In this episode of The Wilmac Wire, hosts Emily McNulty and Steve McDonnell take a break from guest interviews for a mid-year conversation reflecting on Wilmac’s momentum, the evolution of the podcast, and the technology trends shaping the second half of 2026.

The discussion begins by looking back on Season 3, which has already surpassed last year’s total episode count halfway through the year. Emily and Steve share what they’ve learned from hosting conversations with leaders across public safety, technology, business, and the Rochester community, along with what listeners can expect as The Wilmac Wire heads to NENA and APCO for live podcast recordings later this summer.

The conversation then shifts to AI and innovation. Steve shares his perspective on the rapid evolution of AI-native software, how Wilmac is navigating changing SaaS and consumption models, and why curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning are becoming essential skills for both businesses and individuals. They also discuss Rochester’s opportunity to become a stronger AI hub and why embracing innovation is critical to the region’s future.

Emily and Steve also provide an update on Wilmac’s continued growth, including customer momentum for Wilmac Continuity WFM and Wilmac Continuity Replay, expanding AI capabilities through Mac and Archie, and the company's vision for the year ahead. The episode closes with a look at what’s next for Wilmac, the podcast, and the growing role of AI across every industry.

Here’s what you’ll hear about:

• Reflecting on the first half of Season 3
• Lessons learned from hosting The Wilmac Wire
• The future of AI-native software and SaaS
• Why curiosity is becoming a competitive advantage
• Rochester's opportunity in AI and innovation
• Updates on Wilmac Continuity WFM and Wilmac Continuity Replay
• Mac, Archie, and Wilmac’s AI strategy
• Building company culture through growth
• What’s ahead for Wilmac and The Wilmac Wire

Episode Breakdown:

0:01 Welcome and Season 3 reflection
2:28 Icebreaker: What we're watching, reading, and listening to
11:53 Looking back on Season 3 and podcast growth
17:36 AI, SaaS, and the future of software
22:48 Rochester's AI opportunity and startup ecosystem
29:27 State of Wilmac and product momentum
32:46 Marketing, culture, and company growth
36:38 Looking ahead to the second half of 2026
37:37 Closing thoughts

Connect with the speakers:

Emily McNulty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-miller-mcnulty-666b66152/

Steve McDonnell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mcdonnell-8659042b/

🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lhL8QkXa9LUYlXjSAp3OE?si=c6fba168bc2a44bb