Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna

Hosted by Zohra Mutabanna

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Inside Tech Comm is a show for anyone interested in learning more about technical communication. It will also be of interest to those who are new to the field or career-switchers exploring creative ways to expand their horizon. You can write to me at insidetechcomm@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

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60 recent

August 21, 2026Episode 347 min

S8E3 Sentient Design for Intelligent Interfaces

What if we stopped thinking about AI simply as a tool for doing our existing work faster—and started treating it as a new material for designing experiences? In this episode, I talk with Josh Clark and Veronica Kindred , co-authors of Sentient Design , about what happens when intelligence moves beyond the chatbot and becomes part of the interface itself. Josh and Veronika define sentient design as the practice of creating intelligent interfaces that are aware of context and intent and can adapt to users in the moment. We explore what that looks like in practice, from dynamically assembled dashboards to AI agents that behave more like collaborators within an interface. And for technical communicators, there’s an interesting implication: our ability to define context, instructions, rules, guardrails, and behavior could make us important contributors to these emerging experiences. Want to explore the ideas further? Inside Tech Comm listeners can get 20% off Sentient Design from Rosenfeld Media with code SENTIENT-TECHCOMM through October 31, 2026 . Some highlights from our conversation: Moving from AI as a tool for production to a material for product What sentient design actually means—and what it doesn’t Combining probabilistic AI with deterministic systems How adaptive interfaces can respond to context without giving AI unlimited control Why technical communicators may have a new audience: the AI systems themselves What Salesforce and Cisco are already experimenting with in adaptive interfaces Why AI could change collaboration across content, design, development, and product Making room for experimentation and “mad science” Using defensive design to build trust and guardrails into AI experiences Designing AI to express uncertainty instead of pretending to know everything Why critical thinking and AI literacy may become more—not less—important Use discount code ITC26 to save $200 on registration for LavaCon 2026.

August 14, 2026Episode 21 hr 1 min

S8E2 Content Is The Strategy

We talk with Lindsey Rix about moving beyond AI anxiety and experimenting with what AI can actually make possible for technical writers. Drawing from her presentation, Content Is the Strategy , Lindsey shares how she moved from experimenting with custom agents and AI skills to working with developer-adjacent tools, source code, and MCP connections. She explains why she starts with the problem rather than the tool, how AI is helping her gather and interpret information more efficiently, and why technical writers’ language, research, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills may become even more valuable. Some highlights from our conversation: Reframing AI from threat to tool through hands-on experimentation Using content standards, patterns, and style guidance to improve AI results Recognizing how technical writing skills translate to prompt engineering and AI workflows Learning new tools by building personal projects outside work Creating repeatable AI “skills” from real pain points and busywork Drafting from pull requests and source code using connectors and MCP Asking for read-only access and demonstrating value through small experiments Building resiliency by troubleshooting, iterating, and continuing to learn Use discount code ITC26 to save $200 on registration for LavaCon 2026.

August 7, 2026Episode 148 min

S8E1 What Do We Lose When We Forget Our Work History

We talk with Sharon Burton , editor of Women in Technical Communication , about how women’s stories reveal the real history of technical communication and why our work is bigger than “typing words.” We connect documentation to revenue, customer stickiness, and institutional knowledge while facing the disruption and cost realities of AI. Episode highlights: Sharon’s path into TechCom and how the book comes together How the field flips from mostly men to mostly women over 50 years Why AI changes workflows but does not replace task analysis and judgment Tying documentation and user assistance to retention, adoption, and revenue Why being left off the “team” slide hurts and how writers validate each other Using conferences to learn the current language for proving value Shared patterns for women in tech across cultures and generations Documenting careers and decisions before retirements erase context The pay gap still showing up in today’s data Use discount code ITC26 to save $200 on registration for LavaCon 2026.

February 25, 2026Episode 454 min

S7E4 Claiming Space In Systems Not Built For You with Kae Kronthaler-Williams

We explore how to navigate bias, claim space, and thrive in systems not built for women and minorities. Kae Williams shares practical ways to build influence, handle microaggressions, and reach senior leaders with competence and calm. We touch upon these topics: mapping systemic patterns that reward proximity over performance tying work to business goals to earn visibility one‑on‑one networking and cross‑team collaboration scripts to approach CFOs and VPs for input working with ego‑first leaders and assessing fit identifying microaggressors and setting boundaries documenting severe incidents and staying professional building external support networks and mentorship creating psychological safety and inclusive teams speaking up with data, questions, and clarity Find Kae’s book Not Made For You on her website with links to Amazon and more. Follow Kae on LinkedIn, Substack, and Instagram. Guest Bio Kae Kronthaler-Williams is a marketing leader who knows how to turn big ideas into real growth. She’s led teams as CMO at companies like Ocelot and Adroit North America, working at the intersection of AI, supply chain, manufacturing, and data-driven strategy. Kae is also a coach and speaker who cares deeply about people, purpose, and performance. She helps leaders build better cultures, strengthen their influence, and lead with confidence and clarity. She’s passionate about equity, growth — both professional and personal — and what it really takes to show up as your best self in work and life. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

February 10, 2026Episode 347 min

S7E3 Who Owns Ideas When Machines Learn From Us with Julie Trelstad

We ask Julie Trostad how authors can protect their work in an AI-first world and where ethics, law, and new licensing models meet. From content fingerprinting to smarter metadata, we map practical steps, real risks, and hopeful paths for fair compensation. We start with the foundation: what intellectual property actually protects, how work-for-hire changes ownership, and why attribution still matters. From US lawsuits that punish pirated training data versus Europe’s stricter model for text and data mining rights, Julie explains how content fingerprinting and registries like ISCC plus AMLET give AI systems a machine-readable “do and don’t” list—ranging from research-only to fully licensed generative use—so rights can be recognized and respected across platforms. Guest Bio Julie Trelstad is a publishing strategist with 30+ years of experience helping authors and publishers navigate industry change. She currently leads U.S. Publishing at Amlet.ai , where she focuses on how creators can protect and license their work in the age of AI. Julie’s background spans traditional, digital, and rights-driven roles across major publishing segments, and she’s a voice on ethical AI use, content discovery, and digital rights for creative work. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

January 23, 2026Episode 254 min

S7E2 People Squared: Reinventing Work With AI with Monica Marquez

The AI tools arrived, the dashboards lit up, and the ROI… didn’t. Monica Marquez of Flipwork unpacks what actually drives meaningful adoption—and what kills it. The short answer: people and process, not just platforms. The longer answer: psychological safety, shared playbooks, and a clear path from micro efficiencies to measurable impact. Monica walks us through the mindset shift from fearing replacement to becoming “people squared,” where AI handles the drudge work, and humans double down on judgment, taste, and lived expertise. From thawing the “frozen middle” of management to building agentic AI that connects steps across a workflow, we map a practical route to real ROI. Monica shares Flipwork’s 90‑day sprint, the Flip Factor readiness assessment, and “Flippy,” a non-judgmental change agent that helps individuals identify their "zone of genius" and teams redesign processes. Along the way, we spotlight case studies like IKEA’s upskilling strategy, and we explore how micro wins—clarifying requirements, synthesizing research, in-context coaching—compound into major gains. Let's move past the hype and make AI a partner that elevates your craft. This conversation outlines the practices, mindsets, and tools required to achieve this goal. Guest Bio Monica Marquez is a workplace AI strategist, leadership, learning, and inclusion expert, and serial entrepreneur. She is the founder of FlipWork, Inc., the only enterprise-wide AI workforce transformation system that ensures Fortune 500 companies adapt quickly to disruptive change. FlipWork helps employees at every level adopt AI successfully by transforming how people see, think, and work so they can keep pace with rapid workplace change. She also publishes ¡Ay Ay Ay, AI! , a weekly newsletter that gives leaders five minutes of clear, actionable guidance on thriving in the age of AI. Monica brings more than 20 years of executive experience spanning talent, learning, and inclusion at Google, EY, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs. At Goldman Sachs, she pioneered the Returnship and New Directions programs, setting the industry benchmark for helping experienced professionals reenter the workforce. At Google, she co-founded the Product Inclusion Council to shape more inclusive product design. She is also the co-founder of Beyond Barriers and has hosted more than 300 podcast episodes spotlighting transformative leadership journeys. Recognized among Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Women of Influence and ALPFA’s Most Powerful Latinas in 2024, Monica continues to champion equity, innovation, and leadership in every arena. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

January 16, 2026Episode 135 min

S7E1 When Your Bot Writes Poetry For Execs with Chuck Nealis

We kick off the new season by breaking down the “contractor mindset” for writing prompts — the key to getting AI to deliver to spec , not with unnecessary “flair.” Chuck Nealis joins us to explore how to write high-impact prompts through the lens of storytelling. We dig into the simple but powerful guardrails that help navigate AI’s context window. Because as conversations grow, crucial constraints tend to fade — and that’s when prompt drift begins. So what do you do when the whiteboard starts getting messy? In this episode, we unpack: Explicit prompts with clear purpose, audience, and format Contractor mindset over poetic creativity Context window limits and the 80% summary handoff Labeling drafts and starting fresh threads Triangulated reviews across multiple AIs Verifying sources and rejecting fabricated citations Building repeatable, reliable prompt blueprints Why consistency leads to accuracy Treat AI’s memory like a whiteboard, not a library — and start designing prompts that stick . Guest Bio Chuck Nealis is a seasoned instructional designer, Organizational Change Management lead, and AI prompt expert with over 20 years of experience helping organizations deploy practical AI‑powered learning solutions and training programs. Chuck is also an author and thought leader on effective AI usage, focusing on precision‑engineered prompting and learning design. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

October 8, 2025Episode 552 min

S6E5 Smart Metatagging Tips for a Path to AI-ready Content with Regina and Max

We unpack how structured content and metadata make AI useful, reliable, and traceable across complex organizations. Regina and Max join us to connect strategy and tech, from RAG fundamentals to governance that bridges silos and boosts trust. Some highlights: How to define AI readiness Making metadata part of authoring, not an afterthought Why component content + semantic markup matter Data fabrics, ontologies, and harmonized vocabularies What are the barriers to tagging, and how to overcome them RAG for traceable answers and risk control A cancer information case study for empathy and speed Finding the sweet spot in tag granularity Audits, lifecycle, and content as a business asset Tools landscape: authoring, optimization, taxonomy, localization Guest Bios Regina Lynn Preciado is a Sr. Director of Content Strategy at Content Rules, with decades of experience in structured content, metadata, and content automation. She works with clients across life sciences, tech, manufacturing, and finance to make content findable, usable, and scalable. A skilled communicator and facilitator, she co-authored The Personalization Paradox , helping organizations succeed with personalized experiences at scale. Max Swisher is Director of Technology at Content Rules, where he helps clients implement structured authoring and data solutions. With a background as a technical writer and system administrator, he bridges technical insight with practical execution. Max supports companies across diverse industries in transforming their content to be AI-ready and metadata-rich. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

October 1, 2025Episode 449 min

S6E4 Audio Synthesis in AI: Breaking Down Barriers with Manny Silva

Manny graces our show once more to share insights on audio synthesis, a technology that has evolved far beyond robotic voices into sophisticated AI systems. It has made documentation more accessible and enhanced technical communication workflows. Manny and I discuss practical applications, implementation strategies, and ethical considerations for incorporating audio synthesis into documentation. Key takeaways: What is audio synthesis? How the "curb cut effect" of audio options benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities How can you implement audio synthesis through CI/CD pipelines for docs-as-code or integrated into CMS publication workflows? How should you prepare content with alternative descriptions for visual elements like code blocks and diagrams for audio synthesis? Considerations for voice cloning and careful ethical consideration to avoid misuse. What are some proprietary and open-source options that provide audio libraries? Guest Bio A tech writer by day and engineer by night, Manny Silva is Head of Docs at Skyflow, codifier of Docs as Tests, and the creator of Doc Detective. He’s passionate about intuitive and scalable developer experiences and likes diving into the deep end as the 0th developer. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

September 24, 2025Episode 343 min

S6E3 Beyond Documentation: Building Knowledge Systems for AI with Kartika Raman

What happens when AI meets technical writing? It's not the end of the profession—it's an evolution that opens exciting new possibilities for skilled communicators. Kartika Raman, Lead Technical Writer at Salesforce, shares her journey from database administration to technical writing and now to the cutting edge of AI content creation. She explains how the fundamental nature of AI systems—probabilistic rather than deterministic—creates both challenges and opportunities for documentation professionals. As content creators, we already possess the valuable skills needed for success in the AI era. The ability to organize information, provide context, and communicate clearly becomes even more crucial when creating content that both humans and AI systems will consume. As Kartika explains, "We're not just writing, we're developing knowledge systems" that enable AI to generate accurate, relevant responses. We explore emerging roles in areas of prompt engineering, ontology development, and content design. These are skill sets that technical writers should develop as they adapt to changing technology landscapes. Focusing on continuous learning, experimentation with AI tools, and maintaining critical thinking skills are essential for future-proofing our careers. While AI will undoubtedly change the nature of technical writing jobs, it will also create new opportunities. The stakes for creating trustworthy, accurate content have never been higher. By embracing AI literacy and expanding beyond traditional documentation roles, technical communicators can position themselves at the forefront of this transformation. Ready to adapt, create, and thrive with AI? Guest Bio Karthika Raman is a Lead Technical Writer at Salesforce, where she plays a pivotal role on the AI Content Experience team. With a career that began in database administration, Karthika transitioned into technical writing, leveraging her deep domain expertise to simplify and communicate complex systems. Her journey has included impactful roles at Microsoft, Tableau, and Salesforce, and today she helps shape how enterprise AI technologies are documented and understood. At Salesforce, Karthika focuses on creating content that supports both human users and AI systems, emphasizing clarity, context, and trustworthiness. She is part of the team that develops content to explain AI and agentic technologies Salesforce creates. She is passionate about evolving the role of technical communicators in the age of AI, exploring emerging areas such as prompt engineering, ontology development, and content design. Her work reflects a commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and the strategic use of AI tools to build scalable knowledge systems. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio