Podcasts about ctos

On this episode of the Construction Dorks, we continue what we're calling the FreeTO project. Real conversations with current and future CTOs to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to be a construction CTO: the wins, the losses, the lessons learned, and the stories nobody tells you going in. For this one, though, it was just the Dorks. We needed to get our rants out before we make room for the guests. So this is one of those..

Carmen Li spent decades in financial services across trading floors and data companies before spotting a massive inefficiency in the AI/compute economy. After managing global data partnerships at Bloomberg, she witnessed AI startups struggling with unpredictable compute costs that could swing their margins from healthy profits to devastating losses overnight. Drawing parallels to how airlines hedge oil prices through futures markets, Carmen realized that compute—despite being one of the fastest-growing commodities—lacked basic risk management tools. Within months of leaving Bloomberg, she built Silicon Data into the world's first GPU compute risk management platform, raising $5.7M without ever creating a pitch deck and publishing the industry's first GPU compute index on Bloomberg Terminal. Topics Discussed: The systemic problem of compute cost volatility destroying AI company margins Why compute lacks the risk management tools available in every other commodity market Building the world's first GPU compute index and benchmarking service Raising venture capital without pitch decks through product-first demonstrations Operating as a solo non-technical founder leading a team of engineers The unique buyer dynamics when selling to CTOs, portfolio managers, and AI researchers simultaneously GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Price on value, not cost, and let customer conversations reshape your understanding: Carmen admits that every client conversation changes her valuation of the product's impact, typically making it bigger than initially thought. She prices based on the value delivered rather than cost structure. B2B founders should remain flexible in their value proposition and pricing as they learn more about customer impact through direct engagement. Product demonstrations beat pitch decks for technical buyers: Carmen raised $5.7M without ever creating a pitch deck, instead letting prospects interact directly with her product and writing a simple memo. For technical products solving complex problems, demonstrating actual capabilities often proves more effective than polished presentations. B2B founders should prioritize building working products over perfecting sales materials. Embrace being the "dumbest person in the room" for learning velocity: Carmen describes consistently being the least technical person in rooms full of CTOs, AI researchers, and GPU experts, but leverages this as a learning advantage. She asks hard questions and co-creates products on the fly based on these conversations. B2B founders should view knowledge gaps as opportunities for rapid learning rather than weaknesses to hide. Target systemic problems that span multiple sophisticated buyer types: Silicon Data serves everyone from chip designers to hedge funds to AI companies, requiring Carmen to handle technical GPU questions, financial modeling queries, and AI workflow concerns in single meetings. This breadth creates natural expansion opportunities and defensibility. B2B founders should look for problems that affect multiple stakeholder types within their target market. Leverage unique background intersections to spot obvious-but-overlooked opportunities: Carmen's combination of financial services expertise and data company experience let her quickly identify that compute needed the same risk management tools available in every other commodity market. The solution was "extremely intuitive" to her but invisible to others. B2B founders should examine how their unique background combinations reveal opportunities others might miss.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

"Organizations are eager to adopt AI — but 71% of leaders say their workforce isn't ready." — Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader, Network and Edge, Kyndryl At Cisco Live 2025 in San Diego, Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader for Network and Edge at Kyndryl, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to spotlight a critical — and often overlooked — component of AI transformation: people readiness. While 95% of enterprise leaders say they're using AI, Kyndryl's latest People Readiness Report reveals a stark disconnect: 71% of those same leaders believe their workforce is not prepared to make full use of the technology. As the world's largest IT managed services provider, Kyndryl supports global enterprises with full-stack IT solutions — and people remain at the heart of that mission. “Our 80,000 engineers and technicians are on the front lines of IT transformation,” said Savill. “Understanding how ready they are — and helping them become more ready — is essential.” The report, based on a global survey of CIOs, CTOs, and CEOs, also uncovered tension at the executive level: 43% of CEOs said external hiring is the top strategy for bridging AI skills gaps. But only 16% of CIOs/CTOs agree, instead prioritizing internal reskilling. According to Savill, this internal approach includes developing cross-functional expertise, especially as networking, security, and cloud operations rapidly converge. “We're merging roles, job descriptions, and even operational centers,” he noted. “Networking professionals need to understand security. Security teams need to understand cloud.” Savill also emphasized the importance of breaking down silos to prevent cloud misconfigurations — a leading cause of security breaches. “Misconfigurations often stem from a lack of collaboration across teams. Training people to work across domains is critical.” Kyndryl's work with Cisco, particularly in data center networking and edge services, now extends into AI and even quantum computing readiness. These next-gen technologies, Savill warned, require not just platform adoption but deep workforce transformation to be deployed securely and effectively. As AI adoption accelerates, data quality becomes the cornerstone of success. “You can't train an effective AI with bad data,” said Savill. “Foundational work around data integrity, structure, and governance is as important as the AI tools themselves.” The podcast concluded with a reflection on AI anxiety in the workplace — and a message of optimism. “There are legitimate concerns about job displacement,” Savill acknowledged. “But our research shows that most technical leaders want to reskill their existing teams. And when companies invest in their people, the results will be extraordinary.” For more information, visit kyndryl.com.

Chronic Total Occlusion in 2025   Guest: Gregory Barsness, M.D. Host: Malcolm Bell, M.D.   Chronic (>3 months) complete epicardial coronary obstructive lesions, often referred to as CTOs, are recognized in a large minority of those referred for coronary angiography yet historically represent

Agiliway is transforming how startups and growth-stage companies scale their software engineering capacity. In this episode, we talk with Mark Koelsch, North American President of Agiliway, to unpack how offshore development teams can solve the exact problems many startups and CTOs face when trying to grow efficiently and affordably.If you're searching for software development outsourcing that doesn't compromise on quality, this conversation explains how offshore engineering teams—especially Ukraine developers—are helping startups scale fast, stay resilient, and access elite talent without the burden of building in-house.Mark Koelsch brings real-world solutions to the forefront: how to navigate business continuity in challenging environments like Ukraine, why non-technical founders rely on Agiliway to build from concept to MVP, and how teams are leveraging AI in software development to automate repetitive coding tasks while solving complex problems.Whether you're a startup founder, tech lead, or operations executive, this episode shows how Agiliway provides the tools, teams, and insight to help you scale smarter—not just faster. You'll walk away with clear strategies on custom software, talent sourcing, and sustainable growth with offshore teams.0:00 – Intro to Mark Koelsch & Agiliway0:42 – What Agiliway really does (clarifying software services)1:30 – Mark's journey from ML architect to Agiliway co-founder2:45 – How Agiliway helps startups and small businesses scale3:27 – Operating during the Ukraine conflict & business continuity5:00 – Supporting clients with AI in software development6:00 – What AI can and can't do in real-world development6:54 – Agiliway's success stories with custom software builds7:40 – How to get in touch with Mark and the Agiliway teamTo check out the YouTube (video podcast), visit: https://www.youtube.com/@drchrisloomdphdDisclaimer: Not advice. Educational purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show.  Click here to join PodMatch (the "AirBNB" of Podcasting): https://www.joinpodmatch.com/drchrisloomdphdWe couldn't do it without the support of our listeners. To help support the show:CashApp- https://cash.app/$drchrisloomdphdVenmo- https://account.venmo.com/u/Chris-Loo-4Spotify- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-loo/supportBuy Me a Coffee- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chrisJxClick here to schedule a 1-on-1 private coaching call: https://www.drchrisloomdphd.com/book-onlineClick here to check out our bookstore, e-courses, and workshops: https://www.drchrisloomdphd.com/shopClick here to purchase my books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PaQn4pFor audiobooks, visit: https://www.audible.com/author/Christopher-H-Loo-MD-PhD/B07WFKBG1FFollow our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/chL1357Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/drchrisloomdphdFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereal_drchrislooFollow us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thereal_drchrislooFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drchrisloomddphdFollow our Blog: https://www.drchrisloomdphd.com/blogFollow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NkM6US7cjsiAYTBjWGdx6?si=1da9d0a17be14d18Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://substack.com/@drchrisloomdphd1Subscribe to our Medium newsletter: https://medium.com/@drchrisloomdphdSubscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6992935013231071233Subscribe to our email list: https://financial-freedom-podcast-with-dr-loo.kit.com/Thank you to all of our sponsors and advertisers that help support the show!Financial Freedom for Physicians, Copyright 2025

Building Human-Centric Engineering Teams: Culture, Motivation, & Purpose

In this deep-dive episode, we explore what it truly means to be "AI-native" versus bolting AI onto existing products. Abhay Mitra, CTO of Nirvana Insurance, shares how his team is building industry-specific AI models to transform the $800B+ commercial insurance market, starting with trucking—one of the most complex and painful sectors in insurance.From telematics data platforms to fine-tuned underwriting models, discover why commercial insurance might be the perfect proving ground for AI and how a data-first approach is creating unfair advantages for startups competing against century-old incumbents.Key Takeaways

Are your teams feeling the intense pressure to "produce more" in an era increasingly dominated by AI?Join hosts Ben Lloyd Pearson and Dan Lines as they unpack a major shift in how engineering organizations must now approach productivity. Dan reveals the urgent challenges he hears directly from CTOs and VPs, who are grappling with how to define their AI strategy for genuine productivity gain, accurately measure its true impact, and understand the resulting implications for their workforce.In this episode, Ben and Dan explore why traditional software engineering intelligence (simply having metrics and information) is no longer sufficient in 2025. Together, they explore productivity's nuanced meaning and discover how organizations can shift from passive data observation to an active improvement mindset, and get a look at what defines a developer productivity insights platform.Check out:Register for Beyond Copilot: What's Next for AI in Software DevelopmentSurvey: Discover Your AI Collaboration StyleFollow the hosts:Follow BenFollow AndrewReferenced in today's show:Why Your AI Coding Assistant Keeps Doing It Wrong, and How To Fix ItAs a developer, my most important tools are a pen and a notebookThe problem with shadow developmentSupport the show: Subscribe to our Substack Leave us a review Subscribe on YouTube Follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn Offers: Learn about Continuous Merge with gitStream Get your DORA Metrics free forever

Have you ever wondered how the most grounded leaders stay true to themselves—especially when the room wasn't built for them? In this episode, we're talking about what it really takes to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Sophronia McKenzie—tech founder, CEO, and unapologetically authentic leader—joins us to share how assertiveness, resilience, and authenticity have powered her rise from arriving in the U.S. with $100 to leading her own successful tech company. We talk about what it really takes to thrive as a female leader in tech—from building resilience during seasons of personal struggle, to navigating bias in boardrooms filled with male CTOs, to making sure your voice is heard without losing who you are. “I'm going to be authentically me... Why did I decide to be a CEO if I'm going to follow rules?” — Sophronia McKenzie What You'll Learn in This Episode: Assertiveness tips for female leaders in tech What building resilience as a woman in tech actually looks like Leadership strategies for women navigating high-pressure environments How to be taken seriously without compromising who you are Signs you're being dismissed—and what to do about it Why support systems matter, and how they evolve over time And more! Let's keep the conversation going, after listening, ask yourself: How are you being more assertive today? What strategies are helping you get heard and taken seriously? Are you still leading in a way that feels true to you?   Share your reflections with us using #LeadingWomeninTech, or connect for more conversations and resources that support your growth as a resilient, authentic leader.   **Useful links** Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Sophronia McKenzie: Social Platforms: @iamsophronia  @visuEats LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophroniamckenzie/  VisuaEats https://www.linkedin.com/company/visueats  Sophronia's current read: Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy by Patrick Bet-David If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy  Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode253  Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women's tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.  

Show Notes: Alex Lugosch and Ilya Druzhnikov, founders of True PMF, explain that True PMF is a rapid prototyping and discovery service for startups and established companies who are releasing a new product or testing a new market and don't have the tools or six to eight months to try new experiments for product market fit. The firm uses cold calling tools to test out different ideas and pitches to potential clients, focusing on understanding the reactions of potential buyers. Ilya explains how their tool saves time and money by improving the cold call process. First Steps in a Cold Call Strategy Alex and Ilya work with a founder to identify their target audience and use tools like ZoomInfo to gather a list of people that fit that profile. They then use cold calling tool to test out different ideas and iterate different pitches to potential clients. They also train the founder to do cold calls, helping them understand the process and find what resonates with potential buyers. The firm often stacks rank lists of 20 audiences to test in the next 20 days, with each experiment taking about two sessions of an hour each. At a certain point, they do turnover, where the founder takes over to learn how to do the process. They use several list building services, data validation services, and dialers to build tight lists, accessing many people at the C-suite that most founders can only dream of contacting. Within one or two calls, they find that those people are picking up on their pitches and talking to them, which is a significant improvement from the traditional six-month process of trying to determine if something is a product market fit. The Cold Call Conversation and Analysis Ilya explains the process, beginning from when they contact the founder, building the initial list, finding direct phone numbers for 80-100 people, and loading them into their enterprise-grade tech stack that few startups can afford.  He goes on to explain how they start the conversation.  They try to make the pitch relevant to the founder and explain that their solution could save time and money while having a positive impact on the bottom line. After the call, the transcript goes directly into the AI model, which produces an analysis of the conversation and offers recommendations on how to proceed. The next step is to determine the outcome of the call. In a typical calling session, there are sometimes upwards of 14 or 15 connects. As the conversation gets closer to the target, the conversations become more rich, with more follow-up emails, scheduled demos, and referrals. It's an iterative process until discovering the audience is interested in the topic and/or the call can be referred to the right person. Cold Calling Techniques The conversation turns to the importance of effective cold pitching techniques. They mention the importance of recognizing what's currently relevant to the client. They also discuss the concept of partnering one person to take a pitch and then alternate to the other person without giving feedback. The key to getting better at cold pitching is focusing on the elements that work in the previous pitch. This technique can be applied to other situations as well, such as listening to each other's tone of voice and understanding their preferences. Alex emphasizes that these techniques are not meant to scale sales but to provide relevant information about messaging and product features that can be used in outbound campaigns that are scalable, such as emails, LinkedIn messages, or conferences. Ilya and Alex give an impromptu example of an opening conversation with mid-market private equity owned portfolio companies. Ilya explains that their informs more effective marketing strategies. This approach helps clients narrow down their ideas about the persona, develop stronger content that connects with their target market(s),  and ensures that their marketing efforts are highly effective. Cost of SDRs Cold Calling The discussion revolves around the cost of cold calling sales development representatives (SDRs) and their effectiveness in B2B product spaces. Emphasis is placed on understanding the messaging and the potential for managing costs. They mention a company with 400 clients across Europe that raised over $50 million and had six SDRs, but none of them were effective. They also mention that a multinational tech startup with a large B2B sales team cannot afford six CROs to run their sales team. They advise against giving cold calls to unskilled SDRs, as they may not be adaptable enough to handle complex situations. However, cold calling is a good prototyping tool, as it allows companies to reach a wider audience, gain insights and understanding of their market, and potentially increase their revenue. Examples of How TruePMF Serves Clients Alex and Ilya initially focused on high-growth e-commerce brands, but later discovered that they needed to target established e-commerce brands looking for margin expansion. They created a new list of these brands and tested it with CTOs, which proved more relevant. Then, they called private equity partners, specifically tech stack operating partners, to expand their reach. This allowed them to sell their solution across multiple brands. Another example is a smaller company with 20 clients, all big enterprise clients, looking to sell to private equity firms. Ilya also discusses the process of selling a product before building it, and emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in the sales process.   About the Founders of TruePMF.com Alex Lugosch, a FinTech founder and executive at a wholesale, e-commerce company, and the B2B credit space, and Ilya Druzhnikov, a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, have both been working with founders and CEOs to help them understand Product Market Fit. They have worked in various industries, including B2B wholesale, e-commerce, and angel investing. The website, Pmf.com, is by referral only, and they have a bias for working with serious people who are serious about their business. They require founders to attend every call, including the CEO, Chief Revenue Officer, and Head of Sales. The company has sold their product to 400 companies across Europe and is coming to the United States. Timestamps: 00:02: Introduction to True PMF and Their Unique Approach 03:28: Explaining the True PMF Service  06:35: Detailed Walkthrough of the Process 10:47: Iterative Improvement and Audience Targeting  16:29: The Role of Cold Calling in Business Development  34:04: Client Examples and Success Stories  40:23: Background of Alex and Ilya  Links:  Website: https://truepmf.com/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

BONUS: Zach Goldberg shares how to build high-performing engineering teams and master the startup CTO role In this BONUS episode, we dive deep into the world of startup leadership with Zach Goldberg, author of The Startup CTO's Handbook. We explore the critical transition from engineering to leadership, the art of balancing technical debt with startup urgency, and the communication skills that separate great CTOs from the rest. The Genesis of The Startup CTO's Handbook "My original training in software engineering was not enough for being a leader. All the people and leadership skills, I had to learn on my own." Zach's journey to writing The Startup CTO's Handbook began with a stark realization about the gap between technical training and leadership reality. Despite his classical software engineering background, he discovered that the people and leadership skills required for CTO success had to be self-taught. The book emerged from a growing Google Doc of topics and frameworks addressing the leadership and management challenges that CTOs consistently face - from hiring and performance management to making strategic decisions under pressure. Today, we can either buy the digital/print book on Amazon, or read the book on GitHub.  In this segment, we also refer to the book The Great CEO Within. Learning to Truly Learn: The Max Mintz Story "Max only cared about my ability to learn - to get curious about something hard. He wanted to help me deal with complexity." Zach opens his book with a deeply personal story about his mentor, Max Mintz, who fundamentally changed his approach to learning during what he calls "the most impactful single coffee" of his life. Over 1.5 years of conversations, Max taught him that true learning isn't about accumulating facts, but about developing curiosity for hard problems and building the capacity to handle complexity. This lesson forms the foundation of effective CTO leadership - the ability to continuously learn and adapt in an ever-changing technical landscape. The Three Critical CTO Mistakes "As a CTO, the most important 3 things: people, people, people. Do the people have the right energy, the right passion? Assemble the right team." Zach identifies consistent patterns in startup CTO failures across his experience. The first and most critical mistake is undervaluing people decisions - failing to prioritize team energy, passion, and the right assembly of talent. The second category involves investment mistakes, particularly the challenge of balancing short-term survival needs with long-term technical goals. In startups, the ROI timespan is exceptionally short, requiring optimization for immediate objectives rather than hypothetical scale. The third mistake is treating technology as religion rather than tools, losing sight of what the business actually needs. Optimizing for Velocity and Developer Experience "You are optimizing for velocity! What are you doing to help developers get their work done? Look at developer experience as a metric." Successful startup CTOs understand that velocity - the time from idea to valuable market delivery - is paramount. This requires a fundamental shift in thinking about technology decisions, focusing on features that deliver real customer value rather than technical elegance. Zach emphasizes measuring developer experience as a key metric, recognizing that anything that helps developers work more effectively directly impacts the company's ability to survive and thrive in competitive markets. The Professional Skill Tree Concept "It's like a character progression in an RPG. When we learn one type of skills, we don't learn other types of skills. We make investments every day and we have a choice on where we learn." Drawing from gaming metaphors, Zach explains how technical professionals often reach Level 100 in engineering skills while remaining Level 1 in management. The skill tree concept highlights that every learning investment is a choice - time spent developing one skill area means less time available for others. For engineers transitioning to leadership, the key is recognizing opportunities to serve as tech leads, where they can begin setting culture and quality standards while still leveraging their technical expertise. Balancing Kaizen with Startup Urgency "Pick the high-impact debt, and pay that down. This is not always easy, especially because we also need to pick what debt we don't invest on." The tension between continuous improvement and startup speed requires sophisticated thinking about technical debt. Using financial analogies, Zach explains that technical debt has both principal and interest components. The key is identifying which debt carries the highest interest rates and can be paid down most quickly, while consciously choosing which debt to carry forward. This approach maintains the healthy tension between quality and speed that defines successful startup engineering. The Power of Audience Empathy "The single hardest skill, especially for very tech leaders is that of 'audience empathy.' When you explain ideas to people, you usually assume a lot - but they might not." According to Zach, the most undervalued communication habit for startup tech leaders is developing audience empathy. Technical leaders often suffer from the curse of knowledge, assuming their audience shares their context and understanding. The solution requires deliberately considering what the audience already knows before crafting any communication, whether it's explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders or providing clear direction to team members. In this segment we refer to the concept of “the curse of knowledge”, a cognitive bias that occurs when a person who has specialized knowledge assumes that others share in that knowledge. About Zach Goldberg Zach Goldberg is a seasoned technical entrepreneur, executive coach, and author of The Startup CTO's Handbook. With a founder's mentality and a passion for systems thinking, Zach helps engineering leaders build high-performing teams. He also founded Advance The World, a nonprofit inspiring youth in STEM through immersive experiences. You can link with Zach Goldberg on LinkedIn, and visit Zach's website at CTOHB.com.

The CEO Leads the Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a fundraiser, the CEO should lead it by setting the strategy and engaging investors. This doesn't mean the CEO must do everything by themselves. It does mean that the CEO does the pitching and investor follow-up. CTOs and CFOs can be helpful, but not by pitching the investor. The investor wants to hear from the CEO as they want to know more about them. Can they communicate well? Do they have a clear vision? Do they know their business well enough to cite the growth numbers? What is their story? Do they have all the key elements lined up to be successful, such as a great team, a solid product, and a large target market? Others can help in building the pitch deck, researching the investors, and lining up investor pitches. Advisors and investors can help by making warm introductions to other investors. They can coach on fundraising strategies. They can also help make decisions around oversubscribing fundraising rounds and other key points. Make sure the CEO is signed up to lead the fundraising round, but line up additional support throughout the process.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode, Joshua Wöhle, co-founder and CEO of Mindstone, joins us to explore how organizations—and individuals—can move beyond basic AI automation to truly augment their thinking and workflows. Joshua shares his personal systems for spotting high-leverage automation opportunities, including his weekly rituals that keep him ahead in the fast-evolving AI landscape.We dive into how Joshua uses AI as a thinking partner, from critiquing sales emails to shaping company strategy—illustrating that AI isn't just about doing things faster, but about doing them better. He breaks down the concept of the utility threshold, explains why iteration is key to unlocking AI's value, and reveals how non-technical teams can build bespoke internal tools without writing a single line of code.The conversation also highlights why HR—not IT—is the real power player in driving AI adoption, and how the shift from traditional SaaS to custom-built solutions is reshaping the future of work. Plus, Joshua reflects on his entrepreneurial journey—from scaling a 200-person company to running a lean, AI-augmented team at Mindstone.Whether you're curious about turning AI into your strategic ally, or wondering how to help your organization embrace AI beyond the buzzwords, this episode is packed with practical insights, mindset shifts, and a glimpse into what's next in AI-powered productivity.Key Takeaways:AI's Real Value: Augmentation Over Automation — Joshua explains why the biggest win with AI isn't cutting tasks—it's using AI to amplify your thinking. If you're only automating, you're missing out on AI as a creative and strategic partner.Crack the Code on the "Utility Threshold" — AI should save you time or improve outcomes. If it doesn't, you haven't hit the utility threshold yet. Joshua shares how to spot when AI becomes truly useful—and how small tweaks can unlock massive gains.Why You Should Build, Not Buy (No Coding Needed) — Forget pricey SaaS tools. Joshua reveals how anyone—yes, even non-tech teams—can quickly build custom AI solutions that fit their workflow, saving time, money, and boosting flexibility.HR: The Unexpected Hero of AI Adoption — It's not your CTO driving AI success—it's HR. Joshua makes the case for why empowering people, not just deploying tech, is key to creating AI-augmented teams that thrive in the future of work.LinkedIn: Joshua Wöhle | LinkedInMindstone: Mindstone - Empower Your Team with Practical AI Skills00:00 Introduction to Joshua Wöhle and Mindstone01:10 Personal Practices for Automation02:35 Early Wins in AI Automation11:23 Levels of AI Proficiency14:59 Utility Threshold in AI24:51 AI in Organizational Structures33:21 Introduction to the Early Space and AI Integration33:45 Joshua's Entrepreneurial Journey and AI Augmentation34:37 Challenges and Breakthroughs with AI35:32 The Evolution of Building with Generative AI37:56 The Future of SaaS and Internal Development40:34 Practical Examples of AI Implementation50:14 The Importance of Iteration and High-Value Tasks54:56 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Gábor Szabó talks with Ran Reichman, Co-Founder and CEO of Flarion, a company building high-performance data processing systems using Rust. Contributing to Rustacean Station Rustacean Station is a community project; get in touch with us if you'd like to suggest an idea for an episode or offer your services as a host or audio editor! Twitter: @rustaceanfm Discord: Rustacean Station Github: @rustacean-station Email: hello@rustacean-station.org Timestamps & referenced resources [@0:00] - The Code-Maven live meeting series on Rust at Work. [@1:03] - Welcome to Ran Reichman, Co-Founder and CEO of Flarion. Talpiot program Wiz, About Wiz [@3:19] - When did you start using Rust? [@3:58] - Why did you think that Rust is good for this start-up company? And has it proven to be? Polars Apache Data Fusion [@5:43] - Inviting the audience in the live conversation to ask questions in the chat. [@6:22] - Have you considered other languages? [@7:02] - What kind of Rust developers do you work with? [@8:23] - Is any part of Flarion open source? Is it on GitHub? [@9:22] - How do you handle the hundreds of open source dependencies of Flarion? [@12:13] - Have you considered sponsoring open source developers? Bug bounties? [@13:23] - What do you mainly do with Rust? Scala Apache Spark Python Ray JNI [@14:38] - Besides Rust, what other programming languages do you use? [@15:18] - Do you expect new joiners to know Rust, or can they learn on the job? [@17:44] - Are there parts of Rust that you avoid using? [@18:41] - How easy for you to recruit developers? [@20:56] - What are resources you recommend for people learning Rust? The Rust book [@25:04] - Do you have any suggestions for someone who'd like to move from web dev to Rust/C/etc.? [@27:01] - What should I do to increase my chances of being hired? Proof of work [@36:11] - How do you evaluate your decision to use Rust? [@37:19] - What are the good and bad parts of Rust and its ecosystem? [@42:05] - Home assignments where candidates fix issues in open source projects [@43:18] - Debuging distributed and high-performance use cases Tracy Frame profiler [@46:35] - What is your experience using AI tools writing Rust code? Claude ChatGPT Deep Seek R1 [@49:45] - What would you tell other founders, CTOs, and technology manager considering Rust? [@51:43] - What is next for Flarion? Flarion on Linkedin for available jobs. Credits Intro Theme: Aerocity Audio Editing: Gábor Szabó Hosting Infrastructure: Jon Gjengset Show Notes: Gábor Szabó Hosts: Gábor Szabó

Data is a key component to the agentic future of organizations and there is so much learn and understand in order for solution developers, admins, CIOs, CEOs, and CTOs, to have a successful deployment. Luckily, Nirav Shah, CVP of BAC (the org formerly known as Dataverse) joins the podcast to talk about how agents play a critical role in how organizations run, how customers can solve their business problems with Microsoft Copilot and agents, and what is an expert agent.  Nirav and former guest, James Olenik, spoke at Microsoft Build about this very topic! Check it out here: https://build.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK129?source=sessions   Also check out:  aka.ms/2025brk132 aka.ms/2025od817 aka.ms/2025brk125 aka.ms/2025brk159

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, Mallory Willsea sits down with Kellie Campbell, the newly appointed CIO at the University of Vermont, to unpack the findings of Inside Higher Ed's 2025 survey of CTOs and CIOs. The numbers confirm what many in Higher Ed already feel — AI is rapidly advancing on campus, but governance and policy are struggling to keep pace. Kellie brings her boots-on-the-ground expertise to the conversation, sharing how she's building AI governance from scratch while the tech is already in full flight.Related Articles: Inside Higher Ed/Hanover Research 2025 Survey of Campus Chief Technology/Information OfficersEDUCAUSE Framework for AI LiteracyGuest Name: Kellie Campbell, Chief Information Officer, University of VermontGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: As Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Technology for the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS), Kellie works in close partnership with the Council of Presidents to provide leadership, management, and strategy for the Information Technology (IT) shared services division. Inclusive of seven key service areas, the IT division provides direct IT services to the entire VSCS. Kellie also serves on the executive leadership team driving transformation objectives for the state colleges system. As a commissioner and committee co-chair on the Vermont Commission on Women, Kellie works with others on non-partisan issues to advance the rights and opportunity for women in the state of Vermont. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Neste programa, convidamos a Ludmila Pontremolez CTO e Cofundadora da Zippi, para entender como ela enxerga as transformações recentes no mercado de desenvolvimento de software. A conversa traz uma visão estratégica sobre contratação, capacitação, impacto da IA nas equipes técnicas, mudanças nos modelos de trabalho e o que realmente importância na hora de formar e reter bons talentos. Assuntos abordados no tema Introdução ao tema: como o mercado mudou do ponto de vista da liderança O que mudou nas demandas das empresas entre 2024 e 2025? Como a IA está impactando a gestão e a produtividade dos times de tecnologia? Reorganização dos times: devs generalistas, especialistas ou híbridos? Como CTOs estão escolhendo talentos e avaliando competências técnicas e comportamentais Como a empresa pode fomentar um ambiente que estimula crescimento técnico e pessoal? O papel do Dev no core do negócio: expectativa de visão estratégica além do código Visão sobre a adoção de IA como ferramenta de apoio (ex: GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, etc.) Modelos de trabalho: o que CTOs preferem hoje? Remoto, híbrido ou presencial? O que os líderes esperam dos devs iniciantes hoje? Desenvolvedores excepcionais que não sem bem avaliados e perdem oportunidades A importância de ter devs que otimizam sistemas críticos e pensam em performance e escalabilidade Links úteis Nosso Discord: https://discord.com/invite/hGpFPsV2gB Café Debug globalhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3S1OK2ecjZj7zoaZ34bFkP?si=ae09a6a1796a4587 Patrocinadora do programa https://king.host/ https://www.jetbrains.com/pt-br/lp/devecosystem-2024/ https://www.gitclear.com/ai_assistant_code_quality_2025_research https://www.spiceworks.com/research/it-report/ Dynamic programming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdr64lKQ3e4 Episódio 131 participação da Ludmila https://open.spotify.com/episode/6EOzeVA003rWVEZefnG3rn Participantes Jéssica Nathany (Software Developer e host)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-nathany-carvalho-freitas-38260868/ Ludmila Pontremolez (CTO e Cofundadora da Zippi)Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludmilapontremolez/ Produtora AGO Filmes: https://thiagocarvalhofotografia.wordpress.com/dúvidas, sugestões ou anúncios envie para: debugcafe@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind the renewable energy revolution lies complex technical infrastructure that CTOs across industries can learn from. Barbara Wittenberg leads a 250-person tech team at 1KOMMA5° that manages real-time data from 40,000+ connected energy assets while coordinating post-merger integration across 80+ companies in 7 countries. This episode unveils the technical architecture powering virtual power plants, where millisecond-level responsiveness can prevent grid failures and optimize energy usage. Barbara's journey from electrical engineering to Oracle and Google, then back to energy tech, provides unique insights on combining domain expertise with cutting-edge technology. Technical leaders will appreciate: -

With Andy away, Mon-Chaio dives into the topic of what it means to be a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in today's diverse tech landscape. Inspired by a recent conversation with a venture capitalist, Mon-Chaio reflects on the wide range of skills and experiences that different CTOs bring to the table. He discusses the various types of CTOs, from deeply technical experts to those who primarily manage vendor relationships. This episode questions how well communities designed for CTO networking really serve their members given their vastly different roles and day-to-day tasks. Don't miss this reflective and thought-provoking episode.

Meet Ken Cox, the accomplished President of Hostirian and the voice behind the popular Clicks and Bricks podcast, voted the #1 General Business Podcast by the Davey Awards. Ken's journey is a testament to resilience and the power of entrepreneurship, built on a foundation of creating secure digital environments and fostering positive workplaces for companies from small businesses to the Global 500. His commitment extends beyond technology and business operations. Ken is also the author of Reclaim Sobriety: The 12 Rounds of Sobriety, a guide forged from his own experiences overcoming significant personal challenges, including a difficult childhood and a battle with addiction that led to liver failure. This deeply personal journey, marked by early exposure to difficult environments and finding crucial mentorship in small business owners, fuels his passion for helping others navigate adversity. Ken's expertise spans vital areas like digital privacy, informed by his work developing tools to demystify complex privacy policies, and modern HR strategies. He co-authored a chapter in Kevin Harrington's Many Paths to Profit, further solidifying his place as a recognized figure in the business world. Through the Clicks and Bricks podcast, Ken shares authentic stories and provides practical insights for CEOs, CTOs, founders, IT directors, and CFOs. His unique blend of business acumen, hard-won wisdom, and dedication to trading value for value makes him a compelling guest with valuable lessons for navigating today's complex business landscape. Get ready to learn from Ken's experiences and actionable advice. For More Info: https://kencox.com/

For a number of years, Ed Hertzman found knee-deep in the middle of the supply chain/logistics world. At 26, he became frustrated by the confusion and lack of timely industry information available—where even a day's delay in placing an order could mean higher costs—Ed recognized a gap: There was no "Wall Street Journal" for supply chain professionals! Driven by this, he started the Sourcing Journal to provide real-time news and insights for the supply chain and apparel industries. What started as a solution to his own frustrations quickly transformed into a substantial business, making waves in media and challenging more traditional trade publications.  Ed, now founder of Athletech News (ATN) realized the same need in the HALO space (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors.) Host Pete Moore and Hertzman sat down and explored the dynamic intersection of fitness, technology, finance, and wellness. He opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, the evolution from newsletter to nationwide events, and the importance of building a reputation before going big. You'll hear Ed's candid thoughts on expanding the definition of the HALO sector—moving beyond just gyms to a broader world of health, active lifestyles, wellness, and recovery. Pete and Ed also discuss the need for more analytical reporting and data transparency around industry deals, and how their partnership aims to deliver the kind of financial insights and case studies that have long existed in other industries but are still missing in health and fitness. Finally, this episode also offers a peek into ATN's exciting upcoming event in New York—a high-caliber gathering inspired by the likes of "Davos and CES"—where collaboration, innovation, and strategic networking will take center stage. Whether you're an operator, investor, vendor, or enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on where the industry is headed, how to drive meaningful connections, and why now is an exciting time to be a part of the ever-evolving HALO sector. Key themes discussed Transition from supply chain to the HALO media space Building and scaling a B2B media platform The power of niche, industry-focused events Importance of data-driven industry analysis More and more nontraditional players entering the HALO sector Challenges in sector terminology and defining “HALO” Fostering collaboration and innovation through quality events A few key takeaways:  1. Spotting and Building in the White Space: Ed shared how his entrepreneurial journey started by identifying under-served sectors, first in supply chain media with Sourcing Journal and now in the HALO/tech space. His experience underscores the importance of finding those “white spaces” in industries—areas where communities need a voice, connection, and credible business news. 2. Slow, Strategic Growth Over Event Hype: Rather than rushing into high-profile events, Ed took a measured approach. He grew his audience steadily through newsletters before expanding into larger conferences, waiting until he had the connections and content quality to make a true impact. A key takeaway? Avoid the temptation to “call in favors too early,” and don't over-promise before you can truly deliver. 3. Evolving Content for a Diverse Audience: Athletech News (ATN) started as a broad industry newsletter, but Ed also recognizes the need for more tailored communication—envisioning future newsletters and content streams focused specifically on CEOs, CTOs, franchisors, wellness executives, and more. As the industry's definition of “wellness” has broadened, ATN is beginning to attract nontraditional players from hospitality, tech, finance, and beyond, reflecting the sector's rapid evolution. 4. The Need for Data-Driven Analysis and Transparency: Hertzman also highlighted the lack of deep analysis regarding deals and trends in the sector—especially compared to more mature industries. He's working to change that by forging partnerships with data companies and bringing real financial insight (such as deal structure and industry benchmarking) to subscribers. He and Pete also discussed the value of expert deal breakdowns and empircal, data-driven content as a differentiator for the forthcoming ATN 2025 Innovation Summit in June in NYC. 5. Reimagining Industry Events as Collaborative Think Tanks: Ed's vision for future ATN events is ambitious: He wants to create a “Davos meets YPO meets Sun Valley” for the industry—a highly curated gathering where top CEOs, operators, founders, and even outside thought leaders come together to share, network, and get access to exclusive research and strategic insights. The focus is on intentional programming for different roles, experiential networking spaces, and using the event as the industry's annual central hub for partnerships, trends, and discoveries. Resources:  Athletech News: https://athletechnews.com  ATN 2025 Innovation Summit: https://atninnovationsummit-2025.vfairs.com   Sourcing Journal: https://www.sourcingjournal.com  Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com  Promotion Vault: http://www.promotionvault.com HigherDose: http://www.higherdose.com

¿Puede la IA rediseñar cómo trabajan 200 ingenieros?En este episodio, converso con Jaime Vallori, VP of Engineering en Eventbrite, sobre cómo están integrando la inteligencia artificial en sus procesos sin caer en el error de sobredimensionar equipos.Desde decisiones técnicas hasta dilemas estratégicos, hablamos de:Cuándo la IA realmente suma y cuándo estorba.Cómo redefinir prioridades sin perder visión de producto.Qué implica liderar tecnología desde el foco, no desde la cantidad.Un episodio para quienes están reestructurando sus equipos o preguntándose si lo están haciendo todo... por inercia.Un episodio para CTOs, tech leads y cualquier profesional que quiera hacer más con menos… pero mejor.Estos son los momentos más destacadas:[0:00] Presentación de Jaime Vallori y contexto de Eventbrite[0:10] ¿Puede una IA decidir qué construir antes que el equipo?[0:20] La IA como herramienta vs. amenaza para ingenieros[0:30] Por qué delegar pensamiento técnico puede ser más eficiente[0:40] Cómo Eventbrite reestructura decisiones sin multiplicar equipos[0:50] Casos reales de uso de IA en ingeniería de producto[1:00] Qué tipo de liderazgo necesita la integración de IA[1:10] Lo que la IA todavía no puede hacer (y no hará pronto)[1:20] Cierre con aprendizajes clave para CTOs y líderes de equipos técnicos…..Dale al play y disfruta de la escuchaLinkedin : https://es.linkedin.com/in/jvallori ✅ Este podcast está patrocinado por Growit (https://growitschool.com/)

In this groundbreaking episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty is joined by Charley Johnson, former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation and a visionary behind the role of Chief Consciousness Officer (CCO). Together, they dive deep into why the future of leadership isn't found in data dashboards or KPIs—but in consciousness. Charley explores how expanding awareness can transform decision-making, leadership, and company culture, especially in a world racing toward AI integration. If you're a CEO, founder, or curious soul wondering how to future-proof your leadership, this episode is a must-listen. About the Guest:Charley Johnson is a business owner, spiritual student, and the former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation. As the architect of the Chief Consciousness Officer role, he bridges the worlds of business and spirituality, helping companies expand awareness to thrive in a rapidly changing world. His teachings are reshaping how organizations think about leadership, decision-making, and the human experience in the age of AI. Key Takeaways: The Chief Consciousness Officer is the next evolution in leadership—similar to how CTOs revolutionized tech adoption. Consciousness isn't spiritual fluff—it's a tactical advantage for clarity, creativity, and connection. Leaders can no longer solve problems with the same mindset that created them; awareness expansion is critical. Consciousness is the water we swim in—it's time to understand and utilize it intentionally. This isn't about mindfulness apps—it's about embodying human intelligence in every business decision. Connect with Charley Johnson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjconsciousness/ Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Subscribe To Newsletter: https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/ Join Community: https://nas.io/healthymind Stay Tuned And Follow Us! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@healthymind-healthylife Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podhealth.club/ Threads - https://www.threads.net/@podhealth.club Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymind LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reemachatterjee/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/newandnew/ #podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #consciousleadership #futureofwork #mindfulnessatwork #spiritualleadership #aiethics

Podcast: Industrial Cybersecurity InsiderEpisode: Bridging IT/OT & Securing ICS: Kevin Kumpf, Chief OT / ICS Security Strategist, CyoloPub date: 2025-04-29Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationDino welcomes Kevin Kumpf, Chief OT/ICS Security Strategist at Cyolo to this episode. They discuss the growing challenges and evolving strategies around cybersecurity in industrial environments. Kevin shares a seasoned perspective on bridging the gap between IT and OT, busting myths about Zero Trust certifications, and the dangers of underutilized security tools - or "shelfware." From real-world examples involving breweries, milk production, and energy plants, the conversation uncovers how lack of visibility, broken remote access practices, and aging systems create critical vulnerabilities. Most importantly, Kevin offers actionable advice for CISOs, CTOs, and plant managers on building resilient cybersecurity frameworks without disrupting operations. Don't miss this episode full of practical advice from industry experts.Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Why OT Cybersecurity Can't Wait00:01:18 - Meet Kevin Kumpf: From Bank Vaults to Industrial Battlegrounds00:02:56 - Hard Truths About Securing Operational Technology00:06:42 - Shelfware Syndrome: Why Tools Fail Without Strategy00:12:09 - Plant Managers, Vendors, and the Battle for Cyber Resilience00:23:56 - Remote Access Exposed: The Hidden Risks Inside Your Plant00:30:58 - Closing Thoughts: Building Stronger, Smarter Industrial DefensesLinks And Resources:Industrial Cybersecurity Insider on LinkedInCybersecurity & Digital Safety on LinkedInDino Busalachi on LinkedInCraig Duckworth on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Industrial Cybersecurity Insider, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

VERSONO Medical Ltd is delighted to announce that it has been named Dragons' Den winner of the CX Innovation Prize at the international CX Symposium in London last week. The competition was between nine companies from the US, Germany, Israel, Singapore and Ireland, all of which have developed innovative technologies in the field of vascular and endovascular treatment. The US/Galway-based firm faced off in a Dragons' Den-style event in which VERSONO Medical CEO Finbar Dolan presented on the company's plans for its revolutionary FastWire Technology Platform, including its progress on enabling the endovascular treatment of chronic complex total occlusions (CTOs), and the latest developments in its FREEFLOW pivotal study. VERSONO was judged the winner by a panel of Dragons including Robert Mitchell, General Manager of global healthcare company Organon; Prof. Frans Moll, vascular surgeon; Prof. Tilo Kolbel, Director of the German Aortic Centre in Hamburg; Jeffrey B. Jump, founder of Casper-Medical; and Charles Taylor, CEO of Veryan Medical. The event was chaired by Baron Stephen Greenhalgh. FastWire is a truly disruptive technology designed to quickly access previously untreatable complex blockages in arteries, increasing success rates and reducing risk of amputations via endovascular techniques. It uses a novel proprietary ultrasonic technology developed and patented by the company to cross through severe, complex blockages in patient's arteries, above, and below, the knee with Critical Limb Threatening Ischemia (CLTI). The technology has huge potential application in endovascular procedures. VERSONO Medical is in the process of completing the FREEFLOW pivotal study for its FastWire System. Designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the FastWire device through the FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study, FREEFLOW is being performed in three centres the Vascular Institute of the Midwest (VIM) in Davenport, Iowa; the Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) in Houma, Louisiana; and the Vascular Institute of Chattanooga (VIC) in Tennessee. Subject to the successful completion of the study, the company will seek US market approval to launch FastWire. The Charing Cross (CX) Symposium took place from April 23-25th at the ExcCeL in London. The event brings together world-leading experts in the treatment of vascular and endovascular disease to discuss the challenges and emerging trends in the field. Hosted every three years, the CX Symposium is a prestige event which holds education, innovation and evidence as core values. VERSONO CEO Finbar Dolan says: "It's an honour to win the Dragons Den innovation prize at the CX Symposium in London. This is one of the prestige events in the field of vascular and endovascular treatment and we are thrilled to be selected as the standout candidates in a highly competitive group of companies developing innovative technologies." See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Today, we're talking to Derick Schaefer, SVP of technology at Mod Op. We discuss the M&A landscape that CTOs need to be aware of, why customer centricity is at the heart of any successful merger, and how to keep business value at the focus of futuristic software tactics. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn how you can master your M&A strategy, check out Derick's book here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email booking@proseriesmedia.com

Live from Google Cloud Next 2025, Gary Arora, Bill Briggs, and Mamoun Hirzalla discuss AI agents, LLMs, and the future of tech in transforming business processes.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What truly makes clients choose one agency over another? What are the essential qualities that elevate an agency from service provider to trusted partner? Today's featured guest brings a rare 360-degree perspective to these crucial questions. As a fractional CMO with extensive experience on both sides of the relationship, our guest provides unique insights into the dynamics of successful agency-client partnerships. Tune in for actionable insights that will help agencies strengthen their client relationships, refine their service approach, and position themselves as indispensable strategic partners. Alex Hultgren is a seasoned fractional CMO with extensive experience in both client and agency roles. He shares his journey through the marketing landscape, from starting at Ford Motor Company and leading marketing efforts at Polaris to transitioning to agency life at Hayworth and later starting his own business. Alex discusses the expectations that brands have when working with agencies, what he used to look for in an ideal agency partner, and the reason he kept his business boutique and has chose to work with contractors. In this episode, we'll discuss: Learning to forge deep agency partnerships in corporate marketing. Elements of effective agency relationships. Why he chose to prioritize autonomy over growth. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources Wix: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by Wix Studio, the all-in-one platform designed to help agencies scale without the headaches. With intuitive tools, robust native business solutions, and low maintenance, Wix Studio lets your team focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional value to your clients. Ready to take your agency to the next level? Visit wix.com/studio and discover how Wix Studio can transform your workflow, boost profits, and strengthen client relationships. Forging Deep Agency Partnerships in Corporate Marketing Alex's professional trajectory spanned both corporate and agency environments before culminating in entrepreneurship. He started his career working at Ford Motor Company, as part of their marketing leadership program for fourteen years, and then running marketing for Victory Motorcycle as part of Polaris. He then went on to work on the agency side as one of the three leads of Walmart's media accounts at Hayworth. In 2021 he decided to take all that experience to build his own business. During his time at Ford, Alex only ever worked with one agency team, the team at JTW. Although large corporations normally have many agencies working at different projects at a time, Ford preferred to maintain an exclusive agency partnership and, even when digital marketing started to be an important part of their strategy, they only used other agencies as contractors for limited periods. On one hand, this meant there weren't many options if he didn't like the work, other than asking them to go back to the drawing board. On the other hand, it also meant they formed a deeply integrated partnership, as they were more of an extension of his team than merely external service providers. By contrast, at Polaris he had a fraction of the budget but found himself coordinating multiple specialized agencies handling different aspects of the business, which proved to be considerable demanding. However, in both cases he always saw agencies as partners and part of his team. The Foundation of Effective Agency Partnerships In choosing agencies, one of the major problems Alex encountered was agencies that promised they could deliver on something when they clearly couldn't. For him, it came down to Could they be trusted to do the work? Did they know what they were doing? Most clients are looking for agencies that can alleviate their burdens by providing solutions without requiring micromanagement. Hence, an ideal agency partner should be able to take a problem, devise a solution, and communicate progress effectively. However, trust is not enough when communication is lacking and one of the major hurdles Alex faced working on the client side was getting enough clarity from the company on what they wanted from the agency. To bridge this gap, agencies must take the initiative to foster open lines of communication. This includes asking the right questions to extract meaningful feedback from clients and internal stakeholders. Finally, Alex also believes an agency should be able to take calculated risks because innovative ideas can sometimes face resistance from traditional corporate structures. The ability to push through skepticism and advocate for creative solutions is a testament to the trust that exists within a strong agency-client relationship. To address this client skepticism about design or content choices, Alex suggests AB testing the material and see how customers behave. This approach shifts the conversation from subjective preferences to measurable customer behavior—the ultimate metric for evaluating marketing effectiveness. Prioritizing Autonomy Over Growth Even after successfully scaling his agency, Alex made a deliberate choice to maintain a lean operation, preferring to collaborate with contractors rather than building a traditional team structure. To him, the more traditional style seemed like an option that would take away the flexibility and freedom he hoped to obtain by building his business. Right now, he has the ultimate authority regarding what work and clients he takes on, and it's not something he would give up. While operating as a small agency might seem limiting, Alex is part of a group that provides him with extensive capabilities without sacrificing independence. This federation—called the Chameleon Collective, is comprised of 40-50 fractional executives (CMOs, CROs, and CTOs) alongside approximately ninety specialized marketing experts and enables a modular approach to team building. This model also addresses a problem that plagues big organizations: meeting waste. From his time working at Ford Alex remembers the frustration of back-to-back meetings that yield little value. He sees a need to reevaluate the purpose of meetings, advocating for a shift away from status updates that could be conveyed via email to more focused discussions aimed at problem-solving, as well as scheduling 15-minute meetings instead of defaulting to longer time blocks and empowering team members to opt out of meetings that do not pertain to their roles. Ultimately, Alex has prioritized an agency model that prioritizes effectiveness, strategic alignment, and adaptability—values that directly contrast with the rigid structures he experienced in his corporate career. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

This podcast segment uses fast food metaphors and real-world lending shifts to underscore the urgent need for modern mortgage technology, AI adoption, and visionary CTOs who drive growth, not just code.-----------------------------------------------------Allen Pollack, Tech ConsultantAllen Pollack, a Mortgage & Financial Services Technology Advisor, is a subject matter expert in the mortgage origination process along with software product management and software development.In today's financial services push to all things Digital, Allen has been helping lenders and financial services solution providers align their digital transformation and technology strategies by removing the human element of risk, and automating processes that drive efficiencies and margins into profits.Over the course of his career, Allen has co-created and developed technology business models that have birthed highly successful, innovative solutions and companies.Allen co-founded and served as CTO of New York Loan Exchange (NYLX), a loan product eligibility and pricing engine (PPE) that made an immediate impact on the industry, scaling the company quickly and forming partnerships with multiple mortgage and financial lending companies. In 2012, Allen was a co-founder of a merger between NYLX and Aklero Risk Analytics that created LoanLogics, A Mortgage Loan Quality and Performance Analytics company. Allen served as CTO where he continued to bring new and innovative product solutions to the market that made a significant impact to mortgage lenders that reduced risk, scaled business channels, and grew profits in a very competitive and highly regulated market.Allen is also is mortgage and finance technology contributor on a weekly live industry podcast, Lykken on Lending, and is launching a new podcast soon to be released, TechStack Radio, dedicated to technology and innovation in Financial Services.

Is AI writing your code.... or making you think Smarter? In this episode of XTraw AI, host Raghu Banda sits down with Matt Van Itallie, Founder & CEO of Sema, a global leader in codebase intelligence. They explore how generative AI is reshaping software development, how CTOs can lead with purpose in a fast-evolving tech landscape, and why tech due diligence is more critical than ever. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, engineering leader, or investor—this conversation is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss.What you'll learn:

New Relic's Chief Customer Officer Arnaldo (Arnie) Lopez details how their observability platform helps 70,000+ customers monitor cloud performance through AWS infrastructure while introducing AI capabilities that simplify operations.Topics Include:Arnie Lopez is SVP, Chief Customer Officer at New Relic.Oversees pre-sales, post-sales, technical support, and enablement teams.New Relic University offers customer certifications.Founded in 2008, pioneered application performance monitoring (APM).Now offers "Observability 3.0" for full-stack visibility.Prevents interruptions during cloud migration and operations.Serves 70,000+ customers across various industries.16,000 enterprise-level paying customers.Platform consolidates multiple monitoring tools into one solution.Helps detect issues before customers experience performance problems.Market challenge: customers using disparate observability solutions.Reduces TCO by eliminating multiple monitoring tools.Targets VPs, CTOs, CIOs, and sometimes CEOs.Decade-long partnership with AWS.Platform built on largest unified telemetry data cloud.Uses AWS Graviton instances and Amazon EKS.AWS partnership enables innovation and customer trust.Three AI approaches: user assistance, LLM monitoring, faster insights.New Relic AI helps write query language (NURCLs).Monitors LLMs in customer environments.Uses AI to accelerate incident resolution.Lesson learned: should have started AI implementation sooner.Many customers still cautiously adopting AI technologies.Goal: continue growth with AWS partnership.Offers compute-based pricing model.Customers only pay for what they use.Announced one-step AWS monitoring for enterprise scale.Amazon Q Business and New Relic AI integration.Agent-to-agent AI eliminates data silos.Embeds performance insights into business application workflows.Participants:Arnie Lopez – SVP Chief Customer Officer, New RelicSee how Amazon Web Services gives you the freedom to migrate, innovate, and scale your software company at https://aws.amazon/isv/

CTO Series: The Anti-Scaling Paradox: Why and When a CTO Should Refuse to Grow His Team with Markus Hjort In this BONUS episode, we dive into a fascinating conversation with Markus Hjort, Co-founder and CTO of Bitmagic. With over 20 years of software development expertise, Markus shares invaluable insights on tech leadership, team scaling, and how AI is transforming the landscape of software development. From pivotal career moments to practical advice on aligning tech strategy with business objectives, this episode offers wisdom for technology leaders and developers alike. Defining Moments in Tech Leadership "As a leader, for me, it is important that we have a positive attitude." Markus reflects on two pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. Early in his career, he received feedback about his positive approach to challenging tasks, which reinforced his belief in maintaining an optimistic outlook when facing difficulties. This approach has allowed him to inspire team members during tough situations. The second defining moment relates to estimation skills. After participating in a rescue mission for a delayed project, Markus learned the importance of making realistic ballpark estimates rather than succumbing to unrealistic deadlines. His initial two-year estimate for a project was met with resistance from a client who wanted it done in two months, but the project ultimately took four years to complete - twice his original estimate. Leads by example with a positive attitude toward challenges Values the skill of making quick but realistic ballpark estimates Recommends "Programming Pearls" for developers to improve estimation skills Emphasizes that product developers should create different options to reach goals In this segment, Markus refers to the book Programming Pearls. Aligning Tech Strategy with Business Objectives "Nothing should come for me as a surprise." When it comes to ensuring tech strategy supports business goals, Markus emphasizes the importance of continuous communication with key stakeholders. Through regular informal discussions, he stays aware of emerging ideas and maintains strong relationships with decision-makers. This approach helps him anticipate future feature requirements and translate technical strategy into business objectives. The foundation of this alignment is built on trust and transparency. Maintains constant discussions with critical stakeholders Develops awareness of emerging ideas through informal conversations Identifies and builds relationships with decision-makers Translates technical considerations into business language Fostering Collaboration Between Tech and Business Units "In the end we create the shared understanding and the habit of working together which creates better alignment and trust." While structured meetings are important, Markus believes that true collaboration happens when people work together across departmental boundaries. In previous roles, he implemented small, cross-functional teams that included business representatives during feature development. At Bitmagic, they conduct regular gameplay test sessions that anyone in the company can join, fostering unpredictable connections and conversations. These informal interactions are especially valuable in a remote-only company. Creates small teams with business representation for feature development Implements regular demo sessions open to everyone in the company Encourages cross-departmental work to build shared understanding Emphasizes the importance of informal discussions in remote environments Scaling Engineering Teams Strategically "You have to be careful when to scale, and when not to scale." Markus advocates for a measured approach to team growth during scaling phases. He believes in small teams of talented individuals and prefers to grow at a deliberate pace rather than rushing to add new members. Sometimes, he's even paused hiring to focus on meeting milestones with existing resources. When rapid scaling is necessary, Markus recommends considering contractors to reduce risk and gain specialized expertise quickly, particularly in fields like gaming that require deep specialization. Believes in small teams of talented individuals Grows team size at a deliberate pace Sometimes pauses hiring to focus on delivery with existing team Strategically uses both employees and contractors based on circumstances Navigating Financial Challenges in Startups "From the tech view it was clear this was not a good idea, but from the business perspective, it was the right decision to make." One of the toughest challenges Markus faced involved making difficult decisions during financial constraints. In a previous startup, when resources were tight, he had to split his team between the main product and a "side project" that had been sold to generate revenue. Though technically suboptimal, this business-driven decision was necessary for survival. This experience highlights the complex balancing act CTOs often face between technical ideals and business realities. The Impact of AI on Software Development "It has changed my way of thinking of my work as a programmer." Having worked on AI-powered game development for over two years, Markus has witnessed the rapid evolution of AI technologies. This experience has influenced his approach to team expansion, as he considers how AI might augment human capabilities. Personally, he now uses code assistants regularly and wouldn't return to traditional programming methods. AI has transformed his workflow as a programmer and expanded his capabilities, particularly as a full-stack engineer. Measuring Engineering Success Beyond Metrics "In early startup stages, one of the critical metrics is 'the working software.'" Rather than relying heavily on rigid metrics, Markus focuses on practical indicators of success for engineering teams. In early-stage startups, he prioritizes the frequency of releasing working software to end users. Additionally, he monitors team energy and morale, looking for signals in commit messages and code review comments that might indicate the team's well-being. As teams grow, he sees value in using tools to help track these emotional indicators systematically. Focuses on frequency of releasing working software Monitors team energy and morale as key indicators Looks for signals in commit messages and code reviews Considers team well-being as important as technical output Recommended Reading "Press 'pause' when you feel you are in a crisis situation." Markus credits "Rapid Development" by Steve McConnell as a significant influence on his approach to software development, particularly before Agile methodologies became mainstream. One lasting lesson from the book is avoiding the anti-pattern of "abandoning all planning under pressure." Instead, Markus recommends pausing when facing a crisis to reassess and plan effectively, rather than rushing into reactive solutions. About Markus Hjort Markus Hjort is the Co-founder and CTO of Bitmagic, with over 20 years of software development expertise. Starting with Commodore 64 game programming, his career spans gaming, fintech, and more. As a programmer, consultant, agile coach, and leader, Markus has successfully guided numerous tech startups from concept to launch. You can link with Markus Hjort on LinkedIn and listen to Markus Hjort's podcast in Finnish, and follow his work with the future of AI in gaming at Bitmagic.ai.

RSVP to the 13th CTO Colloquium on 4/17/25In this episode, Steven Zgaljic, CTO of Jahnel Group, joins host Etienne de Bruin to share a personal story about his daughter's health challenges. Faced with the need to meticulously track symptoms and daily activities, Steven leveraged his technical expertise to create a custom AI-powered solution using tools like N8N and Superbase. The conversation highlights how AI can transform complex problems into actionable insights, even in personal contexts.Steven discusses the challenges of using traditional methods like pen and paper for symptom tracking, leading him to build an automated workflow integrated with Slack. By applying AI for data validation and pattern recognition, he gains real-time insights into potential triggers and patterns in his daughter's symptoms. Beyond his personal use case, Steven reflects on the broader applications of AI in problem-solving and the necessity of human oversight in AI-driven systems.This conversation explores the intersection of personal challenges, technological innovation, and the potential of AI to improve lives.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:00 Steven Zgaljic's Background and Family Story 03:00 Challenges with Tracking Medical Symptoms for His Daughter 05:00 Using Slack for Family Communication 07:00 Applying AI to Track and Analyze Symptoms 09:00 Exploring N8N, Superbase, and AI for Automation 11:00 Creating Validation Models for AI Accuracy 13:00 Building a Custom AI System for Health Tracking 15:00 AI Insights and Pattern Recognition in Health Data 17:00 Future Plans for AI Health Analysis 18:00 Reflections on AI in Problem SolvingWe have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials VideoContact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Steven: Website /LinkedInGreat news! The CTO Podcast has been featured on Feedspot's list of Top CTO Podcasts. Huge thanks to our amazing guests and listeners for being part of these conversations. Check out the full list here: Feedspot's Top CTO Podcasts. Get full access to The CTO Podcast at www.ctopod.com/subscribe

פרק מספר 494 של רברס עם פלטפורמה, שהוקלט ב-25 במרץ 2025 (שלקלק?!). פרק מיוחד - אורי ורן מקליטים סולו, כדי לדבר על פרויקטי-צד אישיים, ביחד ולחוד, שחלקם הפכו גם ל-Full-time: כנס Reversim Summit ו-SoLEAD, הפרויקט של אורי.

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Will Blackburn, co-founder of DevClarity.Will shares he's from Birmingham, Alabama, where he still resides. Although he moved to Atlanta, thinking Birmingham lacked a tech ecosystem, he returned after seeing local success stories and opportunities. Birmingham's smaller, supportive startup community, centered around the Innovation Depot, made it easier to build connections than Atlanta's bigger, less personal environment. This supportive community inspired him to build DevClarity in Birmingham.Will explains that DevClarity helps new engineering managers with a developer-focused one-on-one tool. It uses AI to summarize notes, analyze sentiment, and guide developer growth. The goal is to build a system for tracking team performance, well-being, and project details. While DevClarity started by targeting engineering managers, Will sees the need to also serve CTOs, VPs, and directors with broader insights for the whole organization.Find out how Will Blackburn embraced Birmingham's collaborative spirit to build DevClarity's success in this episode of The First Customer! Guest Info:DevClarityhttps://www.devclarity.ai/Will Blackburn's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/willhblackburn/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

March 26, 2025: Sarah Richardson and Kate Gamble discuss the significant shift from volume-based to value-based physician compensation models and what this means for healthcare technology leaders. They explore how this reform requires enhanced data tracking capabilities, EHR evolution, AI integration, and cybersecurity protocols while addressing physician burnout concerns. The conversation highlights critical questions CIOs, CTOs, CMIOs, and CISOs should be asking to ensure their technology infrastructure supports these compensation changes effectively and equitably.X: This Week Health LinkedIn: This Week Health Donate: Alex's Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster reviews the ischemia trial's findings on invasive versus conservative treatment strategies for patients with chronic total occlusions (CTOs). The trial revealed that while revascularization of CTOs improved quality of life for angina, the invasive approach did not significantly reduce heart-related deaths or heart attacks compared to conservative management.

In this episode, Amir sits down with Santhosh Kumar, Head of Data at Trepp, to unpack the evolving world of Data as a Product. Data is no longer just a support function—it's becoming a core business driver. Santhosh shares how data teams are embracing a product-oriented approach, aligning closely with business goals while mirroring software engineering practices.If you've ever wondered:How data can be treated like a shippable productWhat mindset shifts data teams needAnd how collaboration between data, product, and tech teams is evolvingThis episode is for you!

In this episode, Amir is joined by Sachin Nene to explore what it really takes to thrive as a modern CTO. Sachin shares actionable strategies for balancing vision and execution, managing relationships with CEOs and fellow executives, and staying relatable and credible with engineering teams. They dive deep into the challenges of expectation management, engineering metrics, and how AI tools like LLMs are reshaping the future of engineering leadership.Whether you're already in a leadership role or aspiring to step up, this conversation is packed with practical insights tailored for today's fast-moving tech landscape.Key Takeaways:The CTO as a Strategic Subcontractor: Sachin redefines the CTO role as the "subcontractor" within the C-suite — fully responsible for delivery without burdening non-technical peers with unnecessary details.Balancing Vision & Execution: Effective CTOs master both managing expectations upwards and maintaining technical credibility downward, acting as the glue between business goals and engineering execution.Building Trust with Engineering Teams: Staying relatable means understanding current trends (like LLMs), engaging in technical brainstorming, and being able to advocate for the team at any level.Avoid Over-Optimizing Metrics: Sachin warns against over-indexing on engineering metrics (e.g., DORA metrics) when they risk detaching teams from meaningful business impact.Future-Proof Engineering Leadership: With AI's influence growing, CTOs must rethink hiring profiles and team structures, moving toward polyglot engineers who can flex between product, business, and technical hats.Timestamped Highlights:[00:00] Introduction & Overview: Sachin's journey from Upside CTO to launching fractional CTO services.[01:00] CTO Relationship with C-suite: Why the CTO operates differently from other executives, and why it's akin to a subcontracted role.[03:00] Balancing Business & Technical Leadership: How Sachin keeps one foot in business strategy and one in technical leadership.[07:00] Staying Relatable to Engineering Teams: Practical ways to stay connected—personal research, whiteboarding sessions, and knowing when to step into the technical weeds.[10:00] Translating Strategy into Metrics: The difficulty of measuring engineering success without losing sight of broader goals.[14:00] Dangers of Over-Optimizing Metrics: The risk of becoming overly process-driven and detached from actual business outcomes.[16:00] Technology-Driven Revenue Opportunities: How a CTO ensures technology investments align with business shifts, particularly in SaaS models.[19:00] Preparing for the AI Shift: Why LLMs and AI tools require a new type of engineering team and leadership approach.[22:00] The Shift Left in Engineering: Why tomorrow's engineers need to think more like product managers and business leaders.Featured Quote:"The ideal CTO is the king or queen of expectation management—balancing business impact with technical trust, without getting lost in jargon or micromanagement." — Sachin NeneLinks:Connect with Sachin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachinnene/Learn more at sachinnene.comCall to Action:

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we delve into the transformative role of AI in the tech industry, specifically its impact on modern CTOs, with our insightful guest, Sergio Pereria. Sergio, with a wealth of experience as a fractional CTO, offers a unique lens on how AI is reshaping the landscape for software developers and technology leaders alike.Sergio dispels the myth that AI is a threat to coders, highlighting instead how tools like GitHub Copilot and cursor enhance productivity and efficiency. He explains the shift in the development process, emphasizing the importance of purposeful instructions and the new opportunities for non-technical stakeholders to produce software.Notable Quotes:"I think AI is changing everything. It's not necessarily for better or for worse; it's just changing everything." - [Sergio Pereria] "In a startup, you just know when you start that you will need to change things as you go." - [Sergio Pereria] "There are people stuck in doing things a certain way, and the danger is thinking, 'AI's gonna replace me, so I'm gonna try and avoid it for as long as possible.'" - [Jonathan Green]Connect with Sergio Pereria:Twitter: https://x.com/SergioRocksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiomcpereira/Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

The Power of Fractional Leadership: Lior's Entrepreneurial and Technological Journey In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, I sit down with Lior, a self-taught technologist and growth expert who has been building and scaling businesses since he was 14. Originally from Israel, Lior moved to the U.S. 14 years ago and has successfully built and sold multiple companies. Now, as a fractional Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Growth Officer (CGO), he helps businesses navigate technology and growth strategies without the need for full-time executive hires. Lior shares invaluable insights on problem-solving, attention to detail, and understanding cause and effect—critical skills for success in any industry. He also challenges the misconception that only certain people can excel in technology, encouraging more professionals to explore coding and tech-driven solutions. Why Businesses Need a Fractional CTO Technology is a game-changer for modern businesses, but navigating it can be complex and expensive. Lior and I discuss the growing need for experienced technology leaders and how companies can benefit from a fractional CTO. Rather than hiring a full-time executive, companies can leverage a senior tech expert part-time, gaining high-level strategic guidance without the hefty price tag. We also explore a fascinating market shift: Companies are shifting away from relying solely on external tech providers and returning to in-house technology solutions. A fractional CTO helps businesses stay agile and competitive in this evolving landscape. The Rise of Fractional Executives: A Smarter Way to Scale Beyond technology, fractional leadership is transforming executive roles across industries. Whether it's a CTO, CMO, or CFO, businesses are realizing the benefits of bringing in high-caliber talent as needed. I highlight how fractional leaders drive performance, eliminate organizational silos, and provide specialized expertise—an especially crucial advantage in today's remote-first world. Lior and I also discuss how fractional executives bring expertise and a vast network of connections, helping companies access opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. He compares hiring a fractional executive to working with a law or CPA firm—tapping into top-tier professionals without the full-time overhead. Leveraging Fractional Leadership for Business Growth Fractional leadership isn't just about cutting costs but elevating business strategy. Lior breaks down how fractional CTOs support leadership teams by providing strategic insights, keeping companies ahead of tech trends, and ensuring businesses adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape. I liken it to having a fractional cleaning crew—you get expert-level service without the commitment of a full-time hire. If your business wants to level up its technology and leadership without the constraints of full-time executive salaries, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Connect with Lior to explore how fractional expertise can transform your company's growth. Serial entrepreneur specializing in digital transformation - mobile, web, and desktop. Founded his first company at 14, Lior built over three technology companies and exited two while still in his 20s. He's worked on anything from promoting DIY Chicken Coups to extensive scale marketing automation systems. Lior specializes in simplifying complex concepts into actionable steps that drive effective results in digital products, traffic generation, conversion, and software engineering solutions. He's worked on over 30 mobile apps used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and hundreds of websites, both B2C and B2B. His apps were featured in publications by Microsoft, showcasing the best UI, and also featured on the Apple US App Store. Currently, Lior spends his time building new technology-oriented joint ventures with other entrepreneurs and companies or as a fractional CTO and CRO to founder-led companies with $20M-100M revenue looking to grow and supporting nonprofits with the same roles. Website:  https://ctox.com/our-team/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/liorweinstein/  

Health system technology leaders are increasingly confronting a stark reality: legacy on-premises data centers, long considered reliable pillars of IT infrastructure, are reaching the end of their lifecycle. As the costs of virtualization technologies such as VMware and Citrix climb, many CIOs and CTOs are weighing the benefits of transitioning core workloads to the cloud. […] Source: Myriad Factors Making On-Prem Less Sustainable; Cloud the Clear Path, but Execution Requires Preparation and Expertise on healthsystemcio.com - healthsystemCIO.com is the sole online-only publication dedicated to exclusively and comprehensively serving the information needs of healthcare CIOs.

Zero Trust World 2025 is officially underway, and the conversation centers around what it means to build a culture of security. Hosted by ThreatLocker, this event brings together security professionals, IT leaders, and decision-makers to explore the complexities of Zero Trust—not just as a concept but as an operational mindset.Defining Zero Trust in PracticeSean Martin and Marco Ciappelli set the stage with a key takeaway: Zero Trust is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each organization must define its own approach based on its unique environment, leadership structure, and operational needs. It is not about a single tool or quick fix but about establishing a continuous process of verification and risk management.A Focus on Security OperationsSecurity operations and incident response are among the core themes of this year's discussions. Speakers and panelists examine how organizations can implement Zero Trust principles effectively while maintaining business agility. Artificial intelligence, its intersection with cybersecurity, and its potential to both strengthen and challenge security frameworks are also on the agenda.Learning Through EngagementOne of the standout aspects of Zero Trust World is its emphasis on education. From hands-on training and certification opportunities to interactive challenges—such as hacking a device to win it—attendees gain practical experience in real-world security scenarios. The event fosters a culture of learning, with participation from help desk professionals, CIOs, CTOs, and cybersecurity practitioners alike.The Power of CommunityBeyond the technical discussions, the event underscores the importance of community. Conferences like these are not just about discovering new technologies or solutions; they are about forging connections, sharing knowledge, and strengthening the collective approach to security.Zero Trust World 2025 is just getting started, and there's much more to come. Stay tuned as Sean and Marco continue to bring insights from the conference floor, capturing the voices that are shaping the future of cybersecurity.Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber] | On ITSPmagazine:  https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martinMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast | On ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli____________________________This Episode's SponsorsThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974____________________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ZTW 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/zero-trust-world-2025-cybersecurity-and-zero-trust-event-coverage-orlando-floridaRegister for Zero Trust World 2025: https://itspm.ag/threat5mu1____________________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageTo see and hear more Redefining CyberSecurity content on ITSPmagazine, visit: https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-cybersecurity-podcastTo see and hear more Redefining Society stories on ITSPmagazine, visit:https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-society-podcastWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More

will you be forever broke and careerless if you don't go to college? turns out you'll probably be okay. in this episode we talk about the alternative options to a financially stable career that doesn't require a 4 year degree because rising college costs, doubts about the payoff, and selective admissions are causing many to reconsider traditional higher education paths. we talk with people that have made a living without a degree and ask about how they did it, if they have any regrets and then later bring on david deming as an expert who can guide us on the value of a college degree.  so maybe the key to a good life isn't a business degree but simply a career as a plumber or IT worker. life gets so much simpler (and less expensive) if you realize that early lol Follow GrownKid on Instagram: @Grownk1d JOIN OUR SOCIAL CLUB IN LOS ANGELES: https://form.typeform.com/to/eBSho4lE About Our Partners: GrownKid is made possible by the Schultz Family Foundation, dedicated to helping young people unlock their full potential and successfully navigate to fulfilling careers. GrownKid is made in partnership with Joy Coalition where purpose driven content meets powerful storytelling. From 13 reasons Why to unprisoned, Joy Coalition projects are made to bridge generations and drive groundbreaking conversations.   Interested in a career in mental health? Check out the Youth Mental Health Corps – a new program created by the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest and AmeriCorps - where anyone with a high school degree can gain experience, skills, and a credential during a year of paid service in the mental health field. Learn more at youthmentalhealthcorps.org Featured Guests: David Deming: https://www.daviddeming.com/ –  David Deming is the Isabelle and Scott Black Professor of Political Economy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Christopher Zara: https://christopherzara.com/about/ – Christopher Zara is an author and journalist at Fast Company. dave baldwin: @davebaldwin_ - a trade worker and musician under the name Vineland. Dave is the property manager for multiple a-list celebrities in Hollywood and beyond. Amanda Southworth: @am.nda - Amanda Southworth dropped out of high school at 16 and now has a career in internet and tech safety. Marco Gudino: Chose not to attend college due to concerns about financial debt and now works as an office administrative assistant.  SOCIAL LINKS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownk1d/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grownkid Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3C6oJYFLbesR2ELhXIk7dz?si=6acdcba455dc4323 Website: grownkid.com Resources: Career Village: 'Reddit for careers'. Anyone can head to the site, ask any career-related question, and get crowdsourced answers from real, verified professionals. CareerVillage.org's mission is to democratize access to career information and advice for underrepresented people. Code Path: CodePath is reprogramming higher education to create the most diverse generation of engineers, CTOs, and founders. They deliver industry-vetted courses and career support centered on the needs of Black, Latino/a, Indigenous, and low-income students. Skill Up: SkillUp is a nonprofit that enables job seekers to break into new careers regardless of their degree-holding status. They focus on careers that pay a living wage, feature high-quality trainings with low risk and high returns, and are dedicated to educating how to achieve promising career paths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 29, 2025: Dustin Leek, Executive Healthcare Strategist for CDW, explores the necessity of partners with clinical experience and CDW's current focuses. What role does data governance play in unlocking AI's potential in healthcare? As financial pressures mount on health systems, what strategies can CIOs and CTOs employ to maximize operational efficiency without compromising care? You don't want to miss this interview in action.Key Points:02:46 CDW's Unique Team and Approach04:36 Security, Data, and AI07:57 Upcoming Events and Speaking EngagementsSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex's Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Proximity to innovation often gives rise to further innovation. This trend is especially true in interventional radiology. Dr. Gregg Alzate (interventional radiologist in San Diego, California) joins host Dr. Ally Baheti to share his career pearls for early and mid-career IRs, and how he came to pioneer the Alzate Retrograde Antegrade Maneuver (A-RAM). --- This podcast is supported by: Reflow Medical https://www.reflowmedical.com/ --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Alzate starts by sharing his early influences, including his time with interventional radiology giant Dr. Harold Coons. The doctors also cover the importance of proper vessel access techniques, innovative approaches to limb salvage, and how to address complex chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Dr. Alzate then goes on to give us a thorough walkthrough of the A-RAM. The episode concludes with Dr. Alzate's closing thoughts on being open to adopt new techniques, the impact of strong mentorship, and importance for consuming and sharing knowledge. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 03:05 - Dr. Alzate's Journey 25:52 - A-RAM Technique 34:26 - CTO's and Heavy Calcium 40:16 - Moral Injury in Medical Practice 43:35 - Honoring Dr. Harold Coons 46:23 - Closing Thoughts and Reflections --- RESOURCES Ohki, Takao et al. “Long-term results of the Japanese multicenter Viabahn trial of heparin bonded endovascular stent grafts for long and complex lesions in the superficial femoral artery.” Journal of vascular surgery vol. 74,6 (2021): 1958-1967.e2. https://www.jvascsurg.org/article/S0741-5214(21)01011-9/fulltext Kedora, John et al. “Randomized comparison of percutaneous Viabahn stent grafts vs prosthetic femoral-popliteal bypass in the treatment of superficial femoral arterial occlusive disease.” Journal of vascular surgeryvol. 45,1 (2007): 10-6; discussion 16. https://www.jvascsurg.org/article/S0741-5214(06)01612-0/fulltext

Religious pressure to forgive meets decades-old family assault. When the perpetrator has wealth but won't aid healing, what's next? It's Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: Your cousin and her daughter were both sexually assaulted by members of the same family, decades apart. Now the perpetrator is wealthy, dismissive, and unwilling to help with therapy costs while flaunting his success. There's a complex web of family dynamics and religious pressure to "forgive and forget" — but should justice have an expiration date? [Thanks to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us answer this one!] You're facing a performance review where you'll need to discuss a new company protocol that's making your work less efficient and more demanding. The change wasn't your supervisor's call, but you'll have to navigate this diplomatic minefield carefully. How do you voice concerns without burning bridges? Your brother lives five minutes away but weaponizes access to your beloved niece, only allowing visits when it suits him. He claims you're "obsessed" with her and don't care about him — though your relationship was strained long before she arrived. Is there a solution you're not seeing, or are you destined to watch her grow up from a distance? Recommendation of the Week: The Sun-a-Wear UV Tracker Your tech startup is opening a new office in your hometown, presenting a golden opportunity for growth. But as you attend networking events filled with CTOs and investors, imposter syndrome is hitting hard. You want to make meaningful connections but feel you have nothing to offer these power players. Could you be more valuable than you think? Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com! Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger. Connect with Gabriel on Twitter at @GabeMizrahi and Instagram @gabrielmizrahi. Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1104

CTO Series: Sergey's Leadership Insights—Bridging Innovation and Strategy as CTO of CrateDB   In this BONUS episode, we sit down with Sergey, the forward-thinking CTO of CrateDB, to unpack his journey from Nokia to CrateDB and his leadership philosophy that blends technical expertise with strategic foresight. We dive into the key moments that shaped his career, the challenges of scaling technology in a competitive market, and how Sergey aligns his team's efforts with broader business goals while staying adaptable in an ever-evolving tech landscape.   The Defining Moment in Sergey's Leadership Journey   “Being a cheerleader, servant, and strategist for your team creates an environment where innovation can thrive.”   Sergey shares how working at Nokia with an inspiring people manager, Sotiris, influenced his leadership approach. Sotiris embodied servant leadership and made strategic thinking a team-wide responsibility. Sergey reflects on how this mindset helped him approach his current role at CrateDB, emphasizing the importance of not only building great products but ensuring they resonate in the market through thoughtful sales and marketing alignment. “The best leaders help their teams see what's next—not just solve today's problems.” Navigating Product-Market Fit for Technical Products “For technical products, adoption is not just about features—it's about connecting with both developers and decision-makers.”   Sergey breaks down the challenges of achieving product-market fit for developer-centric solutions like CrateDB. He explains the dual approach of engaging both top-down decision-makers, like CTOs, and bottom-up developer communities. By drawing from his startup experience, Sergey underscores the importance of building trust and delivering a developer experience that wins over early adopters.   “The real challenge is bridging the gap between leadership adoption and the developers who use the product every day.”   The Impact of AI on Developer Experience “AI's true transformation lies in how it enhances the products we already use, often invisibly.”   When asked about AI's current role, Sergey reflects on the potential of AI-powered tools to transform workflows over the next few years. While not yet life-changing for his daily routine, he anticipates that AI's influence will soon be felt through the optimization of background processes in everyday tools and databases.   “The future isn't about flashy AI features—it's about smarter tools that simplify complex workflows.”   Aligning Tech Strategy with Business Goals “A strong strategy needs to be a story that teams can rally around and imagine themselves in.”   Sergey details CrateDB's unique approach to strategic planning, inspired by open-source RFCs (Request for Comments). Instead of rigid OKRs, they craft stories that clarify priorities and invite feedback from across the organization. He highlights the importance of quarterly check-ins and building checkpoints to validate assumptions along the way.   Key tips in this segment: Document the assumptions behind the strategy. Break initiatives into steps to test their feasibility. Avoid deadline-driven development; focus on value-driven milestones.   Fostering Collaboration Between Tech and Business Units “Collaboration thrives when both sides understand the trade-offs involved in strategic decisions.”   Sergey explains how collaboration between engineering and business leaders is fostered through transparency and communication. Product managers and engineering leads play key roles in advocating for priorities and ensuring alignment across teams. Sergey emphasizes the value of making trade-offs explicit to avoid silos.   “The best partnerships between tech and business come from mutual understanding—not just of goals, but of constraints.”   Staying Ahead with Strategic Roadmapping   “A good strategy diagnoses the situation, sets guiding policies, and outlines coherent actions.”   Sergey highlights the importance of competitive intelligence in staying ahead of market trends without reacting impulsively. In the world of databases, long adoption cycles offer the advantage of thoughtful strategic planning. He references the book Good Strategy/Bad Strategy and describes how CrateDB maintains an evergreen list of initiatives that can be prioritized when needed.   “Don't just chase trends—create a strategy that withstands change by focusing on long-term coherence.”   Overcoming the Challenges of the CTO Role   “The CTO role is often ambiguous—define it based on your organization's needs.”   Sergey candidly discusses the challenge of imposter syndrome and the ambiguity that comes with the CTO title. He outlines two common archetypes: the technical expert versus the team builder and cultural leader. He stresses the importance of adjusting the role to the organization's maturity and goals.   “Your leadership role isn't static—adapt your approach to meet your organization where it is.”   Books That Shaped Sergey's Leadership Approach   “Most tech problems are people problems disguised as engineering issues.”   Sergey shares the books that influenced his leadership style: Peopleware by Tom DeMarco: Reinforces the idea that technical challenges often stem from team dynamics. Drive by Daniel Pink: Highlights the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in motivating teams. Good to Great by Jim Collins: Explores what makes some companies thrive while others stagnate. About Sergey Gerasimenko Sergey is the innovative CTO of CrateDB, leading the charge in real-time analytics and hybrid search. Previously, he was VP of Engineering at MongoDB, shaping the edge device strategy, and at Realm, a leading open-source mobile/embedded database acquired by MongoDB in 2019. With a career spanning groundbreaking roles at Brainly and Nokia, Sergey co-founded two companies and holds a patent. His leadership continues to push the boundaries of tech innovation. You can link with Sergey Gerasimenko on LinkedIn.