

Better Tech Leadership
Brainhub
Giving you the playbook to lead high-performing engineering teams.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 22, 2025 • 28min
#145 Simon Ince: From Code to Impact - The Evolution of Technology
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Simon Ince, about their role as CTO at Luno.During the conversation they cover:- Emerging Tech Trends – Insights into the latest advancements shaping the industry.- Challenges in Tech Development – Real-world obstacles and how to navigate them.- Innovation & Problem-Solving – Strategies for driving innovation in a fast-changing landscape.- Career & Industry Insights – Lessons from Simon Ince’s experience in the tech world.- The Future of Technology – Predictions on where the industry is headed and what to expect.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jul 15, 2025 • 24min
#144 Nick Humrich: Unlocking Team Productivity - Balancing Metrics and Culture
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Nick Humrich, about their role as Senior Director of Engineering at Lendio.During the conversation they cover:- Measuring Developer Productivity – Using DORA metrics and surveys to assess efficiency and identify friction points.- Balancing Focus in Engineering – Avoiding over-optimization of one metric to prevent unintended negative effects.- AI’s Role in Software Development – How AI impacts coding speed, team productivity, and potential risks.- Choosing the Right Tech Approach – The pros and cons of microservices, monoliths, and evolving software architectures.- Challenging Industry Norms – Removing code reviews, adopting trunk-based development, and managing resistance to change.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jul 8, 2025 • 22min
#143 John Doran: The Power of Perspective - A Conversation on Growth & Creativity
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with John Doran, about their role as Chief Technology Officer at Phorest.During the conversation they cover:- The Creative Process – Insights into how creativity develops, the struggles involved, and strategies to stay inspired.- Overcoming Challenges – Lessons on resilience, dealing with setbacks, and pushing through obstacles in both personal and professional life.- Mindset & Growth – How shifting perspectives can lead to personal growth, better decision-making, and long-term success.- Passion & Purpose – The importance of finding meaning in what you do and how it drives motivation and fulfillment.- Authenticity & Storytelling – Why staying true to yourself and sharing your unique story matters in making a real impact.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jul 3, 2025 • 3min
BTL Bite: Retaining Top Talent During and After Layoffs with Adrian Habel.
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech. In this BTL Bite, host Matt Warcholiński, co-founder of software development agency @Brainhubeu, talks with Adrian Habel, Technical Co-Founder about mass layoffs, the tips on how to retain top talent during and after layoffs and the topic of silent quitting. Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/ Website: https://bettertechleadership.com/ We appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comment section below.

Jul 1, 2025 • 26min
#142 Christian Hemmeshøj Runge: Automating Success - The Transition from Manual to AI-Driven Testing
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Christian Hemmeshøj Runge, about their role as Senior Director Of Engineering at SimCorp.During the conversation they cover:- Differences in Tech Culture: Insights into working in tech in Germany vs. the U.S., including hiring challenges and organizational differences.- Team Structure Clarity: The benefits of separating engineering managers and staff engineers to improve team efficiency and focus.- Automation in Testing: How transitioning from manual to automated testing enhances productivity and reduces repetitive tasks.- AI Implementation: Pragmatic approaches to integrating AI into business processes, including MVP launches and managing safety concerns.- Leadership and Growth: Strategies for dealing with stress, maintaining personal growth, and making controversial decisions that benefit long-term team development.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
#141 Anthony Mayer: Automating Success - The Transition from Manual to AI-Driven Testing
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Anthony Mayer, about their role as VP of Engineering at charles.During the conversation they cover:- Differences in Tech Culture: Insights into working in tech in Germany vs. the U.S., including hiring challenges and organizational differences.- Team Structure Clarity: The benefits of separating engineering managers and staff engineers to improve team efficiency and focus.- Automation in Testing: How transitioning from manual to automated testing enhances productivity and reduces repetitive tasks.- AI Implementation: Pragmatic approaches to integrating AI into business processes, including MVP launches and managing safety concerns.- Leadership and Growth: Strategies for dealing with stress, maintaining personal growth, and making controversial decisions that benefit long-term team development.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jun 17, 2025 • 17min
140: Lydia Varmazis: Boardroom Insights - Leveraging Advisors for Startup Success
Lydia Varmazis, Chief Portfolio Officer and Chief Product Officer at RBCx, shares her wealth of knowledge on leveraging board members as strategic assets for startups. She delves into the complexities of scaling after an MVP, highlighting why growth can be tougher than initial development. Lydia discusses the importance of making bold career choices that resonate with personal values and emphasizes data-driven hiring strategies. With insights from her rich background at Adobe and PayPal, she offers invaluable metrics for portfolio success.

Jun 10, 2025 • 34min
#139 Mark Swaine: From UX Foundations to Venture Leadership - Insights on Innovation
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Mark Swaine, about their role as Founder UX Institute at UX Institute.During the conversation they cover:- The Transition from UX to Product Management: How a background in UX can shape and enhance a product management role, including insights into business models and stakeholder alignment.- Common Pitfalls in Startups: Common mistakes startups make in product design and development, such as inefficiencies in tech stacks and the lack of customer design programs.- AI’s Role in Product Development: The distinction between automation and generative AI, and the challenges of building meaningful AI solutions that deliver value to users.- Effective Roadmapping and Prioritization: Strategies for maintaining a dynamic roadmap, aligning teams, and ensuring that product development efforts focus on growth and customer satisfaction.- Navigating Tech Investment Trends: Insights into current and future trends in the tech industry, including challenges for startups in saturated markets and the evolving role of AI in business.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.

Jun 5, 2025 • 3min
BTL Bite: Lessons on Engineering Excellence with Aniruddha Loya.
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech. In this BTL Bite, host Matt Warcholiński, co-founder of software development agency @Brainhubeu, talks with Aniruddha Loya, Director of Engineering at Plooto, about key lessons in engineering excellence he learned at Amazon and how he has applied them in startups like Plooto and PocketPills, the universally applicable engineering processes developed at Amazon over decades and the importance of adapting tools and processes to fit the specific context of each team. Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/ Website: https://bettertechleadership.com/ We appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comment section below.

Jun 3, 2025 • 39min
#138 Brooks Folk: Leading with Purpose - Building Teams and Software for Success
Welcome to the Better Tech Leadership podcast, where we connect with tech leaders from all over the world to share their know-how on bridging the gap between business and tech.In this episode, host Matt Warcholinski, CEO of software development agency Brainhub talks with Brooks Folks, about their role as Global Engineering Leader at nCino, Inc..During the conversation they cover:- The Role of a Global Engineering Leader: Overseeing engineering teams across regions and product areas. A look at the new role at nCino and what sets it apart.- Challenges of Leading at Scale: Managing large, distributed teams. Balancing team autonomy with global consistency.- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Close cooperation between engineering, product, design, QA, and DevOps. Key to building successful software.- Agile Development Principles: Applying “Elephant Carpaccio.” Delivering small, working pieces for faster feedback and better iteration.- Leadership Decision-Making: Knowing when to seek input, when to make the call. Driving progress without getting stuck in consensus.Follow our podcast to be the first to know when new #bettertechleadership podcasts are released. Interested in becoming a guest on the Better Tech Leadership Podcast or more tech leadership knowledge? Let us know! Connect with Leszek and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leszekknoll/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwarcholinski/Website: https://brainhub.eu/better-tech-leadershipWe appreciate your feedback, so please leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the comments.