Best Accessibilty Podcasts (2025)

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Beyond Compliance: The Economic Case for Digital Accessibilty 12:16

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15d ago12:16

12:16

Alex and Amy are joined by NASCIO policy analyst Kalea Young-Gibson to chat about her new report Beyond Compliance: The Economic Case for Digital Accessibility. We also get a new government affairs update from Alex.By NASCIO

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North Dakota's No Wrong Door Gateway with Corey Mock 32:56

2h ago32:56

32:56

For our 150th episode, Alex and Amy are joined by North Dakota state CIO Corey Mock. We discuss how Corey's unique background as a young state legislator led him to the role of state CIO, how ND worked with different agencies to established the ND Gateway for businesses to have a more seamless government experience, what is on the horizon and how h…

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NASCIO Hosts International IT Leaders, Plus a DC Update 16:25

29d ago16:25

16:25

Amy and Alex talk about Amy's experience last week hosting guests from the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program in Lexington on behalf of NASCIO and Alex gives an update on federal affairs. Plus we talk about all the major pop culture news of the last couple of weeks.By NASCIO

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Demystifying State Technology Procurement with NASCIO President Amanda Crawford 17:03

1M ago17:03

17:03

Amy and Alex are joined by NASICO President and Texas state CIO Amanda Crawford to discuss her president's initiative around state IT procurement and the report that was released last week. NASCIO held a number of listening sessions between state and corporate members to learn about procurement pain points and how to to avoid them. See the report h…

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Infrastructure Updates, Cybersecurity and Balancing AI: NJ State CTO Chris Rein 14:20

2M ago14:20

14:20

Chris Rein stops by the NASCIO Voices podcast to talk about his initiatives in New Jersey. We talk about updating infrastructure, balancing innovation with AI and citizen concerns, his advice for new CIOs and he tells us the most "New Jersey" thing about himself.By NASCIO

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How AI Is Changing the Role of the State CIO with GA CIO Shawnzia Thomas 21:27

3M ago21:27

21:27

Amy and Alex are joined by Georgia state CIO Shawnzia Thomas. We talk about her four years at GTA and how AI has changed the work of the organization during that time. We also talk about her other priorities in the state and her favorite thing to buy for $10.By NASCIO

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AI, States, and a 10-Year Freeze: With NCSL's Barri Tabin 29:06

4M ago29:06

29:06

Alex and Amy are joined by NCSL's Legislative Director Barrie Tabin to talk about the proposed federal 10-year moratorium on states regulating AI. We discuss why our two organizations are working together to oppose the proposal as well as our work around preserving the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. Plus we look ahead to some fun summ…

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Unlocking Potential: Cybersecurity Jobs for Non-Violent Offenders 14:16

5M ago14:16

14:16

Amy and Alex are joined by NASCIO policy analyst Kalea-Young Gibson to talk about her new report, Unlocking Potential: Empowering Re-entry Through Cybersecurity Training. The cybersecurity workforce gap is growing—and so is the urgency to find new solutions. In this episode, we explore an unexpected yet promising approach: training incarcerated ind…

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NASCIO Midyear in Philly (A Little East Coast Swing) 14:00

5M ago14:00

14:00

Goodbye to National Harbor, hello to Philadelphia. Alex and Amy are joined again by NASCIO's director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane to talk all about what we can expect at the NASCIO Midyear Conference coming up in Philadelphia. We talk about programming changes, a new city, themes and apps Emily just can't live without!…

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NASCIO Goes to Capitol Hill 15:20

6M ago15:20

15:20

Today Alex fills us in on the recent hearing on the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and the testimony from Utah CIO Alan Fuller and CT CIO Mark Raymond. We also talk about making our homes more energy efficient and the new publication coming out on privacy. Find the recording and testimony here: https://homeland.house.gov/hearing/cybers…

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The Obvious (and Simple) Way to Improve State RFPs 13:11

7M ago13:11

13:11

Today Alex and Amy are joined by Waldo Jaquith with US Digital Response to discuss a new joint publication on improving the RFP process with a simple summary sheet. We also discuss the importance of user research and who would play us in a movie. See the report and summary sheet template here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/improv…

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How to Get Better Answers from Generative AI with Indiana's Bryan Zaczek 16:49

7M ago16:49

16:49

Alex and Amy talk with Bryan Zaczek who works as a principal data scientist with the state of Indiana's Management Performance Hub. Bryan walks us through the art of prompt engineering to get better answers from generative AI tools. We also talk about how we are using GenAI in our personal lives!By NASCIO

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How the Federal Funding Freeze Affects States, Plus Japan's Government IT Workforce Challenges 17:09

7M ago17:09

17:09

Today Amy and Alex talk about how the federal funding freeze might affect the Cybersecurity Grant Program and state IT offices. Plus Amy tells Alex about what she learned about the Japanese local government system, their workforce challenges that look a lot like ours and what she was most impressed by in her recent trip to Japan representing NASCIO…

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NASCIO's Federal Advocacy Priorities and the DOJ Final Rule on Accessibility for State and Local Websites and Apps 16:25

8M ago16:25

16:25

NASCIO's 2025 federal advocacy priorities are released! Alex gives us the rundown. https://www.nascio.org/government-affairs/federal-advocacy-priorities/ Kalea Young-Gibson, NASICO's policy analyst also joins to give us an overview of the DOJ final rule for accessibility for state and local government websites and apps.…

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Taking a Dive Into 2025: State IT Trends for the New Year 25:40

8M ago25:40

25:40

Alex, Amy and Meredith from the NASCIO team disucss our predictions for the trends that will affect cybersecurity, privacy, AI, enterprise architecture, workforce and DC. We also give our pets some new year's resolutions.By NASCIO

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State CIOs' Top Ten Priorities and Technologies for 2025 21:53

9M ago21:53

21:53

Amy and Alex are joined by Eric Sweden, program director for enterprise architecture and governance with NASCIO, for our annual NASCIO Top Ten episode. Come for the data, stay for Eric's Christmas medly on the guitar! Eric tells us all about what's on these lists for 2025, how the lists have changed over the years and what's staying consistent. Top…

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NASCIO Wrapped 2024 20:36

10M ago20:36

20:36

Find out where we've been, what we did and all we accomplished as a community in our episode wrapping up the year at NASCIO. Alex and Amy have a conversation covering our events, publications, awards, advocacy priorites and some fun things too. And yes, they tell you what was on their Spotify Wrapped lists too.…

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Travelling with a Spinal Cord Injury by Plane with Sophie Morgan 46:14

10M ago46:14

46:14

In this episode of the Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, host Sophie Elwes interviews TV presenter, disability advocate, and artist Sophie Morgan about her journey and experiences travelling with a T5-6 complete spinal cord injury. The discussion covers the challenges and tips for flying with a disability, the importance of self-advoc…

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Travelling with a Spinal Cord Injury by Car with The Bucys 51:03

10M ago51:03

51:03

In this episode of the Backup and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, host Sophie Elwes interviews Hannah, who sustained a C5 incomplete spinal cord injury in 2018, and her father, Darren. They share their experiences and insights into navigating life and travel with a spinal cord injury. Hannah discusses her journey from sustaining her injury as a…

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New Trends in State Cybersecurity 35:10

10M ago35:10

35:10

Alex and Amy are joined this week by NASCIO's deputy executive director Meredith Ward and Deloitte's Srini Subramanian to talk about the 2024 Deloitte-NASCIO Cybersecurity Study. We talk about the changing role of the state CISO, why budget woes are back and how CISO's are handling generative AI. Come for the great cyber content, stay for the seven…

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How Are States Really Using Generative AI? 17:50

11M ago17:50

17:50

Today Amy and Alex talk about the new NASCIO report on how states are using generative AI. This was a President's Initiative Report spearheaded by the past year's President Jim Weaver, North Carolina's state CIO. Find out key findings from the report such as: The role of the state CIO when it comes to generative AI The most common business practice…

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Travelling with a Spinal Cord Injury by Wheelchair with Pete Donnelly 38:12

11M ago38:12

38:12

In this episode of the Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, host Sophie Elwes interviews Pete Donnelly, who has lived with a T6 spinal cord injury for 18 years. They discuss Pete's journey with Back Up, his rehabilitation, mastering wheelchair skills, and his exceptional travel experiences globally. Pete shares valuable insights into ove…

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Travelling with a Spinal Cord Injury by Public Transport with Merryn Thomas 37:52

11M ago37:52

37:52

In this episode of The Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, host Sophie Elwes interviews Merryn Thomas about her journey with a spinal cord injury sustained in 2009. The discussion touches on various travel experiences, focusing on public transport, living abroad, and the challenges and triumphs of navigating the world as a wheelchair us…

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Travelling with a Spinal Cord Injury by Train with George Robinson 38:57

11M ago38:57

38:57

In this episode of the The Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, actor George Robinson discusses his journey following a spinal cord injury sustained during a rugby trip in South Africa. He shares his experiences in the hospital and his involvement with Back Up, a pivotal support system during his recovery. George details his acting caree…

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The Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast trailer 2:21

11M ago2:21

2:21

The Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast is hosted by Sophie Elwes, Head of Services at Back Up. She sustained a T4 spinal cord injury back in 2011. Over this series she'll be interviewing a range of guests who are all affected by spinal cord injury and each episode will look at a different mode of transport. Guests to come include George…

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NASCIO President Mandy Crawford's Priorities for the Coming Year 19:12

11M ago19:12

19:12

Amy and Alex sit down with Texas State CIO and Executive Director (and NASCIO's new president!) Amanda "Mandy" Crawford to talk about her involvement with NASCIO over the years, her priorities in Texas and her thoughts on a presidential initiative. And of course, in our Lightening Round we also hear about her thoughts on fall, hobbies and Halloween…

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Summarizing the NASCIO 2024 State CIO Survey...With the Help of AI 10:10

12M ago10:10

10:10

Fresh off the NASCIO Annual Conference, Amy and Alex use the magic of Notebook LM to give us an audio overview of the NASCIO 2024 State CIO Survey. Hear how this AI tool summarizes the main ideas in the survey and even plays up this year's "building blocks" theme. Read the survey for yourself here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/the-2024-st…

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NASCIO Annual Conference Sneak Peek With Emily Lane 15:19

1y ago15:19

15:19

It's time for the NASCIO Annual Conferece preview episode with our own director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane. We'll be getting together very soon in The Big Easy! Find out what to wear for the Awards and Recognition Dinner, what you'll learn in the learning lounges and who our keynote speakers are. Plus, you'll learn how to hear directl…

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The Importance of Data Quality for GenAI with Eric Sweden and Chris Estes 21:29

1y ago21:29

21:29

This week we are joined by NASCIO's program director for enterprise architecture and governance, Eric Sweden and EY's Chris Estes on a new joint publication between NASCIO and EY called Data Quality--Vital to optimizing GenAI: A Survey of State Chief Information Officers and Chief Data Officers. We discuss what's in the report, data management and …

1
What's Coming Up at NASCIO? Wrapping up Summer and Looking Toward Fall 14:25

1y ago14:25

14:25

Amy and Alex talk about the Summer Series guest list and discuss upcoming NASCIO events and publications. Plus they discuss what they did this summer and their work goals for the fall.By NASCIO

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Summer Series: Nate Denny, Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity (NCDIT) 21:52

1y ago21:52

21:52

Amy talks with Nate Denny, Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity for the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. We talk about the direct impact he and his team have on the ability of North Carolina citizens to get the resources they need in 2024.By NASCIO

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Summer Series: Director of Data Services and GIO, Julia Fischer (MD DoIT) 20:35

1y ago20:35

20:35

Alex and Amy talk with Julia Fischer, Maryland DoIT's director of data services and geographic information officer. We talk all about her passion for maps, data and cartography.By NASCIO

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Summer Series: Director of Communications, Paula Calhoun (Georgia, GTA) 15:31

1y ago15:31

15:31

Alex and Amy are joined by Paula Calhoun who serves as the director of communications for the Georgia Technology Authority. We found out that though Paula started out in broadcast journalism, she found her true calling in government. Find the transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/704052/15328390By NASCIO

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Revolutionizing Assistance: New NASCIO Publication with Kalea Young-Gibson 5:16

1y ago5:16

5:16

Bonus episode! Amy and Alex interrupt our regular summer series programming to announce a new NASCIO publication: Revolutionizing Assistance: How States Can Improve Generative AI’s Role in Disability Empowerment. Author and NASCIO policy analyst Kalea-Young Gibson joins us to talk about the publication and the recommendation she thinks is most crit…

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Summer Series: Special Projects Coordinator, Addy Newsom (TN, STS) 19:54

1y ago19:54

19:54

This summer we are diving into some of the lesser-known roles in state government technology. This week Amy and Alex talk with Special Projects Coordinator, Addy Newsom with Tennessee Strategic Technology Solutions. Addy also provides executive support to the Tennessee state CIO. Addy tells us how an early career pivot away from nursing led her dow…

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Summer Series: Chief People and Culture Officer, Lisa Jammer (Texas, DIR) 12:52

1+ y ago12:52

12:52

This summer we are diving into some of the lesser-known roles in state government technology. This week Amy and Alex talk with Chief People and Culture Officer, Lisa Jammer with the Texas Department of Information Resources. Lisa tells us how she's reinvisioning human resources in her role for the organization, the craziest work trip she's ever tak…

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20 Years of State Technology Leadership with Doug Robinson 31:13

1+ y ago31:13

31:13

Alex and Amy talk with NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson about 20 years in his role, what has changed with the state CIO role, state technology and NASCIO as an organization. We talk about challenges, successes and the advice he would go back and give himself 20 years ago. Also stay for an informative lightening round when we discuss bourbon …

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AI, Privacy, TikTok and More: Federal Affairs Update with Alex 18:24

1+ y ago18:24

18:24

Amy and Alex talk about all the big issues happening now on Capitol Hill along with an overview of our recent federal fly-ins. We also discuss why AI isn't much of a partisan issue and the fact that TikTok is still here even though Congress banned it.By NASCIO

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All Things Midyear (and Our New Team Member)! 26:22

1+ y ago26:22

26:22

Amy and Alex talk with our newest team member Kalea-Young Gibson, policy analyst, about her background and why she is excited to work with NASCIO. Then we are joined by NASCIO's director of experience and engagement, Emily Lane to talk all things Midyear Conference. Find out what's new, what's changing, what to get excited about and what to wear.…

1
New Responsibilities and Continuing Challenges for State Chief Privacy Officers 13:56

1+ y ago13:56

13:56

Alex talks with Amy about the newest NASCIO survey and report about the state chief privacy officer role, new AI responsibilities and continuing challenges around governance, funding and authority. https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/the-shifting-privacy-paradigm-state-chief-privacy-officers-evolving-roles-and-persistent-realities/ Fin…

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Local Government Security with Arlington, TX CISO Bryce Carter 17:19

1+ y ago17:19

17:19

Alex and Amy talk with Bryce Carter, chief information security officer for the city of Arlington, TX. We talk about the similarities in priorities between local government and state government, his relationship with the state CIO, working with the private sector and the city's partnership that will bring air taxis to Arlington!…

1
How States Can Improve Their Data Literacy With Eric Sweden 13:54

1+ y ago13:54

13:54

NASCIO has a brand new report on data literacy and NASCIO's Eric Sweden joins Alex and Amy to talk about the topic which has been highlighted with the emergence of generative AI. Learn more here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/data-literacy-within-state-government-building-a-knowledgeable-workforce-that-knows-how-to-use-data-for-b…

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Timothy Galluzi's Career of Service from the Marine Corps to Nevada's State CIO 19:22

1+ y ago19:22

19:22

Alex and Amy talk with Nevada CIO Timothy Galluzi about his newly elevated state CIO role in the governor's cabinet, generative AI, projects in 2024 and how his time in the Marine Corps prepared him for the role of state CIO. We also learn a surprising fact about him, his ideal vacation and where you should visit if you are coming to Nevada (that's…

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How States Are Legislating AI and Deepfakes with NCSL's Heather Morton 17:18

1+ y ago17:18

17:18

Alex and Amy talk with Heather Morton, director of financial services, technology and communications at the National Conference of State Legislatures. We talk with Heather about trends in AI legislation, how states are legislating deepfakes and the surge in privacy bills. We also learn about Heather's first job. Hint: it involved Blizzards. Find th…

1
Arizona's Cloud Journey With State CIO J.R. Sloan 17:50

1+ y ago17:50

17:50

Alex and Amy talk with Arizona state CIO J.R. Sloan about AZ's journey into the cloud, priorities for 2024, his recent visit to D.C. and what what sport he's most likely to be watching.By NASCIO

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NASCIO's 2024 Federal Advocacy Priorities Unveiled! 17:31

1+ y ago17:31

17:31

Amy and Alex talk about NASCIO's 2024 federal advocacy priorities the day before they are released, why we have them and what's brand new this year. We also talk about why Alex is not technically a lobbyist and listen to a few minutes of a radio interview Amy did on artificial intelligence.By NASCIO

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What's in Store for 2024? Checking in With NASCIO President Jim Weaver 31:18

1+ y ago31:18

31:18

Alex and Amy talk with North Carolina state CIO and NASCIO's new president Jim Weaver on serving in three different state IT offices, his plans for 2024 and the most important traits of a state CIO.By NASCIO

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The NASCIO Top Ten for 2024 with Eric Sweden 26:10

2y ago26:10

26:10

It's that time of year again! Alex and Amy talk with NASCIO's Program Director for Enterprise Architecture and Governance, Eric Sweden about the NASCIO Top Ten lists for 2024. These lists are what state CIOs are most focused on for the year ahead. Find out the big surprises for the year (like a tie for first place!) and what's on the list for the f…

1
Improving the Citizen Experience with NASCIO Past President Stephanie Dedmon 13:50

2y ago13:50

13:50

Alex and Amy talk with NASCIO's most recent past president about her president's initiative report on the digital citizen experience. She also reflects on her term as president this past year. Find the report here: https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/creating-a-citizen-centric-digital-experience-how-far-have-we-come/ You can find the t…

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What's the Most Exciting Thing Happening in Technology Right Now? 13:20

2y ago13:20

13:20

During the NASCIO Annual Conference in Minneapolis Amy and Alex interviewed nine attendees about what they think is the most exciting thing happening in technology right now. And of course we asked a fun question as well. Special thanks to Dan Wolf, Karen Sorady, Denis Goulet, Katrina Flory, Katy Ruckle, Ken Weeks, Matt Pincus, Steve Pier and Torry…