RIoT Underground
Welcome to RIoT Underground — the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the innovators transforming our world with disruptive technology. We talk with fearless founders, tech leaders, and changemakers about their journeys — the wins, the failures, and everything in between. Discover how they learn from mistakes, build meaningful careers, and lead with purpose.
Produced by RIoT Studios, part of the nonprofit RIoT, which drives innovation through events, conferences, startup accelerators, programs, thought leadership, and more.
Tune in, subscribe, and join the underground at riot.org.
Episodes
96 episodes
V: The Power of Industrial Design in an AI World, LIVE with Mike Laut, Founder & CEO, Laut Design
AI may be transforming entire industries, but what about the products we hold in our hands every day? In this special live episode of RIoT Underground, RIoT’s Tom Snyder sits down with Mike Laut, Founder & CEO of Laut Design, to explore how...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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54:43
IV: Adapting For Success As AI Reshapes Business, LIVE with Don Shin, Founder & CEO, CrossComm
At the end of July 2025, the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed a stunning shift in the U.S. economy: spending on artificial intelligence added more to GDP last quarter than consumer spending.This isn’t just a headline—it’s a turning ...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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1:04:32
III: Culture vs Code, Rethinking Strategy & Leadership in the AI Era, LIVE with Ryan Abel, Managing Partner, Atomic Object
In this special LIVE episode of the RIoT Underground, RIoT’s Tom Snyder sits down with Ryan Abel, Managing Director at Atomic Object, to explore the real-world impact of AI, how companies are navigating the hype, and why culture and values matt...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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57:25
II: Breaking Barriers & Building Deep Tech, LIVE with Krista Covey, President & CEO, First Flight Venture Center
In this special LIVE episode of the RIoT Underground, we sit down with Krista Covey, President & CEO of First Flight Venture Center—North Carolina’s oldest business incubator—in front of a live audience to explore what it takes to build wor...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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58:27
I: Smart Sight, Safe Site - Video Analytics for Injury Prevention with Bobby Shkolnikov, Principal IoT Commercialization, SAS
In this episode of the RIoT Underground podcast, we sit down with Bobby Shkolnikov, Principal IoT Commercialization at SAS, to explore the game-changing...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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25:06
V: Growing Innovation in Eastern NC with Stefanie Keen & Brittany Smith, City of Wilson, NC
In this episode of the RIoT Underground, join us as we delve into the burgeoning landscape of innovation in Wilson, North Carolina. Our guests, Stefanie Keen and Brittany Smith from the City of Wilson, NC, share insights on the evolution of the...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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25:36
IV: Not Your Parent's Farm or Bluetooth with Clay Hine, Business Development Manager at Nordic Semiconductor
While new technologies and tools have long been integral to farm management and food production, urgent concerns around food security drive the development and adoption of smart farming technologies today. Today, agriculture is embracing cuttin...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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33:21
III: Breaking Bureaucracy, Unconventional Paths to Government Innovation with the Information Technology team at the Town of Cary, NC
The key to business is creating a solution to solve your customer’s problem. It is no different for the public sector side. Local government’s primary goal is to serve the needs and interests of the community it represents. In this...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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31:19
II: Navigating Change, The Value Driven Pivot with Marcus Aman, Founder & CEO of Bayley
Sometimes in business you have to pivot when the current strategy is not delivering the desired results. In this episode, Marcus Aman, a seasoned entrepreneur and RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP) alum discusses his experiences of when he has had ...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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24:56
I: 10 Years of Smart City Evolution with Rich Erb, Executive Director at TechConnect
In this episode, take a look back at the past 10 years of smart city evolution, with Rich Erb, Executive Director at TechConnect. Dive into the transformative advancements that have reshaped urban landscapes worldwide. From the nascent stages o...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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27:03
XV: RoGO's Vision of Saving Lives through Technology Innovation with Rod Goossen
Join us as we host a thrilling conversation with Rod Goossen, founder and CEO of RoGO. Rod sheds light on the fascinating way RoGO is employing disruptive technologies to revolutionize wildland firefighting and assist first responders. Inspired...
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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25:25
XIV: A New Era of Emergency Response with Tony Sammarco, Director of Technology Strategy at Device Solutions
In this exciting installment of RIoT Underground, we're joined by Tony Sammarco, the Director of Technology Strategy for Device Solutions, who shares insights into the transformative ATSC 3.0 project. Funded by the Department of Homeland ...
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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30:46
XIII: Innovation and Academia, SKEMA's Unique Approach to International Education with Thomas Ragot
What if studying abroad could dramatically shape your future in business? In our enlightening chat with Thomas Ragot, the Admissions and Corporate Relations Liaison for
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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18:56
XII: Sustainable Agriculture and the Power of Plasma Technology with John Ireland of NTP Technologies
Are you ready to explore the exciting intersection of technology and agriculture, and discover how it's revolutionizing the way we produce and use fertilizers? Join us for an illuminating conversation with John Ireland, founder of NTP Technolog...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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26:32
XI: The Transformation of Smart Agriculture and Asset Tracking with Clay Hine, Business Development Manager at Nordic Semiconductor
On this episode of the underground podcast, Tom Snyder interviews Clay Hine, Business Development Manager at Nordic Semiconductor.Clay shares with us a fascinating insight into his journey from R&D to customer-centric roles in the s...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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38:59
X: Navigating the Future of Building a Skilled Workforce and Embracing Change with Seth Berman, CEO of Instantiations
On this episode of the underground podcast, Tom Snyder interviews Seth Berman, the CEO of Instantiations, a software development agency. They discuss how instantiations focuses on maintaining and modernizing legacy systems that are crucial to v...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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33:25
IX: Diversity in Tech and the Power of AI with Stefan Youngblood
In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with Stefan Youngblood, Founder and CEO of HireBlack.com, Black Metaverse LLC, and Help Anyway.In this podcast, Stefan Youngblood, instigator and disruptor, talks about his background, hi...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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33:15
VIII: Smart City Innovations with Richard Erb Executive Director of TechConnect
In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we sit down with Richard Erb, Executive Director of TechConnect and the Smart Cities Connect Conference in Denver this Spring.Smart cities are the way of the future, and the Smart City Conference ...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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36:49
VII: Harnessing Tech to Grow Business with John Petitte and Jason Farrell at Amplifi Labs
In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with John Petitte, co--founder and CEO and Jason Farrell, Chief Customer Officer at Amplifi Labs. Amplifi Labs is a company that is dedicated to helping businesses harness the power...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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38:34
V: Smart Government with Jonathan Levitt, Vice President of Growth at Cocoflo
In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with Jonathan Levitt, Vice President of Growth at Cocoflo. The Smart Cities discussion often is rooted around technologies and system integration. Companies have long pitched ...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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29:19
VI: New Technology Standards in Smart Homes and Building Management with Jesus Arias of KNX Association
In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with Jesus Arias, head of Membership & Business Development for KNX Association. New technology markets remain fragmented until standards and interoperability allow compan...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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27:51
IV: Open Source 101 with Todd Lewis, Founder of All Things Open
In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with Todd Lewis, Founder of All Things Open. He shares his multi-decade journey to shift the world from proprietary, siloed systems to today's bedrock foundation of open source software.&n...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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28:21
III: Optimizing Wireless Protocols & Communication Networks with Phil Beecher, President & CEO of the Wi-SUN Alliance
As the world becomes more connected, the Wi-SUN Alliance is at the forefront of the new mesh wireless connectivity protocol convening industry partners together to develop cutting edge technologies. Join Phil Beecher, President and CEO of the W...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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31:12
II: Engaging at the IoT Evolution Conference with Carl Ford, CEO of Crossfire Media
Looking for ways to connect with stakeholders across the IoT ecosystem? Look no further than IoT Evolution - happening February 14-17 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Listen to this episode of the RIoT Underground as Carl Ford, CEO of C...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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31:12
I: Leveraging Data in Successful IoT Ecosystem Partnerships with Josh Becker, Sr. Global Director & Head of IoT Commercial at SAS
Are you utilizing data to create value within your organization? What are best practices in value creation for partnerships? Could IoT replace human beings?All these questions and more are answered in our newest episode of the RIoT Under...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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29:36