Conversations from the Show Floor

Tech Talks Network

Conversations from the Show Floor is your front-row pass to the most important conversations happening in enterprise technology today. Brought to you by the Tech Talks Network, this podcast captures the energy, ideas, and insights shared in real time at global tech conferences. Hosted by Neil C. Hughes, also known for the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, this series features spontaneous and candid discussions with tech leaders, innovators, and decision-makers—recorded live on the show floor. Each episode explores the realities of business transformation, the challenges leaders are navigating, and the technologies redefining industries. From AI adoption to infrastructure strategy, cybersecurity to sustainability, these conversations offer unfiltered perspectives from those actively shaping the future of tech. Whether you're a business leader, technologist, founder, or investor, Conversations from the Show Floor brings you into the heart of enterprise innovation—no badge required. Search "Tech Talks Network" to discover other shows in the series or follow to get new episodes as they drop from events around the world.

  1. What Kevin McCallister From Home Alone Can Teach Us About XDR

    11/17/2025

    What Kevin McCallister From Home Alone Can Teach Us About XDR

    What happens when you record a security conversation in a venue built inside an Austrian mountain? You get something that feels sharper, more grounded, and far more human than a typical industry chat. I sat down with Adam Khan, VP of Global Security Operations at Barracuda XDR, and Eric Russo, Director of SOC Defensive Security, during Barracuda TechSummit25 in Alpbach, where the peaks rise on every side and the air seems to clear the noise around modern cybersecurity. Adam and Eric lead the teams that track, interpret, and act on attacks moving across email, identity, networks, cloud, and endpoints. This is the engine room behind Barracuda XDR, and our conversation dug into what those operations actually look like when threats move fast and visibility is everything. What struck me most was the mix of optimism and realism. Adam speaks with three decades of hard-earned experience, yet carries a sense of purpose that feels rare in a field defined by bad headlines. Eric brings a forensic lens shaped by years inside the SOC, where decisions must be made in seconds rather than hours. Together they paint a picture of how attacks unfold today and why integrated defense has become the only viable way to keep pace. We talked about the way attackers now operate as coordinated units with their own playbooks, and how the best cyber defenders are beginning to mirror that discipline. Adam shared a football formation metaphor that landed with everyone in the room, showing how the principles of pressure, spacing, and anticipation mirror what security teams deal with every day. That analogy extended into real stories of ransomware groups such as Akira, and how the Barracuda SOC has been intercepting attacks that begin with zero day VPN exploits and then cascade into email and endpoint compromise. Hearing both of them describe how XDR stitches those layers together into a single view made the stakes feel clearer. Without that shift, the noise, the tool sprawl, and the speed of attacks would bury even the most experienced teams. There was also a moment where cybersecurity met Home Alone, and it worked in a way I never expected. Adam explained XDR through Kevin McCallister’s improvised defence of the family home, and it became the simplest way I have ever heard the concept explained. It reminded everyone listening why clarity matters, especially when the language in this industry can easily shut people out. Eric followed with a view on automation, AI, and the shift from reactive investigation to proactive threat hunting. The two perspectives created a fuller picture of where the field is heading and why integrated platforms are quickly replacing the old model of isolated point tools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrAsYyGo6Yk NordLayer sponsors the Tech Talks Network: Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code: techdaily-28. Valid until December 10th, 2025. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

    37 min
  2. Inside VMware Explore: The Future of Private AI

    09/06/2025

    Inside VMware Explore: The Future of Private AI

    Recorded live at VMware Explore in Las Vegas, I sat down with Tasha Drew from Broadcom to talk about one of the hottest topics in enterprise tech: private AI. Fresh off the main stage, where she helped debut VMware Cloud Foundation Intelligent Assist and the expansion of VMware’s Private AI Services, Tasha shares her perspective on what’s driving adoption and why it matters now. We examine the three core pillars of private AI: protecting intellectual property, safeguarding sensitive data, and managing private models with rigorous access controls. Tasha also explains how VMware’s Private AI Services are designed to move organizations from experimentation in the public cloud to production-ready deployments in their own private environments, delivering both privacy and cost efficiency. From the launch of Intelligent Assist for VCF to the role of Model Context Protocol (MCP) in enabling agentic workflows, she offers insight into the innovations that are making AI-native private clouds a reality. We also dig into VMware’s partnerships with NVIDIA and AMD, the economics of cloud repatriation, and the practical reasons enterprises are choosing private AI over public options. If you want a front-row seat to how VMware and Broadcom are shaping the next phase of enterprise AI, this episode captures the energy and insight straight from the show floor. ********* Visit the Sponsor of Tech Talks Network: Land your first job in tech in 6 months as a Software QA Engineering Bootcamp with Careerist https://crst.co/OGCLA

    20 min
  3. Groq and Cisco: Powering the Next Generation of AI Infrastructure

    08/11/2025

    Groq and Cisco: Powering the Next Generation of AI Infrastructure

    Recorded live at Cisco Live, I speak with Cameron Ferdinands, Director of Networking and Datacenter Engineering at Groq, about how the company is redefining AI infrastructure. We explore Groq’s software-first approach to AI hardware, its use of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches, NX-OS, and Cisco Optics, and how this combination delivers faster AI inference, improved energy efficiency, and lower costs. From healthcare to autonomous vehicles, Cameron shares how Groq’s innovations are helping industries accelerate discovery and deploy AI at scale.

    17 min
  4. From Chaos to Confidence: How Cisco Is Reimagining Customer Experience with Agentic AI

    07/26/2025

    From Chaos to Confidence: How Cisco Is Reimagining Customer Experience with Agentic AI

    At Cisco Live in San Diego, I had the chance to sit down with Carlos Pereira, Cisco Fellow and Chief Architect for Customer Experience. You’ll hear it in the energy of this episode, Carlos isn’t just explaining Cisco’s AI vision; he’s lived through 25 years of evolution at the company and is now helping lead the transformation. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore: Why Carlos believes everything in customer experience is a workflow—and how agentic AI is finally giving those workflows the intelligence they’ve lackedHow Cisco is embedding AI assistants directly inside its products, creating seamless support experiences with real-time resolution and context carryoverThe meaning behind "config confidence" and how it’s helping eliminate 25% of support cases caused by configuration errorsThe human element: why Cisco views AI as an augmenting force—not a replacement—and how it’s using blind tests and internal education to build trust and boost adoptionWhat separates vendors who are experimenting with agentic AI from those who are actually scaling it across enterprise environmentsCarlos also reflects on what’s driving mass AI adoption in customer support and why perfection is the wrong goal in this new era. You’ll walk away with real-world examples of agentic AI in action—and a clear view of where Cisco sees the future of customer experience heading. 📊 Referenced in this episode: The Cisco Agentic AI Report: 68% of customer support interactions will be AI-handled by 2028. 🎧 Whether you're a CX leader, IT decision-maker, or just curious about how Cisco is making AI real, this is a must-listen from the heart of Cisco Live.

    38 min
  5. Beyond Connectivity: How Cisco is Rewriting the Rules of Wireless with Wi-Fi 7

    07/17/2025

    Beyond Connectivity: How Cisco is Rewriting the Rules of Wireless with Wi-Fi 7

    Live from the buzzing showfloor at Cisco Live, I’m joined by two of Cisco’s top wireless minds: Matt MacPherson, Enterprise Wireless CTO, and Jerome Henry, wireless standards expert and co-author of Wi-Fi 7 In-Depth. In this packed conversation, we unpack the real breakthroughs behind Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 announcements and explore how next-gen connectivity is already transforming the enterprise experience. From stadiums and hospitals to warehouses and schools, wireless is no longer just about speed. It's about orchestration, precision, and trust. You’ll hear: Why Wi-Fi 7 goes far beyond MLO (multi-link operation) and how it prioritizes real-time traffic based on actual needsHow AI is already managing wireless infrastructure, optimizing channel use and radio power in real timeWhy fine timing measurement (FTM), BLE, UWB, and indoor GPS are unlocking hyper-accurate location services for smart buildingsHow Cisco Spaces is using wireless data to improve space utilization, wayfinding, and the overall user experienceWhat it really takes to design high-density environments, especially when thousands of people show up and change the RF landscapeAnd how Wi-Fi 8 and AI-native architectures are already in developmentWant to go deeper? Grab Jerome’s book Wi-Fi 7 In-Depth to explore the thinking behind the standard. And keep an eye out for his upcoming title on AI and wireless.

    33 min
  6. Inside Atlassian's Rovo: Why 2025 Is the Year of the AI Teammate

    07/08/2025

    Inside Atlassian's Rovo: Why 2025 Is the Year of the AI Teammate

    In this episode of Conversations from the Show Floor, recorded live at Atlassian’s Team ’25 in Anaheim, we go deep with Jamil Valliani, Head of AI Products at Atlassian, to explore the company’s bold bet on generative AI: Rovo. But this is not just another AI product launch. Jamil shares how Rovo’s enterprise search, contextual chat, and Agent Studio are working together to eliminate workplace friction, from triaging tickets to drafting executive summaries, and helping teams reclaim their time. We also dive into Atlassian’s decision to offer Rovo to all paid users at no additional cost, a move designed to fast-track adoption and encourage experimentation at scale. With up to 2x ROI, 105 minutes saved per day, and 85% of users reporting better work quality, this is a rare look at how AI is not just automating tasks but transforming how teams collaborate, make decisions, and build culture. Jamil breaks down what it means to work alongside AI teammates, what early adopters are building with over 3,000 agents already in play, and why leadership buy-in from founders to frontline teams is the secret to success. Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking to scale, this episode offers real-world strategies to turn hype into habit. Tune in for a front-row seat to the future of work, straight from the show floor.

    25 min
  7. Reimagining Trello: Inside the Biggest Evolution Yet with Gaurav Kataria

    06/24/2025

    Reimagining Trello: Inside the Biggest Evolution Yet with Gaurav Kataria

    At Team 25 in Anaheim, I sat down with Gaurav Kataria, Head of Product for Trello at Atlassian, to unpack the biggest release in Trello’s history and what it means for millions who rely on this trusted tool. In this live show floor conversation, Gaurav shares how Trello is evolving beyond its familiar Kanban board roots and becoming an AI-powered productivity companion designed for individuals. We explore why this strategic change matters in a world filled with endless emails, chat threads and scattered to-dos, and how the new features — like an intelligent inbox, a planning layer and deep integration with Slack, Gmail and personal calendars — help people stay focused and organised. Gaurav explains how Trello’s latest updates are inspired by real user habits and thoughtful design, keeping simplicity at the heart of the experience. He also shares why Atlassian believes in building specialised tools that work together rather than trying to create one app that does it all. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the future of personal productivity, the role of AI as your digital assistant and how Trello plans to stay true to its easy and visual nature while adding smarter tools. If you have ever moved a card from to-do to done and felt a sense of satisfaction, you will enjoy this conversation.

    28 min
  8. Atlassian’s System of Work: Rethinking Collaboration from the Ground Up

    06/10/2025

    Atlassian’s System of Work: Rethinking Collaboration from the Ground Up

    Live from Team '25 in Anaheim, this special episode of Conversations from the Showfloor features a one-on-one with Anu Bharadwaj, President of Atlassian. As teams continue to struggle with fragmented tools, scattered goals, and overwhelming noise, Atlassian is presenting a new way forward. A unified System of Work built for the complexity of modern collaboration. Anu walks us through how this vision came to life, shaped by Atlassian’s experience leading a globally distributed, remote-first workforce of 13,000 employees across 13 countries. This isn't theory. It’s lived experience. From that foundation comes a modular approach to enterprise productivity, connecting people, tools, and information into one intelligent framework. Making the Invisible Visible The conversation dives deep into the newly introduced Teamwork Graph, a connected layer of more than 10 billion data objects. This isn't just about analytics. It’s about enabling what Anu calls digital serendipity, those unexpected, helpful connections between projects, ideas, and people that drive great work. Alongside the data, Atlassian is introducing AI teammates like Rovo. These are not faceless bots that spit out tasks. They are contextual, customizable, and even come with a bit of personality. With over a million users already onboard, Rovo is a sign that teams are ready for collaboration that feels more natural and less mechanical. Real Impact, Real Outcomes What sets this conversation apart is the focus on outcomes. HarperCollins has reduced manual work by four times. Doodle.com has cut planning time by 93 percent. Thumbtack now resolves 15 percent of support tickets automatically. These are not prototypes or beta features. They are real-world results from companies applying the System of Work. We also touch on Atlassian’s guiding philosophy. To bring joy back into team collaboration. The idea is not just to build faster tools, but to rebuild the work environment around clarity, connection, and purpose. That includes recreating the water cooler moments that remote work tends to erase, turning everyday work into something more fluid and human. What Leaders Should Know For technology leaders, this episode offers practical guidance. Start by strengthening your data layer. Think carefully about where AI can support, not replace, human decision-making. And above all, make sure your teams are part of the journey. As Anu shares, lasting change starts when people feel seen, connected, and empowered. The System of Work is not just another product announcement. It is a framework for envisioning the future of work. For real people, in real businesses, under real pressure. Whether you’re leading a global enterprise or a fast-moving startup, this conversation offers fresh thinking on how to fix what’s broken in workplace collaboration and how to build something better.

    25 min
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About

Conversations from the Show Floor is your front-row pass to the most important conversations happening in enterprise technology today. Brought to you by the Tech Talks Network, this podcast captures the energy, ideas, and insights shared in real time at global tech conferences. Hosted by Neil C. Hughes, also known for the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, this series features spontaneous and candid discussions with tech leaders, innovators, and decision-makers—recorded live on the show floor. Each episode explores the realities of business transformation, the challenges leaders are navigating, and the technologies redefining industries. From AI adoption to infrastructure strategy, cybersecurity to sustainability, these conversations offer unfiltered perspectives from those actively shaping the future of tech. Whether you're a business leader, technologist, founder, or investor, Conversations from the Show Floor brings you into the heart of enterprise innovation—no badge required. Search "Tech Talks Network" to discover other shows in the series or follow to get new episodes as they drop from events around the world.

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