Best Confluent Podcasts (2025)

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The Central Nervous System for Modern Business | Confluent CEO Jay Kreps 1:17:32

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3d ago1:17:32

1:17:32

The apps and websites we use every day depend on systems most of us never see. Jay Kreps joins Joubin Mirzadegan to share how Confluent became the ‘central nervous system’ for companies like Expedia and eBay, letting them respond to business operations instantly. They also break down why the myth of AI-driven efficiency falls short, and why buildin…

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We're back! Welcome to the Confluent Developer Podcast. 1:20

7d ago1:20

1:20

Weekly episodes launching Sept. 22! | Hi, I'm Tim Berglund. It's been about four years since I've been podcasting at Confluent, and "Streaming Audio" has been on hiatus for a little more than two, but I've got great news: we are back! We're back with a new name, a new format, and new hosts. Welcome to the Confluent Developer Podcast, where we talk …

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Making Data Simple: Live Data, Smarter AI with Snow Leopard founder Deepti Srivastava 39:24

1h ago39:24

39:24

Send us a text What if AI could tap into live operational data — without ETL or RAG? In this episode, Deepti Srivastava, founder of Snow Leopard, reveals how her company is transforming enterprise data access with intelligent data retrieval, semantic intelligence, and a governance-first approach. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the future of AI …

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The BOLD Advantage: Show Up (hint, this will make sense after you listen) and hear Fred Joyal’s Guide to Confidence, Networking & Growth {Replay} 50:32

8d ago50:32

50:32

Send us a text 🎙️ This week on Making Data Simple: Fred Joyal — you may know him from the iconic 1-800-DENTIST commercials. Today, Fred takes us beyond marketing genius into the art of being BOLD. Show Notes 02:20 – Brand Fred Joyal 19:20 – Monetization Strategy 20:58 – Boldness as a Superpower 23:18 – Just Show Up 26:15 – Step Up with Exercises 27…

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Airtable’s AI Reboot with CEO Howie Liu 1:07:17

21h ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Can a no-code giant reinvent itself in the AI-native era? This week on Grit, Airtable CEO Howie Liu shares what it means to “refound” a company, how speed comes from tearing up old playbooks, and why conversational AI is reshaping his product—and his company. Guest: Howie Liu, Co-Founder & CEO of Airtable Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:04 First startup &…

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🎙️ Talking Data with Dima Spivak, Director of Product Management, StreamSets {Replay} 37:11

6d ago37:11

37:11

Send us a text Get ready for an insightful conversation on the future of data integration and real-time decision making with Dima Spivak, Director of Product Management at StreamSets. We cover everything from the “why StreamSets” story to its secret sauce, how it plays in regulated industries, and what makes it a powerful player in data fabric, AI,…

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Inside the Mind of the World’s Most Optimistic CEO 1:09:48

17d ago1:09:48

1:09:48

For Bill McDermott, work has never been just a job. On this Labor Day rerun of Grit, first published Jan 9, 2023, the ServiceNow CEO reflects on what he learned from his earliest jobs and how he carried those lessons from a deli counter in Long Island to the boardroom of an $80B software company. We cover: Why Bill bought a deli when he was in high…

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Stop, Start, Succeed: Jacob Hicks on Time Management & Coaching with Guest Host Katherine Mayne 33:42

13d ago33:42

33:42

Send us a text Ready to reclaim your time and live with intention? In this episode, Katherine Mayne sits down with Jacob Hicks, Coach and Speaker, to explore the intersection of productivity and intentional living. We dive into the tools, habits, and strategies that can help you master time management, optimize your workflow, and unlock your full p…

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How Dropbox Beat Big Tech in the Cloud Wars 1:32:34

19d ago1:32:34

1:32:34

How do you win when your competitors are the biggest companies in the world? This week on Grit, Dropbox co-founder and CEO Drew Houston retraces the path from a bus-stop prototype to competing head-on with Google, Apple, and Microsoft. He explains why grit is “learning to run toward discomfort,” and the moments he realized founders keep going “for …

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In case you missed it.... Master the 3 Circles – Focus, Influence & True Leadership with Executive and Leadership Coach, Lynne Snead 42:23

20d ago42:23

42:23

Send us a text Episode Description: Taking a break doesn’t mean you miss the good stuff. Last year, while I was on a much-needed vacation, I invited one of my favorite coaches back on the mic — Lynne Snead, Principal & Owner of Talent Evolution Systems. Lynne walks us through the Three Circles Model — a powerful framework for maintaining focus, exp…

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Building High-Impact Sales Teams | Dan Lee and Nooks 58:51

22d ago58:51

58:51

Even with AI, sales still comes down to human connection. This week on Grit, Dan Lee shares how Nooks automates busywork like research and dialing for thousands of sales teams, letting reps focus on the conversations that close deals. He also shares his “do more with less” approach, why cold calls still convert, and how to maximize human impact alo…

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Powering the Future: Leadership, AI, and the Next Era of IBM Power with Tom McPherson, GM of IBM Z and LinuxONE and former GM of IBM Power 38:46

1M ago38:46

38:46

Send us a text Episode Description (Show Notes): Step into the world of IBM Power Systems with insider insights from Tom McPherson, former GM of IBM Power. In this conversation, Tom shares leadership lessons, debunks common misconceptions, and dives deep into the innovations shaping the future of Power infrastructure. From AI integration to hybrid …

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Shishir Mehrotra on Building Tools Creators Love 1:29:58

1M ago1:29:58

1:29:58

What if your tools shared context like your team does? This week on Grit, Shishir Mehrotra shares how the Coda and Grammarly collaboration unlocks context as a “superpower,” reflects on his early days at Google and YouTube, and hints at a future where tools anticipate intent and amplify how we work. He also shares how this paves the way for agent-b…

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🎙 Symbolic AI, QLattice, and Mind-Bending Ideas with Casper Wilstrup CEO of Abzu {Replay} 44:35

1M ago44:35

44:35

Send us a text 🎙 Replay Alert: Symbolic AI, QLattice, and Mind-Bending Ideas with Casper Wilstrup We’re bringing back one of our most thought-provoking episodes! Join us for a replay with Casper Skern Wilstrup, CEO of Abzu and the mind behind QLattice. We dive into Symbolic AI, the why behind Abzu, and Casper’s wild take on consciousness, simulatio…

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How Notion Reimagined Productivity Tools | Ivan Zhao 1:28:36

2M ago1:28:36

1:28:36

Ivan Zhao joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how the company’s minimalist design became a strategic edge in a world overwhelmed by bloated software. He shares why the AI agent still hasn’t arrived, and how Notion’s modular approach might be the closest thing to making it real. Guest: Ivan Zhao, co-founder and CEO of Notion Mentioned in t…

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Streaming the Future: Dr. Sean Falconer, AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent on AI, LLMs, and the Contrarian View 45:54

2M ago45:54

45:54

Send us a text Deep Diving into the future of AI: Join Dr. Sean Falconer — AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent, software engineering leader, and developer relations expert — for a deep dive into the future of AI, data streaming, and what it really means to build at the edge of innovation. From managing multiple LLMs to testing autonomous agen…

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The Travel Giant Built on Billions of Reviews | Steve Kaufer on TripAdvisor 1:12:56

2M ago1:12:56

1:12:56

How did Tripadvisor become every traveler’s starting point? Steve Kaufer joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how Tripadvisor became the internet’s trusted travel companion, built on over a billion reviews and decades of trust. He also shares why early personalization fell short and how AI is finally doing what travel agents once did by un…

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{Replay} AI Risks, Ethics & Law — with Christina Montgomery Chief Privacy Officer, General Motors and former IBMer 44:35

2M ago44:35

44:35

Send us a text She’s the legal powerhouse behind IBM’s AI ethics strategy — and she makes law fun. In this encore episode, we revisit a fan favorite: Christina Montgomery, formerly IBM’s Chief Privacy and Trust Officer, now Chief Privacy and Trust Officer, GM. From guarding the gates of generative AI risk to advising on global regulation, Christina…

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The Expert Network Behind Handshake AI’s Model Training w/ Garrett Lord & Mamoon Hamid 1:02:00

2M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Guests: Garrett Lord, co-founder and CEO of Handshake; and Mamoon Hamid, partner at Kleiner Perkins. Handshake set out to democratize career opportunity. In the process, it unlocked something more: a high-trust expert network built on verified talent and earned trust. This week on Grit, Garrett Lord shares how what began as a platform for student j…

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Beyond the Buzz: Mastering Prompts & Agents with Jonathan Mast 39:29

2M ago39:29

39:29

Send us a text The AI Advantage: Get Better Results from LLMs with the Perfect Prompt On this episode of Making Data Simple, we’re joined by Jonathan Mast, AI consultant and coach at Whitebeard Strategies and creator of the Perfect Prompting Framework™. Jonathan’s not just riding the AI wave—he’s teaching business leaders and everyday users how to …

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How Plaid Turned a Failed $5.3B Deal with Visa into Momentum | Zach Perret (Plaid) 1:04:28

2M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

Zach Perret saw a fintech explosion coming—and built the rails before it arrived. On this week’s Grit, the Plaid co-founder and CEO retraces his path from building tools for developers to linking the world’s largest banks, and how a failed $5.3B acquisition by Visa became a launchpad. He unpacks the pressure of operating in a tightly regulated indu…

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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dave Garrison on the Science of Motivation (Part 2) 25:37

2M ago25:37

25:37

Send us a text We’re back with Part 2 of our must-listen conversation with Dave Garrison, leadership strategist and veteran CEO, on what it really takes to unlock performance through engagement. In this episode, we go deeper into the psychological drivers of motivation — autonomy, mastery, and purpose — and explore how to stop employee churn, comba…

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Episode 250: AI Special Featuring Sierra, Harvey, Windsurf & More 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

Six leaders from across tech — from SaaS and semis to law and logistics — come together for our 250th episode milestone in this very special AI recap, where we unpack how new advances are transforming the way industries function, and how work gets done. Featuring: • Bret Taylor (Sierra Co-founder) • Winston Weinberg (Harvey Co-founder and CEO) • Ma…

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🎙️ The Hidden Cost of Disengagement: Dave Garrison on Leadership That Sparks Innovation 32:05

3M ago32:05

32:05

Send us a text 📝 Show Notes: What if the biggest barrier to your company’s growth isn’t your strategy — but your people’s belief in it? In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, we welcome Dave Garrison, seasoned CEO, board member, and leadership strategist with over 25 years of experience driving real-world results. Dave pulls back the curtain …

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How Imprint Is Reinventing Credit Cards for Modern Brands | Daragh Murphy 55:56

3M ago55:56

55:56

Daragh Murphy is giving brands their own credit-card platform—no legacy bank required. On this week’s Grit, the Imprint co-founder and CEO traces the leap from being a junior lawyer to closing nine-figure card deals. He breaks down the hidden economics of credit-card loyalty, the discipline of treating capital “like the last dollar,” and how AI wil…

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From 9× Safer Cars to Hallucination-Free LLMs: Inside Sama with Duncan Curtis SVP for GenAI & AI Product + Technology 47:21

3M ago47:21

47:21

Send us a text From Elephant Butts to Ethical AI — Duncan Curtis on De-Risking GenAI at Sama Episode intro Duncan Curtis, SVP for GenAI & AI Product + Technology at Sama, has shipped everything from autonomous-vehicle platforms at Zoox to game-changing data products at Google. Today he leads a 160-person team that’s reinventing how training data is…

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GitLab’s CEO on Why the Next Great Developer Might Not Write Code | Bill Staples 1:05:16

3M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Bill Staples has spent 30 years redefining how the world writes, ships, and secures code. On this week’s Grit, the GitLab CEO shares what it takes to lead a public, all-remote DevSecOps company trusted by more than half of the Fortune 100. He breaks down the discipline of managing energy instead of hours, why weekly operating cadences beat quarterl…

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CEO David Hirschfeld of Tekyz on the Startup Lie That’s Killing Your Company. Hint: It’s not about the tech — it’s about the problem you're solving. 45:50

3M ago45:50

45:50

Send us a text 🎧 Episode Description: This week on Making Data Simple, we welcome David Hirschfeld, Founder and CEO of Tekyz. With a background spanning major tech firms and startup trenches, David brings grounded, data-backed insight into what makes or breaks a startup. From tackling the #1 reason startups fail to exploring the value of validation…

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Stord’s Plan to Take on Amazon’s Logistics Advantage | Sean Henry 58:23

3M ago58:23

58:23

What does it take to build the logistics backbone for the next generation of commerce? Sean Henry, founder and CEO of Stord, joins Kleiner Perkins partner Ilya Fushman and Grit host Joubin Mirzadegan to talk about scaling a national fulfillment network that now moves 50 million packages a year and reaches 15% of U.S. households. They explore how St…

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🎯 Strategic Sales, AI Smarts & Pixar Roots: Ralph Gootee CTO of TigerEye Tells All 48:46

3M ago48:46

48:46

Send us a text This week on Making Data Simple, we welcome Ralph Gootee, CTO and co-founder of TigerEye, a company reshaping strategic sales intelligence with a data-driven edge. Ralph’s journey spans Pixar, Sony, and PlanGrid — and now he’s building tools to help sales leaders see around corners. From the secrets behind TigerEye's intuitive report…

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Family, Focus, and 350M Users: Inside Zoom with Eric Yuan 1:14:47

3M ago1:14:47

1:14:47

Eric Yuan turned a simple belief into Zoom, the platform that kept the world moving through a once-in-a-century shutdown and redefined modern work. On this episode of Grit, the Zoom CEO shares why velocity beats size, how a family-first ethos powered his leadership during COVID, and why the coming wave of AI dwarfs the original internet boom. He de…

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In case you missed it....The Future of Risk, Powered by AI with Kathy Stares, EVP of North America at Provenir 35:29

4M ago35:29

35:29

Send us a text 🎧 REPLAY ALERT: The Future of Risk, Powered by AI In case you missed it the first time — we’re bringing back this incredible conversation with Kathy Stares, EVP of North America at Provenir. Kathy dives into how Provenir’s AI-powered risk decisioning software processes over 4 billion transactions annually across 50+ countries. From f…

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Bret Taylor’s Journey Leading Salesforce, Sierra & OpenAI 1:29:48

4M ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Over the past two decades, Bret Taylor has quietly helped shape the arc of Silicon Valley. From co-creating Google Maps to steering Facebook, Salesforce, and OpenAI, he’s been behind some of the most consequential products in tech. Now, with his new company Sierra, he’s starting from zero—again. In this conversation, Bret opens up about how founder…