The Jason Cavness Experience

Hosted by Jason Cavness

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503

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Jason Cavness Experience is where I talk to entrepreneurs and other interesting people.

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60 recent

June 16, 20261 hr 44 min

The Roti Robot Problem with Komal Kashiramka

Fresh roti is simple to eat and hard to automate. Komal Kashiramka is building Poshan, a robotics company developing next-generation kitchen appliances, starting with an automatic roti maker designed to create soft roti that lasts for hours. Komal shares how she moved from Microsoft and Meta into entrepreneurship. Why hardware requires a different level of patience than software and what founders can learn from customer discovery, AI, parenting, and building something people will trust in their kitchens. We also discuss: • Why soft roti is the real product challenge • Building a hardware company in the R&D phase • What AI changes for junior engineers • Why fundamentals still matter in software • Leaving corporate life without having everything figured out • Startup 425 and Seattle Public Library business resources • Raising kids while building a company • RotiTales and making roti easier to understand Komal links Poshan Website: https://poshan.us/ Poshan LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/poshan-inc RotiTales Website: https://rotitales.com/ RotiTales Instagram: https://instagram.com/rotitales RotiTales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/rotitales/ RotiTales Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rotitales RotiTales YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rotitales Jason links Jason's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/admin Jason's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGsw6kzZE40sSUZgoStVaJw?sub_confirmation=1

June 9, 20262 hr 24 min

How Grief Becomes Art with Eden Marryshow

Most people run from grief. Eden Marryshow turned it into a film. In this conversation, Eden breaks down the emotional process behind filmmaking, storytelling, creativity, and why the best art usually comes from the most personal places. We talk about losing family, directing actors, independent filmmaking, community, and the long path creators take back to who they were before the world told them to stop creating. This episode is also a masterclass on storytelling itself from Star Wars and Scorsese to creative discipline, ego, collaboration, and why limitations often produce better art than unlimited budgets. We also discuss: • Why most people know who they are by age six • The connection between grief and creativity • Directing actors without ego • Why independent creators have to learn everything • The psychology behind great storytelling • Rocky, Star Wars, Goodfellas, and favorite films • Why "story is king" in filmmaking • How schools often suppress creativity • Building community through storytelling • NFL talk, Giants football, and leadership Guest links Instagram: @edenmarryshow Email: 511eden@gmail.com Jason Linktree https://linktr.ee/admin

June 2, 20263 hr 15 min

Most Entrepreneurs Should Quit — Nathan Kaiser

Entrepreneurship isn't freedom it's volatility, pressure, and constant uncertainty. Nathan Kaiser built 2bar Spirits by embracing that reality, not ignoring it. He breaks down why most people shouldn't start companies, what actually keeps a business alive, and how constraints, not capital, create better outcomes. This is a raw look at building something real in a crowded, unforgiving industry. We also discuss: • Why starting a company is usually the wrong financial move • How constraint beats capital in building a business • The myth of overnight success (and the Tito's example) • Why focus wins over product expansion • The real role of rejection in sales and growth • How long-term thinking applies to both whiskey and life Nathan Kaiser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nckaiser/ 2bar Spirits: http://2barspirits.com Email: info@2barspirits.com Jason links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Website: www.cavness.io

May 26, 20261 hr 41 min

Why Most Founders Mismanage Money — Morgan Rogers

Most founders don't fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they run out of moneyand don't know why. In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Morgan Rogers from NOW CFO to break down what actually happens inside companies when the financial side isn't dialed in. Morgan works with founders, operators, and investors every day cleaning up messy books, preparing companies for fundraising, and helping them avoid decisions that quietly destroy businesses. She's helped scale a Seattle office by over 500% and has seen the same pattern over and over again. But the real story is this: Most founders don't understand their numbersand it costs them everything. We get into the uncomfortable truth: cash flow problems, bad assumptions, and delayed decisions kill more companies than competition ever will. This is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. What We Talked About • Why cash in your bank account doesn't mean you're profitable • The difference between a bookkeeper, controller, and CFO • When startups should actually bring in financial help • The hidden cost of messy books • Why most founders wait too long to fix financial problems • How to prepare for fundraising the right way • Why networking (done right) drives real revenue • Scaling a business development engine • When to shut down vs keep pushing forward Connect with Morgan Rogers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-rogers-64a83768/ Email: mrogers@nowcfo.com Website: https://www.nowcfo.com/ Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Military Creator Con I'll be speaking at Military Creator Con on leveraging content to create opportunities. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social Power Note Profit is opinion. Cash flow is reality.

May 19, 20262 hr 36 min

How Founders Actually Build Momentum with Nick Hughes

From a failed startup to launching Founders Live across 155 cities and 58 countries, Nick explains what founders really need early on: community, storytelling, validation, and consistent action. He also breaks down why most people wait too long to start, how 99-second pitches force clarity, and what he's learned traveling through startup ecosystems around the world. Nick also shares how Founders Live evolved from a simple Seattle pitch event into a global founder marketplace connecting startups with legal, development, hiring, and growth resources. We also discuss: • Why founders overthink getting started • How storytelling creates startup momentum • Building startup ecosystems outside Silicon Valley • Why the crowd votes at Founders Live • Lessons from running communities across 58 countries • What startup culture looks like in Africa and Southeast Asia • The future of Founders Live's marketplace model • Running a global remote-first company • Nick's upcoming 90-day Africa tour • Why entrepreneurship is a universal human drive Nick Hughes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/ Nick Hughes Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/ Founders Live https://www.founderslive.com/ Jason Links https://linktr.ee/admin Also check out The Jason Cavness Experience Deep Tech Demo Day during Seattle Deep Tech Week. A showcase bringing together founders, investors, operators, and emerging deep tech startups across the Seattle ecosystem. https://www.deep-tech-week.com/seattle-2026/events/the-jason-cavness-experience-deep-tech-demo-day-part-of-seattle-deep-tech-week

May 12, 20261 hr 37 min

Why Most Teams Are Broken — Mimi Nguyen

Most teams don't fail because of strategy. They fail because people can't align. In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Mimi Nguyen to break down why teams struggle to work together and what actually fixes it. Mimi has lived across Vietnam, the United States, and Malaysia, and brings a rare perspective on culture, communication, and decision-making. She's led initiatives that drove a $7M+ uplift and achieved 90% product adoption. But the real story is how she got teams to stop working against each other. We get into the uncomfortable truth: misaligned incentives, poor communication, and lack of trust kill more progress than bad ideas ever will. This is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. What We Talked About • Why most teams are misaligned from the start • The real reason projects fail inside companies • How Mimi aligned marketing, sales, and operations • The $7M+ uplift project breakdown • Driving 90% adoption through behavior change • Why trust is harder than data • Data vs intuition in decision-making • The limits of AI in data science • Cultural intelligence as a competitive advantage • Living and working across Vietnam, Malaysia, and the U.S. • Fear of putting yourself out there and staying private Connect with Mimi Nguyen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimin11/ Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Military Creator Con I'll be speaking at Military Creator Con on leveraging content to create opportunities. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social Power Note Alignment beats intelligence. Every time.

May 5, 20261 hr 30 min

Why Small Businesses Struggle — Hugo Nicolas

Most small businesses don't fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they don't understand the system. In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Hugo Nicolas from Washington State's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA) to break down what actually stops businesses from growing. Hugo went from a small village in Mexico to helping thousands of business owners navigate permits, licenses, and government processes. He's seen firsthand where people get stuck and it's not where most think. We get into the real problems: confusing regulations, lack of awareness, and why too many founders ignore the "unsexy" parts of business until it's too late. If you're building a business or thinking about itT his episode will save you time, money, and frustration. This is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. What We Talked About • Why most small businesses fail (and it's not the idea) • The hidden cost of ignoring permits and regulations • Hugo's journey from undocumented immigrant to state leader • The biggest mistakes new business owners make • Why business structure matters more than you think • How to navigate government without wasting time • Free resources most entrepreneurs never use • The power of resilience and adapting fast Connect with Hugo Nicolas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-nicolas-17357052/ Website: https://www.oria.wa.gov/site/alias__oria/368/Home.aspx Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Military Creator Con I'll be speaking at Military Creator Con on how to leverage content to create opportunities. Sign up: https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social Power Note The difference between struggling and scaling is not effort. it's knowing how to navigate the system.

April 28, 20262 hr 1 min

Tattoo Culture, Craft, and Business with Tim McCarthy

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Tim McCarthy, owner of Tsunami Tattoo in Tacoma and a veteran tattoo artist with more than three decades of experience in the industry. Tim shares his journey from starting tattooing in 1989 to apprenticing in Denver, working in San Jose and Albuquerque, and eventually building Tsunami Tattoo into one of Tacoma's most respected tattoo shops. We talk about how tattoo culture has evolved over the years, the discipline required to become a great tattoo artist, and what it takes to run a successful tattoo business. We also discuss the importance of apprenticeship, how artists develop their style, and why trust between artist and client is critical when creating permanent artwork. Tim explains how the industry has changed with social media and how shops like Tsunami Tattoo continue to build strong reputations through craftsmanship and consistency. This episode is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. What We Talked About • Tim McCarthy's start in tattooing in 1989 • Apprenticing in Denver and early tattoo career • Working in San Jose and Albuquerque tattoo shops • Opening and growing Tsunami Tattoo in Tacoma • How tattoo culture has evolved over the decades • The apprenticeship path for tattoo artists • Building trust between artist and client • The impact of social media on tattoo artists and shops • Running a long-term creative business Connect with Tsunami Tattoo Website: https://www.tsutattoo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsunami_tattoo_tacoma/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tsunami_tattoo_tacoma Connect with Tim McCarthy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmccarthytattooing/ Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Power Note Great tattoo artists combine creativity, discipline, and trust. Tim McCarthy's decades of work show how craftsmanship and reputation build lasting businesses in creative industries.

April 21, 20263 hr 46 min

Local Politics, Schools, and Public Safety — Ryan Logan

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I talk with Ryan Logan, a teacher and political candidate running for Washington State House. Ryan shares his perspective on education, community safety, and the policy challenges facing South King County. Ryan discusses what motivated him to step into politics, how his work in the Auburn School District shaped his views, and why he believes more community members should participate in civic leadership. We also explore the realities teachers face in classrooms today, the intersection of public policy and education, and the broader issues affecting communities across Washington State. This conversation covers local governance, political accountability, and what it takes to step forward as a candidate when you believe your community needs change. This episode is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. Topics Discussed • Ryan Logan's background growing up in Renton and Kent • His work in the Auburn School District • Why he decided to run for Washington State House • Challenges facing public education today • The impact of drug addiction and public safety issues in local communities • Civic engagement and community involvement • Policy priorities for South King County • What voters should understand about local government Connect with Ryan Logan Website: https://loganforhouse.com/ Email: evans.logan@gmail.com Phone: (253) 249-6408 Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Power Note Change in communities often begins with individuals who decide to step forward. Conversations like this highlight how civic engagement, leadership, and local action shape the future of neighborhoods and cities.

April 14, 20262 hr 41 min

Josh Kotoff on YouTube Strategy, Creator Optimization, and Building a High-Performance Content Engine

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Josh Kotoff to break down YouTube strategy, creator growth, and what most founders get wrong about content optimization. Josh conducted a deep dive into my YouTube channel and turned that audit into a tactical discussion on positioning, thumbnails, titles, structure, and audience clarity. This conversation is a masterclass on treating content like a long-term leverage asset instead of a vanity metric. If you're serious about building a content engine that compounds, this episode delivers practical insight. What We Cover • Conducting a YouTube channel audit • Why most YouTube channels stall • Title and thumbnail strategy for higher click-through rates • Viewer psychology and retention strategy • Audience clarity and channel positioning • Structuring long-form content for performance • Turning podcasts into strategic assets • Data vs instinct in creator growth • Building consistency without burnout • Treating content like a business system Josh focuses on the fundamentals packaging, positioning, and performance metrics that compound over time rather than chasing trends. Military Creator Con I'm a featured speaker at Military Creator Con. A conference for veterans, creators, and entrepreneurs building brands and businesses intentionally. If you're monetizing attention or building a content brand, this is the room to be in. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social Connect with Josh Josh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-kotoff-0a452736/ Josh's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscifiguy/ Company Website: https://www.bluestreamyoutubeagency.com/ Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com