In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Jurek Kozyra, founder and CEO of Nanovery, to explore how DNA nanotechnology and AI are revolutionizing molecular medicine. Discover how tiny nanorobots made from DNA could dramatically accelerate drug development, make diagnostics faster and more affordable, and potentially cure diseases that were previously untreatable. From detecting diseases in hours instead of days to cutting years off the drug development process, this conversation reveals the cutting-edge science that's transforming healthcare.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Promise of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics (9:06) Traditional medicine targets defective proteins, but many diseases can't be cured because we can't find the right molecule. Oligonucleotide therapeutics target mRNA—the underlying mechanism of disease—meaning you could potentially cure all diseases since all proteins come from mRNA.
2. DNA Nanorobots for Rapid Detection (14:12) Nanovery's DNA nanorobots can detect diseases in blood samples within 2-4 hours compared to traditional lab tests that take two days. These self-assembling machines produce fluorescent signals when they find specific DNA or RNA molecules, enabling point-of-care diagnostics.
3. Accelerating Drug Development (17:13) Pharmaceutical companies race against 20-year patents while drugs take 10+ years to develop. Nanovery's technology provides more accurate data at lower cost and time, potentially shaving years off the development process and helping more drugs successfully reach the market.
4. Real-World Clinical Validation (20:26) In a hospital study with 170 patient samples, Nanovery's technology delivered same or better results than traditional tests in just two hours instead of two days—a game-changer for emergency situations like drug overdoses where immediate answers are critical.

Quote of the Show (9:05):
"If you can target mRNA very specifically, that means that in theory you could potentially cure all diseases. That's why this area is so exciting right now." – Jurek Kozyra

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Ways to connect with Jurek Kozyra:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j3ny/

Company Website: https://nanovery.co.uk

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

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Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

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In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Chris Dolezalek, Executive Vice President of R&D at Hum Capital. Chris shares his journey from Silicon Valley’s most highly funded startup to leading innovation in venture capital. He discusses the flaws in traditional VC, the power of resilience, and how technology and human insight are reshaping funding for diverse founders. Listeners will hear hard-won lessons from the edge of chaos, stories of near-failure and rebirth, and practical advice for founders seeking capital in uncertain times.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. Resilience is Essential [29:46]
   Chris emphasizes the importance of getting up after setbacks, sharing the Japanese saying, “Get knocked down seven times, get up eight,” and how resilience is a key trait for founders.
2. Venture Capital Needs Disruption [8:15]
   Traditional VC relies on personal networks and outdated data, often excluding minority and female founders. Hum Capital is using real-time financial data and AI to democratize access to funding.
3. Human Insight Complements AI [19:35]
   While AI can flag promising companies, Chris explains the need for human judgment—what he calls “AI whispering”—to make the best investment decisions.
4. Learned Resilience and Growth [36:05]
   Chris introduces the concept of “learned resilience”—not just bouncing back, but learning from setbacks to come back stronger and smarter.

Quote of the Show (32:52):
“The truth about software is the Milli Vanilli effect. You don’t have to be able to sing. You just have to look good.” – Chris Dolezalek

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Ways to connect with Chris Dolezalek:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdolezalek

Company Website: https://humcapital.com

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

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Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

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In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Jayesh Kumar, Co-Founder at Aonami. Discover how legacy systems are being disrupted, the challenges of digital transformation, and why true innovation means building solutions that give time back to people.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Problem with Legacy Systems [6:10]
   Banks and healthcare institutions are bogged down by dozens of outdated, patchwork systems, making innovation slow and compliance difficult.
2. Meeting Clients Where They Are [14:54]
   True disruption comes from understanding a client’s current state and building solutions that fit their unique needs, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
3. The Human Side of B2B Sales [20:03]
   Selling transformative technology to large organizations is about building relationships and convincing multiple teams, not just one decision-maker.
4. The Real Goal of Technology [28:47]
   The ultimate aim of innovation should be to give people time back, making work more productive, creative, and compassionate.

Quote of the Show (34:23):
"True disruption really happens not by doing a lot of work, but by doing less in a much smarter way. You should be building systems that start giving time back to people." – Jayesh Kumar

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Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Jayesh Kumar:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jayeshrout

Company Website: https://aonamitech.com

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

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In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Min Kyriannis, a trailblazer in the global security industry and CEO of Amyna Systems. Min shares her journey from immigrant roots to industry leadership, discusses the evolving landscape of network security, and explains how Amyna Systems is revolutionizing device-level protection. The conversation covers the challenges of legacy technology, the importance of proactive security, and Min’s commitment to both technological and humanitarian causes.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Human Element is the Weakest Link [11:03]
   Min emphasizes that despite technological advances, human error and lack of education remain the biggest vulnerabilities in network security.
2. Legacy Systems Create Modern Risks [16:00]
   Integrating old technologies with new networks opens up significant security gaps, as outdated protocols are not designed for today’s threats.
3. Proactive Security Over Reactive Patching [15:01]
   The industry often relies on patching vulnerabilities as they arise, but Min advocates for addressing root causes to prevent issues before they occur.
4. Amyna Systems’ Revolutionary Approach [25:12]
   Amyna Systems has developed patented technology that detects and remediates anomalies within seconds, providing a new layer of defense for modern networks.

Quote of the Show (24:29):
“You have to be constantly learning. You have to be constantly trying to discover something, and it’s always fascinating to see what’s there.” – Min Kyriannis

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Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Min Kyriannis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkyri

Company Website: https://amyna.io/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

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In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Lukas Egger, VP of Product Strategy and Innovation at SAP Signavio. They discuss the realities of implementing AI in large enterprises, the pitfalls of treating AI as a plug-and-play solution, and the importance of re-engineering business systems to unlock true value. Lucas shares insights on innovation, the dangers of the "speed race," and how organizations can de-risk ambitious AI projects.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The AI "Rat Race" Myth [2:00]
   Lukas explains why the biggest mistake in AI adoption is thinking it's a race to move the fastest, and why slowing down can actually lead to outsized value.
2. The True Cost and Opportunity of AI [7:26]
   The conversation compares current AI investments to the Manhattan Project, highlighting the generational scale of today's infrastructure build-out and the unique opportunities it presents.
3. Paradigm Shifts: Cheap Content, Expensive Trust [16:59]
   Lukas discusses how the abundance of cheap, AI-generated content shifts value creation from ownership to membership, and why trust and personalization are now critical.
4. Re-engineering Business Systems for AI [24:29]
   Lukas argues that success with AI requires rethinking and redesigning entire business processes, not just swapping out old components for new technology.

Quote of the Show (36:55):
"The most important part is to claim agency about your strategy and what you want to achieve, and this will not come from giving into whatever the latest social media news might imply.” – Lukas Egger

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Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Lukas Egger:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-np-egger

Company Website: signavio.com

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

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Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

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In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with John Choate, co-founder of Apogee Travel, to discuss how the travel industry hides value, the illusion of price comparison, and how Apogee is disrupting the online travel agency model by turning every hotel booking into a charitable donation. Discover the truth behind loyalty programs, the commoditization of hotels, and how transparency and social good can reshape an entire industry.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Illusion of Comparison Shopping [00:41]
   John explains how consumers believe they are comparison shopping for hotels, but in reality, prices are controlled and nearly identical across platforms.
2. The Birth of Apogee’s Value Model [06:55]
   The story of how a charity hotel stay and a conversation with Steve Wynn inspired the idea of using hotel profits for social good.
3. Exposing Loyalty Program Devaluation [24:15]
   John breaks down how hotel loyalty programs manipulate point values, creating “value blindness” for consumers.
4. How Apogee Travel Disrupts the Industry [32:05]
   Apogee’s unique model: every booking generates a donation to a charity of the traveler’s choice, at no extra cost, while still earning brand rewards points.

Quote of the Show (34:20):
"Most people think charity is emotional. In our model, it's structural. Travel's the largest overlooked fundraising engine in the world. We just plugged it in." – John Choate

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Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with John Choate:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchoate/

Company Website: https://apogeetravel.com

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41

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In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Matt Seefeld, CEO at MedEvolve, about the chaos and inefficiencies in the US healthcare revenue cycle. Matt shares how generative AI and a focus on human accountability can help providers achieve "zero touch" claims, reduce waste, and improve access to care, especially for small and rural hospitals.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Real Cost of Healthcare is Obscured (3:00)
   The US healthcare system lacks alignment between consumers, providers, and payers, making it nearly impossible to know the true cost of care.
2. Administrative Waste is a Billion-Dollar Problem (04:01)
   Most providers touch claims multiple times, with 63% of those touches being wasted effort due to system inefficiencies and payer games.
3. AI is a Tool, Not a Cure-All (31:50)
   While AI can automate and improve processes, more than half of claim errors still require human intervention, and technology alone won't solve systemic issues.
4. Access to Care is Shrinking for Many Americans (24:00, 27:00)
   As costs rise and reimbursements fall, small and rural hospitals are closing, and more Americans are forced to seek care through emergency services or go without.

Quote of the Show (31:50):
"More than half—53%—of the errors that we see that humans have to get involved with come from AI solutions, so they're not smart enough yet." - Matt Seefeld

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Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Matt Seefeld:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-seefeld-521319/

Company Website: https://medevolve.com

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

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In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ interviews Rob Creighton, founder and CEO of Windlift, about pioneering in the drone industry by advancing unmanned flight abilities and energy efficiencies ready to empower defense and security operations in new ways.

Windlift has created a drone platform that enables airborne surveillance and security systems that can fly higher, see further and stay aloft longer due super-smart, wind-friendly design.

Rob shares his journey from genetics and environmental science to developing tethered drone technology for both military and civilian applications, aiming to create a world of energy abundance and security.

Key Takeaways:

• How Windlift’s airborne wind friendly technology works and its advantages over traditional systems. — [10:55]
• The unexpected military applications of tethered drones for surveillance and security. — [20:30]
• The broader impact on agriculture, security, and global stability. — [36:22]
  

Quote of the Show: (00:15:40)

"We can actually take energy out of the wind, and use it to accelerate the vehicle."
— Robert Creighton

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

Ways to connect with Robert Creighton:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-creighton-3572702/

Company Website: https://www.windlift.com/

How to get more Disruption/Interruption:

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Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.