The Software Leaders Uncensored Podcast

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Jason Truppi, a former FBI agent and co-founder of ForceMetrics, a decision assistance platform for public safety. Jason shares his journey from cybersecurity to building innovative solutions for law enforcement, discussing the challenges faced in staffing, the importance of data integration, and the role of AI in enhanc...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews Tom Aulet, co-founder and CEO of Ergatta, a company that gamifies home fitness through innovative rowing machines and engaging digital content. Tom shares his career journey, the founding of Ergata, and the unique approach the company takes to address the fitness market's needs. He discusses the challenges of fundrais...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews Mahdi Hussein, CEO and founder of Supersonic POS. Mahdi shares his inspiring journey from a young engineer to a successful entrepreneur, detailing the evolution of his company and the challenges faced in the tech industry. The conversation delves into the importance of building a strong engineering team, integrating AI in...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Brian Soby, co-founder and CTO of App Omni, about his career journey from defense contracting to leading product security at Salesforce and founding a SaaS security company. They discuss the importance of understanding incentives in software security, the misconceptions surrounding zero trust environments, and the challe...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Eric Anderson, the CTO of Synmax, about his journey from quantitative analyst to tech entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges of managing data in the age of AI, the importance of building a strong engineering team, and the innovative use of satellite imagery for market intelligence. Eric shares insights on leveraging A...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Justin Reock, a seasoned engineer and Deputy CTO at DX, about his journey in tech, the importance of developer experience, and the impact of AI on productivity. They discuss the challenges of remote work, the significance of systems thinking in engineering management, and common mistakes companies make in managing their...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Justin Stouder, a seasoned technology executive with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and technology leadership. They discuss Justin's career journey from CTO to General Manager, the challenges of leading engineering teams, and the innovative work being done at Firemon. Justin shares insights on leadershi...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Dr. Sergio E Sanchez, a medical doctor turned technology leader. They discuss Dr. Sanchez's unique career journey, the integration of technology in healthcare at Coleman Health Services, the challenges of cybersecurity in the age of AI, and the importance of translating technical jargon for non-technical executives....

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Matt Wampler, CEO of ClearCOGS and host of the Restaurant AI Podcast. They discuss Matt's journey from restaurant operator to tech entrepreneur, the role of AI in the restaurant industry, and the challenges of building a startup. Matt shares insights on how AI is transforming demand forecasting and restaurant operati...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Aron Semle, CTO of High Byte, about his career journey from gaming to software engineering, the challenges of being a CTO in the manufacturing sector, and the importance of data strategy in industrial operations. They discuss the impact of AI on manufacturing, the dynamics of engineering teams, and the lessons learned th...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin engages with Pierre-Loïc Assayag, CEO and co-founder of Traackr, discussing the journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of embracing failure, and the evolving landscape of marketing technology. They explore the role of AI in marketing, the dynamics of remote engineering teams, and the essential traits for successful engineers. P...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Charles Yeomans, CEO of Atombeam Technologies, about his diverse career journey from Navy intelligence to leading innovative data solutions. They discuss the challenges of raising capital, the importance of building robust products, and the unique approach of crowdfunding that has significantly funded Atombeam. Charles s...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Taran Lent, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the software industry. Taran shares his journey from starting a prepaid student debit card company in college to leading Transact Campus, a company that provides software solutions for colleges, universities, and healthcare facilities. The conversati...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Benjamin Dorr, CEO of WellSaid, about his diverse career journey and the innovative AI voice technology his company is developing. They discuss the importance of embracing failure, the ethical implications of AI, and the challenges faced in the tech landscape. Benjamin shares insights on building a strong engineering tea...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Zhenghua (Z) Yang, founder of Serenity Forge, about his journey from a near-fatal illness to creating meaningful video games. Z shares how his experiences shaped his mission to develop games that have a positive emotional impact on players. The conversation explores the challenges of game development, the role of AI in t...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Amir Nathoo, co-founder and CEO of OutSchool, about his journey in software development, the challenges of transforming education, and the importance of creating engaging learning experiences for children. They discuss the dynamics of building a remote engineering team, the debate around hustle culture, and the complexit...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ken Ringdahl, a seasoned CTO and engineer, about his career journey, the role of AI in software development, and the challenges of managing engineering teams in a hybrid work environment. They discuss the importance of collaboration, the impact of M&A on tech companies, and the evolving landscape of software engineer...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Mike Sinoway, CEO of Lucidworks, about his diverse career journey, the challenges of transitioning to a CEO role, and the innovative work being done at Lucidworks. They discuss the impact of generative AI on the industry, the importance of foundational AI practices, and the evolving landscape of AI valuations. Mike share...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin engages with Steve Valero, VP of Engineering at GradGuard, discussing the journey of a software engineer, the importance of motivation in engineering teams, and the impact of AI on the industry. Valero shares insights on leading engineering teams, navigating return-to-office mandates, and the unique insurance solutions offered by Gr...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews tech veteran Armando Viteri, who shares his extensive career journey from working at HP to leading multiple startups, including his current company, Neubloc. They discuss the lessons learned from startup failures, the evolution of AI in business, and innovative projects at New Block that leverage AI for efficiency. Armand...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Evan Steele, CEO of Rater8, about his journey from investment banking to healthcare management and software development. They discuss the challenges of building a tech company, the importance of reputation management in healthcare, and the integration of AI in their services. Evan shares insights on leadership, the signi...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Aditya Jami, CTO of Meltwater, about his extensive engineering background and the challenges of leading a large tech team. They discuss the evolution of Meltwater, innovative projects, and the impact of AI on software engineering. Aditya shares insights on managing a distributed engineering team, key metrics for success,...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin engages with Levi Malott, CTO of Weave Bio, discussing his journey from engineering to leadership, the challenges of managing a remote team, and the integration of AI in software development. They explore the importance of hiring the right talent, managing technical debt, and the evolving landscape of technology in the drug developm...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Dr. Paulo Silveira, CTO and Co-Founder of Structure. They discuss Paulo's journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the innovations Structure is bringing to the medical technology field, and the challenges of managing a hybrid engineering team. The conversation also covers the importance of mentorship, the integrati...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, Steve Taplin interviews Joshua Summers, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor. They discuss Joshua's journey from consulting to founding multiple companies, his experiences in the FinTech sector, and the challenges of raising capital. Joshua shares valuable lessons learned throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and understan...