A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world

John Rouda: technical leader, author, speaker, educator
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Feb 6, 2026 • 35min

AGL 455: Adam Christing on The Laughter Factor

About Adam Adam Christing brings people together with humor and heart! He’s a captivating keynote speaker and an award-winning event emcee. Adam has delighted over two million people across 49 of the 50 U.S. states and internationally. He is a performing member of Hollywood’s world-famous Magic Castle. He has been featured on Entertainment Tonight and more than 100 top podcasts, TV shows, and radio programs. Adam was recently featured on Harvard Business Review IdeaCast. He is the author of The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead (Penguin Random House, BK Books). Today We Talked About Adam’s background Comedy Have Fun Ha-uthenticity Laugh Langauges SAD – Surprise And Delight 5 Tactics Surprise Poke In-Joke Wordplay Amplify Leadership Laughter is a short-cut to trust Dad Jokes Feeling Safe Brickwalls Get closer together Transformation over information Connect with Adam LinkedIn Book Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Jan 30, 2026 • 27min

AGL 454: Dr. Michael Housman

About Michael Dr. Michael Housman is a seasoned technologist and data scientist specializing in the integration of artificial intelligence and human psychology. Over the course of his career, he has held a variety of C-suite roles and led technology divisions at various early-stage companies, hiring and managing teams that have grown to include hundreds of engineers and data scientists. His hands-on approach to leadership is exemplified by his commitment to coding and model building, ensuring he remains at the cutting edge of his field. He has helped architect platforms aimed at enhancing the hiring process (Evolv), handling time tracking and payroll for small business employees (Homebase), enhancing customer communication (RapportBoost.AI), detecting fraud (Point Predictive), and facilitating real estate transactions (Doma). Of those five start-ups—one was acquired, one went public, another is poised for an IPO in 2025, with others making significant strides in the industry. As a dynamic and engaging speaker, Dr. Housman has delivered hundreds of keynotes worldwide across more than a dozen countries, consistently receiving top accolades from diverse audiences. His expertise has enlightened executives within an all-star list of organizations, including: American Express, Barclays, Accenture, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Aramco, U.S Venture, Resort World, and YPO. In addition to his leadership roles, he actively provides artificial intelligence and data science advisory services to both burgeoning start-ups like PetLab, as well as established enterprises such as Coca-Cola. Dr. Housman’s unique ability to demystify complex technical concepts and present them engagingly sets him apart in a field often dominated by futurists and theorists. Dr. Housman’s academic credentials are equally impressive. His pioneering research, published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, presented at dozens of academic and practitioner-oriented conferences, and featured in prominent media outlets like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The Atlantic, underscores his significant contributions to the field. Not only has his work been recognized by academics and the media but has also captured the attention of other thought leaders in the space, being featured in Adam Grant’s second book “Originals” as well as the “Freakonomics” podcast. He is a regular lecturer at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas-Austin, teaching undergraduate and MBA students about the intersection of AI and business. Dr. Housman holds a Ph.D. in Applied Economics and Managerial Science from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an A.B. from Harvard University. Today We Talked About Michael’s background Data is the fuel for decision AI Training AI vs. Automation AI + People > AI or People AI-ccelerator Academy Solutions Technology is easy, People are hard. Fear Book – Coming March 1st. Connect with Michael LinkedIn AI-ccelerator Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Jan 23, 2026 • 36min

AGL 453: Error One with Eckard Jann

About Eckard Eckhard Jann is consultant, speaker, trainer and pilot. He has more than 30 years of experience as a senior safety manager in aviation. As an expert in error culture and error management he helps companies in aviation, health care, banking, software, automotive and many more. He is a renowned speaker and has entertained audiences all over the world. Today We Talked About Flying Military Service Mistakes The Error Chain “Kicking the Can Down the Road” Why Accidents Happen Accident Pryamid Accident Minor Occurences Listen to employees Empower them The Challenger Disaster Toyota – Quality Ford Pinto – Explosions Boeing – 737 Max problem Acknowledge there is an issue Psychology Safety of teams Active and Passive Critisism Separate yourself from the failure Training Deepwater Horizon Connect with Eckard LinkedIn Website Book Podcast – Error One Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Jan 16, 2026 • 39min

AGL 452: Crispin Thompson

About Crispin Crispin Thompson is the Founder and Principal Consultant at The Leadership Studio, offering nearly 30 years of experience in leadership roles throughout the technology industry. With a proven track record in driving transformational change, he specializes in digital transformation, pricing strategy, and operations management. Known for his hands-on, people-first approach, Crispin empowers teams to thrive and achieve exceptional results through effective coaching services. Before founding The Leadership Studio, Crispin served as an Executive at a Fortune 100 tech company, where he led cross-functional teams to achieve groundbreaking successes in partner and finance transformations. His leadership development initiatives consistently bridged the gap between high-level strategy and operational execution, earning recognition for innovative solutions and strategic insight. At The Leadership Studio, Crispin leverages his expertise to help individuals and organizations navigate complex challenges and build sustainable paths to success. He is passionate about fostering growth, driving impactful change, and cultivating a culture of excellence, all while enhancing team expertise. Outside of work, Crispin enjoys traveling, playing some very mediocre golf, and spending time with his young daughter, reflecting his belief in a balanced and well-rounded approach to leadership. Today We Talked About Background Days at HP Communication Being Intentional about communication Forget Perfection… just be better than you were Speak as you are being spoken Make it a “we” not an “I” Different perspectives / lenses Imposter syndrom It’s not the 1st time… I’ve been here before Emotional Intellegence, how to read the room? Empathy Introspection Listening for Intent AI and Emotional Intellegence History Connect with Crispin LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Jan 9, 2026 • 32min

AGL 451: Dawn Andrews

About Dawn Dawn Andrews is the Founder and CEO of Free Range Thinking, a boutique Business Strategy Consultancy that enables entrepreneurs to lead their businesses with unwavering confidence, intelligence, and passion. She’s an executive leadership coach, growth strategist, and acclaimed trainer and speaker. Her work includes collaborations with Maria Shriver, Shriver Media, and leading Women’s History Month programming for global pharmaceutical titan AbbVie. She’s been behind the scenes with the creative genius responsible for the feel-good blockbuster of summer 2023. No need for names – all you need to know is over one billion at the box office and counting. Up and down the “rolodex” (despite being fluent in cutting-edge communications tech, she still keeps it old school), her clientele’s achievements are EYE-POPPING: from being front and center on the campaign trail to building educational infrastructures in Africa, to catalyzing the end of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, to winning Oscars, Emmys, and Tony awards, leaving indelible marks on audiences worldwide. Part of her power comes from her unique, creatively analytical approach, crafting growth strategies, enhancing communication skills, and augmenting leadership performance, all while amplifying organizational efficiency. Part of it comes from her no B.S., super real, super empathetic self. Always love. It may be tough sometimes, but it’s always love. And it ensures not just insane professional growth but thriving personal lives. She’s also the host of the She’s That Founder podcast, like your morning coffee, but for your soul and career ambitions. As the Female Leadership Accelerator (FMxLA) founder, she’s committed to amplifying the influence of the next generation of female leaders to make their reverberations felt in their communities, in the US, and across the globe. Her insights and perspectives have been sought by platforms such as The Oprah Winfrey Network, CBS, and CNN. And her passion project? What gets her up in the early am and keeps her up way past midnight? Advancing women. Because while the future might be female, Dawn’s making sure that future is now. Today We Talked About Background AI as a pressure valve… Burn out Communication Framework Vision Alignment Execution Clearing the path Comfort Zone Management to leadership Human to Enterprise management Ask AI. :) Digital Clones Fear Will AI take my job?? Accountability Systems Don’t make it personal Data with Daily Dashboards Transparency Advancement for Women Connect with Dawn LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Jan 2, 2026 • 37min

AGL 450: Barbara Wittmann

About Barbara Barbara Wittmann is an author, entrepreneur, and leadership advisor known for helping leaders navigate the intersection of technology, culture, and human potential. With over 25 years of experience in IT strategy and digital innovation—including senior roles at SAP and the creation of multiple successful consultancies—Barbara brings a unique blend of technical expertise and people-centered leadership. Today, she focuses on what she calls Digital Wisdom: the skill of leading with clarity, ethics, and emotional intelligence in a rapidly evolving digital world. Through coaching, speaking, and writing, she supports executives, founders, and high-impact teams in building cultures where innovation, trust, and purpose can thrive. Originally from Germany and now based in Colorado, Barbara continues to inspire global audiences through her leadership philosophy, storytelling, and passion for aligning technology with what makes us deeply and authentically human. Today We Talked About Background Accidental Technologist Everyone Wants to be seen Wisdom is not tied to Age, its the willingness to explore yourself Software Test Cycles as a leadership Analogy The Digital Wisdom Collective Changing Culture Controlling Fear Limiting Beliefs Ask for forgiveness, not permission to change culture Trust Fun as a value Assumptions are the silent killer (must feel safe to share them) Curiosity Limiting Beliefs in Tech Leaders…. we’re not just 0 and 1 people Getting ahead of AI and Shadow IT Connect With Barbara LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Dec 26, 2025 • 35min

AGL 449: Rafsan Bhuiyan

About Rafsan Rafsan Bhuiyan is a trailblazing U.S. Army veteran turned enterprise AI strategist, whose journey from battlefield discipline to cutting-edge innovation has redefined revenue operations for global businesses. As the Founder and CEO of OrionQ, he leads the charge in developing agentic AI platforms tailored for telecom and automotive dealerships—unlocking billions in untapped revenue through seamless automation and CRM integration. Under his vision, OrionQ isn’t just software; it’s a force multiplier that empowers sales teams to scale smarter, faster, and more humanely. A proud graduate of Colorado Technical University with a deep-rooted passion for data science and software development, Rafsan has channeled his technical prowess into real-world impact. From overcoming gritty challenges in the POS service industry to coaching leaders on AI adoption, he’s built a reputation as one of the top voices in artificial intelligence. His insights have graced platforms like Authority Magazine, where he recently shared C-suite wisdom on balancing AI’s power with human intuition, and his Medium writings inspire aspiring data scientists to pursue fulfilling, productive lives. Beyond the boardroom, Rafsan is a devoted dad, an avid growth coach, and an unyielding advocate for ethical AI that amplifies—not replaces—the human spark. Whether dissecting the $3 trillion enterprise revenue opportunity or sharing war stories from his military days, Rafsan’s blend of grit, geekery, and genuine curiosity makes him the ultimate podcast guest for anyone navigating the AI revolution. Tune in as he demystifies the future of work, one breakthrough at a time. Today We Talked About background Army AI Why make it easy for people. Know your people UI is not meant for the AI era The world is changing, and we should change with it LLMO – The next version of SEO What are some of the prompts that get business’s discovered? Human Way to AI Connect with Rafsan LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Dec 19, 2025 • 33min

AGL 448: MichaelAaron Flicker

About MichaelAaron MichaelAaron Flicker is founder and president of XenoPsi Ventures, a brand incubator firm providing financial, marketing and intellectual capital to a growing portfolio of companies. He launched the business as a high school freshman 27 years ago in Ridgewood, NJ. Strategically, he focuses on managing XenoPsi Ventures portfolio of businesses, launching new companies and building equity-based partnerships with advertisers via XenoPsi Ventures’ innovative remuneration packages based on equity, not billable hours for services rendered. He is president of Method1, Function Growth and Z/Axis Strategies, three of XenoPsi Ventures professional services portfolio companies. He is also the president and founder of the Wellow compression sock e-commerce brand launched in November 2021 with no outside investment. He is a co-founder of the Consumer Behavior Lab in tandem with Richard Shotton. The CBL’s mission is to explore how behavioral science can be applied to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of media and marketing. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the “40 Under 40” by NJBIZ. He is a Board Advisor to Shady Rays and Frances Prescott. Between 2022 – 2024, XenoPsi was named every year to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. MichaelAaron has worked with many of the country’s leading brands including Nike, JPMorgan Chase & Co, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, ACE Insurance, Chubb, & Evan Williams Bourbon. Outside of work, MichaelAaron is Executive Director of Super Science Saturday (a Northern New Jersey science extravaganza for kids), a loving husband, and father of three beautiful children. Today We Talked About Background Behavioral Science 17 Brands What is the “Why” behind what works Human Mind Not what we say, but how we behave Ikea affect Choices of words matter A->B Testing your leadership style Assume everyone has your best intention in mind Respond with open ended questions Connect with MichaelArron LinkedIn Book Podcast Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Dec 12, 2025 • 53min

AGL 447: Bogdan Micov

About Bogdan Bogdan Micov is the go-to transformation expert for elite entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and leaders who want one thing: permanent emotional freedom – Fast. With deep mastery across NLP, Hypnosis, Timeline Paradigm techniques, Quantum Linguistics, and Polarity Integration, Bogdan created The BeRelentless Method™ – a surgical approach that deletes years of emotional baggage, identity friction, and subconscious sabotage in a single day. The Psychology of Calm Power: Why Cortisol Is Killing Your Performance From Overthinking to Overpowering: Deleting Your Emotional Brakes Stop Coping — Start Deleting: The End of Self-Help as You Know It Burnout Isn’t a Strategy Problem — It’s a System Glitch The Identity Reboot: Remembering Who You Were Before the Fear Set In After surviving a stroke at 33 and walking away from $50M+ in high-ticket sales, Bogdan rebuilt his life around one core truth: you don’t need more mindset work – you need deletion. Helped 300+ high-performers permanently eliminate internal blocks and friction Clients have collectively generated $25M+ in revenue post-transformation Survived a stroke and rebuilt his nervous system and performance from the ground up Creator of The BeRelentless Method™ and The Finger Snap Method™ His work is trusted by 300+ top performers across industries who were tired of managing their triggers, battling burnout, or hiding behind productivity hacks and finally wanting to feel clear, calm, and powerful from the inside out. This isn’t coaching. This is system re-coding Today We Talked About Emotions Brain Chemicals Freedom Stroke Ownership of your emotions Results Emotions coming from our Thinking…. Our meaning making process Conditioning – learning from past experiences Cause and Effect Emporement.. get out of that victim’s mindset Perspective Lenses – Deleting, Distorting, Generalizing What are your limiting beliefs? limiting decisions? Challenge the fruitfulness of your thoughts Weaken the belief Question how it serves you After it is removed, how would you feel Give examples Karate Connect with Bogdan LinkedIn Instagram – DM Bogda “Podcast” YouTube Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!
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Dec 5, 2025 • 39min

AGL 446: Tamara Laine

About Tamara Tamara Laine is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, fintech founder, and business growth strategist. As the founder and CEO of MPWR, she is transforming how credit and capital are accessed by gig workers, women, and underserved communities through AI and alternative data. A former gig worker herself, Tamara brings lived experience to her mission of building a more inclusive financial system. She has launched and scaled eight-figure tech ventures, advised banks on equitable capital access, and is a recognized expert in financial inclusion, ethical tech, and economic innovation. Tamara also co-hosts What the Frac?, a podcast on startup growth. Today We Talked About Ethical AI Innovative Leadership Journalism vs. Entrepreneurship Leadership Start with Why? Emotional Leadership Grounded in a good foundation Product first, then Vision Executive Coaching Empathy as a leader Empathy takes Time Being a Mentor Your network, and how you treat your community What the Fract show Connect With Tamara Website LinkedIn Podacst – What the Frac? Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

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