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PODCAST

The Tech Trek

The Tech Trek is a podcast for founders, builders, and operators who are in the arena building world class tech companies. Host Amir Bormand sits down with the people responsible for product, engineering, data, and growth and digs into how they ship, who they hire, and what they do when things break. If you want a clear view into how modern startups really get built, from first line of code to traction and scale, this show takes you inside the work.

technology

All Episodes

00:36:42

Founder Mode vs. Servant Leadership: Delegate or dive...

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/18

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of engineering leadership with Andy Elmhorst, VP of Engineering at Bolt. We explore the delicate balance between delegation and hands-on leadership, dissect the founder mode philosophy, and analyze how servant leadership has been interpreted—and sometimes misapplied—in tech organizations. Andy shares insights on why traditional management books may be outdated for modern engineering leadership, and how staying hands-on with teams can drive better

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00:24:47

How AI (LLMs) Are Revolutionizing Data Products

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/13

In this episode,Sasha Bartashnik shares her insights on howlarge language models (LLMs) are transforming the development ofdata products, making advanced AI-driven solutions moreaccessible and scalable. We dive into thechallenges of traditional data tools, theadvantages and risks of LLM integration, and how businesses shouldadapt to the changing landscape of AI-driven decision-making.Key Takeaways🔹What Are Data Products? – Any software that processes or surfaces data to users, including dashboards

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00:24:57

The CTPO: The Future of Tech Leadership

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/12

In this episode, we dive into the evolution of theChief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) model, the blending of traditional engineering and product roles, and howAI, hackathons, and shifting org structures are reshaping product development. Arjun shares insights on what this means for engineers, product managers, and leadership teams, as well as the challenges of making this shift successful.⏳ Timestamped Highlights[00:00] IntroductionAmir introduces Arjun Shah and sets the stage for discussing

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00:23:10

Mastering Change: How to Drive Digital Adoption

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/11

In this episode, JD Williams joins Amir Bormand to dive into the critical role ofchange management in driving successful digital adoption. From leading with digital fluency to navigating organizational change for AI integration, JD shares actionable insights from his work at Zoetis.Key TakeawaysDigital Fluency Starts with People:Training needs to be role-specific and practical.Peer-to-peer learning fosters deeper adoption across teams.Change Management is a Team Effort:Success requires both top-down

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00:34:31

Foundational Data Challenges and Leveraging AI for...

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/06

In this episode ofThe Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Stephen Harris, former Corporate Vice President of Global Data Science and Growth Analytics at Microsoft. Steffen, a seasoned data executive with over 30 years of experience, shares insights into tackling foundational data issues, addressing data debt, and integrating advanced AI strategies. Together, they explore how businesses can move the needle on long-standing challenges and position themselves for sustainable growth in a data-driven

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00:27:04

Pivoting with Purpose: Navigating Startup Challenges

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/05

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Marty Kausas, Co-founder and CEO of Pylon, a groundbreaking customer support platform for B2B companies. Marty shares his journey of navigating "pivot hell," the challenges of ideation, finding the right co-founders, and understanding what it takes to build a billion-dollar company. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with insights on creating, evolving, and scaling a tech startup.Key

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00:24:07

Hiring Challenges for Founders

The Tech Trek ·

2025/02/04

In this episode, Tanaz Mody shares insights on the hiring struggles founders face as they scale their companies. We explore how founders navigate the decision-making process, overcome hiring hesitations, and transition from being hands-on operators to strategic leaders.Key Topics:✅ The weight of hiring decisions on founders✅ How founders can avoid “decision paralysis” in hiring✅ The evolution from founder to CEO✅ The role of VC talent partners in scaling startups✅ When (and why) founders should

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00:25:44

First-Time Founders and Leadership Styles

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/30

In this insightful episode, James Evans dives into the unique challenges and growth opportunities for first-time founders. From building leadership styles to navigating tough decisions, James shares his journey and valuable lessons from leading CommandBar to its acquisition by Amplitude. If you're a tech enthusiast, startup founder, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways!Key Takeaways Leadership Style Evolves Over Time: As a first-time founder, leadership is

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00:27:36

How a Lawyer Became a Tech CEO

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/29

In this inspiring episode, Amir Bormand chats with Matt Martin, Co-Founder of Clockwise. Matt shares his unique career trajectory, transitioning from being a lawyer to a self-taught software engineer, and ultimately, to a tech entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges, self-doubt, and triumphs of making a bold career pivot, as well as insights into the future of technology and software development. Whether you're contemplating a career change or simply curious about what it takes to thrive in

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00:29:16

Exploring Data Enablement

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/28

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Scott Peachey, Director of Data Governance and Oversight at Bread Financial, to explore the evolving world of data enablement. Together, they unpack how rebranding data governance can shift perceptions, make data accessible across organizations, and foster a culture of collaboration.Scott shares his insights on tackling the challenges of data literacy, meeting business stakeholders where they are, and the importance of tailoring

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00:30:46

AI: Leveling the Playing Field in E-Commerce

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/23

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Vinod Ramachandran, CEO and Co-Founder of Big Sur AI, and Arnaud Weber, Co-Founder and CTO, to discuss how AI is reshaping the e-commerce landscape. The conversation explores AI-driven personalization, the future of dynamic online shopping experiences, and how smaller brands can compete with industry giants.Key Takeaways AI as a Game-Changer for Smaller Brands: Smaller retailers can now leverage AI to create highly personalized and assistive shopping

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00:28:00

Customer-Centric Engineering

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/22

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Jake Peters, co-founder, CTO, and CPO of Fora, a modern travel agency platform. Together, they delve into the art of customer-centric engineering, the balance between business and technology, and how Fora is revolutionizing the travel industry. Jake shares his unique journey through tech, from 90s coding to leading dual roles in product and engineering, and the lessons he’s learned about prioritization, collaboration, and adaptability.Key

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00:34:21

From Rural Roots to AI Founder

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/21

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Curtis Northcutt, CEO and Co-Founder of CleanLab. Curtis shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to becoming a leader in AI innovation. He delves into his personal story, the principles that shaped him, and his thoughts on the role of technology in creating meaningful change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in resilience, the future of AI, and the human side of innovation.Key Takeaways: The Power of

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00:25:08

From QA to Engineering Leadership

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/16

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Mayuresh Hajirnis, Director of Engineering at Altruist, to discuss his fascinating journey from QA to software engineering leadership. Mayuresh shares valuable lessons on bridging the gap between QA and engineering, creating a culture of quality, and how his background has shaped his leadership approach. Whether you're in QA, development, or aspiring to lead engineering teams, this episode offers actionable insights and

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00:22:11

From Founder to Enterprise Leader: Transitioning Back

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/15

In this episode, host Amir Bormand interviews Jehangir Abdulla, Head of Back Office Development at Schoenfeld, to discuss his unique journey from being a startup founder back to taking on a leadership role within an enterprise. Jehangir shares the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial experience, how he retained a founder’s mindset in a corporate setting, and the challenges of balancing ambition with personal well-being.Jehangir also provides insights into decision-making, navigating career

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00:25:21

Mapping Business to Data Strategy

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/14

In this episode, Amir sits down with Spencer Lourens, Chief Data Officer at CLA, to discuss the intersection of business strategy and data strategy. Spencer shares his insights on aligning organizational goals with data initiatives, understanding stakeholder priorities, and balancing short-term wins with long-term strategies. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex relationship between business needs and data-driven solutions.Key Takeaways: Start with the Business

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00:25:44

The Shift to Platform Engineering

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/09

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Jason Luce, CTO of Paperless Parts, to discuss the evolution from DevOps to platform engineering. They dive deep into the reasons behind this shift, the cultural and technical changes required, and how organizations can implement platform engineering to enhance developer experience and business outcomes.Jason shares insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with adopting platform engineering, drawing from his experience leading the

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00:26:56

Navigating Product and Technology Leadership

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/08

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Kevin Trilli, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amount Financial, about balancing product and technology leadership. They explore the challenges and benefits of merging product and tech roles, managing technical debt, and aligning product vision with business goals. Kevin shares personal experiences, insights on engineering leadership, and the evolving impact of AI on product management.Key Takeaways: Merging Product & Tech Leadership: Combining

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00:31:45

Reimagining Data Teams

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/07

In this engaging episode, Amir Bormand interviews Marko Vasiljevic, CTO at Ghost, about the evolving nature of data teams and how businesses can better structure them in a rapidly changing tech landscape. The discussion covers the shift toward more engineering-driven data teams, the influence of AI on team composition, and how businesses can adapt to remain competitive. Marko also highlights the future of self-service data solutions and the decreasing technical barriers for companies of all

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00:22:34

Leveraging Machine Learning for Healthcare Transparency

The Tech Trek ·

2025/01/02

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Urvish Parikh, Co-Founder and CTO of Nirvana, to explore how machine learning is transforming the healthcare insurance landscape. Urvish discusses the challenges of working with legacy standards from the 1980s, how Nirvana addresses cost transparency issues, and the social responsibility of improving healthcare systems. Listeners will gain insights into integrating modern technology with entrenched systems and how Nirvana is making healthcare transactions

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623 results

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