The Catalyst by Softchoice – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Catalyst by Softchoice

Softchoice

Business

Technology

News

Frequency: 1 episode/19d. Total Eps: 112

A documentary-style podcast about how IT leaders tackle high-stakes transformations.

Each episode weaves together real voices, expert insights, and compelling narratives that reveal universal challenges and practical wisdom.

Season 7: "Small Teams, Big Dreams" explores the human stories behind IT transformations—from AI adoption experiments to burnout crises, from toxic job markets to infrastructure decisions that matter. These aren't polished case studies. These are authentic accounts from IT professionals navigating the same impossible gaps between expectations and resources that you face every day.

From Softchoice, a World Wide Technology company.

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https://www.softchoice.com/podcast
115 shares
https://www.softchoice.com/innovation-executive-forum
26 shares
http://www.softchoice.com/
4 shares

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catalyst-by-softchoice/id1531920087?uo=4

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 78%

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The IT Burnout Episode: Running on Empty

Season 7 · Episode 2

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 25:35

Every night, IT professionals across the country go home and cry. They work until 10PM unpaid. They become "the guy" their entire organization depends on. They stay in toxic jobs because they feel guilty, or because people are counting on them, or because they simply can't imagine leaving.

In this episode of The Catalyst by Softchoice, we follow two IT professionals through their burnout journeys. Sean stayed at a behavioral health nonprofit for years, supporting 1500 users with just two techs and management that thought IT "just helps people log in." He rebuilt the entire infrastructure while crying himself to sleep at night, driven by mission and what clinical psychologist Dr. Rick Ginsberg calls "responsibility handcuffs."

John worked at a Manhattan company where he felt so grateful for his salary that he stayed through years of abuse and lies. He'd sit at his desk until 9 or 10PM—not because of emergencies, but because he had no energy left to stand up.

One stayed and rebuilt his broken department into a world-class operation. The other escaped to his dream job doing Linux work. Both had to heal from trauma. And according to Business Insider, 57% of IT workers report the same burnout they experienced.

Through their stories and expert analysis from Dr. Rick Ginsberg, we explore why burnout has become epidemic in IT, what the warning signs are, and—most importantly—what can actually be done about it.

Key Takeaways:

Why IT professionals are particularly vulnerable to "responsibility handcuffs"
The difference between staying to rebuild and knowing when to leave
How gratitude can become a trap that keeps you in toxic environments
What managers need to do differently to prevent team burnout
Why 76% of IT workers say job stress is getting worse every year

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This episode is brought to you by Softchoice Cloud Lifecycle Services Plus for Microsoft Azure. Get control of your Azure subscriptions, optimize your cloud spend, and access the technical support you actually need when you need it.

Visit softchoice.com/azurecls to learn more.

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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The AI Adoption Episode: Freedom & Frameworks That Actually Work

Season 7 · Episode 1

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 • Duration 20:52

What if the best employee AI adoption strategy is one most companies refuse to try?

While business leaders rush to mandate AI from the top down, Softchoice discovered something counterintuitive: the most successful transformations happen when you let people experiment on their own terms. (Safely!)

This episode takes you inside Softchoice's organic approach to AI adoption—from a VP who started experimenting with AI nine months before ChatGPT launched, to an engineering team that went from skepticism to shipping code in a single prompt, to a solutions architect who hit 300% of plan by letting AI handle his meeting notes.

You'll learn:

Why psychological safety beats corporate mandates for technology adoption
How to balance experimentation with responsible guardrails
The "crawl, walk, run" framework that scales innovation
Why one person with AI can match an entire marketing department's output

Featuring:

Craig McQueen, VP of AI Solutions, Softchoice
Andrew Campbell, Engineering Manager – App Development & AI Solutions, Softchoice
Geoffrey Whalley, Solutions Architect, Softchoice
Danielle Ryterband, Associate General Counsel & Privacy Officer, Softchoice

This isn't just an AI story. It's a framework for how change actually happens in organizations—and how IT leaders can apply it to any transformative technology.

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This episode is brought to you by Arctic Wolf Incident Response.

When a cyber attack hits, Arctic Wolf's insurance-approved team gets you back to business fast with 24/7 containment, digital forensics, and full business restoration.

Learn more at softchoice.com/arcticwolf

#ArtificialIntelligence #ITLeadership #DigitalTransformation #ChangeManagement #Softchoice #MidMarketIT #AIAdoption

The quantum threat: preparing your business for the future of cybersecurity

Season 6 · Episode 13

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 • Duration 28:08

Quantum computing promises to be one of the most disruptive technologies of our time. But it also brings the risk of unparalleled cybersecurity threats.

In this episode of The Catalyst by Softchoice, we delve into the world of quantum computing and its implications for cybersecurity. Dr. Vito Nozza, Principal of Security at Softchoice Design Studio and a PhD in cybersecurity, joins us to discuss the exciting potential of quantum computing while highlighting the significant cybersecurity risks it presents.

We explore practical steps to enhance data protection strategies and address the potential risks associated with emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI. Learn how to proactively safeguard your organization’s data in the face of these threats.

Featuring: Dr. Vito Nozza, Principal of Security at Softchoice Design Studio

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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Microsoft Copilot – a year of transformation: Insights from Rekha Narang

Season 6 · Episode 12

Thursday, October 17, 2024 • Duration 30:58

In this special episode, host Heather Haskin dives deep into the world of AI-driven digital transformation with Rekha Narang, Director of Partner Technology at Microsoft. Rekha provides an inside look at the evolution of Microsoft Copilot, a tool that has transformed how organizations work, collaborate, and deliver results.

They explore Copilot’s journey from its launch in November 2023 to its game-changing impact today, as well as the crucial role diversity, inclusion, and partnerships have played in this transformation. Rekha also shares personal leadership insights and looks ahead at what’s next for Copilot.

Tune in to learn more about how Microsoft Copilot is reshaping industries, empowering teams, and redefining the future of work.

This episode is brought to you by Microsoft. Unlock the potential of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and see how it can transform your operations with a Copilot Readiness Assessment from Softchoice. Visit softchoice.com/copilot to learn more.

Featuring: Rekha Narang, Director, Partner Technology Microsoft

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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Navigating the end of Windows 10: Security, AI, and the road to Windows 11

Season 6 · Episode 11

Friday, September 27, 2024 • Duration 34:10

Is your business ready for the end of Windows 10, or are you risking being left behind in the next wave of digital transformation?

In this episode, host Aaron Brooks is joined by industry experts Cameron Allen from Intel, Kirk Sinclair from Microsoft, and Bryan Rusche from Softchoice for a roundtable discussion on now to navigate the shift to Windows 11.

The panel delves into the strategic importance of upgrading, addressing security, hardware readiness, and the impact of AI. They explore the challenges and opportunities businesses face during this transition, providing actionable advice for IT leaders on how to build a smooth migration strategy and future-proof their IT infrastructure.

Featuring: Cameron Allen, Partner Account Manager at Intel Canada, Kirk Sinclair, Partner Account Manager at Microsoft and Bryan Rusche, GTM Product Manager at Softchoice

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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What’s next for IT? Looking beyond generative AI

Season 6 · Episode 10

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 • Duration 17:21

In this episode, co-hosts Aaron Brooks and Heather Haskin take a break from the constant buzz around generative AI and ChatGPT to explore what else is shaping the future of IT. From cybersecurity threats in the age of quantum computing to the rising expectation for businesses to become content creators, this mid-season check-in dives into the trends and insights flying under the AI radar. Don’t miss this candid conversation that uncovers some of the key issues transforming the tech world in 2024—beyond AI.

Featuring: Aaron Brooks, VP Customer Strategy and Solution Sales at Softchoice and Heather Haskin, Business Development Manager AWS at Softchoice

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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Building the future of cybersecurity: Insights from the Chief Product Officer at Sophos

Season 6 · Episode 9

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 • Duration 29:05

What's it like being at the helm of a security operation that safeguards thousands of businesses worldwide, with new cyber threats emerging every single day?

In this episode, host Heather Haskin meets with Raja Patel, Chief Product Officer at Sophos, to uncover the strategies that keep one of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape. As cyber threats become more sophisticated and relentless, Patel shares his unique approach to building resilient security solutions that not only anticipate future challenges but also empower teams to think creatively and collaboratively.

Discover how Sophos is pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity by blending innovation, strategic foresight, and a people-first mindset to protect organizations worldwide.

Featuring: Raja Patel, Chief Product Officer, Sophos

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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Improv for leaders: mastering adaptability and communication in the boardroom

Season 6 · Episode 8

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 • Duration 32:57

What if the key to becoming a more dynamic and effective leader lies not in boardrooms or business school – but on the improv stage?

In this episode, host Aaron Brooks and guest Stephanie Malek, Corporate Director and Production Manager at Bad Dog Theatre, delve into how the unexpected world of improvisation holds transformative lessons for business and IT leaders. Tune in to learn how to bring the spontaneity and creativity of improv into your leadership style, helping you navigate the complexities of today's business landscape with greater confidence and agility.

Featuring: Stephanie Malek, Corporate Director and Production Manager at Bad Dog Theatre

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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Leading from afar: Strategies for success in a remote world

Season 6 · Episode 7

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 • Duration 28:39

Can a leader effectively inspire and drive success without being physically present? As tech giants like Google, Amazon, Meta, and Apple mandate a return to the office, this question is top of mind. In this episode, host Heather Haskin interviews Angela Cope, the Director of Demand Generation at Softchoice, about her life as a remote leader amidst this wave of return-to-office mandates.

From her home in rural Nova Scotia, Angela shares her unique perspective on leading from afar. Discover her daily routine, the key challenges and advantages of remote leadership, and what it takes to successfully manage a team from a distance in an ever-evolving work landscape. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of remote work and effective leadership strategies.

Featuring: Angela Cope, Director of Demand Generation at Softchoice

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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Bonus: After the outage

Season 6

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 • Duration 14:46

In this special bonus episode of The Catalyst, host Heather Haskin welcomes Greg McDonald, Senior Solutions Architect at Softchoice, to discuss the recent CrowdStrike outage that disrupted businesses globally. They focus on actionable steps business leaders and IT professionals can take to enhance their resilience against future incidents.

What You'll Learn:

Immediate steps businesses should take in response to the outage
Key prevention strategies to avoid similar disruptions
The benefits of having a managed service provider for rapid support and recovery

Stay informed and proactive by tuning in to this insightful episode.

Featuring: Greg McDonald, Senior Solutions Architect at Softchoice

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

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The Catalyst by Softchoice – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Catalyst by Softchoice – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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