Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs is your essential guide to mastering enterprise technology leadership. In every episode, we engage in candid, thought-provoking conversations with top CIOs and IT visionaries, uncovering the strategies, challenges, and game-changing innovations driving digital transformation today. From harnessing AI and cloud technologies to orchestrating large-scale organizational change, Heartbeat cuts through the noise to deliver real-world insights that shape the fu ...
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Mike Roberts Making Digital Real Podcasts

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Podcasting and Digital Marketing Business Growth Hacks: Making Digital Real
Mike Roberts - Making Digital Real
Are you an ambitious business owner looking to elevate your influence and grow your business using the power of LinkedIn, podcasting and other modern day digital marketing techniques? This is the Making Digital Real podcast - and in each episode, Mike explores cutting-edge techniques in podcasting combined with rehumanisation and powerful digital marketing strategies to help you build a larger audience and forge meaningful professional connections. Mike Roberts is a seasoned expert in podcas ...
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The Transformation Gap - Why AI Fails — and What Real Leaders Do Differently
56:22
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56:2270% of AI projects fail — not because of bad models or missing data, but because of misaligned leadership and culture. The Transformation Gap reveals what separates organizations that scale transformation from those that stall. Hosted by Mike Sommer, this show decodes the human operating system behind enterprise success — how leaders create velocit…
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Why Most CIOs Fail — And How to Lead Differently
37:04
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37:04Most CIOs focus on systems. The best ones build leaders. In this episode, executive coach Joe Woodruff — co-founder of CIO Mastermind — shares what separates high-performing CIOs from those who stall out. After coaching over 300 tech leaders, Joe has seen the patterns: isolation, lack of influence, and over-reliance on technical expertise. We dive …
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From Hype to Strategy: David Williamson on AI’s Real Role in the Enterprise
36:46
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36:46💡 Why do so many digital transformation efforts fall flat? According to David Williamson, a seasoned C-level tech exec in life sciences, it's not because of the technology—it’s because of the people. On the latest Heartbeat episode, David joins host Mike Sommer to unpack why transformation fails, how to do it right, and what CIOs must prioritize in…
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Accelerating Digital Transformation with Ian Gotts | Change Intelligence & Smarter Salesforce Management
50:58
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50:58How can CIOs turn their Salesforce orgs from chaotic to catalytic? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer talks with Ian Gotts, founder of Elements.Cloud, to unpack what it means to implement “change intelligence” in Salesforce environments. Ian reveals the hidden drivers of Salesforce inefficiency—fragmented data, overbuilt sys…
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Tight budgets. Big expectations. 90 days to deliver.
43:55
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43:55In this episode of Heartbeat, we sit down with John Georgatos (CIO @ Mike Morris Law Firm, Interim Global CIO @ VaynerMedia) to break down how he led a bold 90-day IT transformation—turning budget pressure into AI-powered results. 🔹 Legacy overhaul in record time 🔹 Aligning IT with CFO & COO priorities 🔹 Deploying Salesforce Einstein AI 🔹 The rise …
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CIO Mastermind: Building a Vendor-Free Tech Community
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19:38What if CIOs had a place to grow—without vendors, pitches, or fluff? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Scott Smeester, founder of CIO Mastermind, a private, vendor-free community built to empower IT leaders with strategic clarity, peer support, and real-world leadership development. Scott unpacks the four big…
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From CIO to Strategic Advisor: Lessons on Scaling, Governance & Innovation | Karl Mosgofian Interview
38:30
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38:30What does it take to go from CIO to trusted business advisor? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer welcomes Karl Mosgofian—seasoned tech executive and former CIO of Gainsight—to unpack what it really means to lead IT in today’s dynamic enterprise environment. With over three decades of experience, Karl shares hard-earned insig…
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08 - Kajabi vs MemberVault - The Good, the Bad, and the Budget
12:48
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12:48Send us a message! Kajabi vs MemberVault: Which Platform Wins for Course Creators? If you’re stuck choosing between Kajabi and MemberVault, this episode is for you. I’ve used both platforms extensively with clients - and I’m sharing the honest pros, cons, and real-world experiences that can save you time, money, and tech headaches. 🧩 What they have…
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Modernizing Salesforce with AI: Strategic Lessons from Velu Palani’s Enterprise Playbook
23:49
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23:49How McKesson’s Velu Palani Leads Saleforce Transformation with AI, Frameworks & Strategic Vision In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Velu Palani, Vice President and Salesforce IT Service Leader at McKesson, one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. Velu shares hard-won insights from leading enterpri…
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AI-Powered CIO: Secrets to Winning the Data War with John Ayers
41:12
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41:12In this episode of the Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with John Ayers, a seasoned expert in customer experience, AI-driven personalization, and digital business transformation. John takes us through his fascinating career—from the rise of desktop publishing and MP3s to mobile responsiveness and the AI boom—sharing hard-earned lessons…
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The Human Side of Tech: Unpacking AI-Driven Transformation and Cultural Alignment with Glen Stoffel
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33:16In this episode of the Heartbeat podcast, hosted by Mike Sommer, Glen Stoffel, Chief Strategy Officer at Moon Nox and co-founder of Camp4, delves into AI-driven transformation and the irreplaceable human elements in tech leadership. The discussion centers on professional services in tech, generative AI's role in boosting productivity, and the neces…
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Failing Forward & Building Resilient IT Teams with Tim Winders
38:55
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38:55🎧 In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Tim Winders, Associate VP of IT and Deputy CIO at Purdue University. With over 30 years in higher ed IT, Tim shares lessons from leading major initiatives—like the IT centralization across Purdue campuses and unifying Purdue Northwest. He dives into how tech can truly trans…
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The CIO Playbook: Brian Glass on Failing Forward & Building Resilient IT Teams
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46:12Heartbeat host Mike Sommer, sits down with Brian Glass, CIO at Transcend Company, to talk about what it really means to lead IT at scale—especially in high-stakes industries like healthcare. Brian’s journey from early tech curiosity to leadership roles at GM, Volkswagen of America, and Ally Financial is packed with lessons for any CIO navigating di…
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CIO Strategy 2025: Innovation, AI at Scale & Future-Ready IT
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26:14As CIOs navigate 2025, the pressure to drive innovation, scale AI initiatives, and optimize IT strategy has never been greater. In this episode, we break down Gartner’s latest CIO report, exploring how to build a data-driven foundation, manage cybersecurity risks, control tech costs, and secure top talent for emerging technologies. With expert insi…
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From Corporate to Startup: Executing Innovation with Renee Gregor
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44:28Welcome to Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs. In this episode, we sit down with Renee Gregor, COO of Park Pro, to explore what it really takes to drive innovation beyond just technology—and why execution matters more than buzzwords. With 15+ years of experience in client strategy, working with brands like Macy’s, BMW, Ralph Lauren, and Coca-Col…
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Market Insight: AI-Powered Strategy: How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping Business Decision-Making
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16:44Discover how AI is revolutionizing strategy development by enhancing analysis, uncovering insights faster, and mitigating biases. Learn how businesses can leverage AI as a researcher, thought partner, and simulator to drive smarter decision-making.By Mike Sommer
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Market Insight - Future Frontiers: The Next Arenas of Competition
35:56
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35:56In this episode, we discuss Future Frontiers: The Next Arenas of Competition; we dive into McKinsey’s groundbreaking analysis of 18 emerging industries set to reshape the global economy, with a potential $48 trillion impact by 2040. CIOs will gain key insights into how arenas—defined by high growth and dynamism—offer unparalleled opportunities for …
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Redefining Digital Transformation: The CIO’s Role in the Intelligence Age
19:11
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19:11This podcast features Daniel Keith and Mike Sommer discussing digital transformation and the evolving role of the CIO. Keith shares a pivotal career moment that shifted his focus to Salesforce and advocates for "digital evolution" over traditional transformation projects. The discussion explores the Intelligence Age and the importance of augmenting…
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The Human Side of Tech: Leadership and Innovation with Sam Kann
27:56
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27:56In this episode of Heartbeat Tactical Insights for CIOs, host Mike Sommer sits down with Sam Kann—a seasoned CIO, entrepreneur, and innovator with over 20 years of IT leadership experience. Sam shares his human-centered approach to technology, emphasizing the power of empathy, stakeholder alignment, and relationship-building in driving successful d…
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Empathy in Leadership: Lessons from Robert Field, CIO at Ozmosys
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22:54Welcome to today’s episode of Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs, where we explore the cutting edge of generative AI in the legal industry with a leader who’s not just witnessing change but driving it. Our guest is Robert Field, who is at the forefront of innovation at Ozmosys, where he’s transforming how legal professionals interact with data—t…
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Driving Digital Transformation and Customer Value with Greg Killstrom
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18:32In this episode of 'Heartbeat Tactical Insights for CIOs,' host Michael Sommer speaks with Greg Killstrom, a marketing thought leader, consultant, and author of over 20 books. Greg, who has guided Fortune 1000 brands such as Adidas, FedEx, HP, and Coca-Cola, discusses his journey from product designer to marketing technology expert. He emphasizes t…
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Transforming IT Leadership: An Interview with Deepak Sachdeva
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27:29
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27:29In this episode of Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs, host Michael Sommer speaks with Deepak Sachdeva, a veteran CIO/CTO with 20+ years of experience. Deepak shares insights on aligning technology with business needs, data governance, and digital transformation. He offers actionable strategies for reducing technical debt, fostering collaboratio…
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07 - How Bec Christian Uses MemberVault To Grow Her Online Coaching Business
14:33
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14:33Send us a message! Who needs a website, when you have MemberVault! Lead magnets, online courses, blogs, offers and everything in between. I use MemberVault, and proud to say I coach, mentor and help clients utilise and get the best out of this platform! Today, Bec Christian of RL Coaching shares her journey of leveraging this platform to elevate he…
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06 - How Andrea Liebross of 'She Thinks Big' Uses Private Podcasts To Grow Her Business
11:50
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11:50Send us a message! Today, I sit down with Andrea Liebross, a visionary coach for women entrepreneurs, to explore the transformative power of why and how she uses private podcasts. Discover how Andrea seamlessly integrates private podcasts into her coaching practice, enhancing engagement and delivering targeted content directly into the lives of her…
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05 - Amie Carter's Live Strategy Session - Starting a Podcast
28:43
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28:43Send us a message! It's a STRATEGY SESSION special! Today, I guide Amie Carter through some guidance and steps of starting her own podcast tailored to propel her network marketing business. In this episode, we delve deep into Amie's questions about the initial phases of podcasting, from overcoming technical overwhelm to strategic content planning. …
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04 - Boost Your Podcast Reach with LinkedIn™ Showcase Pages
10:21
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10:21Send us a message! If you want to see the VIDEO for this podcast episode please click HERE. Discover the secrets to leveraging LinkedIn Showcase Pages for podcast promotion in this essential episode of "The Making Digital Real podcast" Today, let's focus on a great technique to target and engage your ideal audience, boost your podcast visibility, a…
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03 - Using The LinkedIn™ Featured Section To Promote Your Podcast
11:10
11:10
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11:10Send us a message! In this episode, I unveil essential tips on utilising the LinkedIn™ featured section to maximise your podcast's reach and shares expert insights on creating compelling content that resonates with your audience. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting, this episode will equip you with the tools to effectively grow you…
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02 - 3 Reasons Why Your Business Should Create a Podcast or Private Podcast
9:47
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9:47Send us a message! Let's explore 3 fundamental and multifaceted benefits of incorporating a podcast into your marketing toolkit. Discover how versatile podcast content can be—ideal for crafting everything from sound bites for social media to full blog posts. Learn about the compelling impact of audio reviews to build trust and authenticity, and exp…
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01 - Welcome Trailer - Let's change the world of digital marketing with podcasts (private and public) and audio magic ✨
3:50
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3:50Send us a message! Are you a business owner looking to take your podcast to the next level? Are you looking for quick win strategies in the world of digital marketing that you can put in to place immediately? You've come to the right show. Welcome to the BRAND NEW reboot of the Making Digital Real podcast. I'm Mike, your host and am a podcast coach…
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