Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation

Mic Check: Accountability, Origins, and the Truth Behind the Podcast


Listen Later

Welcome to our inaugural episode! Hosts Mara Ervin and Valerie Crafton sit down with psychotherapist and workplace wellbeing consultant Kate Ahl for an honest conversation about inclusion, allyship, and the hidden challenges facing professionals in mission-critical industries.


This isn't your typical diversity discussion. We dig into why women are leaving tech and construction as fast as they're entering, what neurodivergent thinking brings to complex problem-solving, and why creating inclusive workplaces benefits everyone—not just underrepresented groups.


Key Themes Explored:

• The disconnect between conference visibility and job site reality—why progress in one area doesn't equal systemic change

• How neurodivergent minds see solutions differently and why that's essential for innovation in technical spaces

• The real purpose behind women-only professional groups and why they're not exclusionary

• Why emotional intelligence and facilitation skills are mission-critical, not "soft" skills

• The unconscious bias that leads us to hire and promote people who think like us—and how to expand beyond that

• What men stand to gain from more inclusive workplace cultures (our audacious question!)


Surprising Insights:

The pandemic normalized something revolutionary: male colleagues managing family responsibilities during work hours. This shift didn't take anything away from anyone—it expanded possibilities for everyone. What if we could carry that energy into creating truly family-friendly policies that benefit all types of families?


The Bottom Line:

Mission-critical industries face unprecedented challenges that require the best thinking from everyone. Organizations that harness cognitive diversity and create psychologically safe environments won't just be doing the right thing—they'll have a competitive advantage in solving complex problems.


Ready to challenge your assumptions about inclusion, innovation, and the future of critical infrastructure work?


Beyond the Megawatt is proudly powered by our Tier 1 sponsor, Iron Box...trusted across the industry for delivering custom power cables and distribution solutions built for mission-critical environments. From hyperscale builds to edge deployments, Iron Box is known for fast turnaround, unmatched reliability, and power solutions that keep your infrastructure running strong. Interested in learning more? Reach out directly to Sarah Bradley or Brian Stigall...you can find them on LinkedIn or head over to ironbox.com to get connected. Thanks to Iron Box for helping us launch with power.


Connect with Kate Ahl:

  • Website: www.compassionateproductivity.org

  • Instagram: @compassionateproductivity

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-a-7083169/


    Apply to be a Guest or Sponsor and follow along:

    ⁠https://beyondthemegawatt.com/⁠

    ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-the-megawatt-podcast⁠


    Connect with Mara:

    ⁠⁠https://www.marajadeconsulting.com/⁠⁠

    ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterchic/⁠


    Connect with Val:

    ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-crafton-mba-0362b816/

    ⁠⁠⁠https://valconsultants.com/⁠⁠⁠

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure InnovationBy Mara Ervin & Val Crafton

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    2 ratings


    More shows like Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation

    View all
    Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

    Freakonomics Radio

    32,299 Listeners

    Inside Data Centre Podcast by Andy Davis

    Inside Data Centre Podcast

    7 Listeners

    Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman by Missy Helderman

    Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman

    12 Listeners

    Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love by Kim Box from the Motherhood Anthology

    Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love

    50 Listeners

    The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals by Dr. Cherie

    The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals

    2 Listeners

    Big Brave Business:  Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter by Sarah Heeter

    Big Brave Business: Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter

    65 Listeners

    A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth by Sindee Gozansky, LCPC

    A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth

    20 Listeners

    Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life by Katy Schlegel

    Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life

    8 Listeners

    Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving by Kathy Werking

    Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving

    5 Listeners

    Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope by Kasey Hope

    Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope

    115 Listeners

    Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life by Becky Aste

    Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life

    36 Listeners

    Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org by Doreen Korba of StillMama.org

    Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org

    40 Listeners

    Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education by Ricardo Sierra

    Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education

    23 Listeners

    The Data Center Frontier Show by Endeavor Business Media

    The Data Center Frontier Show

    11 Listeners

    Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business! by Jonica Thompson

    Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business!

    13 Listeners

    Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women by Katie Carson

    Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women

    12 Listeners

    Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros by The Pet Shop Girls

    Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros

    8 Listeners

    Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne by Casey Thorne

    Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne

    0 Listeners

    Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane by Whitney Surane

    Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane

    10 Listeners

    Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets by The Pet Shop Girls: Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets and Carly Patryluk of House of Paws

    Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets

    12 Listeners

    Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega by Diane Ortega of Willow Birth Center

    Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega

    7 Listeners

    AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist by Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist

    AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist

    12 Listeners