The IT Crowd Podcast

Upright Digital

Welcome to The IT Crowd Podcast, your go-to resource for industry news, IT consulting, cybersecurity, telecommunications, backup and recovery systems, and management and business consulting - all in one place. With an unmatched reach from top to bottom, our podcast connects business owners from leaders of highly notable corporations and tech entrepreneurs, to start-ups looking to build their network. Join us for expert insights and discussions across multiple industries, empowering you to make strategic IT decisions and drive your business forward.

  1. #32. AI & the Future of Drilling with William Fox

    16/12/2025

    #32. AI & the Future of Drilling with William Fox

    Live from the Daniel Energy Partners BBQ in Midland, hosts Josh Lowrey and Richard Rodriguez sit down with William Fox, General Manager of Drilling at Cova, to discuss how AI and automation are reshaping the oil and gas industry.    From predictive drilling to generative programs, get a sneak peek at the innovations driving efficiency, safety, and what’s coming next over the next 24 months.   Tune in now! 00:00 Welcome to the IT Crowd Podcast 00:07 Setting the Scene: Annual Energy Partners Barbecue 00:34 Event Overview and Audience Engagement 01:15 Introducing Richard Rodriguez 02:29 Special Guest: William Fox from Cova 04:00 Technological Innovations in Oil and Gas 04:49 Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Adoption 07:50 Generative AI and Machine Learning in Action 14:13 Success Stories and Future Prospects 16:30 The Value of Automation and Efficiency 17:10 Stuck Pipe Prediction Models 18:35 Customer Success and Market Growth 19:53 Adoption of AI and Machine Learning 21:10 Tailored Solutions for Clients 24:54 Future Tech Roadmap 29:31 Community and Networking at the Barbecue 31:27 Closing Remarks and Social Media

    32 min
  2. #31. Revolutionizing Oil & Gas: GeoForce's Journey at the Permian Basin BBQ

    09/12/2025

    #31. Revolutionizing Oil & Gas: GeoForce's Journey at the Permian Basin BBQ

    How is AI reshaping asset tracking in oil & gas? Join hosts Josh Lowery and Richard Rodriguez live from the Permian Basin BBQ as they sit down with Roopa Misra, SVP of Account Management at GeoForce. In this short but insightful conversation, they explore GeoForce’s journey from early energy trading to today’s AI-powered tracking, and what this evolution means for safety, efficiency, and the future of the industry. Tune in NOW! 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:36 Event Overview and Guest Introduction 02:43 Guest Background and Career Journey 04:54 Technological Advancements in Oil and Gas 10:47 Safety Innovations and Product Development 15:07 Data Utilization and Asset Management 20:09 Introduction to Powered Asset Class 20:27 Importance of Maintenance and Alerts 21:22 Role of AI in Predictive Maintenance 22:18 Advancements in AI and Technology 25:39 Customer Feedback and Integration 33:31 Global Presence and Commitment 36:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    37 min
  3. #30. Solution Stack | Digital Evolution with Jay Slaughter: AI, Insurance, and the Future of Business

    29/10/2025

    #30. Solution Stack | Digital Evolution with Jay Slaughter: AI, Insurance, and the Future of Business

    What makes someone walk away from a successful corporate career to start over? That’s exactly what Jay Slaughter did. Once the CIO at Tokio Marine, Jay decided to trade boardrooms for building his own insurance agency, and the story behind that decision is full of lessons about courage, innovation, and purpose. In this episode of Solution Stack, host Richard Rodriguez sits down with Jay to talk about how technology has evolved, the real impact of AI on business, and what digital modernization looks like from someone who’s lived on both sides, corporate and entrepreneurial. They unpack the risks, the rewards, and the human side of adopting new tech and how following your gut can sometimes be the smartest business decision you’ll ever make. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:40 Guest Introduction: Jay Slaughter 01:27 Technology and Modernization in Insurance 02:32 AI and Risk Management 03:53 Challenges in Modernization 08:02 Jay's Career Transition 10:11 Starting a New Business: Slaughter Family Insurance 11:54 The Importance of Proper Insurance Coverage 19:54 Leveraging Technology in Insurance 23:15 Conclusion and Contact Information

    25 min
  4. #29. Solution Stack | From SIP to AI: How IntelePeer Is Powering the Future of Automation

    14/10/2025

    #29. Solution Stack | From SIP to AI: How IntelePeer Is Powering the Future of Automation

    Discover how IntelePeer is reshaping the future of intelligent automation   In this episode of The Solution Stack, host Richard Rodriguez talks with Aqeel Shahid, SVP of Channel Sales at IntelePeer, about the company’s evolution from SIP to AI and automation, its partnerships with OpenAI and Azure, and the importance of data privacy. They also share practical steps to start an AI journey, key timelines, and real-world use cases across industries. Tune in now! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:20 Overview of IntelliPeer 01:13 AI and Automation Solutions 03:00 Privacy and Compliance Measures 05:38 Starting the AI Journey 11:50 Implementation and Change Management 15:57 Industry Use Cases and Success Stories 23:50 Customer Support and Sentiment Analysis 30:02 Conclusion and Contact Information

    31 min
  5. #28. Solution Stack | Reliable Connectivity with Jason Kerr

    23/09/2025

    #28. Solution Stack | Reliable Connectivity with Jason Kerr

    In this episode of Solution Stack, a featured segment of The ITCrowd podcast, powered by Upright Digital, host Richard Rodriguez talks with Jason Kerr, Channel Client Development Manager at Granite Telecommunications, about how multi-carrier SIM technology keeps oil & gas operations online and crews connected, from business-critical tasks to gaming and streaming after hours.

    20 min
  6. #27. Solution Stack | Bridging Cybersecurity and Business with Kevin Thomsen from Maxxsure

    02/09/2025

    #27. Solution Stack | Bridging Cybersecurity and Business with Kevin Thomsen from Maxxsure

    In this Solution Stack segment of The IT Crowd podcast, host Richard Rodriguez sits down with Kevin Thomsen, CRO at Maxxsure, to unpack the future of cyber risk quantification. Kevin explains how Maxxsure bridges the gap between technical experts and business leaders, helping organizations assess risk in financial terms, streamline security tools, and even reduce cyber insurance premiums.From gaming and banking to healthcare and energy, discover how MaxSure is reshaping resilience across industries. Tune in to learn how cybersecurity becomes a true business advantage .00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:21 Meet Kevin Thomsen, CRO of Maxxsure 00:35 Understanding Maxxsure: History and Evolution 02:40 Maxxsure's Unique Approach to Cybersecurity 05:57 Financial Impact and Risk Quantification 10:00 Maxxsure's Role in Cybersecurity Insurance 14:27 Maxxsure for Different Business Sizes 17:54 Maxxsure's Success in Various Industries 19:58 Maxxsure's Impact on Oil and Gas Sector 29:34 Maxxsure's Subscription Model and Assessments 32:54 Conclusion and Contact Information

    37 min

  7. 13/05/2025

    #26. Jason Potts, Founder and CEO at Lifetime Wealth Management

    Generational wealth isn’t luck—it’s strategy.  In this special episode of The IT Crowd podcast, hosts Josh Lowrey and Richard Rodriguez broadcast from the Cowboys Club in Frisco, Texas, with guests Jason Potts, Founder and CEO of Lifetime Wealth Management, and Tim Tatarowicz, Director of Annuities and Strategic Initiative.   🎙️ Key topics: Building and evolving a wealth management firm from the ground upStrategies for managing generational wealthThe role of adaptability and mindset in long-term successHow AI and technology are shaping the future of financial services  Whether you're a business leader or planning your financial future, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration you can use. 00:00 Introduction and Special Location 00:55 Event Overview: EWTC Annual Meeting 01:25 Special Guests Introduction 01:55 Jason's Journey: Lifetime Wealth Services 02:54 Tim's Career Highlights 05:25 The Importance of Mentorship 10:07 Navigating Financial Services 12:16 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Successes 23:48 Technology in Wealth Management 25:36 Outsourcing and Cybersecurity Management 26:22 The Reality of Cyber Threats 27:36 The Business of Hacking 28:37 Client Security and Trust 29:57 The Role of AI in Financial Services 32:55 Navigating Market Volatility 37:29 Work-Life Balance and Remote Work 39:17 Leadership and Business Growth 43:17 Generational Wealth and Financial Services 46:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    57 min

  8. 08/04/2025

    #25. Robby Gulri, Field CTO At Rapidscale

    In this episode, hosts Josh Lowrey and Richard Rodriguez are live from the Daniel Energy Partners Thrive Conference at Daikin Park. They’re joined by Robby Gulri, Head of Channel and CTO at RapidScale. Robby shares his inspiring journey—from learning English by listening to baseball announcers to becoming a key leader in technology integration. Key topics include the evolving role of CIOs, data management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and the growing impact of AI across industries. Robby also discusses RapidScale’s customer-centric approach and emphasizes the importance of aligning IT strategy with business outcomes.  00:28 Minute Maid Park Renaming Story 01:09 Dinner Anecdote and Guest Introduction 02:58 Guest's Background and Career Journey 05:13 The Role of Technology in Business 11:17 Data and AI in Modern Business 23:08 Cybersecurity and Multi-Cloud Strategies 26:02 AI Tools: The Double-Edged Sword 26:32 Coolest AI Implementations in Business 29:13 The Iceberg Analogy: Understanding AI Deployment 33:20 The Importance of Security and Resiliency 39:06 Data-Driven Decision Making 42:30 The Legacy and Vision of Rapid Scale 45:34 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    54 min
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Welcome to The IT Crowd Podcast, your go-to resource for industry news, IT consulting, cybersecurity, telecommunications, backup and recovery systems, and management and business consulting - all in one place. With an unmatched reach from top to bottom, our podcast connects business owners from leaders of highly notable corporations and tech entrepreneurs, to start-ups looking to build their network. Join us for expert insights and discussions across multiple industries, empowering you to make strategic IT decisions and drive your business forward.

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