Best Joe Abraham Matt Alex Podcasts (2025)

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Getting Ready For AI On Your Campus. What you need to know. 22:15

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2d ago22:15

22:15

In this episode, Joe and Freddie discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the overwhelming amount of data in educational institutions, referring to it as the 'data tsunami.' They explore a 3-step process to getting ready for the AI transformation at your campus. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/…

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Value vs. Price - What's the Difference During Technology Purchase Decisions? 18:17

6d ago18:17

18:17

In this conversation, Matt Alex addresses the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the readiness process in higher education, with a particular focus on the importance of measuring the true outcomes of technology investments. He emphasizes the need for institutions to define clear metrics and warns against the pitfalls of prioritizing cost sav…

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Hey Leader! Do You Know How To Read The Room? 24:04

9d ago24:04

24:04

In this conversation, Joe and Freddie discuss the importance of 'reading the room' as a leadership skill, particularly in the context of technology and higher education. They explore how leaders can align their vision with technology initiatives, the necessity of storytelling to engage stakeholders, and the importance of assessing team strengths to…

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Does Your Leadership Toolbox Have This Tool? 25:50

13d ago25:50

25:50

In this conversation, Joe and Matt discuss the critical role of uncomfortable conversations in driving change within organizations, particularly in higher education. They explore the reasons why these conversations are often avoided, the impact of fear on decision-making, and the importance of leadership in guiding teams through necessary changes. …

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Breaking Out Of a Performance Plateau As a Leader 16:17

16d ago16:17

16:17

In this episode, Joe and Freddy discuss the importance of preparing IT departments for upcoming changes, particularly in the context of higher education. They explore the mindset shifts necessary for CIOs to embrace innovation and transformation, emphasizing the need for storytelling, emotional agility, and calculated risk-taking. The conversation …

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Does Your Implementation Reek Of These Traits? 24:29

20d ago24:29

24:29

In this conversation, Joe and Matt discuss the prevalent issue of perceived productivity versus actual productivity in consulting, particularly in project implementations. They explore the significant time wastage that occurs during large-scale projects, emphasizing the importance of early design and architecture to avoid last-minute rushes. The di…

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Cleaning Up (The IT) Shop 25:25

23d ago25:25

25:25

In this conversation, Joe and Fred discuss the challenges faced by new CIOs in higher education, particularly those who inherit existing systems and teams. They explore the importance of having a strategic plan, building trust, and shifting perceptions of IT within the organization. Fred outlines a 100-day plan for new CIOs, emphasizing the need fo…

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Will the truth tellers in higher ed please stand up? 19:39

27d ago19:39

19:39

In this spirited conversation, Matt shares a major pain point we are facing in higher education - and its root causes. The secrecy around project setbacks, and the muzzling of paid consultants and analysts about software vendor gaps is costing a lot more than we think, and it's time for a change. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademic…

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The Robots Are Coming! 21:02

30d ago21:02

21:02

This episode of Fridays With Freddie dives into emerging news and research into robots, AI, and the future of general artificial intelligence (GAI). The guys unpack what that could mean for higher education, and how institutions should be planning for that inevitability. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/…

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Agentic AI in Higher Education. The Intellicampus Vision 28:48

1M ago28:48

28:48

Since the day we founded Beyond Academics, we dreamed of a day when technology could remove friction and create an Amazon-like experience for students and staff. This session with Matt starts to paint the picture of what is in the works - and soon to be released by Intellicampus. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/…

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Educause musings and AI Agents in Higher Education 15:59

1M ago15:59

15:59

Freddie debriefs his takeaways from Educause 2024, and also gets into the power of LLMs and AI Agents working together to transform how higher education is done. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/By Joe Abraham, Matt Alex

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Modernizing The Registrar's Office 15:14

1M ago15:14

15:14

In this conversation, Joe and Matt discuss the modernization of the registrar's office in higher education. They explore the importance of academic record integrity, the need to identify friction points in the student experience, and the role of technology and AI in streamlining processes. Matt emphasizes the vision for proactive guidance for stude…

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AI in the application and orientation process 13:15

1M ago13:15

13:15

In this conversation, Joe and Freddy discuss the inefficiencies in higher education, particularly in the application and onboarding processes. They explore how AI can transform these experiences by reducing friction, personalizing interactions, and streamlining administrative tasks. From application to graduation, emphasizing the potential of AI to…

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Lessons from the pickleball court 11:11

2M ago11:11

11:11

In this conversation, Matt Alex draws parallels between his experiences in pickleball and the challenges faced in higher education. He emphasizes the need for a shift from an institution-centric mindset to a student-centric approach, highlighting the importance of adaptability and transformation in order to improve student outcomes. The discussion …

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The Student Experience Meets AI 10:10

2M ago10:10

10:10

What could the student experience look like if AI could have its way? In this 10 minute episode, Fred begins to share what's possible - and even what's being working on at Intellicampus - to give students more agency over their experience, while equipping administrators to serve in more meaningful ways. For more information, visit us at www.beyonda…

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Nostalgia in Higher Ed 13:32

2M ago13:32

13:32

In this conversation, Joe Abraham and Matt Alex discuss the challenges facing higher education today, focusing on the nostalgia that hinders modernization, the importance of applying rigor appropriately, and the evolving role of knowledge dissemination in a world where information is readily accessible. For more information, visit us at www.beyonda…

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Innovation: What Gets In The Way - And A New Way Out 12:23

2M ago12:23

12:23

In this conversation, Joe and Freddy explore the concept of constraints in the context of innovation, particularly within higher education. They discuss how constraints can serve as powerful motivators for creative problem-solving and innovation. By embracing constraints rather than viewing them as limitations, individuals and organizations can fin…

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What to consider BEFORE you buy more tech at your campus 11:03

2M ago11:03

11:03

In this episode of Mondays with Matt, Joe and Matt discuss the challenges and opportunities in transitioning educational institutions to cloud-based systems. The conversation highlights the need for educational leaders to adopt a future of work mindset, leveraging new technologies to create operational efficiencies and improve interactions with stu…

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Keeping up with AI - The Higher Education Version 7:01

2M ago7:01

7:01

Things are moving so rapidly with AI, that much of your strategy from last year - especially purchase decisions related to software - require a complete reset. In this session, Fred shares why, and how to go about it. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/By Joe Abraham, Matt Alex

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Why Working At (And With) Beyond Is Different 8:24

2M ago8:24

8:24

A more casual episode this week as Matt welcomes Lauren Wass to the Beyond team and they discuss why working at Beyond (as a staff member) and working with Beyond (as a client) is so different than the status quo. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/By Joe Abraham, Matt Alex

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What to do when staffing is low 8:49

2M ago8:49

8:49

What can a manager do when there's a lot to get done, but not enough full time staff available? What if it's hard to attract and retain talent at your institution's IT shop? Fred shares some ideas, and encouragement of how to prepare for the technology transformation ahead. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/…

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Is there malpractice taking place in higher education? 14:11

3M ago14:11

14:11

In this episode, Matt Alex discusses the concept of malpractice in the context of failed technology implementations in schools. He argues that there is a lack of accountability and responsibility in decision-making, leading to wasted resources and negative impacts on campuses. The word malpractice is used to highlight the need for someone to be hel…

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IT Shop Of the Future 15:40

3M ago15:40

15:40

In this conversation, Joe and Fred discuss the key factors that contribute to the success of an IT shop. They highlight three main areas: empowerment, organizational structure, and staffing. Enjoy the conversation, and don't hesitate to contact us. For more information, visit us at www.beyondacademics.com/…

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Taking a System of System View In Technology Transformation 9:55

3M ago9:55

9:55

In this conversation, Joe and Matt discuss the importance of making campuses frictionless for students. They highlight the obstacles and friction points that exist in higher education, such as policy, procedure, and technology issues. They emphasize the need to remove policy and procedure debt and create a seamless experience for students. They als…

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Blockchain in Higher Education. The 101 Class. 12:35

3M ago12:35

12:35

Blockchain is a decentralized immutable distributed ledger that has the potential to replace intermediaries and create trust in various industries. It can be used for applications such as verifiable credentials, smart contracts, and collaboration among researchers. Blockchain ensures the integrity of data through hashing and consensus mechanisms. H…

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Badge or Participation Trophy? The Future of Digital Credentials in Higher Ed 9:45

3M ago9:45

9:45

The conversation revolves around the topic of badges in higher education and the need for a more meaningful and validated badge strategy. Matt Alex criticizes the current badging strategy, highlighting its flaws and the lack of industry validation. He emphasizes the importance of making badges mean something and tying them to industry standards. Th…

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The Role of Governance and AI in Higher Education 11:40

3M ago11:40

11:40

In this conversation, Joe and Freddy discuss an article from Goldman Sachs about the potential problems and challenges of AI. They highlight concerns such as power consumption, scalability, and the return on investment for AI in different industries. However, they also emphasize the unique opportunities and benefits of AI in higher education, where…

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Is anything really changing with Change Management today? 10:10

3M ago10:10

10:10

In this conversation, Joe and Matt discuss the misinterpretation of the word 'change' and 'change management' in higher education. What does real change management look like? When should it take place? Who should be involved? Who should not be involved? These are just a few of the tips and nuggets shared by partners at Beyond in this 10 minute epis…

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Implementing AI in Higher Education Step 2 12:06

3M ago12:06

12:06

In this conversation, Joe and Freddie discuss the latest news in AI, including the increasing use of AI in higher education and the release of a new open-source language model by Google. They emphasize the importance of colleges and universities developing a framework and governance structure for AI implementation. The next major milestone for inst…

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Are you hiring the wrong consultant? 10:29

3M ago10:29

10:29

The conversation discusses the difference between consulting and contracting in higher education. It highlights the misconception that consulting is simply paying a vendor to do something, when in reality, consulting is something very different. The goal is to redefine the term consulting and prioritize the right resourcing for different tasks. For…

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AI In The Workplace 12:14

4M ago12:14

12:14

In this conversation, Fred and Joe discuss recent AI news, including Google's language models for education and Anthology's AI policy framework. They then invite Ro, who leads project management at Beyond, to discuss practical applications of AI in project management. Ro explains how he uses ChatGPT to streamline project planning and management, an…

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Is Transformation Really What You Think It Is? 9:57

4M ago9:57

9:57

In this conversation, Joe and Matt discuss the difference between transactional and transformational approaches in higher education. They focus on the misuse of the term 'transformation' and how it is often used to describe transactional activities. They emphasize the need for strategic thinking and reimagining the student experience when implement…

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Starting an AI Discussion for Higher Education 11:19

4M ago11:19

11:19

In this episode, Joe and Fred discuss the impact of AI on higher education and the need for IT departments to educate themselves and take a leadership role in the adoption of AI. They highlight the rapid growth of AI in as seen in consulting orgs, and the importance of building a community and staying current with AI developments. They also start t…

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The Urgent Need For Diverse Thinking 9:55

4M ago9:55

9:55

The conversation explores the lack of leadership diversity and fresh perspectives in higher education, leading to a resistance to change and innovation. Matt emphasizes the importance of bringing in outside perspectives and encouraging movement and change within leadership roles. Joe gives some insight into how entrepreneurial DNA plays into the pr…

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Talking Technology Transformation 14:39

4M ago14:39

14:39

In this conversation, Joe introduces a new series called 'Fridays with Freddie' where he invites Fred to discuss topics related to higher education technology. Fred shares his background in the higher education technology space and highlights some major trends that presidents and CIOs should have top of mind. These trends include the convergence of…

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Implementation Consulting vs. Campus Transformation Consulting 9:50

4M ago9:50

9:50

The conversation discusses the difference between implementation consulting and campus transformation consulting in the context of higher education. Takeaways - Implementation consulting and campus transformation consulting are different approaches to change in higher education. - Implementation consulting focuses on technology changes, while campu…

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The Brand Transformation In Higher Ed 19:40

3y ago19:40

19:40

Whether enrollment is the hot topic on campus, or it’s about increasing revenues through non credit learners, brand matters. For decades, higher ed has been able to live off students knocking on (and often breaking down) the door. But the new constituents - especially the lifelong learner has numerous options to choose from, and marketing becomes a…

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Moving IT to the right seat on the bus 18:38

3y ago18:38

18:38

Historically the IT department in Iran has sat in the back taking orders from every other department on what needs to be ordered, what needs to be fixed, and what strategy to implement. That is a broken approach that will not lead to a sustainable future. In this episode the beyond partners discuss why that’s the case. For more information, visit u…

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The [Urgent] Need For HR Transformation 24:58

3y ago24:58

24:58

Why this transformation is so important and urgent: The great resignation is taking its toll on all industries, but higher ed’s talent pool is not as deep as most. We’re not in the tech or sports entertainment lanes - where there is an abundance of talent pouring in. Every person we lose to another industry is an exponential loss. No matter how goo…

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Ep 13 | Chancellor Steven Gonzalez on Invention and Necessity 17:56

4y ago17:56

17:56

Chancellor Gonzalez (1/4) Necessity is the mother of invention. When resources are limited, schools like Maricopa County Community College have started to look elsewhere for not only funding. But this was not only a financial necessity, it was also an opportunity for the school to partner with industries that could set their students up for success…

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Ep 12 | Chancellor Ben Nelson on Courage to Face the Fear 23:05

4y ago23:05

23:05

Doing something different takes unconventional thinking and bold ideas. But how do these qualities meld with the ideas of courage and confidence? Those who believe they can get by on courage alone may be misleading themselves in that they know they’re not taking the right path. This can translate into students who go through college, and complete t…

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Ep 11 | President Santa Ono on the Future of Global Education 12:37

4y ago12:37

12:37

President Santa Ono (4/4) As the prices of tuition in domestic universities rise, many face the challenge of being priced out of higher education. But there may be hope beyond their country’s borders. The emerging student — specifically international students — may begin looking very different than just another affluent student seeking to learn abr…

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Changemakers 10: Chancellor Ben Nelson on Educational Arc to Serve Global Society 15:04

4y ago15:04

15:04

Chancellor Ben Nelson (1/4) If the goal of Higher Ed is to prepare its students to make a positive global impact, we cannot do so by cutting off our universities from the rest of the world. In this episode of the Changemakers series, Chancellor Ben Nelson of Minerva University discusses the importance of inclusivity and diversity in higher educatio…

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Changemakers 09: President Mark Lombardi on Courage 10:53

4y ago10:53

10:53

President Mark Lombardi (4/4) Is your organization more afraid of success than it is of failure? Executing on innovation in higher education requires finesse, knowledge, and intense drive. But above all, it demands courage. In this episode of the Changemakers series, President Mark Lombardi of Maryville University concludes his guest appearance wit…

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Changemakers 08: Chancellor Ben Nelson on the Higher Ed Manifesto 16:37

4y ago16:37

16:37

Chancellor Nelson (2/4) In this episode of the Changemakers series, Chancellor of Minerva University, Ben Nelson, discusses the university's manifesto and how it directly relates to the value of the education they provide to not only their students but also to the people those students will eventually lead and serve. Minerva's manifesto is made up …

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Changemakers 07: President Santa Ono on the Cost and Value of a Degree 15:07

4y ago15:07

15:07

President Santa Ono (3/4) The value of a traditional college degree has come heavily under fire. It is a raging debate, not only in America but around the world. Affordability is at the center of this discussion as enrollment declines and alternative credentialing models emerge. This all raises the question: What is the value of a degree? According…

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Changemakers 06: Chancellor Ben Nelson on Application of Wisdom 13:01

4y ago13:01

13:01

Chancellor Ben Nelson (1/4) How much has your education really taught you? When a student’s education, and their degree earned thereafter, is more aesthetic than applicatory to the jobs they will enter into, the negative implications go far beyond just the individual. Society suffers from the uneducated, or rather the miseducated. The systems in pl…

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Changemakers 05: President Mark Lombardi on Faculty and Consensus 12:39

4y ago12:39

12:39

President Mark Lombardi (3/4) Faculty consensus is about focusing on the end goal, not the problems that may arise. It is about empowering faculty to shape the process and deliver. When you do that, people are no longer wary of innovation—they’re excited for it. In episode 5 of the Changemaker series, listen as President Mark Lombardi of Maryville …

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Changemakers 04: President Santa Ono on Future of Work 20:24

4y ago20:24

20:24

President Santa Ono (2/4) Institutions that put themselves on an island where they are isolated from government and industry cannot survive. Collaboration and cooperation is the key to a more valuable education for both students and the companies they work for. So, how do higher education institutions align with the demands of the workforce? In thi…