Game Changers Silicon Valley

We share a highly visible, universal concern: the persistent cycle of crime, drug addiction, and recidivism.

My interview with former San Jose Mayor and current Congressional candidate Sam Liccardo, provides a deeper insight into the pernicious nature of this cycle.

Sam underscores the deep-seated connection between these elements, painting a picture of a cycle that perpetuates itself but believes it can be dismantled with strategic intervention. His insights, drawn from years in public service, propose a pivot from punitive to rehabilitative justice.

At the core of Liccardo’s argument is the significant overlap between the nonviolent prison population and substance addiction. He points out that over half of these inmates struggle with addiction, a factor often leading back to crime upon release. By reintroducing supervised release and frequent testing—a method proven successful in programs like Honolulu's Operation Hope—Liccardo believes we can break this cycle.

Liccardo's philosophy extends beyond the prison walls to address homelessness, often intertwined with addiction. He advocates for focused mental health treatment, aiming to address both homelessness and its frequent companion, drug addiction. 

In essence, Liccardo’s approach to crime, drug addiction, and recidivism offers a symbiotic solution. By treating the root causes rather than just the symptoms, he envisions a transformative change that could redefine public safety, social welfare, and fiscal policy within our communities.

Everyone agrees: We are witnessing unprecedented political polarization and deep divides tearing our country's fabric. 
Since the current leadership in Congress cannot come to terms, the voters have little option but to send a message by electing new representatives and senators to Congress.
I had an opportunity to interview a newcomer in the upcoming primary elections in California. Peter Dixon has impressive international accomplishments, entrepreneurial experience, served as a marine in combat, and a common sense approach to addressing big issues.
He believes in finding creative solutions to critical priorities and has persevered through some remarkably adverse experiences.
We will discuss the big issues: Guns, border, immigration, and the national debt. Peter understands that solutions must go beyond party lines and believes it's a fundamental responsibility that unites us all. 
Peter might be the right person at the right time. I sensed a principle-based independent thinker during our interview. 
Join me in this interview and see if you find his approach refreshingly honest.

In the run-up to the 2024 elections, Anna Cheng Kramer, a candidate for California's 15th Congressional District, captures the quintessential American narrative of the underdog. 

The story of Anna Chang Kramer, who is vying for a congressional seat in California's 15th District, offers a unique insight into the immigrant experience. Kramer's narrative, which began in Taiwan, weaves through a background of finance, integrity, and a growing sense of public duty to the community.  

Kramer’s campaign, anchored in enhancing public safety, speaks directly to the growing concerns among voters about crime and support for law enforcement.

 In a landscape where safety and justice are in the balance, her perspectives offer a clear vision for policies that strive to protect and serve the community equitably. These challenges, as Kramer outlines, demand not only strong leadership but also a thoughtful re-evaluation of current legislation.

Kramer’s viewpoints on fiscal responsibility, immigration reform, and the quest for economic prosperity emerge as pivotal discussions. Her approach to these concerns reflects a deep understanding of the community’s heartbeat and the need for leadership that can navigate the complexities of modern governance. 

No one wants to admit they are being treated for depression, bi-polar disorder or having thoughts about suicide.  The fact is, today's stressful lifestyles will overwhelm the coping mechanisms of many people.  My guest believes it's time to remove the stigma and treat mental illness "just like any other disease."

Homeless encampments in commercial districts remain a visible and complex challenge.  My guest, Dr. Peter Fund, provides insights about the extent of mental illness among the homeless.

Government officials appear unable to formulate a plan to address what appears to be a broader health crisis that extends beyond the scope of traditional medical care. Voters have voiced their dissatisfaction with these encampments, which reflects both a deep-seated concern for the welfare of the homeless population, safety concerns, and the health of the community at large. 

The responsibility for addressing this issue has often been shuffled between state and local governments, yet the onus lies heavily on county governments such as the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.  

Dr. Fung is seeking to be elected to this Board, serving the community by implementing effective healthcare policies. He has a stated focus on tackling the mental health crisis and his intent is to replicate the stroke emergency system for mental health emergencies.  Dr. Fung provides a qualified perspective on how the County could catalyze a more proactive approach to mental health. 

In today's blog, we delve into the critical role judges play in our justice system. We had the privilege of speaking with Johnene Stebbins, a seasoned deputy district attorney running for Judge in Santa Clara County. Join us as we explore the responsibilities and challenges judges face in maintaining fairness, integrity, and public safety.

We discuss the correlation between the decriminalization of drugs and the rise in homelessness. Drawing insights from our conversation with Joanne Stebbins, we explore the challenges faced by local governments in addressing this complex problem.

In 2023, approximately 3,200 venture-backed firms in the U.S. went out of business, according to data from PitchBook. These startups had collectively raised about $27.2 billion. Since the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023, this situation has been described as the most difficult year for startups in at least a decade, with many companies quietly shutting down.

So the question is: What is taking place in the early-stage investor community to navigate this re-defined landscape?  Is it business as usual or is there a new investor emphasis on quantitative tools to make better decisions on sustainable business models

Three Key Steps in Constructing the Startup Asset Class 

One fundamental building block to startup investing is defining the sectors and technologies that will fit your organization's definition of a startup asset class. A second critical step involves creating an education program to explain the purpose, risks, diversification, time horizon, and expected returns in a portfolio of early-stage technology companies. 

But what can catalyze the growth of your startup investing and the ecosystem is tapping into state funding to support innovation and economic development. 

But as many angel investor groups have discovered, it's not as straightforward as it seems. Among the challenges, you will need to identify the appropriate channels, define clear strategies, and maintain effective oversight. We're not just talking about funding here; we're discussing the art of kindling an entrepreneurial spirit that can sustain and grow an ecosystem.

In this podcast, we review how the Queen City Angels partnered with the Ohio Third Frontier Program to support the growth of a vibrant startup community. Local universities, such as the University of Cincinnati, and public corporations, such as Kroger, Proctor & Gamble, and Fifth Third Bank, made major commitments to the support and vitality of the startup community.

Universities face many challenges in their goal of educating students for engagement in the 21st century economy.

In this podcast, we delve into this transformative shift in academia, where the traditional model of university education is being reimagined and revitalized.  

The University of Cincinnati is at the forefront of this educational revolution, fostering an environment where academic knowledge meets practical application and where failure is viewed not as a setback but as a critical component of learning and innovation.

My guest is Kate Harmon, the Executive Director at the Center of Entrepreneurship. Kate discusses the strategies the University of Cincinnati employs to transform traditional academic education into an experiential journey that prepares students for the realities of the innovation-driven world. 

A Crusade for Justice

Imagine inheriting your family home, only to find a tax bill that forces you to sell. It's not fiction; it's the startling reality under California's Proposition 19. In this episode, we uncover how this law is upending lives and what's being done to challenge it.

Meet Gina C. Louis, our advocate guest driving the charge against this controversial law. Her analysis and expertise shed light on a situation that's more than just numbers – it's about preserving the inheritance structure and legacy of the family home.

In a candid conversation with our host, Jim Connor, Lydia Kou shares her journey from a reluctant council member drawn into politics by community demand to a passionate advocate for change in Sacramento.

With a focus on common sense and fiscal responsibility, Lydia Kou aims to shake up the status quo, where party interests often overshadow the needs of the people.

Her unwavering dedication to public safety and her comprehensive approach to homelessness and housing issues highlight her commitment to serving the people of California.

My guest is Gus Mattammal, a congressional candidate representing the northern part of Silicon Valley in the upcoming 2024 election. Gus's story is a testament to the American dream, having risen from a tough neighborhood in St. Louis to become a successful entrepreneur and community leader. His deep love for California and concern about its recent challenges, including population decline and loss of congressional representation, have driven him to step up and take action.

In the second part, we delve deeper into Gus Mattammal's motivations and the pressing issues he aims to address as a candidate. With a focus on housing policy, homelessness, and education, Gus shares his insights and innovative solutions for the challenges facing our state. His thoughtful approach to the housing crisis and commitment to bridging the education gap highlight his dedication to making a meaningful impact.

In an era marked by political polarization and growing disillusionment, the erosion of trust in government has emerged as a pressing concern.

Pew Research has documented a decline in public trust, which has plummeted from 75% in 1960 to a mere 20% today, as a trend that transcends political administrations and warrants urgent attention. 

This decline is not confined to any specific political party or era; rather, it represents a broader crisis of faith in our democratic institutions. As we delved deeper, it became evident that this erosion of trust is intrinsically linked to the deeply entrenched partisan politics that often take precedence over the interests of the American people. Both parties, it seemed, were playing to the gallery while the real concerns of citizens were left unaddressed.

Against this backdrop, I had an engaging and thought-provoking conversation with Rishi Kumar, a 2024 candidate for California's 16th District in Silicon Valley's House of Representatives.

We have observed and, perhaps, suffered from the gridlock in Congress.  In today's discussion, we unravel a growing concern within Congress—the increasing percentage of members over 70, many boasting 15 to 30 years of service.

This demographic tends to align with their respective political parties, often sidelining the needs and voices of their constituents. Moreover, we explore the troubling interplay between prolonged incumbency, financial backing from special interests, and potential ethical transgressions. Recent events, like the indictment of Senator Bob Menendez, serve as stark reminders of the precarious balance between political allegiance and ethical responsibility, emphasizing the need for a transformative shift in how we envision democratic representation.

Our featured guest in this episode is Rishi Kumar, a candidate with a compelling vision to represent part of California's Silicon Valley in the House of Representatives. Rishi brings a unique blend of tech-savvy perspectives and a commitment to transparency, aiming to disrupt the status quo. Join us as we engage with Rishi in a thought-provoking conversation that sheds light on the importance of representation, accountability, and ethical conduct within the heart of American governance.

AI-powered tools have revolutionized education, opening up a world of possibilities for students.

With access to vast amounts of information and intelligent tutoring systems, students can delve deeper into complex topics, conduct comprehensive research, and gain valuable insights. Chat GPT, with its natural language processing capabilities, provides students with in-depth analysis and personalized guidance, transforming how they approach learning.

However, amidst these advantages, concerns have surfaced regarding the potential drawbacks. Some worry that students may become overly reliant on AI tools, hindering the development of critical thinking skills. In a world where AI can offer seemingly flawless analysis, how do we ensure students continue to think critically, question assumptions, and evaluate information independently?

Join us as we explore both sides of the AI coin. We'll examine the remarkable benefits that AI and Chat GPT bring to high schools and universities, enabling students to navigate complex subjects and expand their knowledge. But we'll also dive into the concerns surrounding the potential erosion of critical thinking skills and explore strategies to balance leveraging AI's power and nurturing independent thought.

Since the end of World War II, the U.S. dollar has reigned supreme as the world's reserve currency, facilitating international trade and acting as a safe haven for global financial transactions.

However, the landscape is shifting, and various factors are challenging the dollar's dominance. We see several threats faced by the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency that could potentially lead to its replacement with other currencies.  

Join us as Rishi Kumar, a congressional candidate to represent Silicon Valley, District 16, in the 2024 election as he addresses the financial and economic risks as a result of our growing debt, the deficit, and the rise in crime.

Connecting the dots:

This conversation is about a unique type of dots, specifically Braille dots. Braille was invented over 200 years ago to provide a method for visually impaired people to read using combinations of six dots to represent letters and words. Books translated into Braille are available for the visually impaired.  

According to the National Federation of the Blind, fewer than 10 percent of the 1.3 million people who are legally blind in the United States are Braille readers. Further, a mere 10 percent of blind children are learning to read Braille. In addition, over 70 percent of blind adults are unemployed, and as many as 50 percent of blind high school students drop out of high school.

Enter the Cadence device by Tactile Engineering

The information tsunami brought on by the Internet left the blind and visually impaired with a significant problem. How can these individuals, including K-12 students, access education, be gainfully employed, and participate in the digital world?

Join us as Dave Schleppenbach of Tactile-Engineering.com discusses the journey to develop a digital Braille technology to provide the visually impaired access to the digital world, including digital content, games, graphics, and animation.

Fascination and fear of missing out (FOMO) appear to be the most prevalent responses to the emergence of AI engines for the general public. While Chat-GPT has gained the lion’s share of publicity, new AI engines are being announced weekly. 

Public AI engines such as Chat-GPT, Google’s Bard, and Copy.ai will address a broad range of requests, from writing a blog, writing code, writing a screenplay, and most likely creating legal documents, all subject to human review.

But the real value for entrepreneurs may be in the vertical markets, where companies have troves of data, statistics, and specifications that can be valuable to specific participants in a sector.

This podcast is the story of one company that embedded an AI component into their application specific to the automobile sector. The outcome was an unexpected boost in user and customer engagement, igniting a remarkable growth rate and providing the rationale to expand into more areas of personal transportation.

Join us as Michael Quigley discusses the decision to embed an AI engine in their vertical application serving the needs of automobile dealerships and his transition to be a managing partner at StartFast Ventures.

Silicon Valley mythology would have you believe entrepreneurs live in a world where every day is an exciting and intellectually stimulating experience.

However, before enjoying any of those positive outcomes, entrepreneurs go through several rites of passage.

The first entrepreneur rite of passage is finding that seed funding round. It's often one of the first major stumbling blocks, engaging with the venture community where you have no track record and where traction is a matter of survival.

No one really wants to talk about this experience. Many entrepreneurs have lived through that sense of dejection, depression, and the embarrassment accompanying the failure to raise that seed round.

But we found an early seed venture capital fund who was willing to be completely transparent about the qualification, key factors to engage, and the process to close a seed round. 

My guest is Amit Garg, Co-founder of Tau Ventures, who has a defined focus on early-stage startup companies that provide AI solutions for healthcare and the enterprise sectors.

Amit has been in the venture capital industry for over twenty including experience at two venture capital firms. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience investing in seed rounds, and his insights are invaluable for entrepreneurs looking to navigate this challenging stage.

You might recognize this personality in your social and dating relationships, the guy who wants to impress you, dominate the conversation, and make the decisions.

You might be concerned about a long-term relationship or an intimate relationship.  

The CDC published a study about homicide being the leading cause of death for women under the age of 44. The study included a grim statistic. Fifty-five percent of all women homicides were attributed to intimate partner violence, meaning the perpetrator was the married or unmarried intimate partner.

So the question is: are there behavior patterns in the early phase of a relationship that are indicators of coercive control and abuse? And if so, what are the methods a woman can employ to verify those behavior patterns and determine the appropriate response before committing to a long-term relationship? 

The United States has two major political parties: Democratic and Republican. Ask an American voter which one she or he sides with, and the most likely answer is: “neither.”

Recent polls say at least 4 in 10 Americans identify as politically independent, even if they tend to “lean” Republican or Democratic on the issues. Only 3 in 10 identify as Democrats and the other 3 in 10 identify as Republicans. The Gallup polling organization calls this a “near historical low” for both major parties.

In 2016, Tom Campbell, a five-term former Republican congressman, made the difficult decision to leave the party and become an Independent. The move was bold and inspiring, and it sparked a growing interest among voters in California who are dissatisfied with partisan politics. 

His willingness to leave partisan politics behind shows how people can make a difference even when they no longer hold public office, their experiences, and expertise to inform public policy decisions. 

Tom joined in a call to discuss his experiences and the five key issues affecting the Country today.

• Fairness in the media
• The Twitter Files
• The war between Ukraine and Russia
• The southern border of the United States
• The growing dissatisfaction with the two-party system

Tom Campbell teaches Law at Chapman University and is the Chair of Common Sense California (CACommonSense.org), an organization focused on creating an independent party in California.

See: https://CAcommonsense.org