🎙️ Episode 39: Give First - Building a Career on Relationships

In this episode, Warner Moore shares how generosity, authenticity, and a strong sense of community have shaped his leadership journey. Drawing on lessons from Dale Carnegie and the Columbus tech ecosystem, Warner breaks down why the “give first” mindset isn’t just good karma - it’s a career strategy. One that builds trust, drives impact, and creates real opportunities for everyone involved.

💡 Whether you’re early in your tech journey or leading a team, this episode is a powerful reminder that relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

🔑 Highlights:

- Why “give first” works better than transactional networking

- Building trust in the tech community

- The books and mentors that shaped Warner’s values

- How generosity compounds over time

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

- Rackspace Technology - We advise, design, build, and manage solutions across multicloud, applications, data, and security.

- Varonis - The leader in data security and insider threat detection.

- Trace3 - AI to help your business run, grow, and transform.

- Sigma Computing - Business intelligence built for the cloud. Live, collaborative analytics for data-driven teams.

🎙️ Episode 38: Gotta Find a Way - The Entrepreneur’s Mindset

In this episode, Warner Moore, founder of Gamma Force and a longtime leader in the Midwest tech scene, shares how a rebellious spirit and a love of early internet culture sparked his unconventional path into entrepreneurship.

From teaching himself distributed systems in the days of IRC to building values-driven companies, Warner opens up about what it means to challenge the status quo, lead with authenticity, and find your own way - even when the path doesn’t exist yet.

🎸 Inspired by Nirvana’s Territorial Pissings, this episode explores how music, mindset, and mission can collide to drive meaningful change.

🔑 Highlights:

– Why Warner left the enterprise world to build his own companies

– The mindset behind driving change from the outside

– What Nirvana taught him about leadership

– Building a tech career without asking permission

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: • Rackspace Technology - We advise, design, build, and manage solutions across multicloud, applications, data, and security. • Varonis - The leader in data security and insider threat detection. • Trace3 - AI to help your business run, grow, and transform. • Sigma Computing - Business intelligence built for the cloud. Live, collaborative analytics for data-driven teams.

🎙️ Episode 37: Miro Humer - Leading with Empathy, Failing Forward, and Creating Space for InnovationIn this episode of Silicon Heartland Sessions, we sit down with Miro Humer, CIO of Case Western Reserve University, for a powerful and human-centered conversation about leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of technology in higher education.Miro shares his journey from the private sector to academia, the impact of launching the internal GenAI portal CWRU AI, and how his team is helping shape the digital future of the university. But more than just technology, this episode is about building a workplace culture that empowers people, supports failure as a learning tool, and encourages leadership that is empathetic and purposeful.“Within the IT organization, what I try to do is have a culture where failure isn’t necessarily viewed as failure. It’s viewed as a learning experience… That makes for a better work environment. It gives people more control over their work life. And I think that leads us to a happier place to be.”- Miro Humer🎧 Key Insights You’ll Hear in This Episode: • How Miro launched CWRU’s secure, internal AI platform and is shaping AI innovation within higher education • Why empathy and psychological safety are foundational to tech leadership • How to foster a culture where failure leads to learning instead of fear • The importance of creating safe spaces for people to grow, contribute, and lead • What CIOs and tech leaders can learn from academia about long-term thinking and service orientation🙏 Special thanks to our sponsors for supporting the mission of Cloud Nirvana and the Silicon Heartland Sessions:🙌 Rackspace Technology - We advise, design, build, and manage solutions across multicloud, applications, data, and security.🙌 Varonis - The leader in data security and insider threat detection.🙌 Trace3 – AI to help your business run, grow, and transform.🙌 Sigma Computing - Business intelligence built for the cloud. Live, collaborative analytics for data-driven teams.

🎙️Episode 36: Never Get Comfortable - Srini Koushik’s Advice for Aspiring Tech LeadersWhat does it really take to grow as a leader in today’s fast-changing world of technology? For Srini Koushik, President of Technology and Sustainability at Rackspace Technology, the answer is clear: never get comfortable.In Episode 36 of Silicon Heartland Sessions, Srini shares his personal playbook for leadership and growth. He explains why discomfort drives progress, how reinvention keeps you relevant, and why humility and curiosity are the most important traits for any aspiring leader.Whether you’re early in your career or stepping into a bigger leadership role, this episode is packed with wisdom you can apply today.📄 Key Takeaways:Why stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for growthHow to continuously reinvent yourself in a changing industryThe role of curiosity and humility in effective leadershipWhy you shouldn’t wait to be invited to the table - build your ownSrini’s timeless advice for the next generation of tech leadersSpecial thanks to our amazing sponsors for making this conversation possible:Rackspace Technology – your trusted multi-cloud solutions partner.Varonis – protecting enterprise data where it lives - on-prem and in the cloud.Trace3 – helping organizations innovate through advanced IT strategy and execution.Sigma Computing – enabling business users to explore live data without code.

🎙️ Episode 35: AI and Ethics - Why Srini Trusts the Tech, Not Always the People

Artificial intelligence is transforming our world - but are we thinking enough about the consequences?

In Episode 35 of Silicon Heartland Sessions, Srini Koushik, President of Technology and Sustainability at Rackspace Technology, shares a candid and thought-provoking take on the ethical challenges of AI. From the environmental cost of generative AI to the human values that should guide innovation, Srini explores the question: “Just because we can—should we?”

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the intersection of technology, sustainability, and ethics.

Key Takeaways:

• The hidden environmental cost of AI and why it matters

• How to design innovation that is safe, secure, and sustainable

• The moral hazards of disruptive technology

• Why trust in AI ultimately comes down to human decision-making

• How leaders can balance progress with responsibility

Special thanks to our sponsors for powering this conversation:

• Rackspace Technology - your trusted multi-cloud solutions partner.

• Varonis - protecting enterprise data where it lives - on-prem and in the cloud.

• Trace3 - helping organizations innovate through advanced IT strategy and execution.

• Sigma Computing - enabling business users to explore live data without code.

🎙️ Episode 34: Bold Decisions, Big Impact - Srini Koushik on Leadership Under Pressure

In this episode, we’re joined by Srini Koushik, President of Technology and Sustainability at Rackspace Technology, who takes us inside the mind of a leader in high-stakes environments.

You’ll hear about the moment he said no to a CEO’s request, the leadership lessons he learned from Steve Jobs, and why he believes hiring someone who’s never failed is a red flag. If you’re in a position where you’re expected to lead through ambiguity or pressure, this episode is a masterclass.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Rackspace Technology, enabling cloud-native innovation with unmatched expertise.

Varonis, delivering world-class data security and threat detection.

Trace3, empowering digital transformation through next-gen technology.

And Sigma Computing, redefining data exploration for business users.

🎙️ Episode 33: From Curiosity to CTO - Srini Koushik’s 39-Year Journey in Tech

How do you stay relevant in an industry that reinvents itself every few years? For Srini Koushik, President AI and Sustainability at Rackspace Technology, the answer is simple:

Never stop learning.In this episode of Silicon Heartland Sessions, Srini takes us through his 39-year career - from his early days as a developer at IBM to leading global technology and sustainability efforts. Along the way, he shares why curiosity is the ultimate career superpower, how he’s embraced reinvention (including picking up guitar at 50), and what it really takes to thrive in the ever-changing world of tech.If you’re passionate about technology, leadership, and personal growth, this episode will leave you inspired to keep chasing the next big thing - no matter where you are in your journey.🎧 In this episode of Silicon Heartland Sessions, you’ll learn:✅ Why curiosity is the ultimate career superpower✅ How to reinvent yourself at any stage✅ Srini’s advice for thriving in a fast-changing tech landscape🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: • Rackspace Technology - We advise, design, build, and manage solutions across multicloud, applications, data, and security. • Varonis - The leader in data security and insider threat detection. • Trace3 - AI to help your business run, grow, and transform. • Sigma Computing - Business intelligence built for the cloud. Live, collaborative analytics for data-driven teams.

🎙️ Episode 32: Tushar Kulkarni - From Curiosity to CEO: Building with Heart in the Age of AIIn this inspiring episode of Silicon Heartland Sessions, we sit down with Tushar Kulkarni, Founder & CEO of Big Kitty Labs, to explore the winding road from relentless curiosity to startup success.Tushar opens up about the early days of entrepreneurship - from maxing out credit cards and draining savings to chasing down a vision powered by belief, creativity, and heart. We dive deep into what it means to lead with empathy, build fast, and remain grounded while working at the edge of what’s possible with AI.As we explore what it means to build in the age of artificial intelligence, Tushar reflects on the power of possibility in the next generation of innovators:“One advantage all of these youngsters have is they have fresh mind.” Whether you’re a founder, technologist, or lifelong learner, this episode reminds us that the path to innovation isn’t linear - it’s human, heart-driven, and rooted in care.🔑 Key Takeaways: •💡 You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. Belief, grit, and curiosity go a long way. • 💡 Empathy isn’t soft—it’s strategic. Building for real people starts with listening deeply. • 💡 Education and experimentation must go hand in hand in an AI-driven world. • 💡 Startups are about scrappiness, creativity, and relentless pursuit—not perfection. • 💡 The next generation’s advantage? A fresh mind and fewer limiting beliefs.🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: • Rackspace Technology - We advise, design, build, and manage solutions across multicloud, applications, data, and security. • Varonis - The leader in data security and insider threat detection. • Trace3 - AI to help your business run, grow, and transform. • Sigma Computing - Business intelligence built for the cloud. Live, collaborative analytics for data-driven teams.