Tech Talks

Latest Episodes:

Fintech at a Crossroads: AI, Access, and the Power of the Platform May 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, David Savage speaks with Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20, about the real-time pulse of fintech innovation. As the architect behind one of the industry’s most influential global platforms, Scarlett offers a unique view into what’s top-of-mind for leaders—from agentic AI and regulation to embedded finance and economic resilience. She shares how superapps, open banking, and new platform behaviors are reshaping financial services, and explains why success isn’t just about technology—it’s about access, connection, and timing.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

Education, Education, Education! The Biggest Lessons from Rio. May 26, 2025

Show notes

On today's podcast David is joined by Rob Pegoraro, Nicole Ingra (Ingra Labs) and Benjamin Buthmann (Koalo) to chew the Web Summit Rio chat one final time! The conference forced plenty of meaningful discussion around the manner in which organisations are moving from experimentation to implementation of AI - and asked what that means for us. David asks his panel what they spotted as they navigated the conference, and what they'd like to see more of next time.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

Don’t Learn to Code—Learn to Build: The Case for Inclusive Tech May 24, 2025

Show notes

David Savage sits down with Emmanuel Straschnov, Co-CEO and co-founder of Bubble, for a candid conversation on democratising software development. Speaking from Web Summit Rio, Emmanuel shares how Bubble is redefining access to entrepreneurship—removing the barrier of technical know-how and enabling creators in emerging markets like Brazil and Nigeria to build businesses without writing a single line of code. He critiques the hype around “vibe coding,” champions real-world impact over press headlines, and explains why the future of tech lies in product-first, not code-first, thinking.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

AI, Brand Blandness & the Creative Fight to Stand Out May 23, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation recorded at Web Summit Rio, David Savage sits down with Lisa Smith, Global Executive Creative Director at Jones Knowles Ritchie, to unpack the tension between creativity, AI, and brand identity. Lisa challenges the notion that AI equals innovation—arguing that in too many cases, it simply accelerates blandness. With nearly two decades of design and strategy experience, she explains why truly distinctive branding still requires human insight, cultural fluency, and original thought. This episode is a must-listen for brand leaders, marketers, and creative technologists who want to build relevance in an increasingly automated world.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

AI Isn’t the Strategy—It’s the Signal: Rethinking Brand for the Intelligent Era May 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode recorded at Web Summit Rio, David Savage speaks with Melissa Jackson Parsey, SVP Global Managing Partner at R/GA, about how brands can stay relevant in a world shaped by AI-driven behaviours. Melissa shares how the agency’s creative strategy has evolved from legacy media to machine learning, the value of cross-industry thinking, and why experimentation has given way to implementation. As R/GA becomes an independent entity for the first time in 22 years, Melissa also discusses how agility, partnerships, and cultural nuance will define the next era of brand leadership.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

Empathy at Scale: AI, Data and the Human Side of Customer Engagement May 21, 2025

Show notes

David Savage sits down with Rachel Tilghman, Area Vice President at Braze, to explore how the world of customer engagement is evolving in the age of AI. Recorded at Web Summit Rio, Rachel shares insights on the company’s rapid growth in LATAM, the move from persona-based to empathy-based marketing, and the need for brands to go slow to go fast—especially when it comes to data and agentic AI. With a career that blends marketing strategy and tech leadership, Rachel explains why trust, community, and vulnerability are competitive advantages.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

Beyond the Efficiency Trap: AI, Systems Thinking & the Evolution of Tech Leadership May 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, David Savage speaks with Alexey Boas, CTO for Latin America at ThoughtWorks, recorded live at Web Summit Rio. They unpack the risks of chasing AI efficiency without context—and why systems thinking, creativity, and human perspective are more important than ever. Alexey shares insights into the evolution from digital to intelligent organisations, what it really means to be an effective engineer in an AI-driven world, and how the role of the CTO must shift from operational oversight to strategic business transformation. Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠ The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

AI with Context: Rebuilding How We Meet, Work and Listen May 19, 2025

Show notes

Whilst at Web Summit, podcast host David Savage sat down with David Shim, founder and CEO of Read AI, to explore how artificial intelligence can do more than just summarise your meetings—it can understand reactions, recommend actions, and even warn you when your client or team is losing trust.

Shim, who previously scaled Foursquare, shares his vision for a future of proactive, personalised AI that integrates across all work platforms—not just one vendor’s walled garden. The conversation touches on everything from adoption barriers and agentic hype to emotional intelligence and the ethics of AI in the workplace.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

From Guitar Hero to Oculus: Building, Failing, and Building Again May 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, David Savage speaks with Jack McCauley, legendary hardware innovator, co-founder of Oculus, and creator behind Guitar Hero’s iconic controller. Jack shares what it takes to survive and thrive in hardware—from million-selling hits to failed camera startups. He reflects on Meta’s struggles with VR, why hardware investment is so fraught, and how he’s now applying the same curiosity and engineering mindset to global clean water challenges. A frank, insightful conversation that explores the creative grit behind invention—and why true innovation rarely comes on the first try.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

Dying Changed My Mind: Sasha Lund on Legacy, Leadership & Gut Instinct May 14, 2025

Show notes

Sasha Lund—founder of Core Values Consulting and editor of The Rising Role of Women in Family Offices and Family Businesses—joins David Savage to explore the evolving dynamics of leadership, legacy, and decision-making. After a profound near-death experience, Sasha rebuilt her life with a renewed sense of purpose, championing values-led leadership, emotional intelligence, and the long-overlooked contributions of women in legacy-driven industries.

This episode offers transformative insights for anyone rethinking the future of business, succession, and human-centred leadership.

Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at ⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

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