In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Mbere Monjok, Technical Program Manager at Google, to talk about building real value in this new AI wave.

Mbere shares the biggest mistake she sees founders make: leading with "we're AI-powered" instead of the problem they actually solve. She digs into where AI is delivering real ROI right now (turning unstructured, messy data into dashboards and decisions), why founders should treat AI as a thinking partner rather than just an input-output tool, and what trustworthy AI actually requires when the tech gets things wrong.

The conversation also covers opportunity for Black founders in this moment, why distribution can outperform product, and why founders should choose quality over speed for the long game.

If you're a founder trying to figure out what's signal and what's noise in AI right now, this episode will hit home.

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In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Ty Smith, co-founder of Big Stage Energy and founder of Optical Diversity Telecom, to discuss how conferences, networking, and strategic relationships can create real business opportunities and career growth.

Ty shares his journey from enterprise telecom sales into building a conference community focused on helping professionals gain access to the right rooms, build meaningful relationships, and navigate industry events with more intention.

The conversation explores conference culture, the hidden value of networking, how relationships accelerate business development, and why access is one of the most overlooked advantages in entrepreneurship and technology.

If you’re interested in networking, entrepreneurship, business development, conferences, or building stronger professional relationships, this episode delivers practical insights and valuable perspective.

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Can the NBA afford for LeBron James to retire?

In Part 2 of this Beyond Normal Media conversation, Kenny Groom and Less Bless dive into one of the biggest questions facing professional basketball. As international stars continue to dominate the league and player brands become larger than ever, what happens when the NBA's biggest attraction eventually walks away?

From LeBron James' economic impact to the rise of Victor Wembanyama, player empowerment, and the future of American basketball, this episode explores the intersection of sports, business, entertainment, and global culture.

In this episode, we discuss:

🏀 Why LeBron's value extends far beyond basketball
💵 The economic impact superstar athletes have on cities and franchises
🎟️ Why entertainment may now be just as important as winning

Whether you're a sports fan, business leader, or simply curious about how entertainment drives billion-dollar industries, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the future of professional sports.

Subscribe for more conversations exploring business, media, sports, and culture through a different lens.

#LeBronJames #NBA #SportsBusiness #SportsEntertainment #Basketball #BusinessOfSports #BeyondNormalMedia

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What if professional sports are closer to Hollywood than we want to admit?

In Part 1 of this Beyond Normal Media conversation, Kenny Groom sits down with sports personality Less Bless to explore how the business of sports has evolved beyond wins and losses. From television rights and fan loyalty to franchise value and media narratives, this episode asks whether today's biggest leagues are built as much for entertainment as they are for competition.

The conversation explores why WWE and the NBA may have more in common than most fans realize, how cities build lifelong sports identities, and why markets like Charlotte are still searching for theirs.

In this episode, we discuss:

🏈 Is professional sports becoming entertainment first?
📺 How TV deals shape modern sports
🌎 The difference between sports culture in Charlotte, Baltimore, and other
💰 How leagues monetize passion through branding, storytelling, and media

If you enjoy conversations about sports, business, branding, and culture, this episode will challenge the way you think about the games you watch.

Subscribe for more conversations exploring business, media, sports, and the ideas shaping what's next.

#SportsBusiness #NBA #NFL #SportsEntertainment #BusinessOfSports #Charlotte #BeyondNormalMedia

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In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Calvin Robertson, enterprise UX design leader, educator, and founder of Jubileague, to discuss how human-centered design, leadership, and technology can come together to create better experiences for people.

Calvin shares his journey leading UX and innovation initiatives across organizations like Corning, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and the Federal Reserve while also building platforms focused on gaming, mentorship, and community impact.

The conversation explores the role of empathy in technology, how design shapes the way organizations operate, and why meaningful innovation starts with understanding real human needs instead of simply building more features.

If you’re interested in UX design, leadership, innovation, technology, or building more human-centered systems, this episode delivers thoughtful insights and practical perspective.

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In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Marcus Wade, founder of Genesis 1 Technologies and co-founder of Waste Wise Innovation, to discuss how faith, technology, and sustainability can come together to solve real-world problems.

Marcus shares the story behind the Topper Stopper, a smart recycling system that uses barcode verification, AI, and rewards-based engagement to reduce recycling contamination and improve sustainability outcomes for universities, venues, and businesses.

The conversation explores startup culture in Charlotte, the role of analytics in product innovation, and how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can create meaningful impact across industries and communities.

If you’re interested in sustainability, AI, entrepreneurship, or founder journeys rooted in purpose, this episode delivers valuable insights and inspiration.

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In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Dana Duckworth to talk about what it really means to bet on yourself after layoffs.

Dana shares her journey of navigating career uncertainty, rebuilding confidence, and stepping into new opportunities with intention. From handling unexpected transitions to trusting your own value, this conversation is filled with honest lessons for founders, professionals, and anyone facing change.

If you’ve ever had to pivot, rebuild, or remind yourself of your worth, this episode will hit home.

Listen in as we discuss resilience, career growth, leadership, and why your next chapter may require you to choose yourself first.

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In this episode of the Beyond Normal Podcast, Kenny Groom sits down with Ronnell Richards, founder of Business & Bourbon, to discuss the power of authentic selling and relationship-driven business growth.

Ronnell shares how his experience in sales leadership shaped his belief that the best salespeople succeed not by talking more, but by listening better. Through his community-focused networking platform, he’s helping professionals build deeper relationships that lead to real opportunities.

The conversation explores how entrepreneurs and sales professionals can strengthen their networks, build trust with clients, and create meaningful conversations that lead to long-term success.

If you’re looking to grow your business through stronger relationships instead of traditional sales tactics, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

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