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Adesewa shares her journey from aspiring civil engineer to Microsoft marketing professional, highlighting how her neurodiversity became her superpower in the tech industry through apprenticeship programs and advocacy.

• Finding her way to tech through an apprenticeship after initially planning a civil engineering career
• Becoming an advocate for apprenticeships as pathways that support different learning styles
• Creating marketing campaigns that reach diverse audiences from technical to executive levels
• Mentoring and supporting other neurodivergent professionals through employee resource groups
• Getting diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, and the challenges of getting proper support
• Using AI tools like Copilot to work with her brain rather than against it
• Overcoming imposter syndrome as a young Black woman in a predominantly white male industry
• Emphasising the importance of accessing support resources like DSA (Disabled Students' Allowance)
• Advocating for personalisation in workplace tools and environments
• Building confidence through the mantra "they didn't hire you for any reason"

If you're interested in learning more about dyslexia, consider checking out Made by Dyslexia's course on Microsoft's training page, which aims to help people understand what it means to be dyslexic.

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What if our greatest technological advancements could actually make us more human? That's the provocative question at the heart of this conversation with Ian Shanahan, a global technology leader whose 25-year career spans Accenture, UiPath, BlackBerry, and now Panama Consulting.

Instead of fearing artificial intelligence and automation, Ian presents a compelling vision of technology addressing three critical challenges: our growing health and social care crisis, the UK's lagging productivity, and the need for greater societal equality. Drawing from his extensive experience implementing AI and automation at scale, he makes a passionate case that these tools should augment human capabilities rather than replace them.

The discussion navigates both practical applications and philosophical implications of our technological future. We explore how AI is becoming a powerful equalizer for neurodiversity by reducing cognitive load and offering alternative communication pathways beyond text. Ian shares fascinating perspectives on how technology could transform healthcare delivery, with AI potentially handling routine diagnoses while freeing medical professionals to specialize more deeply.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is its balanced approach. While acknowledging legitimate ethical concerns around AI governance and potential misuse, Ian counters doom-laden narratives with historical perspective – from panics about automobiles replacing horse-drawn carts to today's fears about generative AI. Throughout, he emphasizes how technology can foster social mobility by democratizing capabilities once reserved for large organizations or privileged individuals.

Whether you're a technology professional, business leader, or simply curious about how AI might reshape your world, this episode offers both practical insight and hopeful vision for technology as a force for human flourishing. How might these tools help you focus on what truly matters?

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When Lottie was diagnosed with dyspraxia at age nine, she couldn't have known this "difference" would become her greatest professional strength. Now leading global talent acquisition at Ethicode after eight years in tech recruitment, she reveals how neurodivergent thinking creates exceptional recruiters.

The journey from journalism and PR to recruitment wasn't planned but proved surprisingly natural. Lottie discovered that the relationship-building skills central to communications work transferred perfectly to connecting candidates with opportunities. More significantly, growing up as someone who felt misunderstood cultivated extraordinary levels of empathy – now her superpower in an industry where understanding human motivation is everything.

This empathic approach extends beyond individual recruitment. While working in Australia's cybersecurity sector, Lottie founded a meetup specifically for women and neurodivergent professionals after repeatedly finding herself the only woman at industry events. The gatherings quickly grew to 100+ attendees, demonstrating the hunger for inclusive spaces where people can authentically connect.

The conversation explores practical strategies for thriving as a neurodivergent professional in high-pressure environments. From establishing clear organizational systems to setting firm work-life boundaries, Lottie shares how she transforms potential challenges into strengths. She also explores how AI might level the playing field by handling administrative tasks that tax working memory, while emphasizing that human connection remains irreplaceable.

Perhaps most fascinating is the discussion of how neurodivergent people often connect deeply with one another through shared experiences of navigating a world not built for their minds. Whether in personal relationships or professional networks, there's a recognition between those who've had to work differently and think differently throughout their lives – creating bonds built on mutual understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives.

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Embark on a global trek across the sales landscape with the ever-charismatic Jonathan, also known as JK, as your guide. His rich tapestry of experiences, from handling live birds to navigating the nuances of ice cream production, promises to arm you with the adaptability skills crucial for today's diverse sales environments. JK's reflections on psychometric testing, revealing his sales prowess, coupled with tales from the UK to the UAE, will unravel the cultural finesse required for thriving in leadership roles. This episode is a masterclass in the art of sales, grounded in the reality of varied clients and markets.

Dive headfirst into the melding worlds of culture and technology in sales, where phrases like "inshallah" can mean the difference between success and misunderstanding in markets like the UAE. JK sheds light on the transformative power of sales strategies and technology, from Salesforce's impact on client engagement to the role of AI in reducing administrative burdens. Catch a glimpse of his leadership philosophy through his tenure at tech giants like LinkedIn and Pluralsight, where lived-out company cultures and servant leadership aren't just buzzwords, but the backbone of success.

In a candid close, JK opens up about personal growth, the importance of coaching, and the heartwarming venture with his wife's executive coaching business, Collaboration Equation. As he shares the hurdles of overcoming dyslexia and the significance of teaching with empathy, listeners are left with a story of resilience and innovation. Whether you're polishing your golf swing or charting your next career move, JK's insights provide a playbook for professional and personal fulfilment that transcends industries.

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Join us as we chat with Dave Chapman, Chief Cloud Evangelist at Capgemini, about his journey through the tech industry, focusing on cloud strategy, digital transformations and complexities faced in tech-driven projects. We dive into his most significant project, an overarching transformation program at BP, which used cloud tech to revolutionise the business. Dave provides insights into the evolving world of tech, discussing more efficient and effective ways to implement changes. Additionally, he advises young professionals on how to make their mark in the industry, emphasising continuous learning, value addition and the importance of a coach. Lastly, we touch upon the potential of AI in business and the importance of diverse thought in an AI-driven society.

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What happens when we reimagine IT infrastructure from the ground up? Faye Ellis takes us on a fascinating journey through two decades of technological transformation - from physical "pizza box" servers that took months to deploy to cloud resources available in minutes.

If you've ever wondered how traditional industries like banking embraced cloud computing, Faye offers rare insider perspective from her years supporting financial institutions. She shares how even the most risk-averse organizations have gone "all in" with cloud, and how applications once requiring specialized hardware now thrive in cloud environments.

As Principal Training Architect at Pluralsight and former A Cloud Guru instructor, Faye provides invaluable insights on chaos engineering - the counterintuitive practice of deliberately breaking systems to build more resilient architectures. This shift from monolithic applications to loosely-coupled microservices represents a fundamental rethinking of how we design technology.

The conversation naturally evolves to artificial intelligence, where Faye contemplates profound questions about human identity as machines increasingly master language. Rather than fearing displacement, she envisions AI creating space for humans to focus on our uniquely valuable qualities - empathy, leadership, and communication skills that no algorithm can replicate.

For those considering a cloud career, Faye offers encouraging and practical advice. The technology isn't inherently complicated but does require focused, incremental learning. She recommends "Cloud Career Journeys," featuring stories of 16 individuals who successfully transitioned into cloud careers from diverse backgrounds.

Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of technology's past, present and future through the eyes of someone who's both witnessed and helped shape its evolution. Whether you're a seasoned tech professional or simply curious about how cloud is transforming our world, this episode offers valuable perspective on where we've been and where we're heading.