Main Street Minds: Success Beyond Limits with Amish Munshi

In this episode, Amish chats with embedded systems expert Mark Meyer, whose journey through decades of firmware engineering is packed with valuable insights for anyone in or entering the tech industry. From his early days working with PDP-11 mini computers the size of phone booths, to today’s microcontrollers and System-on-Chips (SoC), Mark reflects on how tools, technology, and even job design have evolved—but also how the fundamentals have remained surprisingly steady.
Mark shares wisdom on:
Why your first job can shape your entire career
How embedded systems haven't really changed at their core
The three layers of embedded software architecture
The future of hardware/software interaction in fields like robotics and quantum computing
How design—not just code—is what really matters in embedded engineering
If you're curious about how hardware and software intertwine, or want a grounded take on career longevity in tech, this is the episode for you.
 
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In this insightful conversation, host Amish Munshi sits down with Nicholas Relation, founder of a Vermont-based managed IT services company that supports businesses across the U.S. Nick walks us through the early days of his tech journey, how a neighborhood computer fix led to a decades-long career, and what it’s like running a scalable, secure, cloud-first IT business today.
Nick shares how his team acts as the outsourced IT department for small businesses, typically in the 10–15 employee range, helping clients simplify, standardize, and secure their operations. From Microsoft 365 and Azure migrations to automations and cybersecurity via Sophos, Nick explains how the right systems—and great documentation—can drive big business impact.
He also dives into career advice for aspiring tech pros, how AI is changing the game, and why location doesn’t matter anymore when it comes to building strong teams or serving customers. If you're a founder, tech leader, or just someone curious about the business of IT, this episode is packed with real-world insights.
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What happens when death care meets digital transformation?
In this eye-opening episode, Amish Munshi sits down with Christine Dziedzic, founder and CTO of MissUMuch.com, to explore how she’s reimagining the future of funeral services, grief support, and memorial experiences.
Christine shares her decades-long journey in the funeral industry, starting in the early 2000s with brick-and-mortar operations, leading up to launching cutting-edge digital offerings like Bereavemently.ai — an AI-powered grief companion available 24/7. She explains how immersive technologies, virtual spaces, and community-centered memorials are revolutionizing the way we say goodbye, and how her work supports families emotionally and financially during one of life’s most difficult moments.
Christine also gets real about navigating outdated industry practices, embracing tech as a tool for empathy, and helping people prepare for one of life’s most certain events: death.
This is not just an interview — it’s a movement. Get inspired by how one woman is making death care more compassionate, accessible, and future-ready.
What You’ll Learn:
Why AI has a heart when used right
How death care is evolving into Death Care 5.0
The emotional and financial cost of outdated funeral practices
How immersive memorials and drive-in funerals work
Christine’s bold vision for global, digital grief support
Enjoyed the episode?Don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave a review!
 
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From engineering in Mumbai to building AI startups in Silicon Valley, Shishir Khedkar's story is a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and purpose. In this episode, Shishir joins Amish Munshi for a deep-dive into his three-decade-long career journey—from pioneering financial trading tech to leading AI innovation at ScoreData. He shares how he navigated pivotal moments at Selectica, his experiences with IPOs, offshore development, and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Shishir also offers grounded advice for those exploring careers in AI, explaining key trends like prompt engineering, LLM drift detection, and how to break into this fast-growing field. He stresses the importance of continuous learning, developing soft skills, and approaching money with balance and long-term vision.
You’ll hear about:
Shishir’s early innovations in financial tech
Lessons from scaling startups to IPO
How AI is reshaping industries—from venture capital to politics
His take on the future of AI, including red-teaming and ethical testing
Career and mindset advice for new grads and tech professionals
 
 
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In this episode of The Mainstreet Minds Podcast with Amish Munshi, we sit down with Jayanth Kumar, a dynamic force in the world of tech and entrepreneurship. From earning degrees at IIT Bombay and UCLA to building system architectures at Amazon, Jayanth shares his journey of taking risks, staying curious, and following passion over predictability.
Jayanth dives into his latest venture, Turl Street Group, a startup bringing data-driven intelligence to real estate and capital markets. He also discusses his two books, including System Design on AWS, a comprehensive resource for tech professionals looking to master real-world system architecture.
You’ll also hear about his philosophies on risk-taking, his favorite tech hacks, why he believes system design is a “disciplined art,” and how he manages to balance creativity, coding, and caring for stray animals.
Key Takeaways:
The power of taking early-career risks
Jayanth’s unique career path from big tech to startup leadership
Real-world applications of Gen AI in real estate tech
How system design principles can create large-scale masterpieces
Why technical professionals should take control of their careers and finances
Jayanth's personal website to reach - https://jaykmr.comTurl Street Group's website (https://turlstreetgroup.com)Turl Street Group's (TSG) first product - Gathergov (https://gathergov.com)
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In this episode, Amish Munshi welcomes Michael Kris, a seasoned developer and robotics engineer with nearly two decades of experience in tech, leadership, and startups. Michael shares his journey from coding games as a teenager to leading innovation in humanoid robotics for logistics and warehouse automation. He dives deep into what makes autonomous systems work, the real-world challenges they face, and the future of robotics and self-driving cars.
Amish and Michael explore critical ideas around engineering ethics, real-time systems, and the human dynamics that shape careers in tech. Michael also opens up about his passion for mentoring others, building community connections, and his initiative to create a job-matching tool for the tech world.
Key Topics:
The evolution of robotics and real-time AI systems
The human factors behind autonomous vehicle development
How to navigate your career in tech and build meaningful relationships
Tips for anyone looking to get started in robotics, AI, or engineering
The importance of mentorship, networking, and helping others
 
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In this episode, Sai Harsha Vinay Kudikala shares a journey that’s both personal and powerful—from growing up in Hyderabad, India to becoming a senior software engineer at Geico in the U.S. Sai reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his passion for tech, from his early experiences with HTML and Java, to working in data governance, and embracing challenges during layoffs. He also opens up about improving his mental and physical health, the power of networking, and his mission to stay grounded in fundamentals despite rapid advances in AI.
Whether you're an aspiring tech professional or just someone navigating life's curveballs, Sai's story is full of real-world insights, motivation, and practical tips you don’t want to miss.
What We Cover:
Sai’s early spark in tech and his passion for learning
The importance of data governance and working in the “data police” space
How AI bias and guardrails affect our digital future
Lessons from getting laid off and landing a new role in just weeks
Building discipline through fitness, social media management, and continuous self-growth
 
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From dreaming of becoming a writer to leading groundbreaking tech innovations, Lee Williams has traveled an unexpected and inspiring path. In this episode of Mainstreet Minds, host Amish Munshi sits down with Lee to explore his incredible journey—from coding at UC Berkeley to holding C-suite roles at global tech firms like Palm and Nokia.
Lee shares how a college guidance counselor nudged him toward software development, leading to his early work on operating systems and some of the very first smartphones and tablets. He opens up about the importance of bridging the gap between technical and business teams, and how that became the foundation for his leadership style. You'll also hear Lee’s take on AI's current wave, the rise of "reasoning" in artificial intelligence, and what’s coming next in human-AI interaction.
Whether you're starting your tech career or looking to stay ahead of industry trends, this episode is packed with insight, real talk, and plenty of wisdom from someone who’s been at the forefront of multiple tech revolutions.
Guest Bio:Lee Williams is the founder of Edelleye, a forward-thinking technology agency focused on product innovation, marketing tech, and helping companies scale with purpose. Lee has held executive roles including SVP, CTO, and COO, and previously led product innovation at Palm and Nokia. He is also Vice Chair at Elder Wisdom Circle, an organization providing anonymous advice to people across the globe.
 
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In this episode of The Mainstreet Minds Podcast, host Amish Munshi sits down with Steve Soto, the CTO of The Breezy Company, to talk about his journey in technology, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Steve shares his experience of selling his first software as a teenager in 1979, navigating the waves of technological evolution, and how he now helps businesses establish their authority online.
From the challenges of staying relevant in digital marketing to the impact of AI on industries, Steve provides a wealth of insights on how businesses can leverage technology for growth. He also discusses his approach to investments, the future of tech careers, and the importance of adapting to industry shifts.
Key Takeaways:
How Steve's early passion for technology led to a lifelong career in tech and entrepreneurship.
The mission behind The Breezy Company and how it helps businesses maintain a strong online presence.
The evolving landscape of digital marketing and why B2B companies should shift focus to LinkedIn.
AI's role in customer service and how it’s transforming industries.
Steve’s investment philosophy and why he bets on himself.
Advice for those starting a career in tech and how to stay ahead of the curve.
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In this episode of The Mainstreet Minds Podcast, we sit down with Dharmesh Shah to explore his incredible journey in the tech industry. From launching a consulting firm in India to leading a $55 million business unit in the U.S., Dharmesh shares his insights on career growth, leadership, and navigating the fast-changing world of technology.
Dharmesh opens up about the challenges of managing a consulting business, transitioning into product-driven roles, and adapting to industry changes. He also reflects on his decision to move to the U.S. for career and family reasons, offering valuable lessons on balancing professional ambitions with personal responsibilities.
We dive into the evolving landscape of IT, the importance of continuous learning, and how AI is shaping the future of software engineering. Dharmesh also shares his thoughts on financial management—how tech professionals should think differently when it comes to investments and wealth-building.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a tech leader, or someone looking for career inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.
 
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