That Tech Pod

In this week’s episode, we chat with Haleh Shoa, Founder and CEO of Picturli, to explore the complicated world of digital memory. Haleh shares how her own family’s experiences inspired her to create a service that turns photo chaos into order, curating, organizing, and preserving personal archives for the long haul. We discuss what it really means to “own” your photos in an age where most of us rely on platforms like Google or iCloud. Who controls your images once they’re uploaded? Do people even realize what they’re giving up for convenience?  From data privacy and facial recognition to emotional overload and the value of legacy, we dig into why your photos deserve more thought than a quick swipe. Laura shares the story of a woman who won $10,000 just for reading the fine print, reminding us how often we overlook the details that matter most. We also touch on the rising idea of digital inheritance and the need to designate a legacy contact, the habit of constant documenting, and the risks of losing meaningful memories in a flood of selfies and screenshots. For families who’ve experienced war, migration, or loss, preserving visual history can mean everything. Haleh brings a thoughtful and practical perspective on the tools, habits, and mindset we need to protect our memories and why now is the time to start. Haleh Shoa is the Founder and CEO of Picturli [https://www.picturli.com/]: a photo organization, curation, archiving, and design studio that helps families, individuals, and businesses transform their chaotic mess of photos into one clear and cohesive digital library. Haleh and her team meticulously organize their clients’ photo collections into a searchable, secure, and easily sharable photo archive.

This week on That Tech Pod, Laura and Kevin sit down with Emily Chase Coleman, a leading voice in higher ed analytics, to talk about how data, AI, and shifting policy are transforming the college experience. We kick things off with a look at predictive analytics in enrollment and financial aid. Emily shares the most common misconceptions schools still have about AI, and how generative tools are forcing colleges to rethink academic integrity, fairness, and even the rules around who gets to use AI, and when. As the conversation turns to policy and student loans, Emily weighs in on recent headlines about aid cuts and loan forgiveness battles. She explains how these changes are already affecting how institutions plan for the future, and why equity needs to be at the center of it. We also talk about cybersecurity and student privacy. With ransomware attacks on the rise and more schools moving to the cloud, Emily talks about how institutions can balance being data-driven with protecting student information. Spoiler: most aren’t investing enough in cyber defenses. We also look ahead to the next decade. What does the “smart campus” of 2035 look like? How can colleges move from being data-aware to truly data-informed? And if Emily could change just one thing about how universities use data today, what would it be? Emily Chase Coleman is a visionary in higher education analytics, reshaping how institutions use data to drive strategy. As the Co-founder and CEO of HAI Analytics [https://haianalytics.com/] Inc., she helps colleges and universities make informed, data-backed decisions about enrollment, financial aid, and student success. With over 20 years in higher education leadership and a PhD in Social Psychology and Statistics from Cornell, Emily is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between data science and institutional strategy. At HAI Analytics, Emily is leading the charge in making predictive modeling and data visualization tools more accessible to university decision-makers. Her team has developed an innovative software-with-service platform, empowering institutions to use analytics for long-term sustainability without relying on full-time consultants. Emily is also a strong advocate for education reform, challenging outdated models in admissions and financial aid. She critiques the high-price, high-discount tuition system for exacerbating socioeconomic disparities and pushes for test-optional admissions to promote equity in college access. Beyond higher education, Emily champions women in leadership and tech, sharing insights from her journey as a female founder in edtech and data analytics. She is passionate about increasing representation in STEM and creating pathways for women entrepreneurs. Support a Good Cause: All proceeds from That Tech Pod merch sales during July and August will be donated to the victims of the Camp Mystic tragedy. Shop here [https://thattechpod.com/merch] and help make a difference.

In this week's episode, Laura and Kevin sit down with Evan J. Schwartz, Chief Innovation Officer at AMCS Group, to explore where AI is actually making a difference and where it’s doing real harm. From logistics and sustainability to law enforcement and digital identity, we dig into how AI is being used (and misused) in ways that affect millions of lives. We talk about a real-world case Evan worked on involving predictive analytics in law enforcement, and the dangers of trusting databases more than people. If someone hacks your digital footprint or plants fake records, how do you prove you're not the person your data says you are? We dive into the Karen Read case, the ethics of “precrime” models like in Minority Report, and a story where AI helped thieves trick a bank into wiring $40 million. The common thread? We’ve put a lot of faith in data... sometimes more than it deserves. With the EU AI Act now passed and other countries tightening regulation, Evan offers advice on how U.S.-based companies should prepare for a future where AI governance isn’t optional. He also breaks down “dark AI” and whether we’re getting close to machines making life-altering decisions without humans in the loop. Whether you're in tech, law, policy, or just trying to understand how AI might impact your own rights and identity, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how fast things are moving and what we might be missing. Evan J. Schwartz brings over 35 years of experience in enterprise tech and digital transformation. At AMCS Group [https://www.amcsgroup.com/], he leads innovation efforts focused on AI, data science, and sustainability in the logistics and resource recovery industries. He’s held executive roles in operations, architecture, and M&A, and also teaches graduate courses in AI, cybersecurity, and project management. Evan serves on the Forbes Tech Council and advises at Jacksonville University. He’s also the author of People, Places, and Things, an Amazon best-seller on ERP implementation. His work blends technical depth with a sharp focus on ethics and real-world impact.

In this episode of That Tech Pod, Kevin and Laura dig into the Gemini Credit Card, a flashy, crypto-backed rewards card created by the Winklevoss twins and issued by WebBank and Mastercard. Is it a smart move for crypto enthusiasts or just another fintech gimmick? We break down the card’s history, perks, and pitfalls: you’ll earn up to 4% back in crypto on everyday purchases, choose from 60+ cryptocurrencies, and enjoy no annual fees. But while the concept is solid, users report some real concerns including slow customer service, transaction issues, and tricky tax implications. We compare Gemini to the Chase Sapphire Reserve and debate whether instant crypto rewards outweigh the lack of travel perks and occasional service headaches. We read actual user reviews, share personal experiences, and reflect on the broader trend of crypto creeping into everyday finance. Is the Gemini card a useful tool for passive crypto investing or a volatile ride best avoided? Tune in for the full breakdown. Plus and hear about that time Laura got unlimited coffee and went to a Ja Rule party thanks to another infamous credit card, Magnesis.

Today is a special episode. This is our 250th episode! To celebrate, Laura and Kevin sit down with Dikshant Dave, a three-time founder and current CEO of Zigment, to explore the next frontier in AI, Agentic AI. Dikshant breaks down what sets Zigment apart in the crowded marketing tech world and explains how Agentic AI systems do more than just automate, they learn, adapt, and make decisions on the fly. The conversation touches on his journey through multiple startups, the challenges of balancing innovation with privacy, and the industries where AI is just getting started. Dikshant shares sharp takes on job displacement, the ethics of extracting personal data, and what transparency in AI really looks like. He also dives into a big question: Can empathy be automated? And should it be? Plus, hear what kind of startup he’d build next, and who he’d begrudgingly? choose to be stuck in an elevator with.  It’s a thoughtful, funny, and wide-ranging conversation with someone who’s not just building tech, but rethinking how it fits into the real world. Dikshant Dave is the CEO of Zigment [https://www.zigment.ai/], a marketing automation platform built around Agentic AI—intelligent systems that go beyond automation to actively learn, adapt, and make decisions across every customer touchpoint. With Zigment, he’s redefining how businesses engage with customers by combining proactive AI with human insight to drive measurable impact: higher lead conversion, smarter workflows, and stronger ROI. A three-time founder with a background in startups like CureJoy and Funstar, Dikshant has made a career out of pushing the boundaries of what tech can do. His latest work focuses on the rise of AI agents, the future of personalization at scale, and how businesses can tap into AI without losing the human touch. He's also passionate about using AI for good, most recently through Zigment’s nonprofit partnership with Give.org.