Tech Can't Save Us

Literal Humans
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Every week, hosts Paul David and Maya Dharampal-Hornby sit down with founders, CEOs, and innovators at mission-driven tech companies to discuss how tech can help solve the most pressing issues of our time— and how to avoid losing sight of the humans it affects.

  1. Tackling the Screen Time Epidemic with Connor Mason and Glenn Stephenson, Co-founders of Fluid Focus

    1D AGO

    Tackling the Screen Time Epidemic with Connor Mason and Glenn Stephenson, Co-founders of Fluid Focus

    This week on Tech Can’t Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Connor Mason and Glenn Stephenson, co-founders of Fluid Focus, a Belfast-based company rethinking our relationship with technology. With research showing the average adult spends nearly a third of their waking hours—and Gen Z over six hours a day—on their smartphones, Fluid Focus aims to flip the dynamic from tech consuming our lives to tech enhancing them. They discuss the alarming "attention economy" where products are designed to monetize human focus, leading to fractured productivity, increased anxiety, and a "loneliness epidemic" as physical socialization declines. Connor and Glenn share how their background in big tech and corporate consulting revealed a shared struggle: the inability to focus for more than a few minutes without compulsively reaching for a phone. The conversation covers the Fluid Focus app’s innovative approach, which combines: Deep Work Tools: One-click focus sessions that block distracting apps and utilize curated "focus music" from global leader Mindstream to keep users on task. Gamification and Incentives: A system where users earn "Fluid Coins" for focus sessions, which can be used to enter wellness raffles or provide days of education for children through the charity Mary’s Meals. Data-Driven Habits: Passive blocking rules (like "no social media until 10,000 steps") and tracking tools for mood and productivity. Glenn and Connor discuss their strategic move to partner with academic institutions and workplaces rather than competing in the crowded consumer market, aiming to create a "focus operating system" for the modern world.Find more about Fluid Focus here: https://www.fluidfocus.app/Connor Mason:https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-mason-2b347b128/ Glenn Stephenson:https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-stephenson-1297849a/

    39 min
  2. Reinventing How We Pay Off Mortgages with Jinesh Vohra, CEO of Sprive

    FEB 11

    Reinventing How We Pay Off Mortgages with Jinesh Vohra, CEO of Sprive

    This week on Tech Can't Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Jinesh Vohra, founder and CEO of Sprive, a UK-based fintech on a mission to help homeowners pay off their mortgages years earlier and save thousands in interest. The conversation dives deep into the structural flaws of the UK mortgage system, where high property prices relative to salaries have forced many into 30 or 40-year mortgage terms. Jinesh highlights the sobering reality that millions of people are now on track to carry mortgage debt well past the age of retirement. He shares his personal journey of frustration with traditional banking—ranging from the manual slog of tracking overpayments on Excel spreadsheets to the "nightmare" nine-month process of actually moving into a home in the UK. This personal friction, combined with a 14-year career at Goldman Sachs, inspired him to build a consumer-centric solution that empowers homeowners to take back control. Jinesh explains how Sprive differentiates itself by making mortgage reduction a seamless part of daily life through its "Shop Away Your Mortgage" feature. By partnering with major brands like Amazon, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, the app allows users to earn rewards on everyday purchases that are instantly pushed toward their mortgage balance. These small, frequent contributions benefit from compound interest, often saving the homeowner triple the original reward amount over the life of the loan. The platform further optimizes financial health by using open banking to analyze spending patterns, automatically setting aside spare cash for overpayments only when the user can afford it. The episode also explores the challenges of disrupting an industry dominated by an oligopoly of lenders who lack the motivation to innovate or simplify the customer experience. Jinesh discusses the rigor required to build a trusted fintech brand, including raising £4.5 million in funding and passing strict regulatory checks to ensure zero fraud. He concludes by painting a picture of the life-changing freedom that comes with being mortgage-free, which can unlock new hobbies, career shifts, and the ability to build generational wealth. Find more about Sprive here: https://sprive.com/ Follow Jinesh Vohra here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jinesh-vohra/

    34 min
  3. Solving the Data and AI Literacy Crisis with Greg Freeman, CEO of Data Literacy Academy

    FEB 4

    Solving the Data and AI Literacy Crisis with Greg Freeman, CEO of Data Literacy Academy

    This week on Tech Can’t Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Greg Freeman, founder and CEO of Data Literacy Academy, an organization dedicated to building data-confident cultures within the world’s top companies. They discuss the staggering reality that up to 83% of the workforce is data illiterate, leaving businesses unable to effectively monetize or act upon the billions of dollars they invest in AI platforms and data infrastructure. Greg explains why technology alone cannot solve business problems if the people using it lack the confidence and mindset to make data-led decisions. The conversation covers the critical role of leadership in driving change, the concept of "taught fear" in education, and how Data Literacy Academy uses live learning to transform anxious employees into confident data thinkers. Greg also shares insights on moving industry measurements from inputs and outputs to meaningful outcomes, treating data literacy as a multi-year cultural change rather than a one-off training session and the "champagne problem" of a data-literate workforce surfacing more business use cases than a data office can handle.Find more about Data Literacy Academy here: www.dl-academy.com Follow Greg Freeman here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdata/

    40 min
  4. Winning B2B Software Sales in the Age of AI with Matthew Whyatt, Founder & Chief Strategist at TechTorque

    JAN 28

    Winning B2B Software Sales in the Age of AI with Matthew Whyatt, Founder & Chief Strategist at TechTorque

    This week on Tech Can't Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Matthew Whyatt, founder and chief strategist at TechTorque, a consultancy that helps B2B software and SaaS companies sharpen their go-to-market strategies, scale revenue, and build predictable sales systems. They discuss how AI is fundamentally reshaping B2B software sales while emphasizing that great selling isn't dying, it's evolving. With over 25 years in software sales and more than $100 million in tech sales across startups and global markets, Matthew shares why AI won't replace salespeople but will eliminate lazy approaches and amplify the performance of skilled reps. The conversation covers the critical importance of bio-led qualification over demos, why hyper-personalization is now essential even for lower-priced products, and how sales teams need to invest in empathy and structured frameworks rather than just adding more AI tools. Matthew also reveals his approach to selling diagnosis before solutions, the power of scripting in sales, and why the best salespeople will become even more valuable in the AI era. Find more about TechTorque here: https://techtorque.coFollow Matthew Whyatt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwhyatt

    41 min
  5. Weaving the Future of Sustainable Textiles with Mijke van Ballegooijen, CEO of BYBORRE

    JAN 21

    Weaving the Future of Sustainable Textiles with Mijke van Ballegooijen, CEO of BYBORRE

    This week on Tech Can't Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Mijke van Ballegooijen, CEO of BYBORRE, a pioneering textile innovation company based in Amsterdam that's redefining how fabrics are designed, produced, and valued through data-driven design and radical transparency. They discuss the fundamental problems plaguing the global textile industry, which accounts for up to 10% of global carbon emissions, including fragmented supply chains, overproduction, and greenwashing. Mijke explains how BYBORRE is tackling these challenges through true on-demand production, focusing on longevity over recyclability, and providing designers with digital tools that reveal the environmental impact of their design choices in real-time. The conversation covers BYBORRE's strategic pivot from fashion to the interior design market, their innovative software platform that translates any design into knit files for mattress-ticking machines worldwide, and their recent recognition as both an innovation and sustainability startup and the "coolest Dutch brand." Mijke also shares insights on leading through aligned autonomy, building mission-driven companies at scale, and why radical transparency, including their seven-year-old textile passport system, is essential for driving real change in the industry. Find more about BYBORRE here: https://byborre.comFollow Mijke van Ballegooijen here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mijkevanballegooijen

    34 min
  6. Redefining Fertility Through Precision Medicine with Kirsten Karchmer, Founder & CEO of Conceivable

    JAN 15

    Redefining Fertility Through Precision Medicine with Kirsten Karchmer, Founder & CEO of Conceivable

    This week on Tech Can't Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Kirsten Karchmer, CEO of Conceivable, a pioneering digital health company that is revolutionizing precision medicine for fertility and women's wellness. Kirsten's career spans more than two decades transforming how women approach their reproductive health. After running one of North America's largest fertility wellness clinics as the first board-certified reproductive acupuncturist in North America, she founded Conceivable to bring clinical expertise to scale through data science, personalized nutraceuticals, and lifestyle interventions. Kirsten explains why the current fertility care system is fundamentally broken—pushing women toward expensive IVF and IUI treatments without addressing the underlying health issues that impact their ability to conceive and stay pregnant. She argues that 75-80% of fertility challenges stem from lifestyle factors like sleep, nutrition, stress, and behavioral health, which can be addressed for a fraction of the cost of traditional treatments. Rather than using fertility interventions to override the body's warning signals, Conceivable helps women understand and resolve root causes, improving not just fertility outcomes but long-term health. The conversation explores Conceivable's innovative approach: an AI-powered "operating system for women's health" featuring a virtual care team that includes therapists, nutritionists, chefs, and formulators who provide daily, personalized support. Using predictive analytics, wearable data, and individualized supplement formulations, the platform addresses each woman's unique health profile rather than offering generic fertility advice. Kirsten shares insights from building the company, including a previous failed attempt in 2016, her breakthrough growth on TikTok after advice from investor Gary Vaynerchuk, and why authentic customer connection through daily live Q&A sessions shaped the product's development. Paul and Kirsten dig into women's health innovation, the dangers of tracking apps that provide data without actionable guidance, the importance of building products people genuinely love, and why behavioral health interventions are more effective than supplements alone. They also discuss Kirsten's book Seeing Red, which tackles how menstrual health became stigmatized, and her vision for an operating system that supports women across their entire reproductive lifecycle.Find more about Conceivable here: https://www.conceivable.com/Follow Kirsten Karchmer here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-karchmer-0139808/

    30 min
  7. Reimagining brand strategy for the AI era, with Gary Bonilla, Co-Founder of GoodMora

    JAN 7

    Reimagining brand strategy for the AI era, with Gary Bonilla, Co-Founder of GoodMora

    This week on Tech Can’t Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Gary Bonilla, Co-Founder of GoodMora, a company pioneering structural intelligence. AI-driven tools that make the hidden architecture of a business visible, measurable, and adaptable. Gary’s career spans newsroom reporting, global brand strategy, and creative leadership at Nickelodeon, where he helped revive icons like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and later at Interpublic Group, where he led strategy across multinational portfolios including Nestlé and Unilever. Gary explains why most organisations still treat AI as an add-on (automating content or workflows) while ignoring the structural systems that shape decisions, incentives, creativity, and trust. At GoodMora, he and his team use AI, ontology, and graph technology to map how a business truly functions: where alignment breaks down, where workstreams become “orphaned,” and where strategy fails long before execution. This structural visibility enables leaders to simulate transformations before they spend, turning strategy from guesswork into science. The conversation explores how adaptability has become the defining competitive advantage, why creativity and data must work together (not in opposition), and how brands can evolve from static assets to living systems that sense and respond to real-time signals. Gary also shares insights from GoodMora’s early pilots, including how mapping organisational trust and decision flows uncovered strategic blind spots for a major healthcare group pursuing AI at scale. Paul and Gary dig into leadership, transformation failure rates, the future of brand building, and the role AI will play in collapsing the traditional gap between strategy and execution, enabling leaders to “play” again, rather than manage from the sidelines. Find more about GoodMora here: https://www.goodmora.ai/Read Gary’s white paper on Structural Intelligence: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-driven-talent-augmentation-empowering-future-edgardo-bonilla-guuie/Follow Gary Bonilla here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garybonilla1/

    40 min
  8. Wearable headsets for treating depression with Erin Lee, CEO of Flow Neuroscience

    12/18/2025

    Wearable headsets for treating depression with Erin Lee, CEO of Flow Neuroscience

    This week on Tech Can’t Save Us, host Paul David is joined by Erin Lee, CEO of Flow Neuroscience, the Swedish health-tech company behind a breakthrough in depression treatment: a wearable brain-stimulation headset that offers a safe, evidence-based alternative to traditional antidepressants.Flow’s device uses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to gently activate brain regions responsible for mood regulation. In a landmark 2023 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Flow outperformed 21 frontline antidepressants, earning a feature in Nature’s “Future of Medicine” edition, an unprecedented milestone for at-home neuroscience technology. Today, Flow has 50,000+ users, is available across 200 clinics and multiple NHS trusts, and has raised nearly $20M to bring new forms of treatment to those who need it most.Erin shares how the Flow experience works day-to-day, why users often see improvements within the first two weeks, and how pairing brain stimulation with an app-driven behavioral toolkit increases neuroplasticity and supports long-term recovery. She also speaks candidly about public perception, clinician adoption, and why Flow chose the harder, highly regulated path to build trust and clinical credibility from day one.The conversation expands into Flow’s growth strategy, upcoming global expansion, and Erin’s transition from leadership roles at Google, Uber, and Babylon Health into one of the most personal and emotionally charged spaces in healthcare. She reflects on the influence of her own family’s mental health history, the importance of scientific rigor, and what it means to build a startup where the mission is literally life-changing.Find more about Flow Neuroscience here: https://www.flowneuroscience.comFollow Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinslee/

    29 min
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About

Every week, hosts Paul David and Maya Dharampal-Hornby sit down with founders, CEOs, and innovators at mission-driven tech companies to discuss how tech can help solve the most pressing issues of our time— and how to avoid losing sight of the humans it affects.

Information

  • Creator
    Literal Humans
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    187
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Literal Humans
  • Show Website
    Tech Can't Save Us

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