The Ryan Morrison Show

Building AI-Native People Systems That Scale ft. Abby Gates | The Ryan Morrison Show

Today we're thrilled to welcome Abby Gates, founder and CEO of SproutWise, a people and culture consultancy that helps early-stage startups build durable, human-centered companies that can actually scale. With 20 years of experience across talent acquisition, people operations, and HR leadership in tech—and having survived four company exits—Abby reveals why the most "viable" startups often have the worst people systems, and how stage-appropriate structure can prevent invisible organizational risk from compounding before it's too late. Key Topics Covered: • How AI-native organizations should build teams differently (possibility vs probability mindsets) • Why entry-level workers need adaptability more than technical skills in the AI era • The viability paradox: how startup success masks critical people problems • Three non-negotiable people systems every 5-20 person startup needs • The real cost of keeping "brilliant but corrosive" team members • Why every company exit involves grief (not just champagne) • Michigan's ecosystem challenges: talent, infrastructure, and burnout • How to diagnose people problems before they become existential crises Links: • SproutWise: https://www.sproutwise.com • Connect with Abby Gates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbygates/

Dr. Squatch Almost Paid This Founder $1.5M in Soap ft. Max Albert | The Ryan Morrison Show

Today we're thrilled to welcome Max Albert, CEO and co-founder of Adrenaline Interactive, an Ann Arbor-based startup revolutionizing in-game advertising.  Max went from software engineer at Ford to creating a top 10 mobile game with tens of thousands of daily players—then discovered the massive opportunity to help brands like FIFA, Dr. Squatch, and Chipotle reach Gen Z gamers through seamless product placement in Fortnite, Roblox, and Discord.  In this episode, Max shares how he's building the future of advertising in gaming's $250 billion industry. Key Topics Covered: • How Max quit Ford to build Deep Pass Jam, a top 10 NFL mobile game • Why interstitial ads ruin the gaming experience (and what works instead) • The Sydney Sweeney Dr. Squatch campaign that reached 500K+ Fortnite players • How brands can reach Gen Z where they actually spend their time—in games • Brand safety considerations for gaming advertising • The "platformification" of gaming: Roblox, Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and what's next • Why gaming is now bigger than movies and music combined • Building Adrenaline Interactive from manual service to automated platform • Real-time bidding coming to in-game ads in 2026 • Michigan's growing gaming and startup ecosystem • Practical advice for brands considering gaming advertising Links: Adrenaline Interactive: https://www.adrenalineinteractive.ai Game Jam Podcast: https://www.gamejampodcast.com Max Albert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-albert-4b0b02a9/ Deep Pass Jam: Available on iOS and Android

How Joy Drives Innovation & The Menlo Way ft. Richard Sheridan | The Ryan Morrison Show

Today we're thrilled to welcome Richard Sheridan, CEO and co-founder of Menlo Innovations, bestselling author of "Joy, Inc." and "Chief Joy Officer," and a pioneer in building intentionally joyful workplace cultures.  For 24 years, Richard has been proving that putting joy at the center of business isn't just feel-good philosophy—it's a practical approach to creating software people love while building teams that thrive.  In this conversation, Richard shares the journey from his heartbreaking disillusionment with the tech industry to founding a company with the audacious mission of ending human suffering in the workplace. Key Topics Covered: • The origin of "The Menlo Way" and why Richard centered his company around joy • How a childhood bookshelf project revealed the true meaning of joy and service to others • Why software professionals will work for free if they can consistently delight users • The transformation from Vice President to founder and designing a radically different way to work • What makes Menlo's culture unique: open workspaces, pair programming, and transparency • Ann Arbor's entrepreneurial ecosystem and the power of community in building success • Richard's nuanced take on AI, the future of software, and why technology will make us more human • Practical advice for leaders: "Get out of the house" and build serendipitous relationships • How to create intentional cultures that unlock creativity, innovation, and imagination Links: Subscribe to our newsletter to get weekly updates: https://www.maximize.media/the-ryan-morrison-show Menlo Innovations: https://www.menloinnovations.com Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menloprez/

Building "Tow Trucks" for Space ft. Troy Morris | The Ryan Morrison Show

Today we're thrilled to welcome Troy Morris, Co-Founder and CEO of Kall Morris Inc., a Michigan-based space logistics startup designing technology to capture and relocate space assets in orbit. Troy shares his journey from studying psychology at Northern Michigan University to leading a company with over $5 million in funding and 20+ team members tackling one of space's most critical challenges: orbital debris. With a background managing multi-state business units generating $15-17 million in revenue at Snap-on Tools, Troy brings a unique blend of corporate leadership and deep-tech entrepreneurship to solving the space debris crisis—a problem that threatens the future of all space operations. Key Topics Covered: • The space debris crisis and why 36,000 tracked objects threaten everything in orbit • How KMI went from dorm room conversations about the rocket equation to $5M+ funded startup • Customer discovery in an emerging market: validating the space logistics industry • Lessons from leading revenue-producing teams in critical industries and applying them to deep-tech • Why psychology and behavior analysis inform leadership in technical startups • The difference between commercial, defense, and civil space customers • KMI's vision for space stations, refueling operations, and recycling satellites in orbit • Why 21 of 22 UN climate change measures depend on space-based technology • Realistic timeline for humans on Mars: Troy's 2080 prediction • Building a world-changing space company in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Links: Kall Morris Inc.: https://www.kallmorrisinc.com Michigan Founders Fund: https://michiganfoundersfund.com

Pro Basketball Player Becomes Startup Founder Overseas ft. Jordan Morgan | The Ryan Morrison Show

Today we're thrilled to welcome Jordan Morgan—a professional basketball player, University of Michigan engineering grad, founder of The Jordan Morgan Foundation, and CEO of Spin.Travel.  Jordan took the iconic charge that sent Michigan to the 2013 National Championship, then built a decade-long pro career across Europe while representing Slovenia's national team.  Now he's using his platform to drive generational change in Detroit's inner-city communities through education, outreach, and sports, while building his startup - Spin.Travel.  This conversation explores the intersection of athletics, engineering thinking, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven leadership. Key Topics Covered: • Balancing Division I basketball with Industrial & Operations Engineering at Michigan • The selfless play at the 2013 Final Four that defined his legacy • Building a 10-year professional career across Italy, France, Turkey, and Slovenia • What it means to represent Slovenia as an American-born national team player • Starting The Jordan Morgan Foundation to create generational change in Detroit • How engineering mindset translates to basketball IQ and decision-making • Interning with startups and earning an entrepreneurship certificate as a student-athlete • The non-negotiable role of education in athletic development • Lessons from living and competing in multiple countries • Balancing founder life with professional basketball demands • Current NBA insights: Cooper Flagg, Pistons as dark horse, and league trends Links: The Jordan Morgan Foundation: https://www.jordanmorganfoundation.org University of Michigan Men's Basketball: https://mgoblue.com/sports/mens-basketball Basketball Federation of Slovenia (KZS): https://www.kzs.si/en/ U of D Jesuit High School: https://www.uofdjesuit.org TechArb: https://techarb.com Subscribe to The Ryan Morrison Show: https://www.maximize.media/the-ryan-morrison-show #JordanMorgan #MichiganBasketball #ProfessionalBasketball #Engineering #Entrepreneurship #DetroitYouth #SocialImpact #StudentAthlete #FinalFour #NonprofitFounder #EuropeanBasketball #SlovenianNationalTeam #UniversityOfMichigan #BasketballPodcast #FounderStories #TheRyanMorrisonShow #PurposeDriven #GenerationalChange #IOE #CollegeHoops