Best Fail Forward Productions Podcasts (2025)

1
153. On the Verge of Quitting? Listen to This First 20:56

Play Pause

6d ago20:56

20:56

In this episode Host Paola Soares shares encouragement and practical insight for the moments when you're on the verge of quitting—whether it's your career, a dream you've been working toward, a business you've been building, or a calling that suddenly feels heavy. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, discouraged, or uncertain about your …

1
What Should Contact Centres Do First to Prepare for Agentic AI? 24:50

4d ago24:50

24:50

As companies rethink how they provide customer experiences (CX), a new form of AI capability, agentic AI, is quickly changing how work is accomplished in contact centres. In the recent episode of the Tech Transformed podcast, Dialpad Lead Product Manager Calvin Hohener sits down with host Jon Arnold, Principal at J Arnold & Associates. They discuss…

1
Breaking Free from Busywork: AI and the Future of Profitable Client Delivery 24:38

5d ago24:38

24:38

Client service teams are at a breaking point. Margins are shrinking, the demand keeps rising, and much of the day is consumed by work that doesn’t move the needle. As a result, skilled people often spend hours reconciling spreadsheets, re-entering the same data across multiple systems, and chasing updates, time that should be spent on the work clie…

1
How Generative AI is Transforming Customer Experience Today 22:24

9d ago22:24

22:24

With the rapid evolution of Generative AI, customer experience (CX) is evolving rapidly, too. In a recent episode of the Tech Transformed podcast, Mike Gozzo, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Ada, sat down with host Christina Stathopoulos, Founder of Dare to Data. They talked about how generative AI is changing business-to-customer interacti…

1
The 3G Sunset Worldwide: How Enterprises Can Avoid Device Disruption 18:23

13d ago18:23

18:23

The era of 3G is ending. For many industrial businesses, smart infrastructure systems, remote device management, and IoT connectivity rely on networks that are now being phased out globally. The question isn’t if—but when your operations could be disrupted. In this episode of Tech Transformed, Trisha Pillay speaks with Jana Vidis, Business Developm…

1
152. Master Your Time & Stop Overwhelm: Productivity Tips with Time Management Coach Anna Dearmon Kornick (REWIND) 30:48

13d ago30:48

30:48

In this REWIND previously aired episode, Host Paola Soares speaks with well regarded Time Management Coach, Anna Dearmon Kornick. Anna helps busy professionals master time management so they can stop feeling overwhelmed and start spending time on what matters most. Anna knows a thing or two about managing time— with a long career trajectory in high…

1
151. Need a Reset? Journal Prompts to Slow Down, Reflect & Get Grateful 25:43

20d ago25:43

25:43

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, host Paola Soares guides listeners through a powerful "heart reset" using reflective gratitude journal prompts designed to help you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters this season. Whether you're navigating uncertainty, feeling stretched thin, or craving clarity about your next step, this e…

1
Why Do Most ‘Full-Stack Observability’ Tools Miss the Network? 24:06

20d ago24:06

24:06

Tech leaders are often led to believe that they have “full-stack observability.” The MELT framework—metrics, events, logs, and traces—became the industry standard for visibility. However, Robert Cowart, CEO and Co-Founder of ElastiFlow, believes that this MELT framework leaves a critical gap. In the latest episode of the Tech Transformed podcast, h…

1
How HashiCorp and Red Hat are preparing enterprises for AI at scale 25:05

21d ago25:05

25:05

Enterprises are discovering that the first wave of cloud adoption didn’t simplify operations. It created flexibility, but it also introduced fragmentation, rising costs, and skills gaps that now make AI adoption harder to manage. In this episode of Tech Transformed, analyst and host Dana Gardner speaks with two leaders from across the IBM portfolio…

1
150. 40 Lessons at 40: Mindset, Purpose & Confidence for Your Next Chapter (Birthday Episode + Giveaway 48:02

27d ago48:02

48:02

Birthday Episode + Giveaway on the But First, She Failed podcast. In this powerful conversation, Paola shares 40 Lessons at 40, offering the mindset shifts, purpose insights, calling breakthroughs, and growth lessons that have shaped her over the last decade. Through career pivots, moments of fear, seasons of uncertainty, motherhood, identity work,…

1
$5 Million in Promotional Products 12:39

28d ago12:39

12:39

Company Stats: Revenue: $5 million Employees: ~30 Founded: 2015 Podcast Highlights: ✅ Ink’d Stores scales by shifting from a local retail swag shop to building on-demand company stores that manage and fulfill employee merch with no upfront cost. ✅ Jay emphasizes that action beats ideas. Cold calling, local events, and relentless experimentation are…

1
AI-Powered Chip Design: Real World Impact Across Silicon to Systems 22:53

28d ago22:53

22:53

The semiconductor industry is at an inflection point. As systems become more intelligent, connected, and software-defined, chip design is growing too complex for humans alone. Advances in electronic design automation are reshaping how silicon is built and verified, enabling faster, smarter, and more reliable innovation from data centers to edge dev…

1
Driving Enterprise Innovation with AI and Strong CI/CD Foundations 25:02

1M ago25:02

25:02

Driving Enterprise Innovation with AI and Strong CI/CD Foundations As enterprises push to deliver software faster and more efficiently, continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines have become central to modern engineering. With increasing complexity in builds, tools, and environments, the challenge is no longer just speed, but …

1
From Cost-Cutting to Competitive Edge: The Strategic Role of Observability in AI-Driven Business 26:48

1M ago26:48

26:48

For years, observability sat quietly in the background of enterprise technology, an operational tool for engineers, something to keep the lights on and costs down. As systems became more intelligent and automated, observability has stepped into a far more strategic role. It now acts as the connective tissue between business intent and technical exe…

1
149. 3 Ways Worrying Is Sabotaging Your Growth (and What to Do Instead) 21:09

1M ago21:09

21:09

Are you overthinking, spiraling in "what ifs," or feeling stuck because worry is draining your energy? In this powerful mindset-reset episode, Paola shares the exact reality check she had to give herself this week—one she knows many faith-driven, purpose-seeking women need to hear too. If you've been feeling unfulfilled in your current job, sensing…

1
Can AI Tools Actually Prevent Burnout — or Are They Making It Worse? 33:10

1M ago33:10

33:10

““Without healthy employees, you don’t have healthy customers. And without healthy customers, you don’t have a healthy bottom line.” — Kate Visconti, Founder and CEO, Five to Flow. While artificial intelligence (AI) has hastened development and made enterprises more efficient, it also comes with more deadlines. The deadlines often merge into after-…

1
148. 3 Types of Burnout (and What They're Really Telling You) 12:24

1M ago12:24

12:24

Feeling drained, unmotivated, or disconnected — even though you're "doing all the right things"? You might be facing burnout… but not the kind you think. In this episode, host Paola Soares breaks down the three hidden types of burnout that ambitious, purpose-driven women often overlook. These are the kinds that sneak up on you when you're checking …

1
Beyond the Hyperscalers: Building Cyber Resilience on Independent Infrastructure 23:05

1M ago23:05

23:05

“Cyber resilience isn’t just about protection, it’s about preparation.” Every business in this day and age lives in the cloud. Our operations, data, and collaboration tools are powered by servers located invisibly around the world. But here’s the question we often overlook: what happens when the cloud falters? In this episode of Tech Transformed, T…

1
BONUS - The Raven (re-release) 12:21

2M ago12:21

12:21

Did you think we forgot you? Not to worry. While we prep for our new season, we thought we'd get back in the spirit with a trip down memory lane to our Halloween classic where we bring back some of our best characters to read The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe in this Halloween 2022 special bonus episode. Cast: Sean Michael Boozer, Jen Burton, Chris Comp…

1
How are 5G and Edge Computing Powering the Future of Private Networks? 25:02

2M ago25:02

25:02

"5G is becoming a great enabler for industries, enterprises, in-building connectivity and a variety of use cases, because now we can provide both the lowest latency and the highest bandwidth possible,” states Ganesh Shenbagaraman, Radisys Head of Standards, Regulatory Affairs & Ecosystems. In the recent episode of the Tech Transformed podcast, Shub…

1
How Do You Make AI Agents Reliable at Scale? 25:41

2M ago25:41

25:41

Now that companies have begun leaping into AI applications and adopting agentic automation, new architectural challenges are bound to emerge. With every new technology comes high responsibility, consequences and challenges. To help face and overcome some of these challenges, Temporal introduced the concept of “durable execution.” This concept has q…

1
Start Now, Learn Later: Breaking Free from Overthinking in Business 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

Hosts Dave and Ebro get real about what it takes to start a business, no perfect plan, no overthinking. Just honest talk about taking action, learning as you go, and building something you truly love. They also unpack the mindset needed to avoid getting stuck in analysis paralysis. From embracing the "ready, fire, aim" approach to hiring people who…

1
147. A Decade of Failing Forward Into Faith: Paola Soares on Overcoming Fear and Finding Purpose with Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen 43:06

2M ago43:06

43:06

✨ Special Episode: From Failure to Faith — Paola's Interview on The Vibrant Flow Podcast ✨ This week on But First, She Failed, host Paola Soares shares something a little different. Recently, she was invited to be a guest on 🎙️ The Vibrant Flow Podcast with Johanna Mäkilä-Manninen —a friend of But First, She Failed. Paola loved Johanna's thoughtful…

1
How To Maintain Human Connection in an AI World 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

For CISOs and technology leaders, AI is reshaping business process management and daily operations. It can automate routine tasks and analyse data, but the human element remains critical for workforce oversight, customer interactions, and strategic decision-making. In this episode of Tech Transformed, Trisha Pillay talks with Anshuman Singh, CEO of…

1
146: The Power of Mindset: How Founder Ayana Rodriguez Partnered with the World's Top Luxury Hotels 41:22

2M ago41:22

41:22

What does it take to build a brand that earns the trust of the world's most prestigious hotels — and do it in an industry where you're often the only woman, only Latina, or only woman of color in the room? In this powerful episode, Ayana Rodriguez, founder of ITAVI, shares how she transformed a simple idea about intentional childcare into a premium…

1
Learning to Fail Forward 10:34

2M ago10:34

10:34

Send us a text This episode examines Harvard Business School research showing failed entrepreneurs are 20% more likely to succeed in their next venture, and Dr. Carol Dweck's growth mindset research on failure as learning opportunity. Learn three strategies: Failure Autopsy Method, Rapid Prototype Approach, and Resilience Bank Account Practice. As …

1
145. $1Billion Impact: How Latina CEO Jacqueline Basulto Built a Thriving Agency from $200 35:12

2M ago35:12

35:12

In this episode of But First, She Failed, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring Jacqueline Basulto, the Latina entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 CEO behind SeedX, a digital growth agency she launched with just $200. Since then, her agency has helped clients generate over $1 billion in revenue through innovative digital strategies and …

1
Paper to Production: Why "Compliant" LOTO Fails In The Field 15:12

2M ago15:12

15:12

This month we’re tackling one of the most cited OSHA topics out there — Lockout/Tagout (LOTO). If your company has a program that checks all of the audit boxes, but your employees are still having injuries, this episode explains why. ⚙️ Top 3 LOTO Problems We’re Seeing in the Field 1️⃣ Bad or outdated templates. If your LOTO template or format is w…

1
144. How to Discover Your God-Given Calling and Purpose 27:06

3M ago27:06

27:06

Have you ever wondered what you were truly created to do? Maybe you've climbed the career ladder, switched roles, or even launched a business—yet you still feel empty inside, like something's missing. Or perhaps you're in a season of transition after being let go and you're asking God, "What is my true calling?" If so, this episode of the But First…

1
AI-Powered Canvases: The Future of Visual Collaboration and Innovation 19:11

3M ago19:11

19:11

AI-Powered Canvases: The Future of Visual Collaboration and Innovation As hybrid and remote work become the standard, organizations are rethinking how teams brainstorm, align, and innovate. Traditional whiteboards and digital tools often fall short in keeping pace with today’s complex business challenges. This is where AI-powered canvases are trans…

1
$17 Million in Coffee Roasted to Taste 13:04

3M ago13:04

13:04

Company Stats: Founded: 1993 Annual Revenue: $17 million Employees: 195 Locations: 9 cafes in Southeastern Wisconsin Co-ownership: Established in 2016 Certified B Corp since 2022 Podcast Highlights: ✅ Stone Creek Coffee scales through B2B, grocery distribution, and e-commerce rather than new physical locations. ✅ Roast-level guided product lines ma…

1
Daily Habits of Self-Controlled Professionals 13:02

3M ago13:02

13:02

Send us a text This episode explores Duke University research showing 40% of daily actions are habits, and Dr. Roy Baumeister's work on willpower and decision fatigue. Learn three key habits of self-controlled professionals: Morning Clarity Ritual, Energy Management System, and Evening Review Practice. As Jim Rohn reminds us, excellence is not an a…

1
143.Why Community & Accountability Are Crucial for Successfully Walking in God-Given Calling 26:00

3M ago26:00

26:00

Are you trying to pursue your God-given calling all on your own? If so, you may be setting yourself up for unnecessary struggle. In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola Soares shares why community and accountability are crucial to successfully walking in your God-given purpose. We'll dive into the powerful role that accountability plays in …

1
Breaking Through Comparison Traps 11:10

3M ago11:10

11:10

Send us a text This episode examines University of Pennsylvania research showing that limiting social media to 30 minutes daily reduces loneliness and depression, and explores Dr. Leon Festinger's Social Comparison Theory. Learn three strategies to break comparison traps: Inspiration Filter Technique, Personal Progress Tracking Method, and Contribu…

1
Setting Up for Success: Why Enterprises Need to Harness Real-Time AI to Ensure Survival 19:09

3M ago19:09

19:09

The issue is data fragmentation, where untrustworthy data is siloed across different databases, SaaS applications, warehouses, and on-premise systems,” Vladimir Jandreski, Chief Product Officer at Ververica, tells Christina Stathopoulos, the Founder of Dare to Data. “Simply, there is no single view of the truth that exists. With governance and data…

1
142. 6 Signs You're Walking in Your God-Given Calling (or Not) 27:33

3M ago27:33

27:33

Do you know whether or not your walking in your God-given calling when it comes to your career or business? In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola shares 6 powerful signs to help you discern if you're aligned with the unique purpose God created you for. Through personal stories, biblical truths, and real-life examples, Paola unpacks how yo…

1
Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance 9:36

3M ago9:36

9:36

Send us a text This episode explores Stanford University research on how scarcity thinking creates a "tunneling effect" that limits our ability to see opportunities, based on Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan's work on cognitive bandwidth. Learn three practical techniques: Gratitude Inventory Method, Collaboration Over Competition Practice, and Possibility …

1
How Can AI Bridge the Gap from Observability to Understandability? 29:15

3M ago29:15

29:15

"The tools we make are observability tools today. But it can never be the goal of our business to provide observability. The goal of our business as a vendor and as a partner with our customers is to give them understandability,” stated Nic Benders, the Chief Technical Strategist at New Relic. In this episode of the Don't Panic It's Just Data podca…

1
Words That Empower vs Words That Destroy 9:11

3M ago9:11

9:11

Send us a text In this episode of the Your Thought Life Podcast, Michael explores the immense power of words – both the ones we speak to others and the ones we whisper to ourselves. Discover how language shapes mindset, rewires the brain, and either builds confidence or erodes it. You’ll learn how to identify destructive phrases, why empowering wor…

1
Not just Chatbots: What AI Agents Really Mean for Enterprises 22:19

3M ago22:19

22:19

The phrase “AI agent” still brings to mind chatbots handling customer queries. Fast forward to today - AI agents are far more versatile, representing a new generation of systems capable of perceiving, reasoning, and acting autonomously. These bots are beginning to reshape how enterprises operate, not just in customer service but across software dev…

1
141. Career, Business, or Calling? Discover The Differences & Which One To Focus On 21:10

3M ago21:10

21:10

Do you have a career you've worked hard to build? Maybe you've stepped out and started a business? But deep down, you still wonder if you're truly walking in your God-given calling… In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola unpacks the difference between building a career, running a business, and living out your true calling. Because here's t…

1
The Neuroscience Behind Imposter Thoughts 9:35

3M ago9:35

9:35

Send us a text This episode explores Harvard Business School research showing 70% of people experience imposter syndrome, and Dr. Pauline Clance's work on cognitive dissonance in self-perception. Learn three practical techniques: Evidence Collection Method, Language Audit Technique, and Competence Expansion Practice to transform limiting mental pat…

1
The Science of Overwhelm and How to Manage It 14:00

3M ago14:00

14:00

Send us a text This episode explores the neuroscience behind overwhelm, including Stanford University research on how stress affects our prefrontal cortex and decision-making abilities. Learn three evidence-based strategies: the Brain Dump and Prioritize Method using the Eisenhower Matrix, the Two-Minute Rule with time blocking (shown to increase p…

1
How to Prepare Your Team for Edge Computing? 23:38

3M ago23:38

23:38

In a time when the world is run by data and real-time actions, edge computing is quickly becoming a must-have in enterprise technology. In the recent episode of the Tech Transformed podcast, hosted by Shubhangi Dua, a Podcast Producer and B2B Tech Journalist, discusses the complexities of this distributed future with guest Dmitry Panenkov, Founder …

1
Silencing Your Inner Critic to Hear Your Inner Guide 12:03

3M ago12:03

12:03

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the powerful difference between your inner critic and your inner guide, backed by Harvard Medical School research showing that 80% of our daily thoughts can be negative. Learn three practical techniques: the Pause and Label method, the Best Friend Filter, and Evidence Examination to transform your self-tal…

1
Feed Mill Safety: Check These On Your Next Safety Inspection 13:36

4M ago13:36

13:36

A good part of our career has been spent in ag-business/agribusiness operations, with a huge part of them being at feed mills- for both day and night shifts. This episode covers a few big ticket items that we routinely see. This list can help raise a red flag that there may be some significant risk that can lead to an injury on the horizon. We hope…

1
Understanding Authentic Self-Confidence 9:42

4M ago9:42

9:42

Send us a text Key Takeaways: Real confidence comes from competence, positive mindset, and living according to your values. Self-talk significantly impacts confidence levels - awareness and restructuring are essential. Values-action journal helps build evidence of your character and integrity. Combining all three techniques creates comprehensive, l…

1
140. Why Some Small Businesses Need a Fractional CFO, Not Just an Accountant with Danielle Hendon 28:01

4M ago28:01

28:01

Are your small business finances keeping you up at night? In this episode of But First, She Failed, Paola sits down with Danielle Hendon, Fractional CFO and founder of Four Corners CFO, to break down how entrepreneurs can gain financial clarity, prevent burnout, and finally start paying themselves with confidence. Danielle explains the key differen…

1
How Can Manufacturers Solve the Mass Customisation Problem? 38:17

4M ago38:17

38:17

"The real challenge that many manufacturers have dealt with for a long time and will keep facing is the shift from mass manufacturing to mass customisation," stated Daniel Joseph Barry, VP of Product Marketing at Configit. In a world that has moved from mass manufacturing to mass customisation, makers of complex products like cars and medical devic…

1
The Cure for Overthinking Hypothetical Situations 10:09

4M ago10:09

10:09

Send us a text Episode Resources: 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: A powerful mindfulness exercise to interrupt overthinking patterns Probability Assessment Method: Three key questions to evaluate hypothetical worries rationally Metacognitive Awareness: The practice of observing your thoughts without becoming entangled Additional Resources: Research …