Join us in this episode of Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the impactful world of nonprofit work with Becki Postma, Chief Impact Officer, and Kevin Nelson, Director of Donor Development, from Heart of West Michigan United Way.

Discover their inspiring journeys into the nonprofit sector and how they are leveraging technology to address evolving community challenges. Learn about the transformative programs they lead, such as eviction prevention and the 211 helpline, and how these initiatives are creating meaningful change.

Whether you're interested in volunteering, donating, or simply understanding more about the nonprofit landscape, this episode is packed with insights on building a better community.

Don't forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories from leaders shaping the future of business, technology, and community.

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to Simplicity Conversations + Quote of the Day
(01:20) Becky’s Journey From Banking to United Way
(03:20) Kevin’s Nonprofit Path and “Right Track” Moments
(05:40) United Way’s Mission, History, and Local Impact
(11:40) Behind-the-Scenes Realities of Nonprofit Work
(15:45) Technology, Data, and AI Powering the Mission
(22:50) Key Programs: 211, Eviction Prevention, VITA, Volunteering
(31:10) Partner Agencies, Impact Areas, and Grassroots Support
(33:30) COVID-era Evolution and United Way as Community Builder
(38:50) How to Get Involved and Make an Impact

Join us on this episode of Symplicity Conversations as we chat with Patrick Hayes, Chief Strategy Officer at Third Wave Innovations.
Dive into Patrick's intriguing career journey from telecom to cybersecurity and discover how Third Wave's groundbreaking approach is helping businesses combat evolving digital threats.
Learn why cybersecurity is more than just a technical challenge and explore how organizations can effectively manage risk to support strategic growth. Plus, gain insights into the role of AI in modern cybersecurity and the importance of continuous assessment.
Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome & Introduction of Patrick Hayes, Third Wave Innovations
(01:00) Patrick’s Journey from Telecom to Cybersecurity Leadership
(04:30) Cybersecurity as a Business Problem, Not a Technical One
(08:00) The Mission of Third Wave Innovations & C4 Intelligence Platform
(13:30) Risk, Compliance, and the Importance of Security Assessments
(18:00) Why Cyber Insurance Isn’t Enough for Businesses
(22:00) AI Agents, Advanced Threats, and the Future of Cybersecurity
(27:00) Using AI for Risk Intelligence and Governance (GRC)
(30:00) Emerging Trends: Supply Chain Attacks and Shadow AI
(36:00) The Importance of Budgeting for Cybersecurity in Small Business
(41:00) Breaking Down Silos with Integrated Assurance
(47:00) Advice for Companies: Why Assessments Should Be Annual
(50:00) Closing Thoughts on Building Trust in Security Partnerships

Don't miss this engaging conversation on the future of technology, security, and business. Subscribe now and visit us at TheSymplePodcast.com!

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, we dive into the transformative journey of Jaclyn Harrison, a dynamic leader and soon-to-be author. Discover how a chance encounter with a book sparked her creative courage to pursue writing, leading to the development of a captivating fictional series. Jaclyn shares her insights on embracing creativity, overcoming self-doubt, and the power of networking and support. Tune in to explore how simple moments can lead to profound changes and learn about Jaclyn's upcoming book series. Don't miss this inspiring conversation on leaning into creativity and rewriting your story! Subscribe to our channel for more episodes featuring leaders shaping the future.

Chapters
(00:00) Answering the Creative Call
(00:35) Meet Jacqueline Harrison
(01:10) The Inforum Dinner That Changed Everything
(02:17) Discovering Big Magic & Creative Permission
(06:03) Missed Ideas & Finally Acting on the Spark
(09:46) Inside Jacqueline’s Book: A Teenage Insomniac’s Mission
(15:41) Building an Eight-Book Universe
(17:55) The Power of Women Supporting Women
(23:39) Rethinking Networking & Leading With Value
(26:07) Surrendering to the Story
(32:46) Finding and Nurturing Your Spark
(40:01) Flipping the Record: Choosing a New Path

Join us on this episode of Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the world of conversational intelligence with Chris Adomaitis, a key player at Omilia and a leading voice in AI engineering. Discover how AI and automation are transforming customer experiences and hear Chris share insights from his journey in the industry. Learn about the balance between AI-driven automation and the human touch, and explore how businesses can leverage data to enhance efficiency and create new opportunities. Whether you're a business leader or tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the future of AI in customer service. Don't miss out—subscribe now for more insights from industry leaders shaping the future of business!

Chapters

(00:00) The Power of Voice in Customer Experience
(00:15) Data Readiness: The Key to Successful AI Implementation

Join us for an exciting episode of Symplicity Conversations as we dive into the whirlwind of events that have shaped our recent months, including Tech Week, ArtPrize, and our feature on the national stage with Advancements with Ted Danson. Joined by Symplicity's Director of Marketing, Doug Seites, we explore the power of preparation, creativity, and community engagement. Discover how we navigated a busy season, embraced unexpected opportunities, and celebrated the spirit of innovation. From captivating events to inspiring collaborations, this episode is packed with insights and stories that highlight the importance of taking the leap and letting things unfold. Don’t miss out—subscribe for more inspiring stories from leaders shaping the future of business and technology!

Chapters

(00:00) Embracing the Slide: Overcoming Overthinking
(00:47) Navigating Office Dynamics and Communication

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations we are joined by Andrew Griffiths from Outsource Consultants. Discover how Andrew's diverse career journey led him to redefine the BPO and outsourcing marketplace in the age of AI, automation, and cloud platforms.

Explore the evolving landscape of customer experience, the strategic importance of outsourcing, and how businesses can harness technology and human resources to bridge the experience chasm.

Tune in for insights on leveraging AI to enhance business outcomes and learn why aligning values with clients can create magical partnerships. Don't miss this chance to hear from a leader transforming the way businesses operate and thrive. Subscribe now for more inspiring conversations!

Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Welcome
(00:38) Guest Background and Career Journey
(02:10) Early Leadership Lessons and Growth
(04:45) Building Teams and Developing People
(07:22) Overcoming Challenges in Business and Mindset
(10:15) The Power of Emotional Intelligence at Work
(13:04) Balancing Ambition with Self-Awareness
(16:20) Lessons on Resilience and Adaptability
(19:33) The Importance of Mentorship and Influence
(22:15) Creating Impact Through Leadership and Vision
(25:40) Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join us as we chat with Jon Butler, Chief Revenue Officer at Kyros Digital and founder of Ideaventory.
We explore Jon's career journey and how he’s leveraging AI to revolutionize the world of custom software. Discover how emerging technologies are reshaping business landscapes, sparking creativity, and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike.
Tune in for insights on navigating the complexities of AI and learn how you, too, can harness its power for innovation and success.

Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome & Introduction to Jon Butler of Kyros Digital
(01:12) AI as the Buzzword in Business Today
(03:01) Jon’s Career Journey from Sales to Tech Leadership
(05:36) Overcoming Content Creation Challenges with AI Tools
(08:07) Discovering Cursor and the Rise of Vibe Coding
(11:02) Kyros Digital’s Approach to Custom Software Development
(13:20) Business Leaders, AI Fears, and Human Advantages
(16:00) Why Data Governance Matters in AI Adoption
(19:30) AI as a Promotion Engine, Not a Job Killer
(22:45) The Problem of Vaporware and AI Builders
(25:00) How Technical Blueprints Solve AI Builder Limitations
(28:20) Launching Ideaventory: Software as a Side Hustle (SaaSH)
(33:40) Preventing Convergence in AI Ideas (The Girl on a Swing Theory)
(37:00) Building a Venture Studio Inside Ideaventory
(41:00) AI’s Accuracy Problems and Hallucinations in Research
(45:00) The Future of AI, Compliance, and Business Risks
(48:00) Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Connect with Jon Butler

Don't miss this exciting conversation about the future of technology and business!

Customer experience is more than technology—it’s about people.

In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, hosts Catherine Ripley and Doug Seites sit down with Erin Stewart, Senior Sales Director at Symplicity Communications, to explore how automation and empathy go hand in hand to create smarter customer experiences.

You’ll learn:
✔️ What customer experience really is (and what it isn’t)
✔️ How empathy strengthens automation and technology
✔️ Why leadership matters in building customer trust
✔️ Practical ways to design smarter systems for growth

Learn more about Symplicity Communications at thesymplepodcast.com
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Chapters
(00:00) Welcome to Symplicity Conversations with Catherine Ripley
(00:14) Guest Intro: Erin Stewart, Senior Sales Director at Symplicity
(01:06) What Customer Experience Is (and Isn’t)
(03:21) Why Empathy + Automation Must Work Together
(07:12) Building Smarter Systems That Support People
(12:28) Leadership Lessons in Customer Connection
(18:47) Future of Customer Experience at Symplicity
(23:33) Closing Thoughts and Takeaways