Agents of Innovation

25/07/2024

New episodes every month!

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25/05/2024

He left the United States in 2008 and has spent most of his life in Latin America. But what does The Jerz Way think of Miami?

Find the full episode 141 of the Agents of Innovation podcast on all your podcast platforms including YouTube!

16/05/2024

Jerz Chrysler describes himself as “a recovering American.”

Born and raised in California, he left the United States 16 years ago after a successful stint in real estate. Around the time the 2008 bubble burst, he decided to spend a few months traveling throughout Latin America.

He never went back home permanently.

He has lived in Panama, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay. He holds a dual US / Austrian citizenship. He also holds residence cards in: Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Spain, Paraguay, Mexico, and Argentina.

Today he spends much of his time helping others build a life of sovereignty by obtaining residencies and citizenships in multiple countries.

He was our guest on Episode 141 of the Agents of Innovation podcast. This podcast was recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where our host caught up with Jerz!

You can listen on any podcast platform including Spotify and Apple. You can also watch the conversation here on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eVEKbih5

Please consider leaving a comment, rating & reviewing the podcast to help us get more reach. More than anything, whether or not you want to live the life Jerz is living, I think it will be fascinating to learn why he and so many Americans have left the country in recent years as they pursue their American Dream somewhere outside our borders. It’s a whole new world...

10/01/2024

ICMYI: Episode 135 -- Chris Wilson, visual artist and author, "The Master Plan: My Journey From Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose."

Chris Wilson was born and raised in Washington D.C, and grew up under extremely difficult circumstances. Poverty, drug addiction, and gun violence was the everyday norm in his community. At the age of 17, he was charged with a crime, convicted, and sentenced to natural life in prison. It was during times of isolation that he decided to not only to turn his life around, but to make a difference in the lives of people who currently live in poverty-stricken communities similar to his childhood surroundings.

After serving more than 16 years in prison, Chris was released in 2012. He recently authored a book, "The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose."

He was our guest on Episode 135 of the Agents of Innovation podcast, filmed and recorded at the 40th Annual Miami Book Fair, on November 19, 2023.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/aAbejASmiuA?si=-yzHMONmE4Tip8pd

07/01/2024

We had the great opportunity to interview Harold Hughes, an entrepreneur and author of “A Kids Book About Blockchain,” a book which I interviewed him about while he was a featured author at the Miami Book Fair in November.

You can check out our short 10-minute conversation on Episode 136 of the Agents of Innovation podcast on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eYyqcSuU or you can listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Harold is the founder & CEO of Bandwagon, a South Carolina-based experience technology company. Under his leadership, Bandwagon has raised more than $3M in venture capital and successfully acquired IdealSeat, Inc. in 2020.

Harold has had his ideas validated as a graduate of the Founder Institute Accelerator (and now serves as Director for their Austin chapter), one of the inaugural companies in Google for Startups Black Founders Exchange Program, and most recently, the inaugural cohort of the IBM Blockchain Accelerator in 2019.

A man of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Harold is actively involved in his community, participating on the Board of Directors for BEAM, a non-profit that focuses on the advancement of women entrepreneurs as they grow their companies as well as a founding team member of Amass, an end-to-end wealth building platform for Black Americans. To that end, Harold is also an active angel investor, investing in women, people of color, and Black founder-led companies. Most notably, he has invested in Partake Foods, the Jay-Z-backed CPG company making allergy-friendly snacks, as well as companies like Goodr, Chipper, Journey Foods, Republic, and Stix.

Harold is a graduate of Clemson University, where he received Bachelor’s degrees in both Economics (B.A.) and Political Science (B.A.). As a “Triple Tiger”, he also completed his MBA at Clemson before pursuing a graduate certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Stanford University.

Now learn what he has to teach kids (including his own!) about the Blockchain!

04/12/2023

Brian Merchant was our guest on Episode 134 of the Agents of Innovation podcast. He is the technology columnist at the Los Angeles Times and author of the new book, "Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech."

Host Francisco Gonzalez had the pleasure to interview him about this book while he was at the Book Fair two weeks ago. The New Yorker has put this book on its list of the best books of 2023, calling it "a gripping narrative of political resistance."

Brian is also the author of the 2017 book, "The One Device: the Secret History of the iPhone." He is a founder of VICE’s speculative fiction outlet Terraform, and published a best-of anthology, "Terraform: Watch/Worlds/Burn, with MCD Books, in 2022."

Watch our interview here on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/e8_gPQ6S

You can also listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts.

02/12/2023

Philip Wilson is the founder and CEO of Ecofiltro, a social enterprise dedicated to providing clean water to the rural poor of Mexico and Central America.

He was our guest on Episode 133 of the Agents of Innovation podcast, which we filmed on site with him at Ecofiltro and El Cuba.

Watch the episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/XYaiu5H8f44

Philip graduated with an MBA from Wharton and a BA from Notre Dame. He has over twenty-five years of experience as an entrepreneur in the United States and Guatemala, and firmly believes that the world’s most pressing problems can be solved by applying business practices to social challenges.

He is also the founder and CEO of SolucionWeb, the leading web and social media services company in Guatemala. Philip is a member of the board of the Guatemalan Center for Corporate Social Responsibility, was named “Social Entrepreneur of the Year for Central America” by the Schwab Foundation in Davos, Switzerland and “One of the 10 most successful Social Entrepreneurs in Latin America” by New Ventures Mexico. To date, over 800,000 families in rural areas have been served by Ecofiltro and the goal is to reach 1 million families by the year 2025.

In 2022, Philip founded El Cuba, an entrepreneurial center whose purpose is to help entrepreneurs create and grow companies in Guatemala.

In addition to YouTube, you can also listen to this on the audio-only platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or wherever you find podcasts.

22/11/2023

EPISODE 131: INNOVATION DOESN'T HAPPEN BY ACCEPTING THE STATUS QUO.

James Grant served as the Chief Information Officer for the State of Florida, serving as the agency head of Florida Digital Service from 2020-2023, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020.

Previously, he served in the Florida Legislature between 2010-2020.

He was the co-founder of a health care technology company (CareSync), where he served as Senior Solutions Architect and Strategic Partnerships from 2011-2018.

James recently left his role in the state government and founded RedLeif.io, which helps clients stay ahead of the relentless pace of innovation and escalating cyber threats on the digital landscape.

Check out our full conversation on any audio platforms including Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

You can also WATCH this full episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/JjZwasFRlnU

20/11/2023

LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM … in Colombia?

"I think my life is a little bit better -- in this moment in my life -- in Colombia." - James Nuveen
..as heard on Episode #132 of the Agents of Innovation podcast.

Here's a rough breakdown of some of the topics we covered in this conversation:

*The catalyst in quitting his 9-5 and starting his own biz

* Stories of traveling Latin America
Colombia's transition from violence → innovation

*Why learning Spanish makes a difference

*Buying property in Colombia and his path to residency

*The American Dream ... but in Colombia?

*How “The Sovereign Individual” inspired him

*The mission of the Freedom Files

*The difference between content and happy

Watch or listen to episode 132 of the Agents of Innovation podcast on any of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/D4QQeWsy4D0?si=Xdm2jUJmbQKt-Txo

11/10/2023

Did you watch or listen in to episode 131 of the Agents of Innovation podcast yet? It features a conversation with James Grant -- this was his return to the Agents of Innovation podcast 7 years after his first appearance!

Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ecYSNVZN
Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ehBvv_dB
Listen on Apple: https://lnkd.in/ebBtafUG

James Grant recently served as the Chief Information Officer for the State of Florida, serving as the agency head of Florida Digital Service from 2020-2023, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020.

Previously, he served in the Florida Legislature between 2010-2020.

He was the co-founder of a health care technology company (CareSync), where he served as Senior Solutions Architect and Strategic Partnerships from 2011-2018. During that time, he appeared on the Agents of Innovation podcast (episode 14 in January 2016).

James recently left his role in the state government and founded RedLeif, which helps clients stay ahead of the relentless pace of innovation and escalating cyber threats on the digital landscape.

For more, tune in!

25/09/2023

"Innovation doesn't happen by accepting the status quo." -James Grant

Check out the full conversation on Episode 131 of the Agents of Innovation podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or, watch full episode on YouTube here; https://youtu.be/JjZwasFRlnU?si=1-JpAH010MUxTgTf

17/09/2023

A podcast from inside UKRAINE!

Check out episode 130 of the Agents of Innovation podcast, hosted by Francisco Gonzalez, for our conversation with Joe Lindsley, the editor in chief of Ukrainian Freedom News.

Check out the full interview on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You don’t want to miss this fresh perspective from an Agent of Innovation who is reporting from inside of the biggest conflict on the planet right now. He is the only American reporter who has reported from Ukraine during every day of its war. We recorded this last Sunday, September 10, on day 565 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/8idmXQ8nW10?si=yIu-0YUbtA2UIT40

16/09/2023

Problems are an opportunity to provide a solution, to add value to someone. They are opportunities.

We learned this and more from Claudio Sorrentino, co-founder & CEO of Body Details.

Check out his page at Claudio Explains It All

And check out his story in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

12/09/2023

Check out this special episode of the Agents of Innovation podcast featuring independent American journalist Joe Lindsley. Joe has built a news organization in Ukraine and is the only American journalist to cover the Russian war in Ukraine, from Ukraine, every day of the 565+ days since it began. He was also living there for more than 2 years before the war began. Joe truly embodies the spirit of Fearless Journeys. Tune in to the full podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts to hear more about Joe's incredible journey.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/8idmXQ8nW10?si=r1FET2oQPST2hNhD

10/09/2023

Pair your passion & skills with the lifestyle you want. It’s a home run, according to Claudio Sorrentino, the founder and CEO of Body Details.

Check out his story and more insights like this in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

08/09/2023

You can’t do everything. And sometimes when you introduce something new to your life, it will come at the expense of having to sacrifice something — give something up.

We learned this and more insights from John Crossman.

The lessons he teaches are included in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

Available on Amazon & Audible.

https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

06/09/2023

Gratitude is a mindset of realizing every day we have is a gift — so make the most of it.

It’s also what comes through when you talk to Major League Soccer player Chris Mueller.

His story is featured in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

Available on Amazon & Audible.

https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

05/09/2023

Episode 129 features a conversation with Camila Pulido, an immigrant from Colombian who has lived in the United States for over two decades and chose to become an American citizen. This short 2-minute clip from our conversation highlights the incredible moment she decided to leave her job and start her own company, Target Translations & Interpretations. Check it out and then tune in to episode 129!

Maria Camila Puliodo is is the founder of Target Translations & Interpretations, a federally certified Women-owned Small Business, and a Florida Minority Bus...

16/07/2023

Did you get a chance to watch our entire podcast with Parker Rex? We talk all about AI and what he is working on, as a programmer, to help make AI Agents accessible to YOU!

You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or any of your favorite podcasting platforms. Or, you can watch the full episode on YouTube, linked below.

Parker Rex is a programmer who has been building businesses and tinkering with computer since he was 13 years old. He was one of the first employees of Deliv...

28/06/2023

A 1-minute preview clip to Francisco’s conversation with Arthur Keiser, founder & chancellor of Keiser University. They are now rated the #1 US institution for social mobility. It’s no wonder Dr. Keiser has been named one of Florida’s 500 Living Legends by Florida Trend magazine. What an honor to have him on the Agents of Innovation podcast!

27/06/2023

Episode 127 of the Agents of Innovation podcast is now available, featuring a conversation with Arthur Keiser, founder & chancellor of Keiser University, ranked #1 US institution for social mobility.

Watch here: youtu.be/2ZeeYUxArqQ

Listen on Spotify, Apple, etc

27/06/2023

Embrace discomfort. That’s where we grow. When we get comfortable, we stay stagnant. When we go through pain and suffering, that’s where we find ourself. That’s where we rise to the next level. Embrace it. Make discomfort the motivator of change.

We hear this from so many entrepreneurs, but it was articulated so well by Claudio Sorrentino, the founder and CEO of Body Details.

Check out his story and more insights like this in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez. Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

24/06/2023

GET YOUR HARDWARE IN SHAPE… so your software can run strong too!

If you are not physically fit, it will affect your ability to think. The more physically healthy you are, the more energy you will bring to everything you do, including building a stronger mindset.

Find this and other insights in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

Available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

21/06/2023

Enrique Buero is the General Manager at Parque de las Ciencias Free Zone, which is one of 14 free trade zones in the nation of Uruguay. Host Francisco Gonzal...

21/06/2023

Are you willing to fail in the pursuit of testing an idea?

Innovative entrepreneurs like Isaac Moreshouse are. He knows to test an idea you have to put it to the market test.

His story and his insights are captured in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

Available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

20/06/2023

BE VALUABLE TO SOMEONE.

If you are young and looking for a job or a career opportunity, find a way to take something off someone else’s plate that is costing them time.

This won’t just help you earn money, but also teach you skills. We learn by doing. You might even be building relationships with others and learning what you do or don’t like to do.

The earliest points of your life and career have lower opportunity cost. Take advantage of this time while you can.

Learn this and more insights in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

Available on Amazon. Check out chapter 3!
https://amzn.to/3GSTerF

18/06/2023

EPISODE 126: ALL THE WAY FROM URUGUAY!

The most recent episode of the Agents of Innovation podcast features a conversation with Enrique Buero, the General Manager at Parque de las Ciencias, which is one of 14 free trade zones in the nation of Uruguay.

Watch at the this link: https://youtu.be/bWZZEdhW5TM

You can also listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Host Francisco Gonzalez led a Fearless Journeys group trip to Uruguay in March and had the opportunity to bring the group to Parque de las Ciencias.

We now bring you their story through this interview with Enrique Buero, the general manager of the free trade zone that Fearless Journeys visited in Montevideo.

Enrique is also a board member and President of the Uruguayan Chamber of Free Trade Zones.

16/06/2023

Did you miss episode 124 with Esther Day? A wife & mother of 3, she recently took the leap to launch her own company, Esther Davy Strategies. But her path in this career field began almost two decades ago. Learn how recent events finally pushed her to take on her own fearless journey!

Watch here: https://youtu.be/bBUtKVMw1gc

Listen on Spotify, Apple, etc

14/06/2023

PERSEVERE

That’s one lesson we learned from Keith Ochwat on the Agents of Innovation podcast.

His story is also featured in chapter 4 of the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

Available on Amazon. https://a.co/d/9ophSKw

10/06/2023

NO BREAKS ALLOWED.

Being an entrepreneur is not easy. That’s why you have to have the mental fortitude to endure everything it takes to build and manage a successful business.

We learned a lot from Claudio Sorrentino on the Agents of Innovation podcast. His story and some of the lessons he shared are outlined in the new book, “The American Dream is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” by Francisco Gonzalez.

Available on Amazon. Check out chapter 8! Link here: https://amzn.to/3GSTerF