The QTS Experience

By Dave McCallBusiness Science Technology

The QTS Experience episodes

November 24, 2025 Ep 234: Rose Weinschenk – From Minds to Megawatts: A Human Scientist and Data Center Whisperer
I sat down with Uptime Institute’s Rose Weinschenk – a former psychology researcher turned data-center truth-teller. Rose brings a rare talent: understanding the humans behind the hardware. We dig into how people actually behave in high-stakes environments, why mentorship still matters, the trouble with poaching, and what it really takes to build trust in an AI-powered future. It’s thoughtful, nerdy, and full of moments that make you wonder why more psych majors aren’t running critical infrastructure.
References & Links
Uptime Institute 2025 Staffing Survey Report: https://intelligence.uptimeinstitute.com/resource/2025-staffing-and-recruitment-survey-results-and-crosstab-files
Rose Weinschenk: https://intelligence.uptimeinstitute.com/author/rweinschenk
Uptime Institute: https://uptimeinstitute.com/
57 min
November 12, 2025 Ep233: Kurt Lindorfer – “Shaking Things Up with Seismic Smarts & Data Center Swagger”
Structural engineer Kurt Lindorfer joins the QTS Experience to explore what happens when design goes beyond the code. From intelligent structures and base isolation to hula-dancing data centers, we blend serious seismic insight with humor—because protecting billions in data deserves a little swagger.
1 hr 23 min
October 31, 2025 Ep232: Manja Thessin: Densification Drama– Fiber Highways to AI Superhighways; Squeeze in More Chaos
Join me as Manja Thessin from AFL dives into the wild world of data center densification–think packing 10x more fiber into racks without turning techs into contortionists. We geek out on AI's fiber frenzy, modular magic, and why spreadsheets are so last decade. Buckle up for this eye-opening chat!
Guest Links
Manja Thessin's LinkedIn Profile: (31) Manja Thessin, RCDD, RTPM | LinkedIn
Company Website (AFL): https://www.aflglobal.com/
43 min
October 17, 2025Ep231: Joe Rozza – The Power of Purpose, Water, and Sustainable Innovation
Joe Rozza joins me to explore how passion, purpose, and practical sustainability collide. From Florida’s drainage ditches to corporate water stewardship, we dig into resilience, governance, and how real business value flows when companies stop treating sustainability like a side project. Dive in—this one’s deep.
External References
Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" (referenced regarding PLO formation and water diversion): https://www.amazon.com/Palestine-Peace-Not-Apartheid-Carter/dp/0743285034
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card (referenced for U.S. infrastructure grade of D): https://infrastructurereportcard.org/
Net Zero Carbon commitments (general reference to corporate pledges): https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/net-zero-emissions-cop26-climate-change/
Guest Links
Joe Rozza's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-rozza-p-e-bcee-a8143b12
Ryan Companies Website: https://www.ryancompanies.com/
1 hr 11 min
September 08, 2025Ep230: Brent Trenga: Recovering Architect Redefines Building – Circularity, Data Centers, & Legos
Brent Trenga joins me to spill on why construction is stuck in the Stone Age while we run space-age data centers. We geek out on circular economies, ethical capitalism, and why data centers should be built like Legos—easy to snap together, just as easy to snap apart—so growth and reuse don’t come with carbon regret. Tune in for laughs and lightbulb moments!
References to Studies, Reports, Data, or External Agencies
Katerra (failed mass timber company) – Company history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katerra
Sidewalk Labs – Alphabet project https://www.sidewalklabs.com/
Guest Links
Brent Trenga's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-trenga-a077278
Company Website: Kingspan Insulated Panels North America https://www.kingspan.com/us/en-us/product-groups/insulated-panels
1 hr 36 min
August 19, 2025Ep229: Luke Saladyga: Submarine Officer to Oracle Innovator–Systems Engineering, Data Centers, & AI
I've got Luke Saladyga sharing his wild ride from nukes on subs to hyperscale data centers at Google and now Oracle. We dive into operational maturity, high availability nines, and why curiosity beats repetition every time – because who wants boring when you can automate the chaos?
Studies, References, and External Mentions
Myers-Briggs personality test (referenced in leadership course): https://www.myersbriggs.org/
Open Compute Project (initiated by Meta): https://www.opencompute.org/
Nvidia GTC conference and GB200 GPUs: https://www.nvidia.com/gtc/
IEC 61850 standard (substation protocol): https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/6028
Guest Links
Luke Saladyga's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saladyga/
Oracle Company Website: https://www.oracle.com/
1 hr 49 min
August 11, 2025The QTS Experience 228: with Joel Chakkalakal; Waste, Recycling, and the tubing at Schlitterbahn
Sustainability in data centers boils down to slashing carbon footprints and waste—think Lean Six Sigma magic and robotic automation. I geek out with Joel Chakkalakal on decommissioning hacks, circular economies, and why ops folks deserve a seat at the design table. Let's make our industry greener, one velcro trace at a time!
Studies, References, Data, or External Agencies
Lean Six Sigma: https://www.asq.org/quality-resources/six-sigma
Open Compute Project (OCP): https://www.opencompute.org/
IEEE Working Group on Data Sanitization (IEEE P2883): https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/2883/10711/
Nomad Futurist: https://nomadfuturist.com/
Pegasus Logistics: https://www.pegasuslogistics.com/
Guest Links Joel Chakkalakal's
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chakkalakal
Company Website (Critical Risk Solution): https://www.criticalrisksolution.com/
1 hr 8 min
August 01, 2025 Episode 227: Raiford Smith – Balloon Dogs, Grid Stress, and Data Center Ingenuity
I'm diving into the grid's growing pains with Raiford Smith! Raiford says the grid is a balloon dog—squeeze it here, make it an anteater there. We unpack the stress
on aging infrastructure and explore innovative fixes. Join us for a charged QTS Experience!
58 min
July 18, 2025Episode 226: Cathal Quinn – From Rooftops to Resilience: Data Centers, Mental Health & Irish Grit
He went from pouring pints to powering platforms—and once dreamed of being the next great Irish basketball star (don’t we all). Cathal Quinn and I discuss big builds, mental health, and why Ireland is still punching above its digital weight class.
Referenced Reports / Concepts
FLAP-D: Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin as major European DC hubs
Compound growth of the EU data center market: Estimated 15–20% YoY over 3–5 years (no direct link, summary from guest)
The concept of Ireland missing the “first wave of AI” due to energy constraints
Guest Links
Cathal Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinn-15099837/
MOY Group Company Website
1 hr 35 min
July 03, 2025 Episode 225: Sean James: Data Centers, Green Tech, and AI Adventures
Sean James spills on sustainable tech, smart designs, and why flops spark wins. Plus, how to hired by a Hyperscale in 3 easy steps—proof nice guys finish first! Join me for a hilarious, eye-opening chat!
References
Duke University Study: Duke University's Energy Initiative. https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/publications/rethinking-load-growth.pdf
Don Saddaway (MIT): TED Talk. https://youtu.be/Sddb0Khx0yA?si=NMTm50HkE-WmovR5
Guest Information
LinkedIn Profile: Sean James https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-james-6592524/
Company Website: Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/
59 min

About The QTS Experience

From the publisher's feed

The most valuable commodity on earth today is data. How we make it, use it, move it & protect it. Join David McCall as he invites guests from all industries to talk about how they use data to…