
A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world
The ultimate podcast for aspiring leaders in the creative or technology fields. John Rouda discusses leadership topics, interviews some of the greatest minds today and teaches you practical leadership tips, techniques, tricks and hacks to improve motivation, negotiation, and other much needed skills for leaders today.
Latest episodes

Jun 2, 2023 • 36min
AGL 314: Jeffrey Deckman
About Jeffrey
Jeffrey is a nationally recognized thought leader and award winning author on the next evolution of leadership: Conscious Leadership. His recently published book: “Developing the Conscious Leadership Mindset for the 21st Century” won a total of four national and international Stevie Awards® and is an Amazon best seller in the Occupational and Organizational Psychology category. He also won the 2021 International Business Awards bronze medal for 'Innovator of the Year'. His background is one of a serial entrepreneur who has bootstrapped 2 multi-million dollar companies; several non-profits and multiple political organizations. Since 2005 he has been a leadership and organizational performance consultant and leadership coach. He’s helped scores of clients grow by strengthening their leadership teams and helping them uncover, then mobilize, the hidden human capital that drives performance and profits in the 21st century.
Jeffrey is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and regularly publishes on the Forbes.com blog. Jeffrey is also a stage 4 cancer “thriver”; a dedicated student spiritual teachings and a Reiki Master. He blends his life experiences with decades of front-line management experience to help his clients build powerful and resilient 21st century ready organizations.
Today We Talked About
Jeffrey's background
Conscious Leadership
Bringing Consciousness into the workplace
The Elder
The Steward
The Navigator
The Healer
The Facilitator
Conversations with your team
Name 2 things you could do more of that would make you more valuable
Name 2 things you want to do less of
Name 2 things that the company needs to do differently
Culture of Communication
Tribal Nature of Companies
M3 Method
Mindset
Model
Methods
Connect with Jeffrey
Website
Book
LinkedIn
Twitter
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

May 26, 2023 • 35min
AGL 313: Civil Discourse with Milan Kordestani
About Milan
Milan is the author of “I’m Just Saying: A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World,” (April, 2023 HCI) a straightforward look at the history and art of maintaining courteous communication in an increasingly divided world. In this book, he uses contemporary case studies and personal experience to teach readers how to have constructive conversations by engaging in civil discourse, and provides practical advice and strategies for respect in a divided world.
Milan’s companies prioritize transparent practice, civil discourse, and respect for creatives, including Nota (formerly known as The Doe), an anonymously published narrative publication launched in 2019 to promote civil discourse; Audo, the only personalized career-building destination that lets you learn skills and earn money at the same time; and Guin Records, an innovative record label that offers artist-friendly deals and helps purpose-driven lyricists to produce their visions while retaining control of their masters.
Milan is quickly becoming a globalized voice for a new generation. He regularly covers topics in entrepreneurship, self- help, startup culture, the environment, leadership, and media, and has written for numerous publications, including Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, ThriveGlobal, and other platforms.
Milan’s expertise in entrepreneurship and civil discourse makes him a compelling guest for podcasts on a range of topics. Whether discussing the future of sustainable business practices, the importance of civil discourse in today’s polarized society, or the art of entrepreneurship, Milan offers unique insights that are sure to engage and inspire listeners.
Today We Talked About
Milan's background
Why this book?
Listening
Be intentional (common ground)
Start with Why?
Mindset changes
Ego
Ideas
AI
Admitting when you're wrong
Courage
Bravery
Connect with Milan
Book
Twitter
LinkedIn
Website
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

May 19, 2023 • 38min
AGL 312: Gahn Lane
About Gahn
Gahn Lane is a transformative and collaborative executive with 16 years of experience leading sales organizations and building strategic partnerships across diverse lines of business including SaaS, Cloud, Terrestrial, Wireless, Software, Distribution, and Proservices. With a wealth of experience leading sales in the Americas, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM, Gahn possesses the critical knowledge necessary to support rapid and sustained business growth, as evidenced by his successes executing evaluations of new markets in each of these regions.
Having worked across six continents, Gahn is a culturally sensitive leader skilled in developing and executing cutting-edge strategies that capture global market share and expand an organization’s geographic footprint. He meticulously researches new environments to ensure complete understanding of their cultures, values, traditions, and norms.
Throughout his career, Gahn has built an extensive network at the C-suite level which he draws upon to drive revenue and profit growth. As the former VP for Global Partners & Alliances at Pindrop, Gahn built the company’s global partner and channel ecosystem from the ground up, exceeding his Year 1 commitments within just 8 months. His team generated $52M in pipeline activity and $8M in closed business from a $0 starting point. Prior to this, Gahn worked as the VP for Global Strategic Alliances & Partners at PGi, where he led growth across new and underserved markets, generating highly-profitable B2B leads and creating $10M in new revenue.
In addition to his experience working with organizations in hyper-growth phases, Gahn has experience driving growth at established organizations worldwide. At Syniverse, he led strategic partnerships and revenue generation activities in support of a 5G private LTE solution which transformed electronic payment transfers.
Throughout his career, Gahn has developed a unique portfolio spanning big-picture strategy and execution, enabling him to lead teams of up to 800 employees to create growth and support companies’ ongoing success. He has worked collaboratively with some of the most respected brands in the world, including Google, AWS, SK Telecom, Singtel, British Telecom, and Deutsche Telecom, and takes pride in the impact his work has had on these organizations.
Today We Talked About
Gahn's background
Mentors
Keep your house in orders (ethics)
Empathy
Being a Change Agent
Go to Market - What is it?
Honesty
Caring
Trust
Hospitality
Alignment
Competitiveness
Great Customer Experience
International GTM
Connect with Gahn
LinkedIn
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

May 12, 2023 • 35min
AGL 311: Identity Management with Kevin Dominik Korte
About Kevin
Kevin Dominik Korte is a Board Member and IT Innovation & Growth Strategist with a proven track record of harnessing commercial acumen with finance expertise to deliver large-scale digital transformation programs with a strong focus on Identity Management and open-source IT infrastructure solutions.
One of his key strengths is assisting with strategy formulation, product innovation, and development to build a solid customer base for the growth of new market segments. He nurture strong relationships with high-profile industry players and key partners, articulating the organizational mission, values, and strategies to generate and sustain industry interest and secure corporate and individual support.
In his most recent executive role with Univention, a privately held software company, he established the first overseas subsidiary. Kevin placed Univention as an industry leader in the IT governance and Identity Management space, transforming sales and direct marketing to showcase the value and benefits of core products and introducing targeted material with a clear, consistent message demonstrating measurable benefits.
Kevin currently serve on the Board of Advisors for a business community B2B funder, helping to future-proof strategic IT decisions, and as Treasurer for the Jacobs University Foundation of America, his alma mater's fundraising organization, where they have implemented investment strategies to increase the annual rate of return growth by 75%.
Kevin is considered a thought leader in his field and have written articles for a wide range of professional bodies and hosted many Finance Industry roundtable events. He is an active Toastmaster, Board Member, and Accredited Investor. Kevin currently serve as Advisory Board Member to Moxey and as Mentor to two Startups at NewChip and students at Constructor University.
Today We Talked About
Kevin's background
Listening
Identity Management
OpenSource
CyberSecurity
Password Managers
AI security
Quantum Computing
Connect with Kevin
Personal Website
Univention
LinkedIn
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

May 5, 2023 • 45min
AGL 310: LaSean Smith from CAGR
About LaSean
LaSean is a seasoned media and technology executive that has helped build some of the largest consumer technology products in the world. He started coding at ten years old on a TRS-80 MC-10 computer that he begged his parents to buy. The computer was marked down to $59 at a local Radio Shack and provided his on-ramp to the world of software. He held engineering, product management, and strategy roles in the early stages of the web, mobile, and mixed reality (AR/VR). He started his career as an avionics technician in the US Navy. He started four businesses and sold one. He worked as a management consultant at Deloitte, serving clients that included Cablevision, Electronic Arts, Sony, T-Mobile, Target, TOMS Shoes, and Warner Brothers Studios. He managed strategy and operations for a portfolio of apps and games at Microsoft in Azure, Dynamics, and Xbox. As Director of Inspirational Shopping at Amazon, he managed an organization of applied scientists, content curators, product managers, and software engineers focused on the creator economy and social commerce. He currently serves as the founder of private equity firm CAGR Investments.
He holds several patents for inventions related to artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, and media streaming. His expertise in behavioral economics and systems engineering has been applied to corporate entrepreneurship inside Microsoft, where he helped start high-growth businesses that spanned multiple industries. He led the integration and ongoing management of multiple M&A deals. Beyond technology, he's an executive producer for six indie feature films. His grasp of content production and software development across games, mobile, and the web allows him to tackle business opportunities with a broad toolkit.
He is a graduate of the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA. He holds a B.S. from Southern Illinois University, a master's in Media & Computers from Arizona State University and an MBA from Georgetown University with a specialization in Marketing and Strategy. His product strategy book, Values-Based Business Design, explores how to develop high-growth products in the modern global marketplace. The methods behind the book have been implemented in multiple venture-backed startups. He's been fortunate to help launch products that have found their way into the hands of millions of people. His quest continues to fill the world with fresh ideas, new sounds, bold images, and captivating experiences that help people reach their full potential. His personal north star is six words. Know thyself. Make things. Stay free.
Today we talk about
AI
Automation
Why investment in AI, tech and Automation?
Rule of 40 for SaaS Companies
Sales Automation
Apollo.io
Microsoft Co-Pilot
ChatGPT
Choose your people (Audience)
Acquire or build durable distribution
Find the Pain point
Build the product
Where it all goes?
Connect with LaSean
LinkedIn
Website
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

Apr 28, 2023 • 42min
AGL 309: Beau Button with Atlas Reality
About Beau
Beau Button has been actively involved with software development since he was 11 years old. He got his start learning about computers around age 9, digging into the hardware side of things first, and eventually picked up software development at age 11. Having spent the majority of his career as a serial entrepreneur working in the government space Beau has now transitioned into the mobile gaming space through his company Atlas Reality, Inc. Beau has become a technology & automation enthusiast, even in his personal life. He spends a majority of his time outside of work building through 3d printing, and is very passionate about hunger/food scarcity, education and veganism.
Today We Talked About
Beau's background
The MetaVerse
Game Design
Importance of Gaming
Get out of the way
Trust the Developers
Virtual Reality
Web3
FinTech
Connect with Beau
Twitter
LinkedIn
Website
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

Apr 21, 2023 • 36min
AGL 308: Unmesh Srivastava
About Unmesh
Over the years, Unmesh and his teams have helped US healthcare with opportunities to drive innovation and disruptive transformation using digital enablement. He has worked with multiple innovative organizations building and deploying the next generation of healthcare. All the digital enablement projects have been geared towards driving a differentiated provider and patient experience while reducing the cost of care and improving quality of care.
The technology products delivered by Unmesh and his teams range from clinical decision support technology for providers, data and artificial intelligence-enabled seamless care experience for patients, and multiple other innovations to drive down the administrative burden on the providers and health systems.
Today We Talked About
Background
AI in Healthcare
Data in Healthcare
Unstructured Data
Transmission and sharing of data
Bots... Privacy
Connect with Unmesh
Website
LinkedIn
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

Apr 14, 2023 • 33min
AGL 307: Andrew Cohen
About Andrew
Since 1997, Andrew has been the CEO and Managing Partner at EVOKE, an award-winning Digital Transformation company that partners with our clients to build modern workplace solutions for nearly every common organizational and technological challenge imaginable.
In 2019, Andrew launched the EVOKE Engage division which focuses on automation and streamlining processes. He joined Netsurit at the beginning of 2022 and this now allows Netsurit to provide their clients with guidance and solutions on using technology to maximize ROI.
Andrew also serves on the following boards; Red Cross (Hudson Valley): Board of Directors, People USA: Board of Directors, Pathfinder FC: Board of Advisors.
An avid soccer fan and player, Andrew can be found watching or playing soccer when not in the office as well as spending time with his family. Outside of soccer and work, he enjoys creating oil paintings, playing a round of golf or two, and is an aspiring chef.
Today We Talked About
Andrew's background
Innovation
Automation as a way to stay competitive
Low Code Solution
Microsoft Power Automate Stack
M365
AI
ChatGPT
Co-Pilot
Automation
Better work life with automation
Excel
Automating Data Entry with Azure AI tools
Connect with Andrew
LinkedIn
Website
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

Apr 10, 2023 • 36min
AGL 306: Rish Gupta from Spot AI
About Rish
Rish Gupta made the decision to start his first company during the last 6 kilometers of a marathon on a hot 100 degree day in Bombay. Despite not knowing anything about business, he scaled it to 60+ employees and millions of users. Fascinated with unlocking the potential of Silicon Valley, he sold that company to move to the US in 2015. Captivated by the videofication of everything, Rish and his two co-founders started Spot AI- the groundbreaking video intelligence company committed to being the easy button for video footage.
Today We Talked About
Background
Life in India
SpotAI
Entrepreneurship
Analytics in Video
Data from existing Video feeds
Connect with Rish
LinkedIn
Website
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2

Mar 31, 2023 • 37min
AGL 305: The Submarine Way with John and Deb
About John and Deb
John Gregory Vincent is a retired Navy Command Master Chief. He served for 20 years in the Navy ,14 of that on submarines. He is a former Gallup workplace consultant with a core expertise in inclusive leadership development learned in the submarine force. He is the co- founder, with Deb Cake Fortin of The Submarine Way, a company specializing in building inclusive cultures in high-tech companies. Deb Fortin’s expertise comes from her roles as a senior executive in Fortune 300 companies. She is the author of the best-selling book, Diversity and Inclusion The Submarine Way and UP PERISCOPE, Putting Traditional Leadership in the Crosshairs. An expert in mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and organizational development, Deb and John bring a synergistic expertise to their clients.
Today We Talked About
John and Deb's Background
The Book
Diversity of innovation
SouthWest innovation
Master Chief
Accountability
Start small
Compassionate Leadership
Recognize Humanity
Actually Wonder how people are
Talk about stuff outside of work
Talent based company
Introvert
Extrovert
Play within your talent set
Connect with John and Deb
LinkedIn - John
LinkedIn -Deb
Twitter
Website
Up Periscope book
Diversity and Inclusion book
Leave me a tip $
Click here to Donate to the show
I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word. Thanks again!
A2 Hosting
I’ve been using A2 Hosting for several years. They offer state of the art SSD hosting for all of their plans. Their sites are super fast and easy to setup. I rarely need support, but when I was migrating my sites to a larger plan I used their support services and they were phenomenal. I highly recommend A2 hosting for all of your hosting needs. And I also recommend everyone to have a personal website. If you’re in technology and looking for a job and don’t have your own website, I probably wouldn’t hire you. Just sayin’.
Please use my affiliate link when signing up. https://www.ageekleader.com/a2