Episodes

What does it take to revolutionize an entire industry while staying true to your roots? Join host Jeff Cluff in this captivating episode of the Four Fs Podcast as he engages in an authentic conversation with Matt Alston, a dynamic entrepreneur from McGrath, Alberta, Canada. Matt's inspiring journey from a small-town upbringing to the helm of a successful tech business, Surex, offers invaluable entrepreneurship lessons that resonate with anyone looking to make their mark in the world. Throughout...

What do broken surfboards, cattle ranches, and spreadsheets have in common? For David Porter, a senior executive at ServiceNow and former U.S. Army Ranger, they each taught him something essential about resilience, decision-making, and the pursuit of purpose. In this episode of The Four F’s Podcast, host Jeff Cluff sits down with David to trace an unconventional path — from surfing the North Shore of Oahu to leading elite teams in combat and now steering global operations in tech. David shares...

What does it take to reinvent yourself six times—and still lead with purpose?In this episode, Jeff sits down with Gina Tesla, a global tech executive and social impact leader whose journey has taken her from Queens to the Peace Corps to leading corporate social responsibility at IBM, Microsoft, and Coupa Software.Gina opens up about:💡 How her humble start and community college education shaped her global career🌎 Life lessons from two years in the Peace Corps in Panama🏢 Building IBM’s Corporate S...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform curiosity into a thriving career in entrepreneurship? Join us on this captivating episode of the Four Fs Podcast as host Jeff sits down with Kevin Schreck, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Elevate Consulting and Elevate Innovations. Kevin's journey from a math-loving child in Southern California to a successful entrepreneur managing multiple startups is not just inspiring; it’s a masterclass in resilience and innovation. Throughout this authe...

How is the economy being reshaped by the dual forces of AI technology and shifting educational priorities? Join host Jeff Cluff as he engages in an authentic conversation with Dr. Gordon Bodnar, a renowned expert in international finance and esteemed professor at Johns Hopkins University and the Wharton School. This episode of the Four Fs Podcast dives deep into the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and the economy, revealing how students today are redefining their path...

What does it take to transform from a Texas tennis player into a tech trailblazer in the world of cybersecurity? Join host Jeff Cluff on the Four Fs Podcast as he dives deep into an authentic conversation with Andreae Pohlman, a remarkable cybersecurity expert and Air Force veteran, affectionately known as Dr. Dre. Andreae's inspiring journey is a testament to resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of a purpose-driven career in technology. From her early fascination with gadgets to her impress...

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Mike Owen—a former Microsoft engineer whose 18+ year tech career started in a unionized grocery store and ended with an unexpectedly powerful final act. Mike shares how he rebounded from a rare “zero rewards” performance review, how a blood transfusion changed his life (and his commitment to donating), and why he became a vocal advocate for salary transparency, mental health, and reverse mentorship at one of the world’s biggest tech companies. From surviving u...

Worms, Y2K, and Wine Cellars. How Chris Walker helped Solve for some of the most prolific Internet Worms in history is much more than BASIC. From Dartmouth’s BASIC revolution to Microsoft’s Y2K firefight, Chris Walker helped shape the digital world in ways most users never see. In this candid conversation, he opens up about navigating billion-dollar bugs, surviving worm outbreaks, and why being escorted out of Bill Gates’ backyard wasn’t even the weirdest part of his job. Packed with wit, wisdo...

An artist’s evolution: How theater and the arts shaped Jan Nelson’s career in technology Jan Nelson’s journey spans software revolutions, spiritual resilience, and cosmic creativity. In this episode, Jan reflects on the tension between artistic calling and tech industry demands, recounts surreal Microsoft moments, and explores how his artwork became part of the Lunar Codex. From geometries inspired by Bucky Fuller to navigating a career “interrupted” by innovation, Jan shares stories that stret...

Step into the world of early tech pioneers with a former Microsoft leader who turned project failures into career-defining wisdom, helped launch a vaccine finder during the pandemic over a long weekend, and still managed to teach at the University level! From debugging with punch cards to shutting down airspace for Bill Gates’ wedding, this episode captures the grit, humor, and heart of a remarkable life in and around technology. If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll lo...