Ever to Conquer

About Ever to Conquer

The need to modernize and secure public sector data has never been greater. Ransomware attacks have surged over 150% since 2022, and nearly 80% of Americans are dissatisfied with government digital services. And yet, public sector technology projects routinely run 6 to 12 months late and 25% over budget. The average cost of a single lead in the public sector is 2.4 to 3.1 times higher than in the private sector, sales cycles are twice as long, and CFOs are over-forecasting pipelines by 10 to 15% each quarter. These inefficiencies drive prices up by 20 to 30%, and taxpayers are footing the bill. Only the grifters are winning. Enough is enough. The American taxpayer should be treated like a customer, not an afterthought. Changing the status quo won’t be easy. But sunlight is the greatest disinfectant, and we plan to shine a lot of light. Welcome to Ever to Conquer: The Relentless Pursuit of Public Sector Innovation–an unfiltered…(ish) podcast that pulls back the curtains on all aspects of public sector technology to give you an authentic look at how it all works. From the legislative to the executive and industry to agencies, we will explore how to overcome obstacles and accelerate your success. Your host, Jamie Grant, is a recovering lawyer, retired and reformed state legislator, former CIO for the State of Florida, and has co-founded several technology companies. With 15 years on the frontlines of public sector technology, he’s navigated every side, hit the landmines, and learned the hard lessons so you don’t have to. In each episode, Jamie engages with leaders to expose incentive structures throughout the ecosystem, unlock strategies that drive progress, introduce the art of the possible, and create real breakthroughs. This podcast was created with a purpose: to open-source our playbook, authentically share all of our experiences, to build a community of allies committed to changing the game together. Join us as we relentlessly and transparently pursue public sector innovation. Brought to you by RedLeif.

Publisher

RedLeif

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Apr 2025

Latest episode

30 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2025

   Why Every State Agency Needs a CCO with Bradon Rogers, Chief Customer Officer at Island

   In this episode, Jamie sits down with Bradon Rogers, Chief Customer Officer at Island, to talk about what it takes to build trust, lead teams, and deliver technology that actually serves people. Drawing from more than 25 years in cybersecurity and enterprise software, Bradon shares how his path from engineer to executive shaped his approach to leadership and customer success. They explore how Island is redefining the browser for the enterprise, the balance between technical precision and empathy, and why government could benefit from a true customer-first mindset. Whether you lead a team, build technology, or work with customers, this conversation will change how you think about trust and leadership.

2. 

   26 Aug 2025

   How Florida Built the #1 State University System with Ray Rodrigues, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida

   In this episode, Jamie sits down with Ray Rodrigues, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida, to talk about how Florida built and sustained the nation’s top-ranked higher education system. Drawing from his career at General Electric, 17 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, and more than a decade in the Florida Legislature, Ray explains what it takes to make higher education both affordable and high performing. They explore how Florida froze tuition for a decade, the origins of performance-based funding, the debates over intellectual diversity and DEI, and how universities are preparing for a future shaped by AI and new expectations from students and families. Whether you are an educator, policymaker, or simply someone invested in the future of higher education, this conversation will change how you think about the role of public universities.

3. 

   5 Aug 2025

   How Tech is Raising Our Children Without Consent with Dr. Lisa Strohman, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Digital Citizen Academy

   In this episode, Jamie sits down with Dr. Lisa Strohman, clinical psychologist, former FBI profiler, and founder of Digital Citizen Academy, to talk about the hidden cost of growing up online and what it’s going to take to protect the next generation. Drawing from her work in federal law enforcement, public policy, and clinical psychology, Lisa breaks down how screen time, social media, and AI are reshaping childhood, identity, and mental health. They explore why social media is more dangerous than it seems, what AI literacy should really look like in schools, and how trauma is manifesting in today’s classrooms. Lisa also shares the tools she’s building to train students, support educators, and equip parents for the digital world ahead. Whether you're raising kids, teaching them, or shaping the systems around them, this conversation will change how you think about tech and childhood.

4. 

   22 Jul 2025

   From Transactions to Trust: The Empathy-Driven Public Sector Playbook with Rajeev Bajaj, EVP of Education Solutions at MGT

   In this episode, Jamie sits down with Rajeev Bajaj, EVP of Education Solutions at MGT, to talk about how go-to-market strategy in the public sector needs to evolve from transactional sales to trusted partnerships. Rajeev shares lessons from his journey across classrooms, city government, and executive leadership, and explains why empathy, discovery, and co-design are essential for driving real change. They explore the limitations of traditional selling models, the missed opportunities when public leaders don’t assert their power as buyers, and the need for a shared space where public and private sectors can solve problems together. Whether you're building technology, shaping policy, or trying to modernize public systems, Rajeev’s perspective will challenge your assumptions and expand your playbook.

5. 

   17 Jun 2025

   The People Part of Technology is Foundational with Jon Rogers, Director of Strategic Workforce Planning at Indiana Department of Child Services

   Jamie interviews Jon Rogers, Director at Indiana Department of Child Services, who discusses building the future of public sector work by prioritizing skills and people over traditional degree requirements.

6. 

   3 Jun 2025

   A Successful Startup Co-Founder Turned VC Takes On PubSec

   Cam Doody, Co-Founder and General Partner at Brickyard, discusses building in broken markets and reimagining venture capital with Jamie, sharing his journey scaling Bellhops and evolving Brickyard in this interview.

7. 

   22 May 2025

   ​​How Next-Gen APIs Will Transform the Future of Software Integrations with Nate McKervey and Burch of Subkeys

   In this episode, Jamie sits down with Nate McKervey, CEO of Subkeys, and Burch, Prince of Puns at Subkeys, to unpack how virtual API keys are unlocking a new era of public sector modernization. Virtual API keys aren’t just a better way to manage access, they’re the foundation for a safer, smarter, and more adaptable public sector. If you’re thinking about the next chapter of government tech, this is where it begins.

8. 

   7 May 2025

   The Shocking Truth About Public Sector Procurement with Mike Vichich, CEO of Pursuit

   In this episode, Mike Vichich, CEO of Pursuit, joins Jamie Grant to talk about fixing the broken incentives in public sector procurement. From his roots in public service to building two tech companies, Mike shares how data and precision targeting can drive real transformation. If you're tired of the status quo and ready to rethink government innovation, this episode is for you.

9. 

   24 Apr 2025

   Welcome to Ever To Conquer

   Welcome to Ever To Conquer: The Relentless Pursuit of Public Sector Innovation. An unfiltered…(ish) podcast that pulls back the curtains on all aspects of public sector technology to give you an authentic look at how it all works. Your host, Jamie Grant, is a recovering lawyer, retired and reformed state legislator, former CIO for the State of Florida, and has co-founded several technology companies. In each episode, Jamie engages with leaders to expose incentive structures throughout the ecosystem, unlock strategies that drive progress, introduce the art of the possible, and create real breakthroughs.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

27

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32