The STEMINISTS Podcast

Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Technology
  • Updated Weekly

Tech visionaries Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams bring their unique expertise to the microphone and expand the conversation around tech. They’ll bring fresh voices and often unheard perspectives you don’t want to miss. Ever wonder if you and your data are AI-ready? Cloud-ready? Is your business truly prepared for a ransomware attack? And is your data infrastructure intelligent and future-proof? Together, we’ll explore the latest trends and give you key insights that could change the way you do business.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 75 - Fan Favorite Replay: The AI Hype Changed. The Data Challenge Didn't

    While the AI world has spent the last year racing from hype cycle to reality check, this conversation with Kris Cornwall, Senior Director of Product Marketing for Enterprise Storage at NetApp, feels more timely than ever. Because it turns out that building AI is the easy part. Getting it into production, scaling it, securing it, and making it deliver actual business value? That's where things get interesting.   AI has officially graduated from science project status. It's now expected to drive business outcomes, deliver ROI, and operate with the same resilience, security, and reliability as any mission-critical enterprise workload. But getting there is easier said than done. Kris joins Phoebe and Mekka to unpack why data remains the biggest hurdle for organizations trying to scale AI, and what it really takes to move from proof of concept to production.   The conversation dives into one of the hottest infrastructure topics in AI today: disaggregation. Kris explains how separating performance from capacity can help organizations scale AI workloads more efficiently, maximize expensive GPU investments, and avoid the infrastructure bottlenecks that often slow innovation.   You'll also hear how enterprise-grade storage is evolving to meet AI's growing demands, from built-in ransomware protection and cloud integration to intelligent data mobility and metadata-powered data discovery. The takeaway? AI success isn't just about choosing the right model. It's about building the right data foundation underneath it.   Tune in for a fan-favorite conversation on enterprise AI, data infrastructure, and the unglamorous truth nobody puts in the keynote: if your data strategy isn't ready, your AI strategy probably isn't either.    Learn more:  https://www.netapp.com/artificial-intelligence/   Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinecornwall/

  2. Sep 1

    Ep. 74 - Chips Happen: Navigating AI’s Infrastructure Crunch

    Everyone's obsessed with AI right now. Bigger models. Faster training. More GPUs. More data centers. More everything. But there's one small problem: none of that AI infrastructure exists without semiconductors. And the companies designing those chips are suddenly competing for the exact same resources.   Welcome to the ultimate tech plot twist.  In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, host Phoebe Goh sits down with Diane Patton, Senior Product Manager at NetApp, to unpack how the AI boom is reshaping the silicon supply chain and putting unprecedented pressure on Electronic Design Automation (EDA), the critical technology behind modern chip design.  As AI demand drives a global scramble for GPUs, RAM, and high-performance compute resources, chip designers are facing a new challenge. The infrastructure required to design semiconductors is becoming just as difficult to obtain as the infrastructure needed to run AI itself.   Diane breaks down why EDA workloads are among the most demanding in enterprise IT, requiring massive compute power, low-latency storage, and the ability to process enormous volumes of data at scale. She also explains why waiting months for hardware procurement is no longer a viable strategy when innovation cycles are moving at AI speed and today's "latest and greatest" GPU can become yesterday's news before it's even installed.   The conversation explores how semiconductor companies are turning to cloud and hybrid-cloud architectures to bypass infrastructure bottlenecks, accelerate chip development, and gain access to scalable compute resources on demand. From cloud bursting and intelligent data caching to storage tiering and AI-powered workflows, you'll hear how organizations are modernizing chip design for a world where flexibility is becoming a competitive advantage.   Key Takeaways:  What Electronic Design Automation (EDA) actually is  Why AI is reshaping semiconductor infrastructure requirements  GPU and RAM shortages facing chip design teams  High-performance storage for EDA workloads  Cloud vs. on-premises semiconductor design environments  Hybrid cloud strategies for semiconductor companies  Data management challenges in chip development  AI-enabled opportunities for EDA workflows  The future of semiconductor innovation and the silicon supply chain  Whether you're a semiconductor professional, infrastructure architect, cloud strategist, or simply curious about the technology powering the AI revolution, this episode offers an insider's look at the future of chip design, EDA infrastructure, cloud computing, and the evolving silicon supply chain.   Learn More: https://www.netapp.com/industries/electronic-design-automation-eda/   https://www.netapp.com/blog/semiconductor-design-netapp-all-flash-portfolio/     Connect with us! https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-patton-7519634/

  3. Aug 25

    Ep. 73 - The Plot Twist Is Human: Storytelling in a World of AI and Cybersecurity

    Security teams have more data than ever before. More dashboards. More alerts. More telemetry. More AI. So why is answering the simple question, "Are we actually secure?" still so difficult?  In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, Phoebe Goh sits down with Cole Neumark, Security Analytics professional at NetApp and Vice Chair of Proud, NetApp's LGBTQ+ employee resource group, to unpack why cybersecurity isn't just a technology challenge, it's a people challenge.   With a career path that started in English and art history rather than computer science, Cole brings a refreshingly different perspective to cybersecurity. Together, Phoebe and Cole explore the reality of security analytics: turning mountains of signals, alerts, and vulnerability data into meaningful decisions that leaders can actually use. Because data alone doesn't create security. Context does. And context is still a very human skill.   The conversation dives into the promises and pitfalls of AI in security, why faster isn't always smarter, and why the most valuable skill in an AI-powered future may be asking better questions. They also discuss the often-overlooked role of communication, creativity, and storytelling in helping organizations understand risk and take action.   Cole shares how they transformed a cybersecurity training exercise into an immersive fictional world called Pineland, complete with fake social media posts, characters, and realistic incident scenarios. The goal? Make security memorable. Because people don't remember dashboards. They remember stories. And when security awareness feels more like solving a mystery than surviving a PowerPoint presentation, people pay attention.  The episode also explores the importance of belonging, diverse perspectives, and community in cybersecurity. Through their work with Proud, Cole reflects on how creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered ultimately leads to better collaboration, stronger teams, and smarter security decisions.   Key takeaways:  Why security analytics is as much about communication as it is about data  How storytelling can turn cybersecurity from forgettable to unforgettable  Where AI accelerates security teams, and where human judgment remains essential  Why humanities skills are surprisingly powerful in technical careers  How diverse perspectives help organizations solve complex security challenges  Why "security is defended by people" may be the most important cybersecurity lesson of all   Plus: a conversation about metal music, live concerts, and why even cybersecurity professionals need a great soundtrack.    Learn more:  https://www.netapp.com/cyber-resilience/     Connect with us! https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-neumark/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

  4. Aug 18

    Ep. 72 - Analyze this: Finding Trusted Voices in a sea of AI noise

    We were promised that AI would make information easier to find. Nobody mentioned we'd also need a PhD in figuring out what to trust.  In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, Phoebe Goh sits down with Julia Fedorova, who leads Analyst Relations at NetApp, to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the AI era: making smart decisions when everyone, everything, and every chatbot seems to have an opinion.   As generative AI floods our feeds with answers, recommendations, and hot takes, access to information is no longer the problem. The real challenge is knowing which sources are credible, which insights are backed by evidence, and which recommendations deserve a healthy dose of skepticism.   Julia pulls back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of industry analysts and explains why many of the biggest technology purchasing decisions still rely on research grounded in rigorous methodologies, market validation, and years of expertise. Together, she and Phoebe explore the idea of "pools of trust," the risks of AI-powered echo chambers, and why trusting the first answer you get is rarely a winning strategy.   The conversation also dives into how enterprise buyers can avoid blind spots, why getting a second opinion matters just as much in technology as it does in healthcare, and how the smartest leaders are balancing AI-driven insights with human judgment. Along the way, Julia shares a surprisingly simple piece of advice for navigating a rapidly changing market: pause. Before you click, buy, migrate, modernize, or panic. Just pause.   In this episode:  Why more information doesn't automatically lead to better decisions.   How industry analysts build credibility and trust through research and methodology.   The growing challenge of AI-generated echo chambers and personalized information bubbles.   Why enterprise buyers should seek multiple perspectives before making major technology decisions.   How to evaluate whether a source is genuinely trustworthy.   Why storage and data infrastructure have suddenly become central to AI conversations.   The surprisingly underrated power of slowing down before making a decision.   Plus, Julia weighs in on an age-old debate: do audiobooks count as real books? (Spoiler: yes, and she's willing to defend that position.)   Because in a world overflowing with AI-generated answers, the real competitive advantage might just be knowing which questions are worth asking in the first place.  As always, if you enjoyed this conversation please gives us a follow to stay in the loop for all things STEMINISTS. We would also love to hear what topics would you like for us to discuss. Feel free to share what you want to hear next.     Learn More:  https://www.netapp.com/artificial-intelligence/generative-ai-solutions/     Connect with us! https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-fedorova-she-her-012a9624/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

  5. Aug 11

    Ep. 71 - RAG to Riches: Why Your AI Is Only as Smart as Your Data

    Everyone loves to say RAG is the answer to AI hallucinations. But what if the real answer is a little more complicated?  In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, Phoebe Goh sits down with Ramya Ravi, AI Developer Advocate at NetApp Instaclustr, to unpack what Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) actually does, why it's become a cornerstone of enterprise AI, and where organizations are still getting it wrong.   Together, they demystify the mechanics behind RAG, from embeddings and vector search to semantic search and hybrid search. Ramya explains why RAG isn't magic (it's math), how it helps AI systems find relevant business knowledge, and why simply implementing RAG doesn't automatically eliminate hallucinations.   The conversation also explores one of the biggest challenges facing AI projects today: data quality. From duplicate documents and stale content to weak evaluation practices, Ramya shares practical advice on what organizations should tackle before rushing into a RAG implementation.   Looking ahead, Phoebe and Ramya discuss long context windows, the next evolution of enterprise AI, and why the future may not be a choice between RAG and large context models, but a powerful combination of both.   In this episode:  What RAG actually is and how it works behind the scenes  Why RAG reduces hallucinations but doesn't eliminate them  The difference between keyword, semantic, and hybrid search  Why data quality is often the hidden factor in AI success  How to properly evaluate a RAG implementation  When to use long context windows versus retrieval systems  Why the future of enterprise AI will likely rely on both approaches   If you've been told that RAG is the silver bullet for enterprise AI, this episode offers a smarter, more practical perspective on what it can do, what it can't do, and how to make it work in the real world.    Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramya-ravi19/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

  6. Aug 4

    Ep. 70 - Fan Favorite Replay: How to Lead AI-Driven Change Across Your Organization

    Fan Favorite Replay: As AI continues to reshape how organizations work, lead, and grow, we're bringing back one of our most popular conversations on preparing people and businesses for the future. The insights in this episode are just as relevant today as when it first aired, making it a must-listen for leaders navigating the age of AI.  Are you ready to lead in a world transformed by AI? You'd better be, and this episode will help you get there.  Hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams sit down with Sarah Bartel, Accenture's Global Cloud Talent and Organizational Change Lead, for an engaging discussion about what it takes to prepare teams, cultures, and organizations for the future of work. Drawing on her extensive experience helping organizations navigate technology-driven transformation, and her role co-teaching MIT's Leading the AI Driven Organization course, Sarah offers practical strategies for leading through change while keeping people at the center.  Together, they explore how leaders can build more adaptable organizations, why traditional approaches to talent management are evolving, and what it takes to create a workforce ready to thrive alongside AI. You'll learn why skills-based hiring and team design are becoming critical competitive advantages, how trust serves as the foundation for successful transformation, and why AI works best when it's used to elevate human potential rather than replace it.  Key Takeaway: The future belongs to organizations that invest in both technology and people. Leaders who embrace continuous learning, build cultures of trust, and focus on skills over job titles will be best positioned to succeed in an AI-powered world.  Whether you're leading a large-scale transformation, building the next generation of talent, or simply looking to become a more effective leader in a rapidly changing environment, this fan-favorite episode is packed with actionable insights and fresh perspectives.  Tune in and discover how to lead with confidence, adaptability, and a people-first mindset in the AI era.    Work, Workforce, Workers Age of Generative AI Report  https://www.accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-2/Accenture-Work-Can-Become-Era-Generative-AI.pdf     Leading the AI Driven Organization MIT Course   https://executive.mit.edu/course/leading-the-ai-driven-organization/a054v00000r9U5cAAE.html     Develop your skills with NetApp   https://www.netapp.com/support-and-training/netapp-learning-services/learning-paths/     Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-gottry-bartel/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

  7. Jul 28

    Ep. 69 - Trust, Verify, Repeat: Surviving the DORA Era

    DORA may be a financial services regulation, but don’t let the name fool you, it’s rapidly becoming everyone’s problem.  In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, Phoebe Goh sits down with Katy Rankin, Cybersecurity Counsel at NetApp, to unpack the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and why technology vendors are suddenly finding themselves at the center of some very detailed and very urgent customer conversations.   From supply chain risk and subcontractor transparency to regulatory scrutiny and personal liability, Katy explains why the days of simply pointing to a compliance certificate and calling it a day are long gone. As financial institutions race to meet DORA requirements, they're asking tougher questions of their vendors and expecting far more specific answers. The catch? Those answers aren't always easy to find.   Phoebe and Katy explore what DORA is really trying to achieve, why regulators are worried about a single cyber incident taking down multiple financial institutions at once, and how organizations can move beyond box-ticking exercises toward meaningful operational resilience. They also discuss the growing role of cybersecurity counsel, the challenges of managing third-party risk at scale, and why asking better questions is often the key to getting better answers.   In this episode:  Why DORA is much more than "just another compliance requirement"  The rising importance of cybersecurity counsel in modern organizations  How third-party and supply chain risk have become board-level concerns  What financial institutions should be asking their technology providers  The balance between transparency, security, and practical risk management  Why operational resilience is ultimately about keeping critical services running when things go wrong   And because no STEMINISTS episode is complete without an unexpected twist, Katy shares a fascinating archaeological discovery. History, it turns out, may have had its own STEMINISTS.   As always, make sure to like, follow and share with your inner circle.     Learn More: https://www.netapp.com/industries/financial-services/dora/   Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyrankin/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

  8. Jul 24

    Ep. 68 - Fan Favorite Replay | Mission Impossible: How Smart CISOs Actually Win

    Fan Favorite Replay: Originally one of our most talked-about episodes, we're bringing this conversation back because the insights are even more relevant today. As AI continues to transform the threat landscape and security leaders face mounting pressure from every direction, this episode remains a must-listen for CISOs, security professionals, and business leaders alike.  Being a CISO these days feels straight out of Mission Impossible... stopping the bad actors without the luxury of self-destructing instructions, fancy gadgets, or dramatic warning music. The stakes are sky-high, and the challenge of keeping an organization secure can often feel impossible. As AI rewrites the rules of business, security leaders find themselves navigating a perfect storm of shrinking budgets, expanding attack surfaces, and increasingly sophisticated threats.  In this fan-favorite episode, we cut through the noise with Shira Rubinoff, CEO of The Cybersphere Group, for a candid and eye-opening look at what CISOs are really up against. From deepfakes that can fool even seasoned professionals to shadow AI tools being used across organizations without oversight, Shira shares practical insights on the realities of modern cybersecurity leadership.  Shira breaks down the essential truths every security leader needs to understand:  Bolting on security after the fact is a guaranteed failure.  Your people can become your strongest line of defense through trust, awareness, and effective training.  AI is not here to replace security professionals, but to amplify their capabilities and effectiveness.  If you want to understand what really keeps CISOs up at night and how the best leaders are staying ahead of rapidly evolving threats, this is an episode you won't want to miss.    Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirarubinoff/

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About

Tech visionaries Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams bring their unique expertise to the microphone and expand the conversation around tech. They’ll bring fresh voices and often unheard perspectives you don’t want to miss. Ever wonder if you and your data are AI-ready? Cloud-ready? Is your business truly prepared for a ransomware attack? And is your data infrastructure intelligent and future-proof? Together, we’ll explore the latest trends and give you key insights that could change the way you do business.

Information

  • Creator
    Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The STEMINISTS Podcast

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