In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub explore the evolving reality of AI productivity, and what it means for software engineering, product management, and the future of work.

They kick things off with a look at recent data showing how the complexity of tasks AI can handle is rapidly increasing—measured by the length of human-equivalent work AI can now complete. This sparks a lively discussion about breaking down work for AI agents, the art of writing effective prompts, and the surprising thoroughness of AI-generated specifications.

From there, Brad and Scott share hands-on stories from their own podcast website, revealing how AI coding assistants like Codex and Claude are transforming everything from feature development to bug fixing. The conversation expands into the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into real-world workflows, the role of design systems, and the shifting responsibilities of engineers in an AI-powered world.

Along the way, Scott and Brad wrestle with big questions:

• How do you break down complex projects so AI agents can succeed?
• What makes a prompt or ticket “AI-friendly”?
• Will AI coding agents drive more standardization in software development?
• How does the engineer’s role change when AI handles the heavy lifting?
• Can AI bring back the joy and creativity that first drew us to technology?

Whether you’re a CTO, engineer, or product leader, this episode offers a candid look at the practical realities of working with AI, the new skills required, and why embracing these tools might just make your job more fun.

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 00:42 The AI Task Complexity Curve
• 03:27 Breaking Down Work for AI Agents
• 08:00 WayMo Traffic Jams
• 09:05 Real-World AI Coding Stories (Podcast Website Features)
• 18:04 Standardization, Design Systems, and AI
• 22:30 A More Complex Example: Episode Transcripts
• 25:00 AI Agent as Product Manager for AI Coding Agent
• 28:12 AI Coding Fail, Time for AI Debugging
• 31:25 Finding Joy in AI-Driven Work
• 34:50 Outro and Credits

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #TechLeadership #AIProductivity #AIAgents #PromptEngineering #ProductManagement #Standardization #Coding #AI

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub dig into the messy reality of product management effectiveness, and what happens when bugs reveal deeper product debt.

They kick things off with a retrospective on a critical login bug that exposed lingering legacy code, sparking a conversation about how product decisions and technical debt intertwine. From there, the discussion expands into the challenges of measuring product management impact, balancing ROI vs. customer friction, and the growing need for KPIs that capture both engineering and product effectiveness.

Along the way, Scott and Brad wrestle with big questions:

• How do you know if product management is “working”?
• What KPIs actually measure value delivered versus features shipped?
• Why do teams struggle to prune software bloat, and what does it really cost?
• Where should the line be drawn between engineering metrics and product owner accountability?

Whether you’re a CTO, product leader, or engineer, this episode shines a light on the cost of keeping old features alive, the hidden tradeoffs behind bug triage, and how better metrics can drive smarter product choices.

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 01:09 Incident Retrospective Discussion
• 05:26 Challenges in Product Management
• 16:40 Engineering KPIs and Performance Metrics
• 18:45 Evaluating Product Management Effectiveness
• 27:28 Closing Remarks and Outro

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #TechLeadership #ProductManagement #ProductKPIs #EngineeringMetrics #ProductDebt #SoftwareBloat #ROI

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub delve into the critical issue of building a sense of urgency and trust within engineering teams. They discuss the importance of schedule accuracy, delivering on time, and establishing dependable processes. The conversation highlights the essential role of transparency in planning and breaking down large projects into manageable tasks. They explore the impact of culture, environment, and effective communication in fostering a trustworthy and efficient engineering organization. The episode offers insights into overcoming common challenges and bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure aligned priorities and timely delivery.

• 00:00 Introduction and Episode Kickoff
• 00:56 Discussing Engineering Team Prioritization
• 01:37 Importance of Schedule Accuracy
• 03:42 Building Trust with Stakeholders
• 05:40 Balancing Speed and Reliability
• 10:19 Collaborative Prioritization with Stakeholders
• 18:02 Understanding Urgency and Importance
• 28:09 Vendor Time Estimates and Trust Building
• 28:53 Evaluating Engineering Team Performance
• 29:42 People, Process, and Technology Framework
• 30:52 Team and Environment Alignment
• 31:52 Impact of Business Environment on Performance
• 33:40 Urgency and Perception in Engineering
• 36:24 Breaking Down Tasks for Better Visibility
• 40:45 Effective Communication with Stakeholders
• 46:35 Scrum and Agile Practices for Urgency
• 53:41 Reframing Project Risk and Progress
• 55:34 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #SoftwareDelivery #TrustAndTech #UrgencyVsImportance #TechLeadership #AgileDevelopment #ScheduleAccuracy #CTOTherapy

In this “Summer Catch-Up” episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub swap stories from the field, covering everything from data pipeline migrations to the ongoing debate over centralized versus distributed data teams. They explore the critical importance of clear data definitions, the promise (and pitfalls) of data lakes, and how organizational structure impacts collaboration.

The conversation shifts into the fast-evolving world of AI in software engineering, with real-world examples of how AI tools are accelerating problem-solving, uncovering hidden performance issues, and boosting productivity across teams. Scott and Brad also reflect on the role of engineering leaders in helping their teams adapt to these tools, not just to deliver value faster, but to future-proof their careers in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 00:47 Company Updates and Data Pipeline Migration
• 01:12 Coldplay CEO Controversy
• 03:30 Debate: Distributed vs Centralized Data Teams
• 06:58 Data Definitions and Trust Issues
• 19:09 AI in Engineering and Toolset Discussion
• 25:38 Exploring AI in Collaborative Debugging
• 25:59 Defining Rubber Ducking and Whiteboarding
• 27:37 AI's Role in Codebase Analysis
• 29:58 AI Tools and Their Impact on Productivity
• 37:01 Security Concerns and Tool Selection
• 41:31 Encouraging AI Adoption in Teams
• 50:04 The Future of Software Engineering with AI
• 52:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #DataEngineering #DataLakes #AIProductivity #EngineeringLeadership #AIInTech #CentralizedVsDistributed #FutureOfEngineering #TechLeadership #SoftwareEngineering #MachineLearning #DataScience #AIWins

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub welcome design veteran Vince Dean for a deep dive into the shifting world of product design in the AI era. With over two decades of experience across corporate and freelance roles, Vince unpacks how design tools, workflows, and creative expectations have evolved—from Photoshop to Figma, from static mocks to design systems.

They explore the unique challenges of designing for connected TV platforms, the rise (and friction) of standardization in design systems, and how AI is both a productivity multiplier and a creative constraint. Vince brings a designer’s perspective to questions many engineering leaders are now asking: How much of design can AI automate? Where does human craft still shine? And what does all this mean for the next generation of junior designers?

This episode is a must-listen for CTOs, product leaders, and anyone navigating the intersection of design, technology, and artificial intelligence.

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 01:00 Guest Introduction: Vince's Journey in Design
• 02:33 The Evolution of Connected TV
• 05:15 Challenges in Design Standardization
• 10:07 The Role of AI in Design
• 20:29 Exploring Figma and Design Tools
• 28:17 Retrofitting Design Systems
• 28:55 Open Source Design Systems
• 30:12 AI and Design Systems
• 31:42 The Role of AI in Prototyping
• 36:16 AI's Creative Limitations
• 39:24 Ethical Implications of AI in Design
• 43:54 Challenges with AI in Visual Design
• 53:08 Future of AI in Design
• 54:15 Conclusion and Podcast Outro

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/
• Vince Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdean/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #DesignPodcast #ProductDesign #DesignLeadership #AIinDesign #DesignSystems #Figma #ConnectedTVDesign #UXDesign #UIDesign #EngineeringPodcast #HumanCenteredDesign #GenerativeAI #DesignCraft #DesignEthics #VisualDesign #DesignTools #CreativeTech #PromptCrafting #FutureOfDesign #AIProductivity #DesignOps #DesignThinking #AIvsHumanCreativity #DesignStrategy #ProductDevelopment

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub are joined by Dan Woods, an expert in founder-led marketing. Dan shares his extensive experience in helping software engineers and product management professionals tell their stories better. The discussion spans Dan's career journey from working on early internet projects like Starwave and thestreet.com, to founding Evolved Media. Dan emphasizes the importance of authentic, founder-driven communication in building an audience and discusses the nuances of applying founder-led marketing in tech companies. The episode also covers the risks and adjustments needed in the traditional playbook for effective founder-led marketing.

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 00:37 Guest Introduction: Dan Woods
• 00:54 Dan's Early Career and Pre-Internet Era
• 02:27 The Street.com and Early Internet Journalism
• 08:58 Transition to Evolved Media
• 09:49 Founder-Led Marketing Explained
• 12:36 Challenges and Strategies in Founder-Led Marketing
• 18:10 The Role of Authenticity in Marketing
• 20:53 Expanding Founder-Led Marketing Beyond LinkedIn
• 25:48 Leveraging Founder-Led Marketing for Various Business Needs
• 29:00 Understanding Client Interests and Passions
• 30:10 Creating Detailed Personas
• 32:19 Challenges in Founder-Led Marketing
• 33:05 The Role of AI in Marketing
• 34:11 The Future of Marketing: Drama and Storytelling
• 41:09 Risks and Downsides of Founder-Led Marketing
• 47:10 Getting Started with Founder-Led Marketing
• 49:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/
• Dan Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danwoodsearly/
• Evolved Media: https://www.evolvedmedia.com/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #StartupMarketing #FounderLedMarketing #StoryDrivenGrowth #AuthenticMarketing #MarketingForEngineers #EngineeringLeadership #ProductLeadership #FounderBrand #EarlyStageStartups #TechStorytelling #LinkedInStrategy #MarketingPlaybook #BuildInPublic #SaaSMarketing #ContentStrategy #StartupGrowth #MarketingWithAI #EvolvedMedia #ThoughtLeadership

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub dig deep into the real-world lessons of managing outsourced and distributed engineering teams. Drawing on decades of experience with partners in Romania, India, Syria, and Ukraine, they unpack what makes these relationships thrive, or fail.

From timezone pains and cultural mismatches to the power of long-term trust and shared context, Scott and Brad cover the spectrum of challenges leaders face when their teams span the globe. They share tips for CTOs navigating fractional teams, staff augmentation models, and agency partnerships, and reflect on how the rise of generative AI is starting to echo some of the same tensions and tradeoffs seen in outsourcing.

If you're building a product with engineers you don't see in the same room, or considering whether AI is the next evolution of outsourcing, this conversation is a must-listen.

• 00:00 Introduction: The Need for Communication in Distributed Teams
• 01:04 Challenges of Outsourcing: Pros and Cons
• 01:24 Personal Experiences with Outsourcing
• 02:00 Successful Outsourcing Strategies
• 02:35 Long-term Commitments and Time Zone Issues
• 03:33 Staff Augmentation and Agency Experiences
• 06:32 Fractional CTO Insights and Common Issues
• 19:06 The Importance of Shared Understanding
• 21:21 The Role of Product Management and Technical Leadership
• 22:24 Future of Outsourcing and AI Integration
• 23:39 Conclusion and Call to Action

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Management #EngineeringLeadership #TechnologyLeadership #EngineeringManagement #GenAI #AIRevolution #AIEngineer #BuildWithAI #GenerativeAI #StartupTech #RemoteTeams #OutsourcingStrategy #DistributedEngineering #EngineeringManagement #StartupTech #FractionalCTO #TeamVelocity #EngineeringCulture #BuildWithAI #GenerativeAI #AIAndOutsourcing #GlobalTeams #TimeZoneChallenges #ScalingEngineering #TechLeadership #OffshoreEngineering #AgencyWork #Nearshoring

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub dive into the fast-evolving world of generative AI—and what it means for the future of software development, careers, and the economy at large.

They unpack how tools like GPT-4o and Claude are shifting the very nature of programming work, boosting productivity while raising deeper questions about the future of white-collar jobs. From the rise of AI-assisted coding to ethical concerns around climate impact and military use, Scott and Brad cover the technical, social, and philosophical stakes of this moment.

They also explore whether a future with fewer human coders could spark bigger societal changes—like universal basic income—and make the case for why adaptability, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn new tools are the keys to surviving (and thriving) in this new AI-powered landscape. 

• 00:00 Introduction and Greetings
• 00:27 Discussing AI and Augmented Programming
• 03:20 AI's Impact on Productivity and Society
• 04:23 Climate Impact and Future Concerns
• 05:01 AI in Healthcare and Other Applications
• 08:08 The Future of Software Development
• 15:40 Generative AI and Personal Projects
• 24:59 Advice for the Next Generation
• 27:46 The Challenge of Staying Current
• 28:33 Specialization vs. Generalization
• 28:47 The Role of AI in Specialized Jobs
• 30:20 Navigating the Rapid Tech Changes
• 31:31 Optimizing AI Collaboration
• 33:19 Understanding the Cynefin Framework
• 35:01 Complex vs. Complicated Systems
• 39:46 AI's Impact on Software Engineering
• 41:55 The Future of QA and Testing
• 44:33 Preparing for an AI-Driven Future
• 49:27 The Debate on Universal Basic Income
• 51:29 Concluding Thoughts and Ethical Questions
• 52:26 Outro and Credits

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/
• Why using ChatGPT is not bad for the environment - a cheat sheet: https://andymasley.substack.com/p/a-cheat-sheet-for-conversations-about
• Cynefin Framework: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_framework

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Management #EngineeringLeadership #TechnologyLeadership #EngineeringManagement #GenAI #AIRevolution #AIEngineer #BuildWithAI #GenerativeAI #StartupTech #ClaudeAI #GPT4o #OpenAI #AIProductivity #LLMTools #AIEngineering #FutureOfWork #AgenticAI #AIAgents #AIInStartups #CTOInsights #SoftwareDevelopment #AIUpdate #TechStrategy #FastMovingTech

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub welcome tech entrepreneurs and avid scuba divers Justin Wolf and Joe Malek to share the story behind their generative AI–powered scuba guidebook and community app. What started as a side project became a test case for building fast with LLMs and pushing the boundaries of what small, technical founding teams can accomplish.

The conversation dives deep into the reality of building with GenAI: the tools, the tradeoffs, and the surprising limitations. Along the way, they explore philosophical questions about human creativity, AI collaboration, and how founders might rethink MVPs, product-market fit, and even team size in this new era. From fighter jets and PACT tests to the Wall Street Journal’s AI film experiment, this wide-ranging conversation connects code, culture, and curiosity in a way only How Many CTOs can.

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 00:36 Meet the Guests: Justin Wolf and Joe Malick
• 02:10 The Birth of a Scuba Diving App
• 03:22 Challenges and Solutions in App Development
• 06:27 Generative AI: A Double-Edged Sword
• 14:15 Technical Insights and AI Tools
• 21:29 Future Plans and Testing
• 26:43 The Importance of Control in Development
• 27:10 Automated Testing and PACT Tests
• 28:23 Wall Street Journal's AI Film Experiment
• 30:15 AI's Limitations and Human Creativity
• 32:06 AI in Fighter Jets: Human vs. Machine
• 33:55 The Future of AI and Human Intelligence
• 42:35 Generative AI and the Future of Work
• 47:12 The Role of Marketers in the Age of AI
• 50:18 Final Thoughts and Inspirations

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/
• Justin Wolf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinjwolf/
• Joe Malek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jomalek/

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Management #EngineeringLeadership #TechnologyLeadership #EngineeringManagement #StartupTech #GenAI #Founders #SoloFounder #TwoGuysInAGarage #GenerativeAI #AIProductivity #StartupJourney #AIForStartups #LLM #FoundingWithAI #MVPStrategy #EarlyStageStartups #StartupLife #AIRevolution #FutureOfFounding #AIEngineer #BuildWithAI #FounderTools #TechInnovation #FromGarageToGPT

In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub unpack one of the most debated questions in engineering leadership: Should engineering managers also serve as tech leads? They explore the organizational signals that indicate whether a team is ready to thrive with true cross-functional autonomy, and what can go wrong when roles and responsibilities blur. And of course, it wouldn’t be a How Many CTOs episode without a dive into AI-assisted coding—Scott and Brad share some recent wins (and fails) using tools like ChatGPT Codex.

• 00:00 Introduction and Host Greetings
• 00:53 Generative AI Tools Discussion
• 01:41 Challenges with AI and Coding
• 05:07 Onboarding New Engineers
• 10:03 Engineering Management Structures
• 25:02 Identifying Team Anti-Patterns
• 25:45 The Role of Psychological Safety
• 26:30 Product Manager's Influence
• 27:07 Balancing Centers of Gravity
• 27:59 Importance of a Tech Lead
• 28:37 Risks of Siloed Teams
• 32:14 Tech Lead vs. Engineering Manager
• 39:09 Prerequisites for Cross-Functional Teams
• 47:34 Core Beliefs and Team Structure
• 48:54 Conclusion and Call to Action

Resources:

• How Many CTOs Pod: https://howmanyctospod.com
• Scott Porad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottporad/
• Brad Hefta-Gaub: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradheftagaub/
• Mindsets That Shape Software Delivery Team Structures - https://medium.com/@rethinkyourunderstanding/mindsets-that-shape-software-delivery-team-structures-51d25f20638c

#TechPodcast #EngineeringPodcast #DevTalks #PodcastForDevs #HowManyCtos #Podcast #Ctos #CtoPodcast #Technology #Engineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Management #EngineeringLeadership #TechnologyLeadership #EngineeringManagement #EngineeringProductivity #TeamVelocity #DevCulture #TeamCulture #EngineeringCulture #EngineeringManager #TechLead #ProductEngineering #OrgDesign #TeamStructure #TechLeadership #PeopleManagement #EngineeringCulture #StartupLeadership #EMvsTL #TeamDynamics #LeadershipTradeoffs #ScalingEngineering #OrgRoles #CollaborationMatters #ManagementVsLeadership