ThunderCast: Charged-Up Insights for People in Tech

What’s keeping tech leaders up at night? According to CIO Simon Sayegh, it’s not just AI hype. It’s legacy systems, missing skill sets, and unclear outcomes.  Segmented Discussion Points:  1. Outcome-Driven Architecture, Not Agile Theatre  Why “agile in name only” is no longer good enough  The rising demand for capability-based partnerships  How CIOs can enable business outcomes without owning eve...

What do you do when the strategy slides are polished, the goals are lofty, and yet… nothing moves? In this episode of ThunderCast, Chris McGowan sits down with Robert Winter—thinker, writer, leadership philosopher—to unpack why good people get stuck in toxic environments, how complexity messes with traditional management, and why real leadership feels more like gardening than goal-setting.  Whethe...

Chris McGowan sits down with technology and business leader Alistair Burton. From the realities of justifying IT costs to the uncomfortable truth about our industry’s talent pipeline, this episode is a charged-up unpacking of what tech leaders are really wrestling with in 2025.  Discussion Points:  1. The Power of Showing Up  What happens when you ask better questions and truly listen  The underra...

In this refreshingly real episode of ThunderCast, General Manager of ThunderLabs, Ali McKee, joins host Chris McGowan for a deep conversation on career transitions, motherhood, and leadership. Ali shares how she made the leap from print to tech, the power of pushing past self-doubt, and what it really takes to show up — at work, at home, and in life.  Whether you're re-entering the workforce, navi...

In this special morning edition of ThunderCast, Chris sits down with Abdullah Ramay, CEO of Pablo & Rusty’s Coffee Roasters, to grind through the big questions in leadership, business, AI, and, of course coffee. Abdullah’s obsession with craft, culture, and continuous learning turns this casual chat into a masterclass on building resilient, human-centric businesses in an era of rapid change. ...

In this episode of ThunderCast, Chris McGowan sits down with Hugh Le, founder of Juxtabyte and former data lead at CBA, to talk about the unseen costs of building something new, the cultural layers of stoicism, and the inevitable collision of AI, governance, and ethics. They dig into the modern workplace, the shift in workforce dynamics, and whether suffering is just a part of the human condition...

Chris McGowan sits down with Mark Drasutis, a digital leader with 25+ years of experience spanning media, product development, and digital transformations. They explore how businesses have evolved alongside digital, the importance of simplifying customer experiences, and how to drive product value in today’s tech-savvy market.  Discussion Points  The Digital Thread through Mark’s Career  The steel...

Chris McGowan dives deep into a wide-ranging conversation with Kim Spithill, Head of Delivery, and Shane Mercer, Head of Emerging Technology. Grab your virtual notepads because the trio covers everything from the elusive nature of innovation to the complexities of AI in tech delivery.   Whether you're here to geek out over technical architecture or hear how AI could change the very fabric of o...

Chris McGowan chats with Samuel Redmond, Director of the Adapt Group, about the conundrum many businesses face — how to innovate effectively while navigating the hype of AI. Sam unpacks the innovation dilemma and how AI, specifically Gen AI, can help overcome business challenges, streamline strategy, and drive value.  Discussion Points  The Innovation Dilemma  Why do organisations struggle with a...

Chris McGowan sits down with Elsa Pahnke, a Learning and Development Consultant with a wealth of experience and insights on the value of mature workers in today’s fast-paced tech industry. They dive deep into the biases that plague hiring practices, explore the untapped potential of seasoned professionals, and discuss how the industry can pivot towards inclusivity and innovation.  Music and Career...

Welcome to another electrifying episode of ThunderCast. Chris McGowan sits down with tech visionaries Anthony Perera (CDAO at La Trobe University) and Mal Wanstall (VP Data & AI at Cochlear) to talk about one of the most puzzling questions: Why does Australia lag in innovation?   They also explore the impact of cultural and political factors and the role of data and AI in driving future growth...

In this episode of ThunderCast host Chris McGowan sits down with Greg Magill, the former Head of Digital Development and Digital Delivery at Westpac. Greg brings 18.5 years of experience from one of Australia’s oldest and largest banks to discuss the intricate dance between digital innovation and traditional business models.   They explore:  1. Innovation Roadblocks in Legacy Systems  Why do busin...

Chris McGowan and guest Stan Belikoff dive into the benefits of bringing together delivery and development teams. They explore how this integration can speed up processes, improve project quality, and the role of security in it all. It’s a conversation packed with insights on making teams work better together for more effective tech projects.   Some of the topics they explored:  The transformative...

Forget boring resolutions! This episode of ThunderCast is a hilarious and heartwarming ride with Chris McGowan and his special guests, Frankie and Mac McGowan (his kids!). Join them as they crack open fortune cookies and dish out unexpected wisdom for 2024. From the importance of quality hugs to the art of admiring without desiring, Frankie and Mac's insights are as sharp as their wit. Get rea...

Get ready to dive into a conversation with Rowena Millward, author of "Uncomfortable Growth: Own Your Reinvention."   Chris McGowan chats with Rowena about her journey, from simplifying complex concepts for busy minds to navigating the ups and downs of leadership. Along the way, they explore the importance of vulnerability, the power of community, and the art of shifting from a life of c...

Join Chris McGowan and Mark McPherson as they unravel the artistry of historical storytelling and the gritty journey from idea inception to holding the published work in hand. Mark sheds light on the emotional toll, the necessity of brutal feedback, and the emotional investment required to birth a historical fiction masterpiece.   Discover how Mark's devotion to authenticity led him to tread t...

Chris McGowan sits down with organisational strategy expert Martin Kearns once again to talk about the intricacies of OKRs, the challenges leaders face in aligning their teams, and driving results. From the pitfalls of emotional decision-making to the nuances of inside-out vs. outside-in approaches, this episode is a masterclass in leadership and strategy. Tune in to discover how to navigate the c...

Join Chris McGowan and the Director of Security Engineering at Vectra.ai Chris Fisher for an eye-opening episode of ThunderCast, where they delve deep into the world of cyber security. This episode focuses on Purple Teaming, a hands-on approach that simulates malicious attacks and penetration testing to fortify cyber defenses. Chris sheds light on how Vectra AI is revolutionising the way organisat...

In today's episode, Chris McGowan and Adam Long dissect the potent techniques of one of the FBI’s greatest negotiators, Chris Voss. From calibrated questions to data-driven decisions to tactical empathy, learn how to negotiate like your life depends on it — even if you’re just haggling over a contract. Whether you're a vendor, a client, or someone trying to navigate executive-level convers...

In this engaging episode of ThunderCast, co-founders Chris McGowan and Adam Long take you behind the scenes of their recent Book Club session with the ThunderLabs team. The book in focus? "Never Split the Difference" by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss.   Together they explore the insights and wisdom distilled in the book, reflecting on the principles of tactical empathy and the...

Chris McGowan sits down with Amr Abdoun, an expert in change management and one of ThunderLabs’ network amplifiers. With a diverse background ranging from software engineering to CTO roles, Amr brings a unique perspective to the table. They discuss the importance of showing competence through action, the power of quick results, and the art of bridging the gap between business needs and technology....

In this special episode, we're getting real about the rollercoaster ride that got us here. No corporate talk, just honest reflections on the past two years. From the thrilling victories to the downright terrifying moments, we're sharing it all with you.   Join the party as we toast to another year of growth.  

Cybersecurity and identity management experts Mike Gamble, Mark Belfanti, and Tony Jenner sit down with Chris McGowan and delve into the critical aspects of securing identities and protecting against cyber threats.   They discuss common vulnerabilities such as phishing, the need for multi-factor authentication, and the challenges faced by companies with legacy systems. The conversation explores th...

Chris McGowan shines the spotlight on David Clark, Head of Software Engineering at Kitfit and one of ThunderLabs' brilliant network amplifiers. They dive into the world of customer success, software engineering, and the joys of tinkering with hardware. They also explore the fascinating realm of customer success platforms powered by AI and natural language processing.

Chris McGowan sits down with Mikkel Bergmann, a deep tech professional and one of ThunderLabs' network amplifiers. Mikkel shares his experiences as a developer and the challenges of balancing a product company with providing services. They delve into Mikkel's latest venture, a customer success platform integrated with AI, and discuss the vision behind it.