Synching Up by Out in Tech NY

Out in Tech NY
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**Synching Up: Conversations at the intersection of tech, identity, and innovation** This series highlights the unique intersection of identity, expertise, and innovation, focusing on how LGBTQ+ professionals bring distinct perspectives to their fields. It will explore: - Human-Centered Tech - Breaking Barriers - Future Gazing

  1. 5d ago

    Stream It Loud & Proud: David Walters of Streamr on Journalism, Faith, and the Creator Economy

    In this episode, Jake sits down with David Walters - founder and CEO of Streamr, a platform designed to let creators record, engage, and distribute content across every major audio and video destination from one centralized hub. David talks about the fragmented creator landscape that inspired Streamr, and why the convergence of video and audio podcasting was a trend he saw coming long before Apple, Amazon, and iHeart followed suit. But the conversation quickly expands beyond the product. David opens up about growing up in a deeply religious Jamaican evangelical household, navigating his queerness inside a faith tradition that left no room for it, and how separating his sense of self from doctrine became the foundation for everything he's built since. His career arc- from news producer at NBC, MSNBC, and Peacock to tech CEO- is a story about backing into an identity and claiming it fully. David also shares his work as Director of Partnerships and Operations at the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, the first and only nonprofit of the Stonewall Inn, and leaves us with a clear-eyed charge: queer people of color, neurodivergent folks, immigrants, and all those outside the dominant cultural structure need more space to tell their stories, and the tools to do it safely and loudly. StreamrStonewall Inn Gives Back InitiativeDavid Walters on LinkedInJake Tenenbaum on LinkedInSoundOff: Your Live Music CompanionJoin Out in TechJoin the Out in Tech Discord

    39 min

  2. Jun 24

    Human in the Loop: Isaiah Nielsen on AI, Healthcare, and Keeping People at the Center

    Healthcare technology is evolving fast, but is AI actually delivering on its promises? In this episode, Jake sits down with Isaiah Nielsen, Epic Site Director at NYC Health and Hospitals, to explore the reality of implementing AI in one of the most regulated, high-stakes industries in the world. Isaiah traces his unexpected path from aspiring opera singer to healthcare tech leader, and shares why the lessons from digitizing medical records should give us all pause before we hand the keys over to AI. From cybersecurity risks and clinician burnout to the "bot wars" between providers and payers, Isaiah breaks down where AI has genuine potential -radiology diagnostics, clinical decision support, operational automation- and where it falls dangerously short. His central argument is simple but powerful: the human has to stay in the loop. Not just as a philosophical stance, but as a practical necessity in a field where a hallucination or a system outage can mean life or death. Isaiah also speaks openly about his identity as an LGBTQ+ professional and what it means to work for an organization like NYC Health and Hospitals, which operates dedicated Pride Centers and prioritizes care for underserved communities. His advice for young LGBTQ+ folks entering tech or healthcare? Stop chasing money. Chase purpose. The fulfillment that follows will carry you through the hard days. Isaiah Nielsen’s LinkedInJake Tenenbaum’s LinkedInNYC Health and HospitalsNYC Health and Hospitals Pride CentersOpen Evidence (clinical AI tool)HIMSS Conference"Purpose" from Avenue Q the MusicalJoin Out in Tech

    46 min

  3. Jun 17

    From Mormon Idaho to NYC Fintech: Sam Cahoon on Coming Out, High Agency, and the Future of PMM

    Sam Cahoon grew up the oldest of six kids in small-town Idaho, living a life that had been mapped out before he was even born - Eagle Scout, valedictorian, BYU, mission. In this episode, Sam shares his journey from navigating a deeply Mormon upbringing and the weight of external expectations, to fully stepping into his queer identity and building a thriving career in tech. He talks candidly about the "best little boy in the world" syndrome, what it meant to break from expectations, and how authenticity -not as a buzzword, but as a daily practice- became his greatest professional superpower. Sam is currently a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Pontera, a fintech wealth management startup, and brings serious range: nine internships, a stint at HubSpot, and a knack for stepping outside his job description to drive real results. We dig into what product marketing actually is, how queer professionals bring a distinct ability to read rooms and navigate complex systems, and what "high agency" looks like in practice - including how Sam drove a 23% lift in 30-day activation by building an onboarding flow no one asked him to build. Whether you're early in your career wondering where you fit, navigating identity in the workplace, or just want to think differently about what it means to own your role, Sam delivers the kind of conversation that sticks. Links from the Show Sam Cahoon on LinkedIn Jake Tenenbaum on LinkedIn Pontera - FinTech Wealth Management The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs SoundOff: Your Live Music Companion Join Out in Tech Join the Out in Tech Discord

    47 min

  4. May 20

    The Business of Belonging: LGBTQ+ Leadership in GTM and Strategic Alliances with Fabian Eckstrom-French

    What does “go-to-market” actually mean - and why are partnerships becoming one of the most important functions in tech? In this episode of Syncing Up by Out in Tech NYC, Jake Tenenbaum sits down with partnership and strategic alliances leader Fabian Eckstrom-French to unpack the world of GTM, business development, and ecosystem strategy. From hyperscalers and AI partnerships to authenticity in corporate spaces, Fabian shares how trust, relationships, and “reading the room” shape successful business partnerships — especially for LGBTQ+ professionals navigating leadership environments. Together, Jake and Fabian explore: What partnerships and GTM teams actually doWhy authenticity is a business advantageHow queer people often develop stronger relationship instinctsThe realities of executive leadership rooms in techAI ecosystems, hyperscalers, and where value gets createdAdvice for breaking into partnerships, alliances, and strategic rolesWhether you work in engineering, marketing, customer success, sales, or strategy, this conversation offers a practical look at the human side of building businesses in tech. Links from the Show: Fabian’s LinkedInJake’s LinkedInWhat is GTM (Go-To-Market)? What are Strategic Alliances in Tech? Understanding Hyperscalers and AI Ecosystems Join OIT

    35 min

  5. Apr 15

    You Are Not Your Skills: Identity in the Age of AI

    In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Sunny Israni — CTO & Co-Founder of Lightswitch, Columbia Business School professor, and AI educator — to unpack one of the most human questions in tech today: what happens to our identity when AI reshapes the skills we’ve built our lives around? From trading floors to startups to classrooms, Sunny shares how his own definition of identity has evolved — from where he worked, to what he could do, to the impact he creates. Together, they explore the growing divide in AI adoption, the emotional weight of feeling “replaced,” and why the future may belong to those who embrace curiosity, humility, and reinvention. This conversation moves beyond hype and fear, offering a grounded but optimistic perspective on how AI is not just disrupting work — it’s redefining how we see ourselves, what we value, and what we’re capable of building. Links from the Synch: Lightswitch Sunny's Forbes Article (Where Is AI Heading Next? Back To Basics With Traditional Businesses) Sunny's Socials: Sunny Says Yes - Sunny's YouTube Channel Sunny's Personal Website LinkedIn X Instagram TikTok Jake's Socials: LinkedIn SoundOff - Jake's Music App

    48 min

  6. Jan 14

    Building Advocacy Beyond Pride: A Conversation with Shane Lukas

    What happens when a teenage volunteer at Planned Parenthood witnesses ACT UP's graphic design revolution and decides to build a career at the intersection of creativity and activism?
 In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Shane Lukas, creative strategist and owner of A Great Idea, who's spent 25 years proving that design isn't just about aesthetics—it's a tool for resistance and social change.
 They discuss: How working with Planned Parenthood taught him that storytelling could create space for dignity and recognitionThe brutal truth about platform powerLeadership advice that hits hard: when others shine, you shine tooWhy Power Beyond Pride means thinking about all the values—not just one—that make queer communities powerful agents of change From grassroots organizing to working with healthcare and education partners nationwide, Shane's story is about merging purpose with strategy and recognizing the fullness of people in every interaction.
 Show Notes A Great IdeaShane's WebsiteShane’s LinkedIn Jake’s LinkedInPower Beyond Pride PodcastShane's First TED TalkShane's Upcoming book: "The Advocacy Advantage" (late 2025/early 2026)

    41 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    From Crypto to Civic Tech: Shruti Gupta on Reclaiming Politics and Finding Herself

    What happens when a software engineer leaves crypto behind to build something that actually improves civic life?

In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Shruti Gupta, founder of Pollsee, a new platform aiming to democratize lobbying and bring everyday people into conversations with local governments.

 They discuss: Why local elections feel so out of reach—and how Pollsee is changing thatHow Shruti navigated coming out, camping solo, and launching a company all in one yearWhat she learned from a co-founder breakup and why solo building is both freeing and lonelyAnd how being queer and brown shapes her role as a civic tech founder From potholes to policy proposals, Shruti’s story is one of bold pivots, quiet courage, and building the tools we wish we had. ⸻ Show Notes Shruti’s LinkedInPollseeOut in Tech Mentorship ProgramOut in Tech UOut in Tech DiscordGirls Who Code

    45 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    Nonlinear on Purpose: Mentorship, Internships, and Finding Your Spotlight with Brian Kirn

    What do you get when you blend performer, educator, and nonprofit strategist into one career? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Brian Kirn, a former teacher, working actor, and nonprofit leader at America On Tech, to explore how internships, access, and identity intersect. They discuss: Why early access to tech internships mattersHow being queer and Midwestern shaped Brian’s leadership styleAnd how the performing arts prepare you for corporate life more than you’d expect From St. Louis to NYC, from Spanish teacher to hand model (yes, really), Brian’s journey reminds us that the nonlinear path is often the most impactful. Show Notes: Be Our Next Podcast GuestBrian's LinkedInBrian's InstagramJake's LinkedInAmerica On TechOut in Tech UOut in Tech DiscordBrainStation Digital Marketing Bootcamp

    46 min
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**Synching Up: Conversations at the intersection of tech, identity, and innovation** This series highlights the unique intersection of identity, expertise, and innovation, focusing on how LGBTQ+ professionals bring distinct perspectives to their fields. It will explore: - Human-Centered Tech - Breaking Barriers - Future Gazing

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