A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world

About Jennifer Jennifer B. Gardner is a Los Angeles-based trial lawyer, a persuasive communications educator, and a part-time administrative law judge for the County of Los Angeles. Jennifer has operated her own litigation law firm for 32 years in Los Angeles where she has litigated complex business, real estate and criminal matters through trial. She began her litigation career in the entertainment industry, has represented individuals in serious criminal cases, has advised and managed documentary filmmakers and visual artists, and today focuses on representing individuals and enterprises of all sizes in business and real estate disputes. Jennifer has received Certifications from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Executive Leadership and in Executive Presence, Influence and Persuasion. She is a graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and the Graduate Program at The Gerry Spence Method. Jennifer has honed her communication skills through the study of Somatic Experiencing, the Sanford Meisner Acting Method, and interspecies communications with Rupert Sheldrake at the Esalen Institute. When she is not lawyering or learning, Jennifer educates high performing leaders on how to grow their executive presence and persuasive skills through programs offered through her company, The Edge Education (www.theedge.education). She also consults with lawyers on strategic messaging for their cases and helps them with their courtroom presence. Today We Talked About Jennifer's background Law Getting to Yes Negotiation Best Alternative to Negotiated Outcome Managing your risk Know your goal Influence? Push buttons Play to the right side of the brain System 1 and System 2 thinking You need the Data Empathy and Listening Communication Styles Slow down before the communication starts - Reflect Understand the story and the history Be a storyteller Univeral truths and emotions Not just what we say, but how we say Mirroring Practice with Zoom and ChatGPT The PowerLab - the Art of Influence Connect with Jennifer Website LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Ryan Ryan has held leadership and coaching roles across both profit and non-profit organizations. With 8 years of experience in leadership coaching, team building, and personal excellence, he has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that today’s executives and emerging leaders encounter. Ryan’s coaching philosophy is rooted in strengths-based and authentic leadership. He leverages his expertise by adhering to ICF standards and utilizes strengths assessments and 360-degree surveys to partner with leaders in achieving personal growth, professional development, and team excellence. Throughout his coaching career, Ryan has successfully guided over 100 individuals in recognizing and appreciating their strengths to achieve greater personal fulfillment and professional advancement. His clients consistently commend him for helping them understand how to maximize their strengths. Connect with Ryan at http://www.XLcoaching.net. Today We Talked About Ryan's background Military service John Maxwell's team What is the purpose of a coach Leadership Strengths coach CliftonStrengths Assessment Working Genius Grace Find opportunities to invest Feed-Forward, not Feedback Listen Talk Less and Smile More Stages of Work Communication Connect with Ryan LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Adrian Adrian Kelly is a qualified solicitor, lecturer and lifelong learner. He researches and writes on performance, sustainable success and well-being. His aim is to shine a light on key elements of success stories which sometimes go under the radar and bring key learnings to a wider audience. In his Book the Success Complex, he explores core skills vital to overcoming challenge, using examples which range from historical figures such as Napoleon, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr to the movie stars of today. He examines how even the brightest and best can lose their way when it comes to the application of those skills. Finally, in a world of ever-increasing opportunity, he invites the reader to consider what the most important things to accomplish in life really are – they might not always be what you think. Today We Talked About Adrian's background book success Sports Success if fleeting Control Screentime Amazon Culture perceived autonomy Atomic Motivation Purpose Meaning vs. Purpose Feeling of Fulfillment Reflecting Transcendence Self-Actualization... or Self-Transcendence Legacy Hardest part of writing the book Obstacles to Success Self-Doubt Small wins Chart your progress Perfectionist Myth of IQ and EQ Self-talk Connect with Adrian LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Carrie Carrie Rickert is an author and the founder and CEO of Nomis Advisors, a management consultancy firm in Stevensville, MD. Carrie has worked with hundreds of companies to strategically develop programs to initiate change. Additionally, Carrie is a trauma survivor and an expert on navigating catalytic circumstances. Carrie's book is Trauma is a Catalyst and can be found on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. Today We Talked About Carrie's background Organizational Development Her Accident Recovery Mindset Recognize when you need help...and ask for it Compassion and Empathy Tell me why this is important to you People need to be heard Be real around people listen to people ask "Why you're doing this" Question the rules Book Cover - Rachel Rickert   Connect with Carrie LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Andrey Andrey is the Founder and CEO of Distillery, a leading nearshore software development firm that embeds top-tier AI-enabled senior engineers and agile experts directly into clients' projects. He has 15+ years of software development leadership experience. An entrepreneur and talented developer in his own right, he now focuses on delivering the teams and products that enable other businesses to succeed. Today We Talked About Background Gaming Empathy Different doesn't mean better or worse... Letting Go Pizza Rule... Separate yourself from the company Balance... don't stop being a human Culture of a business Vision development Connect with Andrey LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Eileen Eileen Forrestal, having spent 20+ years as an Anesthesiologist 'putting people to sleep' with powerful drugs, embarked on a mission to ‘wake people up’ to the power of words. Author of The Courage To Shine, her invitation is to encourage you to Find Your Voice and Discover The Healing Power of Your Words and to have the courageous conversations that will make a real difference, breaking free from fears that are holding you back from full self-expression and fulfilment in life. Through her transformational Get Up and Go diaries and journals, and Shine Your Light Coaching and Consulting, Eileen is committed to inspiring, encouraging, motivating, and empowering you to live your best one-and-only life, right now. Eileen, a certified coach, accomplished trainer and natural leader, is committed to lifelong learning and sees curiosity, personal development and contribution as access to wellbeing and success in all areas of life. Her passions are for fostering connection, promoting collaboration and making meaningful contribution through self-expression, and delights in seeing others Shine in the Art of Living, She counts summiting Kilimanjaro, trekking to Everest Base Camp, rafting the Zambezi, cycling the Mekong Delta, jumping from an airplane, riding an ostrich and hypnotizing a chicken as some of her more memorable life events. The co-creator of the Genius Journal with Roger Hamilton, Eileen is a Flow Consultant with Wealth Dynamics, trained to help you get into your ‘entrepreneurial’ flow with fun, freedom and ease. As Co-founder of “Get Up and Go Publications Ltd, and her "Shine Your Light Coaching and Consulting," Eileen ignites the spark within, inspiring, encouraging, motivating, and empowering individuals to live their best lives, helping them She is passionate about encouraging young adults and teens, helping them prepare to navigate the uncertain waters of post school life with courage and confidence. No stranger to ‘Intensive Care’ Eileen understands the importance of trust, support and encouragement as we face life’s difficulties. Eileen cares passionately that individuals discover their inner shine and express it freely in the world, lighting the way for others. If you want a true and trusted coach in your corner and guide on your side, look no further than Dr Eileen Forrestal at Shine Your Light Coaching and Consulting. Today We Talked About Eileen's background Are you doing your best Everywhere in life? Self-Expression Fear What's the worst that can happen? Mountain Climbing and Adventures One More Step Embrace the Edge Connect with Eileen www.eileenforrestal.com www.getupandgodiary.com LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About David David holds a Ph.D. in Applied Game Theory from the University of Cambridge, is the creator of the first multi-agent system framework with native support for distributed ledger technologies (https://aea.dev), and is a co-founder and the CEO at Valory. He has conducted research on the Economics of Networks, strategy of conflict, political competition, and multi-agent systems. He has created the first framework for the development and production deployment of agents in a decentralized multi-agent multi-stakeholder environment. David has a proven track record of taking projects from concept stage to production as demonstrated at Yoyo Wallet, Azembly, Panopy and Fetch.ai.   Today We Talked About David's background Game Theory? Crypto Transparency Smart Contracts Agents Crypto and AI synergies OLAs Co-Own AI Connect with David LinkedIn Website OLAs X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Alex Alex Heublein is the President of the U.S. division of Netsurit, where he leads efforts to help small and medium-sized businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in IT and business strategy, Alex is passionate about demystifying technology for SMBs and providing actionable insights to drive efficiency and innovation. At Netsurit, Alex works closely with business leaders to develop tailored strategies that not only enhance operational efficiency but also build resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving digital landscape. He is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader, frequently contributing to discussions on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and the strategic use of technology in business. His mission is to empower organizations to unlock their full potential and achieve sustained competitive advantage. Today We Talked About Background Generative AI MBA and PhD. Personal Productivity with Gen AI Department AI Enterprise AI Making Decisions out of structured and unstructured data Art of the Possible Choose the Right Use Cases Connect with Alex LinkedIn Website Alexh@netsurit.com Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Klaas CEOs turn to Klaas when they need an unbiased peer who uniquely understands the lonely burden of leadership and the complexity of a today's technology driven business. He brings a unique blend of expertise gained from engineering, corporate finance, and executive leadership roles. Klaas is usually called on to map out a clear path forward when there are no easy decisions. He has set strategies for scaling teams during 10x growth as well as downsizing when needed. Klaas has led companies through both buy and sell sides of M&A, in startups and public companies. He brings accountability in leadership teams through data-driven clarity. Above all Klaas is a versatile advisor, toggling between strategy and execution. CEOs rely on Klaas when ambiguity looms, leveraging his rational approach and proven frameworks. During his free time Klaas relaxes with online racing and strategy games. Sundays are for NFL. Today We Talked About Klaas's background Agile and Scrum CTO leadership Keeping the lights on (BAU) How Technology drives the business forward Trends in Technology Is there a Fax Machine?? What is the role of the CEO? Digital Transformation Culture People come in to do a good job... have faith and trust in people How do you make their life better? Develop people Output is valuable Career perspective Your Job of CTO Learn to talk to other leaders Football? Connect with Klaas LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Ken Kenneth K. Boyer combines a lifelong love of cars and engineering with a career focused on management and supply chain. He's the Fisher designated professor of operations and business analytics at Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University./ He was coeditor-in-chief of the Journal of Operations Management, and served on the faculty at Michigan State and DePaul universities. Boyer is a member of the Academy of Management, Production and Operations Management Society, and the Decision Sciences Institute. Recently, he visited Vietnam to study Vinfast's rise. He's published numerous academic articles and two books. His latest is The Electric Vehicle Revolution: Five Visionaries Leading the Charge. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, and currently drives a Tesla Model 3. Learn more at gearschange.com. Today We Talked About EVs Henry Ford Willingness to Change Ability to Profit Transform the Supply Change 5 Visionaries and their stories What's next for EVs Connect with Ken LinkedIn Book Website X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Itamar Itamar Friedman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Qodo, a company dedicated to enhancing code integrity. Under his leadership, Qodo specializes in generating automated tests, providing code explanations, and conducting thorough code reviews. Their groundbreaking research in generating code solutions for competitive programming challenges has even outperformed Google DeepMind. Today We Talked About Itamar's background AI TDD - Test Driven Development Machine Learning Hardware vs Software Verification Code Integrity Future of Software Development and QA "No fear from a good conflict" Connect with Itamar LinkedIn Website X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Eric Eric Müller is the VP of Engineering and CISO at Presence, where he has led engineering teams and supported automated processes to deliver high-quality digital products for the past decade. With over 20 years of experience in engineering and security, Eric has worked across various industries including banking, social media, B2B, retail, fashion, and online gaming. His extensive background includes significant roles at Wells Fargo Bank, Charles Schwab, Razorfish, and Mekanism, where he delivered award-winning projects for clients such as Samsung, eBay, and DKNY. At Presence, Eric fosters empathetic leadership and transparent communication to build resilient, high-performing tech teams. An advocate for healthy agency-client collaboration, Eric involves partners early and often in the development process. His experience has proven that stronger client relationships result in better products. Beyond his professional achievements, Eric is an amateur photographer and baking enthusiast who loves discussing security. Today We Talk About Eric's background What is Empathetic Leadership Teams? Ron Lichty Therapy - EAP Programs Empathy Generosity No Person is an Island... we can't do it on our own Connect With Eric LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About John John Conafay is a US Air Force Veteran and the CEO and Co-Founder of Integrate, building program management software with a systems engineering approach for the world’s most ambitious machines. Previously he was an early employee at three space unicorns – Head of BD at ABL Space Systems, was one of the first ten employees at Astranis, and Interned at Spire Global early on. He also worked at the Office of the CFO NASA Headquarters while at BryceTech and was a Director of Business Development at Spaceflight. Today We Talked About John's background Collaboration Accountability Trust and Transparency Growth Pushing people Passion Connect with John LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Maximillian Maximillian Naza is a prominent figure in the tech industry with a rich background in computer science, software engineering, and technology strategy. Having worked with leading companies such as T-Mobile, Google, and Kleiner Perkins, he founded PasciVite, a data-driven creative agency that leverages data analytics and artificial intelligence to give businesses a competitive edge. Maximillian is known for his ability to bridge the gap between traditional industries and digital innovation, particularly in the entertainment sector, where he advocates for the integration of AI to enhance creativity. A frequent speaker, he offers insights into the intersection of technology, business, and innovation, drawing from his diverse experiences to mentor and inspire. Today We Talked About Background Freelancing into a business Delegation Asking 1000's of questions Build Relationships AI Brainstorming with Generative AI Automation Hope Records   Connect with Maximillian LinkedIn Website PasciVite Hope Records Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Douglas Squirrel creates constructive conflict to achieve astonishing productivity gains. His intensive coaching and advisory work gives executives and their teams the tools to create and align on business goals, discard good ideas that don't fit the strategy, and deliver high-impact, customer-visible results. For instance, companies using his Insanely Profitable Tech methods deliver new software to customers every single day, with constant learning and improvement that keeps them way ahead of the competition. Squirrel has transformed product lines, company cultures, and technical skills at over 300 organizations on every continent except Antarctica, in industries from finance to biotech to music and many more. He co-authored the book Agile Conversations and has recently released Squirrel's Tech Radar, a simple method for assessing any technology organization in under two hours with no background in tech required. Learn more about Squirrel at https://douglassquirrel.com, and check out his community of thousands of executives learning together at https://squirrelsquadron.com. Or feel free to ring him anytime on the Squirrel-Phone, +44 777 3794 491; you'll probably reach him at his home in Frogholt, England, where he lives in a timber-framed cottage built in the year 1450. Today We Talked About Getting Fired Empire building Don't grab a sledgehammer Listening Genuine Question Carefully Plan interactions Say what you See TDD for People Build Trust in the first 5-10 minutes by following the steps. One-on-Ones Practice in controlled environments Using your kids as graders Using Zoom or ChatGPT for help Bridge the gap of communication Betterisms Build Relationships Take a Field Trip or a ride along   Connect with Douglas Website Book X LinkedIn   Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Alan ALAN E. NELSON, Ed.D. is a leadership development specialist, trainer, speaker, and Lecturer of Management at the Naval Postgraduate School (www.nps.edu). He previously taught at USC, UCI, LMU, and Pepperdine. Dr. Nelson founded KidLead Academy, the world’s first online course to train parents how to develop their child’s leadership potential (www.kidlead.com). He also founded LeadYoung Training Systems, designing organizational leadership curricula for 3-23-year-olds (www.LeadYoungTraining.com). He is the author of 40 books and over 200 articles on personal growth and leadership and the founder of KidLead Inc., a nonprofit focusing on young leader development. Alan has a doctorate (Ed.D.) in leadership from the University of San Diego. During the first half of his life, he was an entrepreneurial leader in the social sector. In midlife, he concluded that leadership development could have a better return on investment by focusing on leaders while they’re moldable, not moldy. Since 2008, Alan’s been a pioneer in young leader development, designing age-n-stage curricula for 3-23-year-olds. Dr. Nelson has traveled to a variety of countries to train people with his curricula, along with interacting with 1000s of preteens and teens, as part of his research. Today We Talked About Alan's background Parenting similarities to managing Kid leadership Work and home life Skills kids need for leadership Persuasive skills Treating Kids like Leaders Don't underestimate your children 5 Star Boss Connect with Alan Website LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Jeff Jeff is a a leading voice and thought leader on customer centric product development. He helps organizations build better products and executives build the cultures that build better products. He is the co-author of the award-winning book Lean UX (now in it’s 3rd edition) and the Harvard Business Review Press book Sense & Respond. In 2020 he published the critically aclaimed book, Forever Employable. Starting off as a software designer then product manager and finally entrepreneur, Jeff now works as a keynote speaker, trainer, coach, and board advisor helping companies put the customer in the century of every decision. Most recently Jeff co-authored Who Does What By How Much?, his 5th book and 3rd with co-author Josh Seiden. This new book is the how-to guide for implementing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in every organization. Today We Talk About Jeff's background Early Days of the Web UX Customer Centric Product Development Continuous Development Definition of Done Outcomes as a measure of success What are OKRs Measure what Matters Definition of Success How will we know when we get there No Features, no solutions, no tasks Metrics Everything should be about the customer Experimenting What do engaged customers do Awareness, Usage, Engagement and Satisfaction...boo OKRs must have actions and Take a Field Trip - Get out of the building. Connect with Jeff LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Dominic Dominic is a creative, goal-driven marketing leader that’s dedicated his career to the translation industry. Dominic brings proficiency in global marketing, demand generation, and go-to-market strategies as the Director of Marketing at MotionPoint. MotionPoint is a managed translation platform that delivers concierge-level, end-to-end translation to meet the needs of brands across desired languages and local markets. MotionPoint’s concierge-level managed translation service has led the industry for 22 years. Today We Talked About Dominic's background Journey at MotionPoint Visa's, Green cards, etc. Languages AI / Machine Learning "More people got rich selling shovels during the gold rush, than they did from finding gold." Leaders are Fulcrums Empathy Start with Why Don't Walk the Plank   Connect with Dominic LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Greg Greg has served on the Bigleaf Networks' board of directors since 2020. He has a consistent track record scaling businesses and creating enterprise value through revenue growth, operational performance, and strategic acquisitions. Greg’s technology leadership career spans more than 25 years, where he has led multiple companies from start up to over $100 million in annual revenue. Prior to Bigleaf, Greg served as COO at HungerRush, a national leader in hospitality software. Prior to HungerRush, Greg spent eight years as EVP of Sales at Alert Logic, where he led sales, marketing, and other key area of the business. Today We Talked About Greg's background Events that lead from Hospitality to Tech Developing Folks Solving Problems Growing people's careers Goals High Performance Safety Physical Safety Intellectual Safety Financial Safety Transparency Trust Retrospective on ALL Meetings Connect With Greg Website LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Marshall Dr. Marshall Goldsmith has been recognized as one of the Top Ten Business Thinkers in the World and the top-rated executive coach at the Thinkers50 ceremony in London since 2011. Published in 2015, his book Triggers is a Wall Street Journal and New York Times #1 Bestseller! He’s also the author of New York Times best seller and #1 Wall Street Journal Business Book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, winner of the Harold Longman Award as Best Business Book of the Year. Today We Talked About Leadership Luck IBM Coaching Knowledge Philanthropy MarshallBot Connect with Marshall LinkedIn Website AI Bot Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!