Nerds On Tap

AI isn’t a lightning bolt from nowhere; it’s the latest step in a long line of curve jumps that started with the PC and accelerated with the internet, broadband, and cloud. We sit down with Technical Escalations Manager Jimmy Guest to unpack what’s genuinely useful about AI today, where it’s overhyped, and how the next five years might make intelligence feel as ordinary as Wi‑Fi. If you’ve wondered why your drive‑thru order suddenl...

Technology has transformed from a necessary evil to a strategic business driver, and nowhere is this more evident than in the managed IT services industry. In this candid conversation with Kathleen Shoop, Chief Revenue Officer at Digital Boardwalk, we explore the dramatic evolution of IT sales over the past decade.

Remember when selling managed IT services meant convincing skeptical business owners that paying a monthly fe...

What does it take for a teenage creator to build a YouTube audience from scratch? Discover the remarkable journey of Tory, a young content creator who secretly launched her channel less than a year ago and recently celebrated hitting 1,000 subscribers.

Tory's story begins with filming room tours on an iPad and nervously revealing her secret channel to her parents a week later. Rather than facing punishment, she found ...

What happens when the barrier between human thought and technology disappears? In this mind-bending episode, we're joined by Digital Boardwalk's escalations engineer Damien Howell to explore the frontiers of future technology that could fundamentally reshape humanity.

We dive headfirst into brain-computer interfaces and their revolutionary potential to eliminate physical devices altogether. Imagine controlling ev...

Ever wondered how a chance encounter in Alabama could lead to the bustling streets of Hollywood? KeriAnne Dawson, founder and director of the Actors' Den, shares her incredible journey from the modeling world to becoming a seasoned SAG-AFTRA member. Her story starts with a unique blend of serendipity and sheer determination, capturing the essence of risk-taking and relentless drive. Alongside her inspiring narrative, we sip on...

What if the key to transforming your business community is through leadership and mentorship? Find out as we welcome Katie Ballard, Executive Director at the Studer Community Institute, and Kara Dieck, Program Manager of SCI's Building Jobs Program. Katie shares her inspiring journey from Indianapolis to Pensacola, driven by her passion for nonprofit management and community enrichment. Meanwhile, Kara, a Pensacola native, hig...

Ever wondered how sailing can teach you to be a better leader? Join us as we chat with Rachael Gillette, president of VMG Solutions, who takes us on a journey from the high seas to high-level business strategy. With over two decades of leadership experience, Rachael reveals how principles like "Velocity Made Good" from her sailing adventures shape effective business practices. Her thrilling tales of racing to a small isla...

Ever wonder if repurposing old hardware could skyrocket your tech skills and revolutionize your home network? This episode promises to transform your understanding of home labs and DIY tech setups with our special guest, Colby Sullivan, a Senior Implementations Engineer at Digital Boardwalk. Colby takes us on a nostalgic journey, from his first experiences with Windows Home Server in the mid-2000s to the latest trends in DIY tech. ...

What if you could transform the way we handle rent payments and real estate transactions forever? Join us on Nerds on Tech as we sit down with Andrew Borovsky, the mastermind behind Rent App and a veteran product designer with experience at Cash App, Apple, and Adobe. Andrew takes us on a fascinating journey through his distinguished career, sharing the motivations and challenges that have fueled his drive to create products that m...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Nerds On Tap! This time, we're diving into the captivating world of virtual currency in gaming, a topic that's become increasingly relevant for parents and gamers. We start with a story that sparked this discussion, exploring how virtual currencies work in popular games like Fortnite and Roblox. We also look at the growth of Live Service Games and the rise of microtransactions, discu...

What if wireless electricity could revolutionize the way we live? Join me, Tim Shoop, and our special guest, Sam the IT guy, as we explore this groundbreaking concept in our thrilling episode of Nerds on Tap. We kick things off with a taste test of Hofbrau Original Helles-style beer, sharing our unfiltered impressions before diving into the electrifying topic of the day. Together, we unravel the intricate possibilities and hurdles ...

When life throws you a curveball, you improvise—just like we did when my nephew Jared Shoop, usually the man behind the curtain of 'Nerds On Tap,' took the hot seat for a riveting exchange that was anything but planned. The episode transmutes into an unexpected brew of laughter and trivia, as Jared conquers his camera shyness and reveals his face for the first time to our audience. Our spontaneous tête-à-tête journeys thr...

On this special International Women's Day episode, we are honored to have Josie Keck join us from Open Text. Josie doesn't just bring her expertise in tech; she brings stories that resonate with the heart of every listener. Our conversation today weaves through the vibrant threads of diversity and inclusion in the tech world, stories of passion-fueled advancement, and the absolute necessity for empathetic leadership. It&a...

Josie Keck, a cybersecurity trailblazer from Open Text, joins us to uncork a celebration of her nine-year journey, and it's an episode brimming with insights and reflections. We crack open the complexities of being a woman in tech, acknowledging the barriers Josie's crushed along the way. Her story is more than just a tale of personal triumph; it's a beacon for diversity and inclusion, shedding light on the pivotal r...

Have you ever envisioned a seamless transition from a dream of managing a gym to mastering the finance industry? Listen as we join Andrew Martin of Atlas Financial Strategies on that very journey, navigating his transition and discussing the vital need for financial literacy. Over a few cold ones, including the Tate's Hell German-style lager, we unpack the joy found in equipping others with the tools to secure their financial ...

Unlock the mysteries of digital marketing as we share a virtual roundtable with Kina Robinett and Shelby Payne from SmarterWeb. These two dynamos take the mic to narrate their individual journeys—Kina from a childhood steeped in web design fascination to a titan of SMB online growth, and Shelby from a Chick-fil-A mascot to a digital designer. You'll get a front-row seat to the magic of their partnership and the strategies that...

Grab a pint and pull up a chair as we toast to the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity with Digital Boardwalk's very own CTO, James. His 14-year saga at the forefront of IT innovation isn't just a thrilling tale of technology triumphs, it's a roadmap for businesses navigating the treacherous terrain of cyber threats. We share a beer and swap stories, from James's tech-tinged childhood to the professional pivot ...

From the deck of a Navy ship to the heat of a bustling kitchen, Geo Zelaya's journey isn't your everyday culinary tale. Grab a seat at our table on Nerds On Tap as we savor the flavors of his authentic Latin cuisine and discover how Tacos El Fluffy came to be a community staple. Geo's story is a testament to the power of passion and innovation, and he's serving up insights on how to blend the art of food with th...

Get ready to be captivated by the entrepreneurial journey of Harald Lavric, a business consultant who crossed seas from Germany to the U.S. to establish his own venture. Harald's stories of triumph and lessons learned from the challenging yet rewarding path of business ownership will provide you with practical tools and insights. We also get a taste of his German roots as we sample traditional Hofbräuhaus beer and share laughs...