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TechVibe Pittsburgh: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jonathan Kersting
Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the tPittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation. Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: "Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department." Don't miss out—click to listen now! TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Tune in Sundays at 6 AM 10 100.1 FM AM 1020 KDKA.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 3 days ago27 min
Health Care Reinvented: Can Technology and AI Make Health Care More Human?
What if your health plan could spot that you need help before a missed appointment, medication gap or health issue turns into something much bigger? On this episode of Health Care Reinvented, hosts Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo talk with Judy Arrow, VP of Health Engagement at Highmark, and Matt Putilla, VP of Product Development at enGen, about how Highmark is combining technology, data and human expertise to make navigating health care easier and more personal. The goal sounds simple: meet members where they are, identify signals earlier and remove the friction that can make getting care frustrating. Behind the scenes, however, that requires connecting information that once lived in separate systems and giving care teams a more complete picture of each member. Arrow and Putilla explain how AI is being woven directly into those workflows. It can prepare clinicians before a member call, listen during conversations, provide prompts and summarize interactions afterward. Instead of replacing the human connection, the technology is designed to give clinicians more time to concentrate on it. The conversation also explores Highmark's move from reactive care management toward earlier intervention, guided handoffs between nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists and social workers, and the growing ability to use near-real-time data to determine when a member may need help now rather than next week. It's a look behind the curtain at how health care technology, AI and human expertise can work together to create a more connected experience and potentially keep small problems from becoming big ones.
- 6 days ago20 min
Metal With a Mission: Ellwood Group's Anna Barensfeld on Space, Steel, and Workforce in Western PA
What if the steel in your next flight's landing gear, the components in NASA's Artemis rocket, and even the "chopsticks" catching SpaceX rockets were all forged by a family-owned company in Western Pennsylvania? In this episode of AMP'd Pittsburgh, host Jonathan Kersting sits down with Anna Barensfeld, fifth-generation leader of Ellwood — a 115-year-old specialty metals and forgings company headquartered in Ellwood City, PA. Founded in 1910 by Anna's great-great-grandfather, Ellwood has evolved from a small forge shop making crankshafts into a multi-faceted powerhouse producing high-performance alloys, aluminum, and engineered components for aerospace, defense, energy, and beyond. Anna shares the bold bets that shaped the company's trajectory — from her father's decision to build their own steel melt shop in 1985 during the Rust Belt decline, to today's massive investment in a vacuum induction melting furnace that will produce some of the cleanest, most advanced metals on Earth. The conversation goes deep on: Ellwood's philosophy of "Metal with a Mission" — how their products power everyday life, from aircraft landing gear to the power grid The critical role family ownership plays in long-term, risk-taking innovation Ellwood's involvement in cutting-edge projects for SpaceX, including the rocket-catching chopsticks A passionate discussion on workforce development and the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition — Anna's initiative to re-energize manufacturing careers in Western Pennsylvania Why manufacturing is thriving, not dying, and the urgent need to inspire the next generation of skilled workers • The advanced technology behind modern steelmaking — robotics, automation, CNC programming, and precision welding Whether you're in manufacturing, economic development, or simply curious about how the materials behind modern civilization get made, this episode will change how you think about American industry. Produced at the Huntington Bank Studios as part of the AMP'd Pittsburgh series by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Listen now and discover why the future of American manufacturing is being forged right here in Western Pennsylvania.
- 6 days ago22 min
The State Line Is Not an Innovation Line, Why Pittsburgh and Morgantown Are Better Together
What happens when two major West Virginia technology conferences join forces and invite Pittsburgh to the party? TechVibe Radio talks with Melissa McKenna of Trilogy Solutions and Bill Walker of West Virginia University about the October 28 Mountain State Cyber Summit and Tech Yeah conference in Morgantown, an event expected to bring together hundreds of leaders from industry, academia and government. And this isn't just another cybersecurity gathering. The conference stretches across four major areas including secure and intelligent systems, national security and mission innovation, autonomy and advanced manufacturing, and health and cyber biosecurity. Expect conversations touching AI, aerospace, robotics, healthcare, food security, federal missions and the emerging threats surrounding increasingly connected infrastructure. Walker, a former Chief of Staff at U.S. Cyber Command, explains how WVU has built deep relationships with federal agencies and industry partners to tackle real national security challenges. McKenna details how combining Mountain State Cyber Summit and Tech Yeah! creates new opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and students to connect, collaborate and build. But perhaps the biggest takeaway is geographic. Pittsburgh and Morgantown are only about 75 miles apart, with complementary strengths across AI, robotics, energy, manufacturing, cybersecurity, research and federal contracting. As Walker puts it, "The state line's a political boundary. It's not an innovation boundary." Hit play to discover why Pittsburgh companies should be looking south, why West Virginia organizations should be looking north and how one connected technology corridor could create new companies, contracts, investment and jobs across the region. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
- 1 weeks ago22 min
Pittsburgh's Neya Systems Puts Autonomous Mining Vehicles in High Gear
Can a Pittsburgh robotics company really make massive mining trucks drive themselves — with no human behind the wheel? In this episode of Tech Vibe, Jonathan Kersting sits down with John Porter, Senior Robotics Engineer at Neya, to unpack how this Pittsburgh-based off-road autonomy company is transforming one of the world's most rugged and dangerous industries: industrial mining. From ultra-class haul trucks with 15-foot-tall tires running fully autonomous load-haul-dump cycles at a production iron ore mine in Western Australia, to building the perception systems and fleet management software that make it all possible — this is a deep dive into the engineering, the grit, and the real-world impact of autonomous mining. And yes, it's all being built right here in Pittsburgh. There are so many reasons to listen: Get an inside look at the perception systems, sensors, and path-planning algorithms that let building-sized vehicles navigate mine sites with zero human input Hear the on-the-ground story of deploying autonomous trucks in Western Australia — one of the toughest mining environments on Earth Learn how Neya's Mission Planning and Management System (MPMS) coordinates fleets of both autonomous and manned vehicles on the same site Discover why safety is the driving force behind removing humans from the cab and into remote command centers Find out what's next — from automating shovels and dozers to building fully autonomous mine ecosystems Whether you're into robotics, autonomy, industrial innovation, or just love a great Pittsburgh success story, this conversation will change how you think about the future of mining. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
- 2 weeks ago22 min
15 Years of Assemble: Building Pittsburgh's Next Generation of Makers, Creators & Technologists
Nina Marie Barbuto, founder of Assemble in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood, joins TechVibe this Sunday to celebrate 15 years of building community through arts, technology, and hands-on maker education. What started with a backpack and a bicycle has grown into an organization that has impacted over 107,000 people — including more than 30,000 youth — through STEM and STEAM programs rooted in culturally relevant, project-based learning. Nina shares the story of Assemble's evolution from an all-volunteer effort to a generational force in Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, the ripple effects of empowering kids to build, create, and dream, and details for the upcoming Unicornapalooza celebration on September 19th — featuring carnival games, flash unicorn tattoos, the first-ever Unicorny Awards honoring community champions, and costumes strongly encouraged. Featuring honorees Gregg Behr of the Grable Foundation, Representative La' Tasha Mayes for her work passing the CROWN Act in Pennsylvania, community maker Miss Junyetta Seale, and Assemble's own Jess Gold. Learn more and get tickets at assemblepgh.org.
- 3 weeks ago33 min
Empire of Lights: Powering and Cooling the AI Factory
How Do You Power and Cool an AI Data Center? The processors inside modern data centers are becoming more powerful, more dense and a whole lot hotter. Keeping them running requires an entirely new generation of power and cooling infrastructure. Chris Massetti of Donwil joins Empire of Lights to explain what happens between the electrical grid and the silicon, and why Donwil's mission-critical expertise has suddenly landed the company in the middle of one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Hit play to learn how closed-loop liquid cooling can dramatically reduce water consumption, how modern systems move heat directly away from powerful GPUs, and why Donwil's power modules help smooth the wildly fluctuating electrical loads created by AI computing. Massetti also explores the rapid move toward prefabricated and modular infrastructure, the growing demand for skilled technicians and why having compute located closer to Pittsburgh could become increasingly important for healthcare, research and other AI-intensive industries. It's a surprisingly accessible trip inside the powertrain and cooling system of the modern AI factory. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
- 3 weeks ago29 min
AI Beyond Chatbots: EY on Agents, ERP Transformation, and the Skills That Matter
Is AI more than just chatbots — and are you leaving serious business value on the table by thinking it isn't? Jonathan Kersting hosts TechVibe from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, sitting down with EY's Natalie Freedline and Aaron Rakes for a high-energy conversation about the real-world AI revolution happening right now in business. Why you should hit play: • The human side of AI — Why your people aren't being replaced, they're being redeployed, and the new skills every professional needs to stay relevant (hint: it's not coding, it's interrogation). • AI beyond the chat box — Discover the "seven layers of the cake" and why chat is just one of them. Autonomous agents are already traversing ERPs, CRMs, and email systems — and they don't take coffee breaks. • The security wake-up call — Non-human identities, silent segregation of duties, and why governance isn't optional when your agents have access to everything. • Pittsburgh's AI moment — From $100 million in startup investments to local powerhouses like GreenCabbage and Gather AI, the Steel City is quietly becoming an AI stronghold. • The "just start" philosophy — Why waiting for perfect data, perfect documentation, or the perfect tech stack is the most expensive mistake you can make right now. Whether you're an AI skeptic, a business leader trying to see real ROI, or just curious about where this technology is heading, this conversation will change how you think about what's possible. TechVibe is your front-row seat to all things innovation and tech across the Pittsburgh region. Press play and get ahead of the curve.
- 3 weeks ago34 min
Empire of Lights: The Concrete Behind the Cloud
What Does Precast Concrete Have to Do With the Data Center Boom? Turns out, quite a lot. Marshall Sorensen of Metromont joins Empire of Lights to take us deep into one of the most overlooked parts of the data center supply chain: the concrete structures that have to be designed, manufactured and assembled before a single server can go online. Hit play to learn how precast construction can dramatically accelerate data center projects, why eliminating a single structural column can create enormous economic value, and how Metromont's test-fit process helps developers find expensive problems before construction begins. Sorensen also explains why early collaboration, site logistics and offsite manufacturing are becoming increasingly important as data center customers demand bigger campuses on tighter schedules. If you've ever wondered what physically holds up the cloud, this episode gets wonderfully concrete. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
About TechVibe Pittsburgh
Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the tPittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation. Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: "Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department." Don't miss out—click to listen now! TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Tune in Sundays at 6 AM 10 100.1 FM AM 1020 KDKA.
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