The Jason Cavness Experience

Jason Cavness
  • 5.0 (105)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

The Jason Cavness Experience is where I talk to entrepreneurs and other interesting people.

  1. 3d ago

    Turning Any Car Into a Plug-In Hybrid: Tom Gurski Blue Dot Motorworks

    On this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Tom Gurski, founder and CEO of Blue Dot Motorworks, an MIT-trained mechanical engineer who spent his career at the front end of product development. From Stirling engine generators at DEKA Research (Dean Kamen's company) to his own consultancy, Carbide Enterprises, to global sanitation projects in some of the world's poorest communities. Tom is now building a bolt-on electric propulsion system that converts any light-duty gas vehicle into a plug-in hybrid cutting fuel use by up to 80% without giving up the gas engine, in about a one-day installation. Jason and Tom get into how the technology actually works, why it's "vehicle agnostic," the business model and pricing, and why Tom believes retrofitting the existing 1.5 billion gas cars on the road is a "need to have," not a "nice to have," solution for hitting climate targets.  The conversation also covers: Why Seattle is a tough environment for hardware startups compared to the Bay Area Tom's Wefunder campaign and lessons on raising a "family and friends" round the right way The upcoming Founder Summit (July 15, Seattle Climate Innovation Hub) and PNW Climate Week Nuclear energy, wind turbines, and the "birds vs. wind turbines" myth A carbon tax and dividend policy idea Tom would implement as "climate czar" Washington's EV mileage tax and the ferry-contract controversy The emotional rollercoaster of founder life, burnout, and staying mission-aligned Tom's advice for aspiring engineers in the age of AI Tom'sLinks: Blue Dot Motorworks: https://bluedotmotorworks.com/ Invest via Wefunder: https://wefunder.com/bluedotmotorworks Tom Gurski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-gurski/ Jason Cavness links: https://linktr.ee/jasoncavness

  2. Jul 14

    Why Podcasting Creates Opportunities You Can't Plan For with Jason Cavness

    Jason Cavness didn't leave the Army to become "Major Cavness" in a different uniform. He wanted a clean break. That decision pulled him into startups, podcasting, tech events, Vietnam business relationships, and a career built around one simple habit: say yes when the opportunity is aligned, then figure it out. Mark Shriner talks with Jason about the transition from military life to entrepreneurship, why podcasting is more than content, how in-person relationships beat cold outreach, and what it really takes to keep building when you're introverted, scattered, nervous, and still moving forward. We also discuss: • Leaving the Army without chasing another military-adjacent job • How LinkedIn opened Jason's door into startups • Why podcasts rarely monetize the way people expect  • Using a podcast to build relationships, credibility, and opportunity • What Vietnam taught Jason about assumptions, hospitality, and business  • Why warm intros and in-person events still matter • Public speaking as a trust shortcut  • Being an introvert who still hosts events, podcasts, and rooms • Seattle's tech ecosystem and the value of being where builders gather Jason Cavness: https://linktr.ee/

  3. Jul 7

    Why Clarity Beats Better Tech with Crystal Clarity

    A better product does not always win. The clearer story often does. Crystal Clarity, Chief Operating Officer at s2s Public Relations, joins The Jason Cavness Experience to talk about why founders struggle to explain what they actually do. Why deep tech companies need to stop leading with features and how AI is flooding the internet with content that feels productive but often makes real connection harder.  We also discuss: • Why founders often solve before they understand the problem • How to make complex science and deep tech understandable  • Why people care less about features and more about feeling understood • The future of PR, marketing, and AI-generated content • Why human experience still matters in a world of synthetic media  • Media trust, misinformation, and the collapse of shared reality • Crystal's career path from broadcast journalism to Pacific Science Center to s2s PR • Empty nesting, parenting, music, and the next stage of life Crystal's links Company: https://www.s2spr.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalclarity/ Jason links https://linktr.ee/jasoncavness

  4. Jun 30

    Why Bad Leadership Works — Daniella Young

    Daniella Young has built a brand by saying the thing most people avoid: bad leaders, bad groups, cult dynamics, and toxic loyalty are not fringe problems. They show up in politics, companies, the military, families, social media, and anywhere people stop questioning the room they are in. Jason and Daniella talk about turning trauma into work, why "followers" should not become worshippers, how she built a creator-led book business, why she focuses on bad leadership instead of good leadership, and what most people misunderstand about cults, scams, fame, politics, parenting, and platform building.  We also discuss: • Talking to Khloe Kardashian and handling criticism for using big platforms • Why confidence can make people more vulnerable to scams and cults • The economics of traditional publishing vs self-publishing • Building a personal brand around your actual story • Why "front of the room advantage" changes how people see you • Veterans, identity, and the danger zone after leaving the military • Social media trolls, monetization, and standing out on purpose • Parenting after trauma • Politics, corruption, term limits, and leadership failure • Why there are no rules for creators right now Daniella's links  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellamyoung_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@knittingcultladycaptain YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnittingCultLady Website: https://knittingcultlady.com/ Jason links https://linktr.ee/cavnesshr

  5. Jun 23

    Why AI Sales Should Make Selling More Human with Swetha Puvvada

    AI sales is often framed as replacement. Swetha Puvvada sees it differently: the real opportunity is using AI to remove the busy work so sellers can get back to listening, understanding pain, and having better conversations. Swetha is Head of Product & Growth at Teameight, an AI SaaS company building an augmentation platform for sales teams. We talk about product, GTM, customer feedback, career growth, mountaineering, and how she went from early-career intern to owning product and go-to-market inside a startup.  We also discuss: • Why AI should augment sales instead of replacing sellers  • How Teameight helps ramp new sellers faster • Why negative customer feedback is useful when it is specific • What makes someone a good salesperson • How Swetha moved from internship to Head of Product and GTM • Why younger talent needs broader product and systems thinking • How mountaineering teaches trust, risk, and preparation  • Being one of the few women in tech and mountaineering • Why taking opportunities matters more than waiting for permission  Swetha links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swetha-puvvada/ Teameight: https://www.teameight.ai/ Jason links https://linktr.ee/admin

  6. Jun 16

    The Roti Robot Problem with Komal Kashiramka

    Fresh roti is simple to eat and hard to automate. Komal Kashiramka is building Poshan, a robotics company developing next-generation kitchen appliances, starting with an automatic roti maker designed to create soft roti that lasts for hours. Komal shares how she moved from Microsoft and Meta into entrepreneurship. Why hardware requires a different level of patience than software and what founders can learn from customer discovery, AI, parenting, and building something people will trust in their kitchens.  We also discuss:  • Why soft roti is the real product challenge  • Building a hardware company in the R&D phase • What AI changes for junior engineers • Why fundamentals still matter in software • Leaving corporate life without having everything figured out • Startup 425 and Seattle Public Library business resources • Raising kids while building a company • RotiTales and making roti easier to understand  Komal  links Poshan Website: https://poshan.us/ Poshan LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/poshan-inc RotiTales Website: https://rotitales.com/ RotiTales Instagram: https://instagram.com/rotitales RotiTales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/rotitales/ RotiTales Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rotitales RotiTales YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rotitales Jason links Jason's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/admin Jason's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGsw6kzZE40sSUZgoStVaJw?sub_confirmation=1

  7. Jun 9

    How Grief Becomes Art with Eden Marryshow

    Most people run from grief. Eden Marryshow turned it into a film. In this conversation, Eden breaks down the emotional process behind filmmaking, storytelling, creativity, and why the best art usually comes from the most personal places. We talk about losing family, directing actors, independent filmmaking, community, and the long path creators take back to who they were before the world told them to stop creating. This episode is also a masterclass on storytelling itself from Star Wars and Scorsese to creative discipline, ego, collaboration, and why limitations often produce better art than unlimited budgets.  We also discuss: • Why most people know who they are by age six • The connection between grief and creativity  • Directing actors without ego • Why independent creators have to learn everything • The psychology behind great storytelling • Rocky, Star Wars, Goodfellas, and favorite films  • Why "story is king" in filmmaking • How schools often suppress creativity  • Building community through storytelling • NFL talk, Giants football, and leadership Guest links Instagram: @edenmarryshow Email: 511eden@gmail.com Jason Linktree https://linktr.ee/admin

  8. Jun 2

    Most Entrepreneurs Should Quit — Nathan Kaiser

    Entrepreneurship isn't freedom it's volatility, pressure, and constant uncertainty. Nathan Kaiser built 2bar Spirits by embracing that reality, not ignoring it. He breaks down why most people shouldn't start companies, what actually keeps a business alive, and how constraints, not capital, create better outcomes. This is a raw look at building something real in a crowded, unforgiving industry.  We also discuss: • Why starting a company is usually the wrong financial move  • How constraint beats capital in building a business • The myth of overnight success (and the Tito's example) • Why focus wins over product expansion • The real role of rejection in sales and growth • How long-term thinking applies to both whiskey and life Nathan Kaiser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nckaiser/ 2bar Spirits: http://2barspirits.com Email: info@2barspirits.com Jason links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Website: www.cavness.io

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The Jason Cavness Experience is where I talk to entrepreneurs and other interesting people.

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