Beachside Tech Talk Brings the Future to Long Beach Radio

Published: July 21st, 2025

In a world saturated with podcasts and panels dominated by jargon, Beachside Tech Talk brings something refreshingly human to the conversation. Broadcasting live from KOMY 1340 AM in Santa Cruz, California, the show is where family, faith, technology, and community collide on the airwaves.

Hosted by Ian Utile, a Web3 entrepreneur and CEO of ATTN.LIVE, alongside his son Malakye Utile, his brother Dan Thompson, media strategist Nigel Write, and technologist/former pro athlete Ted Hahs, the show weaves real stories with real-time insights on the technologies that are reshaping our world—AI, blockchain, and beyond.

Each episode draws in a unique blend of voices: tech pioneers, high schoolers, educators, parents, artists, and entrepreneurs. The result? A warm, wide-ranging dialogue that’s both deeply accessible and powerfully informative.

Unlike most tech media, Beachside Tech Talk isn’t broadcasting from a Silicon Valley echo chamber. It’s grounded in Long Beach culture and driven by a sincere mission to educate, uplift, and activate families, youth, and local communities through the lens of innovation.

Whether it’s explaining decentralized finance to high schoolers or discussing AI’s psychological impact on elementary-aged kids, the hosts approach each topic with clarity, conviction, and curiosity—no condescension, no hype.

Gen Z on the Mic: Teens Talk Tech, Sports, and Identity

In Episode 10, Malakye brought on two of his classmates from Monte Vista Christian School: Ben and Isaiah, both 16, both athletes, and both surprisingly philosophical about how technology is changing their generation.

They shared how tools like Hudl—which digitizes playbooks, records game footage, and enables slow-mo analysis—have transformed football training and performance. Isaiah also credited YouTube for helping him self-train as a wrestler and pole vaulter.

With smartphones in their pockets, they’re not just athletes—they’re creators, editors, and innovators.

A Family Affair: AI in the Home

Episodes 8 and 9 explore AI’s role not in boardrooms or venture funds, but in the home. Ian and his wife Riza Utile, opened up about raising their three boys in a world where ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Procreate are part of the daily routine.

Their kids aren’t just using AI—they’re growing up with it as a learning companion, creative partner, and research assistant.

But the show isn’t afraid to wrestle with the gray areas. Regular co-host Kristen Scott, also the voice behind Mama Bears Radio, expressed concern about the long-term effects of AI on children’s brains, referencing an MIT Media Lab study suggesting overreliance on AI could limit creativity and independent thought.

Dan Thompson added: while AI can speed up tasks, it shouldn’t hijack the natural reward loop of struggle and problem-solving—because learning is supposed to be hard sometimes, and that’s a good thing.

Decentralized Finance: A Solution for the Unbanked

In episode 9, the panel zoomed out to tackle the issue of the unbanked and underbanked—not just in developing countries, but right in Watsonville and Santa Cruz County.

Dan and Ian discussed how many legal immigrants and working-class families don’t qualify for traditional banking. Without checking accounts or credit, many resort to payday loans and check-cashing services that charge up to 25% in fees.

Blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) offer an alternative. With tools like MetaMask and Trust Wallet, individuals can send, receive, and store money securely—without relying on banks.

It’s a potentially transformative tool for financial inclusion, especially among Latino and Filipino families in California.

Santa Cruz County: Leading the Way on Ethical AI

While the national conversation around AI regulation remains murky, Santa Cruz County has taken a bold, local-first approach. Its newly adopted AI policy emphasizes transparency, innovation, and data privacy.

Nigel praised the move as an example of how local governance can lead global trends—particularly around ethical use, digital equity, and public protection.

Rather than waiting on federal guidance, the county is setting its own guardrails to balance innovation with caution—a recurring theme on Beachside Tech Talk.

Real-World Web3: Crypto Grows Up

While crypto headlines often focus on volatility, Beachside Tech Talk surfaces stories that reveal blockchain’s maturity and utility. Recent examples include:

Chris Larsen, co-founder of Ripple, donating $10 million to fund the San Francisco Police Department
WorldCoin, backed by Sam Altman, opening its first U.S. biometric verification storefront in Union Square
Paradigm, a Web3 venture fund, raising $850 million and expanding into the Transamerica Pyramid

These aren’t hype cycles—they’re signs that crypto is evolving into infrastructure.

More Than a Show—A Movement

Beachside Tech Talk isn’t just about conversation—it’s about action. The team is working to bring live programming into schools, mentor young creatives, and bridge the gap between tech leaders and California’s next generation.

Whether it’s broadcasting teenage perspectives on AI, exploring the link between faith and innovation, or inviting families to rethink education through tech, Beachside Tech Talk is a space where anyone—from kids to tech veterans—can have a voice.