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
• Shane's Website
• Shane’s LinkedIn
• Jake’s LinkedIn

• Power Beyond Pride Podcast
• Shane's First TED Talk
• Shane's Upcoming book: "The Advocacy Advantage" (late 2025/early 2026)

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
• Pollsee
• Out in Tech Mentorship Program
• Out in Tech U
• Out in Tech Discord
• Girls Who Code

What do you get when you blend performer, educator, and nonprofit strategist into one career? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Brian Kirn, a former teacher, working actor, and nonprofit leader at America On Tech, to explore how internships, access, and identity intersect.

They discuss:

• Why early access to tech internships matters
• How being queer and Midwestern shaped Brian’s leadership style
• And how the performing arts prepare you for corporate life more than you’d expect

From St. Louis to NYC, from Spanish teacher to hand model (yes, really), Brian’s journey reminds us that the nonlinear path is often the most impactful.

Show Notes:

• Be Our Next Podcast Guest
• Brian's LinkedIn
• Brian's Instagram
• Jake's LinkedIn
• America On Tech
• Out in Tech U
• Out in Tech Discord
• BrainStation Digital Marketing Bootcamp

What happens when you come out in your 40s after building a 20-year career in tech? In this episode of Synching Up, Angela Earl shares her powerful story of self-discovery, reinvention, and leadership. From navigating coming out as a queer woman in the midst of a high-powered marketing career, to unpacking the true ROI of inclusion and authenticity at work, Angela offers wisdom, wit, and tangible insight into what it means to lead with empathy and edge. We talk vulnerability, trust, burnout, Carol Dweck, LinkedIn panic attacks, and why sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is just show up.

Whether you’re out, coming out, or still figuring it out — this episode is for you.

• Angela’s LinkedIn
• Jake's LinkedIn
• ⁠Angela’s first book: Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most
• Mindset by Carol Dweck
• Uncloseted Media
• Out in Tech
• HRC - Coming Out Day Resources

What does it mean to communicate clearly without losing kindness - or yourself? In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Jarryd Boyd, a senior communications leader and certified coach, to unpack the real power of clarity in work and life.

They explore why queer professionals often overexplain, how directness differs from harshness, and how simple frameworks like “clear is kind” can change your personal and working relationships, leadership style, and self-care practices.

With insights on conflict, coaching, emotional marketing, and generational communication shifts, this is a candid and practical conversation for anyone trying to be understood - and stay grounded.

Links and References:

1. ⁠Jarryd’s LinkedIn
2. ⁠⁠Jarryd's Website
3. ⁠⁠Jake's LinkedIn⁠
4. ⁠Join Out in Tech

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In this episode of Synching Up, Jake sits down with Kai Wong (she/they), Principal of Digital Accessibility at Teladoc Health and contributing author to Inclusive Design for Accessibility. Together, they unpack what digital accessibility really means—beyond checklists and compliance—and how Kai’s lived experience as a neurodivergent, non-binary, queer AAPI professional fuels their advocacy.

From hiring with empathy to designing for inclusion, Kai shares why accessibility is essential to good UX, legal protection, and discoverability—and how embracing identity can be a superpower in the tech world. Plus, we talk about their book journey, the burnout realities of advocacy work, and the magic of weird friendships (shoutout to Pokémon Go!).

Whether you’re new to accessibility or deep in the work, this episode will leave you feeling empowered, seen, and inspired to do better by design.

Links and References:

1. Inclusive Design for Accessibility

2. AxeCon (free accessibility conference)

3. Kai Wong’s LinkedIn

4. Jake Tenenbaum’s LinkedIn

5. Out in Tech Virtual Community

6. Our Pokémon Go Trainer Codes

   Kai: 752861053459

   Jake: 200519292777

In this season two premiere of Synching Up, we sit down with Brendon Hawkins — a transdisciplinary artist and technical product manager working at the intersection of editorial, emerging technologies, and queer identity.

Brendon walks us through a deeply reflective timeline, from fashion photography to fine art to cybersecurity and product innovation. We explore how their identity as a Black, queer, American professional informs their creative approach to both art and tech — and how cycles of tension and transformation have guided their personal and professional pivots.

Along the way, we talk about showing up for community, the parallels between art critique and product management, and what it means to build with accountability in times of social and political unrest.

Episode links and references below:

1. Brendon Hawkins’ Website/Portfolio
2. Brendon Hawkins' Instagram
3. Neri Oxman - Krebs Cycle of Creativity
4. Jake Tenenbaum's LinkedIn
5. Join Out in Tech
6. Be a Guest on the Podcast

Synching Up brings you conversations at the intersection of tech, identity, and innovation from Out in Tech NY.

Hosted by Jake Tenenbaum, each episode explores how technology shapes who we are, how we connect, and where we’re headed next.

Season 2 is sharper, shorter, and more focused — featuring conversations on marketing and leadership, clarity and communication, design and storytelling, building inclusive legal communities, creativity and career growth in the digital space, and so much more

Shorter episodes, deeper insights, all centered on how identity and innovation meet in today’s digital world.

Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, and Pocket Casts.