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Welcome back to Making Data Simple, where we explore how data-driven strategies ignite innovation and transform businesses. In this exciting episode, we sit down with Marco Rota, VP of Strategic Technology Alliances at Lumen Technologies, whose incredible journey spans from the glitz of Hollywood to leading-edge telecommunications. Tune in as Marco reveals how embracing a vibrant culture, drawing on lessons from the entertainment industry, and championing new technologies can propel teams and organizations to new heights of success. Get ready for an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at how “culture eats strategy for breakfast”—and why that’s a game-changer for your organization, too!

• 01:47 – Meet Marco Rota
  Marco shares his background and how his career path took him from the dynamic world of Hollywood to a leadership role at Lumen Technologies. He underscores his passion for storytelling, collaboration, and innovation—elements that continue to shape his work in tech.
• 03:35 – Learnings from Hollywood
  Drawing on Hollywood’s fast-paced environment, Marco highlights the importance of creative thinking and adaptability. He explains how these traits help push organizations to stay ahead of disruption and continually evolve, just like the film industry does to meet audience demands.
• 10:56 – Transitioning to Lumen Technologies
  Marco describes his shift from entertainment into the telecommunications and technology space. He emphasizes the parallels between Hollywood and tech—both thrive on communication, audience engagement, and cutting-edge production processes.
• 15:55 – What IS Lumen Technologies
  Marco explains Lumen’s core mission: powering next-generation connectivity, cloud, edge computing, and security solutions. By marrying technology services with an innovative culture, Lumen seeks to help organizations accelerate data-driven transformation.
• 18:29 – Culture versus Technology
  An organization’s culture can be its greatest asset—or its biggest hurdle. Culture “eats strategy for breakfast” because fostering collaboration, trust, and continuous learning is what truly drives successful technology initiatives forward.
• 24:20 – The Management System
  Marco talks about the framework for leadership and team alignment at Lumen, which integrates vision, purpose, and measurable goals. This system ensures that cultural values and strategic objectives reinforce each other—resulting in cohesive, energized teams ready to tackle the biggest challenges in tech.

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/marcorotapix

Website: https://www.lumen.com/en-us/home.html

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

#MakingDataSimple #CultureEatsStrategy #DataInnovation #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #PodcastEpisode #HollywoodToTech #LumenTechnologies #BusinessInsights #Inspiration

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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Tackling the messy reality of data fueling artificial intelligence, Andrea Muttoni—President & CPO at Story—joins the show to unpack how Story is building an AI-native infrastructure for intellectual property and training data. We dig into making the $80T IP asset class programmable, traceable, and monetizable, and how Story aims to turn “mysterious training data blobs” into transparent rights and payments for creators and enterprises.

• 01:10 Meet Andrea Muttoni
•  06:49 Story's Core Mission
•  13:41 IP Monetization
•  21:08 Biggest Competitor
•  22:49 Compute, Models, & Data
•  27:46 What to IP, Where Not
•  31:16 Blockchain
•  34:54 Protecting Your IP
•  41:36 Reaching Story

Andrea explains how Story is building a blockchain-based IP and data layer so AI systems can train on licensed content while proving usage, enforcing licenses, and automating payments to rights holders. We talk about the practical challenges of cleaning and labeling real-world data, what “IP-safe” datasets look like in practice, and how developers and companies can plug into Story’s infrastructure. Andrea also shares where blockchain actually adds value (and where it doesn’t), why he thinks “AI can’t scale on legal ambiguity,” and concrete steps creators and founders can take today to protect and monetize their IP in the AI era.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/muttoni
Website: https://www.story.foundation/

#AITrainingData, #IntellectualProperty, #IPEconomy, #StoryProtocol, #DataInfrastructure, #AIGovernance, #AILaw, #Web3, #Blockchain, #CreatorEconomy, #DataOwnership, #RightsManagement, #Licensing, #TechPodcast, #Developers, #MachineLearning, #AIEthics, #DataMonetization

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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Prasad Calyam, Curators’ Distinguished Professor and Center Director at the University of Missouri, joins the show to explore how knowledge graphs, modern data platforms, and AI are reshaping power grids and cybersecurity. He breaks down graph database fundamentals, real-world research projects, and how industry can tap into cutting-edge university work—all in language that engineers, data folks, and developers can put to use.

Timestamps

•  01:30 Meet Prasad Calyam
•  02:57 Why Higher Education?
•  05:22 Data Analytics
•  06:59 The Modern Power Grid
•  09:40 Graph DB Fundamentals
•  12:21 Cybersecurity via Graphs and RAG
•  13:45 Research Projects
•  14:38 Industry Leveraging University Research
•  16:07 Advice for Students
•  17:16 What's Fun for Professors

Links
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/prasadcalyam
Website: http://www.missouri.edu

#KnowledgeGraphs #GraphDatabase #RAG #Cybersecurity #PowerGrid #DataEngineering #AI #MLOps #TechPodcast #Developers #ResearchToProduction #UniversityResearch

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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Manav Gupta, Vice President & CTO at IBM Canada, returns to the podcast to unpack the fast-changing landscape of artificial intelligence. From keeping a technical edge to navigating the rise of sovereign AI, Manav shares insights on how emerging trends are shaping both industry and society.

Timestamps

•  01:25 – Manav Gupta is back!
•  02:39 – Maintaining your technical edge
•  04:38 – Ship AI
•  05:58 – The state of AI
•  19:37 – Reason for concern?
•  30:35 – Does the U.S. lead the race?
•  41:30 – LLMs or SLMs?
•  44:22 – Sovereign AI
•  46:05 – The social impact

Previous episode: How to Choose, Use, and Trust AI Models with Manav Gupta
Connect with Manav on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mgupta76

#SovereignAI #AISocialImpact #AITrends #FutureOfAI #EthicalAI #AIPodcast #TechPodcast #SpotifyPodcast #ApplePodcasts #TechLeaders.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

This was a fantastic 2 part series on how to design intelligent organizations.  Check it out!

Part 1 of 2

How do we make organizations not just run — but run intelligently?

In this episode of Making Data Simple, we welcome Phanish Puranam, Professor of Strategy and Organizational Design at INSEAD, to explore the intersection of AI, organizational science, and intelligent design. From tools and teammates to blockchain and the metaverse, Phanish walks us through the evolving relationship between humans, algorithms, and the systems we build.

We dive into real-world use cases, research-backed insights, and surprising pitfalls — plus a contrarian take on why bad ideas might be the key to better innovation.

⏱️ Chapters

• 01:50 – Meet Phanish Puranam
• 03:36 – Organizational Design
• 08:39 – Where is Org Design Today
• 12:41 – A Research Example
• 15:59 – Technologies as Tools & Teammates
• 17:54 – A Real Use Case Example
• 20:30 – The Metaverse, Eliminate Bad Ideas Fast
• 21:28 – Pitfalls
• 23:30 – Use Case Deep Dive
• 30:06 – The Power Structure

🔗 Connect with Phanish Puranam

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phanishpuranam
• INSEAD Profile: insead.edu/faculty/phanish-puranam

#OrganizationalDesign #ArtificialIntelligence #PhanishPuranam #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #AlgorithmicOrganizations #Leadership #INSEAD #MakingDataSimple #AIandWork #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #OrgDesign

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

We're joined by Ron Brill, President and Chairman of the Board, and Kris Johnson, Chief Product Officer of Anglepoint, a global leader in software asset management. From their startup origins to tackling massive compliance challenges, we'll dive into the world of SAM, licensing, and what the future holds for optimizing IT assets – a conversation essential for anyone in this space.

⏱️ Timestamps:

• 01:38 Meet Ron Brill and Kris Johnson
• 05:32 Deciding on Startup Roles
• 07:32 The Ah-Ha Founding of Anglepoint
• 12:03 Largest Challenges
• 13:03 One Word to Encapsulate Anglepoint
• 16:23 Anglepoint's Differentiation
• 21:03 Gartner's Leadership Quadrant
• 23:50 Licensing Skills
• 25:17 Difficult Licensing Scenarios
• 28:11 Clients Biggest Compliance Issues
• 31:12 Unique Technology
• 33:19 The Infamous Audit
• 37:26 Trends in SAM
• 41:40 Systems-based Token Consumption
• 43:17 SAM Advice
• 47:03 Anglepoint in 3 to 5 Years
• 48:38 For Fun
• 49:53 Right Talent

Connect with our guests:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ronbrill
• Linkedin.com/in/johnsonkristian
• Website: https://www.anglepoint.com/

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

Unpack a groundbreaking application of IBM’s AI technology designed to revolutionize training and learning. This episode delves into how IBM’s AI-powered partner – built around IBM training – can sharpen technical knowledge, boost confidence, and help teams master every interaction, from pipeline development to closing critical deals.

• 02:12 Meet Paul Zikopoulos, Matt Bateson, and Kyle Sava
• 09:17 Best Methods to Learn
•  17:57 AI and Training
•  23:05 The Learning Punch Up!
•  25:42 IBM Clarity, Now watsonx Workshop!
•  30:40 The Art of the Possible Use Cases
•  35:42 Favorite Features
•  41:32 Architecture
•  45:55 Cost
•  46:37 Tips of the Week

LinkedIn:

• Paul's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-zikopoulos-4323607
• Al's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/~ks
• Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbateson

IBM AI Solutions Website: https://www.ibm.com/solutions/artificial-intelligence

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Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

Fresh off a high-profile appearance on CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange discussing how AI will move beyond chatbots to autonomous agents that reshape jobs and productivity! Replay this episode where Jure digs into why structured data is still lagging behind the AI revolution and what comes next for predictive AI on relational data.

Data’s everywhere, but so often it feels… stuck. Joining us today is Jure Leskovec, Chief Scientist at Kumo and a Stanford Professor who's fundamentally reshaped how we understand networks—from Pinterest's recommendations to tracking the spread of disease. Jure was just on CNBC, and now he’s back on the show to dive even deeper into how structured data is lagging behind the AI revolution. We’ll explore how techniques like Graph Neural Networks are finally unlocking its potential, and how this all plays out in real-world applications.

• 00:57 Meet Jure Leskovec
•  02:31 Knowing When to Move On
•  04:01 Academia versus Industry
•  07:30 Learnings from Pinterest
•  10:28 The Kumo Pitch
•  17:57 The Secret Sauce
•  25:51 Monetization
•  27:12 Only the Enterprise?
•  29:49 The Sandbox to Try Before Buy
•  31:42 The Best Use Cases
•  35:00 Summarizing
•  37:38 Predicting AI
•  40:15 What's True and No One Agrees
•  41:19 Learning

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leskovec/
Website: https://kumo.ai/

CNBC appearance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G98bFN4HE1w 

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

When there’s a need to re-center, stay grounded, and remember that growth is accessible to all of us, this is the episode to revisit. The Mindful Response with Estela Zuheros, Corporate Social Responsibility leader at IBM, explores how social impact, reskilling, and mindfulness come together to create a better, more inclusive world. Come for the global perspective on reskilling, stay for practical reflections on slowing down, being kind to yourself, and avoiding burnout along the way.

• · 02:06 Meet Estela Zuheros
•  · 05:21 Your personal why?
•  · 07:16 Reskilling
•  · 11:41 The skills problem to solve
•  · 18:44 Measuring success
•  · 20:07 Primary areas of reskilling
•  · 23:02 Program selection criteria
•  · 26:31 The Mindful Response
•  · 37:30 Avoiding burnout

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelaquesadazuheros/​
Website: https://estelaquesadazuheros.com/

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

Are your teams struggling with disengagement and declining performance? What if the real problem isn’t talent or strategy, but a hidden “buy-in” gap quietly draining energy, innovation, and results? Joining us is Dave Garrison, a seasoned leadership strategist who has seen firsthand how a lack of buy-in fuels these issues – costing businesses billions every year. Dave unpacks the seven critical ingredients for real engagement and shows how to build a truly high-performing organization, starting with simple data and practical, repeatable leadership habits.

​

• 01:19 Meet Dave Garrison - Again
•  02:11 The Buy-in Advantage
•  04:50 Following Your Passions
•  05:59 The Pandemic's Impact
•  07:15 A Buy-in Crisis
•  09:30 Seven Critical Ingredients for Buy-in
•  17:45 Three Pillars of High Performing Organizations
•  21:11 A "Yes" Culture
•  26:05 Prioritization and Focus
•  31:15 Recognition and Rewards
•  34:49 Pushback
•  39:35 Scaling
•  41:00 Case Studies
• 44:22 The Collective Genius

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-garrison-growth/​
Website: https://www.buyinbook.com​

#makingdatasimplepodcast #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #BuyInAdvantage #HighPerformance #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleAnalytics #TeamPerformance #BusinessGrowth #DaveGarrison

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.