Best Grassroots Labs Podcasts (2025)

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Cybersecurity News: Grok AI Hijacked for Malware, Wi-Fi Heart Rate Hacks, Starlink Competition 14:39

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2d ago14:39

14:39

Cybercriminals are exploiting X's Grok AI to bypass ad protections and spread malware to millions—while researchers discover your home Wi-Fi can now monitor your heart rate. This week's news breakdown covers the attack vectors you need to know about. Join co-hosts Joshua Schmidt, Eric Brown, and Nick Mellem as they dive into the latest cybersecurit…

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From MySpace to TikTok and Why Political Campaigns Must Adapt to the New Social Media Landscape with Scott Goodstein Catalyst Campaigns 29:24

10d ago29:24

29:24

Scott Goodstein, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Campaigns, discusses the evolution and current state of social media strategies in politics in this interview, recorded on September 11 and the day after the murder of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Scott was the social media architect for the 2008 Obama campaign and contrasts the early, diverse soc…

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Field Notes: Why Cyber Attacks Are Accelerating 26:04

9d ago26:04

26:04

The threat landscape is moving faster than ever—and traditional response playbooks aren't keeping up. In this live Field Notes episode, Eric Brown and Nick Mellum dive into the surge of recent cyberattacks hitting state governments, transit systems, and critical infrastructure across the U.S. From Nevada's complete state office shutdown to Maryland…

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Healthcare Ransomware: When Cyberattacks Turn Deadly 32:08

16d ago32:08

32:08

When ransomware hits a hospital, it's not just data that's at stake—patients are dying. Ed Gaudet, CEO of Censinet, reveals the shocking research proving what healthcare security professionals feared: cyberattacks on hospitals directly increase mortality rates and disrupt life-saving care. But Ed's biggest concern? The eerie quiet before what he be…

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022: Helping Animals that Confront Crisis due to Climate Change with Pat Chan 23:14

21d ago23:14

23:14

What if there was a way to directly impact animal welfare and environmental sustainability while honoring cultural traditions? Join us for United We Spay as we uncover the inspiring path of Patricia “Pat” Chan, a trailblazer in animal welfare and the first female division chief for the Panama Canal Commission. Through her vision, Spay Panama has be…

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Tips for Podcasters and Their Guests with Karen Jagoda and Deepak Puri 14:05

30d ago14:05

14:05

This is an interview conducted by Deepak Puri of The Democracy Labs, discussing the art of podcasting with me, Karen Jagoda. Being a podcaster since the early days, I have seen my share of great guests, reluctant guests, and unprepared guests. Listening to other podcasters has helped me understand both the great potential and limited value podcasts…

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The Deepfake Hiring Crisis: AI Fraud in Job Interviews 41:24

1M ago41:24

41:24

What happens when your next hire isn't who they claim to be? In this eye-opening episode of The Audit, we dive deep into the alarming world of AI-powered hiring fraud with Justin Marciano and Paul Vann from Validia. From North Korean operatives using deepfakes to infiltrate Fortune 500 companies to proxy interviews becoming the new normal, this con…

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Life Science Leaders Call for Combatting Science Skepticism with Hamid Ghanadan LINUS 19:49

1M ago19:49

19:49

Hamid Ghanadan, CEO at LINUS, reports on their recent State of Science research that tracks scientists' sentiment, funding expectations, and barriers to their work. Key findings reveal that the politicization of science and erosion of public trust in science threaten to slow innovation rates and negatively impact public access to accurate informati…

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FastAlert Now App for Activists and Organizers with Deepak Puri The Democracy Labs 15:29

1M ago15:29

15:29

Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, has developed the FastAlert Now app that allows organizers and non-profit organizations to send alerts to people without requiring their phone number, email, or downloading an app. This free app is a channel-based system that uses QR codes and URLs to enable users to subscribe to a specific channel and receiv…

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How CTF Culture Gamifies Your Way to Unbreakable Security Teams 30:10

1M ago30:10

30:10

Can you spot the difference between real cybersecurity talent and someone using ChatGPT to fake their way through interviews? In this episode of The Audit, Thomas Rogers from Meta CTF reveals how Capture the Flag competitions are becoming the ultimate litmus test for authentic cyber skills—and why traditional hiring methods are failing in the AI er…

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Impact of Healthcare Policy Changes and Need for New Models with James Keppel Sarana Health 27:57

2M ago27:57

27:57

James Keppel is the Founder and CEO of Sarana Health and a healthcare advocate for an integrated, wellness-focused approach to keeping people healthy instead of simply treating diseases. While the impacts of current policy changes and budget cuts in healthcare and medical research have yet to be seen, all indications point to widening gaps in servi…

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021: Spay/Neuter Success: How Humboldt County Ended Shelter Euthanasia with Jennifer Raymond 29:02

2M ago29:02

29:02

Imagine having the power to transform entire communities by addressing a single, crucial issue: pet overpopulation. Join us for this episode of United We Spay as we unfold the inspiring journey of Jennifer Raymond, whose unwavering passion for animal welfare has led to significant changes in Humboldt County and beyond. From her college days promoti…

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Fighting Political Cynicism by Sharing Authentic Conversations with Brian Rolling the MurMur Project 25:02

2M ago25:02

25:02

Brian Rolling, Co-Founder of the MurMur Project, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss how individuals can engage more effectively through digital communication and social media, gaining a deeper understanding of political issues, campaigns, and elections, and have their own voices heard. Brian has a background in filmmaking and …

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Cybersecurity News: Vikings Vishing Lost $240K, Scattered Spider & F1 Racing 22:13

2M ago22:13

22:13

Dallas Turner's $240,000 fraud loss isn't just celebrity news—it's a wake-up call for anyone with a bank account. When even NFL linebackers fall victim to social engineering, what does that mean for the rest of us? In this episode of The Audit, co-hosts Joshua Schmidt, Eric Brown, and Nick Mellem break down the sophisticated tactics behind this mas…

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The Johnson Amendment Under Fire with Rebecca Markert Americans United for Separation of Church and State 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

Rebecca Markert, Vice President and Legal Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State , joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the fundamental American principle of the separation of church and state, as included in the Constitution. The Johnson Amendment, passed 70 years ago, is a critical law that prevents ch…

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Empowering Local Organizers for Ballot Initiative Success with Chris Melody Fields Figueredo BISC 18:26

2M ago18:26

18:26

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, discusses the 2.5 Project, an initiative by BISC that provides early, flexible funding to support ballot initiatives focused on economic justice. Recent efforts in Nebraska and Missouri to support minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives yielded p…

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Humanizing Political Impact with Stories about Real-Life Consequences with Jim Lardner Good Trouble Podcast 21:18

2M ago21:18

21:18

Jim Lardner, journalist, activist, and host of the podcast "Good Trouble," joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the "We Are Your Neighbor" Project, which aims to collect and promote personal stories of people impacted by the Trump administration's policies. The goal is to promote these types of stories in a non-ideological way t…

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Grassroots Cybersecurity: Protecting Communities Through Education 33:01

2M ago33:01

33:01

What does it take to build real cybersecurity skills in underserved communities? In this episode of The Audit, Rasheed Alowonle shares his journey from Chicago to becoming a cybersecurity educator and community advocate. This isn't your typical career advice—it's about fortifying communities through practical security hygiene and hands-on learning.…

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🎙️ The Glove That Relieves Hand Pain | Téa Phillips | Healthcare Wayfinders Podcast 20:25

3M ago20:25

20:25

Send us a text Ep#021 of Healthcare Wayfinders, host Zach Aten sits down with inventor and entrepreneur Téa Phillips, the creator of the @metaflexglove —an FDA-cleared, drug-free solution for arthritis, carpal tunnel, and hand pain from everyday overuse. What started as a school project to help her grandmother has become a powerful, affordable medi…

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Power of Art and Visual Storytelling to Reframe Political Narratives with Bill Moyer Backbone Campaign 32:09

3M ago32:09

32:09

Bill Moyer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Backbone Campaign, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore the value of creative activism and visual props in promoting causes and values. The metaphor of the backbone is a symbol of moral power and strength that voters are encouraged to draw on to protest, drive awareness, and m…

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How StoryMaps Humanize Data and Drive Action with Allen Carroll Esri 25:54

3M ago25:54

25:54

Allen Carroll, cartographer and lead of the Story Maps team at Esri, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the power of maps and the visualization of GIS data to tell a compelling story. The StoryMaps platform combines multimedia elements to create richer and more engaging maps to spark empathy, raise awareness, and potentially i…

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020: Building Solutions: Tackling NYC’s Overpopulation Crisis with Flatbush Vet with Will Zweigart 30:29

3M ago30:29

30:29

Could the key to solving New York City's animal overpopulation crisis be more accessible than we think? Join us for this episode of United We Spay as we unravel the transformative journey of Will Zweigart, the driving force behind Flatbush Cats and Flatbush Vet. Once an advertising executive, Will discovered that adoption and rescue efforts alone w…

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Tabletop Exercises 2.0: How OpsBook Is Changing the Game 38:36

3M ago38:36

38:36

What happens when your carefully crafted incident response playbook becomes worthless? Cody Sullivan from OpsBook reveals the brutal truth about tabletop exercises: most organizations are practicing with medieval armor for a drone war. From 70-participant, 6-hour exercises spanning three continents to the harsh reality of insider threats, this conv…

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Reporting on Abby Hoffman to Military Action Against Iran with Lucian Truscott IV 26:47

3M ago26:47

26:47

Lucian K. Truscott IV, journalist, author, and screenwriter, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to shine a light on the challenges of writing about and reporting on current events, political voices, and cultural trends. Lucian started working for the Village Voice while still a cadet at West Point in the 1960s and comes from a long line …

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The Invisible Threats: OT Meets IT in Modern Manufacturing 39:50

3M ago39:50

39:50

Think you can manage industrial systems like your IT infrastructure? Think again. In this episode of The Audit, Dino Busalachi unpacks the high-stakes complexity of OT-IT convergence—and why your trusty IT playbook flatlines on the plant floor. Join the IT Audit Labs crew as we dive into the chaos of managing 10,000+ industrial assets across a spra…

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Charley Chatbot Revolutionizing Access to Abortion Information and Services with Nicole Cushman 17:30

4M ago17:30

17:30

Nicole Cushman joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to talk about Charley. This private, secure abortion focused AI chatbot was created in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The goal of this project is to provide personalized, accurate, up-to-date information about abortion services while protecting the privacy of those looking fo…

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How Constituent Pressure Can Influence Congressional Budget Decisions with Catherine Rowland Congressional Progressive Caucus Center 37:38

4M ago37:38

37:38

Catherine Rowland, Legislative Affairs Director at the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore the current budget reconciliation process in the US Congress. Regardless of the method, Catherine emphasizes that the voice of constituents can make a difference in the outcome and influence budget…

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019: Systemic Solutions: Targeted Spay/Neuter and Legal Advocacy for Animal Welfare with Prof. Lisa Milot 40:20

4M ago40:20

40:20

On this episode of United We Spay, Lisa Milot, a distinguished professor of Canine Welfare Law at the University of Georgia, shares her transformative journey from an animal rescue volunteer to a nonprofit founder focused on strategic spay-neuter programs. Her passion for systemic change in animal welfare underscores the episode as she recounts her…

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On This Edition of Fighting The Power, we celebrate Juneteenth before the Trump regime eliminates the holiday 28:05

4M ago28:05

28:05

Fighting The Power is a radio/Podcast featuring independent journalists resisting Trump's authoritarian rule. We highlight efforts to restore democracy and confront Project 2025, which aims to reduce civil liberties. Our panelists include: • LaNita Duke: Award-winning multimedia producer for Grassroots News Northwest. • Dianne Johnson: Professor an…

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Pwnagotchi: The AI Pet That Hunts Your Network Credentials 35:24

4M ago35:24

35:24

What happens when you cross a Tamagotchi with a Wi-Fi hacking tool? You get the Pwnagotchi—a pocket-sized device that "feeds" on Wi-Fi handshakes and learns from its environment. In this episode, Jayden Traufler and Cameron Birkland join the crew to demonstrate how this deceptively cute device can passively capture encrypted Wi-Fi credentials from …

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🎙️ How Noom Helped Me Lose 20 Pounds | Honest Review + Tips | Healthcare Wayfinders Podcast 12:46

5M ago12:46

12:46

Send us a text In this special solo episode of Healthcare Wayfinders, host Zach Aten shares his personal experience using the health and weight loss app Noom—a psychology-based tool that’s helped him lose 20 pounds and shift his entire mindset around food. Whether you’ve struggled with emotional eating, yo-yo dieting, or building healthy habits, th…

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How the Working Class Story Can Lead to Social Change with Gwenn Fulton Addition Project 34:00

5M ago34:00

34:00

Gwenn Fulton from the Addition Project joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore how storytelling is a powerful way to translate personal experiences into public dialogue, building shared understanding and action around common challenges. Stories of the working class are particularly needed so that their concerns and aspirations are …

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Pi-hole: The Open Source DNS Firewall Revolutionizing Network Security 39:50

5M ago39:50

39:50

Your network is talking behind your back—but Pi-hole is listening. Join The Audit as Pi-hole co-founders Dan Schaper and Adam Warner reveal how their open-source DNS sinkhole technology has become the secret weapon for over 200,000 privacy-conscious users worldwide. In this episode, we discuss: How Pi-hole evolved from a simple ad blocker to a crit…

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Connecting Nonprofit Organizations with Lawyers for Pro Bono Legal Services with Anna Chu We the Action 24:37

5M ago24:37

24:37

Anna Chu, Executive Director of We the Action, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the critical role lawyers play in defending the rule of law and supporting nonprofits during these challenging times. The We the Action platform connects lawyers with organizations addressing the challenges both sides face in finding specific exp…

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A Revolutionary Friendship of May 19 between Yuri Kochiyama and Malcolm X 27:48

5M ago27:48

27:48

The relationship between the Asian & African American communities has often been tenuous and seemingly at odds. However, the relationship between Yuri Kochiyama and Malcolm X came at a time when the fight for Civil Rights was at its peak for many minority communities. In this special episode of Fighting The Power, Lanita Duke is joined by Radio Pro…

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Cybersecurity News: E-Z Pass Scam, Dead Internet Theory & $16.6B FBI Report 42:21

5M ago42:21

42:21

Join The Audit for a news-packed episode as cybersecurity expert Matt Starland recounts a chilling near-miss with an E-Z Pass phishing scam—received just minutes after renting a car in Florida. His close call highlights how scammers exploit timing and context to deceive even seasoned professionals. In this episode, we discuss: How a security pro ne…

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018: Turning the Tide: Operational Efficiencies and Legislative Wins for South Carolina’s Animals with Dawn Wilkinson 32:22

5M ago32:22

32:22

Dawn Wilkinson, the dynamic executive director of the Humane Society in South Carolina, joins us on this episode of United We Spay to share her inspiring journey from accounting and healthcare to animal welfare advocacy. Her leadership has been pivotal in transforming the organization by reducing costs and expanding programs to perform thousands of…

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Using Stories and Music to Explore the American Dream and Drive Activism with Jennifer Appel 23:46

5M ago23:46

23:46

Jennifer Appel, filmmaker, teacher, and activist, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the American Dream and the need to provide a more complete and accurate portrayal of the American experience. Jennifer uses storytelling, music, and visuals to give voice to diverse perspectives, including those of Indigenous people and vetera…

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Democracy dies when you comply; do not comply in advance. 27:38

5M ago27:38

27:38

Fighting The Power is a radio/Podcast featuring independent journalists resisting Trump's authoritarian rule. We highlight efforts to restore democracy and confront Project 2025, which aims to reduce civil liberties. Our panelists include: · LaNita Duke: Award-winning multimedia producer for Grassroots News Northwest. · Dianne Johnson: Professor an…

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The Power of Protests with Shasti Conrad Washington State Democratic Party 24:55

5M ago24:55

24:55

Shasti Conrad is the Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party and Associate Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Her involvement in political organizing and activism taught her that campaigns must focus on economic messages to build coalitions that cut across partisan lines. This year, before the 2026 mid-terms, there is an opportunity…

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Building and Maintaining Relationships with Voters with Zach Adams VDX.tv 26:04

5M ago26:04

26:04

Zach Adams, Senior Specialist in Client Partnerships for Politics and Public Affairs at VDX.tv, discusses the evolving landscape of political campaigns and the importance of ongoing engagement with voters beyond election day. Candidates and campaigns often fail to maintain relationships with voters, except for requests for contributions. Data analy…

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Inside InfraGard: How FBI Partnerships Attack Risks to Critical Infrastructure 33:50

5M ago33:50

33:50

Join The Audit as we dive into the high-stakes intersection of critical infrastructure and cybersecurity with Tim Herman, President of InfraGard Minnesota. InfraGard is a unique public-private partnership with the FBI designed to protect the 85% of America's essential systems owned by the private sector. From power grids to transportation, the vuln…

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Your Grandma Has a Story to Tell—This App Helps Her Share It 23:55

6M ago23:55

23:55

Send us a text Episode: #018 How many stories from your parents or grandparents are still untold—and what would it mean to preserve them before it’s too late? In this episode of Healthcare Wayfinders, host Zach Aten sits down with Nick Hasty, the founder of Linda AI, a voice-driven AI tool that helps people—especially seniors—record and share their…

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How AI and Data are Reshaping Political Campaigns with Michael Cohen the Cohen Research Group 25:30

6M ago25:30

25:30

Michael D. Cohen is the CEO of the Cohen Research Group, a political public affairs and corporate research firm, and the author of Modern Political Campaigns: How Professionalism, Technology, and Speed Have Revolutionized Elections. He has written a new chapter for this well-received book that focuses on the power of AI and opportunities to apply i…

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The Essential Guide to Strength Training and Nutrition for Busy Professionals 32:10

6M ago32:10

32:10

Send us a text Episode #016 of Healthcare Wayfinders, host Zach Aten sits down with strength coach and nutrition expert Noah Renz to break down how working professionals and parents can prioritize their health without sacrificing time for work or family. From hitting the gym to cooking smarter meals at home, Noah shares realistic, habit-based strat…

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Navigating the Complexities of Assisted Living with Petunia: A Family's Guide 22:44

6M ago22:44

22:44

Send us a text EPISODE: #17 In this episode of Healthcare Wayfinders, host Zach Aten speaks with Greg Hearn, founder of Petunia—a modern tool built to help families navigate one of life’s most emotional and complex decisions: finding the right assisted living or memory care facility for a loved one. Greg shares his personal story that led him to cr…

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The Future of Quantum: Majorana Particles, Encryption, AI, and Parallel Universes 36:42

6M ago36:42

36:42

Join The Audit as we explore the cutting-edge world of quantum computing with information security architect, Bill Harris. Quantum technology is advancing at breakneck speed, pushing the boundaries of computation, while Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is making encrypted communications nearly unbreakable. As multiple sectors race to integrate quantu…

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017: On the Frontlines: Managing Shelter Operations and Ensuring Spay/Neuter in Alaska with JJ Hendrickson 28:58

6M ago28:58

28:58

On this episode of United We Spay, join us for an enlightening conversation with JJ Hendrickson, former Chief Animal Control Officer at the Kenai Animal Shelter in Alaska, as she shares her insights into the world of spay-neuter programs and their crucial role in animal welfare. JJ recounts her journey from implementing a voucher system to adopting…

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Beyond Blood Sugar: Adele Health's New Approach to Diabetes Tracking & Prevention 21:26

6M ago21:26

21:26

Send us a text Episode 015. What if managing diabetes didn’t have to be so complicated? In this episode of Healthcare Wayfinders, we’re joined by Mark Norton, founder of Adele Health, to discuss how their innovative approach is simplifying diabetes care through cutting-edge hardware and intuitive software. Adele Health is rethinking the way we trac…

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Eco-Security: The Intersection of Recycling and Technology 22:54

6M ago22:54

22:54

What Really Happens to Your Trash? Inside Modern Waste Management Is your trash really being recycled, or is it ending up in a landfill? In this episode of The Audit, we sit down with Trista Martinson, Executive Director at Ramsey Washington Recycling & Energy, to uncover the surprising technology and cybersecurity challenges behind modern waste ma…