In this heartfelt and high-impact episode, Rick Currier sits down with Carilu Contreras-Melander, Senior Director of Americas Partner Marketing at Zscaler, to explore what it really means to lead with authenticity, courage, and empathy in today’s tech world. From Buenos Aires during political unrest to the boardrooms of AppDynamics, AWS, and Zscaler, Carilu shares her remarkable journey through partner marketing, leadership challenges, and breaking barriers as a Latina in tech.
Together, they dive into the uncomfortable truths around workplace bias, mentorship gaps, and what it takes to build a truly equitable team culture. Expect real stories, honest insights, and practical advice for anyone looking to advocate for others, lead with empathy, or simply find the right room where they can thrive.
Oh - and a dog named Winston may or may not make his podcast debut.

AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the next frontier of business transformation. In this episode, Rick Currier welcomes Shawn Mills, CEO of Pisteo, for a refreshingly real and deeply insightful conversation on how AI is actually being adopted inside today’s organizations.
Shawn shares war stories from the field—how he’s helping companies cut decision cycles from days to minutes, why leadership buy-in is finally catching up to grassroots AI experiments, and what it takes to get marketers closer to close in a lead-to-revenue world. From personal productivity hacks and low-code automation to one-to-one personalization at scale, this episode breaks down how to move fast without boiling the ocean.
Whether you're AI-curious or already automating your workflows, you'll walk away with strategic frameworks, practical advice, and some hard-earned lessons from the trenches. Plus, hear why saying “please” to AI might just save your future robot life.

What happens when a seasoned partner marketer leaves the safety of full-time roles to dive into the wild world of fractional leadership? In this candid, zero-prep conversation, we catch up with Angela Salerno over a glass of Chardonnay to unpack the mindset, motivation, and meaning behind her leap into consulting. From partner-first philosophies to the magic of community, from networking secrets to embracing the unknown—this episode is a masterclass in navigating career pivots with humor, heart, and hard-earned insight. Whether you're thinking about freelancing, leading with purpose, or just want to feel less alone in your GTM journey, this one’s for you.