The Disruption Lab

Why Most Buildings Are Built to Fail – The Code to Sustainable Housing

Why are so many new buildings falling apart within just a few years? And why aren’t more developers building for the future? In this episode of The Disruption Lab, host Kevin McGinnis sits down with Jonathan Arnold, principal at Arnold Development, to uncover the truth about real estate’s dirty little secret—most buildings aren’t designed to last.
Jonathan shares his unconventional journey from architecture to real estate development, revealing how his Passive House projects are proving that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s smarter, cheaper, and more profitable in the long run. He breaks down:
Why most modern buildings are built to deteriorate (and how that’s costing you money)
How Passive House design slashes utility costs and extends building lifespans
Why sustainable construction is actually more profitable for developers
The hidden benefits of walkable, mixed-income communities
How Arnold’s projects in Kansas City and beyond are rewriting the rules of real estate
If you’ve ever wondered why our cities are filled with disposable buildings—and what the future of real estate could look like—this episode is a must-listen.
Tune in now and discover why the way we build needs a serious disruption.

From Paralyzed to POWERHOUSE: The Hidden Crisis No One Talks About

What happens when a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and community leader suddenly faces a life-changing injury? Instead of slowing down, Mark Irvin turned his paralysis into purpose, becoming a fierce advocate for self-advocacy in healthcare and barrier-free design in the built environment.
In this episode of The Disruption Lab, Mark shares:The shocking reality of accessibility gaps in healthcare and constructionHow he hacked the system using AI to fight for assistive techThe truth about universal design and why most homes aren’t truly accessibleHis mission to help people with disabilities not just survive—but thrive
This is more than an inspiring comeback story—it’s a blueprint for real change. If you care about innovation, inclusion, or overcoming adversity, you don’t want to miss this one.
Listen to discover how one man’s fight for accessibility is shaking up entire industries!

Why You Don’t Really Own Your Medical Records (And How The Healthcare System Failed This Founder's Son)

What if a broken healthcare system cost you the most important thing in your life? For Chris Jones, founder of MatchRite Care, that nightmare became a reality when his 5-year-old son, CJ, missed a life-saving clinical trial because of delayed medical records.
In this episode of The Disruption Lab, Chris shares how his personal tragedy fueled his mission to disrupt healthcare and put patients back in control of their own medical data. From his early career in tech to navigating the brutal realities of entrepreneurship, Chris opens up about the challenges of fighting industry red tape and what it really takes to drive innovation in a system designed to resist change.
We explore:The moment everything changed—and why Chris refused to accept the status quo.Why you don’t really own your medical records (and how MatchRight Care is changing that).The hardest lessons in entrepreneurship—team building, tough decisions, and trusting your gut.Why disruption is uncomfortable—and necessary for real industry change.How startups survive against big industry players (even when the odds are stacked against them).
If you've ever been frustrated by the healthcare system or wondered why you don’t have full access to your own medical records, this episode is a must-listen. This truly is a story about changing lives. 

Can This Nonprofit Solve Tech’s Biggest Problem?

What does it take to build a tech workforce pipeline for marginalized youth while transforming the way we think about education and career readiness? In this episode of The Disruption Lab, we sit down with Tammy Buckner, founder and CEO of WeCode KC, to uncover how her nonprofit is revolutionizing tech education and empowering the next generation of innovators.
Tammy shares her journey of founding WeCode KC to bridge the gap for students aged 7-26 who are often left out of technology opportunities. From hands-on coding lessons to leadership development, Tammy explains how the program doesn’t just teach tech—it prepares students to thrive in the workforce.
We explore:
Why WeCode KC focuses on workforce development over traditional education.
How innovative partnerships with companies like Microsoft and UMKC are driving real-world learning.
The challenges and opportunities of scaling WeCode KC beyond Kansas City.
Why teaching essential “durable skills” like communication and teamwork is critical for success.
How creating safe spaces for creativity and failure sets students up for long-term growth.
Whether you’re passionate about tech, education, or creating lasting community impact, Tammy’s story will inspire you to think big, act boldly, and make a difference. Tune in to learn how WeCode KC is shaping the future of tech—one student at a time.

The Untold Story of Google Voice: How Curiosity Fuels Disruptive Innovation

What does farming have to do with cutting-edge technology? More than you think. In this episode of The Disruption Lab, host Kevin McGinnis sits down with Lyle Paczkowski, former Sprint and T-Mobile innovator, to explore how curiosity and unconventional thinking led to over 400 patents—including game-changing technologies like Google Voice and network-based health detection systems.
Lyle shares how his agricultural background and military experience shaped his approach to solving complex problems, why simplifying technology is key to market success, and where he sees the next big opportunities in quantum computing, AI, and energy innovation.
If you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, or just someone fascinated by how big ideas become reality, this episode is packed with insights on how to turn curiosity into marketable solutions. and future trends in quantum computing ai and energy storage. 
Whether you're an entrepreneur, an innovator, or simply curious about how big ideas become reality, this episode offers valuable insights into turning curiosity into practical solutions—and what the future holds for quantum computing, AI, and energy storage.

How Filmmaking Can Reduce Gun Violence and Unite Communities

What if filmmaking could do more than entertain—what if it could drive real social change? In this episode of The Disruption Lab, host Kevin McGinnis sits down with Khalid Abdulqaadir and Corey McCartney, founders of AGA Productions, to explore how they’re using film as a powerful tool to unite communities and spark meaningful conversations.
Discover how AGA Productions blends storytelling with social impact, engaging local talent and using filmmaking to address critical issues like violence prevention and community development. Khalid and Corey also dive into the challenges filmmakers face when navigating outdated tax incentives and the lack of industry infrastructure—and why modernizing film tax credits could unlock massive growth for local economies.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
How filmmaking can be used as a tool for social change and community engagement
The role of film tax credits in attracting productions and boosting local economies
The challenges independent filmmakers face in building sustainable film industries
Strategies for blending artistic storytelling with social impact
How AGA Productions is redefining the purpose of film beyond entertainment
If you're passionate about filmmaking, storytelling, or how creative industries can drive social progress, this episode is a must-listen.

Why Most Startups Fail—and How Cypher Beat the Odds to Scale Fast

What does it take to bridge the gap between small businesses and the capital they desperately need?
In this episode of The Disruption Lab, we’re joined by Jannae Gammage and Alaia Martin, the powerhouse co-founders of Cyphr, a tech startup revolutionizing small business financing through AI and data innovation. Jannae and Alaia share their inspiring journey of building a borrower-centric platform that’s already transforming how entrepreneurs access funding.
They open up about their early entrepreneurial experiences, from Jannae’s teenage ventures to Alaia’s success scaling and exiting her first business. Together, they’ve tackled the complex world of small business financing with Cyphr, now a profitable and fast-growing startup.
We explore:
The biggest mistakes small business owners make when seeking funding—and how to fix them.
Why customer discovery is the secret weapon for startup success.
The challenges and opportunities in Kansas City’s innovation ecosystem.
How complementary co-founders can supercharge a business.
The mindset shifts required to navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
Whether you’re a founder, a small business owner, or someone curious about the future of AI-driven startups, Jannae and Alaia’s story is a must-listen. Tune in to uncover their unique strategies, actionable insights, and bold vision for 2025.

From Smart Roads to Smarter Startups: A Blueprint for Entrepreneurial Resilience

What does it take to bounce back after a decade-long startup journey hits a dead end? In this episode of Founder Stories, we sit down with Tim Sylvester, a serial entrepreneur who turned a failed vision of smart roadways into a cutting-edge tech company tackling the rise of internet bots.
Tim opens up about his earliest ventures, including selling custom CDs in high school, and how those experiences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. He shares the highs and lows of building Integrated Roadways, a bold attempt to transform public infrastructure, and the lessons he took into his newest venture, PaynPoint Inc.
We explore:
Why failure isn’t the end—it’s the start of your next big thing.
The critical role co-founders play in startup success.
How Kansas City’s startup ecosystem stacks up against Silicon Valley.
The untapped revenue potential of bots and automated web traffic.
Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, Tim’s story will leave you inspired to rethink challenges as opportunities. Tune in to discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones and build a stronger, smarter business.

Why This Founder Thinks Kansas City Needs to Step Up Its Game

What does it take to scale a company and disrupt the analytics industry? In this episode, Learie Hercules, founder and CEO of Heft iQ, shares his incredible journey from growing up in Trinidad and Tobago to revolutionizing how companies harness data with AI agents. Now based in Kansas City, Hercules isn’t afraid to challenge the local startup ecosystem and share what needs to change for the region to thrive.
Topics Covered:
Why most companies fail at turning data into actionable insights.
How Learie’s global background shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.
The bold vision behind Heft iQ’s auto-generated dashboards and Tableau-killer tools.
Why Kansas City’s startup scene needs a shake-up to compete nationally.
His advice for founders, from scaling strategies to mastering investor conversations.
Listen to discover the mindset and strategies needed to build a high-growth company, navigate startup challenges, and create game-changing innovation.

This Entrepreneur Took on the DMV… and Won: Lessons from a GovTech Founder

What does it take to build a game-changing company in an industry as challenging as GovTech? In this episode, John Thompson, founder and CEO of PayIt, shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting with zero customers to scaling a company that transforms how governments serve their citizens.
Topics Covered:
The challenges of disrupting an old-school industry.
Navigating the tough early years without a single customer.
Building a mission-driven company while staying true to his vision.
Why he rejected Silicon Valley investors to keep PayIt in Kansas City.
His advice for startup founders, including the importance of grit and action.
Listen to learn what it takes to innovate in the public sector, secure funding, and lead with purpose.