The Business RoundUp with Melissa Bill

Melissa Bill
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business News
  • Updated Weekly

The Business RoundUP (formerly Texas RoundUp) Hosted by seasoned journalist Melissa Bill, The Business RoundUp explores the pivotal topics shaping local and the broader business landscape today. From groundbreaking innovations to leadership insights and finance trends, this podcast delivers in-depth coverage and engaging interviews with influential figures and newsmakers from across the United States. ✨ Meet the Host: Melissa Bill With 16+ years of journalism experience, Melissa Bill has been a trusted voice for major outlets like The Miami Herald and WIOD News Radio. While reporting for The Texas Insider, she focused on business, technology, space, and finance—issues vital to Texans, from the proposed Texas-based stock exchange to the state’s expanding energy industry. A proud graduate of Florida International University, Melissa brings sharp insights and a passion for storytelling to every episode. 📅 Tune in Weekly for fresh perspectives, lively discussions, and a deep dive into the stories that matter most locally, regionally and beyond.

  1. 3d ago

    AI Will Replace Joyless Work: Kevin Surace on the Future of Work and Human Fulfillment

    As AI reshapes the future of work, what if the goal isn’t simply to achieve greater success, but to create more joy? In this conversation, Kevin Surace, author of The Joy-Success Cycle and a pioneer in voice AI, challenges conventional thinking about automation, productivity, and fulfillment. Drawing on decades of experience building groundbreaking technology and earning nearly 100 patents, he explores why AI should replace joyless work, not human purpose and how curiosity, resilience, and joy can help us navigate a rapidly changing world. Surace also shares the deeply personal experiences that reshaped his understanding of joy, including his wife’s struggle with alcohol addiction and the limits of trying to engineer solutions to life’s hardest challenges. The result is a conversation about more than AI. It’s about rethinking success, finding meaning in uncertainty, and building a future where technology gives people more room to do the things that make us human. f you enjoyed this conversation, follow us and subscribe for more thought-provoking discussions with the people shaping the future of technology, work, and what it means to live a fulfilling life.

  2. 5d ago

    Hard Is Fun: Why Choosing Difficulty Can Change Your Life - Interview with Joshua Waldron

    What if the key to a better life isn’t avoiding difficulty, but deliberately choosing the right kind? Joshua Waldron is an entrepreneur, author, and the mind behind Hard Is Fun—a philosophy built on the idea that the right challenges can make us stronger, more capable, and more fulfilled. At 15, Joshua was told he would never walk again. Years later, he destroyed his wheelchair. That experience helped shape a radically different relationship with difficulty, one that would influence his approach to business, personal growth, and life itself. In this conversation, Joshua breaks down the concept of Productive Difficulty: how to distinguish challenges that help us grow from suffering that simply drains us, and how to make better decisions about what’s worth pursuing. We explore his journey building a precision manufacturing company during the 2008 recession, the science of hormesis and how stress can make us stronger, and the common thread connecting his pursuits in entrepreneurship, music, real estate, and writing. We also get practical about how to break out of a comfortable but unfulfilling life and start choosing challenges that move us forward. The end goal isn’t to make life harder. It’s to get better at choosing what’s hard and discovering what those challenges make possible. Joshua’s book on the Hard Is Fun philosophy launches this September.

  3. Oct 9

    You Don’t Have to Be in Crisis to Explore Mental Health: Insights from Dr. Jeffrey Ditzell

    When does everyday stress become something more? And how do you know when it’s time to seek professional help? In this interview, Dr. Jeffrey Ditzell, founder of Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry, breaks down some of the most common questions and misconceptions surrounding mental health and psychiatric care. From recognizing the signs of anxiety, depression, and ADHD to understanding when medication may be beneficial, he offers practical insights into navigating mental health with greater clarity and confidence. We also explore the hidden reality of high-functioning mental illness, the impact of lifestyle factors like sleep, exercise, alcohol, and relationships, and the emerging developments shaping the future of psychiatry. Whether you’re struggling yourself, supporting someone you care about, or simply looking to better understand your mental health, this conversation offers an important reminder: you don’t have to reach a breaking point to ask for help. Don't forget to follow us for updates on new interviews coming up and to be added to our newsletter.

  4. Oct 8

    What AI Can’t Replace: From NVIDIA Executive to Human-Centered Entrepreneur

    Antons Davis spent more than 15 years in technology and product design, including a successful career at NVIDIA, before walking away from the traditional definition of success to become a coach and entrepreneur. In this conversation, Antons shares the pivotal moment with Jensen Huang that changed the trajectory of his life, what coaching taught him that technology couldn’t, and why he believes AI won’t make human connection less important, but more valuable. We explore why he created OSMO, the future of coaching, the role technology should play in deeply human work, and what we risk losing as intelligence becomes increasingly abundant. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow the show for more conversations with the people shaping the future of technology, business, and what it means to be human.

  5. Oct 6

    Redemption, Reinvention & AI: The Extraordinary Story Behind NextLM

    What happens when you lose almost everything and decide to build again? In this powerful conversation, Amer Ahmad and Chris Anzalone, co-founders of NextLM, share a remarkable story of friendship, failure, redemption, and reinvention. Amer’s journey has taken him from serving as Comptroller of Chicago and CFO of the Ohio State Treasury to spending a decade in federal prison following a public corruption conviction. But prison ultimately became not the end of his story, but one of the chapters that shaped who he would become. Today, Amer and Chris are building NextLM, an AI-driven sales intelligence company backed by venture capital and working with major technology partners including Google and NVIDIA. Their story raises bigger questions about what it takes to rebuild a life, earn trust again, and create something meaningful after your past has become part of your public identity. They talk candidly about the “paddles” that carried them through their darkest years, accountability, honesty, and the relationships that refused to disappear when there was nothing to gain. They also explore the extraordinary friendship that began in prison and eventually became the foundation for a technology company. This is a conversation about more than AI or entrepreneurship. It’s about second chances, taking responsibility, the power of loyalty, and the possibility that your worst chapter does not have to be your final one. For anyone who has ever made a serious mistake, lost everything, or wondered whether it’s possible to start over, this conversation offers a powerful message: your past may shape your story, but it doesn't have to determine your future.

  6. Oct 5

    Opening Doors: Kelly Ann Collins on Women, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of Blockchain

    What happens when you leave the traditional corporate path behind to build something that creates opportunity for others? For Kelly Ann Collins, the answer was to turn her experience in business, marketing, and corporate social responsibility into a mission focused on social impact, and to help more women find their place in one of the world's fastest-evolving industries. As Executive Director of Unstoppable Future Corporation, Kelly leads SheCrypto, a rapidly growing initiative dedicated to amplifying women in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and Bitcoin. Supported by the Women in Bitcoin + Blockchain Fund, SheCrypto is helping women entrepreneurs, builders, and investors gain access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities in the blockchain ecosystem. In just one year, SheCrypto has helped more than 2,000 women attend blockchain and cryptocurrency conferences for free, connecting women who are already building businesses in the space with those who are exploring how blockchain technology could transform their companies and careers. But Kelly's journey didn't begin in blockchain. After building a career in the corporate and agency world including campaigns for major brands such as Starbucks and Disney, she made a pivotal decision: rather than continuing to build campaigns for other organizations, she wanted to create and run initiatives that directly addressed social challenges. That decision led her to entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, and ultimately to a mission centered on closing opportunity gaps for women in emerging technology. In this conversation, Kelly shares what prompted her career transformation, why access and community are so important for women entering blockchain, and what she has learned from helping thousands of women take their first steps into the industry. Don't miss this episode as we explore the future of blockchain and entrepreneurship, the importance of creating spaces where women can learn and connect without barriers, and why sometimes

  7. Sep 28

    The Future of Marketing, AI, Web3 & Fintech Growth with Polina Morozova:

    Polina Morozova is a PR and marketing strategist specializing in Web3, AI, and fintech. A contributor to Crypto India Magazine, Polina also regularly speaks and moderates at leading industry events including TOKEN2049 and Sonic Summit. In this conversation, Polina shares practical insights on how technology companies can build stronger brands, enter new markets, and communicate effectively in rapidly evolving industries. We explore: How AI is transforming marketing, PR, and communications What traditional businesses can learn from Web3 growth strategies Why Asia is emerging as a major hub for fintech and AI innovation How technology companies can approach go-to-market strategy and growth The role of storytelling in building trust around emerging technologies How brands can communicate complex technology in ways that resonate with customers and investors   If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow us for more insights from the people shaping the future of technology, business, and innovation.

  8. Sep 25

    The AI Image Revolution: How Photoroom Is Reshaping E-Commerce: Insights from Matt Rouif

    AI-generated imagery is rapidly changing the economics of e-commerce. Production costs are falling, creative output is scaling, and some of the world’s biggest retailers and marketplaces are rethinking how they produce, manage, and deploy visual content. In this episode of The Business RoundUp, Matt Rouif, CEO and co-founder of Photoroom, joins us to explore the shift. What began with a frustration around GoPro workflows has grown into a platform used by more than 300 million people, processing over seven billion images annually. Matt shares what Photoroom’s work with companies including Decathlon, Mercari, DoorDash and the British Red Cross reveals about the next phase of AI adoption, and why image production is becoming a major lever for efficiency, speed and growth in e-commerce. We discuss how Decathlon reduced image costs by 99% and compressed a two-week workflow into just 20 minutes, how AI-assisted listings can help marketplaces increase supply, and why visual consistency could become increasingly important to consumer trust and conversion. Matt also discusses the challenges ahead, including how businesses will manage AI-generated content at scale and what emerging EU AI regulations could mean for global platforms. In this episode: Why AI-generated imagery is transforming e-commerce economics How retailers are dramatically reducing production costs and timelines How marketplaces are using AI to scale listings and accelerate growth Why visual consistency matters for trust and conversion What AI adoption means for creative and marketing teams How upcoming EU regulations could shape the future of AI-generated content If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Business RoundUp on Apple Podcasts and your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a new episode.

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About

The Business RoundUP (formerly Texas RoundUp) Hosted by seasoned journalist Melissa Bill, The Business RoundUp explores the pivotal topics shaping local and the broader business landscape today. From groundbreaking innovations to leadership insights and finance trends, this podcast delivers in-depth coverage and engaging interviews with influential figures and newsmakers from across the United States. ✨ Meet the Host: Melissa Bill With 16+ years of journalism experience, Melissa Bill has been a trusted voice for major outlets like The Miami Herald and WIOD News Radio. While reporting for The Texas Insider, she focused on business, technology, space, and finance—issues vital to Texans, from the proposed Texas-based stock exchange to the state’s expanding energy industry. A proud graduate of Florida International University, Melissa brings sharp insights and a passion for storytelling to every episode. 📅 Tune in Weekly for fresh perspectives, lively discussions, and a deep dive into the stories that matter most locally, regionally and beyond.

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