CDC Tech Life Podcast

CDC Tech Life Podcast

The CDC Tech Life Podcast series features episodes with some of Charleston's most respected tech innovators and leaders. Each individual featured has a unique story to tell and shares their lessons learned, mistakes, successes and even the occasional light-hearted quip.


Most Recent Episode

Episode 50 - December 2024

Jordan Fowler - CEO & Co-Founder - Shaw Circle

Episode 50 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Jordan Fowler, CEO and Co-Founder of Shaw Circle. Jordan shares the journey that he and his co-founders have taken from the University of South Carolina to launching an investment fund management company and how they are hoping to help make Charleston a hub for Quantum Computing. This epis


Podcast Episodes

Episode 50 - December 2024

Jordan Fowler - CEO & Co-Founder - Shaw Circle

Episode 50 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Jordan Fowler, CEO and Co-Founder of Shaw Circle. Jordan shares the journey that he and his co-founders have taken from the University of South Carolina to launching an investment fund management company and how they are hoping to help make Charleston a hub for Quantum Computing. This epis


Episode 49 - November 2024

Mike Mullen - Chief Operating and Product Officer - Bear Cognition

Episode 49 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Mike Mullen, Chief Operating and Product Officer for Charleston-based Bear Cognition. Mike talks about Bear Cognition’s unique “Software With a Service” model and how partnerships with companies Amazon Web Services are foundational to their platform. This episode is sponsored by Moovila. M


Episode 48 - October 2024

Robert Slaughter - President and CRO - Kompetently AI

Episode 48 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Robert Slaughter, President and Chief Revenue Officer of AI-enabled Startup Kompetently. Robert shares his thoughts on how AI will transform the workplace and how Kompetently is using AI to help companies recruit and retain the right employees. This episode is brought to you by SatQuote. W


Episode 47 - October 2024

Brad Little - CEO - iDonate

Episode 47 of the Charleston Digital Corridor Tech Life podcast features Brad Little, CEO of iDonate which has recently moved its base of operations to Charleston. Brad talks about working in a social impact technology company and shares some insights on value of aligned incentives with your customers. This episode is sponsored by Charle


Episode 46 - September 2024

Zach Giglio - CEO and Co-Founder - GCM Consulting

Episode 46 of the Charleston Digital Corridor Tech Life podcast features Zach Giglio, CEO and Co-Founder of Charleston SC-based AI Consulting firm GCM Consulting. Zach shares his and GCM's journey from Communications and Marketing into AI and how they're using Generative AI technologies to help Small Businesses gain a competitive advantag


Episode 45 - August 2024

Catch Talent Founder and CEO, Christina Lock

Episode 45 of the Charleston Digital Corridor Tech Life podcast features Christina Lock, CEO of Charleston-based Technology Recruiting company Catch Talent. Christina returns to the show to talk about the growth of Catch Talent, her journey as an entrepreneur and various ways she's impacting Charleston's Tech and Entrepreneur communities.


Episode 44 - July 2024

Jesse Goodwin - Chief Innovation Officer - MUSC Office of Innovation

Episode 44 of the Charleston Digital Corridor Tech Life podcast features Jesse Goodwin, the Chief Innovation Officer for MUSC's Office of Innovation. Jesse talks about her experiences with the Charleston Tech and Entrepreneur communities, the formation of the Office of Innovation at MUSC and their initiative to create a Life Sciences Inno


Episode 43 - July 2024

Kieran Beggan, CEO & Co-Founder of Fexillon

Episode 43 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Kieran Beggan, CEO and Co-Founder of Fexillon. Kieran talks about how Innovation and exploration of new technologies has fueled Fexillon's growth over the past two decades and shares insight into the decision to make Charleston their US Hub. This episode is brought to you by SatQuote. With


Episode 42 - June 2024

Dave Ingram, Co-Founder & CEO of Querri.

Episode 42 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Dave Ingram, Co-Founder and CEO of Charleston, SC-based Technology Startup Querri. Dave shares the vision behind Querri, and we take a deep dive into the Generative AI technology at the heart of their reporting and analytics solution. This episode is sponsored by Charleston County Economic


Episode 41 - May 2024

Makenzie Martin, Principal Product Marketer at Workiva.

Episode 41 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Makenzie Martin, Principal Product Marketer at Workiva. Makenzie takes us on a deep dive into the practice of Product Marketing and shares her experiences and insights on why making a Product Marketer an early hire can be a key to success for Startup Ventures. This episode is sponsored by


Episode 40 - May 2024

Steve Dykes, Executive Director of Charleston County Economic Development

Episode 40 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Steve Dykes, Executive Director for the Charleston County Economic Development Department. Steve walks us through over 30 years of economic growth in Charleston County and how the region is poised for more great things in the future. This episode is sponsored by the City of Charleston. The


Episode 39 - April 2024

Edwin Goutier, CEO of Launchpath.

Episode 39 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Edwin Goutier, CEO of Charleston, SC-based Technology Startup Launchpath. Edwin talks about how Launchpath is unlocking innovation for its corporate customers, and why they are now shifting their focus to the Non-Profit Sector. This episode is sponsored by Charleston County Economic Develo


Episode 38 - March 2024

Shannon Caulk, Co-founder & COO of Spendly

Episode 38 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Shannon Caulk, co-founder and COO of Charleston, SC-based Fintech Startup Spendly. Shannon shares how her passion for UX sparked her pursuit of entrepreneurship, and how Spendly is working with Payment and Insurance providers and making it easier and more affordable for small businesses to


Episode 37 - March 2024

Paul Turner, CEO and Founder of Virtual America

Episode 37 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Paul Turner, CEO and Founder of Charleston, SC Tech Startup, Virtual America. Paul shares his journey spanning academia, multiple tech startups, and the early days of the internet and also discusses how Virtual America is working to create a Digital Twin of Charleston. This episode is spon


Episode 36 - February 2024

Josh Bokor, Chief of Staff at Healthbook+

Episode 36 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Josh Bokor, Chief of Staff for Healthcare Technology Startup Healthbook+. Josh shares the Healthbook+ vision of using AI to help consumers become more informed and proactive in achieving positive health outcomes. This episode is sponsored by Charleston County Economic Development Departmen


Episode 35 - January 2024

Paul Meeks, Technology Director & Business Media Personality

Episode 35 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Paul Meeks; veteran technology investor, business media personality and Professor of Finance at the Citadel. Paul shares his journey from his start as a technology investment analyst in the early days of the Internet boom to his more recent role as a Professor of Finance. This episode is s


Episode 34 - January 2024

Drayton Wade, Head of Strategy & Operations at Kognitos

Episode 34 of the CDC Tech Life Podcast features Drayton Wade, Head of Strategy and Operations for Kognitos; a recent addition to the list of companies who call the Charleston Tech Center home. Drayton shares how Kognitos' work using Generative AI to revolutionize how businesses automate critical processes landed them on Sequoia Capital's



About the Podcast

The CDC Tech Life Podcast is produced Rich Conte, a product management and development professional with more than 20 years of experience.

If you know someone in our tech community who would make an awesome subject for our Tech Life podcast, please let us know!

Contact Us

Rich Conte interviews Mike Sottak, Managing Director of Wired Island.