Welcome to today’s episode of Is that how it Happened, where we dive into the ideas, innovations, and leaders shaping the future. Our guest today is Paul J. Scaini, a driving force at Lenovo, where he plays a pivotal role in bringing cutting-edge technology solutions to businesses and industries around the world. With years of expertise in strategy, leadership, and transformative tech, Paul brings unique insight into how Lenovo is reimagining what’s possible in today’s digital-first landscape. From AI to enterprise innovation, he’s here to share not only Lenovo’s vision but also his perspective on where technology is headed next. Get ready for a conversation full of strategy, innovation, and forward-looking ideas with Paul J. Scaini of Lenovo.

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We’re honored to welcome Kyoshi Roger Dabney — a 9th Degree Black Belt in American Open Style Karate and a 7th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. With decades of dedication, discipline, and teaching experience, Kyoshi Dabney has shaped countless students through his martial arts journey.

From philosophy to physical mastery, this episode dives into what it really means to live the way of the martial artist — and why the lessons go far beyond the dojo.

Stay tuned… this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!

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Welcome back to another episode of "Is That How That Happened" with your host, Van "The Vanimal" Flowers! I'm fired up for today's conversation because we're diving deep with some folks who are absolutely crushing it in the ISP and data center world.

Today I've got the incredible team from C3 Complete joining us—and when I say "complete," I mean these guys are like the Swiss Army knife of internet service providers. But calling them just an ISP is like calling a Ferrari just a car. These are ISPs on steroids with legitimate superpowers.

We're talking about a full-service operation that doesn't just connect you to the internet—they architect, they protect, they scale, and they do it all with the kind of reliability that makes disaster recovery planners sleep soundly at night. And trust me, in my 30-plus years in this business, from IBM to Bell Labs to where I am now with Cloudian, I know the difference between companies that talk a good game and those that actually deliver the goods.

Now, here's what I love about today's show—yes, we're going to geek out about disaster recovery strategies and why having the right data center partner can make or break your business. But we're also going to find out what these tech superheroes do when they're not busy saving the digital world. Because let's be honest, some of the best insights come when you discover what drives people outside the server room.

So whether you're an IT director trying to figure out your disaster recovery strategy, a CTO looking for that bulletproof data center partnership, or you're just curious about what makes successful tech companies tick when they're off the clock, this episode is packed with value.

C3 Complete brings the kind of expertise and innovation that reminds me why I love this industry so much. These aren't just service providers—they're problem solvers, relationship builders, and the kind of partners you actually want in your corner when things go sideways.

So buckle up, grab your favorite beverage, and let's dive into a conversation about superpowered ISPs, bulletproof disaster recovery, and maybe a few surprises along the way. This is going to be fun!

Alright, C3 Complete team, welcome to "Is That How That Happened!" Let's start with the fun stuff—tell our listeners what you do when you're not busy being internet superheroes...

https://c3-complete.com

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Welcome back to another episode in our series, Cancer: The Gift That Keeps Giving. Today, I’m honored to introduce a truly inspiring guest: Mindy Fast. Mindy is not only a survivor of Multiple Myeloma, but also a powerful voice of resilience, courage, and hope. Her story shines a light on the realities of facing cancer head-on, while also celebrating the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

In this conversation, Mindy opens up about her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and the ways she’s found purpose through adversity. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply someone looking for a dose of perspective and perseverance, Mindy’s story is one that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Let’s dive in.

Mindy is one of the gifted leaders in the Richmond, VA Multiple Myeloma Support Group, and you can contact her and the support group here. https://www.myeloma.org/richmondva?_gl=1%2A19l790i%2A_gcl_au%2ANjI5NTQ4OTU4LjE3NTU2MzI4OTkuODQ0MzA0ODQzLjE3NTU2MzI5MTkuMTc1NTYzMjkxOQ..%2A_ga_2EJEFWRS4D%2AczE3NTU2MzI4OTkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTU2MzI5MTkkajQwJGwwJGgxNzIzNjUxODE0&check_logged_in=1

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What does it take to redefine how modern teams work with data?

In this episode of Is That How It Happened?, we sit down with Joe Dabrowski of dbt Labs, the company behind the modern standard for data transformation. With a mission to empower analytics engineers and streamline data workflows, dbt Labs is leading a revolution in how businesses transform raw data into actionable insights.

Joe brings his expertise and passion to the mic as we explore the rise of the modern data stack, the cultural shift in data teams, and why dbt isn’t just a tool — it’s a movement. From tech strategy to the human side of data, this conversation is packed with real-world insights and forward-thinking ideas.

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Welcome to Cancer: The Gift That Keeps Giving — a series where we explore the raw truth, resilience, and revelation found in the cancer journey.

Today’s guest is... me.

I’m Van Flowers, also known as The Vanimal, and in this special episode, I’m stepping out from behind the mic to share my own story — a story of survival, surrender, and surprising gifts that came from facing one of life’s toughest battles.

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitt’s Lymphoma, an aggressive and fast-moving cancer that brought my world to a standstill — but it didn’t take me out.

In this conversation, I open up about:

• The moment everything changed
• The brutal honesty of treatment and recovery
• The emotional, spiritual, and mental toll — and growth
• And why I now see cancer, in a strange way, as a gift

This isn’t just about survival. It’s about perspective, purpose, and turning pain into power.

Whether you're a survivor, caregiver, or just someone trying to make sense of it all — I hope this episode speaks to you.

Let’s begin.

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🎙️ Podcast Intro – "Is That How It Happened?"
Guest: Mike Tso, Co-Founder & CEO, Cloudian
Episode Release: July 10th

Welcome to Is That How It Happened? — the podcast where we sit down with the innovators, disruptors, and leaders shaping our world.

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the most transformative shift in modern technology: Artificial Intelligence — and the data infrastructure fueling it.

My guest today is Mike Tso, Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudian — a company that’s not just responding to AI’s rise but leading the charge into a new era of data management and storage.

We’ll explore:

• How Cloudian is redefining data architecture for the AI ecosystem
• The breakthrough speeds and unmatched scalability now powering AI workloads
• What it takes to build a company that’s helping enterprises keep pace with the insatiable demand for AI-ready data

If you're a technologist, innovator, or business leader navigating the AI revolution — this conversation will change the way you think about data.

Let’s get into it.

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In this compelling episode, we sit down with Emily Ragland, BSN/RN, a critical care oncology nurse at the Massey Cancer Center, who shares what it’s like to serve on the front lines of cancer care.

Emily opens up about the emotional and physical toll of caring for patients battling some of the most aggressive blood cancers, and the profound responsibility that comes with walking beside individuals and families in their most vulnerable moments. With compassion, clarity, and courage, Emily offers listeners a raw and heartfelt look into a caregiver's world—where life, death, and everything in between converge daily.

Whether you’re a patient, survivor, caregiver, or advocate, this episode will deepen your appreciation for the unsung heroes who fight quietly, every day, in the background of cancer care.

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