The Disruption Lab

Kevin McGinnis
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Step into the world of innovation with The Disruption Lab live podcast, where groundbreaking ideas and strategic insights come to life. Hosted by Kevin McGinnis and filmed in front of a live studio audience at Keystone Sessions, each episode brings you face-to-face with the visionaries reshaping industries and pioneering new paths in entrepreneurship. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, or professional eager to fuel your growth and unlock strategic collaboration, The Disruption Lab delivers the tools, stories, and wisdom from top industry disruptors and founders. Join us as we explore the minds of industry leaders to inspire and equip the next wave of disruptors.

  1. JAN 31

    What Happens to Work When AI Knows Almost Everything? (And What That Means for You)

    What happens to work, dignity, and human purpose in a world where AI can write, diagnose, advise, and automate faster than most people ever could? In this episode, we sit down with Ed, a longtime social enterprise leader and Goodwill CEO, to unpack one of the most urgent questions of our time: How do we prepare people for the future of work without leaving the most vulnerable behind? Drawing from his lived experience as a Hurricane Katrina survivor, social entrepreneur, and workforce development leader, Ed shares why AI isn’t just a technology shift — it’s a human reckoning. We explore: Why AI literacy is becoming as essential as financial and digital literacy How Goodwill is using AI to expand agency, not eliminate jobs What “work” means when expertise is democratized Why co-creation matters more than top-down tech adoption The ethical lines we shouldn’t cross — even if we can How AI can restore time, dignity, and mobility for people facing poverty, disability, or reentry after incarceration This conversation goes far beyond hype. It’s about real people, real systems, and the responsibility leaders have when technology moves faster than policy, culture, or ethics. If you’re a: Workforce or nonprofit leader Entrepreneur navigating AI disruption Educator or policymaker Professional wondering how AI will affect your career Or simply trying to understand what the future holds This episode will change how you think about AI, work, and what it means to be human. Because AI isn’t coming. It’s already here — and the choices we make now matter.

    1h 6m

  2. JAN 23

    Building Autonomy and AI for National Security in Kansas City

    Artificial intelligence and autonomy are no longer future concepts in national security—they’re shaping real-world decisions, operations, and outcomes today. But while AI technology is advancing rapidly, the real challenge lies in data, culture, trust, and speed of adoption. In this special episode of The Disruption Lab, we explore Building Autonomy and AI for National Security in Kansas City, featuring leaders from the U.S. military, academia, advanced manufacturing, and the AI industry. Together, they offer an inside look at how AI and autonomous systems are being developed, tested, and deployed across defense and intelligence—and what’s still holding progress back. This conversation brings together: COL Dave Wright, Chief Data Officer, U.S. Army Combined Arms Command at Fort Leavenworth Col. Chris Hogan, Commander of the 184th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, Kansas Air National Guard at McConnell AFB Matthew Hizer, Director of Operations, Global Security at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC / Honeywell FM&T) Dr. Michael J. Pritchard, PhD, Senior Faculty in Machine Learning & Autonomous Systems at Kansas State University Salina Aerospace & Technology Campus Jon Kramer, Chief Technology Officer at Torch.AI Throughout the episode, the panel discusses: Why AI in defense is fundamentally a data and systems integration problem How autonomy is changing intelligence, manufacturing, and battlefield decision-making The cultural and organizational barriers slowing AI adoption The importance of human trust, human-in-the-loop systems, and risk tolerance What the U.S. can learn from global competitors and real-world conflicts like Ukraine This special episode was presented by AFCEA Kansas City, with a special thank-you to our moderator Molly Christie, Public Sector leader at Unstructured.io, for leading a thoughtful and timely discussion. If you’re interested in AI in defense, national security innovation, autonomous systems, military AI, or the future of warfare, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective from those building and deploying these systems today.

    50 min

  3. 12/12/2025

    If Your Team Isn’t Listening, It’s Not Them—It’s This One Leadership Mistake

    We have more ways to communicate than ever… so why does it feel like nobody is actually hearing each other? In this live episode of The Disruption Lab, Kevin sits down with communication strategist and executive coach Eric Morgenstern to break down what’s really going wrong in leadership communication—and how to fix it fast. From workplace trust issues to pitch coaching for startup founders, Eric shares the frameworks he’s used with hundreds of leaders to help them get clearer, sound more confident, and move people to action. You’ll hear why great communication isn’t about what you want to say—it’s about what the other person needs to hear. Eric explains why listening is the skill most leaders are losing, how trust has shifted in the last 10–15 years, and what it takes to sound authentic when your online presence meets your in-person presence. Plus: practical tools you can use immediately—like the “What / So What / Now What” message structure, the three magic feedback questions, and the simple word swaps that remove “wimpy language” without coming off arrogant. If you’re a leader, founder, manager, or anyone who needs to communicate clearly in a noisy world—this episode will change how you show up. In this episode, we cover: Why listening (not talking) is the leadership superpower Recipient-oriented communication: how to say it so they can actually hear it How to build trust in a world where trust is low by default Why your written voice and spoken voice must match (or people don’t believe you) “What / So What / Now What”: the simplest way to explain any initiative The “wimpy words” that quietly destroy credibility—and what to say instead A clean feedback framework: what went great, what went poorly, what was missing Perfect for: leaders, entrepreneurs, startup founders, corporate teams, pitch competition contestants, and anyone trying to communicate with clarity and confidence.

    46 min

  4. 11/21/2025

    The Truth About Gentrification: Can Development Help Without Displacement?

    What if gentrification isn’t the real problem? In this episode of The Disruption Lab, host Kevin McGinnis sits down with Erik Murray, founder of Eastside Innovations, to unpack how we can invest in historically overlooked “east side” communities without pushing people out. From Kansas City, Kansas to Oakland, California, Erik traces how industrialization, segregation, and policy decisions created “east side disparity”—and how clean energy, innovation districts, and community-led development can turn that into east side prosperity. If you’ve ever wondered how to do real estate development, impact investing, or community revitalization in a way that actually benefits local residents, this conversation is a masterclass. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “east side communities” exist in so many cities (East Oakland, East Palo Alto, East Kansas City, etc.) and how industrial smokestacks, redlining, and segregation shaped them. How to invest in underserved neighborhoods without fueling displacement—and why Eric believes everyone deserves “nice stuff,” not just luxury zip codes. What a P4 model (public–private–philanthropic partnership) is and how blending capital can reduce risk for investors and create better outcomes for communities. How clean energy and sustainable housing can lower total cost of living, not just rent—think no electric bills, better construction, lower insurance, and access to transit. Why not all money is good money and how Eric uses a strict “no a*****e rule” to choose investors and partners aligned with community-first values. Erik also shares real stories from projects like Indian Springs / Midtown Station in KCK, his decade in Oakland learning from Black Panther leaders and social justice organizers, and the hard lessons from deals that fell apart—COVID-era hotels, bad capital partners, and policy shifts that pulled millions away from East Side communities. Whether you’re a developer, impact investor, policymaker, startup founder, or community leader, this episode answers big questions like: How do you de-risk community development projects for private capital? Can impact investing still deliver competitive returns? What does prosperity actually look like for East Side neighborhoods? How can clean energy and innovation districts be tools for equity, not exclusion? If you care about city-building, inclusive innovation, and the future of our neighborhoods, you won’t want to miss this one.

    55 min

  5. 10/31/2025

    From Grants to Growth: How KC GIFT Is Rewriting the Rules of Economic Development

    What happens when community capital and culture move in lockstep? In this live episode of The Disruption Lab, we sit down with Brandon Calloway to unpack how KC GIFT is revitalizing Kansas City’s East Side by funding Black-owned businesses—and how his creative venture, Blurred Media, is rewriting who gets represented in anime and manga. It’s a masterclass in practical impact: passion meets logic, storytelling meets metrics, and neighborhood change happens with residents, not to them. You’ll hear how KC GIFT’s focused model works—51% Black-owned in the target area, at least 3 months of revenue, a clear plan for growth and job creation—plus the rigorous backend: legal and accounting hygiene, quarterly reporting, and a full year of bookkeeping, coaching, and marketing support. We also dive into the power of narrative (“storytelling is our stock price”) and why real economic development is algebra—sometimes even calculus. Along the way: the Troost Avenue 20-mile walk that turned into citywide buzz, the rise of individual giving as a modern philanthropy engine, and what leaders learn when they scale without losing trust. Why listen (and share): Proven outcomes: ~$1.96M granted to 79 businesses, 153 new jobs, and ~209% average revenue growth a year after funding. Playbook you can copy: A repeatable grant + services model that ties dollars to jobs—not just headlines. Capital x Culture: How media representation and access to capital fight the same systemic barriers. Actionable leadership: Saying no, building systems, integrating AI into small-biz ops, and keeping focus. Perfect for founders, funders, ecosystem builders, and anyone serious about inclusive economic development, entrepreneurship in Kansas City, and creative industries that move markets.

    52 min

  6. 10/27/2025

    AI Isn’t Killing Us—We Are: How to Use Robots Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Community)

    Are robots and AI actually making us smarter—or just outsourcing our brains? In this conversation with John McElligott, we unpack why technology isn’t the story—people are. From the first “tech” (domesticated wolves) to today’s cognitive offloading to phones and ChatGPT, we explore how to adopt AI, robotics, and automation without erasing what makes us human: wisdom, empathy, and culture. You’ll hear how “Artificial Western Intelligence” bakes in our online conflict, why fear stalls innovation in mid-America, and how to flip the script with human-centered automation that creates jobs, connection, and real outcomes. We get practical—covering quick-win community pilots (like an AI art challenge that quietly teaches NLP), the data center jobs myth (and what to negotiate instead), and the next leap: real-time translation that must include cultural context, not just words. What you’ll learn (answer targets): How to spot when tech is using you—and how to reset it as a partner Why fear vs. incentive messaging should change by community—and when to use each What “Artificial Western Intelligence” means and how to build values-aware AI The truth about data centers: low jobs, high leverage—what to demand locally Simple pilots to teach AI skills fast (without jargon) and build public buy-in If AI is racing ahead, our empathy has to keep pace. This episode shows how to design for human connection at scale—so we don’t automate ourselves out of a future worth having.

    54 min

  7. 10/10/2025

    The Power of People: How Benny Lee Built Global Companies—and a Legacy of Giving

    What does it take to build a life — and a legacy — from scratch? In this live episode of The Disruption Lab, Kevin McGinnis sits down with Benny Lee, engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, to explore his remarkable journey from Taipei to Kansas City, where he turned bold ideas into thriving businesses and transformed success into community impact. Benny shares how relationships, resilience, and ethical leadership shaped every step of his career — from his early startup struggles to supporting world-class musicians through Park University’s International Center for Music. He opens up about his biggest failures, what resilience really means, and the philosophy that one success can outweigh ten setbacks. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, or dreamer, this episode offers a masterclass in perseverance, purpose, and giving back. You’ll walk away inspired to rethink what success looks like — and how your own story can make a lasting difference. 🎧 Tune in to learn: How Benny built multiple companies from the ground up — starting with nothing but grit and connection. The role of ethics, humility, and trust in sustainable leadership. Why failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of the equation. How Kansas City became an unexpected hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Why Benny believes giving back is the ultimate form of success.

    39 min

  8. 10/02/2025

    Smart Cities 101: How Tech, Safety & Equity Are Redefining Urban Life

    What if a city could completely reimagine how technology shapes daily life—not just for convenience, but for public safety, economic growth, and citizen trust? In this episode of The Disruption Lab, we sit down with Mike Grigsby to uncover how Kansas City became a national model for smart city innovation—from the groundbreaking Google Fiber launch to the streetcar project that redefined what technology can mean for a community. You’ll hear how public-private partnerships, smart infrastructure, and digital equity programs are reshaping the way governments serve their people. We explore: The surprising story of how digital exclusion affects more than just low-income families Why body-worn cameras and smart safety tech require careful trust-building with citizens How cities can avoid being reactive and start investing in long-term innovation Why the future of connected communities depends on collaboration across every department Whether you’re a civic leader, entrepreneur, or just curious about how tech will change the way you live in your city, this episode reveals the behind-the-scenes of building smarter, safer, and more connected communities.

    43 min
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About

Step into the world of innovation with The Disruption Lab live podcast, where groundbreaking ideas and strategic insights come to life. Hosted by Kevin McGinnis and filmed in front of a live studio audience at Keystone Sessions, each episode brings you face-to-face with the visionaries reshaping industries and pioneering new paths in entrepreneurship. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, or professional eager to fuel your growth and unlock strategic collaboration, The Disruption Lab delivers the tools, stories, and wisdom from top industry disruptors and founders. Join us as we explore the minds of industry leaders to inspire and equip the next wave of disruptors.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin McGinnis
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Disruption Lab