The Dear Tech Podcast

Shubho Ghosh

Dear Tech, We are here to discuss all aspects of the technology workforce. Asking questions, answering questions, and figuring this shit out together. Nothing is off limits!

  1. 13 AOÛT

    EP 27: Manuj Aggarwal: From $2/Day Factory Worker to AI Revolution Leader

    Discover how a rebellious factory worker earning $2/day transformed into an AI pioneer generating $500M+ in client value—and his blueprint for merging human consciousness with artificial intelligence. Episode SummaryManuj Aggarwal's journey from earning $2 a day in his father's Indian factory to building a bootstrapped tech consultancy worth hundreds of millions is just the beginning. In this transformative conversation, he reveals his groundbreaking "AI Merge" framework—a peer-reviewed methodology that doesn't just make you more productive with AI, but creates a digital twin of your subconscious mind. This isn't about automating tasks; it's about unlocking the 90% of human potential most people never access. Key Takeaways• Think AI-First, Not AI-Second: Stop adding AI to existing processes. Instead, reimagine everything from an AI perspective and fill in the 20% that requires human input. • The Digital Twin Revolution: True AI adoption means merging your subconscious mind with artificial intelligence by feeding it your life experiences, creating an emotionally intelligent digital version of yourself. • Hiring Will Never Be the Same: Replace traditional interviews with storytelling—have candidates and managers share their backstories, then use AI to find perfect human-value alignment. • Universal High Income is Coming: As AI increases productivity 100x-1000x, we're heading toward universal high income (not basic income) where work becomes a choice and everyone becomes a fractional entrepreneur. • The Five Pillars of AI Merge: Purpose, Identity, Relationships, Creativity/Courage, and Time—a framework that can shift your identity and results within 2-4 weeks. • Pain is Your Teacher: Embrace setbacks as lessons rather than running from them. Each down teaches you something essential for the journey ahead. Episode Outline / Timestamps01:31 - From Factory Floor to Tech Pioneer: The $2/day origin story 08:37 - First encounter with computers and falling in love with technology 10:46 - Immigration to Canada and the dot-com boom/bust experience 18:16 - The birth of Tetra Noodle and scrappy entrepreneurial tactics 22:16 - The wild "All Advantage" internet hustle with PO boxes 27:07 - Evolution from solo consultant to team leader 33:35 - Introduction to the AI Adoption Blueprint and AI Merge framework 37:32 - Creating digital twins that tap into your subconscious mind 48:02 - Real-world success stories: executives doubling salaries, day traders improving performance 50:31 - Revolutionary hiring process using storytelling and AI matching 1:00:07 - The future of work: from employees to fractional entrepreneurs 1:04:31 - Common AI adoption mistakes and thinking "AI-first" 1:16:28 - Overlooked sectors ripe for AI disruption: energy and creative arts 1:19:17 - Meditation myths and making self-development fun 1:22:53 - What's next: working on moonshots and Nobel Prize-worthy projects Guest IntroductionManuj Aggarwal - Founder & CEO of Tetra Noodle Bootstrapped tech consultant who has generated over $500 million in client value, helped 10+ million people, and holds multiple patents. Creator of the peer-reviewed "AI Merge" framework published in Mentha Research Journal. Known for his revolutionary approach to AI adoption that focuses on human consciousness rather than just productivity tools. Connect with...

    1 h 25 min
  2. 31 JUIL.

    EP 26: Grant McCracken: Breaches Are Expensive, Dark Horse Isn't - Democratizing Cybersecurity for Startups

    Grant McCracken, founder and CEO of DarkHorse Security, joins us to discuss how he's revolutionizing cybersecurity by making proactive security easier to use and more accessible for businesses of all sizes. From backpacking around the world for a year to living in a travel trailer during COVID exploring national parks, Grant's unconventional journey has shaped his approach to disrupting the traditional pen testing industry. Now based in the mountains where he enjoys trail running and skiing, Grant brings over 13 years of cybersecurity experience as both an ethical hacker and former VP of Operations at Bugcrowd to building something completely different. Guest BioGrant McCracken is the founder and CEO of DarkHorse Security, an innovative startup that's making proactive cybersecurity easier to use and more accessible for businesses of all sizes. With over 13 years in cybersecurity, Grant has experience both as an ethical hacker and as an executive at Bugcrowd, where he served as VP of Operations, overseeing all aspects of service delivery. When he's not building the future of accessible cybersecurity, Grant enjoys making and playing music, writing, reading, learning, breaking things, building things, hiking, trail running with his dog, and skiing when there's snow. Key Topics DiscussedThe DarkHorse Security RevolutionMaking penetration testing accessible with transparent pricing at darkhorse.shWhy traditional cybersecurity vendors overcomplicate everythingThe "breaches are expensive, Dark Horse isn't" philosophySetting up pen tests in 5-15 minutes instead of months of sales cyclesReal-time vulnerability tracking and methodology transparency Cybersecurity Landscape in 2025AI-powered deepfake attacks: the scariest emerging threat for small businessesWhy audio and video spoofing will accelerate human-layer breachesNew vulnerability categories introduced by AI (prompt injection, LLM poisoning)The staggering reality: 900+ organizations hit by ransomware in one week The Entrepreneurial JourneyFrom WhiteHat to Bugcrowd VP to solo founderWhy relationships trump cold outbound every timeThe unique confluence of skills needed to disrupt cybersecurityLearning sales, marketing, and business development on the flyWhy he chose independence over corporate security Life Beyond the ScreenBackpacking through 30 countries and 100+ cities for a yearCOVID travel trailer life: exploring national parks while working remotelyMountain living philosophy: "one step at a time" applies to everythingHow trail running and skiing influence business decisionsWhy independence and agency drive all his life choices Resources & ConnectionsDarkHorse Security: https://darkhorse.sh Grant's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantmccracken/ Episode HighlightsThe reality of cybersecurity for cash-strapped startupsHow travel and adventure shaped an unconventional business philosophyWhy the security industry is ripe for disruptionPractical threat assessment for 2025The intersection of personal growth and professional success Subscribe for more conversations with founders who are redefining their industries, one step at a time. Share this episode with any startup founder who thinks good security has to break the bank.

    1 h 27 min
  3. 24 JUIL.

    Ep 25: Arlene Cohen Miller: Burnout Happens, Balance Is Built

    Burnout is not a personal flaw, it is a signal. In this episode, Work-Life Balance and Harmony Coach (and AV-rated Colorado attorney) Arlene Cohen Miller explains how burnout shows up in different forms, why “balance” is a moving target, and how simple reframes plus tiny daily rituals can pull you back to center. We talk breath work you can do while someone’s ranting at you, gratitude practices that actually move the needle, spotting “energy leaks,” setting real boundaries, and building team cultures that don’t quietly chew people up. If you’ve been running on fumes or numb autopilot, this conversation gives you language, tools, and a first step. Learn more or book Arlene for workshops: JewelConsultancy.com Key TakeawaysBurnout is a spectrum: it starts with “I’m tired” and can slide into immobilization if ignored.Awareness first: notice your body’s signals, headaches, irritability, or staring blankly at a screen.Breath work is a portable reset: longer exhale than inhale through your nose can downshift your nervous system fast.Gratitude is practice, not luck: pick one thing, feel it fully for a second, let it expand your inner space.Boundaries are energetic and practical: cut cords daily, send back what is not yours, and say “not right now” when someone dumps on you.Mentorship matters: action cures fear, and mentors shortcut the lonely middle of “I don’t know what I’m doing.”Balance is not a fixed point: harmony or rhythm is a better target because life shifts every day. Rapid Fire HighlightsStress creeping in? Close the laptop, walk the block, breathe.Mood-lifting movie? When Harry Met Sally (that diner scene).Belief people get wrong about balance? That it’s ever perfect. Harmony is a better frame.Favorite recent read? Richard Bach’s Illusions.Best advice? “Any disaster can become a blessing, any blessing can become a disaster, and there is always a better way.” Resources MentionedJewel Consultancy: https://jewelconsultancy.comRichard Bach, Illusions (book reference)Pipedrive (CRM tool she is using to push herself out of her comfort zone) Connect with ArleneWebsite: JewelConsultancy.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlenecohenmiller/ Call to Action If you’re planning a conference, offsite, or internal workshop for a tech team and want a session on burnout, balance, or mindful productivity, reach out to Arlene. If this episode resonated, share it with a teammate who needs the reminder that they are not alone. Follow Dear Tech Podcast on Instagram @deartechpodcast and LinkedIn, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next deep-dive.

    56 min
  4. 15 JUIL.

    Ep 24: Tim O’Hearn: Growth Hacking, Black Hat Tactics, and the Real Algorithm

    My guest today is Tim O’Hearn, author of Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media—a #1 Amazon Bestseller that breaks down how our feeds, notifications, and recommendations are engineered to manipulate us. But Tim isn’t just an author. He’s spent 8+ years as a software engineer in quant finance, made over $500,000 through social media growth hacking, and literally built the systems that shape what you see online. In this episode, we dig into: How Tim reverse-engineered platforms to gain followers and viralityThe rise of bots, shadowbanning, and black hat marketingWhat it’s like to design feeds and push notifications from the insideWhy your attention is more valuable than your dataThe Dead Internet Theory and the eerie rise of AI-generated contentHow he transitioned from quant finance to gonzo tech critic Whether you’re a builder, marketer, or just curious about what’s really driving your social feed, this conversation will open your eyes. 🔗 Connect with Tim O’Hearn: 📘 Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media → Buy on Amazon 🌐 Website → tjohearn.com 💼 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/tohearn 🧠 Topics Covered: [00:00] Intro: The Villain in the Feed[06:17] How Tim Made $500K in the Attention Economy[12:45] Reverse-Engineering Social Algorithms[19:32] Shadowbans and the Weaponization of Moderation[27:10] The Psychology of Notifications[35:22] The Dead Internet Theory and AI Content[42:55] From Quant Finance to Gonzo Tech Critic[49:30] Fixing Social Media: Can It Be Saved?[57:03] What Tim’s Reading Now[1:05:45] Final Thoughts and Where to Follow

    1 h 44 min
  5. 9 JUIL.

    Ep 23: Alexander Harmsen: Building an AI That Understands Your Money Better Than You Do

    What if your financial advisor had no ego, no sales pitch, and no fear of a market crash? Just data, logic, and objective guidance designed around your life? In this episode, Shubho sits down with Alexander Harmsen, CEO of PortfolioPilot.com, a personal AI financial advisor that’s helping over 30,000 users manage $30B+ in assets—and quietly revolutionizing how everyday investors make decisions. We go deep into the psychology of money, how AI can help you stay rational when markets get volatile, and why financial tools need to feel more human to actually be effective. Alexander also shares the origin story of PortfolioPilot, what he learned scaling Iris Automation, his time building with NASA, and how he thinks AI will reshape the future of personal decision-making in everything from investing to health. What We Cover: Why Alexander originally built PortfolioPilot just for himself and why thousands now rely on itHow PortfolioPilot uses AI to eliminate financial bias and offer tailored, transparent recommendationsThe emotional traps people fall into with investing and how AI helps you navigate themReal stories of user psychology (including the guy with 40% of his net worth in Tesla)Lessons from building regulated AI systems (and why explainability matters more than hype)Startup wisdom: what Alex learned building Iris Automation and raising $30M+Why personalization, not general intelligence, is AI’s most underrated superpowerThe power and misunderstanding of tax-loss harvestingThe future of AI-powered financial tools (and why “gamification” isn’t always the right goal) 🔥 Special Offer for Listeners: Try PortfolioPilot Gold FREE for 1 month → Use promo code PODCAST at checkout Resources & Links: 💼 PortfolioPilot.com🧠 Alexander on X/Twitter: @alexharm📺 PortfolioPilot on YouTube🧑‍💼 Alexander on LinkedIn📚 Books Mentioned:Spin Selling by Neil RackhamCrucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan & Switzler Connect with the Show: 💬 Instagram: @deartechpodcast💼 LinkedIn: Dear Tech Podcast🌐 All links: linktr.ee/thedeartechpodcast If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review on Apple or Spotify—it helps more people discover the show! 🎙✨

    1 h 41 min
  6. 17 JUIN

    Ep 22: Aubrey Amatelli – Cannabis Payments, Culture-First Leadership, and Bootstrapping a Fintech Powerhouse

    What happens when a former JP Morgan exec leaves Wall Street to solve one of cannabis tech’s hardest problems? In this episode, I talk to Aubrey Amatelli, Founder and CEO of PayRio, the first payment provider exclusively built for cannabis, CBD, and alternative medicine. Aubrey bootstrapped PayRio to profitability in under a year, built a 100% women-led leadership team, and was recently named the #1 Best Cannabis Company to Work For in 2025. We cover how she transitioned from banking to cannabis fintech, how she built trust in a high-risk industry, and why compliance and culture are two of her sharpest competitive advantages. You’ll also hear how she balances founder life with single motherhood, how her own mental health journey has shaped her leadership style, and what it really takes to build something sustainable without raising venture capital. 🔍 We cover:Misconceptions about cannabis payments and legalityWhy compliance is a competitive advantage in fintechBootstrapping to profitability without outside investmentBuilding PayRio’s team through trust and culture-first hiringProcessing payments for cannabis, psychedelics, peptides, and moreHer role on NCIA’s Banking & Financial Services CommitteeLessons from JP Morgan that still guide her company todayBalancing motherhood and entrepreneurship under pressureThe power of showing up authentically in business 📌 Links & ResourcesPayRio → https://www.payrio.coPayRio on Linkedin →https://www.linkedin.com/company/payrio/Instagram → @payrio_hqAubrey on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubreyamatelli If you enjoy this episode, drop a review and share it with someone building in fintech, cannabis, or anywhere trust and grit are essential.

    1 h 26 min
  7. 10 JUIN

    Ep 21: Bryan Clayton: Blue-Collar Roots, Self-Taught Tech, and Scaling Without Funding

    Bryan Clayton went from pushing a lawn mower at 13 to building and selling a multimillion dollar landscaping company. Then he taught himself to code and built his next venture from scratch. In this episode, he joins The Dear Tech Podcast to share what it really takes to build a national tech platform without outside funding, formal training, or Silicon Valley connections. We talk about the power of discipline over motivation, what most non-technical founders get wrong, and how Bryan cold-called his way to a real user base. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have the background for this,” this episode might change your mind. 🔍 Topics We Cover:The mindset shift from blue-collar business to tech founderTeaching yourself to code after building a $10M companyCold-calling 500+ vendors to build the first version of the platformWhat went wrong with the first product and how it got fixedUsing AI to match customers with service providersWhy bootstrapping forced better product and leadership decisionsWhat most non-technical founders overlook and how to fix itBuilding trust, quality, and discipline from day one 🧠 Guest Links: LinkedIn: Bryan ClaytonInstagram (personal): @bryanmclaytonInstagram (company): @yourgreenpal 💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who’s ready to build even if they feel underqualified. And don’t forget to follow @deartechpodcast on Instagram for clips, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.

    1 h 51 min
  8. 3 JUIN

    Ep 20: Warren Wilansky: Servant Leadership in the Age of AI and Accessibility

    Warren Wilansky has been building for the web since the ‘90s, but what makes his story stand out isn’t just longevity—it’s intention. As the Founder and President of Plank, a B Corp Certified digital agency, Warren has spent the last 25 years helping mission-driven organizations create ethical, inclusive, and accessible digital platforms that actually serve their communities. In this episode, we talk about how Plank came to be, how Warren bet on the web before it was mainstream, and how his leadership style evolved from scrappy founder to servant leader. We also dive deep into accessibility—not just as a requirement, but as a business advantage—and what it really takes to build a strong, remote-first team that still cares. If you care about digital culture, inclusion, and the long game of building something that lasts, this one’s for you. 🔍 Topics We Cover: What sparked Warren’s early interest in media and designThe transition from CD-ROMs to the internet (and how he bet on the right thing)The origins and mission behind PlankWhat it means to run a B Corp in techWhy accessibility is a strategic advantage, not just a checklistPractical advice on building an inclusive design processLeading a remote team and creating a real culture without an officeServant leadership in action—and how Warren sees his role evolvingHow AI is changing workflows (and what he’s skeptical about)The future of Plank and building with intention 🧠 Quote to Remember: “Accessibility isn’t something you tack on at the end. It’s part of how you design for real people, from the start.” 🔗 Resources & Links: Plank Website: https://plank.coCulture Page: https://plank.co/en/cultureWarren’s Blog & Personal Site: https://warrenwilansky.com 📣 Connect with Us: Follow @deartechpodcast on Instagram Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app Leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

    40 min

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Dear Tech, We are here to discuss all aspects of the technology workforce. Asking questions, answering questions, and figuring this shit out together. Nothing is off limits!