The Software Leaders Uncensored Podcast

Steve Taplin
  • 0.0 (0)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Software Leaders Uncensored isn’t your typical tech podcast—it’s a candid dive into the minds of the industry’s top innovators. Each episode is a raw, behind-the-scenes conversation with the leaders who are shaping the future of software—how they’re building, scaling, and dominating in their markets. This is where cutting-edge tech meets unfiltered storytelling.

  1. 4D AGO

    You've Got To ACT. Do NOT Ruminate On Decisions w/ Martin Mrugal | Episode 178

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Martin Mrugal, CEO of Alchemer, about the evolution of customer feedback platforms, the integration of AI in software development, and the importance of data-driven decision-making in leadership. They discuss the challenges of innovation speed, the future of surveys, and how to build a customer-centric culture. Martin shares insights on making tough decisions as a CEO and offers practical advice for tech leaders navigating today's fast-paced environment.

    29 min

  2. FEB 18

    Trust, AI, and Scaling Smart: Valuable Leadership Lessons w/ Guyte McCord | Episode 177

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin interviews Guyte McCord, CEO of Graphika, discussing his career journey from CRO to CEO, the challenges of remote work, the impact of AI on product development, and the importance of building trust within technical teams. They explore the complexities of scaling a tech company, addressing technical debt, and navigating the hype surrounding AI. Guyte shares insights on effective productivity systems and offers advice to tech leaders on deeply understanding problem spaces.

    29 min

  3. FEB 15

    Product and Engineering Can Be Separate, but NEVER Disconnected w/ Todd Persen | Episode 176

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Todd Persen, CTO of Hydrolix, about his journey in the observability space, the growth of Hydrolix, and the challenges of managing a global engineering team. They discuss the importance of trust in leadership, the balance between product and engineering, and the role of AI in engineering workflows. Todd shares insights on learning from failures and the significance of shortening release cycles to enhance customer value.

    28 min

  4. FEB 12

    How to Use Tech Debt WITHOUT Going Bankrupt w/ Maha Virudhagiri | Episode 175

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Maha Virudhagiri, CTO of Coalition, about the intersection of cyber insurance and technology. They discuss Maha's journey to Coalition, the challenges faced by engineering teams, the adoption of AI tools for productivity, and the importance of a high agency culture in a remote work environment. Maha shares insights on managing tech debt, onboarding engineers, and the significance of tracking meaningful metrics while avoiding complexity in organizations. He concludes with valuable advice for tech leaders on building effective teams and fostering a productive work environment.

    30 min

  5. FEB 9

    AI Helps, But Fundamentals WIN In Strong Product Development w/ Michael Cieri | Episode 174

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Michael Cieri, EVP of Software at BILL, about the company's mission to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through innovative financial management solutions. Michael shares insights from his extensive career in technology, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs, the challenges of integrating AI into workflows, and lessons from past product development and pricing experiences. He also discusses the significance of building trust with SMB clients and offers advice for tech leaders navigating the evolving landscape of technology and AI.

    30 min

  6. FEB 5

    Vibe Coding Is NOT Enough, An Engineer MUST Review Our Code FIRST w/ Eric Poff | Episode 173

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Eric Poff, CTO of Verve Labs, about his journey to becoming a technology leader, the innovative projects at Verve Labs, and the importance of human-centered AI. They discuss the engineering work model, the significance of communication within teams, and the balance between product and technology roles. Eric shares insights on experimentation, vibe coding, and the metrics that matter in engineering, as well as common mistakes organizations make. The conversation concludes with Eric's no-nonsense advice for tech leaders navigating today's challenges.

    29 min

  7. JAN 31

    Save Countless Hours With AI, Master Prompts & Vibe Coding w/ Brian Bauer | Episode 172

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Brian Bauer, VP of AI Products at Rational Exponent. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the banking sector, the development of their flagship product re:agent, and the importance of understanding the business needs of banking to create effective AI solutions. Brian shares insights on team dynamics in a remote work environment, the significance of collaboration between product and engineering teams, and the innovative approach of vibe coding for rapid prototyping. He also highlights common mistakes in AI development and offers valuable advice for tech leaders navigating the evolving landscape of AI.

    25 min

  8. JAN 28

    Why Aligning Your Product & Engineering Teams Earlier WORKS w/ Jeff Prince, CTO of XOi | Episode 171

    In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Jeff Prince, CTO of XOi, about the evolution of engineering leadership, challenges in field service management, and the integration of AI in software development. They discuss the importance of aligning product and engineering teams, effective onboarding of new engineers, and key metrics for engineering success. Jeff shares insights on dealing with non-technical stakeholders and the lessons learned from failures in his career. The conversation concludes with advice for tech leaders navigating the industry's complexities.

    32 min
See All (173)

About

Software Leaders Uncensored isn’t your typical tech podcast—it’s a candid dive into the minds of the industry’s top innovators. Each episode is a raw, behind-the-scenes conversation with the leaders who are shaping the future of software—how they’re building, scaling, and dominating in their markets. This is where cutting-edge tech meets unfiltered storytelling.

Information