Leading IT - APAC Insights

Hosted by Josh Rubens & Tom Leyden

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Aug 2026

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About the show

This podcast is hosted by 2 leaders in the Australian Technology sector - CIO Tom Leyden and Josh Rubens Managing Director at IT Consultancy Empyrean. They take an informative and conversational look at topical IT matters on a monthly basis. They discuss key topics such as; IT strategy and digitisation, Cloud computing, AI, IT security, IT infrastructure, Vendors, and people leadership. Each episode reviews industry news and takes a deeper look at IT vendor strategies and innovation with special guests and experts on various topics.

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August 25, 2026Episode 8340 min

Cybersecurity at Machine Speed

AI is changing the speed and scale of cyber threats, giving attackers new ways to automate, personalise and accelerate attacks. In this episode, Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden speak with leading CISO Dr Kawin Boonyapredee about what this shift means for organisations and the people responsible for protecting them. They explore how agentic AI is changing attack and defence, the growing challenge of deepfakes and shadow AI, and emerging security priorities for IT leaders.

July 26, 2026Episode 8240 min

Microsoft Fabric: The Platform That Turns Data into Competitive Advantage

Microsoft Corporate VP of Fabric, Yitzhak Kesselman, joins Josh and Tom to explain why operational efficiency — not just productivity AI — is the real multiplier, and how Fabric delivers the fresh data and context needed to make it happen. Drawing on conversations with hundreds of customers, Yitzhak explains how most companies are still stuck in front-end AI use cases while the bigger opportunity lies in using their own business data to drive better decisions and automated actions. He walks through why fresh, high-granularity data and curated business context are essential for AI agents to reason effectively, and how Microsoft Fabric brings these pieces together through OneLake, Real-Time Intelligence, and Fabric IQ. The discussion covers practical advice for mid-market CIOs, the shift from pure analytics to operational systems, the role of ontologies in making AI more accurate and cost-efficient and why speaking the language of business outcomes is critical when making the case for investment.

June 17, 2026Episode 8154 min

The End of the 3 Year Implementation: Lessons from the AI Front Line

He's back! Recorded on Australia’s King’s Birthday while Andrew Welch, global AI technologist and thought leader, dialled in fresh from DynamicsMinds in Slovenia, this episode looks at AI in the enterprise through the lens of real conferences, real customers and real partner pain. Andrew shares what he’s seeing on the ground: how AI strategy and architecture sessions land, why the old implementation‑plus‑services model is under pressure, and what partners and customers need to change in how they structure, fund and deliver AI projects. Expect a mix of war stories, sharp takes and practical guidance for anyone in the Microsoft orbit. Andrew is the founder, managing partner and chief strategy officer of Cloud Lighthouse, drawing on battle-tested experience helping enterprises worldwide convert AI hype into tangible results.

May 18, 2026Episode 8058 min

From Marble Cake to Long-Distance Calls: Rethinking AI in the Enterprise

Andrew Welch, global AI technologist and thought leader, joins us to ask a confronting question: are you using AI to amplify your judgment, or quietly outsourcing your brain? He dishes up real-world stories from the enterprise front lines, unpacking how leaders can cut through the hype, avoid “prompt theatre” and build organisations where AI actually serves human flourishing, exploration and culture. Andrew is the founder, managing partner and chief strategy officer of Cloud Lighthouse, bringing hard-won lessons from helping enterprises around the world turn AI buzz into real-world outcomes.

April 24, 2026Episode 7949 min

Agentic AI Adoption and Governance: Enterprise IT Predictions for 2026

Josh and Tom break down how to actually use agentic AI in the enterprise – from Copilot-style platform agents to specialist off‑the‑shelf tools

March 6, 2026Episode 7841 min

SaaSpocalypse Now: Why AI Won’t Kill SaaS, But Will Change It Forever

A trillion dollars in SaaS value wiped and AI can now build apps in hours. Tom and Josh unpack the “SaaSpocalypse”, who’s really at risk, and how IT leaders can consolidate and renegotiate.

February 4, 2026Episode 7741 min

Dark LLMs, Immutable Storage, and HR Pivots: Enterprise IT Predictions for 2026

Dark LLMs and ransomware-proof backups collide with recruitment resets and the rise of non-human identities. Josh and Tom share practical predictions on security, governance, and digital provenance so Enterprise IT leaders can brace for 2026.

December 22, 2025Episode 7637 min

Microsoft Ignite 2025: Turning Data, AI, and Governance into Competitive Advantage

Ignite 2025 showed where Microsoft is really placing its bets. Tune in to our end of year podcast, and for an insightful analysis of the implications for IT leaders responsible for scale, security and adoption.

November 20, 2025Episode 7549 min

From Screening to Scheduling: How AI Is Transforming Talent Acquisition

Join Josh and Tom in a deep dive into how AI is reshaping recruitment, with Randstad CIO Chris English sharing real-world wins, challenges and what’s coming next for talent tech. A candid chat on the future of hiring, the rise of agentic AI, and how businesses can prepare their people, processes and tech for the next wave of change. This episode also explores where AI genuinely moves the needle in recruitment and what still needs a human touch.

October 17, 2025Episode 7440 min

Building the Foundation for AI: How to Choose the Right Data Platform

How do you turn messy, siloed data into fuel for AI? In this episode, Empyrean’s Data Lead Siva Shivaganken joins Josh and Tom to explain the journey from raw to refined data, using practical analogies, real customer stories, and advice on implementing data lakes and medallion architectures that actually deliver business value. The panel put Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, and Databricks head-to-head. They break down the pros, cons, and use cases of each — helping IT leaders choose the right fit for their people, budget, and business goals.