[SaaS & AI Series] How AI Is Transforming Communication With Sharath Keshava Narayana

Sharath Keshava Narayana is the CEO and Co-founder of Sanas, a company pioneering real-time speech AI that helps create clearer and more natural conversations. A serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in AI and enterprise software, he previously co-founded Observe.AI and is also a founder and GP at Carya Venture Partners. Sharath, an engineering graduate and Y Combinator alum, has a strong track record of scaling AI-driven products in global markets while fostering inclusive, high-impact technology. In this episode… Communication barriers can happen anywhere — from language differences to background noise and unclear speech. As AI voice technology evolves, businesses have more ways to improve conversations at scale. But which innovations truly make communication clearer and more effective worldwide? For Sharath Keshava Narayana, a serial entrepreneur and AI innovator, the biggest breakthroughs in speech technology come from focusing on clarity and real-world usability. He highlights how AI-powered speech enhancement and accent harmonization can help sales, support, and healthcare teams communicate more effectively across different environments and languages. By listening closely to enterprise customers and iterating based on feedback, his team refined their technology into scalable solutions that improve communication in real time. He also shares how Sanas' consumer language app quickly gained traction across dozens of countries and why partnerships with telecom providers could dramatically expand access to speech AI worldwide. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Sharath Keshava Narayana to discuss AI-powered speech clarity and global communication. They talk about real-time accent harmonization, building products through customer feedback, and scaling voice technology for enterprise and consumer use. Sharath also shares lessons on mentorship, hiring mission-driven teams, and creating technology that breaks communication barriers.

David Walton is the Founder and CEO of Vayu Sleep, a sleep technology company developing custom-fit CPAP masks for people with sleep apnea. A sleep medicine entrepreneur, he previously co-founded and led Respire Medical, an FDA-cleared oral appliance company, for 14 years before its acquisition. At Vayu Sleep, David brings deep experience in medical devices, patient comfort, and practical innovation to a personalized mask platform that uses smartphone facial scanning and AI-enabled design. His work focuses on making sleep apnea therapy comfortable, accessible, and easier for patients to use consistently. In this episode… Sleep apnea treatment is only effective when patients can actually stick with it. Traditional CPAP masks are often uncomfortable, leaky, or too tight, which can lead many people to abandon therapy altogether. What would change if CPAP masks were custom-fit to each patient's face? David Walton, a sleep medicine entrepreneur with years of experience building medical device companies, explains that personalized CPAP masks can make therapy more comfortable, reduce leakage, and help patients stay consistent with treatment. He highlights how Vayu Sleep utilizes smartphone facial scanning, AI-enabled mapping, and 3D printing to create masks tailored to each person's unique facial profile. The goal is to reduce pressure, improve fit, and remove one of the biggest barriers to effective sleep apnea care. He also discusses why diagnosis is the first critical step, especially with newer at-home sleep testing options that make it easier for patients to understand their sleep health. Together, these innovations point toward a more accessible and patient-friendly future for sleep apnea treatment. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with David Walton, Founder and CEO of Vayu Sleep, to talk about personalized sleep apnea treatment. David discusses at-home sleep testing, how custom-fit CPAP masks are made using facial scanning, and why comfort matters for therapy adherence. He also shares how FDA experience shapes Vayu Sleep's path to market.

Michael Prokopis is the CEO of DARVIS, an AI-powered company transforming healthcare inventory management through real-time visibility and autonomous solutions. Under his leadership, DARVIS is helping health systems use AI and computer vision to improve inventory accuracy, reduce waste, and prevent stockouts. Prior to DARVIS, he held senior roles at institutions including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Steward Health Care. A former US Navy Surface Warfare Officer, Michael has managed $3.2B+ in spending and driven $360M+ in savings through operational transformation and efficiency programs. In this episode… Healthcare supply chains operate under constant pressure, where missing inventory can delay care, increase costs, and create major operational headaches. Yet many hospitals still rely on outdated manual tracking systems that lack real-time visibility. How can AI help healthcare systems reduce waste, prevent shortages, and make smarter inventory decisions? For Michael Prokopis, a healthcare supply chain and operations veteran, the answer lies in combining AI-powered computer vision with real-time inventory intelligence. He highlights how DARVIS uses camera-based AI systems to track thousands of medical products across large hospital systems, reduce manual labor, and prevent costly stockouts. This technology helps healthcare teams automate replenishment, improve forecasting, and respond faster during supply disruptions. He also explains how the system continuously learns and adapts to different healthcare environments, making implementation faster and more scalable. By improving visibility and accuracy, hospitals can operate more efficiently while giving supply chain leaders stronger data for decision-making. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Michael Prokopis, CEO of DARVIS, to discuss AI-driven healthcare inventory management. They explore how DARVIS uses computer vision for real-time inventory tracking, the challenges of selling technology to hospitals, and how AI reduces supply chain waste and shortages. Michael also shares lessons from his Navy and healthcare leadership experience.

Henry Park is the Co-founder and CEO of Pandoblox, a Platform-as-a-Service company unifying data, IT & security to make mid-market companies AI-ready. A serial tech entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, he has navigated major shifts like VoIP, cloud, and blockchain. He is also the Founder of Guerilla Community Movement, a nonprofit supporting at-risk youth through mentorship and rite of passage programs. Henry holds a degree in economics from UC Irvine, with a background in psychology, and an executive MBA from Tuck University.  In this episode… Sometimes the most important question about AI is not what it can do, but what it should never replace. As businesses race to automate decisions, workflows, and data operations, how do leaders keep human wisdom at the center? For Henry Park, the answer starts with building AI around people, not the other way around. He explains that his journey led him to build solutions focused on outcomes, not just tools, introducing a "service as software" model that removes complexity for growing businesses. He highlights how listening closely to customers and adapting through major tech shifts enabled long-term relevance. This approach helps companies leverage data and AI without heavy internal resources. He also emphasizes the role of mentorship in shaping both individuals and organizations, creating ripple effects beyond business. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Henry Park, Co-founder and CEO of Pandoblox, to discuss human-centered AI for mid-market growth. They explore how to adapt to tech shifts, solve mid-market SaaS challenges, and build outcome-driven platforms. Henry also shares insights on mentorship, leadership, and creating impact beyond business.

Kevin Surace is the CEO and CTO at Appvance, a company that provides AI-native software quality assurance and autonomous testing solutions for enterprise applications. He is also Chair of Token, bringing decades of experience as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, inventor, and futurist. Recognized as the father of the AI virtual assistant, Kevin has led multiple technology companies, earned broad recognition, includingbeing named Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year, and holds dozens of patents. He speaks globally on generative AI, automation, innovation, enterprise software quality, and the future of work. In this episode… AI is not just changing how software gets built — it is challenging the foundations of how SaaS companies create value, compete, and survive. As AI tools make it possible to generate code, automate testing, and streamline go-to-market workflows faster than ever, what happens to traditional SaaS moats? For Kevin Surace, a veteran technology entrepreneur, inventor, and AI pioneer, the answer is that SaaS companies must rethink where they truly add value. He highlights how AI is democratizing software creation, allowing smaller teams and even non-coders to build products that once required large engineering teams and major funding. The result is a more competitive SaaS landscape where speed, execution, trust, governance, and customer outcomes matter more than software complexity alone. Kevin also explains why enterprise companies may not abandon major SaaS platforms overnight, but startups can still disrupt incumbents by building leaner, lower-cost alternatives. He also explores how AI-driven QA can uncover bugs that human testers miss, helping companies improve software quality while accelerating productivity. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Kevin Surace, CEO and CTO at Appvance, to discuss AI disruption and the new future of SaaS. They cover how AI is transforming software development, why QA automation is ripe for disruption, and what SaaS companies must do to adapt. Kevin also shares insights on cybersecurity, identity protection, and the joy-based mindset behind fulfillment and peak performance.

Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, is the Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Fullcast, an AI-native go-to-market platform that helps companies align strategy with revenue execution. A seasoned marketing executive, she has led high-growth companies like Simplus, PathologyWatch, and Onboard from Series A to acquisition. Dr. Cook founded Stage Marketing, a successful full-funnel marketing firm, and has a PhD in Communication from the University of Utah. She is a recognized thought leader in business and healthcare marketing and has taught at ASU, BYU, and the University of Utah. In this episode… What happens when the friction between sales and marketing slows down growth, even in companies with great products? Can AI truly fix that gap — or does real acceleration still depend on how people and teams work together? And what does it take to scale revenue without losing alignment along the way? Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, a seasoned marketing and RevOps leader, explains that growth accelerates when AI-powered systems are combined with strong human alignment across sales and marketing. She highlights how Fullcast unifies forecasting, commissions, territory planning, and revenue operations into one platform to remove friction and improve execution. The result is faster alignment, clearer visibility, and more predictable revenue outcomes. She also shares how strategic acquisitions and deep data integration helped build a scalable system that still prioritizes onboarding and client relationships.  In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Dr. Amy Osmond Cook, to talk about AI, RevOps, and scaling revenue through better alignment. They discuss building Fullcast through acquisitions, using AI for forecasting and commissions, and improving sales territory planning. Dr. Cook also shares insights on onboarding, post-sale relationships, and maintaining trust during growth.

Rasmus Barfred is the Co-founder of THEMAGIC5, a company redefining athletic gear through custom-fit products powered by 3D scanning and robotic technology. He has helped grow the company into a global brand, securing investment on Shark Tank and expanding its reach worldwide. Building on this technology, he also helped launch Vayu Sleep, which applies custom-fit solutions to CPAP masks for sleep apnea patients. With a background in entrepreneurship, he focuses on scaling innovation across sports and healthcare. In this episode… What happens when a simple, everyday frustration turns into an opportunity to rethink an entire industry? How do you go from solving one small problem to building technology that reshapes how products are designed and delivered? And what does it take to turn customization into a true competitive advantage? According to Rasmus Barfred, a visionary entrepreneur and product innovator, solving the issue of poor-fitting swim goggles meant reimagining the entire process through facial scanning and advanced technology. He highlights how starting with a Kickstarter campaign opened the door to diverse user insights, which helped refine both product and software through continuous feedback loops and AI-driven improvements. This approach transformed a niche idea into a scalable system that serves everyone from casual swimmers to elite athletes. He also shares how positioning the business as a tech platform unlocked new growth opportunities and credibility. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Rasmus Barfred to discuss building a tech-driven brand in sports gear. They explore scaling through hardware and software integration, using AI to enhance customer experience, and leveraging partnerships for growth. Rasmus also shares insights on expanding their technology into new industries.

Rasmus Barfred is the Co-founder of THEMAGIC5, a company redefining athletic gear through custom-fit products powered by 3D scanning and robotic technology. He has helped grow the company into a global brand, securing investment on Shark Tank and expanding its reach worldwide. Building on this technology, he also helped launch Vayu Sleep, which applies custom-fit solutions to CPAP masks for sleep apnea patients. With a background in entrepreneurship, he focuses on scaling innovation across sports and healthcare. In this episode… What happens when a simple, everyday frustration turns into an opportunity to rethink an entire industry? How do you go from solving one small problem to building technology that reshapes how products are designed and delivered? And what does it take to turn customization into a true competitive advantage? According to Rasmus Barfred, a visionary entrepreneur and product innovator, solving the issue of poor-fitting swim goggles meant reimagining the entire process through facial scanning and advanced technology. He highlights how starting with a Kickstarter campaign opened the door to diverse user insights, which helped refine both product and software through continuous feedback loops and AI-driven improvements. This approach transformed a niche idea into a scalable system that serves everyone from casual swimmers to elite athletes. He also shares how positioning the business as a tech platform unlocked new growth opportunities and credibility. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Rasmus Barfred to discuss building a tech-driven brand in sports gear. They explore scaling through hardware and software integration, using AI to enhance customer experience, and leveraging partnerships for growth. Rasmus also shares insights on expanding their technology into new industries.

Artem Koren is the Co-founder & Chief Product Officer at Sembly AI, a company that develops AI-powered meeting intelligence technology, transforming conversations into structured insights and actionable data. He leads product vision and innovation, building tools that help organizations capture knowledge, automate workflows, and improve collaboration. With a background in systems engineering, enterprise consulting, and product leadership, he has held roles at EY and Visual Trading Systems and co-founded earlier ventures. Artem focuses on advancing human-AI collaboration by creating intelligent systems that enhance decision-making and productivity.  In this episode… Most work still resides in conversations — meetings, calls, and discussions where critical decisions are made but rarely captured in a usable way. What if every conversation could instantly turn into something actionable, eliminating the gap between talking and doing? Could AI finally bridge that disconnect and reshape how work gets done? Artem Koren, a longtime AI product leader and innovator, explains that AI can now transform raw conversations into structured outputs like proposals, reports, and workflows in real time. He highlights how capturing full meeting context allows systems to automate complex tasks, from identifying action items to generating deliverables without manual effort. The result is a shift from fragmented communication to continuous execution. By leveraging this context, teams can move faster, reduce repetitive work, and improve consistency across projects. He also notes that this approach enables smarter decision-making by preserving institutional knowledge. Over time, organizations become more efficient as AI continuously learns from their workflows. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Artem Koren, Co-founder & Chief Product Officer at Sembly AI, to talk about how AI is transforming meetings into actionable deliverables. They discuss automating sales proposals from conversations, using AI for real-time project reporting, and integrating AI into development workflows. Artem also shares insights on the rise of agentic AI and its impact on the future of work.

Solomon Thimothy is the CEO and Co-founder of Clickx, a marketing intelligence platform for brands and marketers to plan, execute, and measure all their online marketing campaigns. He is also the Co-founder of OneIMS, a leading inbound marketing and sales agency driving measurable results across industries. With nearly two decades of experience, Solomon is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author known for applying 10X strategies to help businesses scale leads and revenue efficiently. He is passionate about helping companies leverage AI to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. In this episode… What happens when your website traffic drops, leads become unpredictable, and customers start relying on AI to make decisions for them? How do you stay visible when algorithms recommend only a handful of options? And what does it really take to compete in a world where AI is reshaping how buyers discover and choose businesses? Seasoned entrepreneur Solomon Thimothy highlights the need for businesses to transition from traditional SEO to being discovered through AI-based search systems. He highlights how the buyer's journey has fundamentally changed, where authority and relevance now determine visibility. This shift helps companies stay present where decisions are being made. He emphasizes using webinars, AI audits, and clear action plans to assess positioning and improve reach. By leveraging AI tools, teams can personalize outreach, automate workflows, and operate more efficiently. He also shares practical strategies for refining sales processes and creating offers that stand out. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Solomon Thimothy to discuss leveraging AI to future-proof marketing and sales. They explore how AI is changing the buyer journey, ways to increase visibility in AI search, and strategies for scaling outreach through automation. Solomon also shares insights on improving offers and maximizing existing CRM data.