Reaching 1,000 podcast episodes is no small feat. The Digital Executive podcast did just that in January 2025. Hosted by Brian E. Thomas, The Digital Executive achieved this remarkable milestone in just shy of 5 years. Brian interviewed some of the world’s most successful people, spanning multiple industries. In rapid-fire 10-minute discussions a few times a week, his guests have discussed their perspectives as leaders in emerging technology.
Over the years, the podcast has established itself as a premier platform where top executives, thought leaders, and industry pioneers share their insights on leadership, technology, and business innovation. Featuring a diverse lineup of guests—from billionaire entrepreneurs and renowned influencers to groundbreaking technologists and creative celebrities—the podcast has become a must-listen for those seeking inspiration and knowledge in the digital age.
All the guests from The Digital Executive have been impactful in their respective fields. In general, the guests fall into four major groups: unicorn entrepreneurs, influential thought leaders, celebrity innovators, and technological pioneers. Here at Coruzant Technologies, as we celebrate the 1,000th episode of The Digital Executive, we are also looking back at how Brian started the podcast, who were some of the “big names” that joined the discussion, and what we see for the future of the podcast.
Table of contents
The Start of a Great Idea
The Digital Executive is available on 30 podcast platforms and has been downloaded over one million times. It is in the top 10 of U.S. Apple Podcasts in the Technology category and it ranks in the top 5% of all podcasts in the world. The journey to this point started with Brian’s passion to deliver digestible information about emerging tech from the industry leaders to listeners both in and out of the tech industry.
Launched in 2020, Thomas conceived of “The Digital Executive” as a way to provide busy professionals with accessible insights into the rapidly changing tech landscape. The podcast’s format of 10-minute discussions where tech leaders answer three or four questions, is designed for daily consumption. These short podcasts are a convenient way for listeners to stay updated on the latest trends and innovations while they commute or take a break during the day.
Over the years, the podcast has garnered a dedicated following. Listeners praise the show for its quick, in-depth knowledge and the host’s ability to elicit meaningful insights from guests. One reviewer noted, “Brian asks the questions that get the most in-depth answers in a quick, informative interview that sounds like a friendly conversation.”
Our Milestone Guest: Alice Shikova
The 1,000th episode, titled “Exploring Web3 Domains: Multi-Chain Innovation and User-Centric Strategies with Executive Alice Shikova,” was released on January 18, 2025. In this milestone episode, Shikova, a marketing expert with over five years of experience in fintech and crypto, shared her journey into the Web3 space and her role at SpaceID. She discussed the significance of multi-chain support for Web3 domains and how SpaceID is pioneering this feature, highlighting the integration with MetaMask Snaps to enhance user experience. She also encouraged women to join the fintech space.
Who’s Who on The Digital Executive
Although all the guests on The Digital Executive have their own stories, visions and ideas of what the future holds for emerging technologies, these leaders fall into at least one general category. Podcast guests can be sorted into one of the four groups explained below.
Visionary Unicorn: Disruptive Phenomenon
Visionary Unicorns are the first group of tech leaders. A unicorn is an entrepreneur who had the good fortune and fortitude to launch a startup that is now valued at over $1 billion. These startups represent some of the most innovative and disruptive businesses in the world. The Digital Executive has featured several visionary leaders who have successfully scaled their companies to this elite status.
- Bill Powers – A leader in the technology space, Powers shared insights on how fostering a culture of innovation can drive a company to unicorn status. His discussion with Thomas highlighted strategic decision-making and navigating rapid growth. He tells his team, “Sometimes doing the right thing is really hard, but it’s still the right thing.”
- Arjun Rai – As the founder of groundbreaking startups, SelfTact.com and HelloWoofy.com. Rai discussed how leveraging technology and customer-centric strategies helped his company differentiate itself in a crowded marketplace. He is driven to support small-business owners, who he calls “underdogs.”
- Weili Dai – A co-founder of a leading semiconductor company, Dai emphasized the importance of innovation and strategic partnerships in driving long-term success. She is regarded as one of world’s most powerful women, as noted in Forbes Magazine. She continues to have a passion for innovation in semiconductor technology.
- Jason Fletcher – A fintech expert, Fletcher explored the evolving financial landscape and how technology is transforming investment strategies. His current role is at Dev Pipeline, a mentorship and apprenticeship program for young developers. The company asks, “How do we drive passion and purpose in others while simultaneously indoctrinating positive experiences and exposure to healthy work culture?”
- Louis Têtu – The chairman and CEO of Coveo, Têtu delved into how AI-powered search and recommendation systems are shaping the future of business intelligence and customer experience. He encourages entrepreneurs to work at what they love to do with people who they love. He says if you get to work with customers too, then that is what will drive you all day, every day.
Influential Thought Leaders and Digital Innovators
Influencers in digital marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship leverage technology to redefine success in their fields. The Digital Executive has hosted some of the most prominent voices in these industries. Here are some of the thought leaders Thomas has interviewed during his tenure as the host.
- Alvin Foo – A leader at the forefront of innovation in finance, Foo discussed his involvement in mentoring emerging companies through his involvement with the German Accelerator, Spark Labs, and Orbit startups. Foo stated that the next ten years of blockchain development will involve putting games, tokenomics and crypto together.
- Shama Hyder – A best-selling author and CEO of Zen Media, Shama is one of the world’s leading experts on marketing and PR in the digital age. She explained the evolution of digital branding and social media’s impact on modern business in her discussion with Thomas. Her best advice to anyone who wants a career is embrace building your brand.
- Lauren Tickner – Lauren made her first million through building a highly engaged audience on social media and using that audience to launch a highly profitable online health coaching platform. She encourages entrepreneurs to make their career their passion. She says everything came more easily to her when she aligned her work with her core values.
- Jack Bouroudjian – A seasoned financial expert, Bouroudjian analyzes market trends and the role of technology in shaping financial services. As the founder of SmartXdata and Green Innovations, he explains to Thomas that Blockchain will have a disruptive and important impact on supply chain and commodities in the future. He relayed a story about the need to maintain an open mind as we age, or we become dinosaurs in our fields. Bouroudjian is a regular guest on Bloomberg and Fox.
- Hala Taha – The host of Young and Profiting, Taha discussed strategies for effective networking, personal branding, and professional development in the digital space. She is driven by being responsible for the livelihoods and careers of her employees. She encourages new entrepreneurs to focus on using one social media platform and get to know its algorithm in detail, instead of trying to use all the platforms at once.
Celebrities Making an Impact Beyond Their Fame
Beyond their careers in entertainment and the arts, several celebrities have become successful entrepreneurs and thought leaders. The Digital Executive has explored their ventures into business, technology, and innovation. Here are five of the most interesting and diverse celebrities who have sat down with Thomas to discuss technology.
- Jerad Finck (BLAZAR) – The music producer, singer-songwriter, and founder of Cosmic Wire discussed the intersection of music and technology. emphasizing how digital transformation is reshaping the music industry. Finck believes that advancements in Web3 and blockchain technologies will fulfill the internet’s original promise of unifying people and systems. He also noted the growing community’s shared vision in driving this dynamic shift toward a more empowered and inclusive digital future.
- Peter Schroeder – A musician turned entrepreneur, Schroeder shared how his creative background influenced his approach to business and innovation. He started businesses at a very young age and says that his advice is to be persistent and not afraid to get your hands dirty. He also encourages entrepreneurs to leverage the strengths of their companies with emerging tech to get the job done.
- Wendy O – An LA-based entrepreneur and crypto analyst, Wendy O provided expert insights into blockchain technology and the future of decentralized finance. Her big idea is that social media should be built on Blockchain.
- Natalie Brunell – An award-winning journalist, Brunell spoke about the role of media in shaping public perception and financial literacy. She says that her journey goes to show that if you have an idea, if you have a voice and it resonates with an audience, you can really create a career for yourself.
- Johny Dar – A multi-disciplinary artist and designer, Dar explored the convergence of fashion, art, and technology in his creative endeavors. He approaches each morning with the idea that It’s a new day; It’s a new creation; It’s a new inspiration on that path to realizing a new world. His newest project, Art of Implosion, or AOI, centers on the idea that humanity needs to upgrade its potential.
Pioneers in Emerging Technologies
No discussion about digital transformation would be complete without highlighting the innovators who are shaping the future of AI and robotics. Two of our most influential disrupters in this space are Dr. David Hanson and Pavel Hübner.
- Dr. David Hanson – The founder of Hanson Robotics and the creator of Sophia, the world’s most human-like AI robot, Hanson shared insights on the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. His discussion emphasized the fusion of art, cognitive science, and robotics to create machines capable of human-like interactions. Sophia is a platform to explore the future of cognitive robotics.
- Pavel Hübner — Hübner’s company, HARDWARIO, specializes in Industrial IoT solutions emphasized the importance of creating tools that make people’s lives easier. As a guest of The Digital Executive, he highlighted the value of building a team that thrives on open culture, innovation, and collaboration. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to combine their passion for technology with business acumen to build successful ventures.
The Lasting Impact of The Digital Executive
With 1,000 episodes and counting, The Digital Executive podcast continues to be a powerful platform for sharing cutting-edge insights and strategies from some of the world’s most influential leaders. From billion-dollar unicorn founders to disruptive digital influencers, celebrity entrepreneurs, and pioneering technologists, Brian Thomas has built a treasure trove of knowledge that inspires professionals across industries.
As The Digital Executive continues, it remains a beacon for those navigating the ever-changing digital landscape, providing invaluable perspectives on leadership, innovation, and the future of technology.
