TAG'D: Beyond The Award

The TAG Awards
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to TAG'D: Beyond the Award, the podcast that celebrates innovation, excellence, and leadership. Each episode dives into the inspiring stories behind the nominees and winners of The TAG Awards, uncovering the breakthroughs, challenges, and triumphs that define their journey. Whether it’s cutting-edge technology, transformative products, or visionary leadership, we’re here to explore what it means to stand out and shape the future of your industry. Let’s go beyond the award and into the heart of innovation. Here is your host, Justin Starbird.

  1. The Secret to a Breakthrough MedTech Startup (and Why Most Clever Ideas Fail)

    MAR 18

    The Secret to a Breakthrough MedTech Startup (and Why Most Clever Ideas Fail)

    What's the real difference between a brilliant concept and a product that changes healthcare? Two-time TAG Award Judge, MedTech design veteran, and founder Tor Alden is here to break it down on the TAG’D Beyond the Award podcast.  He dives into  how he evaluates nominations,  why "breaking the egg" is the best thing a startup can do,  and what the current economic climate is doing to MedTech innovation.  If you’re building, funding, or interested in the future of medical technology, this is a must-listen. Plus, get the inside scoop on his consulting firm, OllieWorks.

    31 min
  2. The #1 Mistake in Award Nominations & How to Write a Winning Entry

    MAR 11

    The #1 Mistake in Award Nominations & How to Write a Winning Entry

    Ever wonder why your company keeps losing on awards even with great products!?  Meet Susan Turkell, The Awards Guru, who says the problem isn't your product, it's your story.  Her secret? "Story mining". She's an outside expert who finds the powerful, emotional moments your internal team is just too close to see. In this episode, we dig into the real, raw psychology of awards. We'll cover: Why awards are actually a huge tool for hiring and team motivation. How to talk about big growth (like "doubling" revenue) without giving away your private financial numbers. The strategic advantage of hiring a nomination expert (she compares it to calling a plumber for a burst pipe!). Why rushing your entry for a deadline is the worst move. If you're tired of seeing your nominations "tossed out" for not answering the question, this one's a must-listen!  Time to stop filling out forms and start winning! Press play!

    29 min
  3. A Judge's Guide to Winning MedTech Awards

    MAR 11

    A Judge's Guide to Winning MedTech Awards

    Join host Justin Starbird for an insightful conversation with returning TAG Award judge, MaryBeth Privitera! Fresh off her retirement from the University of Cincinnati, MaryBeth is kicking off a "design revival" in MedTech. Find out what truly separates a scientifically interesting idea from an impactful solution in Life Sciences, and why the "age-old excuse" about regulatory slowdowns is a business problem, not an FDA one.  MaryBeth shares her unique perspective as Principal of Design and Human Factors for SentiAR on the trends she's tracking in digital health and diagnostics, and reveals the one critical weakness she sees in most award submissions.  Plus, she gives an exciting update on the next edition of her must-read book, Applied Human Factors in Design! If you're a MedTech founder, engineer, or just curious about what's next in medical device innovation, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on product design, team collaboration, and the power of third-party recognition.

    22 min
  4. The Hot Pocket of Net New: A MD&M South 2026 Preview

    MAR 4

    The Hot Pocket of Net New: A MD&M South 2026 Preview

    Ready to dive into the future of MedTech!? In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, Justin Starbird sits down with a good friend, ⁠Steve Everly⁠, Brand Director for MD&M South at Informa. Join them as they dive deep into ⁠MD&M South in Charlotte⁠, April 22nd–23rd, and why the city isn't just a location, it's the perfect "hot pocket of net new" for the entire southern region. This show is more than floor space and leads. Steve gets real about the crucial role of human connection in a post-COVID world, the power of mentorship for new engineers, and why face-to-face interaction is still non-negotiable for building trust in the supply chain. Exhibitors, listen up: you need to put your phones down! Plus, get the inside scoop on the unexpected co-location with ⁠The Battery Show South⁠. It’s a genuine opportunity that literally "fell in their lap" and is poised to spark incredible innovation around medical battery miniaturization. Tune in for an expert look at cutting-edge trends (AI, smart materials, robotics) and hear why the energy between industry veterans and the next generation of innovators is what Steve is most excited about! This is your preview of the state and future of MedTech!

    28 min
  5. The Future of Recognition for Innovation

    FEB 24

    The Future of Recognition for Innovation

    Season Two of TAG'D: Beyond the Award, kicks off with a new TAG Awards Judge, Debbie Greenway, EVP of FEIG Electronics! With four decades in tech, Debbie brings a unique blend of executive leadership and a genuine love for innovation. She talks about the real-world impact of RFID technology, from stopping the flow of counterfeit medical devices to enabling healthier patient outcomes through embedded sensors. Listen (or watch) to hear her insights on seeing the next big thing and helping innovators get their solutions market-ready. Plus, she gives the inside scoop on why awards are fuel, powerful social proof, and essential recognition for the unsung heroes of MedTech, Life Sciences, and BioTech. Connect with Debbie on Linkedin. Tune in for and feel her passion for innovation!

    22 min

  6. 08/13/2025

    Innovation in Action: How Enovis is Transforming Orthopedic Care

    In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird sits down with BJ Maack, Senior Director of Healthcare Solutions at Enovis, one of the inaugural winners of the TAG Awards for MedTech 2025! Discover the incredible story behind MotionMD, the award-winning platform revolutionizing orthopedic practices through automation, transparency, and better patient experiences. From humble beginnings cutting neoprene braces in the '70s to leading the way in healthcare tech innovation, Enovis is not just making waves—they’re creating better, together. BJ shares how MotionMD was born out of necessity, scaled through vision, and is now empowering clinics nationwide to work smarter, not harder. 🔥 Whether you're a healthcare innovator, a MedTech enthusiast, or just love a good story of transformation, this conversation highlights how purpose-driven technology can truly change the game! 🏆 Celebrate Enovis’s TAG Award win—tune in to hear what’s next for this trailblazing team! Learn more about Enovis, The TAG Awards, and the rest of the 2025 winners: https://www.tagawards.co/medtech-25/

    31 min

  7. 07/01/2025

    Solving the Right Problems: How Codonics is Transforming Medication Safety in the OR

    In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird sits down with Mike Kolberg, VP and General Manager of Codonics—an award-winning MedTech company redefining medication safety in hospitals. Fresh off their 2025 TAG Award win, Mike shares how Codonics’ Safe Label System is preventing medication errors in the OR, why listening to clinicians is their best R&D tool, and how the company continues to innovate with new solutions like RFID upgrades and in-room drug waste verification. From trade show relationship-building to culture-changing tech, Codonics is proving that the best medtech doesn’t just work—it works with people. Whether you're in hospital operations, medical device innovation, or simply fascinated by how technology is saving lives, this episode is for you!

    33 min

  8. 06/26/2025

    The Future of Proactive Health: Unpacking Althing Clinic's Award-Winning AIRs System

    Get ready for an inspiring journey on this episode of TAG'D: Beyond the Award! Host Justin sits down with Mat Johnson, the visionary CEO of Althing Clinic, to dive into the revolutionary AIRs System. Hear how this 2025 TAG Award winner for MedTech in the Healthcare category is transforming scalable, preventative health and behavioral risk intervention. Mat shares the compelling story behind AIRs, from its origins in addressing critical behavioral health challenges in K-12 education to its expansion into supporting veterans, first responders, and senior citizens. Learn how this innovative solution prioritizes agency, privacy, and proactive intervention, empowering individuals to seek the help they need. Listen to the challenges of building a highly regulated, yet universally accessible, healthcare technology and the profound impact it's having on patient engagement and outcomes. Tune in to understand what it truly takes to build technology that meets people where they are and revolutionizes how we approach public health. You won't want to miss this conversation about a system that's not just groundbreaking, but life-changing.

    49 min
See All (18)

About

Welcome to TAG'D: Beyond the Award, the podcast that celebrates innovation, excellence, and leadership. Each episode dives into the inspiring stories behind the nominees and winners of The TAG Awards, uncovering the breakthroughs, challenges, and triumphs that define their journey. Whether it’s cutting-edge technology, transformative products, or visionary leadership, we’re here to explore what it means to stand out and shape the future of your industry. Let’s go beyond the award and into the heart of innovation. Here is your host, Justin Starbird.

Information

  • Creator
    The TAG Awards
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The TAG Awards
  • Show Website
    TAG'D: Beyond The Award