Listen Now

SummaryFor Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, science is a way to open doors to the future. As a physicist and Vice Chancellor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, Prof. Vilikazi is working to enhance our understanding of the universe and create a better future. GuestZeblon Vilakazi Highlights Professor Vilakazi started out studying mechanical engineering but quickly transferred to physics, where he was more inspired by the potential for discovery. For Prof. Vilakazi, recent images from the James Webb telescope are a concrete example of the triumph of human ingenuity and our ability to solve complex problems. As Climate Change impacts the world, Prof. Vilakazi says we are challenged to make choices and changes to adapt and protect the future.   While our window on earth may be small, Prof. Vilakazi says we need to think beyond our own horizons to make the world a better place for generations to come.

SummaryAs a singer/songwriter, Jeremy Messersmith has taken a winding road to success. From working in tech support, to performing in coffee shops, to becoming a nationally acclaimed recording artist, Jeremy has forged his own path by being open to possibilities.  GuestJeremy Messersmith Highlights Jeremy started out as a self described “nerd” doing tech support, and he says that computer interest still comes in handy as a musician. After moving to Minnesota to study music, his dreams of playing lead guitar in a rock band gave way to an interest in songwriting. In 2017, Jeremy did a form of open source music making by releasing an album as a songbook, encouraging others to sing and record the songs themselves. When he needs an artistic spark, Jeremy turns to boredom, cutting himself off from the world to force his mind to tap into creative ideas.

SummaryAs a TV and radio producer and a podcast host, Lindsay Guentzel is used to telling other people’s stories. But recently, after her diagnosis with ADHD, she’s been coming to terms with her own story, her own potential, and how she can make a difference in the world. GuestLindsay Guentzel Highlights Lindsay was recently diagnosed with ADHD and has been working hard to understand the impact it has had and how to manage it going forward. Growing up in a small town in Minnesota, Lindsay says she saw the benefits and problems of living in a secluded community.  As a college dropout, Lindsay has struggled with confidence as she’s worked to build her career, but she’s finally starting to understand what she brings to the table. Her podcast, Refocused with Lindsay Guentzel, brings new voices and perspectives to help people understand the world of ADHD.

SummaryFor Amy Spurling, the future of work is all about people. As CEO of Compt, Amy is helping companies reimagine the way they take care of their employees to create a more inclusive, more productive, happier workplace. GuestAmy Spurling Highlights While workplaces have evolved, Amy says worker benefits have not evolved to meet the needs of all employees. After some time teaching English in Italy, Amy returned to the US to pursue marketing. She soon realized her passion was numbers and analytics. Through her work managing HR in various companies she learned the vital importance of People Ops, and the need for companies to manage people better. Amy sees opportunities for companies to embrace new work and social dynamics to strengthen teams and tap the vast potential of employees.

SummaryWhether he’s bringing new life to great compositions, or he’s helping an audience connect with the music in a meaningful way, orchestra conductor Lee Mills finds joy in creating moments of beauty. GuestLee Mills Highlights Growing up in a small town in Montana, Lee Mills never imagined a career in music until he went to college, where an advisor opened his eyes to the possibilities. While he liked playing instruments, Lee didn’t love the hours of isolated practice time. When he tried conducting he discovered his true passion. Lee also studied physics in college, and he says there are a lot of similarities between the scientific world and the musical world. There is a great deal of competitive pressure in the conducting world, but Lee says when he is able to be part of a beautiful moment on stage, he realizes he’s doing something that makes a difference.

SummaryAs a husband, father, and the founder of software boutique, OmbuLabs, Ernesto Tagwerker has many demands on his time. Fortunately, his experiences growing up in Buenos Aires, traveling, and starting his own businesses have taught him to value his time and to use it wisely. GuestErnesto Tagwerker Highlights Ernesto Tagwerker grew up in Buenos Aires in a time before the internet, with limited access to computers. Still, he felt an early spark to pursue computer programming as a career. Soon after college Ernesto started an agency with some college friends, building on an entrepreneurial drive that continues today. Ernesto’s parents taught him the value of time and an understanding that you need to be protective of your time so you can focus on what’s most important. As his studio, OmbuLabs, has grown, he has tried to loosen his grip on the work to concentrate on team culture, helping people thrive, and spending more time with his family.

SummaryFor Tolu Adeleye, opportunity is a gift to be nurtured and shared, and sports are a way to even the playing field for kids around the world. That’s why he co-founded AJ Tennis Academy International, using tennis to help kids in emerging economies achieve their potential.  GuestTolu Adeleye Highlights While he was born in the U.S., Tolu Adeleye grew up in Nigeria. At the age of 15 he was given the choice to stay with his family or to move back to the U.S. and support himself. He chose to set out on his own. He co-founded the AJ Tennis Academy International with a goal to build a world class tennis academy in an emerging country, providing new opportunities for kids. A car accident a few years ago left Tolu with a significant brain injury from which he is still recovering, but he is still traveling and working toward his dream for the Academy. He is driven everyday by the idea that opportunity is all about inspiration and opening people’s eyes to their own potential.

SummaryJeff Eaton has always been driven to find order in the complex, whether he was teaching himself programming skills or re-evaluating his relationship with faith and religion. Now, as Partner at Autogram, he’s helping large companies make sense of their digital worlds.  GuestJeff Eaton Highlights As a kid, Jeff Eaton got interested in programming as a way to solve problems using Hypercard on his family’s Mac computer. After high school, Jeff intended to go to college to study “new media” but a summer job at a marketing agency turned into a longer term job, and Jeff realized he was already doing the things he meant to study. A growing passion for open source and Drupal led Jeff to Lullabot, where he got to dive deeper into content strategy. On the side, Jeff co-hosts a podcast called Christian Rightcast, looking at the history and context of the Christian Right in America

SummaryEven as a kid, Sven Sundgaard was driven by curiosity. He noticed snow levels were declining in Minnesota and he wondered why. His curiosity led him to become a meteorologist and to dedicate himself to educating people about the need to live in harmony with the planet. GuestSven Sundgaard Highlights Sven Sundgaard grew up ski jumping, which made him pay attention to the weather and declining snow levels. He learned to be curious about the world around him from his father, and his curiosity drove him to pursue science and meteorology.  As a broadcaster, Sven works to help people better understand weather and climate and what it means to live sustainably.  Sven believes if we understand our connection to the planet, humans will still make the right decisions for a better future.

SummaryFor Lindsi Gish, the key to success is unlocking potential. Whether it’s creating moments of joy with her son, or helping shine light on the work of a non-profit through her agency, gish&co., Lindsi is focused on doing her part to make a difference in the world every day.    Guest Lindsi Gish, Owner of gish&co. Highlights Due to the massive expense of In Vitro Fertilization in the United States, Lindsi and her husband traveled to Barbados for IVF to conceive their baby boy, spending a month at a beach front VRBO getting treatments. In stressful times, Lindsi tries to focus on what she can control, such as working to bring a moment of joy to her son every day. She credits her success to teachers and bosses who saw talent in her and trusted her to rise to challenges, and she tries to do the same for others.  She founded gish&co. to use her talents to assist organizations that are doing good in the world, to help them accomplish their goals.

SummaryLong before he co-founded his executive search firm, Ballinger | Leafblad, Lars Leafblad had a passion for connection. From organizing a college alumni network to founding PollenMidwest, Lars has provided a guiding hand, bringing people together to make a difference in the world. GuestLars Leafblad Highlights Lars thought he wanted to be a doctor, but in college his passion for human connection guided him to a different path. A chance encounter with a panelist at an event opened his eyes to the world of executive search.  He started a side-gig newsletter about job opportunities called the “Lars-O-Festo” that became so popular it evolved into a non-profit: PollenMidwest. Lars has been open about struggles with anxiety and alcoholism, hoping to help others find healthy paths through their own challenges.

Summary For Wil Reynolds, success in business is about more than numbers. He wants to make a lasting impact. Through his company, Seer Interactive, and his work in the community, he tries to lift others up and create a future that will be brighter for generations to come.   Guest  Wil Reynolds Highlights As a kid, Wil broke the family computer and then fixed it before anyone found out, fueling confidence and a lasting love of technology. Wil started out on track to be a teacher but he grew frustrated by the lack of innovation in the classroom.  Data-driven work appeals to Wil, because it puts people on an equal playing field to prove the value of their work. As Seer has grown, Wil has focused on leaving a lasting legacy of impact on his team and on the surrounding community.

SUMMARYFor Kristen Womack, the journey to Microsoft started with a simple question, “Should we go east or west?” The answer took a post-high school Kristen to Portland, Oregon where she got her first chance to work with computers and where she was inspired to continue her education. GUEST Kristen Womack HIGHLIGHTS Kristen has always been curious about what lies over the horizon, leading her to take chances and forge her own path. After high school she took a job in a foundry to earn enough money to leave Wisconsin and venture into the world. Learning from her own mentors, Kristen has embraced the idea of “servitude leadership,” lifting people up to help them succeed.  Kristen carries the idea of servitude into the community, teaching her children the importance of lending a hand to people in need.

SUMMARYFrom his early days climbing trees in his backyard to his pioneering work as a polar explorer, Will Steger discusses the path that led him to be a leader in the battle to save our planet. GUEST Will Steger HIGHLIGHTS Will Steger grew up idolizing Huck Finn, and he internalized the character’s desire to be an explorer and adventurer. Will’s first groundbreaking expedition was to the North Pole, leading a team of eight people and 50 dogs on a journey many said couldn’t be done.  For his expedition to Antarctica, Will put together an international team with members from the six most powerful countries on the planet to showcase cooperation and raise global awareness of the need to preserve the environment. An early advocate on environment issues, Will recently launched the Steger Center for Innovation and Leadership, aimed at bringing together thought leaders from around the world to address the climate crisis.  

SUMMARY To mark the first episode of the rebranded podcast, ONE OF 8 BILLION, host Ivan Stegic tells his own origin story, how he found his way from South Africa to Minneapolis, and how he views his place in the Universe as both unique and connected to the rest of the world. GUESTIvan Stegic HIGHLIGHTS The focus of ONE IN 8 BILLION will be on individual stories that shed light on how our diversity and uniqueness can also help bring us together. Podcast host Ivan Stegic’s origin story started in South Africa under the Apartheid regime and led him to the United States as an immigrant. A Physicist by training, Ivan was drawn to Minnesota for an internship at Honeywell Technology Center and later a job at Imation. Ivan is now a business owner, a husband and father, and the host of this very podcast, seeking to shine a light on other stories from across our global community.

SUMMARYThe TEN7 Podcast is going on hiatus, we’ll be back in the New Year with a new look to the show. GUESTIvan Stegic HIGHLIGHTS- After 123 Episodes, The TEN7 Podcast is taking a short hiatus.- This is a natural evolution timed to coincide with the launch of our new website.- The podcast will return with a new name but the same commitment to storytelling.- We are passionate about finding unique voices and stories that speak both to our shared experiences and to the uniqueness each individual brings to the world. LINKS- Make Things That Matter - Subscribe to our newsletter  - The TEN7 Podcast archive- Global Population Charts - Our World in Data

SUMMARY Ethan Marcotte was the first to introduce the term “responsive web design” as he searched for ways to move away from static presentations toward sites that are more accessible and driven by user needs. GUESTEthan Marcotte HIGHLIGHTS Ethan was an English Major in college, but he credits his thesis advisor for giving him permission to explore and pursue other paths for his future. An essay by John Allsopp called “A Dao of Web Design” changed Ethan’s perspective on design and how the user, not the designer, should dictate the web experience. A visit by his wife to the Highline in New York City inspired him to coin the phrase “responsive web design,” thinking about places that react and respond to individual user needs. Ethan recently started a company called Autogram, to consult with clients about the best ways to manage their own content management or design systems. LINKS Autogram John Allsopp: “A Dao of Web Design” The New York City Highline Ethan Marcotte

SUMMARY While the U.S. moves toward normalcy, South Africa is struggling with low vaccine rates and a rise in the Delta variant, fanning the flames of an already contentious political landscape. GUEST Gareth van Onselen, South African journalist, political analyst and author HIGHLIGHTS Failures in South Africa’s vaccination program have left the country facing further strict lockdowns as the Delta variant spreads. South Africa’s long history of government missteps around health has made parts of the population numb to how the pandemic response is costing lives. The political landscape in South Africa is in upheaval due to inadequate pandemic response and due to corruption charges against the former president, Jacob Zuma. Gareth sees parallels between Zuma and Donald Trump in the way they rose to power and in the chaos they left after departing office. LINKS Gareth’s column about the ANC attitude toward death Follow Gareth on Twitter National Coronavirus Command Council South African Ex-President Zuma Sentenced

SUMMARY A presentation at a conference in Paris led Eric Meyer into a new world as he dove into the early days of CSS and helped transform the way we interact with the web. GUEST Eric Meyer, CSS pioneer and author HIGHLIGHTS Eric started as a “hypermedia systems specialist” at Case Western Reserve University, essentially going to departments, explaining what the “web” is, and offering to hook them up with FTP sites. While presenting a paper at a conference in Paris, Eric got his first exposure to CSS and he knew right away he had to be a part of it. Eric developed a series of test pages that led to an invitation to join the CSS working group. The teamwork and open ethic of the working group was inspiring to Eric, who was determined to do great work and also to reach a hand out to others to help them build on the work to move it forward. LINKS Meyerweb An Event Apart  CSS Discuss  Rebecca Purple

SUMMARY Ernesto Morales discusses how his past and his passions came together to create Studio Malagón, and how design can be a catalyst for creativity and community. GUEST Ernesto Morales, founder and creative director of Studio Malagón HIGHLIGHTS Ernesto studied communications in college, but he was always focused on applying those skills to his true passion for design. Studio Malagón draws its name from another one of Ernesto’s passions: music. He used to DJ under the name “DJ Malagón.” Ernesto found inspiration for his studio while living in Mexico City, where his family is from. He used to walk the streets and take photos of small details, objects and colors that helped inspire his designs. Ernesto is driven to use design to foster connection and to support people who are thought leaders, working to make a difference in the world. LINKS Studio Malagón The Cheese Monkeys Paul Rand Object Solutions