Dynasty Podcasts: Chicagoverse

Dr. Shyama Majumdar [https://polsky.uchicago.edu/meet-the-team/shyama-majumdar/], Director of Science Accelerators and Investments at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation [https://polsky.uchicago.edu/], guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak about the Duality Accelerator [https://www.dualityaccelerator.com/] program for early hardware and software quantum startups. Dr. Majumdar shares how startups benefit from the Polsky Center’s resources, including mentorship and entrepreneurial training. She also speaks about The University of Chicago [https://www.uchicago.edu/en] being early in its focus on quantum operators, and details how IBM’s recently announced [https://news.uchicago.edu/story/uchicago-partners-ibm-strengthen-quantum-computing-startups-illinois] involvement and the Alchemist Accelerator [https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/] both support Duality companies.

Jake Nickell , Threadless [http://threadless.com/] and Artist Shops [http://artistshops.com/] Founder and CEO , and Lance Curran , Artist Shops VIP Accounts Director , guest on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about 25 years of Threadless. Nickell recalls the early of Threadless , and how the business won out among his other entrepreneurial ventures. Nickell and Curran also delve into the culture of Threadless, and what it means to build community and commerce with creatives and designers. They also share their thoughts on generative AI and how it figures into Threadless' user-submitted design model.

Entrepreneur, event producer, and storyteller Troy Pryor [https://creativecypher.org/founder] guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak about XL FEST 2025 [https://creativecypher.org/xl-fest], which happens August 14th through the 23rd at multiple locations across Chicago and brings together filmmakers, studio talent, and other film industry professionals for panels, screenings, and more. Pryor speaks on his Creative Cypher [https://creativecypher.org/] venture, and how it lead to the development of the ambitious XL FEST 2025. Pryor also details what goes into producing and activating the storytelling summit, and shares how filmmakers and creatives can get the most out of attending this year’s event. Finally, the film professional speaks on Chicago as a hub for creative talent, and shares how XL FEST connects to the city’s tourism efforts.

Kelli Lynch, Program and Music Director at WRRG, 88.9 FM, Triton College Radio [https://www.triton.edu/wrrg/], guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about the suburban indie rock station's 50th anniversary. Lynch delves into the origins of WRRG, and details how college radio stays relevant in the age of streaming platforms. Host Jaime Black also reflects on his time as a WRRG DJ in the 2000s, and Lynch speaks on the next generation of student DJs currently sharpening their radio skills at the station now.

Jaime Black connects with Dr. Brian DeMarco [https://iqmp.org/person/dr-brian-demarco/], Director and Chief Technology Officer at the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park [https://iqmp.org/] and Director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center [https://iquist.illinois.edu/] at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign [https://illinois.edu/] . Dr. DeMarco breaks down all things quantum ahead of this week's Global Quantum Forum [https://globalaffairs.org/global-quantum-forum] conference in Chicago, demystifying the advanced and powerful technology. Dr. DeMarco also reveals what quantum computing could mean for business and society in the coming years and shares what makes Chicago uniquely positioned for a project like the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park . Finally, he offers resources for anyone looking to break into the emerging quantum industries.