Tech Beyond Gender Talks

Episode 68 - How Lian Passmore Taught Herself AI and Built Real Products in Just 2 Years

What happens when a learning designer with no coding background decides to build AI-powered solutions that put people first?In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Lian Passmore — founder, ethical AI builder, researcher, self-taught developer, and mother of five — to explore her remarkable journey into technology.In just two years, Lian transitioned from organisational learning and facilitation into building AI products designed around care, inclusion, accessibility, and human connection. She shares how curiosity led her to teach herself coding, build conversational AI tools, and develop innovative projects focused on feedback systems, coaching, wellbeing, and family relationships.In this conversation, we explore:🔹 How Lian went from non-technical to building AI products herself🔹 The story behind her first conversational AI project🔹 Building AI coaches and relationship support tools🔹 Why ethics and safety must be designed into AI from the beginning🔹 Māori values and tikanga-led approaches to AI development🔹 AI literacy challenges in regional New Zealand🔹 The opportunities and risks AI creates for women in the workforce🔹 Why now is one of the best times to transition into technology🔹 Advice for women and gender-diverse professionals considering careers in techLian also shares powerful insights on creating technology that serves people, preserving cultural values in AI systems, and ensuring emerging technologies are accessible to communities often left out of the conversation.Whether you're curious about AI, considering a career transition, or interested in building technology that creates positive social impact, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.🎙️ Tech Beyond Gender explores the experiences, challenges, and achievements of women, gender-diverse professionals, and allies in technology, while creating pathways for a more inclusive future.#TechBeyondGender [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/techbeyondgender] #ArtificialIntelligence [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/artificialintelligence] #EthicalAI [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ethicalai] #WomenInTech [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womenintech] #DiversityInTech [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/diversityintech] #MāoriInnovation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/m%C4%81oriinnovation] #Leadership [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadership] #CareerChange [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/careerchange] #Technology [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/technology] #DigitalTransformation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/digitaltransformation] #AI [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ai] #Inclusion [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/inclusion] #TechCareers [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/techcareers] #WomenInLeadership [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womeninleadership] #NewZealandTech [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/newzealandtech] #ConversationalAI [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/conversationalai] #FutureOfWork [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/futureofwork] #Innovation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/innovation] #LianPassmore [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lianpassmore] #TechPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/techpodcast]

Episode 67 - From Craft to Joy: The Truth About Great Mentorship with Sid Kumar

What does it really mean to be a mentor? In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Sid Kumar to explore the art, craft, and joy of mentoring beyond buzzwords and frameworks.With over 25 years of experience across technology, finance, and leadership, Sid shares a refreshing and deeply human perspective on mentorship.In this conversation, we explore:- - Why mentoring is a craft before it becomes an art - The difference between mentoring, coaching, and training - How real mentoring is like a dance not a script - The importance of listening (and why it’s so hard) - How mentoring helps break self-limiting beliefs and invisible barriers - The role of mentoring in creating more inclusive workplaces - Why you should never create a “mini version of yourself” - And the powerful moments where true growth actually happens “It is in that moment… when something clicks… that’s where the joy comes.”

Episode 62 - What Actually Changes After International Women’s Day? - A Panel Discussion

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world every year — but what actually changes once the events are over?In this special Tech Beyond Gender panel conversation, host Meena Satishkumar is joined by returning podcast guests Camy Bhandari, Noor-Un-Nissa Syed, and Amanda Watson to explore the reality behind diversity conversations in the workplace.Together, they discuss the gap between awareness and action, the challenges women continue to face in leadership and technical roles, and what organisations need to do to move beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful change.

Episode 66 - Exec Leader, CEO and Author John Bessey on Resilience, Leadership and Success

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with John Bessey to explore what success really looks like beyond titles, beyond linear career paths, and beyond the highlight reel. In this honest and deeply reflective conversation, we explore: * The reality of starting from scratch and building a career without a clear path * The role of resilience, mindset, and inner work in shaping success * Navigating mental health challenges alongside leadership responsibilities and many more topics! This is not just a story about success, it’s a story about reinvention, self-awareness, and doing the work to become who you are meant to be.

Episode 65: The Future of Software Engineering, AI, & What Really Matters with Jeevan James

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Jeevan James, a strategic technology leader with over 20 years of experience across banking, insurance, and FinTech. Together, they explore how software engineering has evolved from small, agile teams and generalist roles to highly specialised functions and why the industry may now be coming full circle in an AI-driven world. This is not just a conversation about technology. It’s about how the role of engineers is shifting, what skills truly matter, and how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. #TechBeyondGender #MeenaSatishkumar #SoftwareEngineering #AI #FutureOfWork #CareersInTech #WomenInTech #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #TechCareers #EngineeringCulture #Innovation #LearningMindset