Podcast Summary: Right About Now with Ryan Alford
Episode: From Gaming to Tech: Veronica Shelton’s Story
Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Ryan Alford
Guest: Veronica Shelton (Co-founder, Oak Theory)
Overview
This episode features an in-depth conversation with Veronica Shelton, co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative tech studio. Veronica shares her unique journey from gaming and product design to launching innovative tech projects. The discussion explores diversity and accessibility in tech, the impact of AI on the workforce, leadership philosophy, and the psychological implications of rapid technological change—especially for younger generations.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Veronica’s Background and Oak Theory’s Mission
[02:29]
- Veronica describes Oak Theory as a “creative tech studio” that builds products, software applications, and digital experiences:
"We're calling ourselves a creative tech studio because product design has gotten so big. But basically, we build products, software applications, digital experiences and just flow with it full service." (Veronica Shelton, 02:29)
[04:04]
- Veronica explains how being a woman of color and neurodivergent (autistic, level one) has shaped her perspective and ability to innovate in tech:
"I feel like it's been such a superpower because I have a perspective that not a lot of people have because of who I am." (Veronica Shelton, 04:04)
2. Diversity, Accessibility, and Human-Centric Technology
[05:40 - 10:54]
-
Veronica and Ryan dig into how diversity influences the creative and technical process at Oak Theory.
“A lot of times with clients when they come in and they meet Hannah and I, Hannah is Korean, I'm black, we’re both women. People do not expect us to be who we are because of the biases and shit that’s out there.” (Veronica Shelton, 05:56)
-
Veronica shares past work with Disney, Sephora, Google, and others—directing children’s books, championing authentic representation in marketing, and designing diversity supplier platforms:
"With Sephora, it was like ... if we look at numbers, this is not what they all look like. You're using models that have a look that's not commercial enough for it to probably attract the demographic you're going for. Here's numbers to prove what I'm saying so it doesn't sound stupid." (Veronica Shelton, 07:50)
-
The conversation reframes “diversity” as encompassing not just race, but age, ability, and more—leading into accessibility as the key goal:
“Tech is only as good as how easy and accessible it is for the use. Otherwise it’s a waste.” (Veronica Shelton, 09:56) “Accessibility is really what it’s about… it’s making complex things accessible to diverse groups that might not always be representative or thought of.” (Ryan Alford, 10:09)
3. The Shift to Human Impact and Psychological Focus
[11:48 - 17:22]
-
Veronica discusses “Under the Oak,” a new Oak Theory media project focused on the human and psychological side of tech and AI, inspired by her own need for “a breakaway” from high-efficiency, profit-driven tech projects:
“We wanted a place where we could talk about those things openly and more from an emotional side.” (Veronica Shelton, 12:40)
-
She highlights the speed at which technology is changing, noting AI’s influence on critical thinking skills and youth development:
“Our youth are going to lose a huge part of … cognitive abilities. They're not going to have the same critical thinking skills that we have... Now we're at a place where technology is now having expectations of us.” (Veronica Shelton, 14:00–15:25)
-
Ryan reflects on the shift from analog to digital to generative tech and the need for intentional, human conversations (not just AI-driven ones):
“You shouldn't be having all those conversations with AI. Those conversations need to be had among humans who are experiencing things.” (Veronica Shelton, 17:13)
4. Behavioral Design, Psychology, and Technology Adoption
[18:05 - 20:15]
- Veronica and Ryan discuss the psychology of marketing and how design choices—color, nostalgia, store layout—affect consumer behavior:
“There's a psychological side to it. Target alone... her job is to make maps for the store that increase sales.” (Veronica Shelton, 18:33) “There's a reason the candy is where it is, too... and kid level, it's short on purpose.” (Ryan Alford, 19:49 - 19:57)
5. AI, Team Structure, and the Fluid Workforce
[20:29 - 30:32]
-
Veronica outlines how AI is reshaping roles at Oak Theory—moving from siloed jobs to a more fluid, cross-disciplinary team, enabling cost savings and increased output:
“Designers are now able to develop a lot easier, sales, copywriters, people who weren't naturally creative, are able to create. It's creating such a fluid space in work environments that it's ridiculous.” (Veronica Shelton, 22:07) “We've replaced our team in the past year... it saved us mid six figures. And in that we've been able to do so much more...” (Veronica Shelton, 22:40)
-
Both Ryan and Veronica agree on the need for teams to embrace change, learn new tools, and expand skill sets—or risk obsolescence:
"If you don't, then we can't do anything now together. And I feel like that's what's happening now. We're moving over to this new way of thinking.” (Veronica Shelton, 26:13 - 26:55) “For me, I've loved it. Not because my employee costs are lower. I loved it because how much more productive and how I could think and spend more time on the stuff that matters.” (Ryan Alford, 29:09)
6. Leadership Philosophy: Humility, Honesty, and Adaptability
[30:32 - 31:44]
- Veronica shares her leadership style—emphasizing humility, honesty, and the importance of dropping ego to empower teams:
“Leave your ego at the door and always be straightforward and honest. I don't think I'm smarter than anyone on my team or else why the hell would they be there?” (Veronica Shelton, 30:35) “Each one of those people on your team are building your dream and you're giving them freedom... I offer freedom tokens, pay you for what you're doing. That's the trade off.” (Veronica Shelton, 31:11)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On breaking stereotypes:
“I don't need another dorky 27 year old guy telling me something about tech. Oh, like that seems a little cookie cutter.”
(Ryan Alford, 04:46) -
On adapting in the workplace:
"We had designated spaces... designers were designers, engineers were engineers... now that we're in this new place for the past year, designers are now able to develop a lot easier... Our Mondays and Thursday meetings are the most amazing things I've ever seen because they're touching so many things now."
(Veronica Shelton, 22:00-22:39) -
On technology’s speed and psychological impact:
“We went from cassette tapes to now music being pulled out of thin air. We've adapted really quickly, but now we're in a place where adapting is insane. It's faster than that.”
(Veronica Shelton, 14:28) -
On future technology trends:
“Right now the biggest thing that everyone’s talking about... is AI... my excitement honestly goes into something that I think we're not going to get to for a while, but it's AR... that's going to be the cell phone of just having augmented elements in reality, in our real world.”
(Veronica Shelton, 20:38)
Timestamps: Important Segments
- Intro & Veronica’s Background — 01:47–02:44
- Diversity, Representation, and Accessibility — 03:52–10:54
- Disney, Sephora, Google Projects — 06:51–08:58
- The Psychological Side of Tech; Under the Oak Project — 11:48–17:36
- Marketing Psychology in Retail Environments — 18:05–20:15
- AI’s Workforce Revolution and Adapting Teams — 20:29–31:44
- Leadership Philosophy and Team Dynamics — 30:32–31:44
Where to Follow Veronica
- Oak Theory: [oaktheory.co / oaktheory.ceo]
- Under the Oak: [undertheoak.co]
- Instagram/LinkedIn: @VerShelton (Veronica Shelton)
Tone:
Conversational, no-B.S., upbeat, and rooted in honest insights. Both host and guest keep it real, offering pragmatic perspectives on business, technology, and the human side of innovation.
This episode is a must-listen for founders, team leads, marketers, technologists, and anyone grappling with the future of work, inclusivity, and tech’s impact on society. Veronica’s journey and mindset model the kind of adaptable, empathetic leadership today’s digital world demands.