Cisco TechBeat explores the people and the stories behind what inspires new possibilities. For more than two decades, host Liza Meak has worked as a broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker and uses her natural curiosity to tackle technology innovation and how it impacts the world.

Cisco TechBeat

DevOps for Systems Engineers is critical, but still often misunderstood and confusing. How do I get started? Are my customers really seeing the need to incorporate these skills? We will do our best to demystify things in this session.

Episode 1 - DevOps for Infrastructure: Making it Real with Mike Younkers

Owning a small or medium business brings with it many unique challenges – from choosing which manufacturer to go with for your technology needs all the way to how to continue to grow and scale your business. The shift to hybrid work magnified to this, creating a new layer of complexity to both managing a business as well as employee satisfaction and retention. 

To sift through these challenges, and how he has successfully navigated them, today I am joined by Scott Kauffman, President of HighNoon, a full-service marketing agency located in Phoenix, AZ. Scott shares his perspective on business, technology and even provides a marketing tip for our listeners.

Small Business, Big Solutions: Building Your Business Through Technology

This is a special episode powered by the Cisco Emerging Talent Community (ETC) EMEA Chapter. Join our guest speakers, Chara Kontaxi (Director, Cisco Systems Engineering) and Paul Jordan (Vice President, Cisco US Global Enterprise), in a conversation with our host, Shaun Roberts (Principal Engineer, Cisco Customer Experience), talk about the Emerging Talent Community in Cisco, the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for a thriving career in Cisco.  
 
For questions, comments, or feedback, please email: cisco-techinsiders-podcast@cisco.com  
 
Director, Systems Engineering 
LinkedIn Profiles: 
Chara Kontaxi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charakontaxi/ 
Paul Jordan (paujorda): https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-jordan-216a36b/ 
Shaun Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srobertsmba/

Cisco Tech Insiders Podcast Episode 11: How to nurture a thriving career at Cisco

We interview Distringuished Engineer Ramses Smeyers from CX Datacenter who tells us two stories. In one, dozens of RMAs are done for a UCS server and each one makes the problem a little worse. In the other, Ramses prevents ACI to be released on time because it doesn't work in his lab. We also get his feelings about the Cloudization of this world.

Tech Stories - ep 04 - 99 problems and an RMA is one

Episode 14: Let's talk SaaS Support

In the holiday special, our producer, Elizabeth Chen, anchored the episode with the host, Shaun Roberts, on the hot seat! Their chat covers 2023 reflections, including what makes any innovation an award winner, what makes Cisco the best place to work, and their holiday plans! Wishing our viewers and listeners the best in 2024! Happy Holidays!  
Note: Please email cisco-techinsiders-podcast@cisco.com for queries, suggestions, or feedback .

LinkedIn Profiles: 
Elizabeth Chen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethchen01/  
Shaun Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srobertsmba/

Episode 16: A holiday special

Welcome to Line of Departure, power-packed interviews that take you on an unfiltered journey into the lives of veterans in tech who have not only served their country but have also conquered the corporate world of business and technology. In these concise conversations, we cut through the noise, and uncover the untold stories that have shaped their journey from the military to the forefront of the tech industry.  We dive into veteran-specific topics in business, dissect the latest tech news, and economic, and market trends, lessons on leadership, to civic duty and national security.  Nothing is off the table, Line of Departure is your compass in navigating the complex world of technology.
In each episode, we go beyond the surface and tell you the real story, delving into the raw and unpolished tales of personal hardship, growth, and ultimately success.  From discussing topics that uniquely impact veterans in the technology industry, to dissecting the latest tech trends, Line of Departure is your compass in navigating the complex world of tech leadership.

In the military, the term "Line of Departure" signifies the starting point of a mission, the aiming point for your journey.  Picture yourself having a cup of coffee with your future self in 5 or 10 years. What would you discuss? How did you reach that point, and where did you start? Line of Departure is thrilled to unravel the stories behind successful tech careers after military service, aiming to uncover the foundational lessons and principles underneath.

Join us on this journey as we connect with veterans in the tech industry globally, and help us creating a narrative that celebrates great people and the technology that binds them. Line of Departure is not just a podcast; it's a platform where tech leaders share their wisdom, connect with their peers, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Episode 0: Line of Departure Intro

In the inaugural episode of this podcast, hosts Eric and Ben engage in a comprehensive discussion that spans various aspects of Ben's life journey. The conversation begins with insights into Ben's upbringing and the pivotal decision to become a Navy SEAL, leading to a decade of active duty and multiple combat deployments. The focus then shifts to the challenging transition from military service to the business technology sector, exploring the nuances of career 2.0 and the experiences of life post-career transition.

Listeners gain valuable perspectives as Ben shares advice for both veterans navigating their post-military careers and organizations looking to effectively employ veterans. The episode delves deep into Ben's impactful work in Veteran Advocacy, particularly addressing mental health concerns within the veteran community. The hosts touch on topics such as the veteran psyche, the search for a sense of purpose, and the evolution of self-identity. Throughout the conversation, the audience is treated to a rich exploration of the complexities and triumphs that define the veteran experience, making for an engaging and enlightening episode.

Episode 1: Navy SEAL to Cybersecurity featuring Ben Davis

Welcome to this week's episode of Line of Departure, where Eric and Ben dive deep with Morgan Mann, from his time serving in the Marine Corps to his current role as Vice President of Transformation at Cisco.

In this episode, Morgan chats with us about his passions for the outdoors, family, national security issues, along with the challenges and opportunities he faced transitioning from the military to the private sector.

We explore how Morgan found purpose beyond the Marine Corps, navigating the tech startup world before re-affiliating with the Marines post-9/11. His multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan offer profound insights into the post-9/11 veteran experience integrating into corporate life. 

Throughout our conversation, Morgan reflects on the importance of proactive career management, highlighting the need to break free from stereotypes and carve out new paths aligned with personal values. From starting his day with rituals to prioritizing family time, Morgan shares invaluable lessons on making every moment count.

Join us as we delve into the complexities of transitioning between two highly successful careers, from the challenges we all face, to the invaluable leadership skills learned along the way. Discover how Morgan's journey epitomizes resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering commitment to make a difference.

Episode 3: Choosing Your Own Adventure, Marines to Tech Executive with Morgan Mann

Jason Marks and Gladys Kline take you behind the scenes of building the BITS podcast, sharing their journey, insights, and challenges. They set the stage for the exciting episodes to come, offering a glimpse into the intersection of business, innovation, and technology that BITS will explore.

Welcome to BITS (Business, Innovation, & Technology Show), hosted by Jason Marks, CEO of Techrategy. Join us as we delve into the spheres of business, innovation, and technology, delivering insights from industry-leading experts worldwide. Join us as we delve into the spheres of business, innovation, and technology, delivering insights from industry-leading experts worldwide. Each episode is crafted to empower tech CEOs, VARs, MSPs, SPs, sellers, account managers, and their executive teams with the insights and strategies essential for success. Whether you're at the helm of sales, guiding corporate leadership, or driving engineering initiatives, BITS serves as your ultimate resource for staying abreast of the latest trends, tackling challenges, and discovering solutions that shape the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Crafting A Podcast, With Jason Marks & Gladys Kline

Hear from three experts -- Flexjobs VP of Employer Engagement and Strategy, Mika Cross, Cisco’s Chief Communications Officer Stella Low and CIO Jacqui Guichelaar -- as they share insights on communicating with, motivating and managing remote teams during a time of crisis and beyond.

Leading Remote Teams During a Global Crisis - Part 1

Cisco's CIO on managing IT in challenging times 

“If there’s anything this pandemic has taught us,” said Cisco CIO Jacqueline Guichelaar, “it's how important technology is. Technology is the connector. It's what allows the world to continue to function as we all navigate through this situation.” 

Not that it’s been easy.  

Guichelaar oversaw the scaling of Cisco’s own remote working capacity from 20 percent of the workforce to 100 percent — all in a matter of days. “Despite the fact that we have a killer network and robust security,” she said, “it was still really hard.” 

So, she relates strongly to the challenges facing other technology leaders in this unprecedented time.  

In Part Two of our remote work podcast, Guichelaar discusses everything from network and security issues to maintaining the all-important human connection under stressful conditions.   

In case you missed Part One of our series (http://cs.co/9006GFtvg), we focused on remote management and communications strategies with Mika Cross of FlexJobs and Cisco CIO Stella Low. 

See also: The Perfect Meeting: It's Not Just a Myth - http://cs.co/9006GFQBe

Listen in to hear how Cisco is managing “collaboration without compromise” with a keen eye on security and privacy. And read the full article accompanying this podcast here - http://cs.co/9003GFQGv.

See also: CIO Insights with Jacqui Guichelaar Episode #1 - http://cs.co/9009GFQ5F

Leading Remote Teams Through a Global Crisis - Part 2

In this episode of Cisco TechBeat, Kevin Delaney speaks with Tae Yoo, Cisco's Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, about how the private sector can step up to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation touches on the impacts of working and learning from home and addresses the responsibility of businesses to support their employees, communities, and societies. The digital divide is a particular concern for Yoo, and she discusses how closing the divide will positively impact people, society and the planet, ultimately powering an Inclusive Future.

In the global pandemic, a spotlight on collaboration

Analyst Patrick Moorhead has spent decades studying the impact of technology on life and work. So, without minimizing the hardships of the global pandemic, he’s fascinated with the reality of millions around the world abandoning their workplaces to collaborate remotely. In this “new normal,” technology is key. And getting it right is critical. That means collaboration tools with end-to-end security and the flexibility to meet any kind of creative situation. In conversation with Cisco TechBeat’s Kevin Delaney, Moorhead examines the essential elements for the collaboration tools that keep the world working, learning, and healing. Listen in as he lays out the case for no-compromise collaboration that enables data privacy, business continuity, and ongoing innovation — whatever the challenges.

Collaboration in a crisis

As the COVID-19 pandemic has stressed, apps need to be created, deployed, and updated faster than ever before. But without knowing it, many developers are building in security flaws at the earliest stages of coding. Pieter Danhieux, CEO of Secure Code Warrior, an Australian DevSecOps startup, is determined to change all that. In this podcast and article, Pieter speaks with Cisco Techbeat host Kevin Delaney about his efforts to bring security awareness and strategy to developers everywhere.

In an app-fueled world, embed security at the source

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, digital connections were indispensable — for education, social interactions, telemedicine, business continuity and so much more.

But in places where connectivity is limited, the challenges and tragedies of the pandemic were only heightened. This was especially true in Native American communities across America, where infection rates soared, economic opportunity fell, and, for many, isolation deepened.

In this podcast, Cisco TechBeat host Kevin Delaney speaks with Traci Morris, Director of the American Indian Policy Institute (https://aipi.asu.edu/) at Arizona State University. A proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, Dr. Morris has studied the impact of the digital divide in Indian country.

Additional insights come from Emma Broadbent, of Cisco’s Networking Academy (https://www.netacad.com/), about her efforts to build tech skills among the indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. 

Together, they provide some real-world solutions that will help to unleash the creativity, wisdom, and entrepreneurial spirit of indigenous communities around the world.

An epicenter of the digital divide: Native reservations

The Cisco Podcast Network is a collective of podcasts from across Cisco spanning technology to culture and everything in between. Hear from Cisco customers, partners, and Cisco insiders on the topics that matter most to you. Email us with your feedback and suggestions. Discover your favorite playlists today!

An epicenter of the digital divide: Native reservations

Cisco Podcast Network

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