How do you effectively scale global tech teams while navigating cross-cultural complexities and fast-moving AI innovations? In this episode, we talk to Marin Sarbulescu, Senior Vice President of Technology at CJ, about his journey from building websites in Romania to leading high-impact, international engineering organizations.

Marin shares why relationship-building matters more than talent alone, how transparency helps developers become strategic architects, and what generative AI means for the future of software engineering.

What does it take to lead innovative engineering teams in a rapidly evolving AI landscape? In this episode, we talk to Shobana Radhakrishnan, Senior Director of Engineering at Google TV, about her journey across startups and tech giants, her people-first leadership philosophy and how her team is using AI to transform the television experience. Shobana shares how hiring for passion and purpose, empowering teams through autonomy and staying close to the user can lead to more impactful, scalable products. She also discusses the role of continuous learning, the future of AI in entertainment and why democratizing access to knowledge is key to long-term innovation.

Startups don’t grow in a straight line. Travis Kupsche joined AssemblyAI when its teams were small and flexible. Now, he’s navigating the challenges of scaling while keeping knowledge flowing and silos from forming.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Travis breaks down the biggest challenges of rapid scaling, from maintaining alignment across teams to balancing autonomy and structure in decision-making.

Listen in as Travis shares insights on how AssemblyAI approaches team collaboration, hiring, and engineering culture in an AI-driven world—and what tech leaders need to prioritize as AI reshapes the future of work.

What makes a great engineering leader? It’s not just technical skills—it’s accountability, adaptability, and the ability to connect with your team in a way that fosters ownership and long-term success.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Gregg Altschul, VP of Engineering at FanDuel, explores what it takes to lead a high-performance engineering organization. With years of experience across startups, fintech, and gaming, Gregg has seen firsthand how rapid scaling can strain teams, how hiring ramps can backfire without the right structure, and why fostering ownership at scale requires more than just good intentions.

What does it take to build a culture of reliability at scale? In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Netflix Staff Site Reliability Engineer Molly Struve joins host Caleb Brown to break down how psychological safety, collaboration, and trust fuel system resilience. Molly shares how embracing failure as a learning tool leads to stronger, more reliable systems, why data alone doesn’t drive change, and how democratizing incident management transformed Netflix’s engineering culture. If you're an engineer or tech leader looking to make reliability a core part of your team’s DNA, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

In this episode, we’re joined by Bharti Patel, Senior Vice President and Head of Engineering at Hitachi. Bharti takes us on a journey through her remarkable career, from being a Java developer at IBM India during the early days of object-oriented programming to leading cutting-edge enterprise AI strategies at Hitachi. Bharti’s leadership is guided by three core principles: creating exceptional customer experiences, driving innovation through quality, and empowering teams to unleash their full potential. She shares how she builds thriving teams, fosters a culture of innovation, and prepares organizations for the future of data infrastructure and generative AI.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Shahin Mohammadkhani, Vice President of Engineering and AI at United Talent Agency (UTA), shares his journey from surfer to tech leader, offering a unique perspective on fostering innovation, leading with empathy, and harnessing AI to transform the entertainment industry. Shahin dives into his leadership philosophy, emphasizing psychological safety, continuous improvement, and the power of connection in building high-performing teams. He also explores the future of AI as a force multiplier for creativity and discusses its role in shaping bold new possibilities for entertainment. This conversation is packed with insights for tech professionals and leaders alike. Tune in to discover how technology and humanity can work together to unlock extraordinary potential.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Twilio’s VP of Engineering, Rajashree Pimpalkhare, reveals her approach to building thriving, high-performing engineering teams. Learn how her leadership philosophy—centered on customer focus, engineering excellence, and transparency—helps create environments where innovation flourishes.

Rajashree also shares her thoughts on the importance of diversity and inclusion in tech, offering practical strategies for fostering belonging in global and remote teams. Plus, she dives into the transformative impact of AI on software development and why engineers will always play a critical role in solving complex problems.

Whether you’re leading a team or building your career, this episode offers powerful insights to help you grow and succeed.

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, Martin Spier, VP of Engineering at PicPay and former Netflix performance engineer, shares his approach to building resilient engineering teams. Discover how he fosters a culture of trust and ownership, empowers engineers to innovate, and champions the importance of core computer science skills in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Whether you’re a leader or an aspiring engineer, Martin’s practical insights offer a blueprint for thriving in today’s complex and fast-paced industry.

Welcome to Keep Moving Forward, a biweekly podcast from X-Team for tech professionals who are passionate about growth, leadership, and innovation. In this podcast, we'll talk to seasoned tech leaders, forward-thinking engineers, and visionary experts about the lessons they’ve learned on scaling high-performing teams, navigating complex challenges, and driving innovation. Subscribe now, share with your colleagues, and let’s keep moving forward together.