Leading IT - APAC Insights

Hosted by Josh Rubens & Tom Leyden

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May 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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60 recent

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.

September 9, 2025Episode 7339 min

Shadow AI: Hidden Risks and Real Solutions

Josh and Tom are joined by Empyrean IT Cyber Security Practice Lead, David Stevenson to unravel why 78% of employees bring their own AI tools to work—often on personal devices—and how IT leaders can secure sensitive data without stifling innovation.

August 5, 2025Episode 7243 min

From Chaos to Control: Architecting AI Ecosystems for Strategic Impact

In this episode, Tom and Josh unpack the concept of AI ecosystem architectures - a strategic approach to navigating the chaos of rapid AI adoption. They explore how CIOs and IT leaders can shift from fragmented, ad hoc implementations to a structured, scalable, and secure foundation for AI. From governance and data consolidation to application modernization and two-speed delivery models, this episode offers pragmatic advice for future-ready IT organizations.

July 20, 2025Episode 7140 min

The 7 Forces That Shape IT

Join Tom and Josh as they reveal the seven essential forces every IT leader needs to drive business success. From aligning IT with business strategy to building a skilled team, mastering vendor relationships, and tackling cybersecurity, this episode is packed with real-world advice and no-nonsense insights. Perfect for anyone serious about making technology work—now and into the future. Tune in for: The real reason IT is so often misaligned with the business (and how to fix it)The “Kevin Problem” – and why some IT heroes become unexpected roadblocksWhy great vendor management is the secret weapon you’re probably ignoringThe pragmatic path to cybersecurity (without breaking the bank)How to finally get your data ready for AI (hint: it’s not about the tools!) This is the episode every tech leader needs to hear. Get match fit for the future—press play now!