In this episode of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Glenn Gilmore, founder of Brick & Timber Collective, to unpack the comeback story of San Francisco real estate. From janitorial roots to multimillion-dollar redevelopment, Glenn shares how his team transforms historic brick-and-timber buildings into modern creative offices—and why boutique assets survived the storm.
They discuss interest rates, post-COVID urban recovery, lender takebacks, and how AI companies are revitalizing the city’s office demand. Glenn also reveals how his firm uses AI tools like Grok to draft, research, and speed up contracts—and what’s next for data-driven leasing and AI-assisted negotiations.
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As AI’s appetite for power grows, the grid is being pushed to its limits.
In this episode of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Dr. Kevin Davies, founder and CEO of Energy Quotient, to explore how artificial intelligence, data centers, and the electric grid are colliding in real time.
Dr. Davies shares insights from his work at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, his patented power-monitoring technologies, and how his company is using AI and advanced signal analytics to predict and prevent failures before they happen. They dive deep into the future of energy resilience, AC vs DC systems, battery storage, EV-to-grid innovation, and the cybersecurity risks lurking in our physical infrastructure.
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to keep the lights on in the AI era—this conversation delivers a clear look into the systems powering our digital world.
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In this episode of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Annika Charron, founder of GritKore, to explore the intersection of mental resilience, technology, and creativity.
Annika shares the inspiration behind GritKore — a mindset and lifestyle brand helping kids and adults strengthen their inner core in a world dominated by screens and social pressure. From illustrated books to AI-assisted design, GritKore blends wellness, innovation, and storytelling to teach practical grit for a digital generation.
Together, they discuss the impact of smartphones on anxiety, using AI as a creative ally, parenting in the tech era, and why resilience may be the most valuable skill of the future.
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On this episode of Two Tokens Short — where creativity, technology, and culture meet, Robert and Mitchell sit down with Dr. Kunal Shah, founder & president of LiloTree. From Intel and PNNL to bootstrapping a materials company, Dr. Shah breaks down how his team built a nickel-free, cyanide-free surface finish for PCBs that makes solder joints tougher, greener, and cheaper—crucial for aerospace, defense, consumer electronics, and the emerging AI hardware stack. We get into reliability vs. legacy processes, SBIR/NSF funding, real-world cost savings on gold, adoption cycles at OEMs, and where AI fits today (marketing ops) vs. tomorrow (data-center hardware enabled by better materials). If you care about the leap from Moore’s Law to AI scale—and how manufacturing keeps up—this one’s for you.
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In Episode 19, Robert and Mitchel go from hospital UX to hand-thrown vessels, Sherród’s journey is anything but linear. In this conversation, we trace his path from software design at scale to founding Deep Black—a studio where meaning, color theory, and “battle-tested” ceramics meet the kitchen table and the dining room. We talk design language, semiotics, the Kingdom Come collection, and how top restaurants turn plates into covert souvenirs. Then we get practical: AI as a hands-on studio assistant (Lightroom, Notion, Shopify), what a finance/production/social stack could look like for a solo maker, and how to build nudges, forecasts, and inventory signals that free up time for the wheel. We even scheme on landing the ultimate press hit (hi, Oprah 👋). If you live at the intersection of craft and tech—or you’re building a product with soul—this one’s for you.
UX veteran turned ceramicist Sherród on Deep Black, design language, restaurant-grade wares, and using AI to run a solo studio without losing the human touch.
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In Episode 18, Pasquale Totaro joins Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger to talk building consumer AI that feels like a friend—not a dashboard. We get into designing agents you can text or call, why the browser layer might disappear, the privacy tradeoffs of “always-listening” devices, and Pasquale’s journey from MIT and Apple’s iPad team to launching Oddball—a bouncy ball that makes music—with 40k units sold.
We also cover go-to-market lessons from DTC vs. retail, designing for community, and how AI can augment everyday life (translation, memory, safety) without adding more clicks.
Show Notes
Pasquale’s path: engineering → MIT → Apple → Royal College of Art → founder
Building an AI “friend” you reach by phone/SMS (agency without the app layer)
Privacy & affordances: recording pendants vs. lightweight voice/text
Oddball: playful music creation, community features, and DTC learnings
Using AI for connection, not just productivity
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In Episode 17 hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Lindsey Shores, founder and CEO of The Baby Go Go, to talk about turning a travel crisis into a nationwide essentials brand.
After a frantic diaper run during a family trip to Mexico, Lindsey designed the world’s smallest diaper kit and the Magic Wipe, expanding convenience for traveling parents everywhere.
This episode dives into the realities of building a product from scratch — from vacuum-sealed prototyping and supply-chain gymnastics to airport partnerships, car-rental add-ons, and vending expansion. Lindsey shares her experience as a woman-owned, bootstrapped founder scaling a business that’s now in top airports and major retail channels while staying true to her mission: making parenting simpler, cleaner, and stress-free.
We cover:
How a real-life emergency became an award-winning product line
Scaling from prototype to patent and production
Partnering with Delta, Chevron, Hudson, and Intermountain Healthcare
Balancing retail growth vs D2C channels
Using AI as an everyday co-founder for research, RFPs, and retail strategy
Designing packaging that tells the “break-in-case-of-emergency” story
Whether you’re a parent, founder, or product designer, Lindsey’s journey shows how empathy and persistence can turn chaos into category creation.
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In Episode 16 hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Luiz Batalha, co-founder of Upstay, to explore how a small experiment in short-term rentals evolved into 450+ properties, 8 markets, and $1.1B in managed assets.
Luiz shares the origin story—pivoting from Turo’s car-sharing model to vacation homes—and how Upstay scaled through AI-enhanced operations, remote-first culture, and a hospitality mindset built on data and guest experience. The conversation digs into:
How Upstay optimized P&Ls with AI and sentiment analysis
Direct-booking strategies and capturing 15% repeat guests via Wi-Fi marketing
Balancing automation and human service in hospitality
Expansion plans across Hawaii, Canada, and Dubai
What Orlando’s STR ecosystem teaches about scale and regulation
Whether you’re building in real estate, travel tech, or AI-driven operations, this episode reveals how to turn short-term rentals into a long-term business.
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In this electrifying episode (#15) of Two Tokens Short, Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Aaron Davis, co-founder of Fast Pinball, to explore how creativity, engineering, and nostalgia collide in the world of modern pinball. From designing commercial-grade control systems for homebrew builders to rekindling childhood wonder with cutting-edge hardware, Aaron shares the story of how he turned a side passion into a global platform for makers and manufacturers.
The trio dives deep into the intersection of tactile play and intelligent technology — discussing the rise of the homebrew movement, how AI and CNC tools are transforming design workflows, and why analog machines still hold a timeless place in our digital age. Expect laughs, philosophy, and a few wild ideas involving Dark Knight, circuit boards, and pinball machines that just might fight back.
In episode 14 of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Shintaro Okamoto, founder of Okamoto Studio, a New York–based collective redefining the art of ice.
Shintaro shares his journey from growing up in Alaska to building one of the most respected ice studios in the world — where craftsmanship, design, and engineering meet ephemerality. The conversation explores:
The science and art behind crystal-clear ice and large-scale sculptures
How technology, CNC machines, and AI are transforming artistic workflows
The creative tension between analog craft and digital ideation
The logistics, problem-solving, and beauty of working with a material that’s destined to melt
They discuss how AI tools can accelerate design inspiration while sometimes creating unrealistic client expectations, and how Okamoto’s studio balances innovation with tradition. The result is a fascinating look at how art, nature, and technology intertwine — and what it means to create beauty that disappears.
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In episode 13 of Two Tokens Short, Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with brothers Jack & Jason Wu to talk about building a brand that puts function, natural materials, and longevity ahead of trend-chasing. From jackets and totes sewn in New York to modular lamps designed in CAD and tested in AR/VR, the pair unpack how to make beautiful things that are meant to be used for decades, not months.
We trace their path from Parsons and double RL to launching a three-pillar studio—Cloth, Home, Craft—and sourcing folk art and antiques as living references, not shelf props. The conversation moves through domestic manufacturing trade-offs, pricing for value (not volume), and how AI fits (and doesn’t): helpful for research, ops, and forecasting—never as a substitute for voice, story, or craft.
We get into:
Building a startup label around use first design and repairable materials
Why “cost per wear” beats fast fashion every time
Domestic production realities (fabric, sewing, margins, accessibility)
VR/AR prototyping and small-batch industrial design for lamps
Lessons from the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market & artisan partnerships
Healthy skepticism of chatbots vs. practical AI for workflow and data
Marketplace dreams: connecting makers, renters, and heirloom-grade goods
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Red Light Therapy, Protocols & AI Workflows (w/ John Graham Harper, Lumaflex)
In Episode 12 of Two Tokens Short, Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with John Graham Harper, founder of Lumaflex, to unpack how red light therapy (photobiomodulation) is moving from “wellness trend” to clinically-informed recovery—and where AI slots into the next phase.
John traces his path from combat sports injuries and a scary tumor discovery to building an FDA-cleared, portable RLT system used by medical teams, first responders, and pro organizations. We dig into what actually matters—nanometers vs. frequencies, contact protocols vs. distance panels, power density, and why skin contact + 10-minute standardized dosing is core to Lumaflex’s approach.
The convo hits the operational side too: global regulatory (FDA, Health Canada, EU MDR, Middle East, NMPA/China), supply chain (diodes, liquid silicone, ruggedization), and market channels (clinics, teams, military, gyms for brand presence). Then we blueprint AI use-cases: turning 9k+ RLT studies into plain-language protocols in-app, practitioner feedback loops that auto-summarize outcomes, and comms automations that scale launches across new regions—without risking medical claims.
If you care about recovery tech, evidence-based protocols, and using AI to bridge research and real-world outcomes, this one’s a keeper.
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In Episode 11 of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with John Makarewicz, co-founder of Faris Capital Partners, to unpack how Canadian capital is flowing into U.S. value-add multifamily—and where AI supercharges the whole machine.
John traces his path from building a residential powerhouse during the post-’08 recovery to today’s focus: buying tired Class-B apartments across the Sun Belt, renovating smartly, and delivering consistent cash flow to investors (many of them Canadian, navigating a very different tax/regulatory reality).
The conversation hits:
Why housing scarcity + Sun Belt migration make apartments a long-term bet
How Ferris evaluates markets (population growth, job diversity, rent-to-income affordability)
Practical AI in the stack—market screening, CRM analytics, and ad spend optimization (e.g., HubSpot data → smarter weekday campaigns)
Nurturing accredited investors at scale with content, podcasting, and trust-first education
What “intelligent follow-up” could look like next: personalized cadences, channel timing, and lead revival
It’s a clear, operator-level look at modern syndication: conservative underwriting, high-touch investor experience, and pragmatic AI that saves time without losing judgment.
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In Episode 10 of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Tom Askew, founder and CEO of PanelRight, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of printed circuit board design and electronic manufacturing.
Tom shares his decades-long journey as an engineer and innovator, walking through how PanelRight’s AI-driven approach reduces material waste, increases efficiency, and empowers both enterprise manufacturers and independent creators.
The conversation uncovers how sustainability and automation can coexist—revealing the environmental and economic potential behind smarter PCB systems. From design optimization and data modeling to machine-learning applications that minimize waste, Tom and the hosts examine how AI is reshaping one of the most fundamental industries of the modern era.
Together, they discuss manufacturing challenges, SaaS integration for hardware systems, and the democratization of advanced engineering tools for small-scale builders.
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In Episode 9 Robert & Mitch discuss wizard rooms to luxury beach escapes, Bryndee Barton breaks down how Revedy helps investors pick the right market, choose the right home, and then turn it into a top-earning short-term rental. We get into Revedy’s two-part model (acquisitions + asset optimization), what actually moves RevPAR (hot tubs vs. putt-putt… it depends!), and the ops grind of staging an entire house in six days. Bryndee shares how her team blends spreadsheets, Asana, and AI—using models to analyze local comps, price-lifting amenities, and even to ideate murals/themes with Midjourney—while tackling the least glamorous bottleneck of all: shipping and construction logistics.
What we cover
Picking markets & properties using Revedy data (and the limits of current AI)
Asset optimization playbook: themes, amenities, and ROI trade-offs by market
The six-day “empty to guest-ready” staging sprint (and how to make it work)
Training, SOPs, and team adoption of tools (Asana, Airtable, Loom)
Where automation could save the most time: ordering, receiving, and inventory
Expansion thinking: US nationwide → Europe, and building remote teams
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In Episode 8 of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Jonathan Napoli, founder of VanGarden and The Hempest, to explore the evolving intersection of cannabis cultivation, automation, and artificial intelligence.
Jonathan shares his 30-year journey from hemp retail pioneer to operating one of the most advanced indoor cannabis facilities on the East Coast. The conversation dives deep into the business realities, regulatory chaos, and technological frontiers of the cannabis industry—from vertical farming and environmental sensors to AI-driven yield optimization.
Together, they unpack the economic pressures facing growers, the lessons from over-saturation and regulation, and how AI tools are being used for everything from branding and compliance to climate control and fertigation management.
The episode offers a grounded look at the future of agriculture tech, data in cultivation, and the enduring resilience required to thrive in a high-stakes, high-regulation market.
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In Episode 7 of Two Tokens Short, Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with hospitality OG Eric Goldreyer—founder of BedandBreakfast.com (sold to HomeAway), co-founder of TurnKey Vacation Rentals (sold to Vacasa), and now CEO of Savvy.com, a book-direct marketplace for professionally managed vacation rentals.
Eric traces the arc from dial-up B&B guides to today’s fee-heavy OTAs—and why he’s betting on radical transparency: Savvy shows side-by-side prices for the same stay on Savvy vs. Airbnb vs. Vrbo and routes you directly to the host. We dig into what “book direct” really means for travelers, hosts, and margins, and how to scale a trust-first platform without losing the human touch.
Eric’s playbook: BedandBreakfast.com → TurnKey → Savvy (plus the FunAir mega-yacht side quest)
The OTA “tax,” rate parity, and why Savvy puts competitor prices right on the page
Only pro-managed supply: no gig hosts—so hospitality (and lockouts) are handled by real operators
The plumbing behind 150k+ North American listings (2k+ PMs, 20+ PMS integrations) and a path to 500k
Exception reporting, price accuracy, and building trust when you’re seven months live
Mobile roadmap (web first, native app next) and international plans (GDPR before go-live)
AI today vs. tomorrow: internal accelerators now; personalized search and service when it adds real value
Brand lessons: why owning Savvy.com matters—and how naming shapes adoption
From domain discipline to dollars-back-in-your-pocket, Eric makes the case that travel can be cheaper and more personable when you remove the middleman (and keep hospitality human).
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In Episode 6 of Two Tokens Short, Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Juan Manuel Torres, Co-Founder of Tripping Animals Brewing Co., to explore how a basement hobby in Caracas grew into one of Florida’s most talked-about breweries.
Juan shares what it takes to scale production in a competitive market, why Florida is the brand’s main focus, and how his team balances tradition, creativity, and new trends like hazy IPAs and fruit-forward sours. Along the way, he opens up about the challenges of distribution, the economics of craft brewing, and how trust between co-founders keeps the vision moving forward.
We dive into how AI is already supporting their work — from emails and label ideation to recipe brainstorming — and where it could play a bigger role in forecasting, demand planning, and freeing up time for growth.
Topics we explore:
The origins of Tripping Animals: from Venezuela to Wynwood to Oakland Park
Florida-first expansion strategy vs. chasing national distribution
Lessons learned from building a brand and culture that fans truly connect with
Brewing trends: hazies, sours, clarified fruit beers, and the balance between chasing vs. creating
Practical AI use cases for breweries (today and tomorrow)
What it takes to survive and thrive in a shrinking craft beer market
From hops and barrels to algorithms and investors, Juan shows us how passion, culture, and strategy mix to keep the taps flowing.
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In Episode 5 of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Eljas Saastamoinen, CEO of Bitwards, to explore the future of mobile access.
Eljas shares the journey of building a Finland-based startup into a global digital access provider—where speed, trust, and user adoption are just as important as the tech itself. He explains why mobile credentials are following the same adoption curve as mobile payments, and how the shift from cards to phones is saving universities, businesses, and institutions millions in costs and waste.
We cover:
The trade-offs between speed, cost, and user experience in scaling access tech
Why education and enterprise are leading the way—and why hospitality, maritime, and automotive are next
How AI is being used to improve both security and user experience in access systems
The battle against silos in legacy hardware and lock industries
The sustainability push: eliminating plastic cards, keys, and outdated waste
From student dorms to Caterpillar machinery to future smart cities, Eljas shows us how digital keys aren’t just about convenience—they’re about building trust, efficiency, and a new ecosystem of access.
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In Episode 4 of Two Tokens Short, Mitchell Newberger and Robert De La Rosa sit down with Greg Gillespie, CEO of Collectiv, to unpack why most companies aren’t actually “AI-ready”—and how to fix it. Greg breaks down Collectiv’s DATA Formula (Data • Alignment • Team → Automation), showing how clean data, process alignment, and real adoption come before the shiny AI layer.
From finance use cases to sales insights, Greg explains how organizations can land quick wins, build a culture of change, and stand up a scalable data lakehouse that any AI agent can tap. We also dig into AI onboarding (think: avatar coaches for new hires), Microsoft Fabric/Power BI realities, and how reusable accelerators slash integration costs.
The DATA Formula: Data quality, Alignment on processes & policies, Team adoption → then Automation/AI
AI FOMO vs. readiness: Why starting small beats “boil the ocean” initiatives
Where to start: Finance as low-hanging fruit; when sales or FP&A should lead
Change management: Centers of Excellence, governance, and keeping pipelines healthy
Architecture that lasts: Lakehouse-first, tool-agnostic AI agents (Azure OpenAI, Databricks, etc.)
Operational wins: Real-time P&L, inventory signals, and reusable NetSuite/Sage connectors
Cost control: Code libraries & accelerators that turn 200 hours into 20–40
Greg’s take is refreshingly practical: make data the foundation, processes the framing, people the heartbeat—then let AI be the curb appeal.
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