The Digital Executive

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Brian Thomas welcomes Chris Daigle, Founder and CEO of ChiefAIOfficer.com, to discuss how companies can move beyond AI hype and implement strategies that deliver measurable results. Chris shares insights from his Executive AI Immersion program, a two-day experience designed to help mid-market executives become expert-level users of AI tools without requiring years of technical training.

Chris also introduces his Ignition Process, a framework that helps companies move from scattered AI pilot projects and shadow usage to enterprise-wide adoption with governance, training, and risk management in place. He explains how this approach not only mitigates risks like data leaks but also builds a culture of "thinking in AI" across departments.

The conversation highlights practical AI use cases with the highest ROI today, including marketing, finance, sales, operations, and HR. Chris emphasizes his 10-80-10 framework—where humans set the direction, AI does the bulk of the work, and humans apply the final layer of oversight—underscoring the importance of keeping people in the loop.

From cutting through misconceptions to scaling real-world applications, Chris offers executives a roadmap to transform their organizations and thrive in the AI economy.

Tags:
#AIAdoption #ChiefAIOfficer #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #HumanInTheLoop

Like to be a future guest on the show? Apply Here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Brian Thomas sits down with Drew Messer, CEO and co-founder of Urban SDK, to explore how geospatial AI and real-time data are transforming how local governments operate. From Drew’s early experiences in politics to launching Urban SDK after the U.S. DOT’s Smart Cities Challenge, listeners will hear how Drew’s vision led to the creation of a platform now used by over 250 municipalities across 34 states.

Drew shares the challenges that cities face with outdated infrastructure assessment methods and how Urban SDK’s data management platform replaces traditional tools like traffic counters with cost-effective, always-on data analytics. The conversation dives deep into use cases involving traffic safety, public works, and policing, highlighting how cities are making faster, evidence-based decisions that improve safety, efficiency, and budgeting.

Drew also discusses broader trends in smart city development—including Infrastructure 2.0—and how removing personal bias through data is reshaping policy-making across the public sector. The episode ends on a personal note, with Drew acknowledging the role of faith and resilience in building a fast-growing, VC-backed tech company committed to civic innovation.

#SmartCities #UrbanSDK #GeospatialAI #InfrastructureInnovation #CivicTech

Like to be a future guest on the show? Apply Here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, host Brian Thomas chats with Pejman Roshan, CMO of Menlo Security, about how the rise of hybrid work and SaaS adoption is transforming the cybersecurity landscape. Pej shares how Menlo’s isolation-based browser security shifts the model from reactive defense to proactive protection—keeping malicious content out by never letting it reach the endpoint.

With a career spanning Cisco, Aruba, and VMware, Pej reflects on how marketing in cybersecurity now demands both creativity and deep technical understanding. He explains why the browser is becoming the new endpoint and how Menlo is leading the way in securing users wherever they work.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review. Apple or Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Brian Thomas welcomes Fahd Rafi, founder of Noodle Seed, an AI startup transforming how modern organizations operate through intelligent automation. Drawing from a background leading AI and data strategy at Google Cloud and Microsoft, Fahd shares how his mission is to “automate the ordinary and enable the extraordinary” through a new paradigm: Agents-as-a-Service.

Fahd explains how Noodle Seed builds agentic systems that go far beyond simple chatbots—by identifying business processes that should be automated, eliminated, or augmented with AI. He breaks down misconceptions around AI implementation, emphasizing the need for outcome-driven design over hype-driven deployment. Instead of charging by user seats or token usage, Fahd advocates for shared-value models where pricing aligns with business results.

From eliminating repetitive tasks to empowering enterprise teams with intelligent agents, Fahd offers a compelling vision of the AI-powered future—where human creativity is prioritized, and machines take care of the rest.

Like to be a future guest on the show? Apply Here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Brian Thomas speaks with Hunter Dickinson, Head of Partnerships at Whop, about his entrepreneurial rise from founding Zen Task to leading Whop’s sales and partnership strategy. Hunter shares how his early venture—born from the Web3 space and acquired by Whop—helped lay the foundation for a digital marketplace now generating over $1.3 billion in gross merchandise volume. His journey reveals the mindset shift from solo founder to team-driven operator and how shedding ego became a catalyst for scale.

Hunter dives into how Whop is reshaping digital commerce by empowering creators to monetize their passions. He details how the platform is evolving—from building global payment systems to launching vertical SaaS tools—making it easier than ever for individuals to earn income doing what they love. With a vision centered on aligning skills, passion, and access, Hunter explains how Whop aims to unlock a sustainable future for creators around the world.

Join thousands of curious minds and never miss a beat – Subscribe to our Newsletter for exclusive insights, episode highlights, and expert takeaways delivered straight to your inbox.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, host Brian Thomas sits down with Rohan Nayak, CEO and co-founder of Pocket FM, to explore how he made the bold transition from investment banking to building one of the most disruptive platforms in the entertainment industry. Rohan shares how his passion for storytelling and content innovation led to the birth of Pocket FM, an audio OTT platform designed to empower writers and give voice to untold stories.

Rohan explains how Pocket FM is redefining the entertainment landscape by building a new category of audio storytelling powered by AI. From streamlining content production to identifying blockbusters and scaling marketing with machine learning, he offers insight into how data and technology are democratizing creative expression. With over 50,000 shows already produced, Pocket FM is not only transforming how we consume content—but also who gets to create it.

Subscribe to the Digital Executive Newsletter for curated strategies, expert perspectives, and industry trends.  Sign up now here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Brian Thomas welcomes Ed Watal, founder and principal of Intellibus, a top-ranked Inc. 5000 software firm. Ed shares his insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the financial sector, particularly around the challenges of fraud and deepfakes. He explains how his ethical AI platform, Big Parser, was born from a long-standing vision to build transparent, responsible AI systems using community-sourced, human-curated data.

The conversation also explores how data sourcing, model usage, and AI’s impact on jobs must be ethically grounded to ensure AI contributes positively to society. Ed emphasizes the importance of guardrails in digital governance, describing his work with initiatives like the World Digital Governance (WDG) project. His vision of accelerating innovation while maintaining accountability offers a thoughtful blueprint for navigating AI’s rapid evolution.

If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review. Apple or Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Tom LeNoble—international speaker, resilience coach, and former executive at Facebook, Walmart, Palm, and Verizon—joins host Brian Thomas for a thoughtful conversation on what it truly takes to lead in high-pressure environments. Now a sought-after coach and advisor, Tom shares how his journey through startups, Fortune 500s, and personal challenges shaped the trademarked Risk Ability Factor and his people-first leadership philosophy.

Listeners will hear how Tom’s work at companies like Facebook and Mitiga underscores the importance of listening, presence, and adapting with humility. From creating psychologically safe cultures to stepping outside the C-suite to truly connect, Tom offers candid insights and actionable wisdom for leaders seeking purpose and impact in the face of constant change.

Empower your decisions with elite insights – Subscribe to the Digital Executive newsletter today for handpicked strategies, leadership perspectives, and market trends sent directly to you. Sign up today!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Geoff Haydon, CEO of Ontinue, shares how his leadership journey—from SecureWorks and VMware to heading Ontinue—has helped shape a new era of cybersecurity services. Geoff dives into how Ontinue's MXDR platform, Ontinue ION, is transforming legacy MDR practices by combining automation, AI, and a holistic approach to threat management. He explains how today’s cybersecurity demands go beyond just alerting and into proactive risk reduction across cloud, network, and identity.

Geoff also unpacks how Ontinue’s partnership with Microsoft and its integration with the Microsoft security platform is enabling enterprises to reduce tool sprawl, cut costs, and deliver measurable outcomes. With over a third of security incidents resolved autonomously and 99.5% handled without customer intervention, Ontinue is helping CISOs do more with less—replacing outdated "defense in depth" models with scalable, intelligent operations powered by agentic AI.

Subscribe to the Digital Executive Newsletter for curated strategies, expert perspectives, and industry trends. Sign up now here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Digital Executive podcast, Elliot Johnson, CEO of Bitcoin Treasury Corporation and CIO of Evolve ETFs, shares his journey pioneering Canada's first spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the regulatory and operational challenges of launching these crypto investment products, highlighting how Evolve ETFs now manages nearly $300 million across multiple digital asset funds with institutional-grade infrastructure and custody.

Elliot also unpacks the mission of Bitcoin Treasury Corporation, a publicly traded company focused on Bitcoin as a reserve asset and lending vehicle. He explains how institutions are gradually warming up to Bitcoin, why large players will likely be the last to adopt, and how layer two networks like the Lightning Network may become a surprising catalyst for global mainstream Bitcoin adoption.

Like to be a future guest on the show? Apply Here

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices