The Talent Pieces

Building Distributed Engineering Teams That Work | Stephanie Brubaker, CTO of Stay AI | Session #17

In this episode of The Talent Pieces Podcast, Carlos sits down with Stephanie Brubaker, CTO of Stay AI, to talk about how her perspective on engineering teams evolved from an in office first mindset to building high performing distributed teams with nearshore talent.Stephanie shares lessons from her time founding and scaling engineering at FullStory, where culture, clarity, empathy, and collaboration shaped the company’s early success. She also breaks down what changed after COVID, why remote work became more viable, and how strong engineering culture can survive and thrive outside the office.The conversation gets tactical around what makes distributed teams work: clear engineering levels, strong documentation, communication standards, intentional onboarding, and treating nearshore engineers as true teammates instead of outside resources.A key takeaway from the episode: great engineering teams are not defined by location. They are defined by clarity, ownership, communication, and the ability to match the right talent to the right role.

What Great Engineering Talent Looks Like in the AI Era | Nandu Shah | Puzzle Session #16

Is AI Replacing Engineers or Making Them Better? A Real Talk with Nandu Shah In this session of The Talent Pieces Podcast, Carlos Delcid sits down with Nandu Shah, a seasoned technology leader and community builder behind the Atlanta CTO Club, to explore the reality of AI in software engineering and what it actually means for today’s tech teams. Nandu shares his journey from starting to code at just 8 years old to leading a powerful network of CTOs, highlighting the importance of community, trust, and shared experiences in leadership roles that can often feel isolating. They dive deep into the difference between coding and true software engineering, unpacking why building a product goes far beyond writing code—touching on scalability, security, architecture, and user trust. Nandu also breaks down how AI is accelerating development like never before, while emphasizing that product-market fit, creativity, and problem-solving remain the real differentiators. The conversation explores what’s overhyped and underhyped in AI today, including why AI won’t replace engineers anytime soon but will make great engineers even more powerful. They also discuss the rise of “vibe coding,” the importance of documentation and context in AI-driven teams, and why adaptability is the most valuable skill in today’s tech talent. Beyond technology, Nandu shares insights on building high-performing teams, aligning incentives in distributed and nearshore environments, and how CTOs should rethink hiring strategies in the AI era. This episode is a must-listen for tech leaders navigating rapid innovation, engineers looking to stay relevant, and founders building scalable, future-ready teams in an AI-driven world.

AI Won’t Replace People—But It Will Change the Game: Scaling, Talent, and Trust with - Grace Maher

In this episode of The Talent Pieces, Carlos Delcid sits down with Grace Maher, COO of OTR Solutions, to explore how a fintech leader in the freight industry is scaling operations without sacrificing culture, service, or trust.Grace unpacks the evolution of the trucking industry—from paperwork in envelopes to AI-powered fraud detection—and shares how OTR is using technology not to replace people, but to empower them. She explains how their team built one of the highest-retention nearshore programs in their vendor’s portfolio, why culture still wins in a high-AI world, and how servicing—not just selling—drives lasting growth.

Beyond the Buzz: How Startups Should Actually Be Using AI | Walter Ward III | Puzzle Session #14

In this dynamic session of The Talent Pieces, host Carlos A. Delcid welcomes Walter Ward III, CEO of Tiicker, to explore the intersection of AI, leadership, and human talent. Walter shares the origin and mission behind Tiicker—bringing perks and visibility to retail investors—and how the platform is revolutionizing shareholder engagement.But the heart of the episode is a candid, insightful conversation on AI’s real-world impact in startups: how it enhances great teams rather than replaces them, and why judgment, creativity, and experience still matter. Walter introduces his personal AI tools (like “Coach”) and breaks down his philosophy on solving problems—from simple to “blue ocean.” Together, he and Carlos reflect on building high-performing teams in the age of AI and why startup leaders must stay curious, stay hands-on, and use AI to multiply—not substitute—human potential.

Talent, Timing & Tenacity. Startup Success at Venture Atlanta | Allyson Eman and Michael Malakhov

In this session of The Talent Pieces Podcast, Carlos Delcid sits down with Robert Daniel, a fintech catalyst at ATDC, to explore Atlanta’s booming fintech ecosystem and its role as a major global payments hub. Robert shares insights on how Atlanta became a leader in financial technology, the key players shaping the industry, and how initiatives like ATDC and fintech accelerators are nurturing the next wave of innovation.They also dive into the importance of mentorship, fostering a strong startup culture, and how entrepreneurs can position themselves for success in the fintech space. Robert highlights the increasing role of AI in finance, the regulatory challenges that come with financial innovation, and the critical need for cybersecurity in an AI-driven world.Beyond fintech, Robert discusses his passion for comedy and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for founders to take breaks, prioritize mental health, and build strong, mission-driven teams. This conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs looking to navigate the fintech landscape, startup founders seeking funding and mentorship, and business leaders curious about Atlanta’s fintech dominance.