Episode 131: The Connect Current Podcast – Amplifying Innovation and Entrepreneur Voices in Biotech and Beyond

A podcast about a podcast? We're getting very meta, very fast. You're listening to BIO from the Bayou, empowering biotech leaders with the tools, assets, and expertise to improve healthcare outcomes.

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Serving the entire Gulf South, but recorded in the heart of New Orleans. Welcome back to BIO from the Bayou. I'm Dr. Elaine Hamm, the executive in residence at Tulane School of Medicine. And today we're going to get a little meta because this is going to be a podcast within a podcast. And joining me is a new podcast host.

About a podcast that I'm host of that I'm not on right now, but I get to talk about. So I'm a, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a guest host, host, guest host. Guy.

Yeah. Something. Wait, wait. You're, you're a guest host and former original host talking about your new host duties. Something like that.

But the most important thing is still single, still looking for a husband. Gotta say that every episode just to put it out there. I love it. Let's go, Ham, get it together. That's staying in.

We'll put that in the show notes as well. It's just an 8 by 10 glossy picture of James. Oh my God. Welcome to your new podcast. Are you sure you wanna launch it this way, James? Are you sure? Are you sure? Sure?

I don't know. Whatever.

Well, today I'm gonna be digging into a brand new podcast. put on by Connect, and we're going to talk a little bit about Connect's work to amplify the voices of their community by giving them a platform. And if you are a long-term, long-time, yeah, if you are a long-time Bio from the Bayou, or BFTB, no one calls it that, I just did, you won't be surprised to know that James is involved. And of course, one of his efforts is to have a brand new podcast. So James, let's talk about Connect, my, your new CEO gig, and what you guys are going to be doing for the future.

So next week, it's coming up quick. We're launching our new podcast on April 15th.

No pressure.

It's going to be called The Connect Current. I love it. I get no credit for it. So Kylie Hovey, who was with us for my first 6 months here, and she has landed a new position and is growing in her career. We were her first job out of college, but she left us with this incredible gift and this amazing name for the podcast, The Connect Current. So I always like giving credit where it's due. And it's gonna be about the flow of innovation in San Diego. And for us, it's not just life science, it's tech, it's climate, defense, AI, binational health, all those pieces and those things. And, you know, the idea is similar to what we did with Bio from the Bayou in the Gulf South. It is to give our entrepreneurs a platform to amplify their voice and position them in front of funding. 'Cause, 'cause you would think that it's very easy to get funding in San Diego, but much like the Gulf South, Yeah. We don't have resident investors. We have a lot of the same struggles as the Gulf South does in that regard. And so things like this, like this podcast, we had an example from Bio from the Bayou where it helped Informuta get their raise and actually get into JLABS in San Diego because of the podcast. And so, yeah, I saw this work from New Orleans into the San Diego ecosystem with a company, Elaine, that you and Ian and I all know really well, 'cause they were frequent guests on the podcast and saw the power of a platform and how it could help you, attract funding, attract collaborations, and tell your story. And so wanted to do that for this region as well.

Yeah. Now more than ever, what's really important for startups is being able to be a recognizable name and, and get recognition and be on a broader platform and be marketed. And that's such a big piece of it. When you originally told me we were gonna start a podcast, I wanted to do a spinout of like Bio on the Baja, but like you said, this isn't just biotech. You guys—

We're more than bio.

Yeah. You deal with a lot of different interesting verticals. And so, let's talk a little bit about sort of what the format's gonna be. Obviously, you don't have me and I'm really, really sad for you, but—

Who said we're not gonna have you once in a while? No one said that.

I chose that.

You think you're not having to come back over this way too? Nice try, Ham.

Well, what kind of show is it? What's the format? What kind of guests are you gonna have? How are you going to replace the sparkling wit of me? God, that sounds so bad. I can't even say that with a straight face. Like, what is Yeah.

So, I mean, interesting. It's gonna, gonna start with just conversations with CEOs and investors primarily. We'll occasionally drop in some of the luminaries of San Diego, like your Mary Walshox, who was the architect behind Connect. She's a PhD sociologist who helped design what you could say is one of the most recognizable and famous ecosystems in the world, along with several other founders. Hoping to get folks like Irwin Jacobs, the founder of Qualcomm, you know, to drop those in. But as, as I talked to the team about, I'm like, those are our Heather Locklears, our very special guests. Which none of them knew what that meant. And even Ian's looking at me like it's blank and I felt older than dirt. But, you know, the focus is on the young entrepreneurs or the burgeoning, they don't have to be young, they can just be new in their career as an entrepreneur, but supporting them on that journey and giving them those tools they need to build their credibility or to prove out who they are and that platform to do that on. And it's gonna be, again, those short 15 to 20 minute, great for LinkedIn content where someone can listen to it between meetings. San Diego is a very driving-around-it city, but where you can finish an episode or two on your drive between La Jolla and downtown or La Jolla and Carlsbad. Quick digestible content that also is really great for LinkedIn. So if you've listened to Bio from the Bayou, it'll be very similar, just with a broader topic array in many ways. And we'll pull on guest hosts once in a while. When it's biotech, maybe Dr. Elaine Hamm will pop on to help talk about things, and we'll do some crossovers with Bio from the Bayou. And we're in talks with the fabulous Misty Kane, who's our director of Techstars here, about popping on and guest hosting once in a while. Because, I mean, you know, I need somebody to keep me in line. They can't leave me on my leash.

I mean, that's the thing. That was my secret question. I was like, who's gonna make sure that you stay in line? Who's gonna babysit? Like, are you gonna be supervised at all is my biggest concern.

Ian's gonna have to coach Trey Burkett, our Chief Brand and Engagement Officer, on how to manage Jimmy Z. I've talked with them a little bit.

Yeah.

Have you given him an SOP yet on how to manage me? I should write an SOP, how to manage James.

That would be 15 pages.

Very long.

Yeah, it's 17 pages. Actually, it's just one. It says, don't try.

Oh, hateful. But in all seriousness, I think it's gonna be getting to know people. We talk about relationships being so important. It's helping people to build those relationships as part of that credibility by allowing folks yet another avenue to get to know them.

I love that. Honestly, this is what Bio from the Bayou originally was when it was under your purview, was it was that short piece of like doing it in between a commute or downtime between flights. I have gotten really bad about how— Ian's just gonna nod in He's like, I've gotten really bad about having some longer podcasts, which is super ironic given that I don't like to listen to long podcasts. So, I really like the bite-sized format and I'm gonna work, that's my promise to the listeners today. I'm gonna work on trying to make it shorter because I too appreciate those bite-sized pieces. There's something that I can listen to.

Are you pinky swearing that to Ian?

Yes. I'm holding up my hand.

I'm looking at you, Elaine.

Yeah. It's, well, now it's out there in the universe. I have to follow suit, honestly, and making it accessible and easy. easy. So with that, what is the tone? What is the voice? What's the, gonna be the distinct difference with this?

It's the culture of San Diego, which is similar in many ways to New Orleans, but also different. You know, they're laid back in different ways, so it will be laid back and casual, but also very open dialogue, very about lifting each other up. You know, and again, I love that we have this concept of the flow of innovation. How does innovation flow and how do entrepreneurs flow? And, The fact that we're able to perhaps broach some cross-vertical conversations as well, which could result in cross-vertical collaborations. But as we start to see kind of where those next waves are that you leap to, that maybe we can help people do that sooner than later.

I like that. So, why now? Because honestly, like, when I— it feels like the very first thing you should have done as a CEO is just come in. This is new. You knew how to do it. Like, why did you wait to this moment? It feels, it feels very thoughtful.

I think the thing that you learn as a CEO, which Elaine, you and I have had many conversations about, is that you can't just do the things. And when we did the podcast, I did a lot of it with the intel, but I was hands-on doing it. And my job is to do other things now. And we had to get the team built up and on board and ready to do this. And many of them haven't done this before. And so we've taken the time to do it intentionally. We have working again with Resonate Recordings. You all give them the shout out because they did it for Bio from the Bayou. They've done it for—

Yeah.

The Connect Current now, really amazing team to work with on podcast launches. And so we started with that and able to think through, okay, what is, what is different now about launching a podcast than it was years ago when we did it? And there are differences in what is smart strategically. And when folks listen in next week, they'll see we'll drop 3 to 4 episodes to start, which is the industry standard where before it used to be, no, you just drop one and then you do one every week. And they're like, no, you drop 3 to 4. So people will be able to get that flavor kind of right away of a few different ones at once. And the really exciting thing is we're dropping that on the day of our VC roadshow, which is the day where our cool companies first get put in front of Series A investors at Diamond Tower, right next to Petco Park. And then we take the investors over to the Home Run Deck at Petco Park for a Padres game. And as we all know, Drew Brees may be the owner of the Padres by then if things go the way they seem like they might be. So there could be a whole New Orleans-San Diego tie there, but it's really kind of, I think, a, a cool moment and it's a moment when San Diego needs to be telling its story more effectively. And this is just a really effective way to do it.

I like it. And it's waiting for the right moment and how to distinguish yourself from not just another podcast. I mean, you're not gonna have famous people. You're not gonna say, you're not gonna sell protein shakes, although maybe, you know, maybe we—

Although, yeah, maybe sponsorship. If Taco Bell wants to come sponsor— Yeah, Taco Bell is the— Live Moss.

Oh, we really never capitalized on it like we should have. Live Moss. Such a shame.

They are headquartered here.

And literally, like, the Baja Blast. You are the Baja Blast. Nope, not going to call you that. Going to take that nickname back. I hate that nickname so badly. Okay, so no protein shakes.

Thanks, Elaine M.

Can that be your new nickname, James? The Baja Blast Zanewicz? No.

No, it may not.

Oh, you put your glasses back on for that one. Okay. That's such a shame. Okay. Well, so no protein shakes, no famous people. What, who is your listener and what are they gonna gain from this podcast?

Yeah, so I think the listeners are gonna be around the globe, but I think it's entrepreneurs who wanna learn from other entrepreneurs, both about what they're doing, what their journeys are, investors who want access to the information they can give there. And also we'll have, much like we had with Bio for the Bayou, we'll have investors on talking about, hey, in 10 to 15 minutes, here's how to pitch me more effectively and here's what I'm looking for. So listen to this and come in prepared and don't waste my time. So it'll be companies listening to that and being able to get access. So it really is kind of the innovation ecosystem, but on the broader scale, because it's not just biotech. And I can see that anywhere from the young folks who are still in university or high school and see this as a path forward where they want to learn and make connections. And as you and I I always talk about, listen to the podcast and drop a LinkedIn note and say, I love that you said this in the podcast, and we'll accept your invite because you showed that you did some homework and have a reason. We're giving that generation the tool to do that. But it's also a great way to build relationships down the line. And as you met with an investor, drop it as a follow-up piece. Like, hey, as you're driving, here's a little bit more that we didn't get into in the meeting, or meeting with you next week as you're on the plane, This might help you prepare some questions that you want without having to do as much diligence. We may answer some of them and be able to get deeper. I think that's what it comes down to is, is really how do you create a tool that makes people's time together more beneficial or helps people make connections they wouldn't have otherwise been able to make?

Well, without giving us any spoilers, what kind of themes or conversations can we expect at your first episode?

Ooh, so some founders, perhaps a funder or two. So super exciting. You never know, maybe Dr. Elaine Han will drop in for a visit if her calendar allows. Like, I don't know.

I'll get back to you on that. I'm just joking. Oh my God, I'm just joking. After you stole Live Moss, I don't know if I can forgive you. That's the deal.

Did I steal it or did I adapt it for a different region?

Maybe. Well, I mean, technically, I mean, you are the Baja Blast of my heart.

Y'all should have been hitting up Smoothie King. They're in your hometown.

Oh, that's fair. Here's the thing though, like, I just don't really like smoothies. Uh-oh, now we're gonna be taken off the air.

Never gonna get a sponsor.

Never gonna get a sponsor. No, 100%. I don't want a smoothie as a sponsor. I want Taco Bell. You're not listening. I want a Gordita. I want a Taco Supreme. I want mild sauce. I want 6 packets of mild sauce per taco.

Like, mild sauce? Why not hot sauce?

I'm a baby. Hello.

What about the Mexican pizza?

I'm still a basic white girl. What are you talking about? I mean, mild is pushing it, to be honest.

You're so Oklahoma.

I'm so Oklahoma. I'm not gonna try to relate to them. What did you call them? The young people?

You're just a coyote from Oklahoma. We know.

Oh God.

You didn't think I remembered that, did you?

Can't with you. All right. Well, I was hoping for more spoilers, but we'll leave it at that. Anything else you'd like to add about the podcast or about me or about Taco Bell?

I mean, A, that you're phenomenal. B, I love the Mexican pizza and all the things. And Taco Bell was my first job.

Oh my— was it really?

It was. I got up at 4:00 in the morning and fried the tacos. It was super fun. But anyway—

I'm sorry, did they have this— I have to know. Did you use the sour cream done? Did they have those? It's back—

oh no, that was for the frontline people. I just stood back there with a vat of oil and fried tacos all day.

You back a house?

I used to back a house, girl.

Oh no.

Back a house at Taco Bell. Story of my life.

I love how far you've come. You went from back a house Taco Bell to being a CEO.

And do you see how she's helping me find a husband with all these? All like, it's very helpful. He's great. You should want to be with him.

Honey, if a man brought a Mexican pizza to me, I would be his. Let's be real.

That's That's fair. That's fair.

Let's play to your audience and your type.

Like, only if you paired it with a bougie bottle of wine, because we know, I mean, there is that. For folks who are in the Southern California region and in San Diego who, you know, hopefully are listening to this, if they want to guest, hit us up, hit Trey up. It's tre@konnected.org. Drop Trey an email and say, hey, I want to guest on the podcast and tell us why you should be on.

Poor Trey is going to get like a whole bunch of emails now.

I know. But aren't you proud of me for not being like, hey, email me. I'm like, no, no, email the person who's in charge of it. Look at me, growth.

Look at you and your growth. And if you're interested in a date with James, be sure to email him at—

Email Elaine Hamm because you gotta go through her to get to me.

I gotta be the screener. Oh my gosh. Actually, that's my favorite thing ever. I would 100% do that. I would be your swipe right or lefter.

You and Holly need to establish like a separate email, be like, you can email here and we'll let you know if you advance to the second stage.

Ooh, I love that. And then you get a rose or something, something to that effect. I love it.

What's the San Diego equivalent of a rose? I'll have to figure that out.

Is it a taco?

Live— Maybe taco, margarita. I don't know.

Fish taco. It's a fish taco.

Fish tacos are yummy. They are breakfast burritos. Ooh, no breakfast burritos.

Ooh, there you go. Oh, see, you got it. You know what your next podcast is gonna be? It's gonna be called Live Moss with James Zanewicz. Hello.

It'll be, who wants to share my breakfast burrito?

Oh, is that— you're gonna be your final rose, which is gonna be handed over that breakfast burrito?

You get the breakfast burrito. I'll share it with you.

Oh God, I would love that. Actually, I would actually literally love that. If a man came to a date with a breakfast burrito, I'm telling you, I would be here for that.

I mean, they're not just for breakfast.

They're not just for breakfast.

But anyway, so yeah, so podcast launching in a week, probably still single when it launches, but you know, you never know unless Elaine and Holly have done their job. And you never know what can happen in a week.

Yeah. Lots of things can happen.

I'm just saying. I mean, I have you looking in Oklahoma. Hopefully I have Ian looking in New Orleans. I love it. And I have San Diego looking, so.

I love it. Ecosystem is broadening out. I love it. To all of the different coasts. Perfect. Well, as always, we'll have informational links about the Connect Current podcast posted in our show notes, along with information of how you can connect with The Connect Current podcast. Make sure you check them out to learn more, and be sure to check out the new release on April 15th. Thank you once again for joining us at Bio from the Bayou.

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This podcast was edited by Resonate Recordings.