The tech leaders of today greatly differ from the tech leaders of yesterday – from their scope of work to their mindset, skills, and approach – a lot of things have changed. Basically, what changed was the answer to the question “What does it mean to be a leader?” - and with me here on this episode to help answer that question is David Germain, Group Chief Information Officer, who sat down with me to talk about all things leadership – from his journey through the world of tech, through his approach and perspective, all the way to his insight and experience worth their weight in gold.

Key takeaways from the podcast are: 

- The importance of not letting stereotypes hold you back from achieving your dreams 

- Never take your eye away from the big picture 

- As a leader, your skillset must be diverse if you’re to drive people forward 

Our Guest: David Germain 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcgermain/ 

Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)

Episode 133: To Lead or Not To Lead with David Germain

Technology is advancing faster than ever, but what keeps it meaningful is the human side behind the solutions.

In this episode, Falko Buttler, CTO at Lantern, shares how he balances innovation with empathy, scaling tech platforms that support people through life’s most sensitive moments. From early iOS development to leading large-scale transformation, Falko brings insights on building tech that truly serves.

This conversation is a reminder that even in an age of AI, leadership must be anchored in human connection.

Episode 190: In a World of AI, Let’s not Forget the Human with Falko Buttler

How do you lead through culture shifts, acquisitions, and organizational change, without losing sight of people?

In this episode, Adan Pope, Senior VP at TAG, shares insights on leadership during high-stakes transitions. From building tension maps to understanding organizational dynamics, his perspective highlights how leaders can turn uncertainty into clarity and growth.

This conversation is a masterclass in leading with methodology, empathy, and foresight during times of change.

Episode 191: There Are No Mergers, Only Acquisitions with Adan Pope

In this thought-provoking episode, Wes Bailey returns for round two with TC Gill to explore one of the boldest questions in tech leadership today: what happens when innovation, AI, and adaptability redefine the very essence of a CTO?

This conversation is part wake-up call, part survival guide for the future of tech leadership and it might just make you rethink your next career move.

Episode 192: We Don’t Need CTO’s Anymore with Wes Bailey

From Hollywood special effects to cutting-edge AI - this episode covers it all.

Join Michael Natkin, Former SVP of Software Engineering at Glowforge, and TC Gill as they dive into why AI is imperative in today’s tech landscape, how creativity and innovation intersect, and what leaders can do to keep their teams inspired in the age of automation.

Episode 193: A Conversation about Terminators and Lasers with Michael Natkin

In this episode of CTO Confessions, TC Gill sits down with Eddie Pecker, CTO at APEXX, a payment orchestration platform trusted by enterprise companies worldwide. From comparing technical debt to mortgages to breaking down what “deploying with confidence” should look like in 2025, Eddie brings a refreshingly practical view of leadership, AI, and security in fast-moving tech teams.

Episode 194: How to Deploy with Confidence in 2025 with Eddie Pecker

In this episode, Andrew Overholt, VP of Engineering at Mozilla, joins TC Gill to explore how Mozilla lives its mission, putting users first, leading with humility, and shaping the future of an open and accessible internet. From policy to innovation, Andrew shares how democratizing tech can (and should) influence how we build the web.

Episode 195: The Case for Democratizing Tech with Andrew Overholt

Chaos isn’t the enemy, unmanaged chaos is.

In this episode, Kader Sakkaria, Global Head of Data Technology (DoE) and Delivery at Gallagher, joins TC Gill to unpack why chaos can actually fuel innovation when leaders know how to harness it.

From cultural transformation to navigating complexity in fast-moving environments, this conversation is a practical guide for tech leaders looking to turn disruption into opportunity.

Episode 196: How to Catalyze Chaos in Tech with Kader Sakkaria

Regulation isn’t a roadblock; it’s the guardrail helping blockchain grow up.

In this episode, Tim Sabanov, CTO at Zumo, joins TC Gill to break down the hype, the misconceptions, and the slow-but-purposeful pace of regulation shaping the future of digital assets.

From decentralization to the Web2–Web3 shift, this conversation gives tech leaders a clear, grounded view of where blockchain is headed — and why patience might be its greatest advantage.

Episode 197: Beyond Bitcoin: How Blockchain is shaping the Future

Alexandre Goedert, VP of Engineering at SurePay, sat down with our host TC Gill for our podcast CTO Confessions to discuss what it really means to lead from the core—where people, architecture, and cross-team alignment intersect.

💬 What you’ll hear in this episode:
✅ Why architecture should start within teams—but needs cross-team alignment at scale
✅ How people and soft skills become critical as engineers move into leadership roles
✅ The hidden challenges of cross-team architecture and modern GenAI frustrations
✅ Why leadership can become lonelier the higher you go

💡 “The higher you go up in an organization, the lonelier it can be.” – Alexandre Goedert

Whether you’re leading multiple teams, navigating complex architectures, or growing into senior leadership, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives on building healthy teams and scalable systems—without losing the human side of tech.

Episode 198: People, Architecture, and the Cross-Team Perspective

Hosted by TC Gill, this podcast explores the dynamic world of technology leadership. Each episode explores the challenges, strategies, and stories that shape the lives of today’s CTOs and tech leaders.  

From navigating complex business issues to leading high-performing teams, CTO Confessions sheds light on the multifaceted role of technology executives, highlighting the critical decisions they make and the impact they have on organizations.  

Join us as we unpack the realities of tech leadership and share insights that rarely get the appreciation they deserve, all with a healthy dose of curiosity and candor. 

Brought to you by IT Labs.