Cisco Podcast Network

In this episode, we interview Sheikh Habeebul Haq who is the first visually impaired engineer to ever pass the CCIE exam. He didn't ask for accomodations to pass his CCIE, he developped them and took the actual legit exam over two days. And what about you ?what's your excuse for not being a CCIE ? :-)

In this episode of The Cisco AI Insights Podcast, hosts Rafael Herrera and Sónia Marques are joined by Cisco’s Technical Leader in Machine Learning Engineering Leticia Fernandes to explore the groundbreaking study, "A Comparative Study of Traditional Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Large Language Models for Mental Health Forecasting Using Smartphone Sensing Data," which evaluates how different AI architectures analyze complex smartphone behavioral data to predict future mental health states. The discussion delves into the intricacies of forecasting mental health changes using five years of data from the College Experience Sensing dataset, highlighting how deep learning models, particularly transformer architectures, outperform traditional machine learning and Large Language Models by effectively leveraging personalized user behavior to identify subtle anomalies that could signal declining mental health, while also addressing the challenges of data imbalance and the inherent limitations of LLMs in processing high-dimensional, non-textual temporal sequences. A special thank you to the researchers from The Singapore University of Technology and Design, that developed this month's paper. If you are interested in reading the paper yourself, please visit this link: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2601.03603

This week’s episode starts with Ian’s birthday, a conversation about fitness age that quickly goes off the rails, and the very real realization that getting older is, honestly, kind of rude. From there, Kat and Ian dive into something they’ve both been curious about lately: Claude. Kat recently switched from ChatGPT and shares what’s actually been useful so far — from using Claude to organize her week and sort through newsletters to helping her think through work and spot gaps in her ideas. Along the way, they get into the bigger question underneath all of it: how do you use AI in a way that’s genuinely helpful, not just flashy? And when does knowing how to prompt well start to feel like a real skill in its own right? Want to learn about how Cisco is powering AI, check that out here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/artificial-intelligence/index.html

Learn how experts are using AI, SASE, and data analytics to build a future-proof hybrid workplace. This Tech Unscripted episode explores how to balance technology, security, and the human element to create a truly productive workspace.

Cisco SE Talks: Conversation on AI, Cisco + CDW by Cisco

In this episode of Cisco SE Talks, we sit down with industry experts Joe Chenevey, AI Solutions Strategy Lead, and Cody Weaver, Cisco AI Team Lead from CDW to cut through the noise surrounding Artificial Intelligence. As AI moves from experimental "front-office" use cases to core IT infrastructure, organizations are facing a critical inflection point. Our panel explores the shifting landscape of AI integration, focusing on how businesses can move beyond the "demo" phase to achieve tangible, scalable results. We discuss the transition of AI ownership from lines of business to IT, the vital importance of security and governance in an era of "shadow AI," and why understanding the specific business problem is the only way to build a successful AI strategy. Whether you are looking to optimize your infrastructure or navigate the complexities of AI governance, this episode provides the practical context needed to stay ahead in an ever-changing technological landscape.

Join Kat and Ian as they stumble through the basics of DRIP (yes, we finally figured it out!), share some questionable life advice for surviving a seven-hour meeting marathon, and geek out over why Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the ultimate digital bodyguard. We’re breaking down the "something you know, have, and are" magic that blocks 99% of attacks, and why that extra verification step is actually your best friend, not a nuisance. Plus, Ian drops some secret lore about his past life building cybersecurity programs. Get your MFA ready, and let’s get into it! Check out Cisco's cybersecurity solutions (like MFA) for SMBs here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/security/index.html

In this special edition Talking Shift episode, host Jeff Edwards sits down with executive coach and NewLeaf Partners International co-founder Sam Barcus — the trusted advisor behind many of Cisco’s most influential leaders. But this conversation is bigger than leadership coaching. It’s about the invisible ceilings that hold ambitious people back… the difference between performing and simply looking performative… and why the best leaders train more like elite athletes than corporate executives. From his early days at Texas Instruments and Price Waterhouse to helping shape consultative selling at IBM during one of the biggest transformations in tech history, Sam shares the experiences that shaped his coaching philosophy — one built on awareness, authenticity, curiosity, and relentless growth. Along the way, Jeff and Sam unpack: 🔥 Why high performers often become their own biggest obstacle 🧠 The power of a personal “brand promise” — and how it changes the way you show up ⚡ Why “what got you here won’t get you there” has never been more true in the age of AI 🤖 What executives are really wrestling with right now as AI reshapes work, leadership, and decision-making 💡 Why recovery, reflection, and curiosity may be the ultimate competitive advantages This episode is thoughtful, deeply human, and filled with practical wisdom for anyone trying to grow into the next version of themselves — whether you lead a global organization or are simply figuring out your next move. We are Talking Shift to make shift happen.

As hospitals move toward Automation and Smart Buildings, we explore how Integrated Technology is transforming the Patient Experience. We discuss the infrastructure required to make "Smart Hospitals" a reality.

The Internet Report explores recent disruptions at Anthropic and X, analyzing how architectural differences and deployment cycles impact digital reliability. CHAPTERS 00:54 Anthropic's Claude: Three Early April Events 06:03 The Deployment Hypothesis 08:51 The Reliability Challenge for AI Services 11:24 A Pattern to Disruptions at X 12:45 Outage Trends: By the Numbers 17:59 Get in Touch For additional insights, check out The Internet Outage Survival Kit: https://www.thousandeyes.com/resources/the-internet-outage-survival-kit?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fy26q4_internetreport_q4fy26ep135_podcast  ———  Want to get in touch?  If you have questions, feedback, or guests you would like to see featured on the show, send us a note at [email protected]. Or follow us on LinkedIn or X. ———  ABOUT THE INTERNET REPORT  This is The Internet Report, a podcast uncovering what’s working and what’s breaking on the Internet—and why.   Tune in to hear ThousandEyes’ Internet experts dig into some of the most interesting outage events from the past couple weeks, discussing what went awry—was it the Internet, or an application issue?  Plus, learn about the latest trends in ISP outages, cloud network outages, collaboration network outages, and more.  Catch all the episodes on your favorite podcast platform:   - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-report/id1506984526   - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ADFvqAtgsbYwk4JiZFqHQ?si=00e9c4b53aff4d08&nd=1&dlsi=eab65c9ea39d4773   - SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ciscopodcastnetwork/sets/the-internet-report   - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinternetreport_official

The Challenge: AI is fundamentally changing traffic patterns, operations, and customer expectations, exposing the limits of legacy network architectures built for static connectivity rather than intelligent, real-time automation. Service providers are now under pressure to scale AI-ready infrastructure, manage growing operational complexity, and deliver predictive, always-on customer experiences. The Solution: AI-ready networks require a new approach where the network becomes both the foundation for AI workloads and a rich source of real-time intelligence. In this Tech Talk on the Beyond the Fiber podcast, Jim Grubb explores how AI is driving autonomous operations, proactive assurance, and the transformation from reactive networks to intelligent, self-optimizing platforms.

We’re back to tech this week, and Ian and Kat are tackling a question that feels equal parts fascinating and mildly terrifying: how are bad actors using LLMs? From prompt injection attacks (Kat's really passionate about these) to phishing emails that sound way more convincing than they used to, they dig into the very real ways AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape—and why that matters for everyone (even you). Along the way, they get into their own AI habits, debate their LLMs of choice, and uncover the fact that Kat’s AI talks to her like a supportive best friend while Ian’s is… a little more buttoned up. They also talk through why these threats are getting harder to spot, how security teams are using AI too, and why good old-fashioned awareness still matters just as much as the technology. Spoiler: bad actors may be getting smarter, but your best defense is still a healthy dose of skepticism—and maybe reminding your parents not to click random Wells Fargo links. If you want to learn what products Cisco has to help with your own security set up, we got you covered: https://id.cisco.com/app/ciscoid_aemcloudprodsaml_1/exk14lk1xf6SKDANc5d7/sso/saml

AB sits down with Akshay Bhargava, Cisco's VP of Product Management, AI Software and Platform, to chat about AgenticOps, how Cisco is providing guardrails to keep AI safe, and the risks modern businesses face if they fail to adopt AI quickly.

AB chats with Anthony Grieco, Cisco's SVP & Chief Security & Trust Officer, Security and Trust Organization. and Eric Wenger, Cisco's Senior Director, Technology Policy, Global Government Affairs, about how Cisco is revolutionizing product security by removing insecure protocols, updating defaults, and strengthening authentication across our portfolio.

In this month’s episode of The Cisco AI Insights Podcast, hosts Rafael Herrera and Sónia Marques explore the evolving landscape of sentiment analysis with Cisco machine learning engineer Joan Rossello. The conversation centers on the research paper from Imperial College London, “FinDPO: Financial Sentiment Analysis for Algorithmic Trading Through Preference Optimization of LLMs,” which proposes a new way to train large language models to better interpret nuanced human language. By comparing output quality, this preference-based training improved generalization and helped models interpret complex financial language without relying on simple memorization. Additionally, the discussion explored how sentiment scores derived from model probabilities were used to rank companies based on the strength of their news coverage, yielding promising results. A special thank you to the team that developed this month's paper. If you are interested in reading the paper yourself, please visit this link: ⁠ https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.18417

In this episode of Shift Happens, Jeff Edwards sits down with Mario Castro, the executive leading Cisco's $2B+ AI Infrastructure business, for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build AI that works at enterprise scale. Everyone is talking about AI. Far fewer are prepared for what it actually demands. Mario breaks through the noise to explain why successful AI adoption has very little to do with flashy demos-and everything to do with infrastructure, security, readiness, and execution. From building what he calls a Secure AI Factory to helping organizations shift from experimentation to measurable outcomes, Mario shares the lessons leaders need now if they want to stay competitive. Why listen: 🚀 The AI Readiness Gap - Mario explains why many organizations are still underprepared for enterprise AI and what separates the builders from the observers. 🛡️ Why Secure AI Matters - Learn why infrastructure, trust, and security are becoming the non-negotiable foundation for every serious AI strategy. 📈 From Experiment to Impact - Hear how businesses can move beyond AI pilots and start driving real operational and revenue value. Mario also shares the leadership framework that has guided him through every major technology shift of the last three decades: Listen. Learn. Act. Measure. Celebrate. It's practical, proven, and especially relevant as organizations navigate today's AI acceleration. Because AI isn't just about moving fast-it's about building something that lasts. Let's Make Shift Happen.

Ian finally finished his book, so naturally it is time to deep dive into it... "Be the Unicorn" by William Vanderbloemen, exploring what it truly means to be a unicorn at work—the rare, top-performing individual who goes beyond their job description. Ian and Kat unpack several of the habits that set unicorns apart, such as being highly responsive (even when you don’t have all the answers). The hosts share candid stories from their own experiences, including the importance of seeking feedback, building relationships, and staying curious. Along the way, they discuss how trust and communication underpin many of these traits and reflect on the balance between work ethic and personal priorities. Expect plenty of laughs, real-world examples, and the usual commentary from Ian’s dogs. Whether you’re aiming to level up your leadership skills or just curious about what makes a unicorn tick, this episode will help you stand out without trying too hard. As always...give us a click: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html#tabs-a107e9a621-item-b27a5c1e52-tab

In this episode, we interview Marcos Hernandez who tell us about the Isovalent products and integration. From Live Protect, to Cilium which allows kubernetes container networking with the same level of abstraction, mobility and security as fabric networking.

When you see new tech, the first questions are often about safety and control. The focus should be on building critical infrastructure that doesn't just look "shiny" but actually addresses cybersecurity and scalability needs. Learn how to solve the problems of today while preparing for the future.

In this episode of Shift Happens, Jeff Edwards sits down with Kevin Brown, VP of Partner Management at Insight, to unpack what it really takes to build durable partnerships in one of the most disruptive moments in IT history. With a career shaped by crisis management at RSA, ecosystem design at Vectra, and years of deep collaboration with Cisco, Kevin shares why trust—not transactions—is still the ultimate differentiator. From his candid perspective on The Cisco 360 Partner Program to Insight’s bold pivot toward becoming an AI-first solutions integrator, this conversation explores how the best partners are shifting from simply moving product to architecting long-term business outcomes. Along the way, Kevin reveals his practical framework for evaluating partner investments, why “human APIs” matter more than automated portals, and how Cisco + Insight may be sitting on one of the biggest growth opportunities in modern IT—if they execute it right. Why Listen: • 🚀 Hear how top partners are evaluating AI, data readiness, and ecosystem bets—and why the old fulfillment model is no longer enough. • 🤝 Learn why foundational trust and the “Batphone” still matter in an era obsessed with automation, tickets, and digital workflows. • 💡 Get Kevin Brown’s real-world playbook for doubling partner growth by focusing on outcomes, human infrastructure, and long-term customer success. Shift Happens is where partner strategy, leadership perspective, and industry transformation collide—because in tech, standing still is never an option. Let’s make Shift Happen

Kat is back, and immediately finds a mystery pair of sunglasses to derail us. Ian then somehow turns seeing 11:11 into a segue about emotional intelligence. It’s a chaotic start. Then we get into what we actually meant to talk about: why emotional intelligence matters at work, and how much of it comes down to self-awareness. Kat brings MBA-class receipts, Ian reflects on how badly young-20s Ian handled feedback, and together they unpack the biases that shape how we lead, hire, and work with other people. From the halo effect and similarity bias to a live on-air diagnosis of Ian’s fundamental attribution error, this episode is equal parts leadership conversation, workplace reality check, and accidental therapy session. Spoiler: emotional intelligence won’t solve everything, but it can make you a lot better at your job. If you liked this, like us, or just enjoy Cisco...check us out here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

The Internet Report examines the April 2 Microsoft 365 service disruption, an Outlook issue aboard Artemis II, and what these events reveal about critical paths within enterprise architecture. ———  CHAPTERS  00:54 Anatomy of the Microsoft 365 Disruption 02:52 What the Failure Pattern Shows 03:41 Mitigation vs. Resolution 04:58 Outlook Issues on Artemis II: Coincidence? 08:11 Takeaways for NetOps 10:18 Outage Trends: By the Numbers  13:24 Get in Touch   For additional insights, check out The Internet Outage Survival Kit: https://www.thousandeyes.com/resources/the-internet-outage-survival-kit?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fy26q3_internetreport_q3fy26ep134_podcast  ———  Want to get in touch?  If you have questions, feedback, or guests you would like to see featured on the show, send us a note at [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn or X. ———  ABOUT THE INTERNET REPORT  This is The Internet Report, a podcast uncovering what’s working and what’s breaking on the Internet—and why.   Tune in to hear ThousandEyes’ Internet experts dig into some of the most interesting outage events from the past couple weeks, discussing what went awry—was it the Internet, or an application issue?  Plus, learn about the latest trends in ISP outages, cloud network outages, collaboration network outages, and more.  Catch all the episodes on your favorite podcast platform:   - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-report/id1506984526   - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ADFvqAtgsbYwk4JiZFqHQ?si=00e9c4b53aff4d08&nd=1&dlsi=eab65c9ea39d4773   - SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ciscopodcastnetwork/sets/the-internet-report   - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinternetreport_official

Ian and THE Sammy Brenner are back, and Sammy has officially negotiated her way into the co-chair seat for this week’s episode. We’re ditching the usual format to get into the nitty-gritty of the "art of the ask." Sammy shares her journey from "begging" to co-hosting, while Ian reflects on his own early-career lessons and the realization that if you don't ask, you simply won't get. Beyond the banter, we dive deep into the tactical side of career growth. We’re breaking down how to research your worth, why you should never be the first to drop a number, and the secret power of the pause. Whether you’re staring down a new job offer or prepping for a promotion cycle, we’re sharing the strategies—and the stories—to help you stop leaving money on the table. While we miss Kat this week, you won't want to miss this one. Tune in now!

The Challenge: Service Providers are facing a dual pressure: exploding bandwidth demands from AI/ML workloads and the critical need to reduce cost-per-bit. Traditional hub-and-spoke architectures can no longer keep up. Francis will pull back the curtain on how Lumen is transforming its metro and long-haul networks using Cisco Routed Optical Networking. In this session, we will explore: • Architectural Evolution: Moving from legacy transport to a converged, flat IP+Optical layer. • Scaling for AI: How Lumen is deploying 400G/800G to support massive Data Center Interconnect (DCI) demands. • Operational Efficiency: Practical insights on automating multi-layer provisioning to speed up time-to-service.

20 years. One company. Zero shortcuts. In this episode of Shift Happens, Jeff Edwards sits down with Amy Bahlo who didn’t join Cisco for the brand—she joined for a September start date so she could spend one more summer at a camp that mattered to her. Two decades later, she’s leading one of Cisco’s most strategic global partnerships, driving $80M in co-sell with Microsoft and now scaling that motion globally with Google. This episode isn’t just about big numbers—it’s about what actually builds a career that lasts. Amy gets real about the moments that didn’t go her way—and why missing a role she knew was hers became the catalyst for something bigger 💥 rethink setbacks. She shares how owning outcomes, seeking hard feedback, and staying relentlessly coachable became her edge 🚀 grow faster (and smarter). And she breaks down how co-sell and cloud marketplaces are opening entirely new paths to win 🌱 tap into where the real growth is happening. Her mindset is simple—and powerful: it’s not about the peak, it’s about the rebound.

How are Mercy Ships and Milton Keynes Hospital using data collection to transform accessing health? In this episode of Tech Unscripted, we explore the future of Tech for Healthcare and its role in improving global patient outcomes. Join us as we sit down with Grady Nichols from Mercy Ships and Ollie Chandler from Milton Keynes University Hospital to discuss how cutting-edge technology is bridging the gap in underserved regions and optimizing clinical decision-making.

Happy (belated) one-year anniversary to the pod! To celebrate, Ian is looking forward to reliving 2016 with The Chainsmokers at Cisco Live, and Kat is building an army of AI agents to do her job for her. We're breaking down the actual difference between a regular chatbot and an autonomous AI agent, and debating whether outsourcing your life to a virtual Board of Directors makes you lazy or just a genius. From setting up agents in Webex's AI Agent Studio to managing your new digital employees, we have your AI strategy covered (we think). Guys...it's been a year. If you haven't given us a click, this is your sign: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

In the latest episode of Shift Happens, Jeff sits down with Gary Wolfson, Director of Global Partner Communities at Cisco, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really took to co-design The Cisco 360 Partner Program—not just in theory, but in practice. This isn’t just a story about partner programs—it’s a masterclass in trust. Gary breaks down the difference between listening and hearing (and why partners know instantly which one you’re doing), and introduces a simple but powerful framework: listen → interpret → act → be accountable. Sounds simple… until you try to do it at global scale, across thousands of partners, in the middle of massive change. What unfolds is a story of courage, vulnerability, and consistency—where trust wasn’t built through words, but through action, rhythm, and follow-through. From early skepticism in Dublin to confidence at Partner Summit, this episode captures the real shift: when feedback stops being a checkbox and becomes your identity. Why listen: • 🎯 Learn the 3-part framework that turns feedback into real action (and trust) • 🤝 Understand why “listening vs. hearing” is the difference between credibility… and noise • 🚀 See how co-design, done right, becomes a true competitive differentiator—not just a buzzword Let’s make shift happen #CiscoShiftHappensPodcast

The Internet Report podcast explores the telemetry behind recent SaaS disruptions to reveal how NetOps leaders can regain control of business continuity during an outage.    ———    CHAPTERS  00:10 Intro  00:52 Cloudflare 08:38 Salesforce 13:27 Outage Trends: By the Numbers  15:34 Get in Touch    ———    Explore the Cloudflare and Salesforce outages further in the ThousandEyes platform (no login required):     - Cloudflare: https://apfjyufeawshlcxbsvhsicakwoupobbf.share.thousandeyes.com/internet-insights/views/?roundId=1771612800&metric=interfaces&scenarioId=outageTraffic&filters=N4IgZglgNgLgpgJwM4gFygIYActQgYwxggHsA7AERIFsMIyAVDAczQG0BdAGhG1wKKkyAeQCuMFnADK%2BEljjsQAQQBiKgKIBhBuooB9HVIZ7hAJT0BJAHJ7NShkoAywgOIhuvJGXYBGAMwBAKxcAEwADACcIQAsIR4wCBhgkPhiEszSsvKKqhraugbqRibm1rb2Tq7uAL7VQA      - Salesforce: https://awzppfpqlujxnslfkbxhmhbdtpkugkks.share.thousandeyes.com/network-app-synthetics/views/?testId=8329769&startTime=1773723600&detailId=map&metrics=httpAvailability&timelineWindow=1773702000,1773744000&prefixId=13533839    
  For additional insights, check out The Internet Outage Survival Kit: https://www.thousandeyes.com/resources/the-internet-outage-survival-kit?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fy26q3_internetreport_q3fy26ep133_podcast    ———    Want to get in touch?    If you have questions, feedback, or guests you would like to see featured on the show, send us a note at [email protected]. Or follow us on LinkedIn or X: @thousandeyes    ———    ABOUT THE INTERNET REPORT  This is The Internet Report, a podcast uncovering what’s working and what’s breaking on the Internet—and why.     Tune in to hear ThousandEyes’ Internet experts dig into some of the most interesting outage events from the past couple weeks, discussing what went awry—was it the Internet, or an application issue?    Plus, learn about the latest trends in ISP outages, cloud network outages, collaboration network outages, and more.    Catch all the episodes on your favorite podcast platform:      - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-report/id1506984526      - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ADFvqAtgsbYwk4JiZFqHQ?si=00e9c4b53aff4d08&nd=1&dlsi=eab65c9ea39d4773      - SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ciscopodcastnetwork/sets/the-internet-report      - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinternetreport_official

We jump right in by asking a deceptively simple question: do you have a personal brand, and if so...what is it? That quickly turns into Kat and Ian accidentally hyping each other up, questioning their professional identities, and landing on the idea that being good at work starts with being a good human. Ian explains why he’s sending out 360 feedback surveys “because he’s insecure,” while Kat defends her commitment to being on time (something Ian can't comment on...) Then we get into actual tips: how personal brands are built day by day. From accountability and consistency to perception and reputation, this episode is all about how people experience you at work — and why that matters more than ever in a virtual world. If you found this insightful, funny, or just like us...give us a click to keep the show funded! https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

In this episode, we interview Liz Rice, a contributor to eBPF. She tells us what this technology means for the linux kernel but also for future security app, for kernel observability and last but not least for container networking. A technology so good it's even coming to Windows.

Unlock AI for Retail and Predictive data analytics success with Samsoe Samsoe and Cisco Meraki. In this episode of Tech Unscripted, Bryan Jones (SVP, Cisco) sits down with Simeon Solarsky, Head of IT and Operations at Samsoe Samsoe, to explore how to bridge the gap between online presence and brick-and-mortar stores. We dive deep into how leveraging Predictive data analytics and modern infrastructure like Wi-Fi 7 can turn IT from a cost center into a powerful engine for growth.

In this special edition of Shift Happens: Talking Shift, Jeff Edwards sits down with Ari Butler, founder of AB3 Communications, to unpack a powerful tension in today’s workplace: how you can be more productive than ever… and trusted less at the same time. From his roots in theater to advising leaders across companies like Cisco, Google Cloud, and Goldman Sachs, Ari brings a unique perspective: leadership isn’t just strategy—it’s a creative, performative act. And every interaction? It’s either building trust… or quietly eroding it. We explore what most leaders get wrong—focusing on what they want to say instead of what others need to hear—and why the best communicators don’t just inform… they move people to act. 💡 Why Listen: • 🤖 Close the AI trust gap—learn how to stay human in an AI-powered world • 🎭 Rehearse vs. practice—unlock better outcomes by staying in “rehearsal mode” longer • 🎯 Prepare for impact—shift from showcasing intelligence to driving real action If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking “that didn’t land…”—this conversation will change how you show up. Because in the end, it’s not just what you say… it’s how it lands.

A prompt from former guest Brad Oliver sparks this week’s conversation as Kat and Ian swap their favorite life hacks — from AI-powered routines to everyday habits that (mostly) keep things on track. Kat shares her go-to method for turning a packed morning into a time-blocked, lock-screen-ready game plan (truly, you should steal this), while Ian brings ideas on using AI as a personal coach for growth, productivity, and even wellness. They also get into practical strategies like the two-minute rule, quick-start momentum tricks, journaling habits, and small upgrades that make a big difference. Along the way, they touch on discipline, habit stacking, why being on time is harder than it should be (at least for Ian), and a simple relationship tip that can change how you show up for others. A mix of useful ideas, honest moments, and a few habits still in progress. Another life hack: buying Cisco products for your small or medium business. Check them out here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html#tabs-9da71fbd27-item-1288c79d71-tab

In the latest episode of the Cisco AI Insights podcast, hosts Rafael Herrera and Sonia Marques are joined by Dr. Catarina Carvalho, a Cisco leader in machine learning engineering. Together, they unpack the complex academic paper " Multi-Crit: Benchmarking Multimodal Judges on Pluralistic Criteria-Following," developed by researchers from the University of Maryland and the University of Waterloo. As the industry moves toward more reliable multimodal models, traditional pass-or-fail evaluation is no longer sufficient. This paper introduces a hierarchical framework that uses "LLM-as-a-judge" to evaluate outputs across five distinct criteria: visual grounding, logical coherence, factuality, reflection, and conciseness. Dr. Carvalho guides the discussion through the nuances of this "judge of judges" approach, exploring why human alignment remains the gold standard even as we automate evaluation processes. A special thank you to the teams at both The University of Waterloo and The University of Maryland, College Park, for developing this month's paper. If you are interested in reading the paper yourself, please visit this link: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2511.21662.

30 episodes… already?! 🎙️ And this one hits different. Jeff sits down with Stacy Betts—VP leading Splunk’s Americas Partner Sales—to unpack a career that spans from the early days of the internet to the frontlines of AI transformation. But this isn’t just about strategy or a $28B acquisition… it’s about leadership that lasts. From not knowing what the “internet” was in 1994 to helping shape one of Cisco’s most important moves, Stacy brings a rare perspective—and even rarer humility. Along the way, he shares unforgettable stories, powerful frameworks, and the kind of quotes you’ll carry with you long after the episode ends. And one idea you won’t forget: Who’s packing your parachute? Listen if you want to: 🔍 Rethink leadership through the lens of purpose, gratitude, and action 🤖 Understand where Cisco + Splunk + partners are headed in the AI era 💟 Walk away with stories and frameworks you’ll actually use (and repeat) 30 episodes in—and this is what it’s all about. Let’s make shift happen #CiscoShiftHappensPodcast

AB sits down with Tom Gillis, Cisco’s SVP and GM, Infrastructure & Security Group, to explore the crucial role security plays in the ever-changing AI landscape.

Ian and Kat are back with a "yin and yang" week of personal chaos and professional growth. Kat recounts the harrowing story of her recent hit-and-run—including a very embarrassing realization about her side-view mirror—and shares how she managed to keep her cool (and her work schedule) on track. Beyond the road drama, Kat dives into her experience at a women’s-only C-suite event, discussing the power of intimate networking, the future of AI in the workplace, and the importance of Cisco showing up in non-traditional spaces. Ian and Kat also get real about the "triangle of life"—balancing fitness, money, and sanity—and why sometimes, you just have to give yourself a break. Tune in for an episode full of personal anecdotes, leadership insights, and a reminder that even when things (or cars) get hit, the show must go on. Since we didn't talk (much) Cisco this week, PLEASE give us a click here: https://id.cisco.com/app/ciscoid_aemcloudprodsaml_1/exk14lk1xf6SKDANc5d7/sso/saml

What does it really take to redesign one of the most influential partner programs in the tech industry? In this episode of Shift Happens, Jeff Edwards sits down with Brian Overmeyer, Director of Partner Strategy and Programs at Cisco, to go behind the scenes of The Cisco 360 Partner Program. With a background in industrial-organizational psychology and more than two decades shaping Cisco’s partner ecosystem, Brian shares how programs are more than incentives—they’re roadmaps that guide behavior, reward value, and help partners grow alongside Cisco. From the legacy of Cisco’s Gold program to a new model built around customer outcomes, platform value, and partner co-design, this conversation explores the strategy, complexity, and trust required to evolve a program that supports tens of thousands of partners around the world. Why listen: • 🔧 The inside story behind The Cisco 360 Partner Program • 🧠 How behavioral science shapes partner strategy and incentives • 🤝 Why partner co-design was critical to getting this transformation right And as always… let’s make shift happen. 🚀 #CiscoShiftHappensPodcast

Unified Networking Architecture: Find out how X-Haul consolidates fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul into a single, software-defined transport platform, and enables seamless 5G deployment across diverse topologies. AI-Drive Automation and Optimization: Learn to reduce operational expenses by up to 40% while improving service reliability. Future-Ready Scalability: Dive deep into how this technology supports emerging applications requiring ultra-low latency and massive bandwidth.

Visibility from diverse networks can help uncover blind spots to detect regional issues and invisible failures impacting end users. In this episode, you’ll hear first-hand insights on the operational challenges and technical strategies involved in building, validating, and expanding a global monitoring infrastructure. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 03:21 Why Multi-location Monitoring Matters 06:48 Agent Management and Operational Challenges 14:16 Debugging Methodologies and Validation Processes 19:07 Getting the Most from Vendor Collaboration 24:16 Internet Misconceptions and Considerations 25:22 Notable Operational Outcomes ——— For additional insights, check out the links below: Cloud Agents: The Big Picture To Getting the Best Picture: https://www.thousandeyes.com/blog/cloud-agents-big-picture-best-picture?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fy26q3_internetreport_q3fy26ep132_podcast The Internet Outage Survival Kit: https://www.thousandeyes.com/resources/the-internet-outage-survival-kit?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fy26q3_internetreport_q3fy26ep132_podcast ——— Want to get in touch? If you have questions, feedback, or guests you would like to see featured on the show, send us a note at [email protected]. Or follow us on LinkedIn or X. ——— ABOUT THE INTERNET REPORT This is The Internet Report, a podcast uncovering what’s working and what’s breaking on the Internet—and why. Tune in to hear ThousandEyes’ Internet experts dig into some of the most interesting outage events from the past couple weeks, discussing what went awry—was it the Internet, or an application issue? Plus, learn about the latest trends in ISP outages, cloud network outages, collaboration network outages, and more. Catch all the episodes on your favorite podcast platform: - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-report/id1506984526 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ADFvqAtgsbYwk4JiZFqHQ?si=00e9c4b53aff4d08&nd=1&dlsi=eab65c9ea39d4773 - SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ciscopodcastnetwork/sets/the-internet-report - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinternetreport_official

Happy spring cleaning time! We're cleaning house with this episode. Enjoy some behind-the-scenes recordings from 404 over the last few months! If you haven’t already, and you want to keep these BTS episodes coming, check out Cisco’s solutions for small and medium businesses: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

Jeff Edwards sits down with Rebecca Leach—former Cisco and AppDynamics leader turned executive coach and founder of Growth Road, an executive coaching practice focused on helping leaders navigate change with clarity, confidence, and connection. After nearly two decades in tech leadership, Rebecca reached a pivotal moment: stay in the familiar rhythm of corporate success, or step into ambiguity and redefine what leadership—and identity—really meant. What followed wasn’t just a career transition. It became the foundation for Growth Road, where Rebecca now helps leaders grow through the same kinds of shifts she experienced herself. In this candid conversation, Rebecca shares the emotions behind leaving a long, successful corporate career, the courage it takes to embrace uncertainty, and the lessons leaders can carry forward when the path ahead isn’t clear. Why listen: • ⚡ The hidden risk of tying your identity to your title • 🔄 Why career growth isn’t always “up and to the right” • 🧭 How leaders navigate ambiguity and reinvent themselves If you’ve ever faced a career crossroads—or wondered who you are beyond the role you hold—this conversation will resonate.

AB sits down with Tim Coogan, Cisco’s SVP, Global Partner Sales, for a fun chat about the important role partners play to drive positive business outcomes. From partnering in the AI era to the link between sales and partnerships, this informative conversation highlights why it’s critical for business to cultivate a powerful partner ecosystem.

In this special edition of Shift Happens — Talking Shift, host Jeff Edwards sits down with Jon Sanchez, Founder & CEO of Team Performance Institute, to unpack a simple truth: leadership isn’t about managing projects — it’s about developing people. Drawing on Jon’s background at the United States Naval Academy and in SEAL training, they explore why the most powerful leadership tool isn’t a strategy deck — it’s the 1:1 conversation. They break down why culture is built in personal interactions, why accountability strengthens relationships, and why performance follows connection. Why Listen 🤝 Master the 1:1 as your most important leadership tool 🧠 Prioritize people over tasks and watch performance rise 🌱 Build trust daily through intentional conversations If you’re navigating big shifts, this conversation will reset how you think about leadership. Let’s make shift happen. Listen on Spotify – Apple Podcasts - Soundcloud

In this episode, we interview Jean Christophe Rode, principal engineer working in the IOS-XR engineering team. He also specalizes in SONIC support. He explains how this open source operating system is gaining ground and what are the difference with Cisco proprietary IOS-XR. No blue Hedgehogs are mentioned in this episode

Ian’s out, Carina’s in (for a week) — and somehow 404 is both nicer and more organized? In this week’s episode, Kat is joined by her best friend in marketing, Carina Barreto for a very real and relatable deep dive into life in field marketing. From partner strategy and demand gen to why events are way more than just catering and a PowerPoint, the two unpack what actually makes a customer say “yes” — and why experiential marketing is the way. They also get into the unspoken truth of the role: sales is your best friend (like, 80% of your calendar kind of best friend), the art of saying yes before you earn the right to say no, and how building internal advocates can make or break your success. Along the way, expect tangents on MBA survival, women-focused executive events, and the eternal question of what sounds better than just staying home? No Ian this week, but don’t worry — Kat and Carina still manage to get their jokes in just like he's there. If you like the show, give us a click to keep the funding coming: id.cisco.com/app/ciscoid_aemcloudprodsaml_1/exk14lk1xf6SKDANc5d7/sso/saml

In the latest episode of the Cisco AI Insights Podcast, hosts Rafael Herrera and Sónia Marques welcome Cisco AI operations engineer James Tidd for a discussion on the world of small language models (SLMs) and the evolution of efficient AI inference. Together, they unravel the complexities behind “Fast Inference from Transformers via Speculative Decoding,” a groundbreaking paper from Google that explores how smaller draft models can speed up large language model predictions while maintaining accuracy. James shares his hands-on experience experimenting with the technique, leveraging knowledge distillation and speculative execution. The trio also discusses the potential of this approach to optimize AI, reduce power consumption and costs, and help businesses of all sizes get more out of existing hardware. A special thank you to Google’s AI team for developing this month's paper. If you are interested in reading the paper yourself, please visit this link: https://research.google/blog/looking-back-at-speculative-decoding/.

Cisco SE Talks: AI in Manufacturing with Sentinel- Episode 8 is LIVE! In this episode of Cisco SE Talks, we dive deep into the practical applications of AI with many of our manufacturing customers. We’re thrilled to also bring in Bob Keblusek – Chief Innovation and Technology Office at Sentinel and Richard Sonnen, Director of AI Innovation and Matt LeMasters, Cisco SE as we talk through customer pain points and challenges specific to manufacturing and true partnership with Cisco. As part of the discussion – we also discuss how Cloud with AI can sometime be the easy button, but often comes with Security challenges and ultimate cost restraints. Join us for this jam-packed session – we’re Cisco SEs lead the way! Watch the full episode now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGoNjF93Mxo

AB sits down with Gordon Thomson, Cisco’s SVP EMEA Sales and EMEA President, for a great talk about The EMEA Moment, sovereign critical infrastructure, and how AI is a tool that is helping unlock human potential.