In this episode of BetterTech, we sit down with Richard George, CPTO at Head Coach, to explore the intersection of technology, mental resilience, and product development. Richard shares insights from his diverse career, spanning telecom, retail, and AI-driven mental well-being solutions for athletes. He highlights how retail is one of the most complex industries, requiring deep system-wide thinking, and discusses the critical role of emotional intelligence in sports and leadership. Richard also breaks down the impact of feature creep in product development, explaining how unclear objectives lead to endless iterations. Tune in to uncover practical strategies for innovation, resilience, and navigating modern tech landscapes.

In this episode of Better Tech, host Jocelyn Houle welcomes Kathryn Guarini, former Global CIO of IBM and current Senior Fellow at Yale, to discuss the evolving role of technology in shaping future careers. Kathryn shares her journey from academia to the corporate world, highlighting the critical intersection of STEM and non-STEM fields. She explores how AI is revolutionizing industries, why continuous learning and experimentation are essential skills, and the importance of making innovation accessible to everyone. Tune in to hear insights on nurturing future technologists, bridging the AI knowledge gap, and why businesses must embrace disruption to stay ahead

In this episode of BetterTech, Haseeb Khan interviews Caroline Gorski, Co-Founder at Cerestrial LLP, a renowned technologist and strategist with over 30 years of experience in AI, machine learning, and digital transformation. Caroline shares insights from her leadership at Rolls-Royce’s AI division (R-squared factory) and her mission at Cerestrial LLP to drive inclusivity in tech leadership. She explores AI’s role as a global strategic asset, the challenges of diversity in technology, and how experimentation accelerates innovation. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation on the future of AI and leadership in an evolving digital world.

In this episode of Better Tech, Haseeb Khan speaks with Rob Sladen, Co-Founder of Zulu Pods, about revolutionizing one-time-use jet engine oil systems. Rob shares how his experience at Pratt & Whitney led to the creation of Zulu Pods' Tide Pod for jet engines, improving efficiency and cutting costs. He dives into Zulu Pods' unique fundraising approach, raising $5M+ from angel investors instead of venture capital, leveraging network effects. Rob also offers key insights for entrepreneurs on team building, capital efficiency, and proving product-market fit.

Wrapping up, he teases Zulu Pods’ next big milestone—engine testing in 2025 and new product launches. Don't miss this insightful conversation on aerospace innovation and startup success!

In this episode of BetterTech, Neriza Dayao-Parial, VP at JP Morgan, joins host Haseeb Khan to discuss the transformative impact of AI in payments and beyond. With experience managing operations that process $10 trillion daily, Neriza shares how AI is driving efficiency, scaling workforce capabilities, and shaping the future of technology. She also explores the emergence of Agent AI, a groundbreaking innovation enabling machines to reason and solve complex problems autonomously. Neriza emphasizes the need for upskilling, structured data, and human readiness to adapt to this new era of AI.

In this episode of Better Tech, we sit down with Scott Andersen, Solution Architect at Verizon Enterprise Solutions and former CTO and Managing Partner at Microsoft. Scott brings a wealth of experience from his dynamic career in technology leadership and innovation.Drawing from his background in both education and enterprise tech, Scott shares how AI is transforming classrooms and empowering teachers, providing personalized learning experiences for students. He also delves into the broader implications of AI in business and society, exploring the potential of true AI to think and respond in ways humans can’t.

In this episode of Better Tech, host Jocelyn Houle chats with Jamie Spradlin, Vice Chancellor & CISO at Maricopa Community Colleges, about his unorthodox journey from military intelligence to cybersecurity leadership. They explore the unique security challenges in higher education, the impact of AI on cyber threats, and why communication is key in security leadership. Jamie also shares insights on proactive vs. reactive security strategies and how organizations can stay ahead of cyber risks. He emphasizes the importance of understanding motivation in leadership and how cybersecurity teams can build trust across an organization. From navigating rapid technological shifts to creating strong security cultures, Jamie provides valuable lessons for security leaders at any stage of their career.

In this episode of the Better Tech podcast, host Jocelyn Byrne Houle speaks with Russ Felker,

CTO at Trinity Logistics, about the growing cyber threats in logistics and supply chain security.

Russ breaks down how fraud is evolving, highlighting strategic fraud, social engineering, and

identity theft that threaten businesses worldwide. He discusses AI’s role in both attacking and

defending digital assets and provides insights into modern cybercrime trends, including

industry-specific phishing and AI-powered impersonation.

In this episode of the Better Tech podcast, Colin McCarthy chats with Andy Goodfellow, SVP and CTO of Zoro, to explore his career journey and the transformative role of technology in the distribution industry. Andy shares how his technical leadership and customer-centric approach have redefined Zoro’s operations, transforming it into a technology-driven powerhouse. The discussion delves into building empowered teams, leveraging AI and data for innovation, and maintaining a balance between operational efficiency and future readiness. Andy also highlights the importance of clean data as the foundation for AI applications and reflects on how people-centric leadership fosters team growth and success.

In this episode of the Better Tech podcast, host Jocelyn Houle engages in a conversation with Angela Mesa, Global Director at Cisco, about fostering leadership and embracing innovation in a dynamic technology landscape. Angela shares her journey at Cisco, discussing how her adaptability and curiosity have shaped her approach to leadership and data-driven decision-making. The discussion highlights Cisco’s focus on AI and decision intelligence, emphasizing advancements in predictive analytics and supply chain optimization. Angela emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of trust, structuring teams for innovation, and celebrating failure as a step toward success. She concludes by reflecting on her personal experiences and the critical role of mentorship and collaboration in driving growth.