For years, becoming a manager was considered the natural next step in your career. More responsibility, more influence, a better title....and hopefully, more money. But lately, more people are looking at management and saying…no thanks!

In this episode of The (Un)Buttoned Up Podcast, Steph and Kathryn unpack why fewer employees are aspiring to become managers—and whether we should really be surprised.

Today’s managers are often caught in the middle: responsible for team performance, culture, communication, employee engagement, difficult conversations, and company goals—while still being expected to do plenty of the actual work themselves. So when does managing become leading? And are companies doing enough to prepare people for either?

We get into:

• Why management may not feel like the career “promotion” it once did
• Management vs. leadership—and why the two aren’t the same
• The problem with promoting your best individual contributor into management
• Why great performers don't automatically make great people leaders
• Managing different generations, personalities, and work styles
• The difference between holding people accountable and actually motivating them

At the end of the day, companies don’t need more managers, they need better leaders. Let us know your thoughts!

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Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

What does technology look like inside an organization most people know for donation centers and thrift stores?

In this episode, we sit down with Allen Star, CIO of Goodwill Industries, to go behind the scenes of Goodwill's technology strategy and explore how innovation, leadership, and digital transformation are helping the organization evolve.

Allen shares his perspective on how technology leaders can balance innovation with real business needs and how his leadership style has evolved throughout his career.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution of technology and digital transformation at Goodwill
• How Goodwill approaches innovation and evaluates new technology
• The changing role of the CIO and today's technology leader
• Leadership lessons from managing teams through change
• Where AI, automation, data, and emerging technologies could create new opportunities
• Allen's advice for technology professionals and future leaders

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation: innovation isn't just about having the newest technology. It's about finding the right technology, solving meaningful problems, and getting people to actually use it.

Whether you're a CIO building your technology roadmap, a business leader evaluating your next technology investment, or a technology professional thinking about the future of your career, this conversation offers a great look at what innovation looks like inside a mission-driven organization.

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Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

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Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

Recorded live at PoweredUp Tech Fest, this episode of The (Un)Buttoned Up Podcast features Matt Sickles, a seasoned technology and cybersecurity executive at CDW, with more than three decades of experience helping organizations build and protect trust in an increasingly digital world.

Matt shares with us about his Doc Martin collection, in addition to sharing his perspective on where AI and emerging technologies are headed, why trust has become one of the most valuable assets a business can have, and how leaders can embrace innovation without compromising security. Security should not be an afterthought, it should be a model of expense that protects the revenue input.

From the rapid evolution of AI to the growing importance of resilience, governance, and strategic leadership, this conversation explores how organizations can prepare for what's next while staying focused on the people they serve. Whether you're a business leader, technology professional, or simply curious about the future of AI, Matt offers practical insights that cut through the hype and focus on what truly matters.

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Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

AI is changing every industry—but most companies are simply adding AI onto old processes instead of rethinking how work gets done.

In this episode, Steph and Kathryn sit down with Eric Foster, CEO and founder of TENEX.AI, to discuss what it really means to build an AI-native company. After decades in cybersecurity leadership and building one of the industry's largest managed security businesses, Eric set out to create TENEX.AI from the ground up with artificial intelligence at its core rather than as an add-on. He has spoken extensively about the difference between "AI-native" and "AI-bolted-on" organizations, the future of cybersecurity, and how AI is reshaping enterprise operations.

Unbuttoned Up truths:
✔ AI isn't just another technology—it's a new operating model.
✔ Companies that redesign work around AI will outperform those that simply automate old processes.
✔ Organizations that start learning today will have a significant competitive advantage.

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Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future initiative—it's reshaping how organizations operate today. In this special episode recorded at PoweredUp, we sit down with three technology leaders to discuss how businesses are moving beyond AI experimentation and into real-world execution.

Join Brian Beesley from Slalom, Marianne Kirkland from TD SYNNEX, and Vlad Voyuts from Dynasty Financial Partners as they share practical insights on AI adoption, governance, security, workforce transformation, and where organizations are seeing measurable business value.

Whether you're just beginning your AI journey or scaling enterprise initiatives, this conversation is packed with actionable advice, lessons learned, and predictions for what's next.

Thanks for joining us for another PoweredUp conversation. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share it with a colleague, and join us next time as we continue bringing together the technology leaders shaping the future of business.

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

In this episode of The (Un)Buttoned Up Podcast, we sit down with Saxon Baum, CEO of Florida Funders, at the Tampa Bay Tech's PoweredUp Tech Fest for a candid conversation about Florida's rapidly evolving startup ecosystem, where venture capital is flowing, and the technologies shaping the future of business.

Unbuttoned up truths:

• The current state of venture capital and what investors are really looking for.
• The hottest technology trends—from AI and automation to cybersecurity and emerging innovations.
• What startups need to do to stand out in today's competitive funding environment.
• The opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs as technology continues to evolve.

Whether you're building a company, investing in innovation, or simply curious about where technology is headed, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world perspectives on the future of Florida's tech landscape.

Tune in for an unfiltered conversation about funding, innovation, and the trends shaping tomorrow's businesses today.

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

AI is everywhere right now—and if we’re being honest, most people are either overusing it, underusing it, or pretending they totally know what they’re doing.

In this episode of The (Un)Buttoned Up Podcast, we’re getting real about AI in the workplace: what it’s actually good for, where people are getting it wrong, how businesses should think about implementation, and the security risks nobody is talking about enough.

We’re cutting through the hype to talk practical, everyday AI use—from productivity hacks and smarter workflows to bad prompts, privacy concerns, and the mistakes that can get companies (or careers) into trouble.

Whether you’re AI-obsessed, AI-curious, or AI-skeptical, this episode will help you separate hype from reality and walk away with practical ways to use AI smarter at work.

#UnButtonedUpPodcast #AIAtWork #FutureOfWork #Leadership #WorkplaceTrends #ArtificialIntelligence #CareerGrowth #BusinessLeadership

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

In this episode, we’re getting honest about why people really leave jobs — and spoiler alert: it’s usually not just about the money.

From toxic leadership and burnout to lack of growth, broken promises, and feeling invisible at work, we unpack the real reasons employees decide they’re done. We also dive into the disconnect between what companies think employees want versus what actually drives retention today.

Whether you’re a leader trying to keep top talent, someone quietly updating your resume, or just fascinated by workplace dynamics, this conversation is for you.

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/