Colorado Tech People

Monisha Saldanha & Neha Myer

Colorado Tech People is a podcast about the humans behind the technology shaping how we live, work, and connect—right here in Colorado and beyond. The show goes beyond surface-level startup stories to explore the real decisions, trade-offs, and moments that define building meaningful technology. Each episode features candid conversations with founders, product leaders, and operators who are in the arena building, scaling, and navigating the complexities of modern tech. From early-stage startups to growth-stage companies, guests share not just what worked, but what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. The podcast is grounded in four core themes. First, The Hard Decisions Behind Innovation. Building great products and companies is rarely a straight line. We dive into the tough calls, what to build, what not to build, when to pivot, and how to move forward when the path isn’t clear. These are the moments that don’t make it into press releases but ultimately define success. Second, AI & Technology as Practical Enablers. Instead of hype, we focus on how technology—especially AI—is actually being used to solve real problems. Whether it’s enabling entirely new business models or making existing systems more efficient, we explore how innovation becomes practical and impactful. Third, Building and Scaling in Colorado. Colorado has become a thriving hub for technology and entrepreneurship. We highlight what makes building here unique -the talent, the community, the challenges, and the opportunities. From Boulder to Denver and beyond, we explore how companies grow in this ecosystem. Finally, Technology Changing Real Lives. At its best, technology improves how people live. We bring forward stories of products and platforms that are making a tangible difference—whether that’s in financial wellness, healthcare, logistics, or everyday experiences. This pillar keeps us grounded in why the work matters. Colorado Tech People is for anyone interested in building products, leading teams, or understanding how technology moves from idea to impact. It’s for founders making high-stakes decisions, product managers navigating complexity, and operators working to scale something meaningful. What makes this podcast different is its focus on honesty and depth. These are not scripted success stories—they’re real conversations about ambiguity, risk, and resilience. Listeners will come away with practical insights, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the people behind the products they use every day. If you care about technology not just as an industry, but as a force that shapes real lives and you want to learn from the people doing the work-Colorado Tech People is for you.

  1. 5d ago

    When Technology Becomes Treatment-How Digital Therapeutics Are Creating a New Category of Healthcare

    The conversation with Dr. Sam Monson, founder and CEO of We Hate Exercise, delves into the challenges of behavior change, the role of digital therapeutics, and the impact of We Hate Exercise on individuals. It also explores the funding model and the future vision for the company. Takeaways Behavior change is a complex challenge that requires a combination of clinical expertise, personal experience, and evidence-based support.The future of digital therapeutics involves a blend of traditional venture capital and mission-driven venture philanthropy to address real health challenges.We Hate Exercise aims to change the way people experience movement, making it more personal, accessible, and sustainable. Chapters 00:00 The Honest Premise of We Hate Exercise01:28 The Problem of Exercise and Motivation02:31 Personal Experience and Clinical Expertise03:40 Challenges of Behavior Change05:00 Balancing Clinical Rigor and Startup Speed05:54 Supporting Behavior Change with We Hate Exercise08:06 AI in Behavior Change and Digital Therapeutics09:28 The Importance of Human Connection10:23 Wellness Product vs. Digital Health Tool vs. Digital Therapeutic11:38 Regulation of Digital Therapeutics13:12 Useful Data for Personalization in Movement and Chronic Condition Management14:32 AI Support for We Hate Exercise15:27 Engagement in Digital Health Products16:29 Common Steps of Behavioral Change Failure17:53 Colorado's Influence on We Hate Exercise19:09 Advantages of Building We Hate Exercise in Colorado20:04 Partnerships for Scaling We Hate Exercise21:08 Blending Traditional VC with Venture Philanthropy22:55 Lessons for Digital Health Founders from Venture Philanthropy23:53 Conversations with Traditional VC vs. Mission-Driven Funders25:01 Real World Barriers to Movement25:57 Impact of We Hate Exercise on Participants27:57 Success Vision for We Hate Exercise29:00 Team Structure and Service Delivery30:17 Initial Consultation and User Interaction31:18 Recommended Book for Builders

    When Technology Becomes Treatment-How Digital Therapeutics Are Creating a New Category of Healthcare

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Colorado Tech People is a podcast about the humans behind the technology shaping how we live, work, and connect—right here in Colorado and beyond. The show goes beyond surface-level startup stories to explore the real decisions, trade-offs, and moments that define building meaningful technology. Each episode features candid conversations with founders, product leaders, and operators who are in the arena building, scaling, and navigating the complexities of modern tech. From early-stage startups to growth-stage companies, guests share not just what worked, but what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. The podcast is grounded in four core themes. First, The Hard Decisions Behind Innovation. Building great products and companies is rarely a straight line. We dive into the tough calls, what to build, what not to build, when to pivot, and how to move forward when the path isn’t clear. These are the moments that don’t make it into press releases but ultimately define success. Second, AI & Technology as Practical Enablers. Instead of hype, we focus on how technology—especially AI—is actually being used to solve real problems. Whether it’s enabling entirely new business models or making existing systems more efficient, we explore how innovation becomes practical and impactful. Third, Building and Scaling in Colorado. Colorado has become a thriving hub for technology and entrepreneurship. We highlight what makes building here unique -the talent, the community, the challenges, and the opportunities. From Boulder to Denver and beyond, we explore how companies grow in this ecosystem. Finally, Technology Changing Real Lives. At its best, technology improves how people live. We bring forward stories of products and platforms that are making a tangible difference—whether that’s in financial wellness, healthcare, logistics, or everyday experiences. This pillar keeps us grounded in why the work matters. Colorado Tech People is for anyone interested in building products, leading teams, or understanding how technology moves from idea to impact. It’s for founders making high-stakes decisions, product managers navigating complexity, and operators working to scale something meaningful. What makes this podcast different is its focus on honesty and depth. These are not scripted success stories—they’re real conversations about ambiguity, risk, and resilience. Listeners will come away with practical insights, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the people behind the products they use every day. If you care about technology not just as an industry, but as a force that shapes real lives and you want to learn from the people doing the work-Colorado Tech People is for you.