The Software Leaders Uncensored Podcast

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, Steve Taplin sits down with Jose D. Perez-Diaz, VP of Engineering at Vetspire, to trace his journey from algebra teacher → software developer → CTO → tech leader in veterinary medicine. Jose shares how Vetspire is redefining veterinary EMRs with AI-native features like patient summarization and agentic scribing that let doctors make eye contact again...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Justin Farris, VP of Product at Read. AI. They discuss Justin's unique career journey from film to tech, the importance of networking, and the innovative AI solutions being developed at Read AI. Justin shares insights on aligning product and engineering teams, the evolving role of product management, and the challeng...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Jameel Al-Aziz, CTO of Bastion, about his career journey from self-taught coder in Kuwait to leading a startup focused on stablecoin issuance. They discuss the challenges of building a robust engineering team, the importance of practical security measures, and the evolving landscape of crypto and AI in engineering. Jamee...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Chris Dean, CEO and founder of Treasury Prime, about his unconventional journey from academia to the tech startup world. Chris shares insights on the importance of embracing failure, the dynamics of building effective teams, and the challenges of leading in the fast-paced tech landscape. They discuss the impact of AI on...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Andy James, CTO of Stead Impact Ventures, about his extensive career in technology and the evolving landscape of software development. They discuss the importance of leadership, collaboration between product and engineering teams, and the impact of AI on the future of tech roles. Andy shares insights from the Founders Sy...

David Funck, Chief Technology Officer at Avaya, joins Software Leaders Uncensored with host Steve Taplin to share his remarkable journey from professional actor to technology executive. With decades of experience building and scaling enterprise communication systems, David has led teams through M&A deals, global product rollouts, and massive digital transformation. In this conversation, he ope...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Gajus Kuizinas, co-founder and CTO of Contra, a unique talent marketplace that eliminates commission fees. Gajus shares his unconventional career journey from an arts background to the tech industry, detailing the innovative technology choices at Contra and the challenges faced in the evolving landscape of AI. He introdu...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Todd Albert, VP of Engineering at CYPHER Learning. They discuss Todd's unconventional career path, the importance of learning from failures, and the impact of AI on job recruitment and engineering processes. Todd shares insights on managing a remote engineering team, balancing priorities in software development, and...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Vernon O'Donnell, CEO of Voxel, about his career journey, the mission of Voxel in enhancing workplace safety through AI and computer vision, and the challenges faced in the tech industry. Vernon shares insights on the importance of customer-centric leadership, the evolution of AI, and the lessons learned throughout h...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews Tom Cook, CPTO at LegitScript. They discuss Tom's career journey from engineer to CPTO, the importance of aligning product and engineering teams, and the challenges of managing remote teams. Tom shares insights on navigating the complexities of AI implementation and the current challenges tech leaders face. He emphasi...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Michel Floyd, a fractional CTO, about her career journey, the transition from a full-time to a fractional role, and the challenges faced by tech leaders today. They discuss the importance of MVPs, the impact of AI on software development, and the necessity of curiosity and adaptability in a rapidly changing tech landscap...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ihab Rimawi, CEO and founder of My-Fi. AI, about his journey in technology and the founding of his current venture. They discuss the importance of personalized investment strategies, the challenges of data sourcing, and the dynamics of remote team collaboration. Ihab shares insights on work culture, the significance of f...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Marlon Misra, CEO and co-founder of Assembly. They discuss Marlon's journey from product management to entrepreneurship, the insights gained from Y Combinator, and the evolution of Assembly as a platform for professional service firms. Marlon shares valuable lessons learned from his early ventures, the importance of...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Michael Smith, a seasoned IT professional with nearly 30 years of experience. They discuss Michael's career journey, his transition to Fordium Partners, and the challenges faced by tech leaders in today's economic climate. The conversation delves into the role of AI in business, the importance of understanding bu...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Raj Bakhru, GM of DatasiteI, about his career journey from a developer to leading a successful AI company. They discuss the importance of innovation in the tech industry, the challenges of M&A, and the lessons learned throughout Raj's career. The conversation also touches on the future of AI in the M&A space...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Claire Fang, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Fullstory. Claire shares her unique career journey from computer engineering to product management, discussing the challenges and benefits of her combined role. The conversation delves into the importance of aligning product and engineering teams, navigating gender dyn...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Sam Clemens, CEO of Reprise, about his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of demoing software, and the integration of AI in business. They discuss the importance of education in entrepreneurship, the dynamics of engineering teams, and the impact of macroeconomic factors on business decisions. Sam emphasizes the need...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Tobe Sullivan, head of engineering at Pro Football Focus (PFF). They discuss Toby's journey from a football player to a technology leader, the innovative projects at PFF, the challenges of managing vast amounts of data, and the role of AI in engineering. Toby shares valuable leadership lessons and offers advice for t...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews Ryan Debenham, CEO of GRIN, who shares his journey from software engineer to CEO. They discuss the evolution of influencer marketing, the challenges of leading a tech company, and the impact of AI on software development. Ryan emphasizes the importance of building a strong team, navigating company restructuring, and adapt...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews Steve Marshall, Chief Product Officer at Aidentified. They discuss the importance of aligning product and technology teams, the role of AI in enhancing prospecting solutions for financial advisors, and the challenges of leading product development in a remote environment. Marshall shares insights from his career journey,...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Dan Zimmerman, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at TreviPay. They discuss Dan's journey from a help desk engineer to an executive leader, the innovative solutions TreviPay is bringing to the B2B payments space, and the importance of integrating product and technology roles. The conversation also delves into t...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Frank LaSota, CTO of Zyter|TruCare, about his extensive career in technology and leadership. They discuss Frank's journey from software development to executive roles, the challenges and innovations in healthcare technology, and the importance of effective leadership in navigating the complexities of AI integration....

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Bill Rokos, CTO of Parsec Automation, about his unique career journey and the evolution of the manufacturing software industry. They discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in manufacturing, the importance of adapting technology to fit existing processes, and the need for effective delegation in leadersh...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Olly Downs, CTO of Curinos, about his extensive career in technology and AI. They discuss the evolution of AI in the banking sector, the challenges of managing software engineering teams, and the importance of aligning technology with business needs. Ali shares insights on the current state of AI implementation, the less...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Alex Pape, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Assetmark. Alex shares his unconventional career journey from finance to technology, emphasizing the importance of combining product management and engineering roles. He discusses the challenges and innovations in the wealth management sector, particularly in integrating...