The IT Director's Podcast

AI isn't coming for business — it's already here, and the gap between companies using it well and companies ignoring it is widening fast. In this episode, Michael and Jay break down what it actually looks like to bring AI into your organization the right way, from quick wins like automating your inbox to building internal tools that replace expensive software. No hype, no fear-mongering —...

Everyone is talking about whether AI will take their job. Very few people are getting a straight answer. In this episode of The IT Director's Podcast, Jay Bradford and Michael Thomas sit down with Stan Sargent — founder, president, and CEO of Clear Winds Technologies — to answer that question directly. From the Industrial Revolution to the Magnificent Seven tech giants, Stan breaks down why jo...

In this episode of The IT Directors Podcast, host Jay Bradford answers the questions YOU want to know about AI and what to consider as you implement it into your organization. Whether you're running a business, leading an IT team, or just trying to figure out which AI tools are actually worth your money — this one's for you. In this episode: - What AI actually is and how it differs from re...

Everyone is talking about AI. Very few people actually understand how it works. In Part 1 of our 3-part AI series, Jay and Michael sit down with James Hammack, Development Director at Clear Winds Technologies, to break down how AI really works — without the hype, fearmongering, or confusing tech jargon. This practical conversation is for business owners, IT leaders, office managers, developers, an...

Adaptive software development is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. In this episode of the IT Directors Podcast, we discuss why rigid project management fails in fast-moving tech environments and how IT leaders can build more flexible, resilient teams. You’ll learn how to anticipate change, adapt to real customer needs, and create better software by embracing uncertainty instead of resisting it....

  Are you still relying on antivirus software to protect your organization? It might not be enough. In this episode of the  IT Directors Podcast , hosts Jay and Michael sit down with  Michael Gray, VP of Engineering at Clear Winds , to break down the critical differences between  Antivirus, EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response), XDR (Extended Detection & Response), and MDR (Managed Detection...

Hackers don’t care how big your company is. If you have an IP address, you’re a target. In this episode of the IT Directors Podcast, Jay and Michael sit down with Michael Gray, Head of Engineering at Clear Winds, to break down cybersecurity best practices for today’s threat landscape. With over 30 years of experience, Michael explains why phishing and human error are still the biggest risks, and w...

If you’re an IT Director or technology leader in K-12, this episode breaks down what it really takes to move from AI uncertainty to a clear implementation strategy. In this episode of The IT Directors Podcast, Jay and Michael sit down with Brittni Tucker, IT Director at Birmingham City Schools, to share how her district went from no AI plan to a structured, district-wide approach, including govern...

In this episode of the IT Directors Podcast, we break down why device as a service is poised to become one of the most important strategies IT device procurement, repair, and management. Jay and Michael sit down with Stan Sargent, founder and CEO of Clear Winds Technologies, to discuss how rising hardware costs, supply chain disruptions, and global tariffs are forcing companies to rethink how they...

Discover how AI cybersecurity solutions are transforming enterprise security. Michael and Jay sit down with Adam Forester, Security Engineering Manager at Check Point Software Technologies, to learn about guardrails, prompt injection risks, automation, and real-world IT strategies. Gandalf AI Prompt Injection Software: https://gandalf.lakera.ai/baseline Show Notes: AI Security Solutions w/ Check P...

What is IT asset management and why is it important? How can I scale my hardware IT management system as my organization grows? Hear the answers to all of these questions and more as Michael and Jay sit down with President and CEO of Clear Winds and School Manager, Stan Sargent. Show notes: https://www.clearwinds.net/hardware-it-asset-management/

Are you an IT manager looking to reduce downtime and streamline your business's IT operations? Join us as Matt Morris, IT manager for global PPE manufacturer Kappler, discusses the ways he reduces downtime for his company. Show notes:  https://www.clearwinds.net/reduce-downtime-podcast-2/

Check out the most informative highlights of our latest podcast episode, Choosing a VMware Alternative. Full Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xfPZND34trQ7sExwvFshi Show notes and transcript: https://www.clearwinds.net/vmware-alternative-podcast/

Is your organization looking for a VMware alternative to deal with its rising costs? In today's podcast, hosts Michael Thomas and Jay Bradford are joined by Clear Winds Technologies Senior Engineer Coy Griffith to discuss the number of Hypervisor alternatives available to IT departments. For shownotes, visit https://www.clearwinds.net/the-it-directors-podcast/