Refining Your 2025 AI Strategy with RapidScale’s Duane Barnes

In this episode of The Bridgecast, host Scott Kinka sits down with Elaine Barsoom — Venture Partner at Silicon Foundry and former Global Head of Tech Innovation, Partnerships, and Strategy at Nike — to explore what purposeful AI adoption actually looks like inside complex, global enterprises. Elaine challenges the all-too-common "AI mandate" problem head-on, urging leaders to start with the right questions: What problem are we trying to solve, and can AI actually help? Drawing on her experience at Nike and American Express, she shares battle-tested frameworks for AI governance, cross-functional rollout, and building champion programs that drive sustainable adoption from the bottom up — not just the top down. From Lowe's Milo to Wingstop's Smart Kitchen, this conversation is packed with real-world proof that the most effective AI strategies are designed around humans first, tools second. Essential listening for CIOs, IT leaders, and anyone trying to navigate the gap between AI hype and measurable business impact. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this episode of The Bridgecast, host Scott Kinka sits down with Paul Lekas, Executive Vice President of Global Public Policy at the SIIA, to demystify the complex world of AI regulation. As states move faster than the federal government to regulate technology, Paul provides a roadmap for how businesses can stay ahead of shifting laws without stifling innovation. From data mapping to navigating "high-risk" AI use cases, this conversation is a must-listen for any IT leader trying to operationalize policy into strategy. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this episode of The Bridgecast, host Scott Kinka sits down with Denis O'Shea, Founder and CEO of Mobile Mentor, to tackle one of enterprise IT's most urgent and most overlooked mandates: going passwordless. Denis brings a rare perspective forged across Nokia's global expansion, 20 years scaling Mobile Mentor to Microsoft's Global Partner of the Year, and a hands-on mission to help over one million people become more secure and productive. From the hidden danger of unmanaged executive MacBooks to the ROI of biometric sign-in at 38,000-clinician healthcare systems, this conversation delivers a frank, actionable blueprint for IT leaders ready to move from fear-mode security to a best-of-platform future. Essential listening for CIOs, security architects, and anyone responsible for keeping hybrid workforces safe. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this episode of The Bridgecast, host Scott Kinka sits down with Joel Neeb, Chief Transformation and Business Operations Officer at 8x8, former US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and F-15 Mission Commander. Joel shares how military precision translates to business transformation, revealing why you must "begin before you're ready," the power of visualizing success, and how cancer survival reshaped his entire leadership philosophy. From flying upside down faster than the speed of sound to leading enterprise AI transformations, Joel delivers the hard truth: we are all Blockbuster Video today unless we're willing to disrupt ourselves. He breaks down 8x8's evolution from communications platform to communications intelligence platform and shares the three-step framework (Visualize, Optimize, Automate) every IT leader needs to implement AI successfully. Essential listening for anyone navigating transformation in an era where standing still means obsolescence. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In Part 2 of The Bridgecast's year-end recap, host Scott Kinka and producer Gene Volpe dive deep into the themes that defined 2025: the future of hybrid work, generational leadership shifts, and what it takes to lead transformation in the AI era. Featuring powerful clips from Gary Sorrentino (Zoom), Chris MacFarland (Comcast), Aaron Darcy (Lumen), Chad Townes (AT&T), and Neil Foard, this episode tackles the "return to office" debate, the lost art of the water cooler, and why 2030 will bring a new wave of leadership. Scott shares his boldest predictions for 2026, reveals his ChatGPT "Wrapped," and explains why Season 4 will focus on design decisions over tools. Essential listening for IT leaders navigating the intersection of humanity and technology. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this special year-end episode of The Bridgecast, producer Gene Volpe flips the script and interviews host Scott Kinka about 2025's biggest moments. With 26 episodes, 91,000 downloads, and conversations featuring 34 tech executives, they break down the top buzzwords (AI dominated), revisit standout clips from Tim Sanders, Tony Moroney, and Michael Quince, and debate whether security should've ranked higher. Scott shares candid reflections on what IT leaders are really grappling with—from shadow AI to the "butter" analogy that changed how we think about automation. Plus: Scott's bold predictions for 2026 and why the "mom test" matters more than ever. Essential listening for anyone who wants to understand where enterprise tech is actually headed. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this episode of The Bridgecast, host Scott Kinka sits down with Sangoma’s Shane Cleckler and Jeff Martis to discuss the changing landscape of unified communications, why the hybrid model is thriving in a cloud-first world and how businesses can navigate digital transformation without losing local survivability. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this live episode of The Bridgecast from the Bridgepointe Tech Summit in Miami, host Scott Kinka sits down with Christopher Bonavita, VP of Strategy and Technology Adoption at GTT, to explore why connectivity is your strategic foundation, not just a utility; how you can future-proof your network with AI-driven operational efficiency and simplified infrastructure; and the critical mistake most CIOs make when adopting AI (spoiler: it's about your processes, not your tools). Whether you're navigating hybrid work complexity, planning for AI at scale, or questioning what a "network" even means anymore, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you build infrastructure that enables rather than restricts your business. Tune in to discover why "doing less better" might be the boldest move your organization makes next. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this live episode of The Bridgecast from the Bridgepointe Tech Summit 2025, host Scott Kinka sits down with Aaron Darcy, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Go-to-Market at Lumen, to explore how enterprises must evolve from network operators to transformation leaders. With experience spanning Microsoft, GE Digital, and now Lumen, Aaron reveals why 90% of IT projects still fail, shares the "run the business vs. change the business" budgeting framework that's guided his teams for 25 years, and breaks down Lumen's three-pillar strategy for building AI-ready network infrastructure. From dirty data problems to network fabric architecture, this conversation cuts through AI hype to focus on transformation fundamentals. Essential listening for CIOs, network architects, and infrastructure leaders navigating the shift to Cloud 2.0. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/

In this live episode of The Bridgecast from the Bridgepointe Tech Summit 2025, host Scott Kinka sits down with Chad Townes, Senior Vice President of AT&T Partner Solutions, to explore how enterprises are navigating the next wave of digital transformation. With over 30 years at AT&T, Chad shares insights into enterprise connectivity, AI-driven networking, and hybrid work—and reveals why curiosity is the most underrated leadership superpower. From FirstNet's purpose-built emergency response network to the fiber infrastructure powering AI data centers, this conversation cuts through the hype to discuss what's actually required to build resilience in an uncertain world. Essential listening for IT leaders, CTOs, and anyone building for the future. To find out how Bridgepointe Technologies helps businesses make IT decisions faster with world-class engineering support and ongoing guidance, head to https://bridgepointetechnologies.com/