The Business RoundUp with Melissa Bill

The Producer Behind The Simpsons and Family Guy on How HEEBOO is Rebooting Entertainment

In this episode of Business Roundup, host Melissa Bill sits down with Emmy-winning producer Sherry Gunther Shugerman (The Simpsons, Family Guy) and Andrew Pelekis, co-CEO of HEEBOO, a new entertainment venture reimagining how content is built, funded, and sustained.
Sherry reflects on her decades in traditional Hollywood, behind some of television’s most influential animated series of the past three decades, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, Rugrats, Dexter’s Laboratory, and The Powerpuff Girls. Andrew shares his vision for HEEBOO and his transition from finance to entertainment—and why the old model of producing content before building an audience is no longer enough.
Together, they explain HEEBOO's fan-first approach, where creators build engaged communities before production begins, empowering fans to collaborate, invest, and share in a project’s success through tokenized ownership.
The conversation explores:
Why fan engagement matters more than ever in today’s noisy digital landscape
How creators can build authentic, direct relationships with audiences
The role of platforms like TikTok and YouTube in modern franchise building
How tokenization is changing ownership, investment, and creative control
Why HEEBOO aims to become a destination for creators seeking authenticity and sustainability
This episode offers a forward-looking look at the future of entertainment, where community, transparency, and creator empowerment are at the center of franchise building.

Leading Through Disruption: Steve Baue on Authentic Leadership, Trust, and AI

In this insightful conversation, executive coach and keynote speaker Steve Baue explores the real challenges leaders face in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. From navigating AI-driven disruption to managing cultural shifts within organizations, Baue emphasizes why authenticity, trust, and clear communication are more critical than ever.
Drawing from his own leadership journey, Baue discusses the gaps in traditional leadership training and why greater self-awareness is essential for modern executives. He breaks down the key qualities of effective leaders, shares practical advice for building trust in times of uncertainty, and highlights the often-overlooked role of self-care in sustaining long-term leadership effectiveness.
This episode is a must-listen for leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs looking to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose in an era of constant change.

How AI Is Reshaping Leadership, Training, and Global Business: Interview with CGS CEO Phil Friedman

In this episode, Phil Friedman, Founder and CEO of Computer Generated Solutions, one of the fastest growing privately held technology companies in the U.S, joins the show to explore how rapid technological change, especially artificial intelligence, is transforming industries, leadership, and the global workforce.
Phil shares his perspective on the urgent need for reskilling and upskilling as AI reshapes roles across sectors, and how innovative training solutions using AI and immersive technologies are helping organizations future-proof their teams. He also discusses the evolving role of leadership in an AI-driven world, emphasizing adaptability, continuous learning, and human-centered innovation.
The conversation highlights:
How AI is accelerating change across industries
Why reskilling the workforce is critical in the age of automation
The role of AI and immersive technology in modern training programs
How leadership must evolve alongside emerging technologies
Balancing innovation with human impact in AI-driven organizations
Phil Friedman’s vision for CGS and global expansion
Join us as we drive into what the future of work looks like in an AI-powered world!
 

From Google to Founder: Akhil Verghese on How Krazimo Is Building the Future of AI Products

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, staying ahead of the curve is essential for businesses. In a recent episode of the Business Roundup podcast, host Melissa Bill sat down with Akhil Verghese is the founder and CEO of Krazimo, to discuss his tenure with Google, journey in AI and the transformative impact of technology on business operations. Their conversation sheds light on how AI can be effectively integrated into various sectors, offering valuable insights for companies looking to harness its potential.
Verghese provides insight into:
Meet Aahkhil Verghese, Founder of Krazimo, and hear his journey from working at Google to launching an AI-driven company
How AI is rapidly transforming the way businesses operate and why the pace of change is only accelerating
Inside Krazimo: the company’s mission and approach to solving real-world business problems with AI
Why Krazimo is transitioning from a service-based model to a product-based company and what that shift looks like in practice.
The strategic advantages of starting as a service-based business before building scalable AI products.
Don't miss this episode that dives into key lessons for founders, operators, and teams navigating the next phase of AI adoption.
 

How AI Is Transforming HR and Employee Experience: Dean Carter, CEO of Instill AI

In this insightful conversation, Dean E. Carter, CEO of Instill AI and author of Employee Experience Design, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping HR, employee experience, and workplace culture.
Dean shares his journey from senior HR leadership roles to leading an AI company, offering a practical and human-centered perspective on how organizations can responsibly adopt AI. 
The discussion dives into how AI-driven real-time feedback can improve team performance, remove mundane tasks from daily workflows, and provide unbiased insights that help leaders make better decisions. Dean also challenges common misconceptions about AI, emphasizing that while AI isn’t a “friend,” it is a powerful source of information that can enhance—not replace—human roles.
This episode also highlights key ideas from Dean’s book, Employee Experience Design, including how companies can measure, design, and improve employee experience to drive engagement, trust, and long-term business success.
Key topics include:
The impact of AI on HR and employee experience
Building trust and transparency with AI initiatives
Using real-time feedback to improve team performance
How AI helps measure and improve workplace culture
Designing better employee experiences for the future of work
Perfect for HR leaders, executives, people managers, and anyone interested in AI, leadership, and the future of work.

Empowering First Responders: The Auto TQ Revolution: Insights from Hannah Herbst

In this episode of the Business Roundup, host Melissa Bill interviews Hannah Herbst, the inventor behind Auto TQ and founder of Golden Hour Medical. Hannah discusses her journey into technology, and how she was inspired by her father and a summer engineering camp, which led to a passion towards creating solutions that tackle everyday problems.
The conversation highlights the development of Auto TQ, a user-friendly tourniquet designed to control bleeding in emergency situations, and its impact on first responders and laypeople alike. Hannah shares insights into the importance of bleeding control and her company's future goals.
Takeaways:
Hannah's journey into technology began with her father's encouragement and a summer engineering camp.
Auto TQ is a user-friendly tourniquet designed to control bleeding in emergency situations.
The device is inspired by the simplicity of an AED, making it accessible for laypeople.
Auto TQ is being used by first responders, police departments, and laypeople across various industries.
Hannah emphasizes the importance of bleeding control as the first step in trauma response.
Don't miss this conversation to learn how this technology can help bystanders save the lives of others. Be sure to listen and follow us!
 
 

Why Change Is Inevitable—and How Great Leaders Learn to Embrace It: Conversation with Mau Espinosa

Change is inevitable—but how we respond to it defines our success.
In this episode, Mau Espinosa, a Mexican-born entrepreneur and founder and president of G20, Inc., known for his book "Let It Happen: How to Deal Successfully with Change Through Logic, Emotion, and Tactics", joins the conversation to explore how leaders and professionals can better understand, manage, and thrive through change in both personal and professional settings.
Mao shares why acceptance and resilience are essential leadership skills, and how emotional intelligence plays a critical role in navigating uncertainty.
The discussion also dives into the realities of digital transformation and AI, offering practical insights on why organizations must adopt a proactive mindset to remain competitive. From setting meaningful short-term goals to fostering adaptability and growth, this episode provides actionable guidance for leaders facing constant disruption.
Whether you’re managing a team, building a business, or navigating personal transitions, this conversation will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose in a rapidly changing world.

Ethical Leadership: The Keys to Growth in DeFi - Insights from Brian J. Esposito

In this conversation, Brian J. Esposito, CEO of Diamond Lake, discusses the future of decentralized finance and the evolution of tokenization and digital assets. He shares his extensive background in entrepreneurship and finance, emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership and sound management in navigating the crypto landscape.
Brian also addresses the following:
The regulatory environment and the need for innovation while ensuring investor protection.
He outlines Diamond Lake's growth strategy and commitment to building a sustainable and ethical business model in the tokenization space.
The crypto market is still fraught with trust issues among investors.
Ethical leadership is crucial in the tokenization space.
Regulation is necessary but should not stifle innovation.
Investors should focus on companies with strong management.
Join us we discuss the growth and future of digital finance!