In this episode of Connect Vegas, host Ben Laifsky sits down with Pete Radd, a multi-talented Las Vegas musician, jingle producer, and recording artist. Pete shares his journey from performing piano at the Bellagio to producing iconic jingles heard across the nation. He dives into the lasting power of a great jingle in a modern media landscape, the art of collaborating with clients, and the exciting evolution of his career into recording relaxing piano music now available on all major platforms. Along the way, Pete offers thoughtful insights into marketing, branding, and the magic of combining audio and strategy to create lasting impressions.

Highlights

• Pete’s career journey: From live pianist to studio producer and recording artist
• The strategic role jingles play in modern marketing campaigns
• Why mid-sized markets are driving jingle demand today
• How Pete collaborates with clients to craft the perfect jingle
• Examples of jingles Pete created for UNLV Tickets, Glenn Lerner Injury Attorneys, and Findlay Chevrolet
• The art of embedding phone numbers and websites into jingles
• Why visual presentation is crucial even for audio branding
• Pete’s views on how Las Vegas has evolved since the 1980s
• Favorite Las Vegas organizations and networking groups
• Advice on personal branding and social media posting
• Pete’s recommendation of Linchpin by Seth Godin as a must-read for creating career value

In this episode of the Connect Vegas Podcast, host Ben Laifsky sits down with James Richey, founder of JouleFit, a revolutionary fitness technology company based in Las Vegas. James shares his journey from mechanical engineering to entrepreneurship, and how he combined his lifelong passion for fitness, robotics, and data science to create a smarter, faster, and safer way to work out. Together, they discuss JouleFit's mission to transform fitness through AI-driven, robotic equipment — and how their ambitious plan could influence health outcomes on a global scale.

If you’ve ever wished you could get a full-body workout in just 15 minutes (without even breaking a sweat), this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

• What JouleFit Offers:
  • A spa-like fitness studio with facial recognition
  • Robotic machines that automatically adjust to each user's body
  • 15-minute, data-driven workouts requiring only two sessions a week
• The Science Behind It:
  • Real-time force matching with robotic actuators (no weights)
  • 50,000+ data points collected during each workout
  • Gamified experience tracking your personal best performance
• James’s Background:
  • Grew up in Indiana without TV, focused on outdoor activities and reading
  • Mechanical engineering career combined with lifelong love of sports
  • Inspiration from Body by Science by Dr. Doug McGuff
• Vision for JouleFit:
  • Opening flagship locations in Las Vegas
  • Building 10,000 locations over the next 10 years
  • Collecting massive health and wellness data sets to optimize personal fitness and health outcomes
• JouleFit's Unique Approach:
  • Suitable for busy professionals, older adults, and athletes
  • Eliminates intimidation of traditional gyms
  • Focus on safe, injury-free training even for seniors
• Las Vegas Insights:
  • Growth of the tech and biotech community in Las Vegas
  • Favorite local spots like Red Rock Canyon and top networking groups like Fusion 42 and Tech Alley

In this episode of the Connect Vegas Podcast, host Ben Laifsky sits down with Adam Lopez, an experienced IT professional and the President of CMIT Solutions of Las Vegas. Adam shares insights into cybersecurity, small business tech needs, and his mission to make IT approachable for everyone—from large enterprises to everyday users. With a background in casino IT and a passion for community education, Adam is working to shape the future of cybersecurity and IT training in Las Vegas.

Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of modern cybersecurity threats, actionable ways to protect their business, and an appreciation for how local IT providers like CMIT Solutions are supporting Southern Nevada’s business landscape.

Key Topics Covered:

• CMIT Solutions Overview: Local managed service provider offering IT helpdesk, cybersecurity, and endpoint monitoring for SMBs and larger clients.
• Cybersecurity Challenges: Common threats like phishing, smishing, and QR scams; why people are the weakest link in security.
• Affordable Protection: Preventative tools like EDR and multi-factor authentication—even basic plans for as low as $19.99/month.
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Vision: Adam’s plan to build a nonprofit SOC/SIEM in Las Vegas focused on training and youth development.
• Background in Casino IT: 20+ years in major gaming companies like Caesars, Hard Rock, and Golden Entertainment.
• Education and Community Impact: Collaborations with Tech Impact, LVEP, and veterans’ organizations to train and place new IT talent.
• Proactive IT Philosophy: Moving from break/fix to preventative care, with a strong focus on local customer service.
• Business Ownership Journey: Transition from corporate roles to building his own CMIT franchise and lessons learned from entrepreneurship.
• Favorite Local Recommendations: Meals at Viva Zapatas and North Italia, city views from Foundation Room and Sunset Road, and appreciation for Las Vegas’s fast-paced growth.

Key Quotes:

• “Unfortunately, we’re always the pound of cure. People often call us after something has already gone wrong.”
• “Phishing is still the number one threat—but smishing and QR phishing are growing fast.”
• “Vegas is still a small town. We all know someone in every industry. It makes this city special.”
• “Customer service is number one. We’re not here for a dollar—we’re here to be your partner.”
• “Opportunities don’t just happen. You create them through hard work, perseverance, and lifting others as you rise.”
• “Training and education are the cheapest—and best—ways to prevent cyber attacks.”
• “It’s okay to ask questions. IT shouldn’t be intimidating. Questions are free.”
• “We’re trying to stop these SOCs from going offshore by building talent here in Las Vegas.”