IT in the D

*Disclaimer, I work with Katie; however, candidly, I didn't have a great grasp of project management and delivery.—Bob

This week, we spoke with Katie Schulz, Director of Business Advisory Services & Strategic Delivery at Slalom Consulting.

Being a sales guy my entire career, we always assume once we get the PO, the hard work is over. The team behind delivery would think otherwise and Katie spoke of the evolution of project management from being simply a reporter to taking an agile approach and storytelling business outcomes.

This week, we got the chance to talk to Steve Panovski from UBX Cloud, probably the biggest company you may have never heard of in Metro Detroit.

Steve and Bob have similar backgrounds, both growing up in the BBS world, dial-ups, and LAN parties.  He has since grown to 25 data centers around the world and has won multiple partner of the year awards.

Steve claimed he made storage cool again, we didn't believe him, and he proved us wrong (which wasn't hard to do).

This week, we were very lucky to chat with our old friend Caston Thomas. Cybersecurity consultant, security visionary, radio host, and all around great human being.

Caston dropped some knowledge on getting through the vendor fog and dropped the three things you need to do to be ahead of the game in securing your environment (not click bait, #3 will not shock you, hah).

We ended talking about his time on WJR Internet Advisor show and what Foster Braun had meant to him.

The movie Bob mentioned: Heart of Stone (2023)

Workforce Performance Network is a fitness industry startup co-founded by Jason "JD" David. In this episode, we talk to him about the origin of the business, who it's for, how it works, and what's next.

In this episode, we were joined by Tom Lawrence of Lawrence Systems and CNWR IT Consultants. He was on the show over a year ago, and his YouTube channel has just kept growing since then. In fact, it's become so successful that he's merging his business with CNWR so he can continue to focus on the YouTube channel while CNWR manage the business projects.

Recently, Meta launched Threads and Tom shared his take on the various social networks and how he uses each one.

Finally, Tom talked about how he uses AI like ChatGPT to help him manage his business.

Bob and Randy played around with ChatGPT and Bob got it to generate this poem:

In Detroit's vibrant heart, a celebration did ignite, Randy Walker's 40th birthday, shining ever so bright. Amidst the city's rhythm, where dreams intertwine, Tocororo awaited, a venue so divine.

The night air was filled with excitement and cheer, As friends and loved ones gathered, drawing near. Randy, a soul adored, a beacon of light, Guiding others with kindness, a true delight.

At Tocororo's threshold, the ambiance embraced, A tapestry of laughter and joy interlaced. The melodies of Motown danced through the air, Celebrating a milestone, a life lived with flair.

The walls adorned with memories of days gone by, Each photograph a testament, reaching for the sky. From humble beginnings, Randy had soared, Touching countless lives with the love he poured.

In the dimly lit room, candles flickered with grace, Illuminating the journey etched on his face. Friends raised their glasses, toasts filled with cheer, Honoring Randy's presence, a treasure so dear.

The aroma of delectable cuisine wafted in the breeze, Tickling taste buds with flavors that pleased. From soulful barbecue to savory delights, Every bite a testament to culinary heights.

The laughter echoed, resounding like a symphony, As stories of shared adventures unfolded with glee. From youthful escapades to wisdom's embrace, Randy's path had intertwined with every trace.

A live band struck up a vibrant tune, Swaying bodies beneath the luminescent moon. Feet tapped to the rhythm, hearts beating in time, Celebrating Randy, a friend so sublime.

As the night waned on, memories etched in hearts, Randy's spirit shone bright, never to depart. With gratitude and love, the celebration drew near, For forty years of existence, cherished and clear.

And so, in Tocororo's embrace, Detroit's soul did sing, A testament to friendship and the joy it brings. Randy Walker's 40th birthday, a moment held tight, In the tapestry of time, forever alight.

Randy had ChatGPT generate a biography of Bob, and this is what it came up with. It's not very accurate.

Bob Waltenspiel is a renowned podcaster and entrepreneur known for his captivating storytelling and insightful conversations. Born on April 12, 1980, in a small town in Michigan, Bob developed a passion for communication and technology from a young age.

Bob's journey into podcasting began in the early 2000s when he co-founded a podcast network called "Podcast Detroit." With his innate ability to connect with people and a keen eye for emerging trends, Bob quickly gained recognition in the podcasting community. Under his leadership, Podcast Detroit grew into a thriving network that showcased a diverse range of shows across various genres, attracting a loyal and dedicated audience.

Beyond his involvement in Podcast Detroit, Bob became a prominent figure in the podcasting industry through his own show, aptly named "The Bob Waltenspiel Podcast." Known for its in-depth interviews and thought-provoking discussions, the show featured a wide array of guests, including entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and thought leaders. Bob's natural curiosity and insightful questioning made each episode a compelling experience for listeners.

As an entrepreneur, Bob was also involved in several successful ventures. He co-founded a technology startup that revolutionized the way people interacted with social media, earning him recognition as a visionary in the tech industry. Through his business acumen and passion for innovation, Bob made a significant impact on the digital landscape.

Outside of his podcasting and entrepreneurial endeavors, Bob was actively engaged in his community. He volunteered his time and resources to support local charities and organizations, particularly those focused on education and mentorship. He believed in the power of giving back and dedicated himself to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Bob's influence extended beyond the realm of podcasting. He was a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and events, sharing his insights on podcasting, entrepreneurship, and the future of media. His expertise and charisma captivated audiences and inspired aspiring podcasters and entrepreneurs to pursue their passions.

Throughout his career, Bob Waltenspiel has left an indelible mark on the podcasting landscape. His dedication, innovation, and commitment to authentic storytelling have shaped the industry and touched the lives of countless listeners worldwide.

Long time friend of the show, Jer Staes of Daily Detroit, is back! Jer was last on Episode 425 where he talked about being close to recording the 1000th episode of the daily podcast. Now, Daily Detroit has over 1200 episodes.

First, we had a chat about a subject near and dear to our hearts: dive bars! Daily Detroit recently had an episode about them and we told stories about which we've visited.

Then, we talked about changing Detroit—what we've seen happening in the city over the last couple of years and where the city is going, plus what else is happening in the region.

This week, we talked with our friend and long-time guest Michelle Gilbert, VP at Comcast (last time was episode 428, still relevant!) and she's got plenty of news.

Comcast launched NOW TV, a streaming service that includes over 40 premium channels, plus Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST), and Peacock Premium. It costs $20/month.

We dove into was the $42B infrastructure bill that was recently signed to give high speed broadband access to literally everyone in the country. Michigan will be getting $1.5B of it, which will hopefully help Randy's parents in Mid-Michigan keep up with his on-goings on social media. 

The White House announced a $42.5 billion dollar investment package that includes broadband roll-out to previously under-served areas of the country.

A new Storm-Ready WiFi product will provide about 4 hours of internet access via the cellular network with a battery backup in case of household power outages.

Comcast RISE is a grant program that this year will provide money, technology, education, and publicity to 100 small businesses across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

We re-visited into my favorite topic, Internet Essentials, which gives people at or below the poverty line high speed access at $10/mo. Please share this with your network as I feel this is a great service to the community. 

Lastly, we talked about shows we are watching and how Randy suckered me into subscribing to Paramount+. All in all, it was a great episode and always amazing to catch up with Michelle.

Astronomicon—usually in February—is doing a summer “0.5” edition of their pop culture convention this weekend!

Organizers Mike and Dustin joined us to talk about the convention, and also about their favorite con moments.

Check out Astronomicon 6.5 at Burton Manor in Livonia this Saturday and Sunday, June 24– 25, 2023!

This week we had a great conversation with Erik Wille, CISO at American Axle and one of the hosts of The Great Security Debate.

We started by mocking “what keeps you up at night”, but in all seriousness, we got into how he views security for a global company. We then got into the giant vendor landscape, and how he made sense of this madness.

Lastly, we talked about his podcast The Great Security Debate with his hosts Brian and Dan.

This was a great episode, super fun to record, and we hope you enjoy it.

This week, we got to chat with Steven Childs, founder of Dorsay Creative, a digital marketing agency.

Bob was excited to talk with him for a number of reasons, but mostly because we haven't spoken with anyone on SEO in probably 5–6 years and we could use a refresh.

And wow, did we get into it: we wondered what Google/Bing are doing to combat ChatGPT and fake indexed pages, and how they've updated their algorithm to combat those that are trying to game the system.

We also got into how people are renaming their companies to “Thai Food Near Me”, which is the AAA Plumbing of the 1980's (to be listed first in the Yellow Pages).

Overall, it was an informative episode and a must-listen if you're a small business or interested in the latest digital marketing trends.