The Tech Blog Writer Podcast - Inspired Tech Startup Stories & Interviews With Tech Leaders, Entrepreneurs And Innovators

Cloud cost is no longer just a finance team issue. It is now a business-wide concern, and treating it as a budgeting exercise is holding companies back. In this episode, I’m joined by John Purcell, Chief Product Officer at DoiT, to unpack how organisations can rethink cloud financial management through a risk-first lens. With the FinOps X conference just around the corner, John also gives us a preview of the themes likely to dominate the agenda this year, from Kubernetes complexity to the role of AI in governance. DoiT is not just another optimisation tool. Their Cloud Intelligence platform helps companies align performance, reliability, and security with financial strategy. John explains how cost spikes are not just common, they are almost guaranteed. He shares a real example of a ninety-thousand dollar AWS bill caused by a minor configuration error and what could have prevented it. We talk about the shift from reactive cost reviews to proactive financial defence. Think of it like cybersecurity but applied t

What does it mean to own something in a world where everything is digital? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, to unpack the growing importance of digital ownership in the age of AI, blockchains, and digital identity. With more than 6 million devices sold and 20 percent of the world’s crypto secured, Ledger has become a trusted name in both consumer and enterprise digital asset security. But this conversation goes far beyond crypto wallets. Ian explains why self-custody matters, how Ledger devices actually work, and what separates them from traditional custodial models. "Giving people the ability to securely own their own digital private property is fundamentally what we're all about," Ian says, breaking down a complex topic in a way that's both clear and urgent. We also talk about the convergence of AI and blockchain, the risks of relying on cloud-based security, and why digital proof and provenance are becoming essential in our online lives. W

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ryan Kuhlenbeck, CEO and co-founder of Pico MES, to explore a persistent and costly challenge in manufacturing. While many OEMs have embraced cutting-edge technology, their suppliers often remain disconnected from the digital conversation. This gap isn’t just inconvenient, it creates delays, quality issues, and serious communication problems on the factory floor. Ryan brings two decades of experience across GM, Tesla, and a range of hands-on manufacturing roles, and shares how that journey inspired the launch of Pico MES. During our conversation, Ryan walks through how Pico MES was born out of necessity rather than opportunity. After years of building and managing software systems within factories, he became frustrated by the lack of flexible, scalable tools for smaller suppliers. His vision? A modern MES system that can be deployed in weeks, not years, and one that supports rather than hinders the work being done at the operator level. We unpack how disconnected systems ac

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Samit D'Cunha, a legal advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), about the innovative Digital Emblem Project. For over 160 years, the Red Cross emblem has signified protection in physical conflict zones, marking medical and humanitarian organizations as safe from attack. Now, as warfare increasingly extends into cyberspace, the ICRC is working on a digital version of this emblem to offer the same legal protections for online infrastructure. We explore how cyberattacks on hospitals and aid organizations during armed conflict are becoming more common, and why the Digital Emblem is needed now more than ever. Samit explains the technical side of the project, including the use of cryptographic certificates and DNS systems to ensure global, decentralized protection. He also discusses the importance of legal recognition and trust-building across governments, tech companies, and humanitarian sectors. As the digital battleground grows, thi

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I am joined by Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20, to explore the key trends shaping finance's future. As Money20/20 Europe celebrates its 10th anniversary, Scarlett provides a detailed preview of what we can expect from this year's event, bringing together over 8000 senior industry leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of fintech, regulation, and technology. Money20/20 Europe is not just a conference. It is a critical platform for addressing the big questions about where money, tech, and regulation are headed. Scarlett highlights the growing collaboration between traditional banks and fintech companies, calling it the "golden era" of partnerships. This shift drives innovation, and we discuss how these partnerships are evolving to enable more personalized, efficient financial services for businesses and consumers alike. A significant focus of our conversation is the rise of stablecoins, which are transforming cross-border payments in ways

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Glen Shok, VP of Product Marketing at Panzura, for a detailed look into how the company is rethinking hybrid cloud storage with the release of CloudFS 8.5 Adapt. CloudFS 8.5 isn’t just another update. Built in direct response to customer feedback, it introduces powerful new features like Instant Node and Regional Store that redefine performance, availability, and business continuity. Instant Node allows failed systems to be replaced or migrated in under five minutes.  Regional Store brings high-speed data access closer to end users around the world while reducing latency and cloud egress costs. As Glen explains, the latest release meets the growing demand for flexibility in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, rising cloud costs, and evolving IT infrastructure. Panzura is helping organizations maintain uptime, protect data, and adapt quickly, whether moving away from VMware or modernizing a global IT footprint. CloudFS 8.5 Adapt enables this without forcing

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Chase Garbarino, Co-Founder and CEO of HQO, a company reimagining the way commercial real estate connects with its occupants. From digital keycards to IoT-enabled spaces, HQO is building the operating system for real estate, already active across 250 million square feet in 24 countries. We explore how commercial real estate, once known for its slow adoption of technology, is finally undergoing rapid transformation. Chase shares the story behind HQO’s creation, the drive to modernize the built environment, and why he believes cities are humanity’s greatest product. He outlines how hybrid work, flexible leases, and higher user expectations have pushed property owners to rethink what a workplace should offer. But this isn’t just a tech story. It’s about connection. Chase reveals how HQO is helping create meaningful experiences through digital tools that serve every type of building user, not just those paying the rent. From commute integration to smart access, a

What happens when AI reshapes intellectual property, and decentralized storage rewrites data sovereignty? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, we explore that intersection with a deep dive into the work of StorX Network, a platform rethinking cloud storage from the ground up. Our guest joins from StorX, a decentralized cloud storage network designed with privacy, security, and user empowerment at its core. At a time when data privacy is eroding and centralized providers are struggling to keep pace with evolving threats, StorX offers a radically different approach. Their system encrypts data using the user’s private passphrase, fragments it into smaller pieces, then distributes multiple copies across a global network of autonomous nodes. The result? A storage solution that is trustless, censorship resistant, and economically more efficient, often cutting costs by up to 90 percent compared to traditional providers. We discuss how StorX is positioning itself in a world increasingly concerned about surveillance,

What happens when the world's most powerful AI systems are measured by the same yardstick? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I spoke with David Kanter, Founder and Executive Director of MLCommons, the organization behind MLPerf, the industry's most recognized benchmark for AI performance. As AI continues to outpace Moore’s Law, businesses and governments alike are asking the same question: how do we know what “good” AI performance really looks like? That’s exactly the challenge MLCommons set out to address. David shares the story of how a simple suggestion at a Stanford meeting led him from analyst to the architect of a global benchmarking initiative. He explains how MLPerf benchmarks are helping enterprises and policymakers make informed decisions about AI systems, and why transparency, neutrality, and open collaboration are central to the mission. We explore what’s really driving AI’s explosive growth. It’s not just about chips. Smarter software, algorithmic breakthroughs, and increasingly scalable syste

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, Neil is joined by Jose Soto, VP of Engineering at Converge Marketing, to discuss how data democratization transforms performance marketing. Jose highlights a common bottleneck in marketing where engineering teams act as the data gatekeepers, often slowing down marketing efforts. He explains how empowering marketers with self-service access to data through intuitive platforms speeds up decision-making and drives measurable growth for brands. Jose talks about how Converge has broken down data silos by creating clean data pipelines and user-friendly tools that allow non-technical users to interact with data confidently. Instead of relying on engineers, marketing teams now have the freedom to access data, build reports, and analyze trends in real-time. This shift has led to improved agility, better collaboration, and faster campaign optimizations. The conversation also explores the impact of AI and machine learning on marketing. Jose discusses how these technologies are helpin

What happens when software development meets AI assistance, and anyone with an idea suddenly has the power to build it?  In this episode, I sat down with Ryan Frankel, President and CTO of Digital Brands and the mind behind HostingAdvice.com, to explore the rise of “vibeware” and how AI is shifting the development landscape. Ryan has a fascinating journey that began with BASIC programming on an Apple IIc and led through military-grade signal processing to leading a portfolio of digital properties. At the center of our conversation is Vibeware. AI-assisted development tools that are starting to lower the barriers for would-be creators. But unlike the hype you often hear, Ryan doesn’t sugarcoat the limitations. While AI can generate impressive snippets of production-ready code, we’re nowhere near a future where it can build and maintain scalable applications on its own. Context, debugging, infrastructure, and data architecture still require human oversight, and developers who understand these elements are more

On this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Gene Hoffman, CEO of Chia Network, to explore a bold new vision for digital assets, investing, and regulatory-compliant blockchain innovation.  While much of the blockchain space has struggled with regulatory clarity, Chia has taken a different path, working closely with the SEC and other regulators to ensure long-term viability for the network and its applications. With a groundbreaking joint venture called Permuto, Chia is pushing that vision even further. Permuto is set to tokenize equity investments directly on Chia’s independent layer-1 blockchain. The first application? Microsoft stock.  However, rather than simply offering a digital replica of a share, the platform will divide each into separate dividend and growth certificates. This new level of granularity can reshape the way institutions and individuals think about risk, returns, and liquidity. It’s particularly relevant for low-risk investors and retirees looking to isolate stable dividend income

When cybersecurity companies are racing to outpace evolving threats, innovation often starts in an unexpected place: revenue operations. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with John Queally, Senior Director of Revenue Operations at Clari, to explore why RevOps has become a vital engine behind the performance and resilience of cybersecurity leaders. John brings a unique perspective from his journey through banking, analytics, and enterprise tech. What stands out is how rapidly the RevOps function has matured from a back-office support role to a central, strategic force. Especially in the cybersecurity space, where innovation requires ongoing investment and risk is measured in seconds, the pressure to run efficient, scalable revenue processes has never been greater. We delve into why clean, trusted data is the backbone of any AI strategy and how 67% of revenue leaders still don’t trust the data they're using. It’s a staggering insight, and one that underscores the urgent need for cross-functional a

In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sat down with Bulent Cinarkaya, General Manager of Field Service Management at ServiceNow, to explore how AI is transforming the frontlines of field service. Often overlooked in the broader tech conversation, the technicians working outside the office are now seeing real, tangible improvements to their daily workflows thanks to advancements in intelligent automation. Bulent brings a wealth of knowledge from working closely with global organizations that rely on ServiceNow to improve how they plan, dispatch, and support field teams. We talked about how agentic and generative AI are no longer theoretical tools; they are actively used to predict what technicians will need before arriving, automate access to resources, and reduce inefficiencies in task planning. One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was how ServiceNow is using AI to improve productivity and enhance the human experience. From easing the onboarding of new technicians to capturing decades of e

What does it take to turn a moment of frustration into a global mission to tackle waste? At the AWS Summit in London, I sat down with Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of Olio, to explore how a single idea born on a snowy Swiss street evolved into a powerful tech platform reshaping how communities think about consumption, sharing, and sustainability. Tessa shared her personal journey, from growing up on a farm where food waste was unthinkable to climbing the corporate ladder before walking away to co-found Olio. That decision came after she was told to throw away perfectly good food while moving house, a moment that sparked an idea and a deeper calling. What followed was years of research, a grassroots WhatsApp experiment, and ultimately, the creation of an app that now connects millions of users worldwide. In our conversation, we explored how Olio uses technology to drive real-world change. Tessa explained how AWS has been a foundational partner since day one, helping Olio scale sustainably without compromisi

Holography has long lived in the shadow of science fiction, but what happens when it’s finally real  and ready for the consumer market? In this episode recorded at Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Darran Milne, co-founder and CEO of VividQ to unpack what sets true holography apart from the gimmicks. With a background in quantum physics and years of technical leadership, Darran cuts through the noise around immersive display technologies and explains how VividQ is building real holographic experiences — not tricks of the eye, but accurate 3D projections that replicate how we naturally see the world. Darran walks us through the technology powering their recent demo with Call of Duty, showing that VividQ’s tech isn’t just theoretical. It runs on today’s hardware and can convert existing 3D content into holograms without access to the original source code. That changes the game for entertainment, but it’s only the beginning. We explore where else this could lead: head-up displays in cars that genuinely blend dig

What if companies could tap into powerful behavioral AI without compromising user privacy or crossing legal lines? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Frank Portman, CTO of Yobi, to explore how his team is building foundation models grounded in real user behavior, backed by ethically sourced and consented data. Frank shares how Yobi is taking a distinct approach. They're not building large language models or racing to dominate generative AI headlines. Instead, they're focused on data integrity, transparency, and security from day one. With a strategic partnership with Microsoft Azure, Yobi delivers models that run directly within a customer’s environment. That means privacy is preserved, data stays protected, and companies still benefit from intelligent, adaptive systems. We unpack how Yobi avoids risky use cases like financial underwriting and healthcare, how their models are trained to avoid demographic bias, and why they actively reward systems for being bad at guessing personal traits. Th

When we talk about the future of technology, it is easy to focus on the tools, trends, and innovations that dominate headlines. But behind every breakthrough is a human story, and behind every system are individuals navigating an industry that has not always welcomed them equally. That is why I sat down with Sue Harnett, founder and CEO of Rewriting the Code, to learn more about the real work being done to support and elevate women in technology. What followed was a wide-ranging conversation that brings clarity to an often-overlooked challenge and offers insight into what real change looks like. Rewriting the Code is more than a community. It is a global network of over 35,000 women who are united by shared goals and driven by the ambition to create a more inclusive tech industry. Sue shared the origin of the organization, born from her own experiences of feeling out of place in elite academic environments, and how that shaped her commitment to building a culture where young women could grow, thrive, and most

When we talk about the future of IT services, the conversation often revolves around the potential of AI and automation. But what does that really mean when applied at scale, across legacy infrastructure, evolving customer expectations, and real-world operational challenges?  In today’s episode, I sat down with Manish Tandon, CEO of Zensar Technologies, to explore that very question. What emerged was a refreshingly pragmatic take on a space often overwhelmed by buzzwords. Manish leads a global organisation that's helping some of the UK’s biggest businesses not just integrate AI, but rethink the foundation of their IT strategies. We discussed how Zensar is combining automation with a philosophy they call “experience-led everything,” a human-centric approach that puts users, not systems, at the centre of transformation. Through this lens, he explained how seemingly simple shifts like applying AI to reduce technical debt or drive internal engagement can lead to significant performance gains and improved outcomes

What happens when automation grows and learns to think, reason, and adapt? That is precisely what I explored in today's episode with Bennet Kumar, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Business Process Services at Hexaware Technologies. As the enterprise world braces for rapid AI-driven change, Bennet joined me to unpack how agentic AI quietly transforms customer experience from the ground up. Bennet explains how agentic AI is fundamentally different from earlier forms of automation. We go beyond the buzzwords to explore how these intelligent systems retain business context, plan and execute tasks with autonomy, and collaborate with other agents to deliver meaningful outcomes. This isn't just a new toolset for organizations focused on ROI, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. It is a new way of working. One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centered around AI-powered voice translation. Bennet clearly shows what happens when language ceases to be a barrier. Service agents are