Bigger Better Bolder IT Podcast

Shaun Bourque

If you're an IT exec, you're constantly dealing with putting out fires vs innovating, asking to do more with less budget, and stay a step ahead of the competition while attracting and retaining talent. As an account executive working with top performing IT Innovators, I've noticed the winners of this arms race are able to slow down, reflect, realign, and envision - so they can ignite a bold direction for themselves and what they will bring to life over the next year (and beyond). This podcast will help you unearth opportunities to do your Biggest, best and boldest work - and be the best and boldest version of yourself How do we get there? Twice a month I will be interviewing IT leaders on their Sources of Motivation, curiosity, and what brings fulfillment. We'll dive into their top priorities, challenges, and future plans Too often the human element is left out of enterprise technology, and as we know it's people and their priorities that drive decisions. So tune in and enjoy the Bigger, Better, Bolder IT Podcast

  1. 1d ago

    The Psychology of IT Leadership with Ken Widener, CIO

    Episode description Ken Widener, CIO and EVP of Do it Best Corp., started in psychology and planned a career in family counseling. He ended up leading IT for a major retail co-op. Ken talks about how he applies that background to leadership. He covers: Treating a company like a living being with its own personality. Starting with purpose before technology when integrating teams after an acquisition. Leading people through change, and why it's okay for managers to say "I don't know." Servant leadership and why leaders shouldn't become the bottleneck. Key takeaways Lead with purpose before technology. After the True Value acquisition, the first question was how to drive profitability for members, not which platform to use. Repeat the same message and back it up with action. Leaders who say "this is our top priority" and then fund something else lose credibility fast. Use "Challenge, Align, Commit." Challenge the premise and find the root cause. Align on how to execute. Then commit and run the play. People worry about their own future during change. Train managers to listen first and admit what they don't know. Servant leaders empower their team to decide and get out of the way. Otherwise they become the bottleneck. Find a mentor, and define success for yourself before society does it for you. Timestamps (optional) 0:28 Ken's path from psychology to IT 1:52 The company as a living being 3:16 Purpose first: Do it Best and the True Value merger 7:56 Keeping the message alive: all-hands, "Coffee with Ken," and the one-page plan 10:16 Change management and the human side of fear 12:08 Challenge, Align, Commit 14:00 Servant leadership 17:16 Lightning round: passion, curiosity, inspiration 19:08 Advice for early-career people, and legacy 22:24 One tip on communication

  2. Mar 26

    Using Your Mom Skills to drive Innovation With Kathy Ogurek

    This episode explores the human side of digital transformation, emphasizing building IT teams that drive change and enhance workplace experience. Kathy Ogurek shares insights on hybrid work, security, psychological safety, and leadership in tech. Keywords Digital Transformation, Workplace Experience, Hybrid Work, Security, Leadership, IT Teams, Psychological Safety, Technology Adoption Key topics Human side of digital transformation Building IT teams that drive change Hybrid work environment and future trends Security, compliance, and risk management Psychological safety and leadership in IT Sound Bites "You can't beat in-person creativity and innovation." "Focus on the client and your employees equally." "Helping the next generation is my legacy." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Digital Workplace Experience 02:14 Understanding End User Needs in Digital Transformation 03:52 Hybrid Work Environment and Future Trends 06:09 Generational Demands and Work-Life Balance 09:12 Balancing Business and Employee Needs 10:45 Security, Compliance, and Trust in IT 14:43 Hybrid Work Model and Flexibility 17:57 Psychological Safety in Transformation 19:17 Problem Solving and Innovation 20:25 Learning New Technologies and AI ROI 21:28 Stories of Resilience and Inspiration 23:24 The Power of Feedback and Listening 25:00 Legacy and Mentorship in Tech 26:26 Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways

  3. Mar 13

    Moving Beyond Data Silos: The Future of AI-Driven Analytics with Abhi Singh

    Discover how AI is revolutionizing data integration, breaking down silos, and empowering organizations with real-time insights. Join us as Abhi Singh, a seasoned analytics and AI leader, shares his insights on modern data architectures, the human element in AI adoption, and the exciting future of analytics over the next five years. In this episode: The historical evolution of data warehousing and what went wrong Why connecting data is harder than collecting it The human and cultural challenges in breaking silos How AI tools like co-pilot and conversational analytics are changing the game The key roles mentorship and curiosity play in AI progress Future trends: from descriptive to transactional and autonomous AI systems Real-world examples: supply chain automation and education systems The importance of human in the loop for reliable AI outputs Industry archetypes: AI Cowboys, Skeptics, and Frozen Executives Emerging capabilities and the strategic bets for the next five years Final thoughts: The legacy of curiosity and continuous learning Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to the Bigger, Better, Bolder IT Podcast 01:30 - The history and pitfalls of data warehousing 03:00 - Why organizations struggle to connect data across silos 04:47 - Human vs. technological challenges in data integration 07:00 - Communication's role in successful analytics teams 09:56 - The shift towards AI-powered insights and the human element 13:58 - Ensuring trust: vetting AI outputs and avoiding hallucinations 16:14 - Industry archetypes: AI Cowboys, skeptics, and frozen executives 19:42 - The future of analytics in 5 to 10 years: big bets and trends 22:29 - Real-world applications: transactional analytics and education tech 25:05 - The power of curiosity, mentorship, and continuous learning 28:36 - Influences: Steve Wozniak and non-tech motivators 30:03 - The legacy of curiosity and learning 31:03 - Closing remarks and reflections

  4. 10/29/2025

    Unlocking the ERP Journey with Ramya Ramachandran

    In this episode of the Bigger Better Boulder IT podcast, Ramya Ramachandran, a technical manager at HNI Corporation, shares her journey in the ERP landscape, discussing the importance of continuous learning, the challenges of ERP modernization, and the significance of effective change management during system rollouts. She emphasizes the need for empowerment in teams and the role of mentorship in fostering growth. Ramya also touches on her involvement with Girls Who Code and her curiosity about AI's impact on supply chain management. Takeaways Ramya's journey into ERP began with her computer science background. Understanding the complexities of business operations is crucial in ERP. Continuous learning is essential in the ever-evolving IT landscape. Customization in ERP can be a double-edged sword. Successful ERP rollouts depend on business trust in the system. Change management is key to overcoming resistance during rollouts. Mentoring others is a source of joy and fulfillment for Ramya. AI has the potential to revolutionize supply chain decision-making. Technology should be used to empower teams, not just improve processes. Building relationships between IT and business is vital for success. Sound bites "Intellectual curiosity keeps you going" "Mentoring others brings me the most joy" "I want to be seen as a process improver" Chapters 00:00 The Journey into ERP and Enterprise IT 04:41 Empowering the Next Generation in STEM 09:34 Navigating ERP Modernization Challenges 15:06 Successful Rollouts and Change Management 18:56 Personal Passions and Continuous Learning 22:42 Legacy and Empowerment in Technology

  5. 10/22/2025

    Unleashing eBPF and Cilium in Cloud Computing with Gaurav Shekhar

    Podcast Description: Unlock the future of cloud-native infrastructure with "Unleashing Cilium and eBPF," the podcast exploring the revolutionary technologies transforming how we build, secure, and observe modern applications. Based on the comprehensive guide by Gaurav Shekhar, a Distinguished Engineer and Financial Services Leader with over 20 years leading platform transformations at Fortune 500 financial institutions, this podcast demystifies eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) and Cilium for developers, DevOps engineers, security professionals, and IT architects. What You'll Discover: How eBPF operates at the Linux kernel level to deliver unmatched performance without sacrificing security Zero Trust Security models built on eBPF for microservices architectures Real-world case studies from enterprise cloud migrations Advanced observability techniques using Hubble for monitoring and debugging Load balancing, service discovery, and performance optimization strategies Whether you're modernizing legacy infrastructure or building cloud-native applications from scratch, each episode breaks down complex networking concepts into actionable insights. From fundamentals to advanced troubleshooting, we'll equip you with the skills to optimize performance, ensure robust security, and achieve superior observability in your cloud-native projects. Perfect for: Cloud architects, platform engineers, Kubernetes practitioners, and anyone navigating the shift to eBPF-powered infrastructure

  6. 09/15/2025

    Silencing the Inner Critic: A Journey Beyond Imposter Syndrome with Deepika Sharma

    In this empowering episode, we delve into the pervasive challenges of imposter syndrome and the fear of success. Join us as we explore personal stories and expert insights that reveal how to silence self-doubt and embrace your true potential. Discover practical strategies to overcome these mental barriers and learn how to confidently step into your success. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your career, this episode offers the inspiration and tools you need to thrive.

  7. 07/12/2025

    Empathy: The Foundation of Ethical AI – with Thai Silva

    We dive into the world of AI at scale with Thai Silva, Head of Data, AI and IT Architecture at Whirlpool. Discover how mature enterprises like Whirlpool are leveraging AI to drive business value, cut costs, and enhance scalability. Thai shares insights on building high-performance teams, the importance of understanding cultural nuances in global operations, and the ethical considerations in AI development. Key Topics: AI at scale in legacy enterprises Building a high-performance team Global collaboration and cultural understanding Ethical AI and data privacy Guest: Thai Silva, Head of Data AI and Architecture at Whirlpool Hashtags: #AI #DataStrategy #Leadership #EthicalAI

  8. 06/28/2024

    Creating Value Through Clarity with John Tucker

    Summary In this episode, John Tucker, Director of Enterprise Data Governance at McDonald's, discusses the human side of data governance. He emphasizes the importance of data literacy and data ownership in a large organization like McDonald's. John shares insights on driving structured data governance across teams, establishing clear policy standards, and creating a culture of security. He also discusses the evaluation of data governance tools and the need for a people-centric approach. His passion lies in solving challenges and helping others, and he is curious about privacy laws and AI. His creative influences include Amanda Eastman, former boss and chief data officers, and he draws inspiration from stories that highlight the value of data governance. John's legacy is to educate and inspire others in the field of data governance. Takeaways Data literacy and data ownership are crucial in large organizations for making operational decisions and complying with data privacy and protection regulations. Effective data governance requires clear communication, change management, and tying the work to business value. Creating a culture of security involves education, staying updated on laws and regulations, and working closely with privacy and protection teams. When evaluating data governance tools, it is important to consider the end user experience, ease of navigation, and personalized features. John Tucker's passion lies in solving challenges and helping others, and he is curious about privacy laws and the future of AI. He draws inspiration from stories that demonstrate the value of data governance and aims to educate and inspire others in the field. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:57 Data Literacy and Data Ownership 06:14 Setting Up Frameworks and Governance Standards 09:09 Creating a Culture of Security 11:46 Evaluating Tools for Data Governance 14:42 Legacy of Data Governance

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About

If you're an IT exec, you're constantly dealing with putting out fires vs innovating, asking to do more with less budget, and stay a step ahead of the competition while attracting and retaining talent. As an account executive working with top performing IT Innovators, I've noticed the winners of this arms race are able to slow down, reflect, realign, and envision - so they can ignite a bold direction for themselves and what they will bring to life over the next year (and beyond). This podcast will help you unearth opportunities to do your Biggest, best and boldest work - and be the best and boldest version of yourself How do we get there? Twice a month I will be interviewing IT leaders on their Sources of Motivation, curiosity, and what brings fulfillment. We'll dive into their top priorities, challenges, and future plans Too often the human element is left out of enterprise technology, and as we know it's people and their priorities that drive decisions. So tune in and enjoy the Bigger, Better, Bolder IT Podcast

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