In this episode of 'When Shit Hits the Fan', Johan and Jeffrey welcome Frank Denneman, a distinguished engineer for AI at VMware/Broadcom.

The conversation covers Frank's experiences, interests, and career journey, including his insights on technology, movies, and the importance of effective communication in engineering.

The episode features rapid-fire questions, discussions about favorite films, and a deep dive into Frank's professional background. The conversation explores his journey from building Microsoft Exchange across multiple countries to his experiences with virtualization, working at VMware, and the challenges of startup life. It highlights his time at PernixData and the lessons learned from mistakes made throughout his career, including the importance of sharing knowledge and overcoming fears in public speaking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:40 Frank's Background and Interests

06:41 Binaries and Quickfire Questions

11:01 Frank's Career Journey and Early Experiences

13:15 Building Microsoft Exchange Across Borders

16:45 The Virtualization Journey Begins

17:35 Transitioning to VMware and the Startup Experience

20:00 The Challenges of Startup Life

23:25 Innovations at Pernix Data

25:59 Lessons Learned from Mistakes

30:04 First Time on Stage: Overcoming Fear

31:27 The Thrill of Live Performance

34:17 Key Takeaways for First-Time Speakers

39:43 Lessons from Experience and Listening

41:54 The Importance of Preparation

42:53 Learning from Presentation Skills and Shark Tank

Links:

Frank Simrig account on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/roadtoimmersion/