Podcast guide: Get hip to Baltimore and DC's ecosystems with these storytellers
As a media organization covering entrepreneurship, technology and innovation in the mid-Atlantic, Technical.ly fully understands the power of storytelling.
So it makes sense that we know many local creators who use their own platforms to highlight the Baltimore and Maryland ecosystems' many stories and personalities.
To help anybody trying to learn more about the regional innovation scene, we rounded up a few examples of the many local podcasters who make a point of highlighting its various dimensions. From well-established figures with awards to their names to younger or newer ones that focus on different niches, these storytellers and their platforms provide a rich snapshot of the ecosystems they seek to serve.
'No Pix After Dark,' hosted by Aaron Dante
' No Pix After Dark ' started as a series illustrating lesser-known local stories of all types. It has since evolved into one of Baltimore's most celebrated podcasts, featuring interviews with many of the region's entrepreneurs, creative professionals and civic leaders. Host Aaron Dante, Technical.ly's 2024 Creator of the Year, spotlights a variety of entrepreneurs and innovators, from small business owners to leaders of major anchor institutions. Dante's tone is relaxed and engaging, offering real conversations about the hustle and setbacks these leaders experience. Throughout the run of his award-winning series, which he previously told Technical.ly will come to an end this year, Dante continues to uplift the local innovation happening behind the scenes.
'Capitalism: The Remix,' hosted by Jeff Cherry
Led by the founder of Conscious Venture Lab and the Novella Center for Entrepreneurship, ' Capitalism: The Remix ' challenges conventional ideas of entrepreneurship by focusing on purpose-driven capitalism across sectors and communities. Its 17 episodes so far feature notable guests like Gov. Wes Moore, EcoMap Technologies COO Smitha Gopal and Richualist founder and CEO Dawn Myers. The show highlights how Baltimore entrepreneurs are redefining success to center impact, inclusion, and innovation alongside profit.
'Charm City Dreamers,' hosted by Zack Garber
' Charm City Dreamers ' profiles Baltimore-based changemakers across sectors, including tech founders, nonprofit leaders, heads of local institutions and social entrepreneurs. Host Zack Garber dives into personal journeys, visions for the city's future and lessons learned from those working to make Baltimore stronger. The podcast and its motivational framing demonstrate how Baltimoreans hustle for one another. Founded in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the podcast boasts an impressive roster of guests, including public officials, athletes, nonprofit leaders and artists.
'Why Y'all Working,' co-hosted by Alairé Jameson and Michael Ogunsanya
This newer podcast explores questions surrounding motivation, resilience and the future of work. Co-hosts Michael Ogunsanya, the founder of MindStand Technologies and a graduate of the Techstars Equitech accelerator — and Alairé Jameson, a finance professional and investor, take listeners inside the lives of entrepreneurs, artists and ecosystem builders. Episodes often blend humor, serious discussions and critical conversations about what it really means to innovate, especially in smaller or less obviously tech-focused cities like Baltimore.
'CyberWire Daily,' produced by N2K Networks
This podcast is a leading project under the umbrella of N2K Networks, a cybersecurity workforce developer and media entity in Fulton, Maryland. Hosted by Dave Bittner, a longtime media professional, the show delivers daily news and analysis on the latest cyber threats, trends and developments. Episodes feature expert interviews and insights from industry professionals, bringing listeners a timely and comprehensive overview of the cybersecurity landscape. N2K Network's proximity to various cybersecurity firms and experts around the region enables them to quickly and concisely update those seeking information about this rapidly evolving field.
'Free to Bmore,' produced by the Enoch Pratt Free Library
Yet another reason to love the local library system, ' Free to Bmore ' explores civic life, innovation and leadership in Baltimore. Guests range from entrepreneurs and journalists to nonprofit leaders making an impact. Recent episodes spotlighted topics like digital inclusion, creative entrepreneurship and urban innovation.
Free To Bmore Podcast by Enoch Pratt Free Library · Al Hutchinson, President & CEO of Visit Baltimore
'The UMB Pulse,' produced by the University of Maryland, Baltimore
' The UMB Pulse ' dives deep into the world of healthcare innovation, scientific research and social entrepreneurship emerging from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Co-hosts Dana Rampolla and Charles Schelle tap into UMB's large network of local changemakers in healthcare, law, pharmacy and social work to communicate the university's local and global impact.
'Maryland — It's Better Here: Maryland Momentum,' produced by the Maryland Tech Council
The youngest podcast on this list, the Maryland Tech Council's (MTC) show largely focuses on the state's innovation economy. Its current four episodes feature discussions on life sciences, technology and economic development throughout the state. Host and MTC CEO Kelly Schulz delves into the state's national leadership in these various technology sectors, offering insights for entrepreneurs, investors, students and industry insiders alike.
'Entrepreneurs Anonymous Talk (E.A.T.) Afterwork, co-hosted by Breonna Massey and Leon 'Lee' Stanford
Led by Breonna Massey, founder of Slay Naturals, and Leon 'Lee' Stanford, owner of Digital Empath Studios, ' Entrepreneurs Anonymous Talk (E.A.T.) Afterwork ' explores the subtleties and lived experiences of young, local entrepreneurs building their businesses and brands in Baltimore. Conversational, friendly and funny, episodes cover topics such as personal development, strategy and community impact. They record out of Stanford's company's facilities, a local hub for other podcasters.
'The Monthly Blend'
Moving beyond Baltimore's borders, ' The Monthly Blend ' is a video podcast that covers the startup ecosystem throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. Cohosts Anthony Millin of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and Tien Wong of The Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum explore challenges and underlying opportunities within the regional landscape. Guests including policymakers, investors, accelerator managers and entrepreneurs discuss topics like venture capital, changes in government agencies and protocol, and the progress and success of various ecosystems.
Do you know someone else who's surfacing stories and examples of innovation in Charm City via podcasts? Let us know! We'd love to learn of other perspectives and stories. Reach out to our Baltimore editor Sameer Rao at sameer@technical.ly, or share in our public Slack!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Technical.ly
18 hours ago
- Technical.ly
Techstars announces AI Health accelerator will stay in Baltimore, with more cash for startups
Techstars' accelerator focused on artificial intelligence and healthcare will stay in Baltimore for the next few years and companies taking part can expect more cash, organizers announced Thursday. The AI Health Baltimore accelerator will host five more programs in the region. Participating startups can expect up to $220,000 in investment instead of the previous $120,000, managing director Nick Culbertson said at the accelerator's inaugural demo day at M&T Bank Stadium. Eight companies hailing from Argentina to Pittsburgh pitched their startups at the event. Innovations included using AI to detect cancer, using the tech as a between-sessions therapy assistant and having it facilitate compliance with rebate policies. No companies in this cohort were from Baltimore, and Culbertson acknowledged that. 'We really want companies in Baltimore to apply,' Culbertson told the crowd. However, he added, 'It's not just about Baltimore companies. Many of the companies who came here, came here because of the resources we have to offer, because of the ecosystem we have provided.' That ecosystem includes Johns Hopkins University and Mid-Atlantic insurance provider CareFirst — the program's key partners. Inaugural cohort urged to stay in Baltimore Lester Davis, the executive vice president and chief of staff at CareFirst, called for founders in this cohort to keep a presence in the region. 'We need you to stay here,' Davis told the crowd. 'Baltimore, the Maryland area, has everything that you need … Stay right here, invest here, build here.' AidRx CEO Tony Lee is taking that advice. He's creating a platform that enables pharmacists to work remotely and connect with patients and outpatient physicians. While completing the Techstars program, Lee from Calgary signed with three outpatient clinics in Canada to use his product. Plus, he's now working with digital health firm Scene Health in Brooklandville to use his product. Leaning into investments in health, tech Investment in AI and healthcare is on the rise for Techstars. The firm is running another health-focused accelerator in nearby DC this spring, with applications accepted now through June 11. Baltimore gets equal investment from Techstars in comparison to players like New York and London, per Andrew Cleland, its chief investment officer. Techstars is also leaning into these health and AI verticals, he said. Out of 500 healthcare investments from Techstars, a third of those are related to AI. Those companies are some of Techstars most successful. 'They've rewarded investors and owners and families,' Cleland told the crowd during a presentation. 'They've changed for our thousands of people. All that context goes into why we're here and why we're so committed to this program.' Applications just closed for the next cohort in Baltimore, and that group will start in September.
Technical.ly
19 hours ago
- Technical.ly
Telling rural tech's story: How three ecosystem leaders reshape narratives of innovation
Cities like Boston and San Francisco are the typical places associated with the term tech hubs, but rural communities are doing just as much innovation — without the recognition. At 2025 Builders Conference panel 'Innovation is Everywhere: Storytelling Strategies for Emerging Markets,' three leaders from the National Science Foundation's Regional Innovation Engines and US Economic Development Administration Tech Hubs programs discussed how they tell the stories of their communities to build up their tech ecosystems. Each of the panelists leads a federally backed tech initiative focused on regional strengths: mining in Missouri, agriculture in North Dakota and sensing tech in Montana. These hubs are part of a broader national push to diversify where innovation happens. For regions like North Dakota, the ecosystem simply has a different strategy for innovation, said Hollie Mackey, CEO of the North Dakota iAgriculture Technology Engine. The natural move is to center the communities that have been around for generations, specifically Indigenous communities, and foster cross-cultural understanding. 'Our story has never been polarization. It's never been silos. It's always been cooperation,' Mackey said. 'We can take everything we know about agriculture and the technologies and innovations embedded from time immemorial and apply those to cutting-edge research and technological advances today, to build something much better together.' Montana's story tells itself, said Tim VanReken, who leads the Headwaters Tech Hub in Montana. The nicknames 'Big Sky Country' and 'the Last Best Place' set the scene for what people will find in the state and what the land opportunities are. For innovation, it's a great place to test technologies in a rural setting and to find people who innovate, he said. 'Folks roll up their sleeves and solve problems; they make things work,' VanReken said of his region. 'It's part of that frontier spirit that's been there for generations.' Meanwhile, in southeast Missouri, the challenge isn't just perception — it's historic baggage. Kwame Awuah-Offei, who leads the Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Tech Hub, said community opinions of the project are often based on the successes and failures of other mining projects. Because it's associated with new jobs, 'mining over here is not a bad word,' Awuah-Offei said, describing what one resident told him. However, some conversations about mining often involve a 'history of broken promises.' You have to engage locally and be honest about the risks, he added. Different communities within a region all contribute perspectives For Mackey, framing the agtech engine in North Dakota as an 'emerging' ecosystem misses the point. 'We have five, six, seven generations of farmers in our communities who have been innovating long before startups and entrepreneurs and founders were concepts that we celebrate as innovation today,' she said. Her approach begins with tribal and rural voices — not with founders or scientists from elite institutions. That is the starting point for innovation, she said. 'We go to the communities first and say, 'How can we solve real, actual problems you have? How can we do that through cutting-edge research and providing the resources necessary to be successful?'' she said. 'Then we capture that story in a number of ways.' VanReken described how 'old Montana versus new Montana' is a bigger tension in the state than the rural-urban divide, especially in fast-growing cities like Bozeman. Navigating that challenge requires consistent conversations with residents. 'It's being present and letting people know they matter to what you're trying to build,' he said. 'Their perspectives, their problems, their livelihoods, their economic mobility matter to what you're trying to build.' Innovation is tied to place in emerging ecosystems As these tech hubs grow, their stories must evolve — not just for national audiences, but internally, as they balance competing voices and build inclusive narratives. Awuah-Offei pointed out that even within his 14-county tech hub, communities worry about resources being concentrated in university towns like Rolla. Despite this conflict, they all have the same goal. 'They all want the same thing. They all want the rest of the world to see the potential and the opportunity we see in our region,' Awuah-Offei said. 'We're all interested in telling that story so that we all benefit.' What all three leaders agreed on: storytelling in emerging ecosystems is about embedding innovation in place and making the case for local relevance. 'We have to build stories that have an argument, to make it worthwhile, show that we bring something to the table that you don't find elsewhere,' VanReken said. 'We connect our place to what we have to offer.'
Technical.ly
3 days ago
- Technical.ly
Commerce Department nixes ‘safety' in NIST AI institute rebrand
President Trump's cabinet continues to overhaul federal programs and initiatives, with some recent AI-related moves hitting the Department of Commerce. Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the AI Safety Institute will now be called the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI). In addition to removing 'safety' from the title of the agency, which was created under the Biden administration in 2023 to set AI standards and guidance, CAISI will pivot to focus more on national security risks and global competitiveness. 'For far too long, censorship and regulations have been used under the guise of national security. Innovators will no longer be limited by these standards,' Lutnick said in a press release. 'CAISI will evaluate and enhance U.S. innovation of these rapidly developing commercial AI systems while ensuring they remain secure to our national security standards.' The Commerce Department did not respond to request for comment, including to provide examples of 'censorship.' CAISI also houses a consortium, established in 2024, of more than 200 companies and organizations that was originally created to develop science-based safety standards for AI operation and design. The group, known as the US AI Safety Institute Consortium, includes several universities and startups from throughout the Mid-Atlantic. That group remains in operation following this announcement, but there are suspicions that it will shut down, according to a person with knowledge about the consortium. CAISI and the consortium's formation under the previous administration was spurred by an executive order by former President Joe Biden, which the Trump administration revoked during his early days in office. Priorities for this newly-renamed government body include plans to ink voluntary agreements with AI developers and companies that can pinpoint risks to national security. That strategy isn't entirely new. Under the Biden administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology — the regulatory agency, housed under the Commerce Department, that hosts CAISI — signed memoranda of understanding to undergo AI safety research with US-based AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. In these new evaluations, CAISI will prioritize looking at use cases in cybersecurity and chemical weapons, per the release. CAISI leadership will also collaborate with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and intelligence agencies to 'conduct evaluations and assessments.' This move comes as states are grappling with how to regulate AI. Nearby Virginia did not follow through with passing blanket legislation regulating the technology, and House Republicans are torn over a federal budget provision that would ban states from regulating AI for a decade.
