The Brave Marketer

 Liz Zaborowska, Founder & CEO of Bhava Communications and Spring Catalyst, explores the common fears and misconceptions that lead to resistance against AI adoption. She emphasizes the importance of proper training and support, ensuring that team members feel confident and secure in their use of AI tools.

Key Takeaways: 

• The business benefits of embracing AI, including practical strategies to overcome fears and successfully adopt artificial intelligence throughout your team

• How AI tools can complement, rather than replace, human creativity

• The ongoing importance of fact-checking in the digital age

• Principles of responsible AI use and the policies that support it

• Ways to maintain authenticity with AI-generated content

Guest Bio:

Liz Zaborowska is the founder and CEO of Spring Catalyst, where she helps teams optimize performance and navigate AI adoption. With over 20 years in technology and deep expertise in team dynamics, she empowers organizations to transform how they create, communicate, and collaborate in the AI era. Liz has worked with AI companies for more than a decade and served in an advisory capacity for the Responsible AI Institute. Liz is also the founder of Bhava Communications, an award-winning marketing, PR, and social media agency that has helped hundreds of enterprise and consumer technology companies stand out as category leaders. Prior to founding her own companies, she ran technical, product, and corporate marketing on the tech startup side. She studied biology and theater at Tufts University, bringing a unique perspective that combines scientific rigor with creative ideation to help businesses and individuals thrive in our rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Daniela Barbosa, General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, and Executive Director at LF Decentralized Trust, discusses the most promising open-source projects they’ve supported so far, and how more builders can get involved. She also emphasizes the importance of community contributions and cross-sector partnerships to accelerate the adoption and impact of decentralized technologies.

Key Takeaways: 

• How LF Decentralized Trust fits within the Linux Foundation and why it matters

• Why open source collaboration is key to interoperable, secure trust frameworks

• Common misconceptions about open-source blockchain

• The role of open governance in driving enterprise and government adoption

• How open-source communities are shaping next-gen secure, privacy-first technologies

Guest Bio:

Daniela Barbosa serves as General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, and Executive Director of LF Decentralized Trust. She has 20+ years of enterprise technology experience, including seven years driving the global, collaborative development of enterprise-grade blockchain and identity technologies at Hyperledger Foundation. She is a leading voice for the power of openly developed decentralized technologies to spur efficiency, privacy, and inclusivity.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Gerrit, developer relations at Curve Finance, discusses the unique risks and rewards associated with DeFi stablecoins, and how increased regulatory clarity has fueled the rise of TradFi stablecoins. He also spotlights the crucial role of platforms like Curve in providing essential liquidity and stability, ensuring the continued growth and reliability of the stablecoin sector.

Key Takeaways: 

• Key differentiators between TradFi and DeFi stablecoins, including their risk / reward profiles

• The significance of the Genius Act in transforming the stablecoin landscape

• How regulatory clarity has spurred the growth of TradFi stablecoins, and why their success often ties to their integration within the DeFi ecosystem

• How AI could both exacerbate and solve problems in crypto, empowering hackers to find exploits faster and increase phishing risks

• Why crypto adoption surged in countries like Argentina and created real-world utility that outpaced U.S. adoption

Guest Bio: Gerrit has been on-chain since 2014. He joined Curve Finance in 2020, helping shape the decentralized protocol powering DeFi stablecoin and crypto markets by enabling high-yield on-chain savings, protected borrowing, and low-slippage swaps on EVM chains.

As a startup founder with deep AI roots, Gerrit launched the first AI-powered résumé grader back in 2008. He’s taught courses at the University of Washington, on topics ranging from AI to blockchain to financial technology, and holds an MBA from MIT with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He's also a founding member of Leviathan News, a Web3 news aggregator.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Elizabeth Hansson is the Michigan President of Stand With Crypto and Founder of the Detroit Blockchain Collective. In this episode she discusses the importance of grassroots activism in shaping digital asset policy, the challenges of educating lawmakers, and how community engagement is driving innovation and regulatory clarity. She also reflects on America's lag in cryptocurrency innovation and the critical need for market structure and state-level legislation.

Key Takeaways:

• How Stand With Crypto is helping to bridge the gap between lawmakers and the crypto industry

• Current regulatory gaps and need for clear frameworks to foster innovation and protect users in the digital asset space.

• Why educating policymakers about crypto is essential to dispel misconceptions and encourage informed decision-making (and how communities can help do this).

• The importance of grassroots advocacy in shaping clear regulatory frameworks that foster innovation.

• State-level initiatives that are addressing unique local needs and driving progress in digital asset adoption.

Guest Bio:

Elizabeth Hansson is the Michigan President of Stand With Crypto and the founder of the Detroit Blockchain Collective. With a background in engineering and decentralized systems, she now works at the intersection of technology and policy, leading grassroots advocacy for digital assets across Michigan. Elizabeth has been instrumental in mobilizing communities, building coalitions, and advancing federal legislation to support innovation in the digital asset space.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and no w powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Jimmy Secretan, CTO of JustWin, explores the latest innovations in privacy-preserving neural networks, and explains how JustWin is leveraging AI to help small businesses win government contracts. He also explores the future directions of AI, and the impact of AI on user autonomy and privacy.

Key Takeaways:

• Technological advancements shaping the future of secure and ethical AI applications

• The significance of open-endedness in AI

• How to build while balancing both innovation and privacy

• Why AI solutions are a good fit for winning RFPs

• GPT-5 and predictions for its future impact

Guest Bio: Jimmy Secretan, CTO of JustWin, holds a Ph.D. from the Machine Learning Lab at the University of Central Florida, where he specialized in large-scale, privacy-safe neural networks. Having previously served as Chief Scientist at Korrelate, VP of Engineering of Sonobi, and CTO of Roadtrippers, Jimmy has architected privacy-safe AI/ML data pipelines, scaled infrastructure to hundreds of billions of requests per month to power predictive media planning, and led the creation of the AI-driven future of travel data. As VP of Ads and Premium Services at Brave, Jimmy helped launch Brave’s global private ad network; led the development of premium functionality for the Brave browser; and managed initiatives like Brave News and Brave Talk.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Austin Campbell, Managing Partner at Zero Knowledge Consulting, and Adam Zarazinski, CEO at Inca Digital, explore the Genius Bill and its potential to revolutionize the stablecoin landscape. They discuss the many changes with the current government, including regulations and compliance, along with how this new legislative proposal could drive innovation and widespread adoption of stablecoins.

Key Takeaways: 

• Why the Genius Bill matters, and its potential impact on stablecoin adoption

• New compliance experiments and why the traditional approach is dead

• The brain drain of crypto experts within banking

• The need for innovation and technological transformation in traditional finance

Guest Bio:

Austin Campbell is the managing partner and founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School. Previously, he ran the stablecoin platform and portfolio management at Paxos, and was the chief risk officer of Paxos National Trust. Austin has managed fixed income trading desks at JP Morgan and Citi covering >$100B of cash derivatives, and has been a portfolio manager and structurer at Stone Ridge, the parent of NYDIG. He holds a BS in Mathematics from CSU Chico, and an MBA from NYU Stern.

Adam Zarazinski is the CEO of Inca Digital, a fintech company that provides data and analytics on the digital asset ecosystem to government agencies and financial institutions using natural language processing and LLMs.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Ryan Rugg, Global Head of Digital Assets for Citibank’s Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS), discusses their approach to integrating Web 2.0 and 3.0. She shares insights on Citi Token Service, a new solution designed to provide 24/7 liquidity and borderless transactions, and explains how it simplifies user experience by obfuscating blockchain complexity.

Key Takeaways: 

• The future potential of digital assets and blockchain technology in transforming financial services and enabling faster, more efficient transactions globally

• The importance of regulatory compliance and collaboration with regulators to ensure responsible innovation

• The value of daily standups in driving agile development

• Mutual learning opportunities between traditional finance institutions and Web 3.0 projects

Guest Bio: Ryan Hugg is the Global Head of Digital Assets for Citibank’s Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS), helping clients streamline treasury, payments, and commerce. She recently led the launch of Citi Token Services, a blockchain-based solution enabling 24/7 liquidity transfers and integrating tokenized deposits and smart contracts into Citi’s global network.

Previously, Ryan led IBM’s Americas blockchain team, advising clients on tokenization, identity, and sustainability strategies. Her team helped launch New York’s Excelsior Pass, a digital health wallet used by millions, now serving as a model for other credential systems.

A passionate advocate for diversity in leadership, she has led multiple initiatives to advance female representation, and mentors emerging leaders toward executive roles.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Marc Vanlerberghe is the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at The Algorand Foundation. In this episode, Marc discusses how Algorand is driving mainstream adoption of blockchain technology, decentralizing its network at record speed, and preparing for a future where billions of users—and AI agents—interact seamlessly on-chain. He also explains why a user-first approach is the key to scaling Web3 beyond speculation into real-world applications.

Key Takeaways:

• What makes Algorand different from other Layer 1s

• Agentic commerce and how could it reshape how we interact online

• Strategies for achieving mainstream adoption of crypto

• How Algorand is preparing for a post-quantum world

Guest Bio: Marc Vanlerberghe is the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at The Algorand Foundation. Algorand has a goal of fostering partnerships that help contribute to the advancement of the overall blockchain industry, and to drive adoption of the Algorand blockchain. Since stepping into the role in early 2024, Marc has been leading the charge to elevate Algorand’s global brand and strategy.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Wendy O, cryptocurrency analyst and host of The O Show, discusses how one careless click can jeopardize your financial security. She shares practical advice for starting your journey in crypto, earning BAT, and protecting your wealth from digital risks.

Key Takeaways:

• The critical importance of privacy once you begin accumulating wealth in crypto

• Flaws with current accredited investor laws

• Actionable steps to protect your wealth and digital identity in a Web3 world

• Advice for women entering the crypto space

• The role of creators in the future of crypto adoption

Guest Bio: Wendy O is a cryptocurrency analyst and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. She is the host and founder of The O Show, an influential YouTube channel focused on Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology, with a global audience of more than 1 million followers. Wendy has been contributing to the crypto community through her content and analysis since 2017

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte