Unboxed Show

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Oct 2025

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About the show

Unboxed is a venture studio located in Durham, NC, dedicated to informing and assisting the community in exploring new technologies, opportunities, and updates related to business and entrepreneurship.

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40 recent

October 20, 2025Episode 401 hr 4 min

Investing In Your Employee’s Professional Development & Emotional Wellness w/ Don Fernando & Nick J

Mental well-being is Don’s business and he really knows his stuff. Nick and Don question why there isn’t more focus on the emotional well being of workers in the workforce, how to design the workplace and workforce of the future, and what it means to strive for authentic happiness. Can software or technology be built to assist in this movement towards better well being, or is this a process thing? Or, is it just adoption and awareness? Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

October 6, 2025Episode 391 hr 3 min

Using Technology to Change The America Educational System w/ Jessica Mitsch & Nick J

As current events change the course of our country’s education, what will be left behind when the dust settles? How can we use the current situation as a springboard to incite changes that have been on the verge of existence for a long time? The value of cultural norms such as a college degree is changing by the day, alongside the way in which institutions deliver those norms. In Episode 5, Nick talks with Jessica Mitsch about how the education system in America needs to change, how technology is changing it, and what the real value is behind what we are currently doing.Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

September 22, 2025Episode 381 hr 0 min

Leveraging Your Attorney Relationships to Maximize Business Potential w/ Jesse Jones & Nick J

With the evolution of technology and the availability of information on Google, is using an attorney to help your business still important? Where does the balance exist between doing your own research to save money and paying a professional to save time? It turns out that, even in the midst of increased automation, sometimes the use of an attorney can be vital in any business plan. In episode 4, Nick talks with Jesse Jones, Founding Lawyer at Fourscore Business Law, about the evolution of the attorney’s role in business, and how businesses can best leverage this relationship to maximize efficiency and decision making.Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

September 8, 2025Episode 3728 min

The Evolution of Healthcare Amidst COVID-19 w/ Michael Levy & Nick J

In the midst of a pandemic, the task that many of us are focusing on is how to “return to normal.” The goal for many is the go back to the way things used to be before COVID-19 drastically changed life as we know it. Why does that have to be the case? Why can’t we use this time to get to a better version of how the world used to be? With a virus turning the conventions of our society upside down, we need to look at what we should keep and what we should change. In episode 3, Nick talks with Michael Levy, President of the Digital Health Institute for Transformation, about ways that the healthcare industry can better meet the needs of individuals rather than entire populations.Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

August 25, 2025Episode 361 hr 9 min

Politics & The Tech Industry w/ Eric Porper & Nick J

As technology continues to change the way the economy works, how are politicians changing with it? What can we do to ensure that those who aren’t technologically inclined can keep up in an age of continued growth in automation and production through blockchain technology? In episode 2, Nick talks with Eric Porper, Co-Chair of the North Carolina Blockchain Initiative, about his work in helping politicians encourage technology as an industry, and helping them adjust to the fact that companies are expected to incorporate tech into their business plan, whether or not they identify as a tech company. Additionally, they talk about whether or not a college degree is absolutely necessary in a world of thriving entrepreneurship and change, and how we can help people evolve from fields that don’t currently utilize technology.Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

August 11, 2025Episode 351 hr 1 min

Becoming An Entrepreneur; the Reinvention Roadmap w/ Jess Averhart & Nick J

What does it take to be an entrepreneur? To turn your passion into a business that you love to run? In modern-day America, it’s easy to think of entrepreneurship as something that’s untouchable – only accessible to those who have an excellent education or an incredible mind. We think of Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, or any other world-changing innovator. The result? We don’t try it ourselves. The reality is that, with hard work and the right amount of dedication, you can turn your interests into a viable business. We’re covering this and more on Episode 1 of the Next Matters Most Podcast as Nick talks with Jes Averhart, creator of the Reinvention Roadmap, and Founder of Jess and Co. Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

July 28, 2025Episode 3459 min

5x Entrepreneur puts Diversity at the center of everything he does W/ Doug Speight

We have an opportunity to create an entirely new ecosystem for the entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship community that is responsible for driving innovation and change in business that puts diversity at the forefront of everything it does. The conversation in this episode will expand your thinking, articulate what is wrong, and provide proactive and positive solutions that will inspire us. I end the interview with a Nobel Prize prediction. In episode 7 of the Next Matters Most podcast, you will meet (future) Nobel Prize Winner Doug Speight is a 5x entrepreneur, innovation commercialization expert, and current founder and CEO of Annex Tech Partners. This man on a mission has lofty goals: to change the way the tech industry operates; close the wealth and opportunity gap for women and people of color; all while stabilizing our national economy. Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

July 14, 2025Episode 331 hr 27 min

Creating Better Community, People, and Places In Our Challenging World w/ Pierce Freelon

Pierce Freelon is a musician, director, and Durham City Council Member. Pierce is the founder of Blackspace, an Afrofuturism digital maker space for teens in Durham. He is the writer, composer, and co-director of the PBS animated series, The History of White People in America. He is a co-founder of Beat Making Lab, a PBS web-series, which won Best Video Essay for its episode Heartbeats of Fiji at the 2015 Daytime Emmy Awards. His latest project is a children’s music album, titled D.a.D, which has been featured on NPR and Today Show. In episode 8 of the Next Matters Most podcast, Nick Jordan sits down with Pierce Freelon about what is happening in the world today and what he wants to do about it. Pierce has always been a voice for change and does not have a stop sign in sight! Pierce talks about what everyone can do to help misunderstand and misrepresent groups in our businesses and community today.Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

June 30, 2025Episode 321 hr 16 min

Building Successful NC Communities With Entrepreneurs At The Forefront w/ Jim Roberts

Why are community ecosystems important? What can they provide to a community? Today, Jim Roberts and Nick Jordan talk about what an ecosystem can provide to large and small communities. Jim has been involved in community ecosystem building for many years. With notable success throughout North Carolina and the United States. In episode 9 of the Next Matters Most podcast, Jim and Nick talk about why an ecosystem is important for all communities, how entrepreneurs can improve ecosystems, and where to start when building a successful ecosystem! Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/

June 16, 2025Episode 311 hr 4 min

The Future Of Opportunity Zones - How To Properly Invest In Future Communities w/ Forrest Firm

In this episode of Next Matters Most, we speak with David Morris & Patrick Lineberry, attorneys at law, about Opportunity Zones, Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds, Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses, and what this means for investors, small business owners, and communities. Will this be just a rush towards faster gentrification, or will it be a reviving and renaissance effect on currently depressed communities? A tool for the rich to get richer, or for more underrepresented businesses to get funding? We discuss this and more. Want to take this episode with you? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2324034/episodesTo learn more about Madilynn A. Beck & Nick Jordan:https://www.smashingboxes.com/We've got more to offer on our social platforms! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjordan1/