Episodes

This is part 1 of a 6-part series. Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the CXO Forum Detroit 2025 Event at the beautiful Madison Loft. My guest host of the day was board member and CTO of Cabinetworks Group and host of the Great Security Debate, Erik Wille. We had a blast interviewing and having conversations with people like Martin Bally, CISO of The Campbell’s Company, Galina Antova, Co-Founder of Kai, while taking tech from companies such as Black Kite, Prophet Secu...

Bob and Randy Walker chat with Steve Acho (website), a versatile professional with experience spanning technology recruiting, music, public speaking, and consulting. Steve shares his journey in various fields, discusses the importance of networking, effective job recruiting, and finding meaningful work. He also dives into his experiences in music, including achieving close to 60 million streams on Spotify. Steve emphasizes the importance of actionable insights, storytelling, and continuous self-...

This week, Bob and Randy welcome Brad Mitchell (there’s another one!), Director of Information Technology at Hollywood Casino at Greektown. From restaurant point-of-sale systems to network hardware and security cameras to—yes, slot machines—we cover what tech keeps a casino running.

Jer Staes of Daily Detroit is back! Bob and Randy talk with Jer about Detroit’s food scene, including notable spots like Scotty Simpson’s, Gonella’s, and Sister Pie, as well as hidden gems such as Marcus Hamburgers and Norm’s Diner. They also delve into tech innovations in the automotive industry, AI applications in daily life, and the importance of storytelling in enhancing consumer experiences. Special mentions include Detroit’s local wrestling scene, the fascinating Detroit Shipping Company, ...

Today, Bob and Randy are rejoined by Tom Lawrence of Lawrence Systems, an open-source advocate and YouTuber. They discuss the benefits and challenges of open-source solutions, particularly in comparison to VMware and other commercial software. Tom shares his experiences with open-source storage solutions for large-scale applications and offers insights into consulting on high-stakes IT projects, including data center rebuilding post-crisis. The conversation also touches on the rapid growth of A...

Peter Surowski, CTO of Brain Jar joins Bob and Randy to focus on small businesses for a change. Brain Jar is a web development and marketing agency for small businesses. The discussion centers around the current role of AI in helping small businesses market themselves effectively, the evolution of web development, and practical tips for businesses to compete with larger enterprises. They also touch on the impact of social media, cold calling, and various marketing strategies including Google ads...

In this episode, Bob and Randy welcome long-time friend and guest Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different. They dive into a nostalgic conversation about their roots in podcasting, the evolution of content creation, and the unique culture of Detroit. They discuss their past experiences, the importance of rich relationships in content creation, and the changes seen in the city, especially post-bankruptcy. The talk also includes personal anecdotes about local hangouts, notable eateries, and the chal...

Note: David was with us a few weeks ago—you might have heard that episode. If you did, you probably noticed the audio issues. We pulled down that episode and invited David back for another chat. David Juan returns! In this episode, he explains CDPs—Customer Data Platforms—to Bob and Randy. CDPs pull data from systems like CRMs, marketing automation tools, advertising systems, etc to help create personalized experiences for each customer. David explains different types of CDPs, how they work, wh...

Todd Loiselle, CIO of National Food Group joins Bob and Randy to talk about how he became a CIO. Todd got off to a rocky start—he had problems in school and then he had a rough first job. But then he found success and was approached to be a CIO. Todd tells us his approach to the job and the digital transformation he implemented. Then, he gives advice for newbies just getting started. Stay tuned until the very end for a fun surprise!

In this episode Bob and Randy are joined by Syya Yasotornrat, founder of Brilliant Beam Media. Syya shares her journey of leaving a cushy corporate job at Hewlett Packard to venture into the world of recorded audio and video. She talks about the challenges and lessons learned from starting her podcast studio business, splitting with her business partner, and eventually founding Brilliant Beam Media. They discuss the nuances of B2B social media, particularly on LinkedIn, the importance of authen...

In this week’s episode, Bob and Randy talk to Umelo Onyejiaka who runs DevOps Detroit, a meetup for folks who work in or who are interested in DevOps. They discuss networking events, the importance of community in tech, and Umelo’s journey from a finance and accounting background into cloud engineering. Umelo shares insights on DevOps, the significance of practical experience alongside certifications, and the role of projects in skill-building. The conversation also touches on personal interest...

Bob and Randy talked to Justice Oshiyoye about his project DUHTROIT. DUHTROIT is a magazine featuring local creatives. The first issue (of many, hopefully), features the stunning artwork of seven photographers. We also talked to Justice about his favorite Detroit coney spot, and the other work he’s doing. Crux Foundation Detroit supports minorities in outdoor spaces and activities. Data in Detroit is enhancing data analytics capacity and capabilities in Detroit by supporting businesses and incr...

This episode is quite literally the top of my mountain, my crown jewel moment, the summary of every podcast and every Comic Con I have attended. At the Great Lakes Comic-Con, I got to spend the entire weekend with Sam J. Jones himself, better known as Flash Gordon, Quarterback, NY Jets and Savior of the Universe. Growing up, Flash Gordon was on the same level as Star Wars to me, and I was not only star struck, but in awe of what an amazing person Sam Jones is. They always say, “Don’t meet your ...

This week, Bob chatted with James, Norm, and Heidi from Penguicon. The discussion covers an introduction of Penguicon—an open-source and sci-fi (and more!) convention, favorite memories from Penguicons past (the ’80s parties we hosted kicked ass!), and what’s coming up for Penguicon. Unfortunately, there will not be a Penguicon 2025. Instead, there will be a smaller event held this year to raise funds to make Penguicon 2026 the best it can be. That event is The Underground Masquerade, a formal ...

In this episode, Bob and Randy discuss the power of networking and career growth with guests Steve York, CIO of 1-800-HANSONS, and Matt Spivey, CTO of Renodis. The conversation spans their career journeys, the significance of mentorship, and best practices for climbing the career ladder. The conversation also highlights charitable initiatives such as SIM Detroit‘s Michigan Technology Leaders Spring Summit, CIOs against Cancer, and Team RWB, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the commu...

Brad Mitchell, president of MojoHost, joins us this week. Brad was Bob’s first client way back in the day. In addition to catching up and reminiscing, we talk about building a data center, the changes over the years, and what it’s like running one now.

We’re back in-studio! Joining Bob & Randy this week was Melinda Ann O’Neill, Director of Sales at Tanium. She was actually on the show all the way back on episode 15! We talk about her journey in to IT sales, being a woman in tech, leading the Michigan Chapter for the Alliance of Channel Women, and her experience donating a kidney.

We made it to 500! In this episode, Bob and Randy reminisce with former cohosts Jeff and Nuri and regular guest Jer.

Jer Staes of Daily Detroit is back! We start off talking about Thanksgiving leftovers. Then, we get into how Daily Detroit is doing–the podcast is approaching 1600 episodes! What’s up in Detroit? The RenCen—at least part of it, but maybe all of it—is coming down soon. Jefferson Avenue is going to be rebuilt and the Detroit riverfront is leveling up. The Post Bar is reopening. Bob used to DJ there! Detroit needs more residents and more housing to put people in.

In this episode, Bob and Randy talk to RM Easterly, the founder of THYIM, an app focused on providing on-demand, everyday task services. RM shares insights on how the app fills unique market needs by offering practical services like roadside assistance, spider removal, and more, all within a user’s 15-minute radius. We talk about her entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind THYIM, and the app’s commitment to safety and affordability. RM also talks about her interesting dietary preferences...

In this episode, we chat with Mel Kolinski, Director of Channel Development at Ostra and an Co-Moderator for the Minnesota Chapter of the Alliance of Channel Women (ACW). The conversation highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and leadership development for women in tech. Mel discusses her involvement with ACW and the initiatives they offer, including mentorship circles and leadership programs. The discussion also touches upon the need for honesty and transparency in the cybersecur...

Bob and Randy welcome guest Holly Owen, a former Detroiter turned New Orleans resident and author. Holly shares her experiences moving from Detroit to Boston and eventually to New Orleans, where she found inspiration to write her book Quit Playing Yourself during the pandemic. This episode Holly’s journey of transitioning from real estate to Airbnb management and interior design in New Orleans, ultimately leading to her foray into writing. Holly discusses the challenges and insights gained in pu...

Aaron Wilkerson, data and analytics leader at Carhartt, and organizer of the Detroit Low Key Data Meetup. They discuss the challenges of data quality and the importance of clean data for AI initiatives, the complexities of managing multiple data vendors, and how businesses are navigating cloud costs and modernization. They also touch on the integration of legal and cybersecurity aspects in data management, and the growing relevance of consumer data protection. The conversation provides insights ...

Entrepreneur and product developer and repeat offender Tom Nardone is back chatting about what he’s done and what he’s doing. 36 Ideas and a System (TEDxDetroit) Detroit Mower Gang ShopInPrivate.com, Bachelorette.com, Vibrators.com Dignity Lifts