Connect The Dots

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This podcast explores the path to success and the dots that are connected along the way. We are curious about the stories of successful people and the journey that took them from A to here. Hosted by Geoffrey Klein, our aim is to share these stories in the hope that you will learn from them to help others...connect the dots.

  1. 09/17/2025

    S7E9: Siya Rajpal | Accessible Education

    In this energizing conversation, host Geoffrey Klein sits down with Siya Rajpal—author, investor, and member of OpenAI’s education team, where she explores the evolution of tech-enabled learning and drives adoption of ChatGPT Edu across higher-ed and K-12 institutions. Siya recounts her journey from aspiring engineer to ed-tech pioneer. She shares behind-the-scenes stories as an early employee at Udacity and Springboard, and an investor at GSV Ventures. Siya explains how ChatGPT Edu is reshaping classrooms at Wharton and beyond. You’ll learn why AI is the ultimate co-founder, coach, and creativity amplifier, plus practical ways teachers and learners can level up by treating the model as a thought partner. Previously, Siya authored Engineering America—a call to close the nation’s STEM skills gap. Her mission: create pathways that lift learners into new socioeconomic opportunity. Siya shares: How to prompt ChatGPT to “think like a Nobel laureate” for strategy breakthroughs. Real-world use cases from K-12 classrooms to Georgia Tech’s online master’s. A 40-year horizon mindset removes early-career anxiety. Actionable teacher tips and resources for lesson planning, grading, and personalized tutoring. As an education strategist, Siya reveals how today’s AI tools unlock bigger thinking, faster upskilling, and greater economic mobility for students and professionals alike. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or simply AI-curious, this episode will help you connect the dots between today’s tools and tomorrow’s opportunities. Resources & Links Connect with Siya on LinkedIn. OpenAI Academy free courses for educators Engineering America book by Siya Rajpal Book mentioned: 7 Rules of Power Emoji: Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots

    33 min

  2. 09/10/2025

    S7E8: Tesäen “T” Chavis | Take Up Space

    On this episode, Geoffrey chats with Tesäen “T” Chavis, Product Manager, Music Promotion and Gen AI Video at YouTube, who shares how generative video tools are empowering artists—and why she measures success by kindness and naps. From starting college at 15 to leading zero-to-one products (focusing on building something unique and valuable, rather than copying current solutions) at YouTube, T Chavis has always chased possibilities. In this powerful conversation, T details her journey through pharma comms, data-driven marketing at L’Oréal, and product roles at Spotify and Uber before landing at YouTube to revolutionize music promotion with generative AI video. T explains how creators can treat AI as a “sous-chef,” speeding post-production and unlocking visuals never seen before, while still valuing human craft. She also opens up about imposter syndrome, advocating for yourself in boardrooms, and redefining success around mental health, inclusion, and—yes—epic naps. T shares: How Unlock AI video workflows you can try today—no prompt engineering PhD required. The inside story of building zero-to-one products at tech giants like Google, Spotify, and Uber. How to combat imposter syndrome To Redefine success around peace, kindness, and sustainable creativity. By episode’s end, you’ll have practical tips for leveling up your AI literacy and a fresh perspective on purposeful innovation. T is passionate about harnessing emerging tech to empower artists, as she champions diversity, inclusion, global travel, karaoke, and the restorative power of a good nap. Resources & Links Connect with T on LinkedIn Google One AI Plans (Ultra & Pro) – try Gemini & more free for 30 days Flow – T’s favorite Gen AI video playground Book mentioned: The Courage to Be Disliked Favorite Emoji: Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots Instagram The Content Beast (book)...

    47 min

  3. 09/03/2025

    S7E7: Brandon Krakowsky | Yes Always Opens a Door

    On this episode, Geoffrey Klein chats with Brandon Krakowsky, Lecturer at Penn Engineering and Director of Data Science & Research at the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative. Brandon leads data/AI projects and experiential learning with industry partners. Brandon tells his story of a winding path from dreams of being a hotdog vendor at baseball games, to being a communications major and gigging bassist, to a computer programmer and educator. This all shaped his approach to AI education. Brandon breaks down how experiential learning with real company data accelerates student growth, why saying “yes” opens unexpected doors, and practical ways anyone can get AI-literate fast. He unpacks the student-built projects from Wharton’s week-long HackAI competition, plus the teaching tactics he uses to demystify Python, Java, and data science for diverse learners. Brandon shares: What effective AI education looks like in practice—projects, scaffolding, and tools you can use today. A playbook for experiential learning with real stakeholders and real data. A no-fluff starter kit for AI literacy—from prompts to “vibe coding.” Career advice that balances craft, curiosity, and family without chasing titles. You’ll leave with concrete steps to experiment with tools, analyze data, and stay current without overwhelm—all while keeping creativity and career fulfillment in view. Resources & Links Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative Podcast: Learn the Technology with Brandon Krakowsky Book/Magazine: Rolling Stone Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots Instagram The Content Beast (book) Sponsored by the AIQ newsletter for snackable AI content for the busy professional. Music produced by Sam Miller. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Connect the Dots and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners connect their own dots with AI insights!

    40 min

  4. 08/27/2025

    S7E6: Dasanj Aberdeen | Lean Into Yourself

    On this episode of Connect the Dots, host Geoffrey Klein sits down with Dasanj Aberdeen, Director of Artificial Intelligence & Innovation at KPMG and an adjunct professor at Temple University. A polymath consultant, creator, and mentor, she has spent 10+ years guiding Fortune 100 companies in digital transformation—launching AI, low-code, IoT, and cloud solutions that accelerate value creation and enrich customer experiences. Her people-first leadership style champions democratized knowledge and diverse, high-performing teams. Growing up in Grenada, Dasanj’s early love of art and building things sparked a multidisciplinary journey through Wharton, accounting, consulting, and ultimately AI leadership. Dasanj shares: Why technology success is really about people. How creativity informs product design. Practical ways anyone—AI-shy or expert—can start experimenting today. Listeners will hear candid insights on mentoring, defining personal success, and preparing for the next wave of workplace transformation—all delivered with Dasanj’s trademark curiosity and optimism. Resources & Links Connect with Dasanj on LinkedIn KPMG AI & Innovation insights Book mentioned: The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots Instagram The Content Beast (book) Sponsored by the AIQ newsletter for snackable AI content for the busy professional. Music produced by Sam Miller. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Connect the Dots and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners connect their own dots with AI insights!

    43 min

  5. 08/20/2025

    S7E5: Eva Dong | Engineering Impact  

    In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with Eva Dong, Lead of AI Value Realization at Google Cloud, where she helps enterprise clients define success metrics, calculate costs, and maximize ROI for AI projects. With over a decade of leadership experience at McKinsey & Co, Visa, and as an AI entrepreneur, Eva bridges deep technical expertise with a keen focus on business impact. She is passionate about enabling professionals to thrive in an AI-powered world and is an active voice in the global AI community. She unpacks the importance of defining success metrics, bridging technical expertise with business impact, and cultivating AI literacy at scale. The conversation also dives into future trends, from personalized AI assistants to global AI adoption, and offers actionable advice for leaders navigating the evolving AI landscape. Resources & Links Connect with Eva on LinkedIn. Google AI Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots Instagram The Content Beast (book) Sponsored by the AIQ newsletter for snackable AI content for the busy professional. Music produced by Sam Miller. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Connect the Dots and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners connect their own dots with AI insights!

    40 min

  6. 08/13/2025

    S7E4: Jason Druss |  The Colors of Human-Tech Stories

    In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with Jason Druss, a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Adobe, helping shape Premiere Pro and After Effects for professionals from films to YouTube. A former colorist and demo artist, he blends storyteller instincts with deep customer empathy to turn real-world needs into clear product narratives. Jason Russ shares how assistive AI, customer obsession, and crisp communication save time and elevate the creative flow of video storytelling from idea to impact. Jason expresses how creatives can harness assistive AI without losing the heart of the story. Jason traces his path from color grading suites to shaping pro-video tools used by millions, explains his “turn noise into a razor-sharp signal” approach to strategy, and highlights the busy-work AI can remove so editors spend more time creating. You’ll hear practical examples (transcription, text-based editing, smart search) and mindset shifts for anyone looking to raise their AI video literacy. Along the way: gratitude, customer empathy, and why “comparison is the thief of joy.” Resources & Links Connect with Jason on LinkedIn. Adobe Premiere Pro — pro video editing:https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=s7e4 Adobe After Effects — motion design: https://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects.html?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=s7e4 The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer: https://amandapalmer.net/theartofasking/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=s7e4 Frame.io — video review & approval: https://www.frame.io/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=s7e4 Miro — collaborative whiteboards: https://miro.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=s7e4 Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots Instagram The Content Beast (book) Sponsored by the AIQ newsletter for snackable AI content for the busy professional. Music produced by Sam...

    35 min

  7. 08/06/2025

    S7E3: Alex Brunori |  Lucid Creativity

    In this episode, Geoffrey chats with Alex Brunori, Vice President of Brand & Brand Experience at G42, one of the world’s leading AI companies. Formerly Google’s Head of Creative for the Middle East, Africa & Turkey, the Rome-born polymath is a Cannes-winning executive creative director, TEDx speaker, rock musician, lucid-dreaming teacher and generative-AI artist reshaping how technology and creativity collide. In this energizing conversation, Geoffrey and Alex explore the fertile intersection of artificial intelligence, human imagination, and mindfulness. From his early days programming calculators in Rome to leading brand experience at AI powerhouse G42 in Abu Dhabi, Alex shares how curiosity, meditation, and lucid dreaming supercharge his idea flow. He explains why Midjourney is his favorite creative partner, why Europe risks falling behind in AI adoption, and how the UAE’s visionary leadership is building a “happy AI island.” Alex also reflects on sacrifices, success, music’s primal power, and the coming era of natural-language movie making. Whether you’re a marketer, technologist, or lifelong learner, you’ll walk away inspired to embrace AI, deepen your humanity—and keep asking why. Resources & Links Connect with Alex on LinkedIn. Midjourney image generator — explore the tool Alex swears by (https://www.midjourney.com/?utm_source=podcast) Gödel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter — the book that rewired Alex’s thinking (https://bookshop.org/books/355995?utm_source=podcast) G42 — learn more about the AI powerhouse driving innovation in Abu Dhabi (https://www.g42.ai/?utm_source=podcast) UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence — discover the world-first government role (https://ai.gov.ae/?utm_source=podcast) Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots Instagram The Content Beast (book) Sponsored by the AIQ newsletter for snackable AI content for the busy professional. Music produced by Sam Miller. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Connect the Dots and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners connect their own dots with AI insights!

    51 min

  8. 07/30/2025

    S7E2: Talisha Padgett |  Leading with Empathy

    In this episode, host Geoffrey Klein sits down with Talisha Padgett, GM of Marketing Technology Platforms & AI at Microsoft, where she leads global MarTech strategy and the Gen AI Center of Excellence. Previously she modernized tech stacks at Comcast, Under Armour, and Marriott. Talisha is also the co-founder of Empathy Coaching, helping professionals cultivate confidence, wellness, and emotionally intelligent leadership. In this energizing conversation, Talisha unpacks how generative AI is reshaping the marketer’s toolkit. Talisha traces her journey from early print campaigns to building Microsoft’s Gen AI Center of Excellence, shares hard-won lessons on change management, and explains why embracing AI is critical for brands. Listeners will hear candid stories about overcoming imposter syndrome, creating psychologically safe teams, and the power of curiosity-driven careers. You’ll leave with practical tactics to harness AI responsibly while keeping humanity at the core of every customer experience. Resources & Links Connect with Talisha on LinkedIn. Explore Empathy Coaching Empathy Coaching’s Instagram Connect with Geoffrey: Connect with Geoffrey on LinkedIn E-mail Geoffrey Keynote Speaker nine dots Instagram The Content Beast (book) Sponsored by the AIQ newsletter for snackable AI content for the busy professional. Music produced by Sam Miller. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Connect the Dots and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners connect their own dots with AI insights!

    40 min
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About

This podcast explores the path to success and the dots that are connected along the way. We are curious about the stories of successful people and the journey that took them from A to here. Hosted by Geoffrey Klein, our aim is to share these stories in the hope that you will learn from them to help others...connect the dots.

Information

  • Creator
    nine dots
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Copyright, Nine Dots LLC
  • Show Website
    Connect The Dots