Episode 17: Fixing Broken Software Development with Todd Kaufman

On this episode of Silicon Heartland Sessions, we sit down with Todd Kaufman, President & CEO of Test Double, to explore why software development is still broken - and what we can do about it.

Todd shares his career journey from product development to consulting, where he saw firsthand how many software projects run over budget, miss critical features, or deliver solutions nobody actually needs. Frustrated by ineffective, one-size-fits-all approaches, Todd co-founded Test Double, a 100% employee-owned, remote-first consultancy that embeds top-tier developers into teams to solve real-world problems.

We discuss:

• The root causes of broken software projects - and how to fix them
• Autonomy, mastery, and purpose - how these principles shape great teams
• Why leadership means letting go - and how Todd learned to trust his team
• The role of AI in software development - opportunities and ethical concerns

Whether you're a software engineer, tech leader, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on leadership, technology, and building a better future for software development.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

💡 Rackspace Technology – We advise, design, build, and manage solutions across the multicloud, applications, data, and security.
💡 Trace3 – AI to help your business run, grow, and transform.
💡 Gravity IT Resources – Consulting expertise and IT talent that powers digital transformation.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms!