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IT in the D is your insider look at the tech scene in Detroit. Started in 2007 as a meetup group in Metro Detroit for IT professionals, the IT in the D podcast was born in 2013 as an extension of those conversations. Host Bob Waltenspiel and co-host and producer Randy Walker are IT industry veterans, but IT in the D is intentionally more conversational and less instructional. Each weekly show has guests ranging from CIOs and local rock stars, to subject matter experts, local event organizers, and everyone in between. We hope you enjoy listening to us as much as we enjoy recording the show.
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This week, Bob and Randy are joined by Julia Arpag, the CEO and Founder of Aligned Recruitment. They dive into the nuances of the tech recruitment industry, discussing insights on job searching, the importance of networking, and the impact of AI on resumes. Julie emphasizes the significance of direct networking over traditional job applications and shares effective strategies for building connections on platforms like LinkedIn. The conversation also touches on challenges faced by mid-level employees and the evolving landscape of tech recruitment in a post-COVID world.
This week, Bob and Randy were joined by Jay Aho, director of Marketing Technology and eCommerce at Pet Supplies Plus. eCommerce isn't something talked about a lot on this show, so lots of questions were asked. We discussed an upcoming app, what it's like to manage inventory, and how to market to customers.
Plus, Jay founded Motor City Scholars, a non-profit that helps Detroit-area youths with the costs associated with attending college or university.
This week, Bob and Randy are joined by Terry Bean (Try Bean). We discuss his history with networking, TEDx Detroit, and coaching, emphasizing the importance of building relationships through better communication skills. We also get into the evolution of social media and content creation. Of course, we also digress into discussions of food & pizza joints, nostalgia, and Star Wars.
Jason David (JD) from Gym Force returns! This time, he brought Ayesha Qureshi from Q Line Media to discuss the future of Gym Force. JD shares with Bob and Randy his journey in the startup community, his experiences with funding and venture capital, and the challenges of building a brand. Ayesha—who serves on the Gym Force advisory board—discusses her role in advising startups and the importance of branding and marketing strategy. The conversation also touches on the unique dynamics of the Detroit startup ecosystem and JD's upcoming plans to seek investment in Silicon Valley.
Back this week is Scott Wiemels, CEO of Digital Transformation Agency 24G. He was last on Episode 404 “Podcast Not Found”.
Scott joins Bob and Randy to detail an evolving landscape of AI technology. Scott shares insights on his company's shift from augmented reality to AI and how innovative applications are transforming industries. They delve into AI's impact on workflows, from filmmaking and scriptwriting to sales and market research. The conversation also touches on the history of BBS systems, the energy consumption of AI data centers, and the future possibilities in AI-driven creativity and productivity.
You might remember several years ago, we had Britain on to talk about his unique social media username. Well, he's back and he's got quite a tale!
This is part 6 of a 6-part series.
Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the CXO Forum Detroit 2025 Event at the beautiful Madison Loft.
My guest host of the day was board member and CTO of Cabinetworks Group and host of the Great Security Debate, Erik Wille.
We had a blast interviewing and having conversations with people like Martin Bally, CISO of The Campbell's Company, Galina Antova, Co-Founder of Kai, while taking tech from companies such as Black Kite, Prophet Security, Torq, and many others.
We talked about the future of AI in security, what automation is heading toward, the vendor landscape in security, bad salespeople, and overall had an absolute blast.
We ended the day talking with Tom Doane, who had a fascinating story about some projects has been involved with that is worth the listen alone.
Enjoy the listen, and THANK YOU to CXO Forum for partnering with us to podcast at your event!
This is part 5 of a 6-part series.
Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the CXO Forum Detroit 2025 Event at the beautiful Madison Loft.
My guest host of the day was board member and CTO of Cabinetworks Group and host of the Great Security Debate, Erik Wille.
We had a blast interviewing and having conversations with people like Martin Bally, CISO of The Campbell's Company, Galina Antova, Co-Founder of Kai, while taking tech from companies such as Black Kite, Prophet Security, Torq, and many others.
We talked about the future of AI in security, what automation is heading toward, the vendor landscape in security, bad salespeople, and overall had an absolute blast.
We ended the day talking with Tom Doane, who had a fascinating story about some projects has been involved with that is worth the listen alone.
Enjoy the listen, and THANK YOU to CXO Forum for partnering with us to podcast at your event!
This is part 4 of a 6-part series.
Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the CXO Forum Detroit 2025 Event at the beautiful Madison Loft.
My guest host of the day was board member and CTO of Cabinetworks Group and host of the Great Security Debate, Erik Wille.
We had a blast interviewing and having conversations with people like Martin Bally, CISO of The Campbell's Company, Galina Antova, Co-Founder of Kai, while taking tech from companies such as Black Kite, Prophet Security, Torq, and many others.
We talked about the future of AI in security, what automation is heading toward, the vendor landscape in security, bad salespeople, and overall had an absolute blast.
We ended the day talking with Tom Doane, who had a fascinating story about some projects has been involved with that is worth the listen alone.
Enjoy the listen, and THANK YOU to CXO Forum for partnering with us to podcast at your event!
This is part 3 of a 6-part series.
Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the CXO Forum Detroit 2025 Event at the beautiful Madison Loft.
My guest host of the day was board member and CTO of Cabinetworks Group and host of the Great Security Debate, Erik Wille.
We had a blast interviewing and having conversations with people like Martin Bally, CISO of The Campbell's Company, Galina Antova, Co-Founder of Kai, while taking tech from companies such as Black Kite, Prophet Security, Torq, and many others.
We talked about the future of AI in security, what automation is heading toward, the vendor landscape in security, bad salespeople, and overall had an absolute blast.
We ended the day talking with Tom Doane, who had a fascinating story about some projects has been involved with that is worth the listen alone.
Enjoy the listen, and THANK YOU to CXO Forum for partnering with us to podcast at your event!
This is part 2 of a 6-part series.
Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the CXO Forum Detroit 2025 Event at the beautiful Madison Loft.
My guest host of the day was board member and CTO of Cabinetworks Group and host of the Great Security Debate, Erik Wille.
We had a blast interviewing and having conversations with people like Martin Bally, CISO of The Campbell's Company, Galina Antova, Co-Founder of Kai, while taking tech from companies such as Black Kite, Prophet Security, Torq, and many others.
We talked about the future of AI in security, what automation is heading toward, the vendor landscape in security, bad salespeople, and overall had an absolute blast.
We ended the day talking with Tom Doane, who had a fascinating story about some projects has been involved with that is worth the listen alone.
Enjoy the listen, and THANK YOU to CXO Forum for partnering with us to podcast at your event!
This is part 1 of a 6-part series.
Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the CXO Forum Detroit 2025 Event at the beautiful Madison Loft.
My guest host of the day was board member and CTO of Cabinetworks Group and host of the Great Security Debate, Erik Wille.
We had a blast interviewing and having conversations with people like Martin Bally, CISO of The Campbell's Company, Galina Antova, Co-Founder of Kai, while taking tech from companies such as Black Kite, Prophet Security, Torq, and many others.
We talked about the future of AI in security, what automation is heading toward, the vendor landscape in security, bad salespeople, and overall had an absolute blast.
We ended the day talking with Tom Doane, who had a fascinating story about some projects has been involved with that is worth the listen alone.
Enjoy the listen, and THANK YOU to CXO Forum for partnering with us to podcast at your event!
Bob and Randy Walker chat with Steve Acho (website), a versatile professional with experience spanning technology recruiting, music, public speaking, and consulting. Steve shares his journey in various fields, discusses the importance of networking, effective job recruiting, and finding meaningful work. He also dives into his experiences in music, including achieving close to 60 million streams on Spotify. Steve emphasizes the importance of actionable insights, storytelling, and continuous self-improvement in both professional and personal growth.
This week, Bob and Randy welcome Brad Mitchell (there's another one!), Director of Information Technology at Hollywood Casino at Greektown. From restaurant point-of-sale systems to network hardware and security cameras to—yes, slot machines—we cover what tech keeps a casino running.
Jer Staes of Daily Detroit is back! Bob and Randy talk with Jer about Detroit's food scene, including notable spots like Scotty Simpson’s, Gonella's, and Sister Pie, as well as hidden gems such as Marcus Hamburgers and Norm's Diner. They also delve into tech innovations in the automotive industry, AI applications in daily life, and the importance of storytelling in enhancing consumer experiences. Special mentions include Detroit's local wrestling scene, the fascinating Detroit Shipping Company, and upcoming events.
Today, Bob and Randy are rejoined by Tom Lawrence of Lawrence Systems, an open-source advocate and YouTuber. They discuss the benefits and challenges of open-source solutions, particularly in comparison to VMware and other commercial software. Tom shares his experiences with open-source storage solutions for large-scale applications and offers insights into consulting on high-stakes IT projects, including data center rebuilding post-crisis.
The conversation also touches on the rapid growth of AI technologies, challenges in AI model training, and the potential for AI to reshape various industries. Additionally, the hosts delve into personal stories, talk about the importance of tech community events, and reflect on the role of content creation in tech careers. The episode wraps up with a fun discussion on sci-fi shows and movies, from 'Black Mirror' to 'Star Wars: Andor.'
Peter Surowski, CTO of Brain Jar joins Bob and Randy to focus on small businesses for a change. Brain Jar is a web development and marketing agency for small businesses. The discussion centers around the current role of AI in helping small businesses market themselves effectively, the evolution of web development, and practical tips for businesses to compete with larger enterprises. They also touch on the impact of social media, cold calling, and various marketing strategies including Google ads, email campaigns, and staying consistent with branding. Additionally, the episode covers the importance of human connections and personalized marketing in the era of automation.
In this episode, Bob and Randy welcome long-time friend and guest Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different. They dive into a nostalgic conversation about their roots in podcasting, the evolution of content creation, and the unique culture of Detroit.
They discuss their past experiences, the importance of rich relationships in content creation, and the changes seen in the city, especially post-bankruptcy. The talk also includes personal anecdotes about local hangouts, notable eateries, and the challenges and opportunities facing Detroit today.
Towards the end, the conversation lightens with discussions about music, food, and community events.
Note: David was with us a few weeks ago—you might have heard that episode. If you did, you probably noticed the audio issues. We pulled down that episode and invited David back for another chat.
David Juan returns! In this episode, he explains CDPs—Customer Data Platforms—to Bob and Randy. CDPs pull data from systems like CRMs, marketing automation tools, advertising systems, etc to help create personalized experiences for each customer. David explains different types of CDPs, how they work, where they get data, and why they're used.
First, though. we chatted about what we’re watching and how it’s difficult to keep up with all the shows across all the streaming platforms.
David's side projects include Normal Coffee and Scrum Detroit Meetup.
Todd Loiselle, CIO of National Food Group joins Bob and Randy to talk about how he became a CIO.
Todd got off to a rocky start—he had problems in school and then he had a rough first job. But then he found success and was approached to be a CIO. Todd tells us his approach to the job and the digital transformation he implemented. Then, he gives advice for newbies just getting started.
Stay tuned until the very end for a fun surprise!
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