Episodes
378
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
The UNSCRIPTED podcast takes an honest look at how business leaders are evolving, innovating, and overcoming today’s biggest challenges. With discussions focused on the firsthand perspective of leaders across industries and around the globe, you gain a front row seat to the tales of the trials and triumphs they experience as they modernize their businesses – and themselves. This podcast is hosted by Sarah Nicastro, who has more than 15 years’ tenure covering business transformation, technology, and leadership trends.
In this solo episode, Sarah Nicastro recaps the Future of Field Service Live event in New York City — covering highlights from five sessions on change management, customer intimacy, competitive positioning, technician enablement, and AI strategy. If you couldn't be in the room, this is the next best thing.
Dr. Lisa Ann Ferlita — VP of Service at Oxford Instruments and author of The Weight of Leadership — joins Sarah for a raw, honest conversation about what it really costs to lead, and how to do it without losing yourself. From military service to global field service leadership across 129 countries, Lisa shares the lessons that only come from looking in the mirror.
Strategic consultant Marta Riggins — formerly of Instacart, LinkedIn, and Pandora Music — joins Sarah to explore why employer branding is a critical lever for service organizations facing a frontline talent crisis. From building an authentic employee value proposition to why "culture add" beats "culture fit" every time, this is a practical and energizing conversation for any leader serious about winning the talent war.
In this solo episode, Sarah Nicastro shares her personal mental health journey - including complex PTSD, ADHD, and navigating a difficult season - and what it has taught her about leadership, vulnerability, and creating workplaces where it's truly okay not to be okay. Raw, honest, and genuinely human.🌐 Visit us at futureoffieldservice.com📩 Subscribe to The INSIDER for exclusive monthly content: futureoffieldservice.com/the-insider
What if the key to navigating change isn't a better strategy — it's a better relationship with change itself?In this episode, host Sarah Nicastro sits down with Sarah Aviram — keynote speaker, leadership coach, and author of The Scenic Route — to explore why organizational change so often stalls, and what leaders can do differently.Drawing on her remarkable year working across 12 countries in 12 months, Sarah shares the personal stories and practical frameworks that have helped thousands of leaders move through transformation with more confidence, clarity, and resilience.The conversation covers the six core drivers of human motivation, why storytelling connects where case studies fall flat, and what a Buddhist monk, a flamenco dancer, and a group of performers in Thailand can teach us about identity and change. There's also a beautiful moment around the Portuguese concept of saudade — and why making peace with impermanence might be one of the most underrated leadership skills there is.If you're leading a team through uncertainty, or simply trying to find your footing when change feels relentless — this one's worth your time.
What if your electrical assets weren't just infrastructure — but strategic business drivers?In this episode, Berend Booms sits down with Matthew Wise, VP & Head of Strategy and Business Development at ABB Electrification Service, to unpack why the shift from input-based to outcome-based asset management is reshaping entire industries.Matt brings sharp insight from ABB's frontline — managing over 80 million assets across 50+ countries — on how converging technologies like AI, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring are moving organizations from reactive maintenance to true system orchestration.What we cover:Why traditional service contracts are no longer fit for purposeWhere AI is genuinely adding value — and where it's falling shortHow to align sustainability and performance as complementary goalsThe organizational silos quietly killing asset optimizationWhat resilience looks like in an increasingly unpredictable worldIf you work in asset-intensive industries — this is essential listening.
What does career growth in field service look like when priorities shift from constant travel to creating better work-life balance?In this episode of Frontline UNSCRIPTED, host Sarah Nicastro sits down with Fernando Ferreyra, Service Engineer for the Technical Solutions Center at QuidelOrtho, to discuss his transition from a high-travel Field Service Engineer role into remote technical support—and how that change transformed both his career and family life.Fernando shares his journey from laboratory science into field service, what it was like supporting major healthcare accounts across the U.S. and Mexico, and how his experience as a former customer gave him a unique advantage in service. He also explains why flexibility, mentorship, and strong team culture are essential for retaining top talent in today’s service organizations.The conversation explores the evolving reality of service careers, including balancing family responsibilities, creating sustainable career paths, leveraging AI responsibly, and maintaining the human connection that makes service exceptional.In this episode, you’ll learn:How remote technical support roles can improve work-life balance in service careersWhy flexibility is critical for retaining frontline talentThe importance of empathy and communication in field service successHow Fernando’s customer experience helped him become a stronger engineerWhy AI should enhance—not replace—the human side of serviceThe role mentorship and teamwork play in career growthHow service leaders can better support frontline employees and familiesWhether you’re a field service engineer, technical support professional, service leader, or someone exploring a career in service, this episode offers valuable insights into career development, employee retention, leadership, and the future of frontline work.
What if the future of service isn’t about fixing products — but maximizing customer outcomes?In this episode of UNSCRIPTED, Sarah Nicastro sits down with Ravichandra Kshirsagar, Digital Energy Services VP at Schneider Electric, to explore how service organizations can move from transactional delivery to outcome-based partnerships powered by AI, connectivity, and customer-centric operating models.From designing products for service from the very beginning to creating entirely new roles like the Customer Performance Engineer, this conversation dives into the strategies shaping the future of field service and digital energy services.Key topics include:• Why services are becoming the biggest competitive differentiator• Designing products and platforms for serviceability from inception• Moving from break/fix models to outcome-driven partnerships• How AI is transforming scheduling, planning, and service operations• Organizing around customer segments instead of products• The rise of the Customer Performance Engineer role• Why traditional service playbooks are becoming obsoleteIf you're navigating digital transformation, scaling service excellence, or exploring AI-enabled service models, this episode is packed with practical insights and forward-looking strategies.🎧 Tune in now to learn how leading organizations are reimagining service delivery for the future.
What if your AI strategy is actually holding you back?In this episode of UNSCRIPTED, recorded on-site at Field Service Next West in San Diego, host Sarah Nicastro sits down with Jayda Nance, AI Product Owner at IBM, to cut through the hype and explore what it really takes to create value with AI.From problem-first thinking to proving value through pilots, this conversation challenges the “move fast” mentality and shows why moving smart is what actually drives results.🔑 What You’ll Learn- Why clear problem determination should come before any AI investment- The difference between automation vs. true AI—and when each is needed- Why pilots outperform MVPs when proving real business value- How to use a four-layer process framework (inputs, rules, actions, outputs)- Why mindset—not technology—is the biggest barrier to AI adoption- How early wins build trust and momentum across your organization💡 Key TakeawayAI isn’t a magic wand.The organizations seeing real results are the ones that focus less on trends and more on solving the right problems.👤 About the GuestJayda Nance is an AI Product Owner at IBM, where she leads strategy and execution for operational transformation across technology lifecycle services. With a background in engineering and innovation, Jayda brings a practical, problem-first approach to AI—helping organizations build solutions that actually deliver value.🎧 Listen & Learn MoreIf you're navigating digital transformation or looking to build a smarter AI strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.🔗 Connect & Learn MoreFollow Sarah Nicastro on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhowlandSubscribe to The Insider Newsletter:https://www.futureoffieldservice.com/newsletterFollow Future of Field Service on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-of-field-serviceLearn more about UNSCRIPTED:https://www.futureoffieldservice.com/podcast/
What if you could resolve 95% of service issues without ever sending a technician on-site?In this episode of UNSCRIPTED, host Sarah Nicastro sits down with Greg Parker, Vice President for America’s Life Cycle Solutions at Johnson Controls, to explore how intelligent connected systems, AI-powered monitoring, and centralized command centers are transforming security and service delivery at iconic venues like Fenway Park.From reducing costly truck rolls to enabling outcome-based service agreements, this conversation dives into what it really takes to scale service operations in today’s data-driven world.What You’ll Learn:• How proactive, connected asset management enables up to 95% remote issue resolution• Why AI should act as a force multiplier, not a replacement for human judgment• The importance of a “human in the middle” approach in high-risk environments• How central command and field operations work together to deliver better outcomes• Why outcome-based service agreements are quickly becoming table stakes• How to design and launch managed services without execution gaps• What makes high-density venues like stadiums uniquely complex to manageKey Takeaway:Connected assets, real-time visibility, and proactive service delivery are no longer optional—they’re essential for meeting modern customer expectations.About the Guest:Greg Parker is Vice President for America’s Life Cycle Solutions at Johnson Controls, where he leads the transformation of security operations and managed service delivery. His work in integrating AI, connected systems, and centralized monitoring has enabled organizations to scale operations, reduce costs, and deliver outcome-based service models.
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