – Cold Open: When the Robot Wins 00:29 – Intro & Dave's Background 01:21 – First "Oh No" Moment: Let the Smoke Out 02:42 – How Dave Arrived in Lab Automation Service 04:50 – What People Don't Understand About Service Engineers 06:41 – The Duct Tape Hall of Shame 08:32 – What Do People Actually Blame? 11:10 – The Robot Defense Attorney 13:43 – Craziest Story: 500lb Robot vs. Liquid Handler 15:13 – Most Common Causes of Downtime 16:13 – Why Nobody Designs for Serviceability 17:53 – The Bravo: A Love Story 19:10 – DDR & The Benchbot Era 21:12 – How Often Is the Robot Actually the Problem? 22:56 – The Validation Gap Nobody Talks About 24:08 – When Labs Fire Their Robots for Being Too Slow 26:31 – How Automation Has Gotten Harder to Service 27:43 – Proprietary Software & Locked-Down Systems 29:07 – What DCM Bioservices Actually Does 33:11 – Proprietary Software: The Real Bottleneck 37:18 – Buyer Intelligence: Questions to Ask Before the PO 38:53 – What Should Be Non-Negotiable in Service 39:29 – Accessibility: The Thing Nobody Plans For 42:07 – 3D Printing: The MacGyver of Life Science 43:41 – Wrapping Up: How to Have Fewer Emergency Calls 46:09 – The Light Curtain & Liquid Problem 47:30 – Pick of the Week: Vessel Screwdriver & David Clark Headset 55:17 – How to Reach Dave & DCM Bioservices 🔗 Connect with Dave MayWebsite: https://dcmbio.com LinkedIn:   / david-may-6650b91   #HelicalBrew #AutomationInTheWild #LabAutomation #LabRobotics #BiotechOps #ServiceEngineering #LiquidHandling #LabLife #BiotechInnovation #ScientificStorytelling #RoboticsEngineering #LifeScience #PodcastClip #sciencepodcast #techpodcast #biotechstartup #viralshorts #podcastshorts #SLAS2026 #LabEquipment #LabManagement #LabTech #automation #robotics

    58 min
  2. #56 - Shorts, Algorithms & the Reality of Growing a Science Podcast

    5D AGO

    #56 - Shorts, Algorithms & the Reality of Growing a Science Podcast

    🎙 Hosts: Sura Hadi & Mike Ouren After 55 episodes of Helical Brew, we’re cracking open an Unfiltered Brew - a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about what’s actually working, what’s changed, and what growing a technical podcast really looks like. From YouTube algorithms and Shorts strategy to why professionals rarely leave LinkedIn, this episode is an honest check-in on content, platforms, and the reality of building an audience in science and lab automation — plus SLAS prep, tech culture, and conference chaos along the way. This isn’t a how-to guide. It’s context between episodes. 🎯 What We Cover Why Shorts changed everything for Helical BrewHow YouTube behaves once you hit consistencyWhy LinkedIn engagement ≠ listensAlgorithms, visibility, and feedback loopsCES, humanoid robots, and hype vs realitySLAS Boston prep and logistics🎬 Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open 00:35 – YouTube After 55 Episodes 05:20 – Why Shorts Matter 07:55 – Tech Culture & Humanoid Robots 12:00 – Travel & Conference Reality 17:45 – SLAS Prep & Recording in the Wild 28:10 – Wrap-Up 🔔 SubscribeWe explore automation, AI, and the future of science — from real labs to real conversations. 👉 YouTube:    / @helicalbrew   👉 All platforms: www.helicalbrew.com 📩 Want to collaborate or be a guest? helicalbrew@gmail.com #HelicalBrew #UnfilteredBrew #SciencePodcast #LabAutomation#PodcastBehindTheScenes #YouTubeShorts #ContentStrategy #SLAS2026 #shorts #viralvideo #ai #science

    30 min
  3. #54 - Why Endgame Strategy Beats Firepower Every Time

    FEB 14

    #54 - Why Endgame Strategy Beats Firepower Every Time

    A quick Unfiltered Brew from Mike - Warzone endgame chaos, a clutch moment, and the most satisfying kind of win: using someone’s own gear against them. More shorties like this coming. 🔔 Subscribe to Helical Brew We explore the intersection of AI, automation, and the future of science. Subscribe & never miss an episode →    / @helicalbrew   📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com 📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew #HelicalBrew #UnfilteredBrew #Warzone #Gaming #PS5 #podcast #modernwarfare #viralvideo #viralreels #viralshorts

    6 min
  4. #55 - Standardization B4 Intelligence: Building the AI-Ready Lab Stack

    JAN 15

    #55 - Standardization B4 Intelligence: Building the AI-Ready Lab Stack

    Guests: 🎙️ Lukas Bromig - Co-CEO & Founder at UniteLabs (Munich), building infrastructure for AI-ready labs 👩‍🔬 Hosts: Sura Hadi & Mike Ouren 🎧 Episode Title: “Standardization Before Intelligence: Building the AI-Ready Lab Stack” AI is moving fast - but labs are still stuck in the interface gap. In this episode, Lukas Bromig joins Helical Brew to explain why standardization is the real bottleneck before AI can safely and reliably run anything in the lab. If every instrument speaks a different protocol, orchestration becomes faith-based. If your workflows live inside black boxes, AI can generate intent — but it won’t generate executable reality. We break down what “AI-ready” actually means, why “just integrate it” is a dangerous phrase, and why the future lab needs an operating system — not another stack of point solutions. 🎯 What You’ll Learn The “non-controversial” standard labs still argue about endlessly (and why).Why Bluetooth/USB-level interoperability doesn’t exist in labs (yet).The 3 layers of standardization: device interface → data structure → workflow language.Why most automation projects stall because of just a few instruments.What “AI-ready” means in practical terms inside the lab (not the boardroom).Why AI-generated code is often pseudocode that won’t run — and what fixes that.Where AI should NOT execute in robotics workflows (and why you need a “compiler layer”).Why “no black boxes” + full visibility is the core requirement of a Lab OS.How buyers can force change: making open interfaces a procurement requirement.💡 Picks of the Week 🧠 Lukas — Claude Code for rapid prototyping + fountain pens (bring handwriting back) 🧰 Mike — SLAS Boston + Passport to Prizes (win a trip to SLAS Europe Vienna 2026) 👩‍🔬 Sura — Making interoperability + ownership a first-class requirement in lab design 👇 Discussion Prompt If AI exposes weak foundations faster than it creates new capability…what should labs standardize first: device protocols, data structures, or workflow language? Drop your take — we’ll pin the best answers. 🎬 Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open: Standardization Before Intelligence 00:18 – Welcome to Helical Brew + Introducing Lukas Bromig 01:10 – Icebreaker: The lab standard that shouldn’t be controversial 03:00 – Why every instrument interface is different 05:05 – “Just integrate it” is a dangerous phrase 07:10 – The black box problem in lab automation software 10:00 – Rebuilding the same integrations over and over 13:10 – Why standardization is the real bottleneck 15:30 – The three layers of lab standardization 19:10 – Data structure vs data format (why context matters) 22:40 – Why AI-generated SOP code doesn’t actually run 26:10 – The missing compiler layer: validation + error handling 29:40 – Why AI should never directly control instruments 32:30 – What a real Lab Operating System enables 36:10 – Scientists vs automation engineers: future roles 39:40 – Standardization without killing flexibility 43:00 – Procurement leverage: demanding open interfaces 46:00 – Infrastructure decisions that matter in 5 years 49:10 – Picks of the Week 53:20 – SLAS Boston, UniteLabs & Wrap-Up 🔔 Subscribe to Helical BrewWe explore the intersection of AI, automation, and the future of science.Subscribe →    / @helicalbrew   📩 Want to promote or be a guest? helicalbrew@gmail.com 🌐 Easy link hub: helicalbrew.com 📍 TikTok/IG + more: @helicalbrew 📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode) ▶️    • Why Lab Automation Still Has No “Bluetooth...   ▶️    • Where AI Should NOT Touch Your Lab Robots ...   #HelicalBrew #AIThoughtLeaders #LabAutomation #AIReadyLab #LabInformatics #ScientificSoftware #Robotics #AutomationEngineering #Interoperability #OpenAPIs #DigitalTransformation #AIinBiotech #SystemsEngineering #SLAS #FutureOfScience #ai #podcast #viralvideo #viralshorts

    1h 1m
  5. #53 - Mac Brew with Mike Ouren

    JAN 14

    #53 - Mac Brew with Mike Ouren

    This week on Helical Brew, Mike Ouren takes the mic solo for a deep dive into Apple — from the early PowerBook days to today’s M4 Macs, iPhone evolution, and the massive shift coming with iPadOS 26. From the “every-year iPhone upgrader” cycle to the future of Mac silicon and the return of Apple’s glassy aesthetic, Mike breaks down how Apple got here, what they’re getting right, and what’s around the corner. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • The PowerBook G3 era and why buying “the last model” is a risk• OS X’s glassy origins and why Apple brought that look back in 2026 • What the 20-year anniversary iPhone means for Apple’s roadmap• Mike’s upgrade confession — why every-other-year just works • How the M4 changed everything for Macs, especially the Mac Mini• Apple Silicon, yield strategy, and why Intel Macs are effectively done • Why the M1 MacBook Air at $599 is still a powerhouse • GPU changes in M4 and whether Apple will ever get AAA games • iPadOS 26 and the biggest UI change since the original iPad • Why MacRumors is still Mike’s go-to for buying decisions• The real economics of a 5–6 year Mac ownership cycle • SLAS 2026 preview and what’s next for Helical Brew If you're deep into the Apple ecosystem — or just trying to figure out when the right time is to upgrade your gear — this is the episode for you. Subscribe to Helical Brew for more conversations at the intersection of science, tech, and automation:    / @helicalbrew   CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold Open 00:05 Welcome to Helical Brew 00:25 MotorWeek & John Davis Tribute 03:30 Mike’s First Mac (1998) 06:00 Jobs-Era PowerBook & Early OS X 08:20 iPhone’s Upcoming 20-Year Anniversary 09:35 Breaking the Yearly iPhone Upgrade Cycle 11:05 Mac Announcements & the M4 Jump 12:00 Leaving the iMac Behind 12:45 Dual-Monitor Setup (240 Hz + 60 Hz) 13:20 The Mac Mini M4 is Incredible 14:20 Apple Silicon Evolution (M1 → M4) 16:10 End of Intel Macs16:45 $599 M1 MacBook Air 17:40 Memory, Neural Engine & Local AI 18:50 GPU Jump in M4 & Gaming Reality Check 20:35 iPadOS 26: Windowed Apps & Liquid Glass UI 22:25 Why Mike Uses an iPad for Work & Travel 23:15 MacRumors: Best Place to Compare M-Chips 24:30 The 5–6 Year Mac Ownership Strategy 25:05 Wrapping Up Apple Talk25:25 SLAS 2026 Preview 26:40 Where to Find Helical Brew 27:10 Final Sign-Off Helical Brew Website: https://helicalbrew.com Helical Brew Spotify: https://open.spotify.com Helical Brew Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com SLAS 2026 Information: https://slas.org #HelicalBrew #MikeOuren #AppleEcosystem #MacMiniM4 #AppleSilicon #iPhone20Years #iPadOS26 #MacRumors #TechPodcast #AutomationPodcast #MacHistory #STEMCreators #TechDeepDive #AppleTalk #MacUpgradeGuide #ProductivityTech #ScienceMeetsBusiness

    25 min
  6. #52 - Beyond the Algorithm: Measuring AI Confidence in Biomanufacturing

    JAN 13

    #52 - Beyond the Algorithm: Measuring AI Confidence in Biomanufacturing

    🎙️ Masaki Yamada — Head of Product at Invert, helping biomanufacturing teams quantify trust in AI. 👩‍🔬 Hosts: Sura Hadi & Mike Ouren 🎧 Episode Title:“Beyond the Algorithm: Measuring AI Confidence in Biomanufacturing” Hallucinations, trust, and the space between - that’s where the future of science is being written.From NASA’s microbial fuel cells to AI-native bioprocessing, Masaki Yamada joins us to unpack how Invert is helping scientists measure something once thought unquantifiable: confidence in AI. This episode dives deep into the evolving relationship between humans and algorithms in the biomanufacturing world — exploring trust, reproducibility, and what it means to build a digital scientist that actually knows when it’s wrong. 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why “hallucinations” in AI aren’t always bad — and when they definitely are.How Invert uses evals to measure model reliability in real-world biotech settings.The difference between objective vs. subjective AI benchmarking.How digital transformation is really going inside major biopharma labs.What the “AI-native scientist” of the future looks like.💡 Picks of the Week 📚 Masaki Yamada – The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson 🧰 Mike Ouren – The MagSafe Grip & “The Ticket” Seatbelt Gadget 🧠 Sura Hadi – KDP self-publishing exploration for indie creators 👇 What’s the right balance between creativity and control when it comes to AI in science? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we’ll feature the best takes next episode. 🎬 Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open 00:15 – Welcome to the AI Thought Leaders Series 01:00 – The Hallucination Debate: Creativity vs. Accuracy 03:16 – What “Trust” Means in Biomanufacturing 07:16 – Defining Confidence in AI Outputs 10:06 – Human Benchmarking & Evals 11:34 – NASA Origins: From Space Fuel Cells to Biotech 15:04 – Inside Invert: Structuring Data for Transparency 19:44 – From Paper to Platform: Digital Transformation Realities 24:21 – Are Labs Really Digitized? 25:46 – Adoption, Resistance & Culture Change 27:55 – Security, IP & Data Trust 28:28 – Designing the Future: People-in-the-Loop Automation 33:05 – Digital Cognition: The Next Phase of AI Integration 37:51 – The AI-Native Scientist 40:01 – Picks of the Week 46:56 – Wrap-Up 🔔 Subscribe to Helical Brew We explore the intersection of AI, automation, and the future of science. Subscribe & never miss an episode →    / @helicalbrew   📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com 📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew 📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode) ▶️    • “Hallucinations, On Purpose?” #helicalbrew...   ▶️    • Measure Trust, Not Hype  #helicalbrew #vira...  #HelicalBrew #AIThoughtLeaders #LabAutomation #BiotechInnovation #SciencePodcast #AIinScience #AIinBiotech #Biomanufacturing #MachineLearning #DigitalTransformation #Invert #DataIntegrity #Reproducibility #AutomationInBiotech #FutureOfScience #PodcastShorts #ScienceAndTech

    48 min
  7. #51 - Dogs, Planes & Pizza Slices – Helical Brew Goes Off-Script

    11/11/2025

    #51 - Dogs, Planes & Pizza Slices – Helical Brew Goes Off-Script

    Hosts: Sura Hadi & Mike Ouren Series: Unfiltered Brew – Helical Brew Podcast Bold summary: After a few weeks abroad, Mike’s back — jetlagged, caffeinated, and ready to unpack everything from the Munich SLAS meetup to airplane fuel stats, Aurora Borealis sightings, and why Sura’s dog might just be her emotional support animal. It’s an unfiltered catch-up episode filled with travel stories, food debates, and the kind of chaos only Helical Brew can deliver. 🎙 Highlights: Aurora Borealis at 38,000 feet 🌌Dark vs Milk Chocolate showdown 🍫-Why Detroit pizza deserves more respect 🍕Emotional support dogs & airline rants ✈️Gaming talk & what’s next for Helical Brew 🎮👋 Join the conversation: Comment below with your travel pet stories — or your most controversial pizza opinion. 📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes →    / @helicalbrew   📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com 📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS – NAVIGATE THE EPISODE 0:00 Cold Open – Emotional Support Animal 🐾 0:06 Welcome to the Unfiltered Brew0:40 Aurora at 38,000 ft 2:28 iPhone vs Android 4:22 Chocolate Debate 5:46 Pizza & Craft Beer 6:54 Turbo Talk & Cars8:56 Airlines: Southwest vs Emirates 11:38 Favorite Cuisines 12:43 Street Food Around the World 14:11 Walmart Adventures 15:57 Dogs or Cats? 17:02 Airline Policies & Fairness 18:16 Gaming Showdown 20:34 Stream Plans & Outro 📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode) ▶️    • Milk vs Dark Chocolate 🍫 — Why Europe Wins...   ▶️    • Seat-Saving 101 (Do Not Try This 😇) #viral...   #HelicalBrew #UnfilteredBrew #PodcastClips #SciComm #AutomationLife #TravelStories #DogEdition #PizzaDebate #SLAS2025 #PodcastReel #ViralPodcast #ScienceCulture #Biotech #SciencePodcast #PodcastShorts #ScienceAndTech #ViralShortsVideo #ViralReels #PodcastClips #warzone #viralshortsvideo #viralreels #viralvideos #viral_video #viralshorts #science #podcast

    24 min
  8. #50 - ISPE Boston at Gillette Stadium –Robots, Enclosures & Boston Energy

    11/11/2025

    #50 - ISPE Boston at Gillette Stadium –Robots, Enclosures & Boston Energy

    🎙️ Hosts: Sura Hadi, Mike Ouren 🎧 Episode Title: ISPE Boston at Gillette Stadium – Robots, Enclosures & Boston Energy From Rockwell rails to Germfree enclosures (and a field-goal after-party), Sura and Mike unpack what went down at ISPE Boston 2025 — hosted inside Gillette Stadium.This Helical Brew episode brings the perfect mix of automation insights, event chaos, and Boston flavor. 🔍 We cover: • ISPE Boston recap from the field-level after-party 🏟️ • Vendor tech that mattered: Rockwell MagneMotion, Germfree enclosures & 3D motion pucks • When not to bring a robot arm - reading the room at vendor shows• Zdeno Chara’s surprise appearance 👀 • Pick of the Week: Orchard Skate Shop deck (Castle Island Brewery collab) • GORUCK gear + road-warrior travel talk 💡 If you’ve ever packed for a conference, debated bringing a demo robot, or tried to kick a field goal in dress shoes - this one’s for you. 📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes →    / @helicalbrew  📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com 📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS – NAVIGATE THE EPISODE 00:00 Cold Open – After-party field goals 00:19 Welcome back! Travel & time zones 01:00 E Tech podcast & LAIR lair 04:19 ISPE Boston @ Gillette Stadium 05:19 Zdeno Chara cameo 09:46 Vendor tech: Siemens, Rockwell & Germfree 12:31 Enclosure math & integration talk 15:41 Why we didn’t bring a robot arm 16:43 Picks of the Week – Orchard deck & GORUCK shoes 27:11 Tunnel prank in Boston 30:39 Boston culture & seafood stories 32:44 Outro – Wrap up & subscribe 🔗 Mentions & Shoutouts 🌐 ISPE Boston: https://ispeboston.org 🌐 Rockwell MagneMotion: https://www.rockwellautomation.com 🌐 Germfree Enclosures: https://www.germfree.com 🌐 Orchard Skate Shop: https://orchardshop.com 📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode) ▶️ Boston Tunnel Prank →    • 🚗 “Boston’s Underwater Tunnel Prank?! 😂 | ...   ▶️ ISPE @ Gillette Stadium Reveal →    • 🏟️ “Wait… ISPE Boston Was at GILLETTE STAD...   #HelicalBrew #ISPEBoston #GilletteStadium #LabAutomation #IndustrialRobotics #LifeSciences #Automation #EngineeringHumor #WomenInSTEM #SciencePodcast #TechCulture #PodcastShorts #AutomationInnovation #ViralShorts #ScienceAndTech

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Just like the DNA of Life from which the phrase, the DNA of Technology originated, the helical construct is a rollercoaster of endless learning, experimentation, and discovery. The Helical Brew Crew is here to take you along for the ride in a fun, relaxed and informative podcast that explores the twists and turns of technology. We are an enthusiastic group of engineering, scientific, and business professionals that share a passion for the development, mastery, and deployment of technology.

Information

  • Creator
    Sura Hadi | Mike Ouren | Elizabeth Rodziewicz
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sura Hadi | Mike Ouren | Elizabeth Rodziewicz
  • Show Website
    Helical Brew