Ascendle Unscripted: Accelerating Digital Innovation

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, Michael Cinquino, Mike Lemons, and Clint Edmonson delve into the often misunderstood role of product marketing within tech organizations. They discuss the critical differences between product marketing and product management, the importance of customer empathy, and the need for effective communication throughout the product development lifecycle. The...

Summary This conversation explores the transformative impact of AI on content creation, ownership, and the evolving relationship between technology and creativity. Lathan Hodge and Jason Ling discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the importance of human involvement in the creative process, the need for fair compensation for creators, and the implications of rapid pr...

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, Michael Cinquino, Jason Ling, and Christie Mealo discuss the evolving role of AI in product management. They explore the balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining critical thinking and creativity in the workforce. The conversation highlights the importance of soft skills, the significance of data as a differentiator, and the need for organi...

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, host Michael Cinquino talks with technical evangelist Jeff Blankenburg and Ascendle VP of Engineering Clint Edmonson about the transformative impact of AI agents on user interactions, business processes, and the future of the news industry. They explore the concept of 'tech eating tech,' the importance of attention in the digital economy, and...

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, hosts Michael Cinquino, Dave Todaro, and Jeremy Jackson discuss the transformative impact of AI on SaaS product development. They explore concepts like Vibe coding, rapid prototyping, and the shift from rules-based to goal-based automation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of maintaining product discipline, the dangers of over iteration, an...

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, Michael Cinquino, Jason Ling, and Clint Edmonson delve into the emerging topic of Agentic AI. They explore its definition, implications for businesses, and how it differs from generative AI. The conversation covers the technical aspects of Agentic AI, its potential to revolutionize search engines, and the importance of understanding customer ownershi...

Summary In this conversation, Jacki Brown and Susannah Parnin Mitchell discuss the significance of thought leadership in today's crowded marketing landscape. They emphasize the need for clear messaging and understanding the audience's challenges. The discussion also covers how to navigate the noise of traditional advertising by building authenticity and connection through thought leadership. They...

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, Michael Cinquino, Jacki Brown, and Susannah Parnin Mitchell discuss the critical role of effective questioning in marketing and product development. They explore the importance of understanding target audiences, the necessity of integrating marketing from the start of product development, and the challenges of positioning in a competitive landscape....

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, host Michael Cinquino, CEO Dave Todaro, and guest Joel Parmar discuss the challenges and strategies of implementing an agile mindset in large, traditionally structured organizations. They explore the balance between control and innovation, the importance of asking the right questions, and how agile thinking can be applied to emerging technologies lik...

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, Michael Cinquino engages with Susannah Parnin-Mitchell and Bridget Bell to explore the concept of organizational readiness, particularly in the context of AI integration within healthcare. They discuss the multifaceted nature of readiness, the importance of receptivity to change, and the critical role of leadership in navigating these transformations...

Summary In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, host Michael Cinquino engages with Amy Heymans and Diana Bourns to explore the intersection of AI, customer experience, and business strategy. They discuss how service design and futures thinking can help companies navigate the AI revolution, the importance of balancing what we could do with what we should do, and the need for effortless customer exp...

Summary: In this episode, host Michael Cinquino is joined by Susannah Parnin Mitchell, VP of Operations at Ascendle, and Jenn Wurth, Senior Product Design Manager, to explore the evolving role of AI in UX design. By focusing on customer needs, addressing misconceptions, and maintaining foundational skills, designers can leverage AI to enhance their work and deliver meaningful solutions. Key Highli...

In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, host Michael Cinquino engages with guests Clint Edmonson (Director of Software Engineering) and Ramsin Khoshabeh (Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UC San Diego) to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and the future of work. The conversation delves into personal philosophies, the definition of intelligen...

Are your product teams digging into the WHY? In this episode, Dave Todaro and Jason Ling discuss the critical importance of product-led innovation in today's digital landscape. Learn how aligning product and technology teams can drive successful innovation, maximize ROI, and create value for customers. Tune in to hear real-life examples, key questions to ask, and strategies to avoid common pitfall...

Generative AI is no longer just a trend— it's fundamentally changed how businesses operate. In this episode, Dario Rivera (Principal Partner Solution Architect at Amazon Web Services) and Clint Edmonson (Director of Software Engineering at Ascendle) explore the impact of AI on enterprise innovation, workforce development, and data utilization. They discuss how AI is breathing new life into legacy...

Staying competitive in today's fast-paced digital landscape means evolving—or getting left behind. In this episode, we dive into the challenges and lessons learned from real-world app modernization projects with Jeremy Jackson (Group CTO at ASG), and Dave Todaro (Founder & CEO of Ascendle). From overcoming technical debt to choosing the right modernization strategy, our experts share insights...

AI implementation promises game-changing innovation, but what about the costs you don't see? In this episode, Jason Ling (Director of Product Strategy) and Gina Angelone (Product Strategist) explore the hidden expenses of integrating AI into your software development products. From unanticipated infrastructure demands to talent gaps and long-term maintenance, we dive into the challenges that often...

As the new year begins, how can software professionals set goals that truly make a difference? Join Susannah Mitchell (VP of Operations) and Lynzi Cashman (Director of Delivery) as they explore effective strategies for goal-setting in the tech industry. They discuss the importance of SMART goals and introduce the concept of "broadly specific" objectives that provide direction while allowing for fl...

Striking the right balance in process standardization is crucial for organizational success. In this episode, Susannah Mitchell (VP of Operations) and Sally Punch (Senior Product Operations Manager) explore how consistent workflows can drive efficiency and scalability, while cautioning against rigid systems that hinder creativity and adaptability. Learn how to craft processes that empower your tea...

Few questions are more critical in software development than "When will it be done?" In this episode, VP of Operations Susannah Mitchell and PCMI's Chief Product Officer Dan O'Keefe share practical strategies for managing timelines with confidence. They explore how to define project scope, align teams, and foster collaboration to deliver predictable results. Learn how to turn this question into an...

Agile has transformed how organizations approach software development, but many teams struggle to keep its practices meaningful. In this episode, Dave Todaro (Founder & CEO) and Lynzi Cashman (Director of Delivery) explore why some organizations feel disillusioned with agile and how to rediscover its true value. They break down common pitfalls, offer practical ways to adapt agile to your team'...

Artificial Intelligence is making waves across industries, but does your organization truly need it? In this episode, Ben Friedberg (Senior Software Architect ) and Jason Ling (Director of Product Strategy) delve into the realities of AI adoption in business. They discuss the hype versus the practical applications, key questions to consider before investing, and the importance of ethical oversight...

Ever wondered why your software projects miss deadlines or go over budget? In this episode, discover the common pitfalls that hinder productivity and learn actionable strategies to overcome them. From building the right product to ensuring quality and predictability, Founder & CEO Dave Todaro offers practical advice to help your organization deliver successful projects on time and within budge...

What's the secret to getting product and tech teams to work in harmony? In this episode of Ascendle Unscripted, Clint Edmonson (Director of Software Engineering) and Jason Ling (Director of Product Strategy) tackle one of the most common challenges in software development: bridging the divide between vision and execution. Hear real-world tips on breaking down communication barriers, aligning goals...