Innovation Crush

How do you win TIME Magazine's invention of the year? Build a device that helps a fully paralyzed graffiti artist create art with only his eyes. This is how Elliot Kotek and his business partner, Mick Ebeling began Not Impossible, an organization that exploits the possibilities of technology for- as they put it - "the sake of humanity." In the past 7 years since the Eyewriter, Not Impossible has gone on to win both hearts and awards for inspiring projects that have allowed people to speak for the first time in 17 years, feed themselves after losing their arms, walk again, and plenty more. Along the way, they've managed to work with partners like Intel, HP, and others for marketing amplification and technology development. On Innovation Crush, Elliot breaks down Not Impossible's methodology for innovation, ideas, amplification, entrepreneurship, and creating good in the world. (recorded on location at SXSW) More Projects at: http://www.notimpossiblenow.com/labs

Jon Werner has mastered the true artistry of innovation; exploring every endeavor with a sense of childlike wonder. Quite literally, he is adidas Innovation Explorer (real title), and has led the company's effort to create and/or apply trends in technology and fashion for the past 8 years. On Innovation Crush, Jon explains his role, his successes (including winning a CES Innovation Award for adidas new connected soccer ball), and how he retains his sense of ingenuity and invention day in and day out. (recorded on location @ SXSW)

Cenk Uygur has mastered the art of news and storytelling for the digital generation. As co-founder and CEO of The Young Turks, his news platform amasses BILLIONS of impressions each month through content deals with the likes of Hulu, Facebook, and YouTube (TYT has 2 Million subscribers on YouTube alone) and even broadcasts live, daily. Numbers like these - especially for millienial audiences - put traditional news outlets to shame and there is certainly more to come. On Innovation Crush, Cenk divulges on the difference between truth and honesty, how news and politics don't mix, and his experience as a multi-hyphenate journalist and CEO. feat special guest co-host, Paula Miranda. https://twitter.com/cenkuygur twitter.com/paulaisms www.tytnetwork.com

Steve Streit is credited (pun intended) as the inventor of the prepaid credit card. In the beginning, he figured Ivy League college kids would flock to his invention, but quickly realized that his target audience was far more vast; catering to both millenials and underserved communities alike. Fast forward to 2015, and Steve's company, Green Dot Corporation has revolutionized banking through tens of millions of prepaid cards, a bank (Go Bank) with no brick and mortar facilities, and more atms than Chase and Bank of America combined. On Innovation Crush, Steve walks us through the bumps, bruises, and triumphs along his journey from radio personality & producer to the becoming the country's leading financial revolutionary. www.greendot.com

At age 5, Jason Mayden almost died due to an infection in his blood. On his near-death bed, he had visions of what he wanted his future to look like, and after surviving the experience, he held on to that vision. Fast forward to age 19, when Jason becomes the youngest design hire at the Jordan brand. Over the next 13 years, he would become Head of Global Design, launching everything from special edition shoes to the fuel band. On this special episode of Innovation Crush - in partnership with Behind the Hustle - Jason breaks down design, his personal philosophies, his successes with Jordan, and his new found journey as an entrepreneur with Mark One. www.twitter.com/jaymay_chicity www.twitter.com/behindthehustle

What's the best way to change perceptions? Tell jokes about the very thing you want to change. Maz Jobrani is an entrepreneur, comedian, actor, and now author whose Iranian roots are deeply embedded in everything he touches. Like George Lopez, or Chris Rock, his comedy and his heritage are intertwined with hilarious, thought provoking socio-political views. The former PhD candidate has broken comedy records, appeared on 24 alongside Kiefer Sutherland, and created the first Middle Eastern comedy tour (Axis of Evil). On Innovation Crush, Maz dishes on social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and how "be funny first" has been the secret to his success. https://twitter.com/MazJobrani www.mazjobrani.com

When it comes to innovation, Bob Safian sits high above the fray, with a panoramic view of the world filled with inspiring ideas. As the leader of the leading publication about leading innovations in leading businesses, the Editor-In-Chief curates some of the most compelling moments in business and creativity. Stocked full of live events, print magazines, online editorial, social media chatter, the publication reaches and inspires tens of millions of people each month. As 2015 marks Fast Company's 20th anniversary, Bob joins Innovation Crush to chat storytelling, growth, leadership, and inspiration. www.twitter.com/rsafian www.fastcompany.com

Jess Weiner (yes, pronounced like the hot dog), grew up consuming media cascaded with women who looked nothing like her. Even at a young age, the bullied performing arts enthusiast knew her life's work would be focused on image consciousness and empowerment. Fast forward to 2015 and that young girl has become a highly sought after media maven, consulting with the world's top brands on creatomg empowering interactions with today's women and young girls. In fact, for the past 9 years, Jess has served as Dove's Global Self Esteem Ambassador, leading programs and creative engagements aimed at the women the brand serves through its powerful messaging. On Innovation Crush, Jess breaks down the myths behind industry buzzwords like "authenticity" and "empowerment," how improv encourages her consulting, the hurdles of entrepreneurship, and sheds light on the creative craftsmanship that goes in to supporting the groups that brands promise to support. http://jessweiner.com/ www.twitter.com/jessweiner

When it comes to design thinking, few do it better than Tristan Walker. Early in his career, the award winning, 30-year-old entrepreneur served as an intern at then fledgling "microblogging" site, Twitter. Later, he moved on to become the golden child of Foursquare, helping build it to the point of cultural critical mass. And now in addition to co-founding Code 2040, an organization designed to discover and create successful minority techies, Tristan helms his own Andreessen Horowitz supported operation, Walker & Company, focused on creating suite of non-digital, consumer conscious products. On Innovation Crush, Walker breaks down his mastery of designing products and relevant marketplace experiences for his customers, building a team focused on innovation and diversity, and how his humble upbringing shapes his business thinking today. www.getbevel.com www.code2040.org

We've heard many times before that "Content is King." But how do you lead people to that content? How do you keep them there when choices are vast and attention spans are low? How do you keep them coming back again and again? This round table installment of Innovation Crush brings together top executives from Disney Online Originals, Defy Media, and Engage LA to uncover the strategies behind highly sought after successes in audience engagement, leveraging the new creatives, and working with brands. http://www.talkforumnyc.com/talk-conference/engage-la-digital-storytelling-conference/

For 8 years, Dr. Andy Walshe has served as Red Bull's High Performance Director. As such, the good doctor helps the athletes, musicians, artists, and performers Red Bull supports, push far beyond their physical, mental, and spiritual limitations. Part mad scientist, part genius, and part life coach, Andy creates scientifically rooted experiments and experiences designed to "give wings" to both the participants as well as the Red Bull organization. On Innovation Crush, Andy uncovers the science behind the madness, and shares what he's learned about the physical and mental potential we all possess to achieve greatness.

Peter McGraw is a marketing professor, author, behavioral economist, and extremely humor curious. So much in fact, that he and his co-author, Joel Warner, of The Humor Code, set off on a global trek to uncover the science behind what makes things funny. In the process he created the Humor Research Lab (HuRL), both uncovering a plethora of universal truths and hyper localized cultural nuances. Peter's now on a mission to see if we can actually make ourselves funnier. On Innovation Crush, Peter breaks down the science behind consumer behavior, why humor works, and how it can be harnessed to save the world. https://twitter.com/petermcgraw

A self-proclaimed "mustache farmer," Adam Garone is the CEO and co-founder of Movember, a globally celebrated movement that pits mustaches against men's health issues; particularly prostate cancer. Adam comes from a long line of military, was a digital web and marketing exec, and now for the past 10 years, has brought 10's of millions of men and women together across more than 20 countries; raising well over a half a BILLION (yes, with a "B") dollars in its brief history. On Innovation Crush, Adam dishes on his personal history, what it means to be a leader, why Movember works, the future of his organization, and much more. http://us.movember.com

Jeff Jenkins has many labels, from Taco Hack to Resident Disruptor to the Taco Whisperer. For the past 6 years the former NASA and Viacom exec has been creating new and innovative ways to engage the Taco Bell consumer. On Innovation Crush, Jeff breaks down his own personal path to innovation (which also includes a successful stint as an actor), how the fast food chain overcomes negative perceptions, Taco Bell's idea-driven infrastructure, and how to engage one of the biggest consumer groups in the market. Featuring special guest host, Alexi Panos. twitter.com/jeffmjenkins twitter.com/alexipanos

Skip Bedell was birthed in excellence and professional integrity. The master carpenter comes from a long line of successful builders. While Skip once abandoned the family business to pursue other endeavors, he returned to the trade and now is the star - alongside his wife, Alison and comedian, Adam Carolla - of Spike TV's record breaking series, Catch a Contractor. On Innovation Crush, he and Alison discuss their television pairing, what excellence means, and the personal nuances that have made the show (and their businesses) a massive success.

Jeff Sparr is passionate about mental wellness. The CEO, hyphen artist, hyphen philanthropist, also happens to suffer from severe obsessive compulsive disorder. Early in his executive career, he learned to curb his medical condition through art - going from therapeutic hobbyist to one of the country's celebrated artists. Along the way, he created Peace Love Studios, an organization dedicated to combining art and mental wellness. He has graced the stages of TEDx, The Business Innovation Forum, and the Downtown project to name a few. On Innovation Crush, Jeff shares the realities of OCD and mental wellness, discusses the vision and success of Peace Love Studios, and touches on the failures and triumphs experienced along the way. www.peacelovestudios.com

Erica Williams Simon is an award-winning transformational speaker, storytelling trainer, media maker. With an early career inside the nation's capital, Erica quickly learned to recognize that real social change begins with people, not politics. The social disruptor has been named in the NAACP's 40 under 40, listed as one of the nation's top 50 politcos, consults with companies large and small on how to make significant changes in communities around the world. On Innovation Crush, Erica breaks down her early life and future vision, and tells us how to tell a story worth hearing. www.ericawilliams.com www.twitter.com/createdbyerica

Jordan Brady is a comedy legend turned commercial director, producer, podcaster, and documentarian. His passion projects include two films entitled I AM COMIC, and I AM ROAD COMIC which showcase the life of his fellow comedians on and off the road. On Innovation Crush, Jordan breaks down the power of storytelling, the myths behind advertising, and the power of long term industry relationships. www.jordanbrady.com

By the age of 14, Rebecca Kantar had started her own non profit organization focused on the prevention of sex trafficking. By 16 she and her cohorts began a speaking tour to ignite youth entrepreneurship. Now a 22 year-old Harvard dropout and serial entrepreneur, Rebecca has spoken all over the world, steered the future of fortune 500 companies, and runs a network of 1000's of alpha millenial entrepreneurs. On Innovation Crush, Rebecca discusses her winning streak of solutions for the future, how to recognize potential in young entrepreneurs, and even shares a few personal adventures that sparked her successes. Featuring special guest host, Manon Banta, founder of Mobile Film Classroom.

Guive Balooch is a scientist turned cosmetics genius who currently helms L'Oreal's Connected Beauty Incubator, a lab focused on creating forward-thinking products and services that disrupt the cosmetics industry. On Innovation Crush, Guive breaks down the processes behind creating globally impactful ideas and products, the passion it takes to make innovation happen, and how his team of brilliant- yet disparagingly different - minds come together to push L'Oreal to the edge of possibility.