From Mormon Idaho to NYC Fintech: Sam Cahoon on Coming Out, High Agency, and the Future of PMM

From Mormon Idaho to NYC Fintech: Sam Cahoon on Coming Out, High Agency, and the Future of PMM

Sam Cahoon grew up the oldest of six kids in small-town Idaho, living a life that had been mapped out before he was even born - Eagle Scout, valedictorian, BYU, mission. In this episode, Sam shares his journey from navigating a deeply Mormon upbringing and the weight of external expectations, to fully stepping into his queer identity and building a thriving career in tech. He talks candidly about the "best little boy in the world" syndrome, what it meant to break from expectations, and how authenticity -not as a buzzword, but as a daily practice- became his greatest professional superpower. Sam is currently a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Pontera, a fintech wealth management startup, and brings serious range: nine internships, a stint at HubSpot, and a knack for stepping outside his job description to drive real results. We dig into what product marketing actually is, how queer professionals bring a distinct ability to read rooms and navigate complex systems, and what "high agency" looks like in practice - including how Sam drove a 23% lift in 30-day activation by building an onboarding flow no one asked him to build. Whether you're early in your career wondering where you fit, navigating identity in the workplace, or just want to think differently about what it means to own your role, Sam delivers the kind of conversation that sticks. Links from the Show Sam Cahoon on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelcahoon/] Jake Tenenbaum on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakedylan101/] Pontera - FinTech Wealth Management [https://www.pontera.com/] The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Rage] SoundOff: Your Live Music Companion [https://launch.soundoffapp.io/] Join Out in Tech [https://outintech.com/join/] Join the Out in Tech Discord [https://outintech.com/discord/]

The Business of Belonging: LGBTQ+ Leadership in GTM and Strategic Alliances with Fabian Eckstrom-French

What does “go-to-market” actually mean - and why are partnerships becoming one of the most important functions in tech? In this episode of Syncing Up by Out in Tech NYC, Jake Tenenbaum sits down with partnership and strategic alliances leader Fabian Eckstrom-French to unpack the world of GTM, business development, and ecosystem strategy. From hyperscalers and AI partnerships to authenticity in corporate spaces, Fabian shares how trust, relationships, and “reading the room” shape successful business partnerships — especially for LGBTQ+ professionals navigating leadership environments. Together, Jake and Fabian explore: * What partnerships and GTM teams actually do * Why authenticity is a business advantage * How queer people often develop stronger relationship instincts * The realities of executive leadership rooms in tech * AI ecosystems, hyperscalers, and where value gets created * Advice for breaking into partnerships, alliances, and strategic roles Whether you work in engineering, marketing, customer success, sales, or strategy, this conversation offers a practical look at the human side of building businesses in tech. Links from the Show: * Fabian’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabianeckstromfrench/?] * Jake’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakedylan101/] * What is GTM (Go-To-Market)? [https://www.demandbase.com/blog/what-is-a-go-to-market-gtm-strategy/] * What are Strategic Alliances in Tech? [https://www.kearney.com/service/digital-analytics/article/-/insights/strategic-alliances-why-they-matter-and-how-to-make-them-work] * Understanding Hyperscalers and AI Ecosystems [https://www.britannica.com/money/hyperscaler-data-centers] * Join OIT [https://outintech.com/join/]

You Are Not Your Skills: Identity in the Age of AI

In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Sunny Israni — CTO & Co-Founder of Lightswitch, Columbia Business School professor, and AI educator — to unpack one of the most human questions in tech today: what happens to our identity when AI reshapes the skills we’ve built our lives around? From trading floors to startups to classrooms, Sunny shares how his own definition of identity has evolved — from where he worked, to what he could do, to the impact he creates. Together, they explore the growing divide in AI adoption, the emotional weight of feeling “replaced,” and why the future may belong to those who embrace curiosity, humility, and reinvention. This conversation moves beyond hype and fear, offering a grounded but optimistic perspective on how AI is not just disrupting work — it’s redefining how we see ourselves, what we value, and what we’re capable of building. Links from the Synch: * Lightswitch [https://www.lightswitch.co/] * Sunny's Forbes Article (Where Is AI Heading Next? Back To Basics With Traditional Businesses) [https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinedare-bryan/2026/04/03/where-is-ai-heading-next-back-to-basics-with-traditional-businesses/] * Sunny's Socials: * Sunny Says Yes - Sunny's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@SunnySaysYes] * Sunny's Personal Website [https://sunny.expert/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunny-israni] * X [https://x.com/sunnysaysyes] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sunnysaysyas/] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnysaysyes] * Jake's Socials: * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakedylan101/] * SoundOff - Jake's Music App [https://soundoffapp.io/]

Building Advocacy Beyond Pride: A Conversation with Shane Lukas

What happens when a teenage volunteer at Planned Parenthood witnesses ACT UP's graphic design revolution and decides to build a career at the intersection of creativity and activism? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Shane Lukas, creative strategist and owner of A Great Idea, who's spent 25 years proving that design isn't just about aesthetics—it's a tool for resistance and social change. They discuss: * How working with Planned Parenthood taught him that storytelling could create space for dignity and recognition * The brutal truth about platform power * Leadership advice that hits hard: when others shine, you shine too * Why Power Beyond Pride means thinking about all the values—not just one—that make queer communities powerful agents of change From grassroots organizing to working with healthcare and education partners nationwide, Shane's story is about merging purpose with strategy and recognizing the fullness of people in every interaction. Show Notes * A Great Idea [agreatidea.com] * Shane's Website [shanelukas.com] * Shane’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-lukas/]  * Jake’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakedylan101/] * Power Beyond Pride Podcast [https://powerbeyondpride.com/] * Shane's First TED Talk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXhLxbM5dpA]] * Shane's Upcoming book: "The Advocacy Advantage" (late 2025/early 2026)

From Crypto to Civic Tech: Shruti Gupta on Reclaiming Politics and Finding Herself

What happens when a software engineer leaves crypto behind to build something that actually improves civic life? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Shruti Gupta, founder of Pollsee, a new platform aiming to democratize lobbying and bring everyday people into conversations with local governments. They discuss: * Why local elections feel so out of reach—and how Pollsee is changing that * How Shruti navigated coming out, camping solo, and launching a company all in one year * What she learned from a co-founder breakup and why solo building is both freeing and lonely * And how being queer and brown shapes her role as a civic tech founder From potholes to policy proposals, Shruti’s story is one of bold pivots, quiet courage, and building the tools we wish we had. ⸻ Show Notes * Shruti’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gupta-shruti/] * Pollsee [https://www.itspollsee.org/] * Out in Tech Mentorship Program [https://outintech.com/mentorship-program/] * Out in Tech U [https://outintech.com/u/] * Out in Tech Discord [http://outintech.com/join] * Girls Who Code [https://girlswhocode.com/]