Chris McGowan chats with Samuel Redmond, Director of the Adapt Group, about the conundrum many businesses face — how to innovate effectively while navigating the hype of AI. Sam unpacks the innovation dilemma and how AI, specifically Gen AI, can help overcome business challenges, streamline strategy, and drive value.  Discussion Points  The Innovation Dilemma  Why do organisations struggle with a blank slate when tackling innovation?  How bringing external perspectives and identifying the right problems to solve is crucial.  The AI Dilemma: Hype vs Reality  The ..read more

Chris McGowan sits down with Elsa Pahnke, a Learning and Development Consultant with a wealth of experience and insights on the value of mature workers in today’s fast-paced tech industry. They dive deep into the biases that plague hiring practices, explore the untapped potential of seasoned professionals, and discuss how the industry can pivot towards inclusivity and innovation.  Music and Career  How Elsa’s band, Storm Cellar, has evolved over 15 years.  The parallels between music and career evolution in the tech industry.  The importance of creativity and innovation a ..read more

Welcome to another electrifying episode of ThunderCast. Chris McGowan sits down with tech visionaries Anthony Perera (CDAO at La Trobe University) and Mal Wanstall (VP Data & AI at Cochlear) to talk about one of the most puzzling questions: Why does Australia lag in innovation?   They also explore the impact of cultural and political factors and the role of data and AI in driving future growth.   This episode is a must-listen for tech leaders and innovators looking to understand the unique challenges and opportunities in Australia's tech ecosystem.  Listen to learn ..read more

In this episode of ThunderCast host Chris McGowan sits down with Greg Magill, the former Head of Digital Development and Digital Delivery at Westpac. Greg brings 18.5 years of experience from one of Australia’s oldest and largest banks to discuss the intricate dance between digital innovation and traditional business models.   They explore:  1. Innovation Roadblocks in Legacy Systems  Why do businesses struggle with integrating innovative digital assets?  The complexity of working with decades-old systems.  Strategies for minimal integration to prove the concept.  ..read more

Chris McGowan and guest Stan Belikoff dive into the benefits of bringing together delivery and development teams. They explore how this integration can speed up processes, improve project quality, and the role of security in it all. It’s a conversation packed with insights on making teams work better together for more effective tech projects.   Some of the topics they explored:  The transformative power of integrating delivery and development teams.  The critical role of aligning engineering and architecture for project success.  The non-negotiable need to embed secu ..read more

Forget boring resolutions! This episode of ThunderCast is a hilarious and heartwarming ride with Chris McGowan and his special guests, Frankie and Mac McGowan (his kids!). Join them as they crack open fortune cookies and dish out unexpected wisdom for 2024. From the importance of quality hugs to the art of admiring without desiring, Frankie and Mac's insights are as sharp as their wit. Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even shed a tear as they remind you that the best things in life are often the simplest. So ditch the self-help gurus and grab a fortune cookie — ThunderCast's got the advice ..read more

Join Chris McGowan and Mark McPherson as they unravel the artistry of historical storytelling and the gritty journey from idea inception to holding the published work in hand. Mark sheds light on the emotional toll, the necessity of brutal feedback, and the emotional investment required to birth a historical fiction masterpiece.   Discover how Mark's devotion to authenticity led him to tread the lands his characters roamed in the ancient world. It's a narrative of perseverance, the pursuit of authenticity, and the undeniable love for the old world that crafts a historical fiction author ..read more

Chris McGowan sits down with organisational strategy expert Martin Kearns once again to talk about the intricacies of OKRs, the challenges leaders face in aligning their teams, and driving results. From the pitfalls of emotional decision-making to the nuances of inside-out vs. outside-in approaches, this episode is a masterclass in leadership and strategy. Tune in to discover how to navigate the choppy waters of Q2 and beyond.  ..read more

Join Chris McGowan and the Director of Security Engineering at Vectra.ai Chris Fisher for an eye-opening episode of ThunderCast, where they delve deep into the world of cyber security. This episode focuses on Purple Teaming, a hands-on approach that simulates malicious attacks and penetration testing to fortify cyber defenses. Chris sheds light on how Vectra AI is revolutionising the way organisations identify and counter threats.   ..read more

In today's episode, Chris McGowan and Adam Long dissect the potent techniques of one of the FBI’s greatest negotiators, Chris Voss. From calibrated questions to data-driven decisions to tactical empathy, learn how to negotiate like your life depends on it — even if you’re just haggling over a contract. Whether you're a vendor, a client, or someone trying to navigate executive-level conversations, this episode provides invaluable insights into the methods that can help you succeed ..read more