Welcome to another episode of BizTech Superhero, where we dive into the stories behind local entrepreneurs harnessing technology to level-up their businesses. In today’s episode, host Joshua McNary sits down with Lexi Matthews, co-owner of Uptown Coffee Co. in Marion, Iowa. Lexi shares her journey from Chicago to small-town entrepreneurship, opening a coffee shop with her husband, revitalizing a historic event space, and directing the Marion Arts Festival.

Together, we explore how technology—from QuickBooks and Square to Google Drive and HoneyBook—is woven into her day-to-day operations, empowering her to streamline workflows and manage growth across multiple ventures. Whether you’re a fellow business owner or just curious about what happens behind the scenes in your favorite local spot, you’ll take away valuable insights on building efficient processes, leveraging tech tools, and adapting to new challenges in the ever-evolving world of small business.

In this episode, host Joshua McNary chats with content process consultant Maddy Osman, author of Writing for Humans and Robots and founder of The Blogsmith agency. Based in Denver, Maddy is passionate about helping B2B technology brands streamline and scale their content operations with smart technology and optimized processes.

Joshua and Maddy dive into the realities of writing and business in the age of AI, discussing how automation, SaaS tools, and artificial intelligence are transforming workflows—while also highlighting why processes and human expertise remain essential. Maddy shares her experiences leveraging tools like Zapier, Loom, Scribe, and cutting-edge AI to boost productivity, curate information, and avoid the pitfalls of chasing every shiny new feature. You’ll also hear practical advice for small and mid-sized businesses looking to make the most of today’s technology, plus candid reflections on balancing originality, ethics, and efficiency in a tech-driven work world.

Whether you’re curious about the latest marketing tech, want actionable tips to optimize your processes, or just need inspiration to become the superhero in your own business, this episode packs insights and strategies you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, host Joshua McNary reconnects with longtime friend and special guest Andy Stoll, the founding executive director of the ESHIP Alliance. Andy is a social entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in building entrepreneurial ecosystems and championing innovation in communities across the country. Together, Joshua and Andy dive into Andy’s fascinating journey—from launching businesses in Iowa to leading national efforts at the Kauffman Foundation, and now scaling the ESHIP Alliance as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs everywhere.

You’ll hear how Andy balances the rapid pace of technological change with the timeless importance of human connection and trust in building strong business communities. You’ll get an inside look at the tools and strategies he uses to scale big impact with limited resources—leveraging everything from Slack and Zoom to the evolving world of AI agents—while never losing sight of the relationships that make it all work.

Whether you’re a business owner, a tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about community building, this conversation is packed with wisdom, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on being a true BizTech superhero in today’s landscape.

Joshua McNary is joined by Jen Moulton, president of CE Impact, an education company based in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to supporting continuing education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Josh and Jen take a deep dive into the evolving role of technology in education, sharing how CE Impact has transformed over the last 20 years from in-person learning to a primarily online platform. Jen talks about the challenges and opportunities of merging education, tech, and business, and offers valuable insights into how small organizations can keep up with rapidly advancing digital tools—especially in the age of AI.

You’ll hear Jen discuss the importance of adapting to different learning styles and modalities, building trusted partnerships with tech providers, and why every company today—regardless of industry—needs to think like a tech company. Listen for candid stories about trial and error, budget balancing, the need for trustworthy guidance, and practical advice for businesses looking to leverage technology smarter.

Whether you’re in education, tech, or just looking to keep your business future-ready, Jen’s journey will inspire you to unleash your own biztech superpowers.

In this episode, Joshua talks with Nicole Mead, partner and director of Business Development at Creative Planning Business Services. Nicole shares insight into how her team leverages cutting-edge technology to empower both their internal processes and client experiences. With a unique background in software engineering and business development, Nicole dives into her organization's recent journey of digital transformation, introducing tools like Salesforce, outreach platforms, and streamlined contracting solutions to drive efficiency, collaboration, and growth.

Together, Joshua and Nicole explore practical challenges and real-world solutions—ranging from technology adoption during mergers and acquisitions, to navigating generational differences and enhancing client onboarding. Plus, you’ll hear their thoughts on harnessing artificial intelligence for sales, marketing, and operational excellence. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own tech roadmap or want to learn actionable tips for differentiating your business in the marketplace, this episode is packed with fresh ideas and expert advice you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of BizTech Superhero, host Joshua McNary is joined by Alyx Coble-Frakes, CEO and founder of The Agenda., a mobile app and platform dedicated to supporting women's health. Based in Iowa, Alex shares her entrepreneurial journey—from launching a physical planner that helps women align their work with the four phases of their menstrual cycle, to transforming that concept into a powerful digital tool for hormonal health, supporting users from their first period through menopause.

Alyx dives deep into the evolution of her company, highlighting the technological pivots, challenges of building both physical and digital products, and the unique market needs around women’s health. She also opens up about her passion for breaking taboos, her drive as a non-technical founder, and the lessons learned in creating tech that truly meets users where they are. Along the way, they discuss the vital role of user feedback, privacy concerns, and how innovation and empathy power disruptive solutions in femtech.

Tune in for inspiring stories from the frontlines of health tech, actionable advice for entrepreneurs, plus a fresh perspective on how technology can fuel personal transformation and business growth.

In this episode, host Joshua McNary sits down with Mat Winegarden, a seasoned product coach and mentor based in Iowa City, Iowa. With over 25 years of experience in the product and technology space—spanning industries from entertainment to agriculture, EdTech, and AI—Mat brings a wealth of insight on how businesses and teams can strategically leverage technology to drive better outcomes.

They dive deep into the ever-evolving relationship between technology and the human side of business, exploring when to implement new tools, how to avoid falling for the latest tech trends without a clear purpose, and why alignment and clarity on outcomes remain the real superpowers for any team. Mat also shares practical tips from his day-to-day work, including how to balance process changes with tech adoption, set ground rules for communication tools, and embrace practices like “pre-mortems” to sidestep potential pitfalls before rolling out new technology.

Whether you’re in a large organization or a small consultancy, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking perspectives on making tech work for you—not the other way around.

In this episode, host Joshua McNary has a convo with Cait Fitzpatrick, co-owner and lead strategist at BWB—a female-founded branding agency in New York. Cait shares her journey from working with Fortune 100 companies to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses craft authentic brands that truly reflect their values.

Cait delves into the evolving role of technology in branding, from practical productivity tools to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. They explore how to approach tech strategically—making it work for your business rather than letting it run the show—and discuss the importance of aligning technology choices with your core values. Plus, Cait opens up about balancing productivity and rest in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship and how business owners can recharge while still leveraging the latest tech.

If you’re looking for actionable insights on using technology with intention, staying true to your mission, and thriving as a business leader in 2025 and beyond, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

People Cait mentioned:

• Maren Gauldin - Enneagram Coach
• Brooke Hartnett - Websites