Sidecar Sync

Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias
  • 5.0 (25)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Sidecar Sync: Your Weekly Dose of Innovation for Associations. Hosted by Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias, this podcast is your definitive source for the latest news, insights, and trends in the association world with a special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its pivotal role in shaping the future. Each week, we delve into the most pressing topics, spotlighting the transformative role of emerging technologies and their profound impact on associations. With a commitment to cutting through the noise, Sidecar Sync offers listeners clear, informed discussions, expert perspectives, and a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing associations today. Whether you're an association professional, tech enthusiast, or just keen on staying updated, Sidecar Sync ensures you're always ahead of the curve. Join us for enlightening conversations and a fresh take on the ever-evolving world of associations. 

  1. Supersonic Moments: The NFL’s Flight Problem & 100 Trillion Tokens | 114

    1D AGO

    Supersonic Moments: The NFL’s Flight Problem & 100 Trillion Tokens | 114

    Send us a text In this special holiday edition of Sidecar Sync, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias unwrap two stories that feel wildly different—but point to the same big idea: technology breaks barriers we once assumed were permanent. First, they dive into the NFL’s quiet fascination with supersonic flight and how faster-than-sound travel could reshape sports, conferences, and global strategy. Then they shift gears to AI, unpacking a massive new study analyzing 100 trillion tokens of real-world usage to reveal how people actually use AI—from role-play and storytelling to agentic workflows and open-source models. Together, these stories challenge associations to rethink what’s “unsolvable,” adopt an abundance mindset, and ask the most important question of all: what’s your supersonic moment? 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: NFL & Supersonic Flight ➔ https://shorturl.at/hnedE OpenRouter’s State of AI ➔ https://openrouter.ai/state-of-ai OpenRouter ➔ https://openrouter.ai DeepSeek ➔ https://www.deepseek.com Qwen ➔ https://qwen.ai Claude (Anthropic) ➔ https://www.anthropic.com 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    37 min
  2. Domain-Specific AI : How Legal, Medical, and Engineering Are Being Reimagined | 113

    DEC 18

    Domain-Specific AI : How Legal, Medical, and Engineering Are Being Reimagined | 113

    Send us a text Domain-specific AI is having its ‘main character’ moment—and Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias break down three sharp examples. They unpack Three Points Law, an AI-first UK firm using tools like Legora and Qanooni to move beyond billable hours into value-based pricing; dive into Project Prometheus, Jeff Bezos’ big bet on ‘physical AI’ that learns from real-world experiments; and explore OpenEvidence as evidence-grounded clinical copilots surge in adoption alongside the American Hospital Association’s push for practical implementation. The throughline for associations: your domain expertise can become your biggest AI advantage—if you pick the right path between partnering, aggregating, or building.    🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026   🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Legora ➔ https://legora.com/ Qanooni ➔ https://qanooni.ai/ Project Prometheus ➔ https://shorturl.at/w9ZNZ OpenEvidence ➔ https://www.openevidence.com/ Gemini 3 Pro ➔ https://deepmind.google/models/gemini/pro/ AHA November Market Scan ➔ https://shorturl.at/ySt96 AI-First Law Firm ➔ https://threepointslaw.com/ 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    38 min
  3. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: AI & Legal Relevance with Ernie the Attorney | 112

    DEC 11

    Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: AI & Legal Relevance with Ernie the Attorney | 112

    Send us a text In this eye-opening episode, Mallory Mejias sits down with Ernie Svenson—better known as Ernie the Attorney—to talk tech, tradition, and the tectonic shifts in how professionals learn and connect. A former litigator turned AI advocate, Ernie shares why he believes many associations are at a crossroads: adapt to how members actually work today or risk becoming irrelevant. From the viral LinkedIn post that questioned the value of bar associations, to the behind-the-scenes of building a thriving online community for lawyers, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for association leaders.   Ernie Svenson is a former New Orleans litigator who now helps solo and small-firm lawyers simplify their practices through automation, outsourcing, and practical tech. Known as “Ernie the Attorney,” he founded the Inner Circle, a membership community for lawyers seeking a simpler, more enjoyable practice. He’s authored several ABA books, is a frequent speaker, and has been recognized as an ABA Legal Rebel and Fastcase 50 honoree.   https://ernietheattorney.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernieattorney/ 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026   🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Ernie's LinkedIn Post ➔ https://shorturl.at/IyJen Granola AI ➔ https://www.granola.so Circle ➔ https://circle.so ViewIQ ➔ https://viewiq.ai ChatGPT ➔ https://chat.openai.com 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    51 min
  4. The November Model Wave: DeepSeek 3.2, Gemini 3, Claude 4.5, Mistral 3, and OpenAI's Code Red Moment | 111

    DEC 4

    The November Model Wave: DeepSeek 3.2, Gemini 3, Claude 4.5, Mistral 3, and OpenAI's Code Red Moment | 111

    Send us a text This week on Sidecar Sync, Mallory Mejias and Amith Nagarajan unpack one of the most explosive weeks in AI so far—from the stunning debut of Google's Gemini 3 to the jaw-dropping image generation of Nano Banana Pro, and the best-in-class coding chops of Claude Opus 4.5. They also dive into Mistral 3 and DeepSeek 3.2, two powerful open-weight alternatives making waves in the AI space. With OpenAI allegedly declaring a Code Red in response, the co-hosts break down what this all means for the future of associations and how to stay agile amid rapid innovation. 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: DeepSeek 3.2 ➔ https://github.com/deepseek-ai Gemini 3 ➔ https://deepmind.google/technologies/gemini Claude Opus 4.5 ➔ https://claude.ai Nano Banana Pro ➔ https://deepmind.google/technologies/gemini#image-generation Mistral 3 ➔ https://mistral.ai/news/mistral-3 ChatGPT ➔ https://openai.com/chatgpt 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    50 min
  5. Claiming the Right to Win: How IFT Built CoDeveloper with Jay Gilbert | 110

    NOV 27

    Claiming the Right to Win: How IFT Built CoDeveloper with Jay Gilbert | 110

    Send us a text When an association with 85 years of food science knowledge decides to launch an AI product, what happens? In this episode, Mallory Mejias sits down with Jay Gilbert, Director of Scientific Programs and Product Development at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), to explore how IFT built CoDeveloper, an AI-powered platform designed to streamline R&D in food innovation. Jay shares how his journey from student member to staff gave him a unique edge in shaping tech that’s both useful and trusted. You’ll hear how IFT gained board buy-in, brought staff along for the ride, and maintained privacy for proprietary food formulas — all while keeping their mission at the center. If you're curious about launching member-focused AI tools, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiration.   Jay is the Director of Scientific Programs & Product Development at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). A longtime member who joined staff in 2017, he has supported everything from special interest groups to IFT’s annual scientific program. Today, he leads new product development and serves as product lead for CoDeveloper – Powered by IFT, an AI-enabled platform that brings IFT’s 85+ years of science and research directly into the R&D process to accelerate food product development.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaytgilbert/ https://www.ift.org/ 🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: CoDeveloper ➔ https://codeveloper.ift.org ChatGPT ➔ https://chat.openai.com 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    39 min
  6. The Race for AI Speed, Efficiency, & Infrastructure: Haiku 4.5, Diffusion Models, & Project Suncatcher | 109

    NOV 20

    The Race for AI Speed, Efficiency, & Infrastructure: Haiku 4.5, Diffusion Models, & Project Suncatcher | 109

    Send us a text In this episode of Sidecar Sync, Mallory Mejias and Amith Nagarajan dive into three high-octane AI developments reshaping the landscape of innovation. They kick things off with Claude Haiku 4.5, Anthropic’s blazing-fast small model offering near-frontier performance at a fraction of the cost. Then, the hosts explore diffusion models—an architectural shake-up that could revolutionize how AI generates language. Finally, they venture into orbit with Google’s ambitious Project Suncatcher, a plan to power machine learning with solar satellites in space. Along the way, they unpack what these advancements mean for associations and why now is the time to set bold, moonshot goals.   🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Claude Haiku 4.5 ➔ https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-haiku-4-5 Comet AI Browser ➔ https://www.perplexity.ai Claude for Chrome ➔ https://claude.ai/chrome Inception Labs ➔ https://www.inceptionlabs.ai/#our-models NotebookLM ➔ https://notebooklm.google Project Suncatcher ➔ https://shorturl.at/sVh5B 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    47 min
  7. Live from digitalNow 2025: Inside the Association Evolution | 108

    NOV 13

    Live from digitalNow 2025: Inside the Association Evolution | 108

    Send us a text Live from digitalNow 2025 in Chicago, this special edition of Sidecar Sync brings together voices from across the association world, sharing real-life examples of AI implementation, leadership innovation, and strategic transformation. Mallory Mejias speaks with leaders from the American Paint Horse Association, the Missouri State Teachers Association, AGRiP, and more to uncover how associations are moving from ideation to execution with AI. Whether it’s slashing support calls with AI chatbots or overhauling strategic planning using the St. Louis Arch as a metaphor, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical takeaways, and a healthy dose of in-person energy.   🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download the New 3rd Edition of ‘Ascend’: https://sidecar.ai/ai 📅 Join the pre-registration list for digitalNow 2026: https://digitalnow.sidecar.ai/digitalnow2026 🔧 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Betty Bot ➔ https://bettybot.ai Sidecar AI Learning Hub ➔ https://learn.sidecar.ai 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    29 min
  8. Dolphins & DeepMind: Cracking the Code of Animal Language with Dr. Denise Herzing | 107

    NOV 6

    Dolphins & DeepMind: Cracking the Code of Animal Language with Dr. Denise Herzing | 107

    Send us a text In this episode of Sidecar Sync, Mallory Mejias is joined by marine biologist and behavioral researcher Dr. Denise Herzing for a one-of-a-kind conversation about dolphins, data, and deep learning. Dr. Herzing shares insights from her 40-year study of Atlantic spotted dolphins and how that lifetime of underwater research is now powering DolphinGemma—an open-source large language model trained on dolphin vocalizations. The two discuss what it means to label meaning in animal communication, how AI is finally catching up to the natural world, and why collaboration across disciplines is essential to understanding both language and intelligence—human or otherwise. Dr. Denise Herzing is the Founder and Research Director of the Wild Dolphin Project, leading nearly four decades of groundbreaking research on Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Bahamas. She holds degrees in Marine Zoology and Behavioral Biology (B.S., M.A., Ph.D.) and serves as an Affiliate Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University. A Guggenheim and Explorers Club Fellow, Dr. Herzing has advised the Lifeboat Foundation and American Cetacean Society and sits on the board of Schoolyard Films. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, BBC, PBS, Discovery, and her TED2013 talk. She is the author of Dolphin Diaries and co-editor of Dolphin Communication and Cognition.   🤖 Join the AI Mastermind: https://sidecar.ai/association-ai-mastermind 📕 Download ‘Ascend 3rd Edition: Unlocking the Power of AI for Associations’ for FREE https://sidecar.ai/ai 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Wild Dolphin Project ➔ https://www.wilddolphinproject.org DolphinGemma ➔ https://deepmind.google/models/gemma/dolphingemma/ TIME AI 100 ➔ https://shorturl.at/OUQ2h Google DeepMind ➔ https://deepmind.google 🎀 Use code AIPOD50 for $50 off your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification at https://sidecar.ai/aaip 🚀 Help Us Grow Our Reach - Share With a Friend or Colleague! 👍 Like & Subscribe! https://x.com/sidecarglobal https://www.youtube.com/@SidecarSync https://sidecar.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidecar-global/ Amith Nagarajan is the Chairman of Blue Cypress, a family of purpose-driven companies and proud practitioners of Conscious Capitalism. The Blue Cypress companies focus on helping associations, non-profits, and other purpose-driven organizations achieve long-term success. Amith is also an active early-stage investor in B2B SaaS companies. He’s had the good fortune of nearly three decades of success as an entrepreneur and enjoys helping others in their journey. https://linkedin.com/amithnagarajan Mallory Mejias is passionate about creating opportunities for association professionals to learn, grow, and better serve their members using artificial intelligence. She enjoys blending creativity and innovation to produce fresh, meaningful content for the association space. Mallory co-hosts and produces the Sidecar Sync podcast, where she delves into the latest trends in AI and technology, translating them into actionable insights. https://linkedin.com/mallorymejias

    40 min
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5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Welcome to Sidecar Sync: Your Weekly Dose of Innovation for Associations. Hosted by Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias, this podcast is your definitive source for the latest news, insights, and trends in the association world with a special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its pivotal role in shaping the future. Each week, we delve into the most pressing topics, spotlighting the transformative role of emerging technologies and their profound impact on associations. With a commitment to cutting through the noise, Sidecar Sync offers listeners clear, informed discussions, expert perspectives, and a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing associations today. Whether you're an association professional, tech enthusiast, or just keen on staying updated, Sidecar Sync ensures you're always ahead of the curve. Join us for enlightening conversations and a fresh take on the ever-evolving world of associations. 

Information

  • Creator
    Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sidecar Sync
  • Show Website
    Sidecar Sync

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