The Software Leaders Uncensored Podcast

In this episode, Steve Taplin interviews Don Boulia, a seasoned technology leader who transitioned from corporate roles at IBM to a nonprofit organization, Charity Navigator. They discuss Don's career journey, the unique challenges and opportunities in nonprofit technology, the importance of a solid tech strategy, and the evolving role of AI in the sector. Don shares insights on team dynamics,...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Daniel Saks, CEO of Landbase, about his journey from a family business to becoming a tech innovator. They discuss the importance of using failure as a learning tool, the role of AI in transforming sales and marketing, and the challenges of navigating a crowded tech landscape. Daniel shares insights on building a strong e...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Chris Chapman, CTO of Mac Stadium, about his extensive journey in the tech industry, the unique challenges of managing a Mac-focused data center, and the evolving role of AI in software development. They discuss the importance of balancing in-house and contract developers, navigating remote work dynamics, and the signifi...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin engages with Kumar Srivastava, a seasoned tech leader and CTO at Turing Labs. They discuss Kumar's diverse career journey, the innovative approaches Turing Labs employs in product development using machine learning, and the challenges faced by tech startups in today's fast-paced environment. Kumar shares insights on the impo...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Chris Davis, a seasoned tech professional and professor, about his journey in the tech industry, the challenges faced by new graduates, and the evolving role of AI in software development education. They discuss the importance of hands-on projects, networking, and the need for passion in coding. Chris shares insights on...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Anthony Presley, a seasoned tech executive and CTO. They discuss Anthony's journey in the tech industry, the challenges of being a CTO, current projects involving software modernization and AI integration, and the importance of networking in career advancement. Anthony shares insights on managing engineering teams, navig...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with John Krewson, a consultant and agile product leader turned CEO. They discuss John's unique career journey, the importance of custom software, and the challenges faced by tech leaders today. John shares insights from his book, Pitch Sketch Launch, and emphasizes the significance of team dynamics and effective communic...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Derek Bronston, a seasoned tech leader with a rich background in software engineering and technology management. Derek shares insights from his career journey, including his experiences in building and scaling companies, particularly in the veterinary tech space with Petfolk. The conversation delves into the integration...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Sheldon Arora, CEO of StaffDNA, about his extensive career in technology and entrepreneurship. They discuss the innovative job search technology developed by StaffDNA, the challenges of rapid growth and leadership, and the importance of cash flow in business. Sheldon shares insights on acquisitions, market trends, and hi...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Jim Olsen, a seasoned CTO and software architect, about his unique career journey, the evolution of AI and machine learning, and the importance of model governance in AI applications. Jim shares insights on the challenges faced by CTOs, the future of AI consulting services, and the significance of building a remote engin...

In this episode, Steve Taplin interviews Ken Pickering, a seasoned CTO, about his career journey and the mission of his current company, Scripta, which aims to make drug pricing transparent in the broken U.S. healthcare system. They discuss the challenges of being a CTO, especially in the rapidly changing tech landscape, and the integration of AI in business operations. Ken shares insights on mana...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ani Mishra, an engineering leader at DoorDash. They discuss Ani's journey through the tech industry, the growth and challenges faced by DoorDash, and the evolving landscape of engineering leadership in the age of AI and remote work. Ani shares insights on managing teams, the importance of feedback, and the need for f...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Gary Guseinov, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of Real Defense. They discuss Gary's diverse career journey from digital marketing to cybersecurity, the innovative monetization strategies employed by Real Defense, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the cybersecurity space. Gary shares valuable ins...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Jason Birmingham, CTO of Broadridge, about his unique career journey from finance to technology. They discuss the critical role of technology in business transformation, the challenges of managing a large engineering team, and the importance of cybersecurity in the financial services sector. Jason shares insights on inte...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Chris Ortega, CIO of Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU). Chris shares his journey from a young tech enthusiast to a leader in the banking industry, discussing the evolution of the CIO role, current projects at LMCU, and the importance of agile methodologies in driving team success. He emphasizes the need for good data gov...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Reid Lentz, a seasoned tech leader with a rich background in software development and engineering management. They discuss Reid's journey from corporate roles at FedEx to his current position as a consultant and AI leverager. The conversation covers the importance of understanding operational processes, the challenge...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin engages with Dan Sloan, a seasoned expert in ERP systems and process implementation. They discuss the importance of understanding both technology and the people who use it, the challenges of SaaS solutions, and the evolving role of AI in the tech landscape. Dan shares insights from his extensive career, emphasizing the need for effe...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Bob Provencher, CTO of PDHI, about his extensive career in software development, the challenges of managing technical debt, and the integration of AI tools in engineering processes. Bob shares insights on building effective engineering teams, the importance of agile practices, and the lessons he's learned throughout...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Alan DeKok, CEO of InkBridge, about his unique journey in the tech industry, the challenges of building authentication systems, the impact of AI on network solutions, and the intricacies of hiring and managing a tech team. Alan shares insights on monetizing open source software and offers valuable advice for tech leaders...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin engages with tech entrepreneur Rick Schott, exploring their journeys in the software industry, the impact of AI on development, and the importance of collaboration in tech teams. They share war stories from their experiences, discuss the evolution of software, and emphasize the need for tech leaders to adapt and stay informed in a r...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin engages with Christopher Moravec, a CTO and founder, discussing the evolution of custom software development, the integration of AI, and the dynamics of remote engineering teams. They explore the challenges of hiring in the age of AI, the importance of communication, and the lessons learned from past experiences in tech leadership....

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin and CTO Chris Horvat discuss the journey of tech leadership, the evolving role of the CTO, and the impact of AI on software development. They explore the importance of rapid prototyping, open source contributions, and the challenges faced by modern CTOs. Chris shares insights on balancing full-time employees with contractors and emp...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Michael Lieberman, co-founder and CTO of Kusari, about his journey through the tech industry, the evolution of DevOps and cloud technologies, and the innovative solutions Kusari is developing for software supply chain security. They discuss the challenges faced by software developers today, the structure of remote engine...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Nick Woodhead, a seasoned tech leader with a rich background in software development and management. They discuss Nick's journey from a young coder to a CTO, the challenges of bridging the communication gap between tech teams and business leaders, and the importance of effective team management. Nick shares insights...

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Rob Zelinka, a seasoned tech leader with extensive experience in digital transformation and cybersecurity. They discuss Rob's career journey, the evolving role of technology in business, the impact of AI on leadership, and the challenges faced by tech leaders today. Rob shares valuable insights on leadership, the imp...