Tech Pathways: Stories Behind the Screens

ZETA
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Ever wonder how people dominate tech or shape the future of policy? Tech Pathways: Stories Behind the Screens brings you straight into the action with unfiltered conversations from the trailblazers making it happen. From navigating first jobs to building groundbreaking careers, these stories are your guide to carving out your own path in tech, policy and beyond. This isn’t just another podcast—it’s your backstage pass to the world you’re ready to own. Hosted by: Jose Gaona Produced by: Andres Fierro Morales & Lucas Roque Thank you for listening, for more information about ZETA visit www.connectZETA.org.

  1. Adrian Tovalin: AI Strategist & Community Builder – Startups, World Travel, Building in Tech

    Jun 5

    Adrian Tovalin: AI Strategist & Community Builder – Startups, World Travel, Building in Tech

    Adrian Tovalin is a startup strategist, community builder, and growth operator whose career spans consulting, global development, venture-backed startups, and the fast-evolving world of AI — all driven by a belief that opportunity comes from showing up, taking risks, and building meaningful connections. Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by Adrian Tovalin — strategist at Luma AI and founder of DC Tech Parties, a startup community that grew from small gatherings of founders and builders into one of D.C.’s most recognizable tech networking communities. From growing up in California’s Santa Ynez Valley helping run his family’s Mexican restaurant, to working at Accenture, the World Bank, and startups across India, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Washington D.C., Adrian’s journey is one of curiosity, adaptability, and learning by jumping into unfamiliar environments. After years working across consulting, startups, and venture-backed companies, Adrian realized something was missing: community. What started as informal founder meetups eventually became DC Tech Parties — bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives around the D.C. tech ecosystem. Today, Adrian works at Luma AI, helping shape strategy and operations at the frontier of video AI and creative technology. In this episode, Adrian shares how his upbringing shaped his work ethic, why he transitioned from consulting into global startup ecosystems, what traveling and living abroad taught him, and how building community became just as important as building a career. ----------------------- 📲 Connect With Adrian 🌐 Luma AI: https://lumalabs.ai/ 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantovalin/ ----------------------- Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ ----------------------- 🕓 Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:23 🎧 Intro 0:29 👋 Meet Adrian Tovalin 3:56 🌮 Family Restaurant Roots & Growing Up in Santa Ynez Valley 12:22 🎓 UC Berkeley, Work Ethic & Academic Success 18:46 💼 Breaking Into Consulting & Corporate Life 23:46 🌎 First-Generation Success, Burnout & Finding Purpose 32:20 ✈️ Living in India, Global Travel & Culture Shock 45:53 🤝 DC Tech Parties & Building Startup Communities 54:29 🤖 Working in AI at Luma AI & The Future of Video AI 1:04:14 🔚 Final Advice & Outro

    1h 9m
  2. Joe Hollier: CEO of The Light Phone – Digital Wellness, Skateboarding, Art School, & Rethinking Tech

    May 7

    Joe Hollier: CEO of The Light Phone – Digital Wellness, Skateboarding, Art School, & Rethinking Tech

    Joe Hollier is an artist, designer, and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of technology, creativity, and digital wellness — all driven by a belief that the best technology should help people live more intentionally, not consume more of their attention. Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by Joe Hollier — co-founder of Light, the company behind the Light Phone, a device designed to offer an alternative to today’s always-connected smartphone culture. From growing up between suburban New Jersey and the rural South to immersing himself in skateboarding, art, and design culture, Joe’s journey has always been shaped by curiosity, creativity, and questioning the status quo. After studying design at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Joe worked across film, animation, fine art, and freelance creative work before joining Google’s experimental incubator program, 30 Weeks. There, he gained firsthand insight into how modern apps and platforms are designed to maximize attention and retention — an experience that ultimately became the foundation for the Light Phone. What started as an artistic and philosophical challenge to smartphone culture has since grown into a movement within the digital wellness space, with over 100,000 Light Phones helping people rethink their relationship with technology. In this episode, Joe shares how skateboarding shaped his creative mindset, how art school expanded his worldview, why he became skeptical of “attention economy” tech, and what it means to design products that give people their time back. 📲 Connect With Joe / Light: 🌐 Light: https://www.thelightphone.com/ 👔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joehollier/ Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ 🕓 Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:28 🎧 Music Intro 0:35 👋 Meet Joe Hollier 4:50 🌎 Growing Up Between NYC & The Rural South 14:17 🛹 Skateboarding, Creativity & Early Entrepreneurship 23:13 🎨 Art School in NYC & Expanding His Worldview 33:24 🎥 Early Creative Work & Freelancing 37:25 📱 Google’s Incubator & Rethinking Tech Culture 43:14 💡 The Origins of the Light Phone 59:47 ⏭️ The Future of The Light Phone 1:05:30 🌱 Digital Wellness & Healthy Relationships with Technology 1:17:36 🔚 Outro

    1h 18m
  3. Robbie Douek: CEO of BLAST – Google, Disney, Gaming, Building the Future of Entertainment

    Apr 23

    Robbie Douek: CEO of BLAST – Google, Disney, Gaming, Building the Future of Entertainment

    Robbie Douek is a global entertainment executive and CEO whose career spans Google, Disney, and the rapidly growing world of esports — all driven by a belief in building where the future is unfolding. Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by Robbie Douek — CEO of BLAST, a global competitive entertainment company shaping the future of gaming, esports, and live digital experiences. From a multicultural upbringing to leading teams across continents, Robbie’s journey is defined by curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to take bold leaps into emerging industries. His career has taken him from early work in mobile technology to Google through the AdMob acquisition, into the creator economy at Maker Studios and Disney, and now to the forefront of esports. At BLAST, Robbie leads a global organization delivering world-class competitive gaming experiences across titles like Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2, and Rocket League—working with major publishers and building fan-first moments for a new generation of digital audiences. In this episode, Robbie shares how early life experiences shaped his leadership, what it means to “go where things are changing,” and how he’s helping redefine entertainment in the age of Gen Z. 📲 Connect With Robbie / BLAST: 🌐 BLAST: https://blast.tv 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiedouek/ Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ 🕓 Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:27 🎧 Intro 0:34 👋 Meet Robbie Douek 2:18 🌍 Multicultural Upbringing & Global Mindset 8:22 🧠 Loss, Resilience & Early Motivation 12:54 🎓 From French & Politics → Tech Career 15:52 🔮 Spotting Trends, Taking Risks & Big Opportunities 21:50 🏢 Google & Disney (Big Tech Experience) 26:55 🎮 Pivot to Esports & Gaming Industry 30:01 🚀 Building a Global Esports Company (BLAST) 33:35 🌐 The Future of Esports & Entertainment 36:08 👨‍👧‍👦 Parenting, Gen Z & Digital Culture 44:10 💬 Advice for Gen Z & Future Entrepreneurs 46:52 🔚 Outro

    48 min
  4. Parker Tracey: Leadership Coach & Policy Leader – Capitol Hill, Breaking Into Tech, Career Pivots

    Apr 9

    Parker Tracey: Leadership Coach & Policy Leader – Capitol Hill, Breaking Into Tech, Career Pivots

    Parker Tracey is a leadership coach, policy professional, and former tech operator whose career spans Capitol Hill, the energy sector, and the startup world — all centered on helping people navigate transitions, advocate for themselves, and unlock new opportunities. Parker's Career Development Resource Kit: https://parker-tracey-coaching.kit.com/zeta Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by Parker Tracey — an executive leadership coach, strategist, and former Capitol Hill staffer who has spent nearly two decades working across Congress, energy policy, and tech. From her roots in suburban Detroit to working on Capitol Hill and later breaking into tech with zero industry connections, Parker’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and self-advocacy. Along the way, she’s worked across public service and industry, gaining firsthand experience in how policy, business, and leadership intersect in the real world. Today, Parker works as a Professional Certified Coach, supporting high performers, from policymakers to athletes, through career transitions, leadership challenges, and moments of uncertainty. In this episode, Parker shares how her early experiences shaped her perspective on access and opportunity, what it took to navigate bias and financial hardship in competitive environments, and how she ultimately built a career on her own terms. 🔔 Don’t forget to: Subscribe for more conversations with leaders across tech and policy 📲 Connect With Parker: 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkertracey/ Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ 🕓 Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:24 🎧 Intro 0:30 👋 Meet Parker Tracey 3:58 🌆 Detroit Roots & Early Ambitions 15:58 🏥 Growing Up Without Healthcare Access 21:32 🏛️ From Working Class to Capitol Hill 28:52 🏈 D1 Athlete Journey & Career Pivot 40:54 🧭 From Policy to Leadership Coaching 47:13 🤝 Male Loneliness & Building Community 55:28 ⚖️ Facing Bias & Leading Through It 1:06:29 ⚡ Energy, Tech & Policy Work 1:14:23 🗣️ Leading When You’re Told You Don’t Belong 1:25:28 🌱 Coaching the Next Generation 1:38:35 🎬 Outro

    1h 39m
  5. April Watkins: Marketing Strategist & Founder – Google, YouTube, Web3, Brand Partnerships, $1M Deals

    Mar 26

    April Watkins: Marketing Strategist & Founder – Google, YouTube, Web3, Brand Partnerships, $1M Deals

    April Watkins is a partnerships builder, entrepreneur, and marketing strategist whose career spans startups, Big Tech, and Web3 — all centered on helping brands grow, connect, and tell their story with impact. Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by April Watkins — founder of SocialSway LLC and a trusted advisor to leading Web3 organizations, where she helps companies navigate growth, partnerships, and brand strategy. Often called “the brand whisperer,” April has worked with global brands like Coinbase, Walmart, Dropbox, and Uber — building campaigns, closing $1M+ deals, and redefining what it means to drive partnerships at scale. From her roots in a close-knit Boston family to her journey through the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Google, and YouTube, April’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and embracing non-linear paths in tech. Along the way, she’s also launched her own product, BookedBag, and continues to build at the intersection of marketing, entrepreneurship, and emerging technology. In this episode, April shares how her upbringing, early career pivots, and experiences in high-growth environments shaped her approach to leadership — and how she’s building her own lane in the evolving world of tech and Web3. We also explore: 🌎 How April’s Boston upbringing and family shaped her mindset 📚 Finding confidence through sports, books, and early curiosity 🔄 Pivoting from finance to marketing — and embracing change early 💼 Closing $1M+ deals and redefining account management in Atlanta 🚀 Lessons from Google & YouTube working with global brands and creators 📦 Launching BookedBag and balancing entrepreneurship with a full-time career 🤝 Becoming the “brand whisperer” and building trust with organizations 🌐 Transitioning into Web3 and founding SocialSway 💬 April’s advice for Gen Z navigating pivots and building careers in tech Connect With April: 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilswatkins/ Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ 🕓 Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:31 🎧 Music Intro 0:37 👋 Meet April Watkins 2:53 🌆 Boston Roots & Family Influence 5:01 📚 Books, Sports & Navigating Sibling Relationships 11:52 🔄 Pivoting from Finance to Marketing 21:23 💼 Working Through College 32:41 💼 Atlanta Journey & First $1M+ Deal 45:15 📦 Building BookedBag (Entrepreneurship Begins) 51:24 🚀 Google & YouTube Experience 1:01:44 🤝 Working with Brands & Creators at Scale 1:08:18 🌐 Entering Web3 & Founding SocialSway 1:15:57 💬 Advice for Gen Z in Tech 1:19:03 🔚 Outro

    1h 20m
  6. Kenley Joseph: Tech & Telecom Policy Leader – Haitian Roots, Big Law, AI & Digital Access

    09/05/2025

    Kenley Joseph: Tech & Telecom Policy Leader – Haitian Roots, Big Law, AI & Digital Access

    Kenley Joseph is a telecommunications and media attorney whose career bridges Big Law, public service, and nonprofit advocacy — all in the name of building a more equitable digital future. Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by Kenley Joseph — Tech and Telecom Policy Counsel at the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), where he works to advance fair and inclusive access to broadband, spectrum, and emerging technologies. From his roots in South Florida as the son of Haitian immigrants to his work advising Fortune 500 clients and shaping national tech policy, Kenley’s journey is one of perseverance, adaptability, and purpose. Along the way, he’s led high-impact pro bono cases, mentored future policy leaders, and brought a human-centered perspective to some of today’s most pressing digital equity challenges. In this episode, Kenley shares how his upbringing, education in psychology and philosophy, and legal career informed his approach to advocacy — and why expanding digital access is critical in the age of AI. We also explore: 🌎 How Kenley’s family history shaped his ambition and values ⚖️ Lessons from Big Law and his decision to pivot into nonprofit policy work 📡 The urgent stakes of broadband access and digital inclusion 🤖 AI policy and the importance of diverse voices in shaping the future 🏛️ What it’s really like to work with policymakers at the state and federal level 💬 Kenley’s advice for Gen Z changemakers in tech policy Connect With Kenley: 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenley-joseph-56a923b5/ 📝 MMTC: https://www.mmtconline.org/ Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ 🕓 Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:31 🎧 Music Intro 0:37 👋 Meet Kenley Joseph 3:34 🌍 Haitian Roots & Immigrant Story 9:58 🔎 Childhood Curiosity → Law Path 14:10 ⚖️ Hobbies that Balance Legal Work 16:13 🧠 Psych & Philosophy → Problem-Solving in Law 21:43 🎓 Law School at Howard (DC Life) 26:37 💼 Legal Advocacy at Willkie Farr & Gallagher 31:48 📡 Broadband, AI & Digital Inclusion w/ MMTC 37:59 🤖 Gen Z & The Future of AI 42:13 🏛️ Working with Congress & FCC (Advocacy Tips) 45:41 🤝 Building Coalitions in Shifting Politics 56:30 📱 Kenley’s Favorite Tech Tool 57:56 🔚 Outro

    59 min
  7. Pher Ellis: Artist & Experience Designer - Texas Roots, The Whoa Studio, Music as Storytelling

    09/05/2025

    Pher Ellis: Artist & Experience Designer - Texas Roots, The Whoa Studio, Music as Storytelling

    Pher Ellis—known to many as Pher the Legend—is an event production expert, multidisciplinary artist, and creative futurist helping redefine what it means to blend technology with personal expression. Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by Pher Ellis — a boundary-pushing creative based in the Bay Area whose journey has taken him from jazz-filled roots in Texas to his current role as an Event Manager at Stanford’s d.School. Known for his ability to merge artistic storytelling with immersive event design, Pher is showing a new generation that professional growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of creative authenticity. In this episode, Pher shares how music, migration, and the pandemic shaped his approach to creative production and futurism. We also dive into his work with The Whoa Studio, insights from Stanford, and advice for Gen Z professionals hoping to align purpose with passion. We also explore: 🎷 How jazz, blues, and gospel shaped his early storytelling 💡 What moving from Texas to the Bay unlocked creatively 🎨 The power of merging tech-forward thinking with art and music 🧪 How the pandemic led to co-founding The Whoa Studio 🧭 Lessons in risk-taking, innovation, and building creative ecosystems 🎓 What he’s learning from Gen Z changemakers at Stanford’s d.School 🔥 Advice for young professionals blending creativity with career 🎧 Spoiler: You don’t have to separate the “artistic you” from the “professional you.” Connect With Pher: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pher_thelegend 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pher_thelegend 🌐 Website/Portfolio: https://pherthelegend.com/ Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ 🕓Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:29 🎧 Music Intro 0:35 👋 Meet Pher 1:47 🫱 How Pher Met Jose 3:11 🧢 The Story Behind the Name "Pher the Legend" 4:17 🎼 Musical Roots — Family, Church & Finding His Sound 11:46 🪄 Music as Storytelling 17:07 🎙️ Why Music Speaks Louder Than Words 23:44 🤖 AI in the Music Industry 31:09 🌉 Moving to the Bay — How It Changed Pher’s Creative Life 36:55 🎭 Fusing Events & Art 43:29 🛠️ Building The Whoa Studio During the Pandemic 53:53 🧑‍🎓 Gen Z + Creativity 1:02:13 🌱 Advice for Young Creators 1:08:13 🆕 What’s Next for Pher 1:11:07 ⚙️ Favorite Tech Tool 1:12:38 👋 Outro

    1h 13m
  8. Nick Plante: Gen Z Tech Organizer – Social Media, Attention Activism, Digital Rights, and Unplugging

    09/05/2025

    Nick Plante: Gen Z Tech Organizer – Social Media, Attention Activism, Digital Rights, and Unplugging

    Nick Plante is a digital wellness advocate, Gen Z organizer, and leader in the fight for young people's rights in the digital age. Thank you for listening — for more information about ZETA, visit https://www.connectZETA.org Today we’re joined by Nick Plante — Organizing Director at Design It For Us, a coalition dedicated to advocating for responsible tech that protects the rights of young people in the digital space. Nick’s journey began with a deep reflection on his personal relationship with tech, especially social media, which led him to study behavior change at Penn. From founding responsible tech startups to consulting for tech ethics organizations, Nick’s mission is to ensure technology serves society and respects our mental health and well-being. In this episode, Nick shares his journey from researching social media use to organizing for tech accountability, as well as his work with the Strother School of Attention, where he experiments with methods of collective action aimed at protecting attention and promoting digital wellness. We also explore: 💡 Nick's experience running behavioral studies on social media and tech use 🔧 How his startup experience shaped his understanding of tech's impact 🗳️ Why collective action and Gen Z leadership are essential in tech advocacy 🌍 The importance of designing tech with empathy, ethics, and responsibility 🎧 Spoiler: Sometimes the most radical action you can take is to unplug. Connect With Nick: 🔗Design It For Us: https://designitforus.org/ 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklplante/ 📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designitforus 📝Substack: https://substack.com/@nicktheplant Find ZETA: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectzeta 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connectzeta 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZETA/61562518743584/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@connectZETA 👔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ConnectZETA/ 🕓Timestamps 0:00 🚀 Sneak Peek 0:29 🎧 Music Intro 0:35 🧠 Meet Nicholas Plante 3:03 📱 Gen Z, Doomscrolling & The Digital Spiral 8:34 💔 Losing His Dad & Breaking Free from Phone Addiction 18:00 📚 Studying Tech & Gen Z at Penn 25:37 🦠 Research on Disconnection While Under COVID Lockdown 29:36 💡 Turning Research into Startups for Real-Life Connection 37:24 ✊ Fighting for Humane Tech with Design It For Us 48:14 👁️ Mindful Attention with The School of Radical Attention 55:31 🔮 Gen Z’s Role in Shaping the Future of Tech 1:08:55 🌲 Nick’s Favorite Way to Unplug 1:11:31 👋 Outro

    1h 14m
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About

Ever wonder how people dominate tech or shape the future of policy? Tech Pathways: Stories Behind the Screens brings you straight into the action with unfiltered conversations from the trailblazers making it happen. From navigating first jobs to building groundbreaking careers, these stories are your guide to carving out your own path in tech, policy and beyond. This isn’t just another podcast—it’s your backstage pass to the world you’re ready to own. Hosted by: Jose Gaona Produced by: Andres Fierro Morales & Lucas Roque Thank you for listening, for more information about ZETA visit www.connectZETA.org.

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