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[09:05] Introduction of Guest Louis Katz and Discussion of his Talents

• Introduction of Louis Katz, a multi talented individual with expertise in information technology, photography, and stand-up comedy.
• Louis Katz’s unique talents in information technology, photography, and stand-up comedy are highlighted.
• Louis Katz’s approach to information technology, aiming to create a world where clients have access to their needs on any device, anywhere.
• Discussion of the importance of data security and the role of cloud computing in preventing data leaks.
• Louis Katz emphasizes the need for continuous improvement in data security, acknowledging that no system is 100% secure.
• Transition to a discussion on Louis Katz’s photography background, starting with his early exposure to photography through his father, who taught him about F-stops and took him to the LA photography club at age 13.
• Louis Katz’s early experience with photography, including photographing models and learning to develop black and white film.

[22.04] Louis Katz’s Journey in Photography

• Louis Katz discusses his return to photography due to the accessibility of cameras through smartphones, particularly the iPhone.
• Louis Katz shares a personal story about his mentor, Robert Caughron, who recognized his interest in photography and gifted him professional camera equipment.
• Louis Katz reflects on the profound impact of receiving the gift of photography and feeling a sense of responsibility to honor it.
• Transition to a discussion on Louis Katz’s approach to photography, including his shift from stealthy street photography to engaging with subjects and building connections.
• Louis Katz shares a breakthrough moment in his photography journey when he started approaching people on the street and building connections before taking their photos.
• Discussion on the joy and fulfillment Louis Katz finds in photography, particularly in making connections and having meaningful conversations with his subjects.

[34.53] Louis Katz’s Comedy Journey

• Louis Katz discusses his entry into the world of comedy, which had been a dream for over 30 years before he took action.
• Louis Katz shares his experience of attending an open mic night at the Joke Gym after a friend encouraged him to perform.
• Louis Katz talks about his early struggles in comedy, including writing bits at 3 AM that he later found to be horrible.
• Transition to Louis Katz explaining the concept of an open mic night, where comedians sign up to perform for a set period of time in front of an audience, often in a bar or club setting.
• Louis Katz shares a humorous bit about being voted “Boise’s most Why don’t you just give up comic for the third year in a row?” and other comedic anecdotes.
• Discussion on Louis Katz’s alter ego persona in comedy and his upcoming performance at the Ice House in Pasadena.

[45.01] Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors

• Barry Shore and Louis Katz reflect on the interview and Louis’s journey in comedy and photography.
• Barry Shore highlights Louis Katz’s renaissance nature, being involved in multiple areas of interest that intersect in the journey of self-discovery.
• Louis Katz shares his motto from his online journal, The Courage Run: “Live large, be bold, have faith, fear nothing.”
• Barry Shore asks Louis Katz three closing questions: Will you come back on the show? What is your most fervent desire? Can I give you a hug? Louis Katz answers enthusiastically and shares his motto again.
• Barry Shore wraps up the episode, encouraging listeners to use their time to become the best version of themselves and spread kindness in the world

Oday joined IBM Consulting as the Global Sustainability leader in August 2023, bringing extensive experience in scaling businesses and a background in management consulting. Before joining IBM, Oday was the Founder & CEO of Better All Round (BAR), a B-Corp certified, innovative, ESG-focused diversified fiber-based business.

Under his leadership, BAR launched Ora Household Towel, a revolutionary product developed from initial concept to market within a year. Prior to launching BAR, Oday worked for over 20 years as a management consultant, starting his career at KPMG before moving to Accenture, where he held various leadership roles. At Accenture, Oday served as Global Head of Media & Entertainment, Global Head of Business Consulting for Communications, Media & High Tech, and Global Go-to-Market Lead of Accenture’s Analytics business.

Throughout his career, Oday has built strong teams and alliances while serving clients worldwide. In addition to his professional achievements, Oday has served as an advisor to several innovative start-ups and as a founding mentor for Henkel X.

Topics Covered:

• What is generative AI and how can it help scale sustainability?
• What will it take to bridge the gap between sustainability aspirations and action?
• What are three things every business leader should know about generative AI?
• How does generative AI help organizations collaborate better?
• Where can our listeners go for more information?

For more information please visit: ibm.com/ibv

Meet Louis Katz, the multi-talented force behind the scenes, shaping the worlds of technology, photography, and comedy with a dash of fearless humor and a keen eye for the extraordinary.

By day, Louis is your go-to Managed IT Services Provider, seamlessly guiding businesses through the intricate realm of cloud migration. Armed with tech expertise and a knack for problem-solving, Louis ensures that the digital landscapes of businesses not only survive but thrive.