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Disruption Now

Disruption Now

By: Rob Richardson
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 Join us on the Disruption Now podcast as we challenge the status quo and advocate for digital equity, ownership, and responsible technology.Rob Richardson Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Disruption Now Episode 191 | Your Refrigerator Is More Cyber Secure than Your Computer?

    Disruption Now Episode 191 | Your Refrigerator Is More Cyber Secure than Your Computer?
    Jan 30 2026
    On this episode 191 of the Disruption Now podcast:What happens when an algorithm knows more about your health than your doctor ever will? When AI can process threats faster than any human operator? When China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are probing our systems 24/7?Dr. Richard Harknett has spent 30+ years answering these questions at the highest levels. As the first Scholar-in-Residence at US Cyber Command and NSA, a key architect of the US Cybersecurity Strategy 2023, and Fulbright Professor in Cyber Studies at Oxford, he's one of the few people who's seen how cyber threats actually unfold—and what we're doing (or not doing) about them.In this conversation, Richard breaks down:🔹 Why the way we thought about security for 70 years "doesn't map" to a networked world🔹 The critical difference between being "in the loop," "on the loop," and "out of the loop" with AI🔹 What China's cyber capabilities mean for everyday Americans (and why it should keep you up at night)🔹 How AI could cut 47,000 annual car accident deaths in half—if we figure out the policy🔹 Why education needs to shift from rote learning to adaptive thinking🔹 The one thing citizens must do to keep technology accountable: "We have to assert ourselves"Richard's unique background—a social scientist who started in nuclear deterrence before becoming one of the world's leading cyber strategists—gives him a perspective you won't hear anywhere else. This isn't fear-mongering. It's a framework for staying relevant in a world where algorithms are making more decisions every day.Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, business leader, policymaker, or citizen who cares about the future, this episode gives you the language and models to participate in the most important conversations of our time.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction — Why cybersecurity should keep you up at night01:02 Richard's journey: From nuclear weapons to cybersecurity05:15 The moment he realized traditional security thinking was broken10:30 China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea: The real threat landscape18:45 Election security and what's actually at stake25:00 "In the loop" vs "on the loop" — where humans fit with AI32:15 The doctor and the diagnostic pill: AI as expert assistant38:00 Why universities still operate like it's 131842:30 47,000 deaths per year: The case for autonomous vehicles45:00 "We have to assert ourselves" — a civic call to action👤 ABOUT THE GUEST:Dr. Richard Harknett is Professor and Director of the Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy and Co-Director of the Ohio Cyber Range Institute at the University of Cincinnati. He served as the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence at US Cyber Command and NSA, and was Fulbright Professor in Cyber Studies at Oxford University. He has briefed the White House, Pentagon, State Department, and No. 10 Downing Street on cybersecurity strategy.🔗 Connect with Richard:University of Cincinnati: https://researchdirectory.uc.edu/p/harknerjOhio Cyber Range Institute: https://ohiocyberrangeinstitute.org🎧 Subscribe to Disruption Now:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dvmVthUDvScARfMQj1i4AApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-now/id1450562450YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCWDYBJSzBoqgCd1ADPVttSw/#Cybersecurity #AIPolicy #NationalSecurity🎧 About This ChannelDisruption Now makes technology accessible and human-centric. Our mission is to demystify complex systems and open conversations across domains that are often hard to grasp — from politics to emerging tech, ethics, civic systems, and more — so every viewer can engage thoughtfully and confidently. We disrupt the status quo.🔗 Follow & Connect👤 Rob RichardsonFounder, Strategist, CuratorX (Twitter): https://x.com/RobforOhioInstagram: https://instagram.com/RobforOhioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robforohio/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robrichardsonjr🌐 Disruption NowHuman-centric tech, culture & conversationYouTube (Core Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDYBJSzBoqgCd1ADPVttSwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@disruptionnowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/disrupt.art/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DisruptionNowClubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/@disruptionnow📅 MidwestCon WeekThe Midwest’s human-centered tech & innovation week — Sept 8–11, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio 🌆MidwestCon Week brings together builders, policymakers, creators, and learners for multi-sector conversations on technology, policy, and inclusive innovation.Official Website: https://midwestcon.live/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestcon_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midwestcon🔔 Subscribe forDeep, human-centric tech explorationConversations breaking down barriers to understandingEvent updates including MidwestCon WeekCulture, policy, and innovation insights#DisruptionNow #TechForAll #MidwestConWeek
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    50 mins
  • Disruption Now Episode 190 | What Is Explainable AI?

    Disruption Now Episode 190 | What Is Explainable AI?
    Jan 23 2026

    Dr. Kelly Cohen is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati and a leading authority in explainable, certifiable AI systems. With more than 31 years of experience in artificial intelligence, his research focuses on fuzzy logic, safety-critical systems, and responsible AI deployment in aerospace and autonomous environments. His lab’s work has received international recognition, with students earning top global research awards and building real-world AI products used in industry.

    In this episode 190 of the Disruption Now Podcast, 👩‍🔬 Dr. Cohen explains:

    What explainable AI really means for clinicians
    How transparent models improve patient safety
    Strategies to reduce algorithmic bias in healthcare systems
    Real examples of XAI in diagnostics & treatment

    This video is essential for tech leaders, AI researchers, data scientists, clinicians, and anyone interested in ethical, trustworthy AI in medicine.

    📅 CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 Introduction — Why XAI in Healthcare
    02:15 Kelly Cohen Bio & Expertise
    05:40 What Explainable AI Actually Is
    11:20 Challenges in Medical AI Adoption
    16:50 Case Study: XAI in Diagnostics
    22:10 Reducing Bias in ML Models
    28:35 Regulatory & Ethical Standards
    33:50 Future of Explainability in Medicine
    39:25 Audience Q&A Highlights
    44:55 Final Thoughts & Next Steps

    💡 Q&A SNIPPET

    Q: What is explainable AI?
    A: Explainable AI refers to systems where decisions can be understood, traced, and validated — critical for safety-critical applications like aerospace, healthcare, and autonomous vehicles.

    Q: Why is black-box AI dangerous?
    A: Without transparency, errors cannot be audited, responsibility is unclear, and humans become unknowing test subjects.

    Q: What is insurable AI?
    A: Insurable AI is AI that has been tested, quantified for risk, and certified to the point where insurers are willing to underwrite it — creating real accountability.

    🔗 RESOURCES & HANDLES

    Dr. Kelly Cohen LinkedIn:
    🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-cohen-phd

    Mentioned Concepts:
    ✔ Explainable AI (XAI)
    ✔ Model interpretability
    ✔ Algorithmic bias & fairness

    🎧 About This Channel

    Disruption Now makes technology accessible and human-centric. Our mission is to demystify complex systems and open conversations across domains that are often hard to grasp — from politics to emerging tech, ethics, civic systems, and more — so every viewer can engage thoughtfully and confidently. We disrupt the status quo.

    🔗 Follow & Connect
    👤 Rob Richardson
    Founder, Strategist, Curator

    X (Twitter): https://x.com/RobforOhio
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/RobforOhio
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robforohio/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robrichardsonjr

    🌐 Disruption Now

    Human-centric tech, culture & conversation
    YouTube (Core Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDYBJSzBoqgCd1ADPVttSw
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@disruptionnow
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disrupt.art/
    X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DisruptionNow
    Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/@disruptionnow

    📅 MidwestCon Week

    The Midwest’s human-centered tech & innovation week — Sept 8–11, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio 🌆
    MidwestCon Week brings together builders, policymakers, creators, and learners for multi-sector conversations on technology, policy, and inclusive innovation.

    Official Website: https://midwestcon.live/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestcon_/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midwestcon

    🔔 Subscribe for

    Deep, human-centric tech exploration
    Conversations breaking down barriers to understanding
    Event updates including MidwestCon Week
    Culture, policy, and innovation insights

    #DisruptionNow #TechForAll #MidwestConWeek

    Music Credit: Lofi Music HipHop Chill 2 - DELOSound
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    49 mins
  • Disruption Now Episode 189 | WHY AI AGENTS NEED CRYPTO

    Disruption Now Episode 189 | WHY AI AGENTS NEED CRYPTO
    Jan 23 2026

    Bitcoin and blockchain are reshaping money, trust, and the future of AI.
    In Episode 189 of the Disruption Now Podcast, Rob Richardson sits down with Andrew Burchwell, Executive Director of the Ohio Blockchain Council, to break down why blockchain matters more than ever—and why understanding it now is critical for anyone navigating the next decade of technology.

    This conversation dives into Bitcoin’s core value as a trust engine, why blockchain is essential for the AI era, how decentralized systems empower individuals and communities, and the massive economic transformation coming to states like Ohio. Andrew shares the personal story behind his leap from a secure energy-tech career into full-time blockchain advocacy, why his faith guided the transition, and how local policy can unlock global innovation.

    We unpack the realities behind Bitcoin’s volatility, long-term value, inflation, the S-curve of exponential tech adoption, and why blockchain should be seen as a utility—not a gamble. You’ll learn how agentic AI will depend on blockchain rails for payments, how on-chain verification combats deepfakes, and why crypto is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for regions left behind by globalization.

    Andrew also shares why privacy matters, what people misunderstand about crypto, where regulation should (and shouldn’t) go, and why the next five years will be the fastest technological pivot in human history.

    If you’ve been curious, skeptical, or overwhelmed by crypto, this is the conversation that makes it all click.

    What You’ll Learn:

    Why Bitcoin is “better, faster, more secure money”
    How blockchain + AI together solve trust, speed, and verification gaps
    Why inflation quietly erodes wealth and how Bitcoin counters it
    The real difference between gambling memes vs. real digital assets
    How agentic AI will need blockchain for payments and micro-transactions
    Why Ohio is emerging as a national leader in blockchain policy
    How decentralized tech can help rebuild forgotten communities
    Where privacy, transparency, and security intersect in Web3

    Chapters:

    00:00 Welcome & Andrew’s story
    03:15 Why he left a secure career for blockchain
    09:45 The meaning of Bitcoin as sound money
    14:20 Inflation, trust, and why blockchain matters
    19:30 Blockchain + AI: the critical connection
    26:40 Privacy, regulation & misuse: what’s real
    33:10 Meme coins vs. real utility
    38:20 The next 5 years: “The Pivot”
    42:15 What’s ahead for Ohio & crypto

    Quick Q&A:

    Q: Why does Bitcoin matter today?
    A: It creates trust, speed, and financial sovereignty in a system where inflation and centralization reduce purchasing power.

    Q: How do AI and blockchain work together?
    A: AI creates speed; blockchain creates trust and verification. Together they enable secure agentic automation.

    Q: What do people misunderstand most about crypto?
    A: They confuse speculation with utility. Blockchain’s long-term value is in its function, not its hype.

    Connect with Andrew Burchwell:

    Website / Organization: https://ohioblockchain.org/
    X (Twitter): https://x.com/AndrewBurchwell
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-burchwell-a7284994/
    Ohio Blockchain Council (organization page): https://ohioblockchain.org/

    Be a guest on the podcast or Subscribe to our newsletter
    All our links - https://linktr.ee/disruptionnow

    #Blockchain #Bitcoin #Web3 #aiagents

    Music credit:
    calm before storm - moñoñaband
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    43 mins
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