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In this episode of Women in Tech, Holly sits down with Rachael Childs, Creative Technologist, AI Specialist, and Founder of Glow Lock Labs and Wallside Studios. Rachael’s journey is not the usual path into tech. She started as an artist who never saw herself as technical, yet she now builds AI tools, works with global tech companies, and helps creators bring new ideas to life.

Rachael talks about how electronic music first drew her into the world of logic and structure. What began as curiosity slowly became confidence, and that confidence carried her into machine learning and AI development. Her story shows that you do not need a traditional background to thrive in tech. You just need the courage to follow the things that spark your interest.

She also shares why prompt engineering is becoming a great way for women to enter the industry, and how AI is opening doors for creative talent who never imagined a future in tech. Her experience with Google and Meta came from positioning herself well on LinkedIn, not chasing roles, which makes her approach both realistic and encouraging.

Throughout the episode, Rachael’s advice is full of warmth and honesty. She reminds women to bring their real passions into their work, to stop trying to fit a stereotype, and to trust that everyone starts from zero.

The conversation ends with a brilliant quick fire round where she opens up about her role model, the best advice she’s ever been given, and the dream project she hopes to build next.

This episode is uplifting, creative and full of hope. It’s a great listen for any woman who wants to step into tech in a way that feels authentic.

🔗 Connect with Rachael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelchilds/

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In this episode of The Route to Networking: Military Leavers Edition, host Rian Horsman sits down with James Jones, Network & Infrastructure Manager at ATM, to discuss his journey from the British Army to leading IT operations across multiple countries.

James opens up about the challenges of leaving the forces with little guidance, starting again from the bottom, and how determination and curiosity helped him climb the IT ladder. He shares how military skills like discipline, adaptability, and leadership gave him an edge in tech - and why mindset often matters more than certifications when breaking into the industry.

Listeners will hear how James turned setbacks into opportunities, what he looks for when hiring new talent, and his advice for military leavers looking to make the jump into IT. He also highlights the value of veteran networks like Tech Vets, offering support, training, and community for those transitioning to civilian life.

Packed with practical insights and motivation, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering a move from service to tech.

🔗 Connect with James: LinkedIn
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In this episode of The Route to Networking: Military Leavers Edition, host Jordan Dyer sits down with Dan Rawlings, Network Development Engineering Manager at WeWork, to explore his remarkable journey from the RAF Regiment to a career in IT and networking.

Dan shares how resilience, discipline, and adaptability shaped his transition from life on deployment to leading complex network projects for a global organisation. He opens up about the challenges of leaving the forces at a young age, from retraining with a CCNA while working full-time, to the realities of finding housing and building new support systems outside the military.

Together, they discuss the balance between certifications and real-world experience, why hands-on exposure matters, and how military traits like tenacity, critical thinking, and attention to detail provide a powerful edge in civilian careers.

Packed with advice for service leavers, Dan highlights the importance of persistence, starting small, leveraging networks, and never losing the mindset the military instils. His story is both inspiring and practical—a blueprint for anyone navigating the leap from uniform to tech.

🔗 Connect with Dan: LinkedIn

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In this Military Leavers Spin-Off Edition of The Route to Networking Podcast, host Louis Parratt is joined by Danny Munetsi, who went from the Royal Signals to leading RF and DAS projects at Virtua. From football ambitions to mastering military systems engineering, Danny’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and continuous growth.

He shares how military training gave him transferable skills in RF, IT, and leadership, why discipline and lifelong learning have been crucial to his success, and how confidence is key when stepping into civilian life. Danny also reflects on the challenges of leaving the forces—from timing your exit right to making smart choices with training allowances—and the importance of being proud of your military background.

Now driving critical connectivity projects across the UK, Danny brings sharp insights into the future of RF and DAS, including how AI could transform design and deployment. His story is packed with practical advice for service leavers, inspiration for engineers, and lessons in leadership that apply far beyond telecoms.

Whether you’re a veteran preparing for civilian opportunities or a professional looking to adapt and grow, Danny’s journey shows how military skills can shape the future of technology.

🔗 Connect with Danny: Danny Munetsi LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Route to Networking Podcast, host Ben Davies is joined by Florian Kritzler, Head of Sales Germany at nLighten. From training up to 12 times a week as a competitive swimmer to leading sales in one of Europe’s most innovative edge data centre companies, Florian’s journey is anything but conventional.

He shares how the discipline, resilience, and feedback culture of elite sport shaped his mindset for business - and why curiosity and preparation became the cornerstones of his sales career. Reflecting on his move from Deutsche Telekom to nLighten, Florian explains how humility, mentorship, and adaptability helped him navigate a steep learning curve and build credibility in a new industry.

Now leading the German sales team, Florian reveals how he balances staying close to customers with supporting and developing his people, creating a culture of trust and growth. He also explores how nLighten’s 34 edge data centres are transforming connectivity across Europe.

Packed with lessons for aspiring sales and business leaders, Florian shares why habits and consistency matter, why relationships always beat quick wins, and why adaptability will define the next generation of success.

🔗 Connect with Florian: LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Route to Networking Podcast, host Louis Parratt is joined by Peter Marshall, Telecoms & 5G Innovation Leader. With more than 25 years shaping the telecoms industry across Vodafone, Ericsson, and BT, Peter shares his journey from building quantum lasers under the Atlantic to leading global innovation in 5G.

He reflects on the pivotal career leap that took him from chemical physics into telecoms, the power of mentorship to spark growth on both sides, and why stepping into discomfort has been a constant driver of his success. Peter also explores how collaboration and challenge together unlock breakthrough innovation, from the Tactile Internet project to reimagining cinema through 5G.

Breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry, Peter explains why 5G is far more than “faster 4G” – and how imagination, boldness, and mindset are the real keys to unlocking its potential.

Packed with practical insights, Peter shares his “Three C’s” for emerging leaders – Collaboration, Challenge, and Curiosity – alongside his quick-fire takes on leadership, essential engineering skills, and the most underrated technologies on the horizon.

From lasers to leadership and beyond, this is an episode full of curiosity, courage, and vision for the future of connectivity.

🔗 Connect with Peter: LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Route to Networking Podcast, host Ben Davies is joined by Max Röttgermann, Senior Product Manager for IP Transit & DDoS Defense at Deutsche Telekom. With over two decades at the forefront of telecom innovation, Max shares his journey from CB radio enthusiast to building one of the most scalable DDoS mitigation platforms in the world.

He reflects on his early hands-on experience running infrastructure at international trade shows, how on-the-job learning shaped his academic path, and why cyber defence has become mission-critical in today’s digital world. Max also breaks down the evolution of DDoS attacks and how AI and machine learning are reshaping detection and mitigation strategies.

Packed with practical advice for the next generation, Max emphasises the power of curiosity, the value of understanding internet fundamentals, and the importance of balancing technical depth with business acumen.

From invisible threats to visible leadership, this is an episode full of insight, innovation, and a passion for protecting the networks that keep the world connected.

🔗 Connect with Max: LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Route to Networking, host Jordan Dyer is joined by Ahmed Janaid, Director at RKS Consultants and one of the few professionals in the world to hold both a double CCIE and the prestigious Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE).

From discovering his passion through a simple console cable to becoming a leading architect of secure, large-scale infrastructure, Ahmed shares the mindset, discipline, and setbacks that shaped his extraordinary journey. He opens up about the pressure of chasing certifications, why failure taught him more than success ever could, and how curiosity has always been his greatest asset.

Now driving high-impact projects in the public sector, Ahmed offers insights on bridging the gap between engineers and architects, the future of AI-driven networking and SASE, and how to stay relevant in a fast-moving industry.

Whether you’re starting out or stepping up, this conversation is packed with honest reflections and practical advice for anyone who wants to grow—not just technically, but professionally.

🔗 Connect with Ahmed: LinkedIn – Ahmed Janaid

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