Balancing Technology and Human Connection: A Conversation with Sparkle

Balancing Technology and Human Connection: A Conversation with Sparkle

Host Joshua McNary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcnary/] welcomes Charley “Sparkle” Lapamardo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleysparklelapomardo/], a San Diego-based speaker, singer, emcee, and facilitator, to discuss communication, meaningful experiences, and using technology to empower connection. Charley describes Sparkle Works [https://www.oursparkleworks.com/] “front stage” work hosting and facilitating team-building experiences as well as  “backstage” coaching that helps speakers unlock confidence and reduce blocks so audiences can receive their message. They explore common entrepreneurial themes like doubt, iterative growth, and reframing “imposter syndrome” through evidence.  The conversation examines how technology—especially AI—can push people toward efficiency without intention, raising questions about mission alignment, human community, and unintended costs. Charley emphasizes boundaries, reviewing AI outputs, using tools as scaffolding rather than replacing human-to-human interaction, and designing tech systems around clear goals and a “why.”

Leadership Clarity in a Tech-Driven World with Cory Dunham

Host Joshua McNary welcomes executive coach and keynote speaker Cory Dunham [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cory-dunham-advisory/] of Cory Dunham Advisory [https://corydunham.com/] (Ann Arbor, Michigan), who helps founder-led service businesses close the gap between the value they deliver and the growth they experience.  Cory shares his background co-owning a family marketing business that evolved from pre-internet, handshake-based relationships to modern digital operations, and explains how he uses aviation metaphors to emphasize continual course correction. They discuss how abundant low-cost tools and fast-changing AI create distraction and “C+” execution, shrinking attention spans, and over-reliance that can reduce depth in decision-making.  Cory stresses intentional, values-based leadership, ethical growth, and combining tech with community and trust, including narrowing tools to a few core platforms. His actionable tip: step away from screens to reflect, clarify the ideal client and problem, and then use technology deliberately.

Innovating with Purpose: Steve Shriver on Capitalism, Community, & Technology

Steve Shriver on Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship, Automation, and Tech at EcoLips & More Host Joshua McNary interviews Steve Shriver, CEO of EcoLips [https://ecolips.com/] and Bug Soother [https://ecolips.com/products/bug-soother-bug-repellent] in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a serial entrepreneur who owns five businesses and advises startups. Shriver describes EcoLips as a certified B Corp guided by the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit, and shares how mountaineering experiences shape his approach to goal-setting, resilience, and perspective.  He outlines his other ventures—Bug Soother, Brewhemia cafe, Soko Outfitters, and The Olympic event venue—plus a new patented product, Secure Outlet, and recounts making and distributing hand sanitizer during COVID through a partnership with Cedar Ridge Distillery. On technology, he discusses manufacturing automation, the Red Zone production monitoring system, challenges of equipment uptime and power needs, and the complexity of disparate tools driving a move to the DCOM ERP.  They also discuss early experimentation with ChatGPT, organizational change management, and Shriver’s advice to “try something new” with technology.

Behind the Mic: Radio Host Doug Wagner's Journey Through the Airwaves & Technology

Doug Wagner on Modern Radio, Local News Immediacy, and Technology in a Shifting Media Landscape Host Joshua McNary interviews Doug Wagner, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougwagnerincr/] morning show host on News Radio 600 WMT [https://600wmtradio.iheart.com/] and News Talk 1420 WOC (iHeart Media), about radio’s evolution and technology’s impact on media, public service, and community information.  Doug describes AM radio’s historic reach, today’s distribution through the iHeartRadio app and podcasts, and the ongoing value of live, local news, weather, traffic, and sports. He explains how modern radio segments content across wide geographic audiences while staying local, recounts handling breaking news through rapid studio coordination, and outlines a tech environment shaped by proprietary systems, reliability needs, and security-driven limitations. Then Doug shares his workflow for curating dozens of daily stories, listener engagement via texts and app “talkback,” and advice to not fear technology and to delegate specialized digital tasks to skilled staff.

From Data Science to Dryer Balls: Alex Beaumier’s Tech-Driven Startup Story

Get ready to meet the next BizTech superhero on this episode! Host Joshua McNary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcnary/] talks with Alex Beaumier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexndrbeaumier/], founder of Beau Laundry Co. [https://beaulaundryco.com/], to dig into the entrepreneurial journey behind crafting the best-smelling, eco-friendly laundry balls in Iowa—and beyond. Alex shares how his background in data science fueled his experimentation in the world of consumer products, his motivations for working in and parallel to corporate America, and the lessons he's learned from building a grassroots business from the ground up. In this energetic conversation, you’ll hear how Alex leverages platforms like Shopify [https://www.shopify.com/] and Faire [https://www.faire.com/] to streamline everything from wholesale relationships to in-person sales, and why taking action and embracing everyday technology is key for any business owner. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a side-hustler, or a seasoned entrepreneur, you’ll walk away inspired to bundle your challenges, choose the right tech tools, and focus on progress over perfection.