It is hard to believe, but this is the 62nd monthly ScreamingBox Podcast, and everyone wants to know - why is this still a thing after 4 years?!

In this podcast, Dave Erickson and his honorable co-host Botond Seres - are going to look back at 2025, and then look forward to what 2026 might bring.

No guest for this podcast, just the two host looking back and looking forward at the same time.

Timeline Summary:
0:00 Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Forward to 2026
1:54 Advancements in AI and Coding Tools
9:52 The Role of AI in Business and Development
10:18 Future Implications of AI and Robotics
31:38 The Impact of AI on Entertainment and Content Creation
34:37 The Balance Between AI and Human Creativity
38:53 Conclusion and Future Outlook

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

In this podcast - Dave Erickson and his real and live co-host Botond Seres - are going to worry about how AI will play into your future - in Part 2 of our podcast with our guest - Ari Block - Techstars Alumni and Author.

Ari is a dynamic entrepreneur and global technology leader whose career bridges military intelligence, forensic technology, and the startup world. His passion for innovation began early - at just eight years old, he founded his first company repairing computers for local businesses.

By age 15, he had - built and successfully exited - a B2B sales platform start-up. This early trajectory laid the foundation for a career defined by ingenuity, resilience, and a relentless drive to create impact through technology.

Ari went on to serve in military intelligence before joining Cellebrite, a global leader in digital forensics. There, he played a key role in developing advanced forensic tools that are used worldwide by law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies - to extract and analyze digital evidence.

Beyond forensics, Ari has founded and mentored startups through Techstars, guiding founders - on product development, fundraising, and go-to-market strategies.

Podcast Timeline summary:

0:00 AI's Impact on Business and Society
2:03 Ari Block's Transition to TechStars
8:10 The Role of AI in Business and Society
11:54 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Development
26:05 Preparing for the AI-Driven Future
29:43 The Future of Work and Education
29:56 AI's Impact on Economic Stability
33:37 The Role of Government and Community in AI Preparedness
33:56 The Future of AI and Business Pivots
38:25 Conclusion and Call to Action
44:24 - Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Ari Block = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariblock/

Website = https://smokeeaters.ai/

You can find Part #1 of this Podcast with Ari here: https://sbox.bz/pc60

Addition Info - Guest Bio – Ari Block

Success Stories
My attitude of taking on challenges has yielded success in multiple areas extending beyond my core expertise of engineering and product management.

Algorithm Innovation
I implemented new algorithms for manufacturing analytics clients, requiring between 20 to 100+ algorithms for each customer. One of these algorithms typically took 3-6 weeks to develop. I proposed a mathematical layer to overlay the API that would shorten development time to hours. This idea was initially rejected as impossible by managers and the engineering team. I requested and was approved to develop the mathematical abstraction in my free time without additional resources. The resulting product accelerated revenue recognition 100-fold, and I was recognized for this innovation.

Complex Software Development Turnaround
A software project had been in development for two years, delaying $1.2 million in monthly revenue. There was no expected completion date, with new complexities and blame games ongoing. The project was transferred to my ownership, and within three months, we had built the system from scratch and created a million dollar revenue stream.

Product Strategy
I advocated for and implemented an analytics system for our hardware units, which surprisingly reported only 5% of the expected product usage. This revelation, combined with my market trend research, drove a decision to divert company resources to a new product line due to market risk. This pivot was accepted and ultimately led to a company exit, with over 60% of the company's revenue coming from this product innovation.

Customer Churn Prevention
While the American business units' SaaS implementations were failing across the board, my European implementations were successful. I successfully recovered these customers, who became long-term clients, including Apple, Qualcomm, Honeywell, and Fiat. Additionally, I defined the process and created collateral for successful implementations, which the team continued to use years after my departure.

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson are going to figure out how you can successfully pivot your business and how AI will play into your future; with Ari Block - Techstars Alumni and Author.

Ari is a dynamic entrepreneur and global technology leader whose career bridges military intelligence, forensic technology, and the startup world. His passion for innovation began early - at just eight years old, he founded his first company repairing computers for local businesses.

By age 15, he had - built and successfully exited - a B2B sales platform start-up. This early trajectory laid the foundation for a career defined by ingenuity, resilience, and a relentless drive to create impact through technology.

Ari went on to serve in military intelligence before joining Cellebrite, a global leader in digital forensics. There, he played a key role in developing advanced forensic tools that are used worldwide by law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies - to extract and analyze digital evidence.

Beyond forensics, Ari has founded and mentored startups through Techstars, guiding founders - on product development, fundraising, and go-to-market strategies.

Timeline Summary
0:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
1:48 Transition from Digital Forensics to Startup Mentoring
5:02 Lessons from TechStars on Investing and Entrepreneurship
6:53 The Importance of Founder Cohesion and Product Market Fit
13:43 Defining a Business Pivot and Analyzing Market Signals
20:54 Framework for Analyzing Market Signals
23:42 Cohorted Analysis and Avoiding Broad Business Changes
25:57 Product Market Fit and Continuous Analysis
31:01 Impact of AI on Business and Market Dynamics
32:23 Ari Block's Current Work and Future Plans
37:12 Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Ari Block = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariblock/

Website = https://smokeeaters.ai/

ADDITIONAL ARI BLOCK BIO THOUGHTS

Success Stories
My attitude of taking on challenges has yielded success in multiple areas extending beyond my core expertise of engineering and product management.

Algorithm Innovation
I implemented new algorithms for manufacturing analytics clients, requiring between 20 to 100+ algorithms for each customer. One of these algorithms typically took 3-6 weeks to develop. I proposed a mathematical layer to overlay the API that would shorten development time to hours. This idea was initially rejected as impossible by managers and the engineering team. I requested and was approved to develop the mathematical abstraction in my free time without additional resources. The resulting product accelerated revenue recognition 100-fold, and I was recognized for this innovation.

Complex Software Development Turnaround
A software project had been in development for two years, delaying $1.2 million in monthly revenue. There was no expected completion date, with new complexities and blame games ongoing. The project was transferred to my ownership, and within three months, we had built the system from scratch and created a million dollar revenue stream.

Product Strategy
I advocated for and implemented an analytics system for our hardware units, which surprisingly reported only 5% of the expected product usage. This revelation, combined with my market trend research, drove a decision to divert company resources to a new product line due to market risk. This pivot was accepted and ultimately led to a company exit, with over 60% of the company's revenue coming from this product innovation.

Customer Churn Prevention
While the American business units' SaaS implementations were failing across the board, my European implementations were successful. I successfully recovered these customers, who became long-term clients, including Apple, Qualcomm, Honeywell, and Fiat. Additionally, I defined the process and created collateral for successful implementations, which the team continued to use years after my departure.

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson are going to find new AI Automation Tools for Entrepreneurs, with Carley Martha - Founder of Success Positive, LLC

Carley brings a powerful and deeply personal perspective on entrepreneurship and technology.

As the mother of a 30-year-old autistic son, she knows firsthand the challenges of balancing the demands of running a business with the responsibilities of family life. That experience shaped her journey into leveraging AI automation tools - not just to grow her business, but to reclaim her time and create more meaningful moments with her family.

Through AI automation, she transformed the way she works. What once required hours of hands-on management from her phone is now streamlined and automated; giving her the freedom to step away from constant screen time while her business continues to thrive.

She’s passionate about helping other entrepreneurs do the same - building businesses that are not only profitable but also sustainable - giving Entrepreneurs both financial control and the gift of time.

Timeline Summary:

0:00 Discovering AI Tools for Entrepreneurs
4:08 Automating Email and Marketing Campaigns
7:51 Starting with AI Automation for Entrepreneurs
11:41 Balancing Automation with Authenticity
13:47 AI Tools for Managing Contacts and Leads
17:55 AI in Business Operations and Productivity
37:38 The Future of AI and Automation
53:15 Carly's Business and Client Focus
54:05 Conclusion and Call to Action
55:29 Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Carley Martha = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleymartha/

Website = http://successpositive.guru

In this podcast Dave Erickson and his knowledgeable co-host Botond Seres are going to examine AI Tools and AI Stacking that will future proof your career path - with Nono Bokete; CEO & Head of Digital Strategy at Data Sentinels

Nono is a visionary leader at the forefront of digital transformation, AI adoption, and data-driven strategy. As the CEO and Head of Digital Strategy at Data Sentinels, she and her team have guided organizations ranging from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies through large-scale transformation projects - helping them leverage AI, automation, and technology for a competitive edge.

In addition to leading Data Sentinels, Nono is a member of the Forbes Business Council where she shares thought leadership on digital-first corporate cultures, leadership resilience, and governance best practices.

With her expertise spanning digital governance, AI ethics, risk mitigation, and fostering agile, high-performing leadership teams she is an active voice in executive roundtables and global forums, influencing conversations about the future of leadership and technology worldwide.

SUMMARY TIMELINE

0:00 Introduction to AI and Podcast Overview
2:54 Challenges in Digital Transformation
8:44 Introduction to AI and Early Experiences
15:14 Impact of AI on Employment and Skills
21:00 Corporate Training and AI Adoption
25:11 AI Stacking and Tool Recommendations
33:37 AI Alignment and Ethical Considerations
36:26 Advice for Young Professionals and Career Development
49:12 Future of AI and Final Thoughts
50:45 Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Nono Bokete = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nono-bokete/

Website = https://www.data-sentinels.com/

Transformational Leadership Courses = https://www.t4leader.com/

In this podcast Dave Erickson and Botond Seres are going to explore HR Strategies for Tech Companies - with Suzanna Martinez - Founder & President of PEO For The CEO

With over 20 Years of HR experience in the Professional Employer Organization industry, Suzanna is very experienced in guiding businesses through vendor consolidation and cost-saving solutions - that empower leadership teams to focus on growth.

She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs scale with confidence by leveraging outsourced HR infrastructure that works.

In 2020, Suzanna founded PEO For The CEO, a national brokerage firm that helps growing companies streamline HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance - through strategic Professional Employer Organization (PEO) partnerships.

Before that she worked for large companies such as Trinet and ADP as a PEO business consultant and in HR service sales - providing comprehensive HR solutions to small and medium-sized firms.

SUMMARY TIMELINE

0:00 HR Industry Background and Challenges
3:51 Current HR Trends and Compliance Issues
7:55 Impact of AI on HR and Healthcare Complexities
11:03 Popular Benefits and Retirement Plans
17:18 Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Talent
28:57 PEO Industry and Client Selection
31:44 PEO Services and Compensation Strategies
44:59 Future of PEOs and Final Thoughts
46:28 Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Suzanna Martinez = https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannamartinezpeofortheceo/

Website = https://www.peofortheceo.com/

Guest Bio – Suzanna Martinez
Suzanna Martinez is the Founder and President of PEO For The CEO, a national brokerage firm that helps growing companies streamline HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance through strategic PEO (Professional Employer Organization) partnerships. With over 20 years of experience in the PEO industry, Suzanna specializes in guiding businesses through vendor consolidation and cost-saving solutions that empower leadership teams to focus on growth. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs scale with confidence by leveraging outsourced HR infrastructure that works.

In this podcast Botond Seres and Dave Erickson examine techniques to grow SaaS product development and engineering with Drew Harris -
Fractional Chief Technology & Product Officer of The1DrewHarris.com

As a former SaaS CEO and seasoned technology leader, Drew has built, scaled, and optimized SaaS products that have powered businesses from startup to $100M products.

From pioneering subscription-based video training to scaling an event management SaaS, his company, QuantumDelta, helped customers unlock new revenue streams and achieve massive growth - like taking a single-location franchise to over 100 locations nationwide.

Now, as a fractional product and technology leader, Drew helps SaaS companies avoid common pitfalls and build high-performing engineering teams. He brings years of hands-on experience in Agile development, performance testing, and strategic product roadmaps to create software that delivers stability, efficiency, and growth.

SUMMARY TIMELINE

0:00 Scaling SaaS Product Development and Engineering
2:06 Guest Background: First work with a SaaS product or company
5:53 Making features more applicable to a wide customer base
8:35 Challenges of Scaling from MVP to Production
13:40 Building Trust and Alignment in Teams
23:43 Strategies for building team trust
28:19 How to use data and KPIs to build trust between management and teams
42:37 Agile and trying to balance speed with stability
49:43 Incorporating Quality and Performance Testing
57:17 The Role of AI in SaaS
1:00:16 Outro

If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here:

Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/

Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/

GUEST: Drew Harris = https://www.linkedin.com/in/the1drewharris/

Website = https://www.the1drewharris.com

LONG BIO

Drew Harris
Fractional Chief Technology & Product Officer of The1DrewHarris.com

Drew Harris is a former SaaS CEO with deep experience in software engineering, product, and technology leadership.

SaaS in the early days... QuantumDelta means measurable change, which was delivered to hundreds of customers. QuantumDelta consistently helped its customers grow and scale their businesses. A few of the innovations that QuantumDelta provided to its customers:

* Create new revenue streams
* Implementing E-commerce
* Building subscription-based on-demand video training
* Providing a robust self-service Event Management SaaS

One of the best accomplishments came from the success of their fastest-growing customer when QuantumDelta helped them scale their franchise from one to over a hundred locations nationwide. The franchise ran its businesses on QuantumDelta SaaS software for years. As the founding CEO and CTO, Drew faced challenges in keeping true to our SaaS model and serving their clients' greater good while allowing for innovative growth with our biggest and fastest-growing clients.

As a consultant, Drew built numerous cloud and mobile solutions for his clients to help them, including an app for real-time vet medical records for show horses and trainers to provide vaccination proof for show events.

As a technology founder, Drew has been involved in several SaaS companies, one of which is for the tax and accounting professional community to manage projects, tasks, and clients.

Drew spent a decade in the corporate world as a product and engineering leader in growth-focused & impact-driven technology and SaaS companies, helping develop and implement roadmaps to enable innovation and growth. He experienced first-hand acquisitions, was part of an IPO, and helped a SaaS company achieve $100M ARR.

As a Fractional Product and Technology leader for your growing SaaS company, Drew brings all of his experience to help you avoid the pitfalls and achieve greater impact as you work to improve the lives of others.