Tom Roberto, a Tech Shaman's Guide to Parenting in the Digital Age

Welcome to another episode of the Figure It the Father Out Podcast (FITFO), where I have conversations with amazing moms, dads, and thought leaders of all different industries in hopes to help me figure out just how to become the father that I want to be for my two young girls.

In this episode I sit down with the self-proclaimed "Technology Shaman" Tom Roberto, a seasoned technologist who came of age along with the personal computer revolution, and proudly identifies with the pragmatic Xenial generation.

Growing up in the NY-metro area in the late 80’s means total uniqueness. Neither pure Gen X nor true Millennial - Tom Roberto defies generational stereotypes trailblazing at 100%. As CTO, he wields a rare fusion of technical mastery and imaginative flair to drive innovation for niche MSP’s servicing Fortune 500 tech needs.

Dubbed the “Technology Shaman,” he bridges the gap between legacy systems and emerging tech, seamlessly fusing old and new to transmute complex challenges into strategic opportunity.

Beyond career, Tom is a devoted family man, grounded by communication, passion and intentional living. He finds inspiration in the arts, music, photography and the tranquility of lakeside life. Tom takes pride in personal growth and paying it forward through mentorship. His infectious energy motivates all who have the privilege of knowing him.

Links from the show:

📚 Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less https://a.co/d/8DQpXRV

Mark Rober STEM Kits 🧪🏗️🛠️ https://www.crunchlabs.com

⏱️ Timestamped overview:

00:00 Remembering childhood screen time and technology changes.

05:33 Parental control challenges and technology preparation.

08:51 Open communication with parents key in parenting.

10:54 Warning about online privacy and cybersecurity measures.

16:21 Technology limits job opportunities, overwhelming employers with candidates.

19:37 AI's rapid advancement reshapes daily life.

22:14 Using AI to streamline, simplify and expedite tasks.

26:42 Exploring services for understanding AI challenges.

30:05 Building a culture of honesty and connection.

32:56 Simon Sinek encourages starting with "why".

36:15 Book recommendation for essentialism and prioritizing tasks.

40:04 Minimalist with expensive, quality tech at home.

41:24 Teaching practical skills and avoiding waste intentionally.

44:55 Think through solutions before seeking help.

47:32 Embrace technology, encourage curiosity, and meaningful connections.