Cisco Podcast Network

SHIFT HAPPENS - EP.35: Listen. Learn. Act. Measure. Celebrate: A Leader’s Playbook w/Mario Castro

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.

404 Script Not Found: Unicorns

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

Cisco Tech Stories - 34 - Kubernetes Networking : the new fabric ?

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.

Inside HSBC: AI & Data Sovereignty |Tech Unscripted

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.

SHIFT HAPPENS - EP.34: The Human API: Why Trust Still Wins w/Kevin Brown

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

404 Script Not Found: Kat is Emotionally Intelligent

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

Why Localized Failures Go Global

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.
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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 InternetReport@thousandeyes.com 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 

404 Script Not Found: Negotiation Tactics

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!

Beyond the Fiber - S1E2 - Voice of the Customer with Lumen

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.

SHIFT HAPPENS: EP. 33: Its not about the Peak, its about the Rebound w/Amy Bahlo

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.