IT leadership isn’t about tools — it’s about people. In this episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring sit down with Jon Collins, Field CTO & VP of Engagement at GigaOm, to explore the human side of technology leadership.

From gurus to cowboys to misfits and mavericks, this conversation dives deep into why processes fail when people are ignored — and how leaders can build resilient, high-performing teams in an ever-changing IT landscape.

SolarWinds TechPod returns with its annual IT trends and predictions episode — and 2026 is all about Agentic AI. In this episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor are joined by Sascha Giese (SolarWinds) and Lauren Okruch (SolarWinds Product Marketing) to break down how AI, ITSM, automation, governance, and resilience will shape IT operations in 2026. As a leader in IT management, observability, and IT service management, SolarWinds offers a unique perspective on how Agentic AI is moving IT from automation to autonomous action — and what that means for governance, security, and the evolving role of IT teams.

Topics covered in this SolarWinds TechPod episode: What Agentic AI means for modern IT organizations How SolarWinds sees AI evolving beyond traditional automation The rise of shadow AI and shadow IT in enterprise environments Why IT governance and trust are critical in 2026 How ITSM is changing with AI-driven workflows Energy, sustainability, and cost considerations of AI at scale Resilience, multi-cloud strategies, and right-compute decision making Why IT is no longer just a cost center — but an innovation engine

This episode is essential listening for SolarWinds users, IT leaders, sysadmins, service desk teams, and technology decision-makers preparing for the next era of AI-powered IT operations. Subscribe to SolarWinds TechPod for expert insights on ITSM, observability, AI in IT, automation, and digital transformation — straight from the SolarWinds community.

In this special holiday episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor are joined by Movies & Mainframes host Andy Garibay to unpack the perfect Holiday Tech Survival Kit — from must-have travel gadgets to kitchen tech that saves your holiday dinner, how to deck the halls with smart lighting, and surviving every IT pro’s nightmare: holiday tech support for family. Whether you're traveling, cooking, gaming, or helping parents remember their Wi-Fi passwords, this episode is filled with relatable stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.

What does real work-life balance look like in tech? In this honest and funny conversation, Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor share stories from their sabbaticals, burnout moments, and how they learned to unplug — for real this time.

Matai Wilson, Senior Director for Product Management at SolarWinds, joins TechPod to explore the evolving landscape of AI technology. The conversation delves into the challenges of building AI technology, the exciting future of AI in IT operations, and the upcoming features and tools SolarWinds is developing to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

In this special mini episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring sit down again with Matai Wilson to unpack the latest AI innovations announced during SolarWinds Day. Discover how SolarWinds is building the future of autonomous IT operations, from proactive remediation and Root Cause Assist (RCA) to an Agentic Framework that will transform how IT pros interact with systems.

It's CSOC o'clock! In this episode, we dive into the high-stakes world of cyber defense with the manager of cybersecurity operations at a critical infrastructure organization. From ransomware threats and zero-day exploits to the rise of nation-state-backed Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), our guest reveals how security teams manage 24/7 threats, the mindset it takes to thrive in cybersecurity, and why community collaboration is becoming essential in cyber warfare. Whether you're an IT pro, a security hopeful, or just curious about what keeps defenders up at night, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and the real grit of the job.

It’s the 100th episode of SolarWinds TechPod! Join hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring as they celebrate this milestone by going behind the scenes of the podcast. From the infamous "host curse" to their favorite guests, funniest moments, and the magic of production, this candid conversation reveals what it really takes to bring TechPod to life.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the pod, you’ll enjoy hearing about the evolution of the show, the power of community, and what’s coming next.

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