In this episode of the CTO Podcast, host Etienne speaks with image strategist Zayna Rose about the importance of personal branding and leadership presence for technology leaders. They discuss how visual identity, color psychology, and intentional self-expression can enhance a leader's credibility and connection with others. Zayna emphasizes the need for tech leaders to be mindful of their appearance and how it impacts their professional image, while also encouraging them to embrace their authent...
Jan 08, 2025•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the CTO Podcast, host Etienne de Bruin speaks with Lena Skliarova-Mordvinova, CTO and Co-Founder of the Good Face Project. They discuss the origins of the Good Face Project, which aims to educate consumers about the ingredients in personal care products and promote safer alternatives. The conversation delves into the role of generative AI in analyzing ingredient safety, the challenges of navigating the venture capital landscape, and the importance of parenting in the digital a...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The CTO Podcast, Dr. Aadeel Akhtar CEO and founder of PSYONIC, discusses the evolution of bionic hands and the advancements in robotics and AI that have made them possible. He shares his personal journey and motivation for creating prosthetics that can change lives, as well as the entrepreneurial challenges faced in bringing this technology to market. The conversation explores the design considerations of bionic hands, the integration of AI, and the future of prosthetics. In t...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The CTO Podcast, Etienne engages with AI experts, Ksenia Palke (Director AI: Airspace), Lena Skliarova-Mordvinova (Co-Founder & CTO: Good Face Project) and Sharon Zhang (Co-Founder & CTO: Personal AI) to discuss the current state and future of AI in technology organizations. The conversation covers the different AI stacks being used, the evolution of AI technologies, the societal impact of AI, and the challenges faced by CTOs in implementing AI solutions. The guests share thei...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The CTO Podcast, Etienne interviews Ryan Kari, CTO of MagCanica, a company in the torque sensor space. They discuss the role of torque sensors in Formula One racing and other motorsports, as well as their use in hybrid engines. They also touch on the challenges of delegating invention in a hardware company and the importance of communication between software and hardware teams. Ryan also shares his approach to CTOing the organization, which involves exploring new ideas and shi...
Aug 27, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this conversation, Etienne interviews Kathy Keating, a fractional CTO and executive coach. They discuss topics such as finding joy in work, dealing with disagreement and rejection, and the importance of operationalizing processes in growing companies. Kathy emphasizes the need for alignment on the problems worth solving and the value of creating a consistent operational cadence. They also touch on the importance of being a systems thinker and the benefits of writing and documenting ideas and ...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Aliza Carpio (Director of Product Management Data Platform at JLL Technologies) discusses with Etienne open source communities, codes of conduct, and the relationship between product management and engineering. She emphasizes the importance of open source as a team sport and the benefits of collaboration and problem-solving in the open source community. Aliza also highlights the value of open source for businesses, including cost savings and access to tried and true solutions. She emphasizes the...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this conversation, Etienne interviews Maria Flynn, the Founder and CEO of AmbioLogix , about her new book Make Opportunity Happen . They discuss the importance of carving your own path as an entrepreneur, the challenges faced by early-stage entrepreneurs, and the methods and templates outlined in the book to help entrepreneurs navigate their journey. They also touch on topics such as team dynamics, perseverance, and the role of mindset in entrepreneurship. Maria, the author of Make Opportunit...
Jun 25, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this conversation, Etienne and Dave reminisce about their early experiences with computers and programming. They discuss the different computer models they had, the challenges of typing in code from magazines, and the evolution of technology. They then shift the conversation to their roles as VP of Engineering and CTO, and the differences between the two positions. They talk about the importance of product management and design in software development, and the value of delivering in small bat...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ksenia Palke, Director of AI at Airspace, discusses the use of AI in time-critical shipments. Airspace builds tech for fast automated solutions in shipping critical items such as organs, medical devices, and industrial parts. The goal is to remove unnecessary manual steps and optimize the delivery process. Ksenia explains how AI is used to predict delivery times, optimize routes, and automate interactions with drivers and customers. She also discusses the use of large language models (LLMs) in t...
Jun 11, 2024•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne sits down with Adam Bahret , whose unique journey has fueled his passion for creating robust product designs that can outperform the competition. The conversation reveals how prioritizing reliability can significantly impact a product's success and why reliability often trumps marketing. Tune is as Adam introduces his innovative R-Three blueprint which balances cost, features, and risk to ensure successful product launches without regrets. He also discusses the often overlooked issue of ...
May 28, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne is joined in this episode by Nell Derick Debevoise, the founder of Inspiring Capital which helps leaders grow their business with purpose and build impactful legacies. Nell has advised leaders at American Express, Cisco, Google and more, and she focuses on expanding impact, growing businesses and building legacies that are inclusive, anti-racist and sustainable. Etienne and Nell discuss East Coast vs. West Coast cultures, with Nell reflecting on her experiences in New England and Califor...
May 22, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne is so happy to be sitting down with his good friend Joel Beasley for this episode. Joel is the mastermind behind the Modern CTO Podcast and founder of Pro Series Media , and he is here for an enlightening conversation on the ins and outs of podcasting. With years of experience under his belt, Joel shares invaluable insights on starting, cultivating, managing, and scaling a successful podcast. From the importance of in-person interviews to the art of crafting compelling questions, Joel br...
May 14, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne sits down this episode with Alex Balazs, the CTO of Intuit, for an eye-opening discussion on vulnerability, leadership, and the cutting-edge realm of generative AI. Alex shares insights from his journey, from TurboTax's chief architect to leading technology at Intuit. He delves into the pivotal role vulnerability plays in effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and humanity in fostering collaboration and innovation. Alex sheds light on the transformative potentia...
May 07, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join Etienne on the latest episode of the CTO Podcast as he dives into the world of RF communication, encryption, and AI with Dell Kronewitter, Director of Technology at Fuze Integration! Dell provides insights into encryption concepts like red and black sides and how they relate to secure communication. He and Etienne explore the fascinating world of satellite communications and the role of AI in a hybrid, highly regulated environment. From discussing the challenges of maintaining communication...
Apr 30, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join Etienne in this episode as he interviews Allan Stewart, the lead engineer at SynkedUP, a groundbreaking startup focused on bridging the technological gaps in today’s digital world. Together, they unravel the threads of storytelling in The Lord of the Rings , explore the implications of Conway’s Law on organizational design and software development, and discuss coding challenges that leave even seasoned developers hesitant. Allan touches upon his lifelong journey with Tolkien's work, showcas...
Apr 16, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne is very excited to welcome Jennifer Cwagenberg, Head of Engineering at Protopia AI, to the podcast for an engaging discussion spanning technology, farming, and even the intersection of the two. Jennifer shares insights into her unique lifestyle as a technologist and baroness of Texas, where she navigates the balance between rural tranquility and technological challenges. Their conversation delves into Jennifer's engineering journey, from her telecom beginnings to her diverse roles at com...
Apr 09, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joining Etienne this week on the podcast is Sean Nam, the CTO of Ivy Energy. Etienne engages in a multifaceted conversation with Sean, and they touch upon the intricacies of supporting founders during fundraising to reflections on technology giants like Apple and Uber. Sean provides insights into IV Energy's mission to revolutionize shared energy usage through solar platforms, shedding light on the challenges and innovations in the field, and as the conversation delves deeper, Sean and Etienne e...
Apr 02, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne is thrilled to sit down with Tracie Hlavka, former CTO of Flyhomes, to discuss the tumultuous journey of rapid scale and the poignant process of winding down a company. Tracie reflects on her experience navigating the job market amidst layoffs and shifting funding landscapes, shedding light on the challenges of finding the right fit in a tough market. Tracie and Etienne also delve into the complexities of managing a tech team during rapid growth and downsizing, highlighting the delicate ...
Mar 26, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne is very happy to be sitting down with Matt Van Itallie , founder of Sema , a company that develops software to help engineering leaders manage AI in software development. As they delve into their shared experiences of learning to code on vintage machines, they explore Matt's journey from studying philosophy to founding Sema. The conversation takes a philosophical turn, discussing pragmatism in decision-making and the importance of clarifying outcomes, and Etienne and Matt also dissect th...
Mar 19, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Etienne sits down with Krijn van der Raadt , a seasoned CTO with a rich history of steering both startups and established tech giants toward successful exits. Krijn, now a fractional CTO and advisor to startups, shares insights gained and collaborative problem-solving experiences with fellow CTOs. They explore the challenges of transitioning from a technical role to a leadership position and the common pitfalls faced by startups when scaling their engineering teams. Dive into the conversation as...
Mar 12, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kevin Goldsmith, a seasoned CTO, mentor, and principal at Nimble Autonomy, joins the conversation today as we discuss Kevin's journey in technology leadership across the US, Sweden, and the UK, touching on his experiences and the release of his new book, It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership 2012 to 2022 . The discussion covers technology adoption, with a focus on ChatGPT and its recent Teams product. Kevin reveals how his team embraced ChatGPT, its role in policy creation, and the advant...
Mar 05, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Just use Flutter -- Stephan Schmidt // Amazing CTO This episode we discuss why you should just use Flutter instead of native apps, what Local AI means and why the Amazon CEO wants to get people back in the office - and how this is relevant for every CTO. Find out more as Stephan Schmidt, CTO Coach at Amazing CTO, discusses the future of CTOs. Show Notes. Connect With: Stephan Schmidt: Website // LinkedIn // Twitter The CTO Podcast: Website // Speaker Application Etienne de Bruin: Website // Link...
Sep 06, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast The number of posts and votes on Stack Overflow is dropping, perhaps eaten by AI. Do they have an endgame strategy? Also, a new hacking attack via NPM, every CTO needs to be aware of that. And how diverse teams require more effort but are worth it. Find out more as Stephan Schmidt, CTO Coach at Amazing CTO, discusses the future of CTOs with AI. Show Notes. Connect With: Stephan Schmidt: Website // LinkedIn // Twitter The CTO Podcast: Website // Speaker Application Etienne de Bruin: Website // Li...
Jul 31, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast What is the greenest programming language? More and more CTOs are getting asked about the CO2 and energy footprint of their operations. They start by calculating their AWS energy usage, but do you need a greener programming language? Will the CEO of the future tell developers which programming language to use? Find out more as Stephan Schmidt, CTO Coach at Amazing CTO, discusses the future of CTOs." Connect With: Stephan Schmidt: Website // LinkedIn // Twitter The CTO Podcast: Website // Speaker...
Jul 25, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast More and more work will go into training models than programming, development teams are going to be leaner, and AI will not create software, it is the software. If you haven't started doing something with AI, you're too late for the game. How do you apply it to your business? Find out more as Stephan Schmidt, CTO Coach at Amazing CTO, discusses the future of CTOs with AI. Show Notes Connect With: Stephan Schmidt: Website // LinkedIn // Twitter The CTO Podcast: Website // Speaker Application Etie...
Jul 13, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast There is a business vision and a business strategy, a product vision and a product strategy, and then a tech vision and a tech strategy. The business vision, the product vision, and the tech vision need to be aligned. What is your tech vision and strategy, and how do you create one? Find out more as Stephan Schmidt, CTO Coach at Amazing CTO, discusses vision, strategy, and alignment. Show Notes Connect With: Stephan Schmidt: Website // LinkedIn // Twitter The CTO Podcast: Website // Speaker Appl...
Jul 12, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🔴 https://7ctos.com for CTO Coaching with Peer groups 🗞️ https://www.amazingcto.com/cto-newsletter Newsletter for CTOs 🎙️ And for more episodes check out https://ctopod.com 🔔 Subscribe for regular updates https://www.youtube.com/@7CTOs #CTO #CTONews 👑Threads passes 30M sign-ups in less than 24 hours ➡️ http://www.amazingcto.com/newsletter/nl-53.html#threads 👑 Stability AI CEO: There Will Be No (Human) Programmers in Five Years ➡️ http://www.amazingcto.com/newsletter/nl-53.html#stability-ai...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast How do you start using AI in your organization? A bad reason to use AI is that you have this intellectual curiosity, which is great to have, but it's not a good enough reason to start using AI. How do you, as CTO, present the advantages of mining your data? How do you know if you have enough data or whether you should be programming or training? Listen to Ksenia Palke, Director of AI at Airspace, as she discusses building organizational trust in AI. Show Notes Connect With: Ksenia Palke: Website...
Jul 04, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the CTO of your company, it is almost impossible to onlook or resist the urge to deploy AI in some form in your company. But before you make that move, is your company in the gray zone? Are you aware of ethical considerations and AI bias? Who should you hire first a data scientist or a data engineer? Listen to Ksenia Palke, Director of AI at Airspace, as she discusses applying AI in your company. Show Notes Connect With: Ksenia Palke: Website // LinkedIn The CTO Podcast: Website // Speaker Ap...
Jul 03, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
