Modern CTO

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]

Today, we're talking to Artem Fishman, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Dow Jones. We discuss the ways in which tech cultures change around the world, how and when to be blunt, and why we should be optimistic about the future. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Dow Jones, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Sam Curry, Global VP, CISO in Residence at Zscaler. We discuss the AI threat landscape in 2025, why fighting AI with AI may not be your best strategy, and how to position yourself in a community to become a better leader. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Zscaler, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Mauro Stara, CEO & Founder at Six Pack CEO. We discuss how you can get in shape, what makes getting a top 1% physique easier than you think, and why achieving a lofty fitness goal will improve your life at home and as a tech leader. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Six Pack CEO, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Mayada Gonimah, CTO & Co-Founder at Thread AI. We discuss Google Cloud’s Future of AI Report: Perspectives for Startups. Uncover more valuable insights from AI leaders in Google Cloud's 'Future of AI: Perspectives for Startups' report. Discover what 23 AI industry leaders think about the future of AI—and how it impacts your business. Read their perspectives here: goo.gle/futureofai All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To get started using Google Cloud, check out the Google for Startups Cloud Program here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Scott Dietzen, CEO at Augment Code. Scott shares insights on how Augment is revolutionizing the coding process, making developers more productive, and improving software quality across the board with the power of AI. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Augment Code, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to John Munsell, CEO at Bizzuka. We discuss how John’s AI philosophies got picked up by LSU, why they’re so impactful to businesses and technology leaders, and why your company needs less handcuffs and more AI champions to scale into the future. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Bizzuka, check out their website here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Lisa Groeneveld, Co-Founder of OnLogic. We discuss how Lisa and her husband started the company with an $80k check to a stranger, where the edge actually is, and how Toy Story teaches one of the most valuable leadership skills. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about OnLogic, check out their website here. To learn more about the whitepaper and server we featured in this episode, click here. Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Adam Dille from Quantum Metric and Zeba Hasan from Google. We discuss the importance of data quality for interfacing with AI, the most common mistakes we face when building products with AI, and how to get the rest of the company to buy into the advantages AI has to offer. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Quantum Metric, check out their website here: https://www.quantummetric.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to keynote speaker and friend of the show Jim Harris. We discuss the most important tech trends featured at CES 2025, how AI might be used to replace doctors over time, and why Jim thinks most car manufacturers will go extinct within 10 years. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! For more about Jim, check out his website here: https://www.jimharris.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Jack Tam, SVP and CTO at Intuit Mailchimp. We discuss insights on the evolving landscape of AI, the future of software engineering, and why staying grounded is paramount as a tech leader. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! For more on Intuit Mailchimp, check out their website here: https://mailchimp.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to best selling author Seth Godin for an episode of Tech Titans. We’re bringing you Seth’s best advice from his definition of CTO, why people aren’t truly rational, how to avoid positive feedback loops, and more. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! For more on Seth Godin, check out his website here: https://www.sethgodin.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Hrishi Dixit, Principal at Gordian Labs. We discuss the how and why you need to make yourself redundant, why you should work to replace yourself in your role, and why tech leaders need to build to simplify. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! For more on Hrishi, check out his personal blog here: https://hrishi.nyc/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to the CTO of the US Navy, Justin Fanelli. Discover how the modern government is embracing digital transformation, the power of direct communication in military settings, and the unexpected passion driving innovation in public service. Justin shares invaluable insights on leadership, burnout prevention, and the importance of continuous learning. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! For more on Justin’s courses, check out www.h4d.us and https://www.commonmission.us/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we're talking to Geoffrey Huck, Public Speaking Coach. We discuss how to overcome communication barriers in the tech industry, translate complex ideas for non-technical audiences, and develop authentic speaking styles. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Geoffrey's work, check out his website here: https://geoffreyhuck.com/podcast Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we’re talking to Mohak Shroff, SVP of Engineering at LinkedIn. We discuss LinkedIn’s human-centered approach to AI agents, their vision for LinkedIn members to have a Digital Chief of Staff, and how agents will transform the way we work. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we’re talking to Megh Gautam, CPO at Crunchbase. We discuss the latest technology being rolled out at Crunchbase, Megh’s philosophy on flat vs siloed teams, and why it’s far more useful to get punched in the face than just read about it. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Crunchbase, check out their website here: https://www.crunchbase.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we’re talking to Megh Gautam, CPO at Crunchbase. We discuss Megh’s journey from engineering to product leadership, his biggest mistake from making the transition, and how he thinks about “tours of duty” to develop his career path. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Crunchbase, check out their website here: https://www.crunchbase.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we’re talking to James Barrese, SVP of Fintech at Intuit. We discuss James’s thoughts on creating change agents in your organization, how Intuit is revolutionizing the world of fintech with AI agents, and what James learned about organizational communication from a tough moment at PayPal. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Intuit, check out their website here: https://www.intuit.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we’re talking to Jeff Chow, CPTO at Miro. We discuss insights on Miro's evolution from a whiteboarding tool to an innovation workspace, and explore how AI integration and canvas-based technology are reshaping team collaboration. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Miro, check out his website here: https://miro.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email [email protected]

Today, we’re talking to Andrew Edwards, Author of Army of Liars. We dive deep into the controversial Section 230 exploring the complexities of this law, its impact on social media platforms, and the urgent need for reform. All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! To learn more about Andrew Edwards, check out his website here: https://www.andrewvedwards.com/ Produced by ProSeries Media: https://proseriesmedia.com/ For booking inquiries, email booking@proseriesmedi