In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Eric Poff, CTO of Verve Labs, about his journey to becoming a technology leader, the innovative projects at Verve Labs, and the importance of human-centered AI. They discuss the engineering work model, the significance of communication within teams, and the balance between product and technology roles. Eric shares insights on experimentation, vibe coding, and the metrics that matter in engineering, as well as common mistakes organizations make. The conversation concludes with Eric's no-nonsense advice for tech leaders navigating today's challenges.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Brian Bauer, VP of AI Products at Rational Exponent. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the banking sector, the development of their flagship product re:agent, and the importance of understanding the business needs of banking to create effective AI solutions. Brian shares insights on team dynamics in a remote work environment, the significance of collaboration between product and engineering teams, and the innovative approach of vibe coding for rapid prototyping. He also highlights common mistakes in AI development and offers valuable advice for tech leaders navigating the evolving landscape of AI.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Jeff Prince, CTO of XOi, about the evolution of engineering leadership, challenges in field service management, and the integration of AI in software development. They discuss the importance of aligning product and engineering teams, effective onboarding of new engineers, and key metrics for engineering success. Jeff shares insights on dealing with non-technical stakeholders and the lessons learned from failures in his career. The conversation concludes with advice for tech leaders navigating the industry's complexities.

In this episode of Software Leaders UNCENSORED, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ben Ede, an engineering director at Envoy, about his career transition, leadership philosophy, and the evolving role of AI in software engineering. They discuss the importance of CI/CD processes, breaking down work into manageable tasks, and effectively tracking engineering metrics. Ben shares insights on managing tech debt, the Run, Grow, Transform framework, and the significance of quality meetings for team alignment. He concludes with advice for tech leaders on the value of asking questions to foster understanding and collaboration.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Ajay Chankramath, a seasoned engineering leader and CEO of Platformetrics. They discuss AJ's unique approach to consulting, focusing on proven solutions rather than bespoke ones, and the importance of enhancing developer experience in tech companies. AJ shares insights on building the ideal developer experience, overcoming executive pushback, and his journey as an author and entrepreneur. He concludes with valuable advice for tech leaders on providing value with existing tools rather than chasing new ones.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Michael Terry, a seasoned software engineer and co-founder of Sanctuary Software Studio. They discuss Michael's extensive journey in software development, the evolution of his company, and the challenges faced in the current tech landscape, including talent management, onboarding, and the impact of AI on business models. Michael shares insights on maintaining a hybrid work model, the importance of continuous learning, and strategies for integrating new tools and workflows into their processes. The conversation concludes with Michael's advice for tech leaders navigating these changing times.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with William Steenbergen, co-founder and CTO of Federato, about the transformative role of AI in the insurance industry. They discuss the challenges of underwriting, the importance of addressing the coverage gap, and how Federato's platform is revolutionizing the insurance lifecycle. William shares insights on team dynamics, the impact of rapid growth, and the significance of fostering a collaborative culture through initiatives like demo days. He concludes with valuable advice for tech leaders navigating the complexities of scaling their businesses.

In this episode of Software Leaders Uncensored, host Steve Taplin speaks with Matt Ryan, founder and CTO of Kythera Labs, about his journey from the corporate world to the startup landscape. They discuss the evolution of Kythera Labs, innovations in healthcare data solutions, the challenges of managing remote engineering teams, and the importance of clarity in technical communication. Matt shares insights on leveraging AI in healthcare, lessons learned from AI implementation, and the future goals for Kythera Labs as they aim to scale their offerings in 2026.