Coffee Meets Cloud

Caramie McCollum, Cassandra Parker, Rachel Rogers

Where tech careers, leadership lessons, and life’s daily chaos collide — all over a strong cup of coffee. Hosted by three tech professionals and full-time working moms, Coffee Meets Cloud brings you real conversations about navigating the evolving world of technology, growing your career, and balancing it all with the beautiful (and sometimes messy) realities of everyday life. Whether you’re leading a deployment, managing a project, or negotiating bedtime (or all three at once), you’ll find a seat at our table. No filters. No fluff. Just honest, caffeinated conversations about thriving — at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

  1. 3d ago

    From Cursive to ChatGPT

    Technology has become a permanent fixture in our classrooms—but what are students gaining, and what might they be losing? In this episode, we dive into the growing role of technology in education and explore an increasingly important question: Which skills should children still practice deliberately because technology doesn't build them automatically? From handwriting and spelling to critical thinking, problem-solving, and navigating disagreement, we discuss how school-issued devices, AI tools, and digital-first learning environments are changing the way children learn. While technology creates incredible opportunities, it can also make it easy to outsource skills that were once considered foundational. We also explore: • Whether convenience is replacing capability in education • The impact of AI and automated tools on critical thinking • How personalized algorithms can limit exposure to different viewpoints • The connection between technology, dopamine-driven behavior, and rising anxiety among young people • What parents can do to help children develop skills that screens can't teach As parents and technology professionals, we're not advocating for less innovation—we're asking how we can be more intentional about preparing kids for a world where technology is everywhere. Resources Mentioned: Olympic Minds Podcast: Leadership Beyond Limits (Episode 34 featuring Sherry Winn) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCQ7Pa1beyOKTIc9hByCe62XS7ouJWzZy The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt https://www.anxiousgeneration.com

    44 min

  2. Jun 2

    Summer Woes and Southern Manners

    This week on Coffee Meets Cloud, we’re diving into the chaos, comedy, and contradictions of modern life — from surviving summer break with overstimulated kids to navigating workplace burnout, AI adoption, Southern etiquette, and personal loss. We unpack the idea that today’s kids may be losing the ability to simply be bored, how AI is quietly reshaping the way we think and work, and why tech professionals are living years ahead of the general public when it comes to AI adoption. Along the way, we share our own experiences using tools like ChatGPT and Claude for everything from meal planning to productivity — and where we think the line between convenience and cognitive atrophy starts to blur. The conversation also takes a more personal turn as we talk about grief, health journeys, family genetics, and the emotional whiplash of adulthood. From endocrinology appointments and anti-inflammatory diets to losing beloved pets and grandparents in the same week, this episode balances humor and heartbreak in the way only real friendship can. And of course, we couldn’t resist ending with a conversation about Southern manners, raising respectful kids, workplace meeting culture, and whether being underestimated might actually be a superpower. It’s thoughtful, funny, honest, and a little all over the place — exactly like summer.

    47 min

  3. May 26

    Out of Office, Out of Tune, Out of Patience

    This week, the Coffee Meets Cloud crew goes everywhere — from Botox injections and gray hair to remote-work ethics, family guilt, performance culture, and the pressure to constantly “have it together.” What starts as Friday chaos (kids home from school, dog drama, tech issues) quickly turns into one of the most honest conversations yet. The hosts unpack aging without apology, the money and mental load behind “maintenance,” shifting workplace expectations for women, and why visible spending doesn’t automatically mean someone is wealthy. They also dive into remote work boundaries, green-dot culture, “mouse jigglers,” time fraud, and the dangerous obsession with measuring presence instead of outcomes. Along the way: stories about over-employed contractors, high performers who finish 8 hours of work in 4, and the uncomfortable truth about how many organizations reward optics over actual value. Layered underneath the humor is a bigger conversation about identity, performance, guilt, and learning how to prioritize the life happening right in front of you. Until then, keep your coffee strong.

    48 min

  4. May 19

    Retuning Life, One String at a Time

    What do you do when people disappoint you? This episode started with a commencement speech about guitars going out of tune… and somehow turned into one of our most honest conversations yet. We talk about friendship heartbreak, parenting through disappointment, learning who your real people are, and why life isn’t about having a huge circle — it’s about knowing who actually shows up. Also: • Cassandra reviews an energy drink that tastes like sunscreen • Rachel buys patriotic metal roosters • Caramie accidentally starts a conversation about emotional survival Basically: laughter, life lessons, and chaos. Our favorite kind of episode.

    31 min

  5. May 12

    The Risk You Don’t Know You’re Taking: Why Employer Benefits Aren’t Enough

    In this episode of Coffee Meets Cloud, we sit down with insurance agency owner Mark Irwin for a conversation that hits closer to home than most people realize. From life insurance and disability coverage to the hidden gaps in employer-provided benefits, we unpack the risks many families don’t discover until it’s too late. Mark breaks down the common misconceptions around workplace coverage, what actually happens when you change jobs or retire, and why “having benefits” doesn’t always mean you’re truly protected. We also keep it real and practical — covering the difference between term and whole life insurance, the overlooked importance of disability coverage, and the simple questions everyone should ask about their current policies. Whether you’re early in your career, raising a family, or just trying to make smarter financial decisions, this episode is packed with insight that could change the way you think about protection and long-term stability. And of course, we start with coffee, comfort food, and Mark’s journey into the insurance world before diving into the bigger conversation.

    57 min

  6. May 5

    Innovation, Leadership, and the People We’re Losing

    This episode explores what it really takes to drive innovation—and why it’s not about doing everything yourself. We unpack the rising number of women leaving tech, the deeper causes behind it, and what leaders can do differently. Plus, a candid conversation about remote work habits and how your day-to-day presence impacts your team more than you think.

    38 min

  7. Apr 28

    Coffee, Kids, and Conferences

    This week, we’re bringing you the real mix of life behind the scenes—coffee in hand, kids in chaos, and conference season in full swing. We kick things off at home, sharing the very unfiltered realities of parenting—from sick-day surprises and school challenges to navigating speech support, ADHD wins, and the long wait times that come with today’s healthcare system. Along the way, we get into the moments no one prepares you for… and what they’re quietly teaching us about patience, consistency, and emotional regulation. Then we shift gears into conference mode—breaking down what it’s really like attending events like Dreamforce, TrailheadX, and Google Next. From packed sessions and badge logistics to flight struggles and navigating Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, we’re unpacking the parts no highlight reel shows. We close by connecting it all—how the same skills we’re building as parents (self-regulation, awareness, consistency) are the exact ones that show up in how we lead teams, make decisions, and show up professionally. Because whether you’re managing a toddler meltdown or a high-stakes project… the playbook isn’t all that different.

    42 min

  8. Apr 21

    Speaking Up: Health and Interviews

    This episode connects two areas where advocacy matters more than people realize: your health and your career. We share Caramie’s thyroid journey and what it looks like to push for answers when symptoms don’t follow a clear pattern, and why so many issues get dismissed or overlooked early on. Then we shift to what we’ve learned as tech leaders on the hiring side—why strong candidates still don’t get offers, and how communication, specificity, and clarity make the difference in interviews. Different situations, same skill: if you can’t clearly advocate for yourself, you risk being overlooked.

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Where tech careers, leadership lessons, and life’s daily chaos collide — all over a strong cup of coffee. Hosted by three tech professionals and full-time working moms, Coffee Meets Cloud brings you real conversations about navigating the evolving world of technology, growing your career, and balancing it all with the beautiful (and sometimes messy) realities of everyday life. Whether you’re leading a deployment, managing a project, or negotiating bedtime (or all three at once), you’ll find a seat at our table. No filters. No fluff. Just honest, caffeinated conversations about thriving — at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

Information

  • Creator
    Caramie McCollum, Cassandra Parker, Rachel Rogers
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Coffee Meets Cloud