Billings Symphony CEO Mario Lopez on Healing Through Music

Billings Symphony CEO Mario Lopez on Healing Through Music

In this episode, we are joined by Mario Lopez, CEO of the Billings Symphony. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in Florida, Mario’s journey through music, injury, reinvention, and leadership is a powerful story of resilience and purpose. Mario shares: ⬛ How a middle school band class introduced him to the French horn and changed the trajectory of his life ⬛ The devastating lip injury that abruptly ended his path as a professional horn player ⬛ His transition into the corporate world and the emotional struggle of losing music from his life ⬛ The pivotal moment that inspired him to return to the arts through nonprofit and orchestra leadership ⬛ Why music education is essential for brain development, emotional growth, and resilience ⬛ The importance of keeping artistic outlets alive for mental wellness and human connection Mario also reflects on leadership, healing, identity beyond career, and how music can profoundly impact communities and individuals at every stage of life. From performing again after nearly a decade away from the horn to leading a major symphony organization through its milestone 75th season, Mario’s story is both inspiring and deeply human. If you enjoy conversations about resilience, creativity, leadership, education, and the transformative power of the arts, this episode is for you. — About Mario Lopez Mario Lopez is the CEO of the Billings Symphony and a former horn player whose life in music began in performance. After an unexpected injury forced him to step away from playing, he rebuilt his path through arts administration. His journey reflects resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to music education. Today, he leads the Billings Symphony with a focus on community, innovation, and the power of music to connect people. — About the Host Dr. Manish Arora is the co-founder of LearnDesk and Insaito, where he leads marketing and sales. He has helped scale LearnDesk into a global platform serving over 25,000 businesses worldwide. He is currently building Automatan, an AI-powered platform for intelligent workflow automation. With 80+ patents and deep industry experience, Dr. Arora brings thoughtful, human-centered conversations to leaders across disciplines. — The Inference Show The Inference Show explores leadership, learning, technology, and human performance through conversations with builders, thinkers, and practitioners shaping the future. Stay connected and explore more episodes, guests, and insights: 🔗 Automatan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automatan-ai 🔗 Insaito: https://in.linkedin.com/company/insaito-inc 🔗 Dr. Manish Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish7901 🔗 Vivek Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivpuri 🔗 LearnDesk: https://www.learndesk.us/ 🔗 Insaito: https://www.insaito.com/ Want to be a guest? Email us at vivek@insaito.com

AWS’s Ben Schreiner Talks AI, Data Strategy, & the Future of Work

In this episode, we are joined by Ben Schreiner, Head of AI and Modern Data Strategy at AWS. Ben shares his fascinating journey through technology and business, from his early days in accounting to leading AI and data transformation initiatives for global companies. He talks about: ⬛ His transition from accounting to technology and the pivotal moment that led him to explore IT and AI ⬛ The evolution of cloud technology and how it reshaped the way enterprises operate ⬛ How AI has revolutionized industries, including finance and healthcare ⬛ The importance of responsible AI and ensuring that we develop systems that are trustworthy and secure ⬛ AWS’s role in driving digital transformation through AI, cloud solutions, and data orchestration ⬛ His vision for the future of AI and the proliferation of autonomous agents Ben’s unique perspective comes from a career where he’s driven major innovations at companies like Dell and AWS. He discusses the impact of generative AI, how it’s changing business operations, and how companies can leverage AI to create competitive advantages. — About the Host Dr. Manish Arora is the co-founder of LearnDesk and Insaito, where he leads marketing and sales. He has helped scale LearnDesk into a global platform serving over 25,000 businesses worldwide. He is currently building Automatan, an AI-powered platform for intelligent workflow automation. With 80+ patents and deep industry experience, Dr. Arora brings thoughtful, human-centered conversations to leaders across disciplines. — The Inference Show The Inference Show explores leadership, learning, technology, and human performance through conversations with builders, thinkers, and practitioners shaping the future. Stay connected and explore more episodes, guests, and insights: 🔗 Automatan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automatan-ai 🔗 Insaito: https://in.linkedin.com/company/insaito-inc 🔗 Dr. Manish Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish7901 🔗 Vivek Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivpuri 🔗 LearnDesk: https://www.learndesk.us/ 🔗 Insaito: https://www.insaito.com/ Want to be a guest? Email us at vivek@insaito.com

Revolutionizing Ballet for the Modern Era with Adam Sklute | Artistic Director of Ballet West

In this episode of The Inference Show, we are joined by Adam Sklute, Artistic Director of Ballet West, one of America's most respected and innovative ballet companies. Adam shares his journey from dancer to artistic leader, revolutionizing ballet while staying true to its roots. From reinventing classic ballets to embracing technology and expanding Ballet West’s outreach programs, Adam discusses how he’s helping ballet evolve in the 21st century. Discover how he's reimagining ballet for modern audiences, blending tradition with bold innovation, and ensuring the art form thrives for future generations. Key Takeaways: - How Ballet West is reimagining classic ballets like Sleeping Beauty for today’s audience - The importance of breaking boundaries and introducing daring new works to the ballet stage - How technology is enhancing live ballet performances and expanding artistic possibilities - Why artistic innovation is vital for keeping ballet alive and relevant - Lessons from leading a historic ballet company through transformation - The challenge and excitement of balancing tradition with cutting-edge approaches to performance and audience engagement — About Adam Sklute Adam Sklute, the visionary Artistic Director of Ballet West, has transformed the company into a leader in innovative ballet. He blends tradition with bold new works, champions emerging choreographers, and expands ballet’s reach, inspiring audiences worldwide with dynamic performances and a forward-thinking vision for the art form’s future. — About the Host Dr. Manish Arora is the co-founder of LearnDesk and Insaito, where he leads marketing and sales. He has helped scale LearnDesk into a global platform serving over 25,000 businesses worldwide. He is currently building Automatan, an AI-powered platform for intelligent workflow automation. With 80+ patents and deep industry experience, Dr. Arora brings thoughtful, human-centered conversations to leaders across disciplines. — The Inference Show The Inference Show explores leadership, learning, technology, and human performance through conversations with builders, thinkers, and practitioners shaping the future. Stay connected and explore more episodes, guests, and insights: 🔗 Automatan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automatan-ai 🔗 Insaito: https://in.linkedin.com/company/insaito-inc 🔗 Dr. Manish Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish7901 🔗 Vivek Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivpuri 🔗 LearnDesk: https://www.learndesk.us/ 🔗 Insaito: https://www.insaito.com/ Want to be a guest? Email us at vivek@insaito.com

The Future of Design and Urbanism by Architect & AI Expert Dr. Pablo Lorenzo

In this episode of The Inference Show, we are joined by Dr. Pablo Lorenzo Eiroa, a leading expert in architecture, computational design, and artificial intelligence. Dr. Pablo is an Associate Professor and Director of the AI Lab at the New York Institute of Technology, as well as the first director of the M.S. in Architecture Computational Technologies program. With a background in robotics and design, he is passionate about the intersection of AI, architecture, and urbanism. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Pablo takes us on a journey through his career, his views on architecture and technology, and the future of design, discussing: - His early experiences growing up in Argentina and how his family’s background shaped his path in architecture and technology. - The influence of his academic journey, from Princeton to New York, and the profound impact of working on high-profile projects such as the World Trade Center reconstruction. - How architecture, data, and AI are reshaping the design process, and the emerging challenges in creating a truly innovative design framework. - The role of social media in modern education and how it impacts student creativity, focus, and engagement in the classroom. - His groundbreaking work in combining quantum computing with AI to optimize urban design and traffic systems, and his ongoing research into spatial design and the future of sustainable architecture. — About Dr. Pablo Lorenzo Eiroa Dr. Pablo Lorenzo’s expertise in combining architecture, AI, and quantum computing is paving the way for a new era in design, one that challenges conventional thinking about space, materials, and the future of urbanism. His deep insights into the role of AI and the importance of authorship and ownership in the digital age are crucial for future designers and researchers. — About the Host Namrata Verma has a strong foundation in Journalism and Digital Media and has built her career at the crossroads of reporting, content creation, and digital innovation. She began her career at Reuters, contributing to real-time coverage of Asia’s financial markets, an experience that sharpened her analytical acumen and storytelling precision. Namrata is a graduate of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, one of India’s most prestigious institutions for journalism and the liberal arts. — The Inference Show The Inference Show explores leadership, learning, technology, and human performance through conversations with builders, thinkers, and practitioners shaping the future. Stay connected and explore more episodes, guests, and insights: 🔗 Automatan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automatan-ai 🔗 Insaito: https://in.linkedin.com/company/insaito-inc 🔗 Dr. Manish Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish7901 🔗 Vivek Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivpuri 🔗 LearnDesk: https://www.learndesk.us/ 🔗 Insaito: https://www.insaito.com/ Want to be a guest? Email us at vivek@insaito.com #AI #Architecture #ComputationalDesign #Urbanism #ArchitectureofInformation #ArtificialIntelligence #QuantumComputing #DesignThinking #AIinDesign #TechInArchitecture #Data #Innovation #SustainableDesign #FutureOfArchitecture #EmergingTech #AIandDesign

Everyone’s Talking About AI in Healthcare… But Missing This | Mahaska Health's Bob Berbeco

In this episode of The Inference Show, we sit down with Bob Berbeco, Chief Information Officer at Mahaska Health, a healthcare technology leader with nearly three decades of experience navigating the evolution from paper-based systems to AI-driven care. From the early days of limited infrastructure to today’s AI-powered healthcare systems, Bob shares what it truly takes to innovate in one of the most high-stakes industries in the world—where failure isn’t just inconvenient, it can directly impact human lives. This conversation dives deep into building, testing, and scaling healthcare technology responsibly, and why trust, governance, and human judgment are critical in the age of AI. Key Takeaways: * Why automation failures in healthcare carry extreme consequences—and how to design systems that fail safely * The importance of “getting to the source” (gemba) to understand real clinical workflows * How AI can reduce clinician burnout by automating documentation and repetitive tasks * Why trust in AI comes down to evidence: “Show me the data” * Bad code vs bad workflow design—what’s actually more dangerous? * The growing risk of cybersecurity threats and social engineering in healthcare * Lessons from implementing telehealth solutions before they became mainstream * Why AI should augment humans—not replace them * The role of governance, testing, and ethics in deploying AI responsibly * What the future of healthcare looks like as AI becomes invisible and embedded About Bob Berbeco Bob Berbeco is the Chief Information Officer at Mahaska Health, where he leads initiatives across IT, data science, AI, cybersecurity, and informatics. With nearly 30 years of experience, he focuses on improving patient outcomes by aligning technology with real-world clinical workflows—especially in rural healthcare environments. — About the Host Namrata Verma has a strong foundation in Journalism and Digital Media and has built her career at the crossroads of reporting, content creation, and digital innovation. She began her career at Reuters, contributing to real-time coverage of Asia’s financial markets, an experience that sharpened her analytical acumen and storytelling precision. Namrata is a graduate of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, one of India’s most prestigious institutions for journalism and the liberal arts. — The Inference Show The Inference Show explores leadership, learning, technology, and human performance through conversations with builders, thinkers, and practitioners shaping the future. Stay connected and explore more episodes, guests, and insights: 🔗 Automatan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automatan-ai 🔗 Insaito: https://in.linkedin.com/company/insaito-inc 🔗 Dr. Manish Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish7901 🔗 Vivek Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivpuri 🔗 LearnDesk: https://www.learndesk.us/ 🔗 Insaito: https://www.insaito.com/ Want to be a guest? Email us at vivek@insaito.com