Modern CTO

It’s lonely at the top. But being lonely is actually a choice. Today, we're talking to Jay Owen, CEO at Business Builders. We discuss how leading in ministry has changed his approach to business leadership, why loneliness at the top is actually a choice, and how AI tools like vibe coding are enabling agencies to build $50,000 solutions in just one week for a few hundred dollars. Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Business Builders, check out their website here.

Web3 crashed and burned when it first rolled out. But now, it’s picking up steam in gaming. Today, we're talking to Chris Hewish, President at Xsolla. We discuss why the first wave of Web3 gaming collapsed into pyramid schemes, how blockchain technology is being reimagined to enhance gameplay instead of replace it, and why creator economies and decentralized ownership could finally solve the cold start problem that's been holding back mass adoption. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Xsolla, check out their website here.

He walked away from a cushy job to build products in his garage. Here’s how he made it work. Today, we're talking to Scott Henderson, CTO and Co-founder at Celigo. We discuss why AI needs minimal autonomy instead of maximum freedom, how the future of SaaS is chat-to-validate rather than click-to-execute, and why the most expensive AI mistake is adopting it too slowly rather than spending too much. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Celigo, check out their website here.

Everyone is rushing to master AI, but what does that mean for software security? Today, we're talking to Henrik Plate and Amod Gupta from Endor Labs about their State of Dependency Management report. We discuss how AI coding assistants are introducing new security vulnerabilities, why 90% of security issues exist in code you're not even using, and how malware is now hijacking local AI agents to steal credentials. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To read Endor Labs' State of Dependency Management Report, check it out here!

Is journalism being threatened or enhanced by modern technology? Today, we're talking to Dylan Jacques, Chief Product and Technology Officer at The Telegraph. We discuss how AI is transforming news consumption patterns, why maintaining journalistic standards is critical in the age of LLMs, and how publishers can adapt by shipping features faster while preserving the human element of journalism. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. To learn more about The Telegraph, check out their website here.

AI is more powerful than ever, but companies are way overhyping this one feature. Today, we're talking to Bryan McCann, CTO and co-founder at You.com. We discuss why CTOs need to start asking deeper questions about meaning, how AI is forcing us to rethink consciousness and intelligence, and why treating AI with respect might actually help you become a better person. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. To learn more about You.com, check out their website here.

AI is more powerful than ever, but companies are way overhyping this one feature. Today, we're talking to Yotam Yemini, CEO of Causely. We discuss why AI SREs are getting so much hype right now, how companies can make the benefits of AI in operations tangible, and why understanding the limitations of language models is crucial for effective implementation in SRE work. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Causely, check out their website here.

Lenovo has been a global leader in computing for decades. Where are they heading next? Today, we're talking to Art Hu, SVP and CTO at Lenovo. We discuss Lenovo's transformation into a services-led company, the future of personal computing and AI twins, and how CTOs can prepare their organizations for the AI revolution. Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Lenovo, check out their website here.

Yahoo was there in the earliest days of the internet, but what are they up to now? Today, we're talking to Lee Zen, CTO at Yahoo. We discuss Yahoo's continued relevance in the digital age, how they're leveraging AI and cloud technology to navigate the expanding digital wilderness, and why authenticity and transparency are crucial in tech leadership. Thanks to Fin for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about the #1 AI agent for customer support, go to fin.ai/cto. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Yahoo, check out their website here.

ChatGPT is the single fastest growing product of all-time, and he was there to launch it. Today, we're talking to Zach Kass, former head of go-to-market at OpenAI. We discuss the story behind launching ChatGPT, how society can responsibly adopt AI, and why societal thresholds are crucial for the integration of new technologies. Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Zack Kass, check out his website here. To preorder Zack's upcoming book, check it out here!

AI-generated code is inescapable, and you can’t always trust it. So what do you do? Today, we're talking to Varun Badhwar, CEO of Endor Labs. We discuss how they're solving the developer productivity tax by making code more secure, why 90% of code comes from open source and the risks that entails, and how AI coding agents are introducing new security challenges in software development. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Endor Labs, check out their website here.

He talks to his dad every night… but his dad passed away eight years ago. Today, we're talking to Miles Spencer, Founder at Reflekta. We discuss how AI is enabling conversations with deceased loved ones, the emergence of the “Soul Tech" category in tech, and why preserving human stories is crucial for future generations. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. To learn more about Reflekta, check out their website here.

Technology is moving faster than it ever has, so how do you actually scale? Today, we're talking to Robert Duffy, CTO at HealthEdge. We discuss how AI is changing traditional scaling strategies, why rapidly bootstrapping trust is crucial in merged organizations, and how assuming positive intent can transform leadership and team dynamics. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about HealthEdge, check out their website here.

“I don’t trust you either, Steve.” He made a $400m mistake at Apple. Today, we're talking to Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist at Canva and author of "Wiser Guy". We discuss his experiences working with Steve Jobs, how he navigated hearing loss and became a mission-driven leader, and why it's essential to approach life with humor and resilience in the face of challenges. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. To learn more about Guy, pick up a copy of "Wiser Guy" here!

He spearheaded a new arm of Comcast to unprecedented success. Today, we're talking to Jeff Buzzelli, Regional SVP at Comcast. We discuss how Comcast Business grew from zero to $10 billion, why employee engagement is crucial for successful leadership, and how the company manages telecommunications during hurricane season in Florida. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Comcast, check out their website here.

His biggest failure transformed him into a great leader. Today, we're talking to Arnie Katz, CPTO at GoFundMe. We discuss how GoFundMe is leveraging AI and LLMs to revolutionize fundraising, why understanding the psychology of asking for help is crucial in philanthropy, and how velocity is the key to success in tech innovation and leadership. Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here.

When you have to call 911, can you trust the operator to do their job? Today, we're talking to Denise Hemke, CPO at Neogov. We discuss how NeoGov is revolutionizing public sector software with AI-powered solutions, why building purpose-built products for government is crucial, and how gamification is transforming policy training for 911 operators. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about NEOGOV, check out their website here.

Toshiba is changing everything about the way we check out at the grocery store. Today, we're talking to Robert Parsons, VP of Hardware Portfolio at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. We discuss why agility is your greatest business survival skill in retail technology, how modular systems are reshaping the future of checkout experiences, and why data-driven decision-making is crucial for technology leaders. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, check out their website here.

The World Uncertainty Index is the highest it has ever been: we are in chaos. Today, we're talking to Rob Kalwarowsky, executive coach and TEDx speaker. We discuss how to capitalize on chaos in uncertain times, why self-leadership is crucial for navigating turbulence, and how understanding the concept of parts vs. self can transform your leadership approach.

This episode will hit you where it hurts, but leaders need to hear this. Today, we're talking to Nick Calver, VP of Financial Services at Palo Alto Networks. We discuss the importance of overcoming adversity in leadership, how understanding core values can guide career decisions, and why balancing work and family life is crucial for long-term success. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thanks to Fin for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about the #1 AI agent for customer support, go to fin.ai/cto To learn more about Palo Alto Networks, visit their website here.

Your toxic manager might be just what you need. Today, we're talking to Damon Lembi, CEO at LearnIt. We discuss how his worst coach made him into a great leader, why focusing on strengths is more effective than improving weaknesses, and how overcoming impostor syndrome can lead to business success. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here. To learn more about LearnIt, visit their website here.

THIS is why your AI project is failing: you have no vision. Today, we're talking to Greg Shewmaker, CEO at r.Potential. We discuss why many enterprise AI projects are failing to deliver returns, how AI is reshaping leadership and decision-making in large companies, and why it's crucial to develop a vision for AI that improves people's lives beyond just technological advancement. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about r.Potential, visit their website here. Thanks to Fin for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about the #1 AI agent for customer support, go to fin.ai/cto

Why is AI resorting to blackmail 96% of the time? Today, we're talking to Jon Krohn, host of the Super Data Science podcast and co-founder of YCarrot. We discuss the difference between LLMs and Agentic AI, how businesses can leverage AI for better ROI, and why understanding AI misalignment is crucial for future implementations. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Y Carrot, visit their website here.

They’re letting robots put catheters inside people?! Today, we're talking to David Fischel, CEO at Stereotaxis. We discuss the revolutionary impact of robotic surgery on minimally invasive procedures, how magnetic fields are used to control catheters with millimeter precision, and why the future of endovascular surgery lies in more accessible and versatile robotic systems. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Stereotaxis, visit their website here.

Today, we're talking to Jeetu Patel, President and CPO at Cisco. We discuss how Cisco is leading the charge in transforming AI infrastructure and security, why addressing the trust deficit in AI is crucial for widespread adoption, and how the unprecedented scale and speed of the AI revolution is reshaping the tech landscape. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about what Cisco is up to, visit their website here.

Today, we're talking to Jody Bailey, CTO of Stack Overflow. We discuss how Stack Overflow is adapting to challenges posed by generative AI, why creating smaller communities within the platform is crucial for user engagement, and how Stack Overflow for Teams is evolving to become an essential part of the development pipeline for companies. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! You already know Stack Overflow, but make sure to visit their website here: https://stackoverflow.com

Today, we're talking to Mahesh Guruswamy, CPTO at Kickstarter. We discuss how to effectively deliver bad news in corporate settings, why CTOs can no longer be the "nice guy" in today's business environment, and how AI tools are reshaping both personal and professional life. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Mahesh and pick up a copy of the bo

Today, we're talking to Etienne de Bruin, Founder of 7CTOs. We discuss why organizations need to operate in a "liquid" state between frozen and boiling, how complex adaptive systems impact technology leadership, and why financial savvy is becoming increasingly crucial for CTOs in the modern business landscape. Thanks to Fin for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about the #1 AI agent for customer support, go to fin.ai/cto All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To buy a copy of "Liquid," go to: https://ctosentinel.com/liquid/ To learn more about 7CTOs, check out their website here.

Today, we're talking to Anurag Goel, Founder at Render. We discuss why it's essential to simplify cloud infrastructure in the age of AI, how developers are being impacted by the challenges of working with LLM APIs, and why it's more crucial than ever to focus on product development instead of managing complex cloud configurations. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Render, check out their website here.

Today, we're talking to Robert Duffy, CTO at HealthEdge. We discuss what CTOs are really saying about AI behind closed doors, how to scale AI initiatives across large organizations, and why balancing innovation with regulatory compliance is crucial in healthcare technology. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about HealthEdge, check out their website here

Today, we're talking to Gino Ferrand, Founder at Tecla. We discuss why it’s essential to remix talent in the age of AI, how junior developers are being impacted disproportionately by AI, and why it’s more crucial than ever to build instead of buy. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Tecla, check out their website here. Check out Gino's newsletter, Redeployed, here!

Today, we're talking to Fredrik Carlegren, VP & Head of Marketing & Communications, and Yeshai Bouskila, Executive Director Retail Innovation at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. We discuss the best ways to manage tech debt, why rigid systems block innovation, and how AI is impacting the technology of frictionless grocery stores. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, check out their website her

Today, we're talking to Andrew Kiguel, CEO at Realbotix. We discuss the state of humanoid robotics, why robots could solve the loneliness epidemic, and what the world will look like when robots are obtainable by average people. Thanks to Fin for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about the #1 AI agent for customer support, go to fin.ai/cto

Today, we're talking to Nick Calver, VP of Financial Services at Palo Alto Networks. We discuss the state of AI ransomware attacks, what the mindset is to best prepare for them, and how to think about product consolidation in order to best serve your customers. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Palo Alto Networks, check out their website here.

Today, we're talking to David Meyer, VP of IT at Irrimax Corporation. We discuss David’s best advice on maximizing your ROI in IT investments, why you should focus on intangible ROI, and David’s golden 80/20 rule for IT projects. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Irrimax, check out their website here. To learn more about Velosio, check out their website here.

Today, we're talking to Mike Tria, CTO at Gusto. We discuss how Mike has led his teams from his background in improv, why you’ll never trust harder than when you’re in an improv troupe, and why vibe-coding might be the new normal in software development. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Gusto, check out their website here. Thanks to Fin for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about the #1 AI agent for customer support, go to fin.ai/cto

Today, we're talking to Mary Jo Foley, Editor in Chief, Directions on Microsoft, and Mike Jones, VP at US Cloud. We discuss four myths about Microsoft support that waste thousands of dollars every year, why Microsoft is investing $80b into AI, and why Mary Jo told Steve Jobs to leave her first interview with Bill Gates. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about US Cloud, check out their website here. To learn more about Directions on Microsoft, check out their website here.

Today, we're talking to John Gates, Pay Negotiation Coach. We discuss how executives can position themselves for a six figure raise, why changing companies is the best way to get the biggest bump in pay, and how you can negotiate more effectively in any situation. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about John's Salary Coach method, check out his website here.

Today, we're talking to Phil Tee, EVP & Head of AI Innovation at Zscaler. We discuss why agentic AI will change everything about the way we use technology, what it will look like to fully team up with autonomous technology, and why intelligence itself might be more malleable than we ever thought. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Zscaler, check out their website here.

Today, we're talking to Robbie Morrison, CEO at Velosio. We discuss how and why Robbie decided to change paths from CTO to CEO, the different ways Robbie has thought about culture throughout his career, and how Robbie has handled tough conversations throughout his leadership positions. Be a part of the conversation! Take Velosio’s Technology Leadership Challenges survey here. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Velosio, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Avi Freedman, CEO at Kentik. We discuss how Kentik is evolving beyond network observability, why networks might never be fully autonomous, and why you should lead your team into tasks you wouldn’t do yourself. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Kentik, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Tony Speller, SVP of Operation and Engineering at Comcast. We discuss how Comcast is breaking new ground with their $80b project, how AI is supercharging network repair, and why work life balance will never truly work. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Comcast, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Michael Jones, VP at US Cloud. We discuss why nobody in their right mind should be buying support services from Microsoft, the true goals of Microsoft’s support services over the years, and lifelong lessons that Mike and Joel learned from their shared mentor, Brad Sousa. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about US Cloud, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email booking@proseriesmed

Today, we're talking to Kevin Korpics, Field CTO and Reza Zaheri, CISO at Quantum Metric. We discuss the impact of AI law in the EU, the levels of regulation that affect your business based on risk, and how to stop being a workaholic. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Quantum Metric, check out their website here. Thanks to US Cloud for sponsoring this episode. Do you need to level up your Microsoft support services? Check out US Cloud for the best Microsoft support in the game: uscloud.com Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Rob Kalwarowsky, Executive Coach & Author of Capitalizing on Chaos. We discuss the signs of a toxic boss, how to extinguish them before it’s too late, and why we should take a tip from olympic athletes to succeed at work. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thanks to US Cloud for sponsoring this episode. Do you need to level up your Microsoft support services? Check out US Cloud for the best Microsoft support in the game: uscloud.com To learn more about Rob's coaching, check out his website here. To get the first 2 chapters of Rob's new book for free, click this link. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

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! Thanks to US Cloud for sponsoring this episode. Do you need to level up your Microsoft support services? Check out US Cloud for the best Microsoft support in the game: uscloud.com 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 [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Guy Gur-Ari, Co-Founder at Augment. We discuss Guy’s journey from physicist to founder, why AI is becoming both creepier and more useful than ever, and why the intelligence AI exhibits is unlike anything humanity has ever encountered. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thanks to US Cloud for sponsoring this episode. Do you need to level up your Microsoft support services? Check out US Cloud for the best Microsoft support in the game: uscloud.com To learn more about Augment, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Daniel Faggella, CEO at Emerj. We discuss Dan’s proposed timeline of 5 years to transformational AI, how we should consider the possibility of AGI having leadership qualities over society, and why truth seeking isn’t necessarily the ideal goal of technology. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast!

Today, we're talking to Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy & Comms Officer at Xsolla. We discuss the future of the video game industry, an invaluable lesson Chris learned from his time at DreamWorks, how Chris approaches new trends in his industry such as cloud gaming, and more. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thanks to US Cloud for sponsoring this episode. Do you need to level up your Microsoft support services? Check out US Cloud for the best Microsoft support in the game: uscloud.com To learn more about Xsolla, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Roland Groeneveld, Executive Chair at OnLogic and Said Ouissal, CEO & Founder at ZEDEDA. Discover how these innovative companies are revolutionizing technology deployment at the edge, from AI-powered railway safety systems to predictive maintenance in solar farms. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Thanks to US Cloud for sponsoring this episode. Do you need to level up your Microsoft support services? Check out US Cloud for the best Microsoft support in the game: uscloud.com To learn more about OnLogic, check out their website here. To learn more about ZEDEDA, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]