A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world

John Rouda: technical leader, author, speaker, educator
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The ultimate podcast for aspiring leaders in the creative or technology fields. John Rouda discusses leadership topics, interviews some of the greatest minds today and teaches you practical leadership tips, techniques, tricks and hacks to improve motivation, negotiation, and other much needed skills for leaders today.

  1. 2 days ago

    AGL 486: Richard Moore

    About Richard Mr. Moore, P.E. is the President and Founder of Moore Engineering. He is a Vietnam veteran where he was a Lieutenant with the Corps of Engineers assigned to the 102 Construction Engineering Company building roads in the Central Highlands. He also taught water supply and wastewater treatment at the Army Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, VA. Mr. Moore is an internationally recognized expert in water quality protection and wastewater and stormwater management, has published widely in the field and is an Adjunct Professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology. His 40 years of engineering and project management experience includes successful oversight of infrastructure projects. Mr. Moore has a proven track record of completing large-scale and complex infrastructure projects in the US and abroad. Mr. Moore holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer. Early in his career he worked for Metcalf and Eddy on wastewater and stormwater projects nation-wide. More recently, Mr. Moore served as President of Tetra Tech Rizzo from 2000 to 2007, where he managed the firm’s domestic and international engineering operations with a diverse portfolio of assignments for both public and private clients. He was responsible for growing the company’s annual revenue from $20M to $40M. In his last two years as President, Tetra Tech Rizzo won the ROI (Return on Investment) award, Tetra Tech’s highest award among approximately 30 operating units. Subsequently, Mr. Moore led Tetra Tech India Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tetra Tech with a staff of approximately 200, through 2012. Mr. Moore is a life member of ASCE, served on the Board of ACEC Massachusetts and was Chair of several national committees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF). Today We Talked About Officer Life Getting out of comfort zone Vietnam India Don’t hide your mistakes Working with Teams Building Trust Project Management Leadership Emotional Intellegence Trust Don’t peak too early Trust your neighbors Plant seeds… Connect with Richard Website Books A Charmed Young Life An Officer’s Journey A Cosultant’s Story Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

  2. 4 Sept

    AGL 485: Julian Reeve

    About Julian Julian Reeve is an international keynote speaker helping leaders and organizations understand human value in the age of AI. In 2017, after conducting a performance of the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton, Julian Reeve suffered a stress-induced heart attack. He was 43 years old. Two years later, injury ended his performing career altogether. These events prompted a fundamental examination of identity, achievement, burnout, creativity, and the systems that support human performance. His findings formed the foundations of Perfect Equilibrium®, a proven methodology helping leaders and organizations mitigate burnout through intentional work design, and informed his TEDx Talk, book on perfectionism, and articles for major media outlets including The Hill and Fast Company Magazine. Today, Julian’s work is built around one powerful idea: Unmistakable Identity™ will become the foundation of human advantage as AI redefines work and human value. Today We talked About background stress burnout Perfect Equilibrium® mindset systems self-care self-awareness self-compassion self-efficacy strategy Unmistakable Identity™ Identity Capability Judgement Intential Connect With Julian Website LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

  3. 28 Aug

    AGL 484: Valerie Holden

    About Valerie Valerie Holden is a confidence coach, speaker, and former law enforcement professional who helps female entrepreneurs overcome fear, anxiety, and self-doubt so they can confidently show up, speak up, and grow their businesses. Through her From Anxiety to Authority framework, Valerie teaches practical strategies that help women regulate stress, build confidence, and take meaningful action in sales conversations, networking events, presentations, videos, and other high-stakes business situations. Drawing from more than 20 years in law enforcement and her extensive experience helping clients navigate personal and professional challenges, Valerie helps women move from overthinking and avoidance to clarity, courage, and confidence. Today We Talked About Fear Anxiety Calming techniques Hypnosis Overthinking things Zones Green Zone Yellow Zone Red Zone Noticing Thoughts… Breathing Techniques Fear of speaking up Fear of failure and success Fear of AI Sound healing   Connect with Valerie Website LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

  4. 21 Aug

    AGL 483: Nick Jonsson

    About Nick Nick Jonsson is widely recognized as the world’s leading authority on Executive Loneliness. His pioneering work has earned him a dedicated Executive Loneliness Wikipedia page and international recognition, establishing him as one of the world’s most respected voices on leadership, vulnerability, mental wellbeing, and authentic connection. Ranked #28 in the world among the Global Gurus Top 30 Coaching Professionals, Nick is a TEDx speaker, international bestselling author of Executive Loneliness, Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Master Coach (CMC), qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist, and a certified Team Psychological Safety practitioner. After more than two decades in international business leadership, Nick experienced burnout, addiction, and profound loneliness while leading from the top. His recovery transformed both his life and his purpose. Today, everything he teaches is grounded in lived experience as well as professional expertise. Nick works globally with leaders, teams, and organizations through keynote speaking, executive coaching, counselling and psychotherapy, leadership facilitation, and Team Psychological Safety training. He is also a top 2% Ironman triathlete, founder of a men’s support group, suicide prevention volunteer, and host of The Limitless Podcast, featuring conversations with leaders and changemakers from around the world. His mission is to empower people to build a limitless life through vulnerability and holistic wellbeing. Today We Talked About Executive Loneliness Asking for help Rock Bottom Talking to others Physical training Relationships Honest converesations Relationships replaced alcohol Share how you feel Fear Don’t overshare Connect with Nick LinkedIn Website Book Podcast Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

  5. 14 Aug

    AGL 482: Ekaterina Gorbacheva

    About Ekaterina Ekaterina Gorbacheva is Global Expansion Director at Udora, a fast-growing gifting platform operating across 50+ countries and 1,500+ cities. She leads international growth through an experiment-driven approach, combining real-time localization data, customer insight, and cross-cultural product thinking to build systems that scale without adding headcount. Under her leadership, Udora has delivered 123% YoY order growth and 129% GMV growth. She manages CRM, content, partnerships, and optimisation teams across 10 time zones, and has secured strategic partnerships with 10+ UAE banks and fintech companies, with expansion now active in Brazil and Spain. Before Udora, she co-founded Spare Leash as CPO, launched a fully functional MVP in two months, expanded into the Chinese market during COVID, doubled the user base in six weeks, and automated all operations to keep the business running at full capacity without her direct involvement. Today We Talked About Background Localization Digital Behavoir Culture and expanding globally AI’s role AI Training for all teams Give yourself a Deadline Accountability Go for it. Connect with Ekaterina LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

  6. 7 Aug

    AGL 481: Rob Snyder and The Power of PULL

    About Rob Rob Snyder is a serial startup founder and a fellow at Harvard Innovation Labs. He graduated from Harvard Business School and previously worked at McKinsey & Company. He is also an entrepreneur-in-residence and venture partner for early-stage venture capital funds. Snyder lives with his wife and daughter in New Hampshire.  Today We Talked About Rob’s background Entrepreneurship is hard PULL Framework P = Problem (the customer has a real problem or project they need to accomplish) U = Unavoidable (they can’t simply ignore it or postpone it indefinitely) L = Limitations (existing solutions have meaningful shortcomings) L = Looking (the customer is actively looking for a better solution) Painpoints and Problems Start-up Journey What is real demand? Demand exsist out there… you just have to find it What to do if your product isn’t gaining traction? Bottom-up Model Guide to staying sane as a founder Serve people that are stuck Connect with Rob LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

  7. 31 Jul

    AGL 480: Craig Taylor with CyberHoot

    About Craig Craig Taylor is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2001 and a 30-year veteran of cybersecurity. In 2014, he co-founded CyberHoot, a cybersecurity awareness training company built on a simple but powerful premise: people learn better through positive reinforcement than through fear. CyberHoot serves more than 350 MSP partners, 100 direct customers, and over 100,000 end users worldwide. Craig also leads a cybersecurity consultancy that has delivered virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services to more than 50 companies across a wide range of industries and sizes. Throughout his career, Craig has led cybersecurity organizations at the intersection of high stakes and high complexity. He built and led security teams in web hosting at CSC, financial services at JP Morgan Chase, and manufacturing at Vistaprint, each environment demanding a different approach to culture, risk tolerance, and human behavior. Those experiences taught him that the hardest cybersecurity problems are rarely technical. They are organizational. Getting people to change behavior, make better decisions under pressure, and take ownership of their role in security requires the same skills as any leadership challenge: trust, clear communication, and a culture where doing the right thing is rewarded rather than punished. That insight is the foundation CyberHoot was built on. Beyond the business, Craig brings a lifelong commitment to service and personal development. He is a Toastmaster, a Rotarian in Portsmouth, NH, and a 12-year Pan-Mass Challenge rider who has raised more than $150,000 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, covering 192 miles every August in support of cancer research. Today We Talked About Background Cyber Security Security Awareness Training Cyber Awareness based on psychology How is AI affecting this? 20% off for Podcast Referral code “AGEEKLEADER” Rewards and incentives Eliminate the Deception based cyber training AI Slop Mythos Retention Policy New Risks… Zero Days Connect with Craig LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

  8. 24 Jul

    AGL 479: Uma Subramanian on The Sought After Leader

    About Uma Uma Subramanian founded Limitless Leaders to help mid-career tech professionals become confident leaders who inspire trust, build influence, and drive meaningful impact in their careers. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, including a 20-year tenure at Microsoft, she understands the challenges of stepping into leadership roles, gaining recognition, and thriving in today’s fast-paced workplace. Uma is on a mission to build a community of empowered, sought-after leaders in tech. Her coaching programs provide the mindset, tools, and strategies needed to lead authentically, think strategically, and achieve measurable success—without sacrificing personal well-being. By blending practical strategies with actionable insights, she helps professionals grow into impactful leaders who inspire teams and deliver results. Her expertise spans communication, emotional intelligence, and strategic leadership, enabling her clients to lead with clarity and purpose. Uma brings deep expertise through certifications in Executive Coaching, DISC Behavioral Analysis, and the Corporate Facilitator Program from Maxwell Leadership. She has also completed advanced training in Positive Psychology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Coaching for Leaders through Seattle Coach. Outside of work, Uma is a proud mom of two teenagers and a beloved dog. She enjoys exploring personal development books, traveling to new destinations, and dancing to the vibrant beats of Bollywood music. Uma is deeply committed to balancing a fulfilling career with family life and inspiring others to live with purpose and intention. Today We Talked About Time at Microsoft Individual contributor to Manager Work on yourself first Leadership Coaching Perception Gap Hardwork isn’t enough SOAR Framework Strategic Impact Outstanding Communication and Influence Authroity and Personal Brand Relationship The Value you bring vs. the Value others see Communicate the Value Evaluate the Value Connect with Uma LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The ultimate podcast for aspiring leaders in the creative or technology fields. John Rouda discusses leadership topics, interviews some of the greatest minds today and teaches you practical leadership tips, techniques, tricks and hacks to improve motivation, negotiation, and other much needed skills for leaders today.

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