The QTS Experience

Dave McCall

The most valuable commodity on earth today is data. How we make it, use it, move it & protect it. Join David McCall as he invites guests from all industries to talk about how they use data to drive their business & innovation in their market.

  1. MAY 6

    247. Bill Kleyman

    Bill Kleyman, CEO of Apolo, says the gigawatt era is here, and our industry has to grow up fast. We get into power as a relationship, the new physical security frontline, why every data center is becoming an AI data center, and what bravery actually looks like in this market. Chapters: 00:00 Cold Open: The Energetic Chipmunk on a Barrel of Oil 01:20 Welcome to the Gigawatt Era - Why It Is Already Here 06:31 The Outsider Reaction: When Trillions of Chips Sound Like a Threat 09:06 Listening to the Skeptics: A High School DECA Lesson and a GDC Backstage 23:36 Plant Seeds, Do Not Win Arguments - The Communication Playbook 24:50 Power Is Not a Line Item, It Is a Relationship 32:23 Bravery Defined: Big Decisions With Eyes Wide Open 38:14 Cloud, AI, and the Electrification Moment for Digital Infrastructure 44:02 The New Frontline: Physical Security in the AI Era 54:42 Tools of the Adversary: Drones, Wireless, and What Comes Next 59:38 The Catalyst, the Targets, and the Closing Charge of Fearless Curiosity Links and References: Bill Kleyman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billkleyman Apolo (Bill’s company): https://www.apolo.us Bill Kleyman personal site: https://billkleyman.com AFCOM article — "2026: The Gigawatt Era Begins" (Bill’s monthly AFCOM piece referenced at the top of the episode). Read it here AFCOM State of the Data Center 2026 — the 10th-anniversary edition of the report Bill authored. The "human threats overtaking ransomware" and "84% changing physical security" figures both come from this report. AFCOM resources AFCOM forthcoming security article — "The New Frontline: Securing Data Centers in an AI Era," scheduled for AFCOM publication the Friday of the recording week. AFCOM news feed Bastille Networks (referenced for wireless / drone-based facility security): https://bastille.net Volta Grid (referenced for behind-the-meter natural gas generation): https://www.voltagrid.com Schneider Electric Innovation Summit (where Bill heard the 200 GW projection): https://www.se.com/us/en/work/campaign/innovation/summit.jsp NVIDIA GTC 2026 (Jensen Huang trillions-of-chips and 600 kW rack reference): https://www.nvidia.com/gtc Game Developers Conference (GDC) - Bill’s Luminary Stage talk: https://gdconf.com Nomad Futurist (industry talent and education organization Bill is on the board of): https://nomadfuturist.org Infrastructure Masons (where Bill chairs the Education Committee): https://imasons.org AFCOM (where Bill is Data Center World Program Chair): https://afcom.com Thank you for visiting our channel, be sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! For more information, go to https://www.QTSDataCenters.com Learn More about QTS Data Centers on the QTS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/users/qtsdatacenters Think you have a great topic for a podcast or would like to schedule an interview with Dave? Send in your requests to podcast@qtsdatacenters.com

    1h 6m

  2. APR 22

    Ep. 246: Building the Infrastructure of Humanity: Ojonimi Bako on AI, Construction, and Purpose

    Ojonimi Bako's dad survived hepatitis C on a clinical trial at Gilead. Now Ojonimi builds the facilities where the next cure gets discovered. The CEO of Kaya connects construction chaos, AI-driven supply chains, and what it means to build something that outlasts you -- in under 90 minutes. Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction -- Ojonimi Bako, CEO of Kaya 00:00:53 From Accenture and Walmart Labs to Construction: The Origin Story 00:05:36 The Gilead Story -- Why Mission-Critical Infrastructure Is Literally Life and Death 00:10:44 Electricity, Night, and What the AI Transformation Actually Means 00:16:00 Practical AI: From Grocery Lists to Accelerating Human Expertise 00:19:08 Why People Resist AI -- and Why That Is Already Changing 00:26:35 Building the Pyramids Again: The Scale of the Data Center Revolution 00:28:41 Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing World -- The Full-Stack Operator 00:32:01 Foundation: Physics, Upward Bound, and Silicon Valley 00:35:55 Africa, London, Oslo -- How Global Experience Shapes Lateral Thinking 00:39:11 The Moment Ojonimi Saw the Problem: The Suffolk Accelerator 00:42:09 What Is Kaya and How Does It Work? 00:47:59 Choke Points -- The Real Challenges of Building Across Stakeholders 00:51:39 Japan, Trust, and the Single Plan 00:54:58 Buy, Track, Deliver -- The Kaya Platform Explained 00:56:38 Building Trust with Skeptical Customers -- Execution at Speed 01:04:00 Connecting Construction Work to Human Flourishing 01:04:40 The Base of the Economic Pyramid -- Supply Chain Responsibility in DRC and Africa 01:07:39 What Gives Ojonimi Hope -- Community, Gratitude, and What Comes Next 01:09:44 One Belief People Get Wrong About AI 01:13:04 The Leadership Habit He Is Still Developing -- His Father's Legacy 01:18:05 What We Didn't Get to Cover -- Real-World Results and 2026 Focus 01:19:26 How to Connect with Ojonimi Bako and Kaya References: Ojonimi Bako on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ojonimibako/ Kaya (company website): https://www.kayapays.com/ Accenture -- https://www.accenture.com Walmart Global Tech (formerly Walmart Labs) -- https://tech.walmart.com Gilead Sciences -- https://www.gilead.com Suffolk Construction -- https://www.suffolk.com Bootstrap Labs (Applied Artificial Intelligence fund, San Francisco) -- https://bootstraplabs.com Nvidia -- https://www.nvidia.com Amazon Web Services (AWS) -- https://aws.amazon.com Kent State University -- https://www.kent.edu Upward Bound Program / Ohio Wesleyan University -- https://www.owu.edu Stanford Graduate School of Business (Executive MBA) -- https://www.gsb.stanford.edu Procore Technologies (referenced as industry platform) -- https://www.procore.com Autodesk Construction Cloud (referenced as industry platform) -- https://construction.autodesk.com Architecture 2030 (carbon emissions from the built environment): https://architecture2030.org Responsible Minerals Initiative (cobalt sourcing and the Democratic Republic of Congo): https://www.responsiblemineralsinitiative.org Thank you for visiting our channel, be sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! For more information, go to https://www.QTSDataCenters.com Learn More about QTS Data Centers on the QTS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/users/qtsdatacenters Think you have a great topic for a podcast or would like to schedule an interview with Dave? Send in your requests to podcastoffice@q.com

    1h 20m

  3. APR 8

    Ep245: Ivo Ivanov: AI, Interconnection, and Why Latency Is the New Currency

    I sat down with Ivo Ivanov to talk interconnection, AI, latency, resilience, and why digital infrastructure has to get closer to people. Airports, robots, sovereignty, and even space made their way into this one. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro & Why Interconnection Matters Now 00:01:20 - Explaining Interconnection in Plain English 00:06:09 - Why the Internet Must Be Developed Further 00:08:45 - Latency, Eye Blinks, and Real-Time Robotics 00:14:10 - Why Digital Infrastructure Must Be Everywhere 00:17:10 - Reducing Complexity Through Interconnection 00:19:47 - AI-IX, Agent Routing, and GPU as a Service 00:24:42 - Teaching New Employees the Language of Interconnection 00:28:39 - Carrier Neutral and Data Center Neutral Explained 00:31:22 - What Neutrality Has Meant for New York and Dallas 00:38:19 - Resilience, Redundancy, and Operational Risk 00:41:09 - Latency Is the New Currency 00:45:39 - Data Sovereignty, Security, and National Power 00:51:44 - What the Industry Is Still Underestimating 00:56:22 - Space Connectivity and the Digital Divide 01:01:01 - What Data Center Leaders Need to Hear 01:06:15 - Final Takeaway: Why This Industry Matters References and External Links DE-CIX corporate website: https://www.de-cix.net/en DE-CIX North America: https://www.de-cix.net/en/north-america DE-CIX Academy: https://www.de-cix.net/en/resources/de-cix-academy Interconnection Academy: https://www.interconnectionacademy.net/ DE-CIX AI-IX press release: https://www.de-cix.net/en/about-de-cix/media/press-releases/de-cix-launches-worlds-first-fully-integrated-ai-internet-exchange-ai-ix-to-support-model-training-and-inference DE-CIX neutrality study / US IX release: https://www.de-cix.net/en/about-de-cix/media/press-releases/80-of-us-internet-exchanges-are-now-data-center-and-carrier-neutral DE-CIX Space IX: www.space-ix.net Ivo Ivanov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivo-ivanov-de-cix   Thank you for visiting our channel, be sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! For more information, go to https://www.QTSDataCenters.com Learn More about QTS Data Centers on the QTS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/users/qtsdatacenters Think you have a great topic for a podcast or would like to schedule an interview with Dave? Send in your requests to podcast@qtsdatacenters.com

    1h 8m

  4. MAR 25

    Ep244 Rob Coyle - Stop Hoarding Your Tech - Why a Bigger Pie Beats a Secret Recipe

    Last year, I grabbed lunch with Rob Coyle and his son, Reid. While Reid was easily the most entertaining person at the table, the conversation regarding the Open Compute Project (OCP) stayed with me for months. We finally sat down in the studio to discuss how we facilitate the tools that will enable humanity to thrive. From 800-volt power to open standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI), we are exploring how to make the technology pie bigger for everyone. Because let's face it: secret sauce is overrated when you can feed the whole industry. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome & Rob’s BBQ Explanation of OCP 00:02:58 – The “Bigger Pie” Story That Sold Leadership 00:05:06 – Rob’s 10-Year Journey from Member to Foundation 00:07:48 – Core Mission: Multi-Vendor Ecosystem + Accelerating Innovation 00:09:04 – Safe, Fast Conversations: How OCP Actually Works 00:12:24 – Biggest Wins: 21-Inch Rack & Liquid Cooling 00:15:51 – Real Aha Moments at Events & Demos 00:21:53 – Why OCP Events Feel Different (Continuum of Innovation) 00:28:23 – Efficiency at the Core + Server Re-Engineering Story 00:33:13 – AI Shift: From Components to Full Open Systems 00:39:53 – 800-Volt Power & the New Power Distribution Project 00:55:22 – New Open Data Center for AI Initiative 01:01:48 – Surprise Conversation: Education & NIMBYs 01:07:25 – How Anyone (Even Students) Can Jump In for Free 01:14:44 – What Excites Rob Most About the Future Thank you for visiting our channel, be sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! For more information, go to https://www.QTSDataCenters.com Learn More about QTS Data Centers on the QTS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/users/qtsdatacenters Think you have a great topic for a podcast or would like to schedule an interview with Dave? Send in your requests to podcast@qtsdatacenters.com

    1h 17m

  5. MAR 19

    Ep243: Jason Coe on the People Chain – Making sure your team actually cares about the mission

    We spend all day worrying about supply chains, but what about the "people chain"? Jason Coe and I dive into military-grade mission focus, the future of raised floors, and why a project is only as good as the team running toward the fire. Tune in to the next QTS Experience. Chapters: 00:00 - The Data Center Symphony: Relational over Commodity 09:13 - The Decade Shift: Evolution from 1MW to 100MW+ 18:54 - Structural Ceilings and Raised Floors Explained 22:30 - The "People Chain": Why Caring is the New Critical Factor 24:43 - Plan B is Making Plan A Work 31:25 - Coordination vs. Communication: Why Teams Keep Failing 34:18 - Project Management: Dominating the Last 10% 41:13 - High Density vs. Raised Floors: Is the Role Dead? 55:08 - Leadership Philosophy: People Do What You Inspect 1:10:18 - Revitalizing Communities Through Data Center Infrastructure 1:19:46 - Vetting Partners: The "Get It" vs. "Don't Get It" Mental List 1:31:00 - Listening First: Connecting with the Local Community Thank you for visiting our channel, be sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! For more information, go to https://www.QTSDataCenters.com Learn More about QTS Data Centers on the QTS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/users/qtsdatacenters Think you have a great topic for a podcast or would like to schedule an interview with Dave? Send in your requests to podcast@qtsdatacenters.com

    1h 36m

  6. MAR 6

    Ep 242 Roy Illsley: The Digital Independence Era— Your Local Infrastructure is Your Competitive Edge

    Roy Illsley joins me to challenge the status quo of global data. We’re moving past "one-size-fits-all" clouds to an era of digital self-sufficiency. From why the US and EU are in a friendly race for autonomy to the bold prediction that our next data centers will be orbiting the Earth—don't get left behind. References & Guest Links Guest Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/royillsley/ Company Website: https://omdia.tech.informa.com/ Mentioned Organizations: https://www.datacentercoalition.org/cpages/home https://us.ovhcloud.com/ https://www.thalesgroup.com/en https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/

    1h 26m

  7. FEB 23

    Ep241: David Quirk — Liquid Cooling Chaos, AI Reality, and the Future of Data Centers

    David Quirk joins me to unpack liquid cooling, AI infrastructure chaos, and why the data center industry might be losing—and rediscovering—its collaborative DNA. We talk standards, disruption, and what happens when innovation moves faster than certainty. References Mentioned ASHRAE TC 9.9: https://tpc.ashrae.org/?cmtKey=fd4a4ee6-96a3-4f61-8b85-43418dfa988d ASHRAE Standard 90.4: https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/government%20affairs/advocacy%20toolkit/virtual%20packet/standard-90.4-2022-fact-sheet.pdf Guest Links Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-quirk-258b8b40/ Company: https://www.dlbassociates.com/

    1h 44m

  8. JAN 16

    Ep240: Brian Smith: Nuclear’s Sexy Glow—The Exquisite Power Fueling the AI Revolution!

    Nuclear is getting sexy again, and it’s all AI’s fault. I’m sitting down with Brian Smith to talk about why big tech is reopening Three Mile Island and why splitting atoms is the most exquisite way to power our digital future. Let's get glowing! Guest & Company Links Guest: Brian Smith Company Website: Idaho National Laboratory Studies & References Kairos Power & Google PPA: Partnership for reactor deployment in Tennessee. Crane Clean Energy Center: Microsoft/Constellation partnership to reopen Three Mile Island. Idaho National Laboratory (INL): Lead laboratory for Nuclear Energy Research. The Advance Act (2024): Federal legislation reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP): DOE public-private partnership initiative.

    1h 7m
See All (102)

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The most valuable commodity on earth today is data. How we make it, use it, move it & protect it. Join David McCall as he invites guests from all industries to talk about how they use data to drive their business & innovation in their market.

Information

  • Creator
    Dave McCall
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The QTS Experience

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