Soul of the CIO

Nexthink

Soul of the CIO is a new studio-based podcast series spotlighting candid conversations with IT executives and technology influencers. With exclusive sponsorship from Nexthink, the series explores the personal journeys, professional philosophies, and strategic insights of today’s top IT leaders—offering valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech. Be sure to check out the in-person video versions over on YouTube!

  1. Jun 26

    The Hidden Reason AI Projects Fail | Jason Luce, CTO, Paperless Parts

    What happens when AI meets one of the world's most complex and high stakes industries? n this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Jason Luce, CTO of Paperless Parts, to explore how manufacturers are adopting AI, automation, and modern software while preserving the expertise that keeps supply chains moving. Jason shares why the future of AI in manufacturing is not about replacing people, but empowering them with better insights, streamlined workflows, and greater transparency. From aerospace supply chains and digital transformation to process mapping and change management, this conversation offers practical lessons for technology leaders navigating AI adoption at scale. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube @SouloftheCIO

    33 min

  2. Jun 11

    What Does the CIA Know About AI That You Don’t? | Sue Gordon

    What can intelligence leaders teach today's CIOs about risk, innovation, and navigating uncertainty? In this episode of Soul of the CIO, former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon shares lessons from a remarkable career spanning intelligence, cybersecurity, technology innovation, and national security. From helping launch In-Q-Tel to shaping cyber strategy at the highest levels of government, Sue offers a unique perspective on how leaders can balance innovation with governance in an increasingly complex world. The conversation explores the challenges of competing with authoritarian nations, the evolving relationship between government and the private sector, the future of AI and quantum computing, and why resilience matters more than perfection when managing risk. Sue also reflects on her experience serving in the intelligence community, working through major geopolitical challenges, and leading organizations through periods of rapid change. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube @SouloftheCIO

    1 hr

  3. May 28

    Leidos CIO: Building a Proactive, AI-Enabled IT Organization

    In this episode of Soul of the CIO, Leidos CIO Alexandra Guenther shares how one of the world’s most complex technology organizations is transforming IT service delivery, digital employee experience, and enterprise AI at massive scale. From supporting 50,000 employees across global defense, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure operations to reducing IT ticket volume through proactive self-healing systems, Alexandra breaks down what it takes to modernize technology inside highly regulated environments. The conversation explores digital employee experience (DEX), AI transformation, predictive analytics, enterprise data strategy, and how CIOs can use technology to unlock productivity and innovation. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouloftheCIO/videos

    32 min

  4. May 15

    Employees Are Using AI in Secret. Here’s Why That’s Dangerous. | MIT's Dawn Fitzgerald

    In this episode of Soul of the CIO, Dawn Fitzgerald shares why organizations are facing a true “adopt or perish” moment with artificial intelligence. Drawing on leadership roles at Schneider Electric, American Family Insurance, Homesite Insurance, and SharkNinja, as well as her work teaching at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dawn explains how leaders can safely integrate AI into engineering, marketing, finance, HR, and every part of the business. She discusses why software engineers often hide their use of tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude, and how that creates security, privacy, and governance risks. Dawn outlines a practical framework for enterprise AI adoption: mandate usage, provide secure tools, train teams, establish guardrails, and reward experimentation. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@SouloftheCIO)

    30 min

  5. May 15

    How I Built, Lost, And Won Back UNILAD | Alex Partridge

    In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with entrepreneur and UNILAD co-founder Alex Partridge for a candid conversation about leadership, mental health, and the realities behind building high-growth digital businesses. Alex shares the untold story of how he built one of the world’s largest social media brands, only to be removed from his own company after signing a partnership agreement he instinctively didn’t trust. What followed was a five-year legal battle, a deeply personal mental health crisis, and ultimately, a hard-fought victory to reclaim what he had built. This episode goes beyond entrepreneurship. It explores the intersection of anxiety, ADHD, leadership, and performance, and how understanding your own mind can be the difference between burnout and breakthrough. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube.

    41 min

  6. May 15

    How Meta Transformed Stores Into Data Machines | Martin Gilliard (Ex-Meta, Barney’s, Microsoft)

    In this episode of Soul of the CIO, Martin Gilliard, (Optierra, Ex-Meta, Barney’s, Microsoft) breaks down the future of retail and why physical stores are more important than ever. While many believe e-commerce has taken over, the reality is very different. Over 80% of transactions still happen in physical stores, and retailers are transforming those spaces into powerful data-driven engines. We explore how modern retail brands are no longer just selling products. Instead, they are leveraging data, personalization, and omnichannel strategies to create better customer experiences, drive higher profits, and compete in a rapidly changing market. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube.

    38 min

  7. May 15

    Save the Children: Why Today’s CIOs Can’t Just “Keep the Lights On”

    In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Trevor Gordon from Save the Children to explore how technology, data, and AI are transforming the future of humanitarian work. Trevor shares his journey from the private sector back into the nonprofit world—and how that full-circle moment shaped his perspective on leadership, innovation, and impact. From supporting frontline workers in high-risk environments to managing complex global IT infrastructure, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to deliver technology at scale for good. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube.

    35 min

  8. Mar 11

    Google’s First Chief Decision Scientist on AI vs “Work Slop” (w/ Cassie Kozyrkov)

    In this episode of Soul of the CIO, we sit down with Cassie Kozyrkov, globally recognized AI leader, statistician, and former Chief Decision Scientist at Google. Known for founding the field of Decision Intelligence, Cassie has helped some of the world’s largest organizations harness artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning to drive smarter business outcomes. Join us as we explore how CIOs and technology executives can move beyond hype and turn AI strategy into measurable impact. Cassie shares practical insights on building data-driven cultures, improving executive decision-making, managing AI risk, and leading digital transformation with confidence. Soul of the CIO is Sponsored by Nexthink, the leader in digital employee experience. Learn more: nexthink.com  Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of IT and technology.  Find the full in-studio video version on YouTube.

    32 min
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About

Soul of the CIO is a new studio-based podcast series spotlighting candid conversations with IT executives and technology influencers. With exclusive sponsorship from Nexthink, the series explores the personal journeys, professional philosophies, and strategic insights of today’s top IT leaders—offering valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech. Be sure to check out the in-person video versions over on YouTube!

Information

  • Creator
    Nexthink
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Nexthink
  • Show Website
    Soul of the CIO