Best ELC Podcasts (2025)

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From Molecular Oncologist to Team Strategist: Trust the Collaborative Journey 50:48

Play Pause

8h ago50:48

50:48

In this episode of The Buzz, LM Bennett discusses her transition from bench science to team science at the NIH and NCI, co-authoring a field guide, and her new book, 'How to Succeed at Collaborative Research: A Practical Guide for Teams.' The conversation delves into the significance of trust, emotional intelligence, and effective communication in …

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Building Collaboration in Government: Insights with Acquisition COI 41:08

8d ago41:08

41:08

In this episode of The Buzz, Scott Simpson, the acquisition COI Government chair at ACT-IAC, shares his unexpected journey into the governmental acquisition field. We delve deep into Scott's experiences, the crucial role contracts play, and the impactful mentorship that shaped his career. Scott discusses the significance of building a reliable netw…

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EP144 From Checklists to Real-Time Data: The QA Evolution at RESNET🄬 With Laurel Elam and Scott Doyle (September 2025) 19:45

9d ago19:45

19:45

EP144 From Checklists to Real-Time Data: The QA Evolution at RESNET🄬 With Scott Doyle and Laurel Elam (September 2025) “If you’re a professional and the rules of your profession change, you can’t afford not to keep up.” — Scott Doyle In this episode of the RESTalk podcast, host Bill Spohn sits down with two long-time leaders at RESNET🄬: Laurel Elam…

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Fellows Speaker Series: Small Business 1:14:27

15d ago1:14:27

1:14:27

Fellows-only panel focused on small business success in the GovCon space. Whether you're looking to grow, partner, or simply gain deeper insight into the current landscape, this episode is your chance to learn from leaders who have built, scaled, and sold small businesses in today’s evolving environment. Featured Speakers: Kim Hayes, KBR (Former Ow…

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Leading across technical domains, strategic deep-dives & applying your skills in new industries w/ Simone Kalmakis #231 43:17

17d ago43:17

43:17

How do you apply your leadership skills to a new, mission-driven industry and effectively lead teams across multiple technical domains? In this episode, Simone Kalmakis (VPE @ Viam) shares her playbook for successfully transitioning between industries from health-tech and climate to her current work in robotics and AI. We deconstruct the leadership…

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Leadership and Collaboration Strategies in a Hybrid World 36:30

22d ago36:30

36:30

In this episode of The Buzz podcast by ACT IAC, the focus is on our Voyagers program, a leadership development initiative aimed at emerging leaders across federal government and industry. We get to talk with Ankur Saini, CTO at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and Robert Turman, Director of Consulting and Delivery at CGI Federal. Th…

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Questions to Ask a New Financial Advisor 8:50

27d ago8:50

8:50

Our firm: https://www.elcadvisors.com/ Here are eight key questions to ask a financial advisor to ensure they’re the right fit and can help you achieve your financial goals: What are your qualifications and credentials? How do you get paid? Are you a fiduciary? What is your investment philosophy? How will you help me achieve my specific financial g…

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ICYMI: Closing Keynote - AI Acquisition Forum 2025 21:35

29d ago21:35

21:35

In this final keynote, Jeff Sage, Director of Enterprise Service and Analysis Division at NASA's Office of Procurement, discusses the integration of AI in NASA's procurement processes. Introduced by Andrew McAllister, Jeff elaborates on NASA's historical and current use of AI, particularly focusing on its role in optimizing procurement operations a…

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How Box Builds AI Agents, Redefines Technical Vision, and Balances Speed with Security w/ Ben Kus #230 46:14

1M ago46:14

46:14

"If we were building Box today, what would we do?” Ben Kus (CTO @ Box) deconstructs their playbook for enterprise AI innovation. We cover their journey to reimagine & reorient the company to a new technical vision, how they run a “multi-speed” org that balances startup agility and & enterprise-grade stability, and their “platform first” approach to…

1
10 Tips for Money 12:08

1M ago12:08

12:08

Digging deep into the best money tips out there on this one. If you need a financial advisor, consider contacting us at: www.elcadvisors.comBy ELC Advisors

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Investing Myths 13:26

1M ago13:26

13:26

Everyone thinks they have the secret to investing. I'm here to talk about a few of the myths that are often perpetuated.By ELC Advisors

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Good Money Habits 6:49

1M ago6:49

6:49

Good habits are boring, but they are liberating. Getting into a virtuous cycle with you money habits can be life changing. In this episode I discuss some good money habits to consider adopting.By ELC Advisors

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What is the 4% Rule? 5:40

1M ago5:40

5:40

In this episode, we dive into the 4% Rule in investing—a popular strategy for retirement planning. We'll break down how the rule works, its historical context, and why many investors use it to determine how much they can safely withdraw from their retirement savings each year. We also explore the potential risks, variations, and updates to the 4% R…

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Become a Great Investor 8:26

1M ago8:26

8:26

It's not easy, but we all have the ability within us to become a great investor. In this episode, I'll talk about what I think it takes.By ELC Advisors

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5 Reasons to Keep Investing Expenses Low 4:12

1M ago4:12

4:12

In this episode, we break down 5 key reasons why keeping your investing expenses low is crucial for long-term financial success. From reducing fees and boosting returns to minimizing the impact of taxes and staying disciplined during market fluctuations, we’ll cover the important role that costs play in wealth-building. We’ll also discuss how high …

1
Investing Rules 15:57

1M ago15:57

15:57

I discuss some important rules to abide by on your investing journey in this episode. You don't have to listen to them all, but if you even use one, I'll consider it a win. :)By ELC Advisors

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How Stoics Invest 15:14

1M ago15:14

15:14

I discuss how stoics might approach investing in this episode. I talk about how a stoic would approach modern markets, market volatility and asset allocation.By ELC Advisors

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8 Reasons to Start Investing 9:15

1M ago9:15

9:15

In this episode, we dive into 8 compelling reasons why you should start investing now—no matter where you are in your financial journey. From the power of compound interest to building wealth over time, we’ll explore how investing can help you achieve your financial goals, secure your future, and protect against inflation. You’ll learn why investin…

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Unlocking the Wisdom of Charlie Munger: Transform Your Decision-Making 7:33

1M ago7:33

7:33

Welcome to this episode of Wealth Strategy, where hosts Erik Cooper and his guests delve into the transformative insights of Poor Charlie’s Almanac by Charles T. Munger. Discover how Munger’s unique approach to decision-making transcends beyond just financial advice, promoting a latticework of mental models drawn from various disciplines, including…

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ICYMI: Enabling the Workforce to Capitalize on the AI Opportunity 36:46

1M ago36:46

36:46

This episode features a panel discussion on the role of AI in workforce development within federal agencies at the AI Acquisition Forum 2025. Led by David Vennergrund, Vice President for AI at GDIT, the panel includes distinguished guests: Andrea Brandon from the US Department of the Interior, Florence Kasule from the Department of Education’s Fede…

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Rewriting the Engineering Leadership Playbook: An ELC Annual 2025 Preview #229 23:09

1M ago23:09

23:09

Engineering leadership is undergoing a seismic shift, requiring playbooks to be rewritten, in real-time. In this special episode, hosts Patrick Gallagher and Jerry Li give you an inside look at the ELC Annual 2025 experience, and how the two-day conference will equip you with new mental models, skills, and frameworks required to lead. Get a preview…

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Human-Centered Design in Government: COI's Journey from the former Soviet Union to Qualtrics 45:41

1M ago45:41

45:41

In this episode of The Buzz, host Yohanna Baez speaks with Sydney Heimbrock, the Chief Industry Advisor for Public Sector at Qualtrics and co-chair of the ACT-IAC's COI (community of interest) on talent. She shares her extensive career journey, including her transformative experience in the former Soviet Union and her efforts to integrate human-cen…

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EP143 Sweat Equity Meets Smart Energy: Inside a Habitat Zero Energy Ready Build with Kevin L. Smith (July 2025) 25:45

1M ago25:45

25:45

“When you're in construction, you're just building sticks and bricks—until you understand how a house actually performs.” – Kevin Smith In this episode of RESTalk, Bill sits down with Kevin L. Smith, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, to explore a groundbreaking project: the Bennett Point Phase 1 homes, which earned both ENERGY STAR …

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Exploring Digital Health Technologies in Federal Research 52:01

2M ago52:01

52:01

In this episode of The Buzz, expert guests delve into a new white paper by the ACT-IAC Health Community of Interest titled 'Digital Health Technologies in the Federal Health Research'. The discussion covers the intersection of technology, health, and research, particularly focusing on the use of wearables, mobile apps, and in-home monitors to enhan…

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The End-to-End Engineer: How WorkOS Collapsed the Talent Stack for High-Velocity Execution, Ownership & Better Product Decisions w/ Michael Grinich 44:55

2M ago44:55

44:55

What if your engineering team didn’t just write code, but owned product discovery, wrote the launch messaging, and handled early sales? In this episode, Michael Grinich, CEO and founder of WorkOS, deconstructs their playbook for collapsing the product/engineering stack: no design leads, only one PM, and engineers who own product end-to-end. Michael…

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ICYMI: Health Innovation Keynote Fireside Chat 21:28

2M ago21:28

21:28

In this keynote and fireside chat, Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) discusses his vision and efforts for making America's children and families healthier. Gradison highlights the President's priorities on efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting low-income families. He discusses the …

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ICYMI: Health Innovation Summit Closing Keynote 28:57

2M ago28:57

28:57

In this episode, Angela Wilson from Alpha Omega introduces the keynote speaker, Colonel Kris Saling, a US Army officer and talent strategist. Colonel Saling shares insights into her work modernizing workforce strategy, integrating AI into talent systems, and building human-centered solutions for the future of defense. The conversation covers the ro…

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Influencing without authority: What every engineering leader can learn from security w/ Srinath Kuruvadi #227 37:02

2M ago37:02

37:02

Influencing without authority is the hidden superpower of security leadership—and a crucial skill every engineering leader must master. In this episode, Srinath Kuruvadi (Head of Cloud Security @ JPMorgan Chase) breaks down how to influence without formal authority and advocate when ROI isn’t immediately clear. We cover tactics for shaping problems…

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From Engineering to Federal Contracting: A Mid-Career Voyage 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

In this episode of 'The Buzz from ACT-IAC,' host Yohanna Baez delves into the professional journey of Eric Ritz, a mid-career professional working with Accenture Federal Services for 15 years. Eric shares his experiences before, during, and after participating in the ACT-IAC Professional Development Voyagers Program. The discussion covers the progr…

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EP142 Home Efficiency by the Numbers: Highlights from the 2025 RESNET® Report with Ryan Meres (June 2025) 25:05

2M ago25:05

25:05

“RESNET members are now touching about a third of all new single-family homes. That’s a big number — and it’s only growing.” -Ryan Meres In this episode of RESTalk, host Bill Spohn welcomes back Ryan Meres, Programs Director at RESNET®, to explore the key insights from the 2025 HERS® Rated Homes Data Trends Report. This sixth annual edition reveals…

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Live at Emerging Tech Demo Day: Insights from Next Phase Solutions 41:42

3M ago41:42

41:42

Insights from the Emerging Tech Demo Day at the Carahsoft Conference and Collaboration Center in Reston, Virginia. Joined by Warren Miller, Corporate Chief Architect at Next Phase Solutions, and Lisa Wolff, the President and CEO, the episode delves into the innovative technologies showcased and their applications in government and commercial sector…

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Vision-first leadership & reimagining product w/ “Shift Out,” Do-It-as-a-Service & Jobs-to-Be-Done w/ John Amaral #226 44:54

3M ago44:54

44:54

John Amaral (CTO and co-founder @ Root.io) joins us to discuss the evolving role of engineering leaders and why vision-first leadership & building your “vision” muscle is more critical than ever. We dive into why “shift left” is dead and why SaaS is being replaced by “do-it” as a service. John also unpacks how to think in outcomes, apply the Jobs-T…

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Exploring the Integrated Value Network 48:34

3M ago48:34

48:34

The Integrated Value Network (IVN), a transformative tool for effective governance. Joined by guests Basil White, a senior informaticist, and Beth Martin, a user experience and digital services expert, the discussion highlights the significance of IVN in mapping complex government interactions. The conversation covers their experiences, the practic…

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Quick Summer Break! Join us @ ELC Annual 2025 (Early Bird Tickets End Soon) 2:46

3M ago2:46

2:46

We’re pausing the pod this week as we gear up final planning for ELC Annual 2025 - the premier event for engineering leaders. New episodes return next week (on a biweekly schedule!).This is our biggest event of the year… 1,000+ CTOs, VPs & Directors in San Francisco @ ELC Annual 2025 for two days of leadership breakthroughs, tactical peer learning …

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Innovators Unite: ET&I Conference Highlights Part 2 23:39

3M ago23:39

23:39

We are still live at the Emerging Tech and Innovation Conference, talking with amazing folks, like, Elizabeth McNamara, Health IT Innovation Officer at Next Phase Solutions Services, Virginia Huth a 30-year civil servant who is now CEO of Vanalytix, and Basil White, Senior Informaticist. Discussions revolve around the importance of innovation in pu…

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Scaling decision-making, designing eng orgs for speed & scope as underrated leverage w/ Dhruv Parthasarathy #225 37:42

3M ago37:42

37:42

In this episode, we go inside Commure’s engineering org w/ Dhruv Parthasarathy (CTO @ Commure & Athelas). We cover how to push decision-making down to move faster and reduce risk, structure teams for rapid iteration, and turn customers into product co-creators. Dhruv also shares how they cultivate polymath capabilities across EPD to accelerate velo…

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Innovators Unite: ET&I Conference Highlights Part 1 22:26

3M ago22:26

22:26

In this episode of The Buzz, we broadcast live from the 2025 Emerging Tech and Innovation Conference, featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders like Destinie Harris from Maximus, Jeff Mercurio from OnPoint Consulting, and Ratima Katari from ICF. Destinie discusses Maximus' Total Experience Management (TXM) solution and her journey in tec…

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The evolving velocity playbook, building product taste & exceptional product experiences in the AI era w/ Loïc Houssier #224 46:17

3M ago46:17

46:17

Loïc Houssier (VP Engineering @ Superhuman) shares his evolving playbook for driving velocity in eng orgs today, building product-minded teams, and cultivating product taste. We cover leading culture / mindset transformation, creating exceptional product experiences, operational excellence when product quality is increasingly subjective. Plus the e…

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ICYMI: Top Strategies from Leading Private Sector Contact Centers 42:59

4M ago42:59

42:59

*NEW EDIT* In this episode, panelists from industry share their strategies and experiences for improving contact center operations. The session is moderated by Crystal Philcox, a former federal executive at GSA and IRS. Topics discussed include the importance of customer feedback, leveraging AI and analytics for better customer interactions, proact…

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Rapid Prototyping, Lightning Pods & the End of PRDs: Redefining product development & EPD in the age of AI w/ Nissim Lehyani #223 38:45

4M ago38:45

38:45

When Nissim Lehyani (VP of Product at Life360) used AI to build a math game for his son, he didn’t just prototype a game, he rewired how he thinks about product development and the relationship between engineering, product, and design. In this episode, Nissim shares how that personal “aha” moment sparked a shift in how his teams build, collaborate,…

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EP141 Ventilation, Codes & Comfort: What Builders Need to Know Now with Patrick Nielsen 22:38

4M ago22:38

22:38

"As homes get tighter, ventilation isn't optional—it's essential." — Patrick Nielsen In this episode of RESTalk, host Bill Spohn sits down with Patrick Nielsen, Global Technical Products Manager at Broan-NuTone, to discuss the evolving world of home ventilation. With over two decades of experience, Patrick walks us through the major drivers shaping…

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ICYMI: Contact Center Case Studies - Governments Learn Best from Other Governments 38:10

4M ago38:10

38:10

In this episode, panelists from various government sectors discuss the critical importance of contact centers and share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for improving service delivery. The discussion includes insights into the role of technology, automation, and human factors in transforming contact centers. Key topics covered include …

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No New Episode - But We Launched Something New... Introducing the ELC Forum! 1:33

4M ago1:33

1:33

We just launched the ELC Forum — a new space for engineering leaders to dive deeper into real challenges and get peer support It’s a discussion board (like Reddit) but focused on eng leadership. We’re sharing takeaways from recent episodes and kicking off new discussions. Plus, AMAs with guests are coming soon. See you in the Forum! Click here to e…

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Live at the 2025 Contact Center Annual Summit 36:30

4M ago36:30

36:30

In this special live edition of The Buzz, Pete Tseronis interviews key industry leaders on the critical role of contact centers in delivering services, especially through digital and omni-channel strategies. Key speakers, including Martha Dorris of Dorris Consulting International; Amanda Chavez from Qualtrics; Mia Jordan from Salesforce; Marcellus …

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From architect to AI exec: Scaling leadership, maintaining credibility & effective communication to non-technical execs w/ Prashant Ramarao #222 43:37

4M ago43:37

43:37

How do you go from deeply technical IC to leading 100+ engineers - and still stay close to the tech? Prashant Ramarao, SVP of Engineering & Head of AI @ Yahoo shares lessons from his unconventional leadership journey, exploring the mindset shift from expert IC to executive! We cover how to scale your leadership while maintaining technical credibili…

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The Human Element in Tech and Mission with CIO, DOC Brian Epley 28:24

4M ago28:24

28:24

In this episode of the Buzz , Pete Tseronis interviews Brian Epley, Chief Information Officer at the United States Department of Commerce. They discuss the intersection of mission-driven technology and humanizing government initiatives. Brian reflects on his journey from the private sector to public service, emphasizing the importance of understand…

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The Startup Epoch: Rethinking Company Building & Defensibility in an AI World w/ Craig McLuckie #221 42:38

4M ago42:38

42:38

AI is reshaping the fundamental economics of startups—lowering product development costs, compressing GTM cycles, and rewriting the rules of competition. In this episode, Craig McLuckie (Co-Founder & CEO @ Stacklok, co-creator of Kubernetes) unpacks “the epoch of the startup,” a moment of massive disruption where fast-moving founders have a unique …

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Voyager Voices: Stories of Growth and Impact 26:04

4M ago26:04

26:04

In this special live edition of The Buzz, hosted by Yohanna Baez from Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia, the focus is on Voyager Talks, celebrating the achievements of the ACT-IAC Voyagers program. The event highlights the importance of collaboration between government and industry, featuring professionals from the program and supporting Canines for …

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AMD’s unified hardware + software strategy & building an open-source AI ecosystem w/ Anush Elangovan #220 36:55

5M ago36:55

36:55

Anush Elangovan (VP of AI Software @ AMD) is helping lead a strategic evolution at AMD, from silicon/components provider to a systems and solutions company built for the AI era. In this episode, we explore the first principles behind AMD’s unified AI hardware and software strategy and how the company is building a fully open-source AI ecosystem. An…

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EP140 The Future of QA at RESNET®: Automation, Oversight, and ENERGY STAR Updates with Scott Doyle 26:09

4M ago26:09

26:09

"You can’t manage what you can’t measure." — Peter Drucker In this insightful episode of RESTalk, host Bill Spohn welcomes Scott Doyle, RESNET’s Managing Director of Quality Assurance (QA), for a comprehensive update on what’s ahead in the world of RESNET QA®. Scott unpacks the most significant changes hitting the registry, Chapter 9 standards, and…