Tech Matters

More Than a Message: Debbie Rogers of Reach Digital Health

In this episode, Jim Fruchterman speaks with Debbie Rogers, CEO of Reach Digital Health. Debbie details the evolution of Reach Digital Health (formerly the Praekelt Foundation), which was founded on the insight that mobile phone penetration in Africa was leapfrogging the rest of the world. This created a unique opportunity to address systemic health challenges like HIV and maternal mortality. One of their first projects reduced "loss to follow-up" at HIV clinics from 30% to just 6% using simple SMS reminders and "please call me" technology. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how to transition from "pilot-itis" to national-scale technology that treats users with dignity and provides them with a voice. Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/messaging-debbie-rogers-reach-digital-health DEBBIE ROGERS [Co-Founder & President] Debbie Rogers's career is anchored in a special blend of technical and creative expertise, beginning with an Honours degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's in Digital Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Now, Debbie is a globally recognized leader serving as a member of the World Health Organization's Digital Health Technical Advisory Group and as Board Chair for the African Developers Academy. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/

Design as a Lifeline, Jonathan McKay on Supporting LGBTQI+ Youth with SameSame

In this episode of Tech Matters, we sit down with Jonathan McKay, the founder of SameSame, a social enterprise dedicated to providing mental health support and access to services for LGBTQI+ youth. During the conversation, we explore Jonathan's journey from graphic design and for-profit marketing to the social sector with SameSame, using anonymity to create safe, accessible pathways for young LGBTQI+ people. Listeners will learn about the unique challenges in the mental health nonprofit world and why technology—when used ethically—is a lifeline for those who'd otherwise live with no support at all. Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/design-lifeline-jono-mckay-supporting-lgbtqi-youth-samesame JONATHAN MCKAY [Co-Founder & President] Jonathan is a designer and social entrepreneur dedicated to the intersection of technology, media, and social justice. At SameSame, he leads strategy and product design to create digital lifelines for marginalized communities, building on a career that includes serving as Chief Creative and Programmes Officer at Girl Effect. With a professional background that spans high-level corporate branding to large-scale humanitarian initiatives with UNICEF and the Ford Foundation, Jonathan has successfully launched digital platforms reaching over 50 million people in 40 countries. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on your favorite platform. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/

The Farmer-to-Farmer Playbook, with Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green

Inspired by astronauts and grounded in the realities of rural India, the founder of Digital Green shares a 15-year journey of using technology to support smallholder farmers. In this episode, we hear how a Microsoft Research project grew into a global nonprofit working with governments and NGOs, first by using low-cost farmer-to-farmer videos, and now by building AI-powered advisory tools in local languages. We dig into what actually works in the field, how costs dropped for farmers using Digital Green's tools, and why partnership, farmer agency, and careful tuning of AI models matter more than flashy tech. Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/the-farmer-to-farmer-playbook-with-rikin-gandhi-of-digital-green RIKIN GANDHI [Co-Founder & CEO] Rikin was trianed in computer science and aerospace engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and MIT. After working for Oracle and Microsoft Research, he co-founded the non-profit Digital Green in 2008, using digital technology for agricultural extension in South Asia and Africa. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on your favorite platform. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/

Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Aselo [added commentary]

In this special episode, we revisit the origin story of Aselo, the open-source contact center platform transforming how child helplines operate around the world. Jim talks with Aselo's leaders, Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt, about modernizing helplines by integrating calls, texts, and social media to meet young people where they are. From global partnerships to the careful use of AI, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build trustworthy, privacy-first technology for children in crisis. Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/helplines-reimagined-dee-luo-nick-hurlburt-aselo/ DEE LUO [Director of Product & Business Operations] Dee has worked in Product Management building SaaS business software at Yext, a New York-based technology company, and has worked on pro bono projects for international social enterprises. She's been a fellow of the MovingWorlds Institute and joined Tech Matters in 2020 to lead product management for Aselo. NICK HURLBURT [Executive Director] Nick began his career developing early AI software at Amazon, and later managed software teams at Sift. He spent six years in conflict relief in Burma and South Sudan, capturing human rights, migration, and multi-sector program data. He joined Tech Matters in 2019 and now leads the technology development for the Aselo helpline project. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on your favorite platform. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/

Decolonizing Drones, with Sonja Betschart of WeRobotics

What if drones weren't symbols of surveillance and warfare, but everyday tools for local communities to protect forests, cities, and coastlines? Sonja Betschart is the co-founder of WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network. Thanks to these organizations, drones, geospatial data, and AI are being put in the hands of local experts across the Global South. From mapping shark nurseries in the Seychelles to assessing landslides in Nepal and supporting farmers in Tanzania, Sonja explains how a small, global network is turning cutting-edge tech into practical, community-led solutions. Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/decolonizing-drones-sonja-betschart-werobotics-flyinglabs SONJA BETSCHART [Co-founder & Co-Pilot] Sonja holds Master's degrees in Marketing and SME Management, and is trained in Design Thinking, Principled Negotiation, and Project Management. She received the 2024 Women in Tech Europe Award for Global Leadership and has been recognized as one of Switzerland's 100 Digital Shapers in multiple years, before being inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2022. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/