TEN

Hosted by Nebraska Tech Collaborative

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

179

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to TEN, a Nebraska Tech Collaborative Podcast, powered by Aksarben. We talk all things tech and/or entrepreneurship with people doing the work in Nebraska for 10-ish minutes max.

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60 recent

June 11, 202611 min

Building Nebraska’s Ag Innovation Ecosystem with Ankit Chandra

Most people think innovation in agriculture only happens inside large corporations or research labs.But in this conversation, Ankit Chandra shares what’s actually happening at the intersection of entrepreneurship, higher education, startups, and agriculture — and why Nebraska is positioned to become a major hub for ag innovation.This episode is for founders, students, educators, economic development leaders, and anyone interested in how innovation ecosystems actually get built.We get into:Why agtech entrepreneurship needs stronger university and corporate connectionsHow Spur Ventures is helping startups validate technology directly with farmersThe importance of creating pathways between students, founders, corporations, and researchersWhy Nebraska has the opportunity to lead nationally in agriculture innovationHow the Farm Tech Adoption Challenge is flipping the traditional startup pitch modelWhat makes this conversation stand out is how practical the work is. This isn’t theory. It’s about building real systems, real partnerships, and real opportunities that help ideas move faster.

June 4, 202612 min

Building an AI-Ready Workforce with Jason Coleman of UNO

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we learn, work, and build careers. In this episode of the TEN Podcast, Shonna Dorsey sits down with Jason Coleman, Associate Vice Chancellor for the Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, to discuss how UNO is helping learners and organizations prepare for an AI-enabled future.The conversation explores AI literacy, workforce readiness, micro-credentials, badges, lifelong learning, and the role of higher education in supporting career advancement. Jason also shares insights on UNO's upcoming Omaha by AI conference and why human-centered innovation remains critical as technology continues to evolve.Whether you're a student, educator, employer, nonprofit leader, or simply curious about AI, this episode offers practical insights into how Nebraska is preparing talent for the future.• AI literacy and workforce readiness• UNO's micro-credentials and badge programs• Lifelong learning and career advancement• Human-centered and ethical AI adoption• The OMA x AI Conference• The future of workforce development in Nebraska

May 28, 202611 min

Building Belonging and Career Pathways for Young People | Andrew Norman

Most people think youth development starts with programs.But in this conversation, Andrew Norman, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Bay, shares why it really starts with belonging, trust, creativity, and access.Andrew leads a $3.8 million youth workforce and creative development organization serving thousands of young people each year across Omaha and Lincoln. Through skateboarding, music, gaming, fashion, photography, workforce education, and community, The Bay is helping young people build confidence, skills, relationships, and real pathways forward.Shonna and Andrew visit about:• Why youth belonging is a workforce issue• How creative spaces help young people build confidence• The role of near-peer mentorship• The Bay’s workforce development pathway• What’s ahead with The Bay’s new Benson youth and workforce hubThis is a practical, hopeful conversation about what it really takes to reach young people and help them see a future for themselves.

May 21, 202610 min

Building More Creative and Connected Communities Through Events | Michela Lewis

Most people think events are just about logistics, timelines, and keeping things organized.But in this conversation, Michela Lewis shares how events can actually shape connection, creativity, innovation, and community impact.Hosted by Shonna Dorsey, this episode explores what it means to create experiences that people actually remember and why thoughtful event design matters more than ever.This episode is especially relevant for event organizers, employers, nonprofit leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone thinking about how people gather and collaborate.We get into:Why inclusive event experiences matter from the parking lot to the closing remarksWhat’s missing from many conferences and networking events todayWhy people are craving more in-person connection againHow The SHIFT Summit is bringing together creativity, innovation, and community problem-solving in OmahaThe role events can play in helping cities grow and evolveMichela also shares her journey from public administration and higher education into entrepreneurship and launching her own event company focused on meaningful experiences and community impact.What makes this conversation interesting is how practical and community-centered it is. This isn’t just about events. It’s about how we create spaces where people feel connected, included, and inspired to do something new.

May 14, 202610 min

Creativity, AI, and Leading with Values | Jessica Olsen

Most people think AI innovation is all about the technology.But in this conversation, Jessica Olsen shares why creativity, values, and curiosity may actually be the biggest differentiators in the future of AI. Jessica is a technology, data privacy, and AI compliance professional whose work sits at the intersection of innovation, ethics, and leadership.This episode is for professionals, leaders, creatives, technologists, and anyone trying to better understand how AI is reshaping work and business.In this discussion, Jessica and Shonna discuss:• Jessica’s unconventional path into tech and AI compliance• Why transferable skills matter more than people think• The role creativity plays in meaningful AI innovation• How organizations can avoid building “generic” AI solutions• Why curiosity and adaptability matter more than perfection Jessica shares a grounded perspective on AI, creativity, leadership, and what actually helps people stand out in a rapidly changing environment.

May 14, 202612 min

Wellness, Creativity, and Staying Human in an AI Driven World | Natalie Micale Schultz

Most people think staying competitive in an AI-driven world means learning more tools.But in this conversation, Natalie Micale shares why the real edge isn’t technical. It’s human.After building and scaling Oh Hello Agency and navigating its acquisition, Natalie found herself burned out, overly reliant on AI, and disconnected from her creativity. What came next is what she’s building now through Act II.This episode is for anyone thinking about their future in work, leadership, or entrepreneurship.We get into:How AI can quietly lead to burnout and over-relianceWhy stepping away actually improves creativity and performanceWhat “Act II” looks like in a world where thinking, empathy, and originality matter more than everWhat makes this worth your time is how honest and practical it is. This isn’t theory. It’s a real look at what it takes to stay relevant and grounded right now.

May 7, 202610 min

Building Tech in Nebraska Instead of the Coasts with Kirk Zeller, Founder of the Silicon Prairie Center

Most people think you have to leave places like Nebraska to build a successful tech company.But in this conversation, Kirk Zeller, founder of the Silicon Prairie Center, shares what it actually looks like to build, grow, and even relocate companies here.Kirk’s path isn’t typical. He grew up in central Nebraska, spent years in Japan building his career in business and medical device startups, and worked across both large and early-stage companies before returning to Nebraska to build something of his own. This episode is for entrepreneurs, employers, and anyone thinking about where innovation can really happen.We get into:Why building in Silicon Valley isn’t always the advantage people think it isWhat it takes to bring companies and talent into NebraskaHow reversing brain drain can actually workThis isn’t theory. It’s someone actively building companies and ecosystems in a different way.

April 30, 202610 min

Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Growing as a Leader | Sherry Hutcherson

Most people think mentorship is about giving advice.But in reality, it is just as much about listening, reflecting, and helping someone see themselves more clearly.In this episode of the TEN podcast, host Shonna Dorsey sits down with Sherry Hutcherson, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and National Strategic Partnerships at Bellevue University.Sherry brings decades of leadership experience across corporate, public sector, and higher education. She also shares her broader perspective on education, shaped by a lifelong connection to public schools and a current focus on expanding access and outcomes for students across Nebraska.This conversation naturally evolves into something deeper.We get into:• The difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and why both matter• How mentorship helps you grow personally and professionally• Why reflection is one of the most important leadership skills• How to navigate feedback, setbacks, and growth moments with intentionOne idea that stands out: growth often comes from learning how to see yourself clearly and making adjustments over time. Sherry also shares how Bellevue University partners with employers to support upskilling and reskilling, along with her passion for strengthening education systems, including literacy, early childhood education, and career pathways.If you are early in your career, leading a team, or continuing to grow as a leader, this is a conversation that will stay with you.

April 23, 202610 min

The Hidden Gap at Work | Adriana Cisneros Basulto on Fixing Employee Experience

Most companies are investing in employee experience.But for a lot of employees, it still feels confusing, disconnected, and harder than it should be.In this episode, Adriana Cisneros Basulto, Co-founder and CEO of Maxwell, breaks down why that gap exists and what it actually takes to fix it.Adriana has seen this from both sides. As an employee, she experienced what it feels like when things work. In HR leadership, she saw how difficult it is to create that kind of experience when systems, tools, and programs are all operating separately.That’s what led her to build Maxwell, a global award-winning platform designed as an “Experience Layer” that connects everything into one simple, intuitive place.In this conversation, we get into:• Why employee experience feels fragmented in so many organizations• How that fragmentation impacts both employees and HR teams every day• What it looks like to move from managing systems to creating something that actually works• How behavioral science and AI can be used in practical ways to improve engagementWhat stands out is how real and actionable this is. This is not about adding more tools. It is about making what already exists actually work together.And the barrier to getting started is lower than most people think.If you are building teams, leading HR, or thinking about retention and engagement, this conversation will give you something to take with you.

April 15, 202611 min

Turning Strategy Into Execution That Actually Works with Taylor Korensky, CEO of VisionSync

Most organizations have a strategic plan.But actually tracking progress against it and knowing what’s working and what’s not is where things start to break down.In this conversation, Taylor Korensky, CEO of VisionSync, shares how organizations are moving beyond scattered spreadsheets and disconnected updates to something much more clear, accountable, and actionable.This episode is for leaders, employers, and anyone responsible for turning strategy into real outcomes.We get into:Why strategy execution is harder than strategy itselfWhere things break down across teams and organizationsHow visibility and accountability change performanceTaylor also shares how Tech Omaha has grown into a 300+ person, community-driven event that brings together builders, developers, and tech leaders across the region.