The CollabTalk Podcast

For this episode, I spoke with Jay Mellon, the co-founder and owner of AtNetPlus, a top-ranked MSP serving SMBs across Northeast Ohio and South Carolina, about the evolution of MSPs and the small to mid-sized companies they serve, and how AI, security and collaboration are driving this evolution. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Michal Pisarek, a 7-time Microsoft MVP, and the CEO and co-founder of Orchestry Software. We discuss how AI is changing the Microsoft partner/ISV landscape—and why governance work has become AI readiness work overnight. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Peter Ward, a fellow Microsoft MVP and CEO of NYC-based SoHo Dragon, on the growing gap between what organizations see in Microsoft Copilot demos and what is actually available through their existing licenses. We explore how licensing complexity can impact adoption, create unrealistic expectations, and even lead to an emerging divide between AI-enabled employees and everyone else. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Kipp Sorensen, an Executive and Leadership Coach, the founder of Soren Innovations, and creator of the LEAD Stronger framework, on the tendency of companies to invest in tools and processes, but underinvest in the people leading their teams, and how that impacts your long-term success. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Stuart Webb, a former research virologist turned business transformation strategist and advisor, on using science-based scaling to run controlled experiments, update your business plan of record, and use the PATH framework to grow without chaos. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Ghazenfer Mansoor, Founder & CEO of Technology Rivers in Reston, Virginia, on why so many technology projects fail, and what leaders can do when a promising initiative begins to unravel. This discussion explores the warning signs of failing tech projects, the common root causes behind them, and practical strategies for diagnosing problems, realigning teams, and deciding whether to rescue, pivot, or walk away. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with David McCarter (@realDotNetDave), Software Architect, Code Quality Zar, and purveyor of DotNetTips.com, to discuss automation anxiety and what AI really means for jobs, pushing back on headline-grabbing predictions that overshoot both timelines and adoption reality. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Sean McDonough (@spmcdonough from Smarter Consulting and Geoff Varosky (@gvaro) from Insight on the latest SharePoint updates from the Microsoft Ignite 2025 conference in San Francisco, sharing announcements around Microsoft Agent 365, work IQ, and updates to Copilot, SharePoint, and more! You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/2025/11/collabtalk-podcast-episode-182-with-sean-mcdonough-and-geoff-varosky/

For this episode, I spoke with Andrew Amann (@andrewamann), CEO of NineTwoThree AI Studio, an award-winning AI consulting and product development agency on how to prove ROI, avoid hype, and implement practical, value-driven AI. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Mark Kashman (@mkashman), a 20-year Microsoft veteran and CEO of KashBox LLC, on why the work you do to build and support your company intranet (most likely on SharePoint) never really ends, and why that may not be a bad thing. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Mark Donnigan (@MarklDonnigan1), CMO and GTM Consultant for Growth Stage Marketing, providing a complete B2B marketing engine to growth stage companies, on how AI is helping small companies scale, outmaneuver, and outperform their larger competitors. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with Vol Goloshuk (@VGoloshuk), CEO of AI Champ, a platform that connects world-class remote talent with world-class opportunities, on how AI is transforming the hiring process by dramatically reducing recruitment timelines while raising new questions about quality and fairness. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with David McCarter (@realDotNetDave), Software Architect, Code Quality Zar, and purveyor of DotNetTips.com, to discuss the misconceptions surrounding veteran engineers, and why and how youth-obsessed companies are failing to leverage their most experienced employees. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/

For this episode, I spoke with David Weiss (@davidweiss), Founder & CEO of Axiom Industries, to discuss how AI-powered executive coaching is redefining leadership development. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/05/collabtalk-podcast-episode-176-with-david-weiss/

For this episode, I spoke with Dr. Darren Pulsipher (@darrenpulsipher), the Chief Solution Architect for Public Sector at Intel, on the details of digital transformation through the lens of people, process, and technology, featuring a six-pillar framework and strategies for organizational success. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/05/collabtalk-podcast-episode-175-with-darren-pulsipher/

For this episode, I provided Geoff Varosky, Sr. Architect at Insight, a lively recap of Microsoft 365 Conference news. We explored Copilot innovations, SharePoint updates, AI governance tools, and Microsoft's evolving collaboration ecosystem. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/05/collabtalk-podcast-episode-174-with-geoff-varosky/

For this episode, I spoke with Kevin Monahan, General Manager at ESPC, on how major tech events like ESPC drive year-round community engagement by adapting to evolving technologies, expanding focus areas, and creating lasting content beyond the conference stage. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/05/collabtalk-podcast-episode-173-with-kevin-monahan/

For this episode, I spoke with Tatyana Gao, Founder of Monada Coaching & Consulting, a company focused on helping people and organizations all over the world to thrive through conscious leadership, on how conscious leadership rooted in self-awareness and emotional intelligence can transform your leadership style and team culture for long-term success. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/04/collabtalk-podcast-episode-172-with-tatyana-gao/

For this episode, I spoke with Shari Oswald, Founder of PowerUP! Learning, and Sharon Weaver, CEO of Smarter Consulting, on the Future of Content Creation with AI, recorded at the Comms vNext event in Denver, Colorado on April 16th, 2025. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/04/collabtalk-podcast-episode-171-with-shari-oswald-and-sharon-weaver/

For this episode, I spoke with Dominik Wittenbeck, Group CTO at SNP, a global leader in SAP transformation solutions, on how true interoperability enables better collaboration through flexible systems, AI-enhanced workflows, and people-first transformation strategies. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/04/collabtalk-podcast-episode-170-with-dominik-wittenbeck/

For this episode, I spoke with Justin Slagle (@JustinSlagle), Chief Executive Officer of The Partner Masters, on mastering Microsoft’s partner ecosystem with expert advice on sales models, global expansion, and building sustainable partnerships. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/04/collabtalk-podcast-episode-169-with-justin-slagle/

For this episode, I spoke with Joel Oleson (@JoelOleson), Microsoft Regional Director (RD) and Staff Enterprise Architect at Sony Interactive Entertainment, on his travels to all 195 recognized countries on the planet, and how modern work and collaboration differ across cultures. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/03/collabtalk-podcast-episode-168-with-joel-oleson/

For this episode, I spoke with Zack Oliva (@OLIVAGIBBSLLP), Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Oliva Gibbs LLP, on the the foundations of business expansion, including sustainable growth strategies, team-building, process optimization, and leveraging technology for scalability. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/03/collabtalk-podcast-episode-167-with-zack-oliva/ Release date: 13 March 2025

For this episode, I spoke with Michael Gannotti (@gannotti), a Principal Solutions Architect at Microsoft, on how AI, particularly Microsoft Copilot, is redefining workplace productivity by automating tasks, enhancing collaboration, and transforming business processes. We also discuss real-world impacts of AI adoption, integration with Microsoft 365 tools, and the challenges of trust, compliance, and digital upskilling in an AI-powered workplace. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/03/collabtalk-podcast-episode-166-with-michael-gannotti/

For this episode, I spoke with Sean McDonough (@spmcdonough from Akumina and Geoff Varosky (@gvaro) from Insight on the latest SharePoint updates, the March SharePoint Hackathon, Microsoft 365 Copilot enhancements, and new features in Teams, Lists, and SPFx. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/03/collabtalk-podcast-episode-165-with-sean-mcdonough-and-geoff-varosky/

For this episode, I spoke with Kevin Eikenberry (@KevinEikenberry), Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, on how adaptable leaders thrive in uncertainty by developing flexibility, refining decision-making, and leveraging communication strategies to navigate change effectively. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/02/collabtalk-podcast-episode-164-with-kevin-eikenberry/

For this episode, I spoke with Micah Remley (@robinpowered), CEO of Robin, a leading workplace management platform revolutionizing hybrid work, on how hybrid work is reshaping workplace culture, employee expectations, and office functionality. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/02/collabtalk-podcast-episode-163-with-micah-remley/

For this episode, I outline my nine-part strategy for ensuring secure, efficient, and compliant collaboration within Microsoft 365 environments (and any other IT or business system). Listeners will gain practical insights into building scalable governance frameworks that balance business productivity with security, operational control, and evolving industry standards. You can find more information at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/02/ollabtalk-podcast-episode-162-on-building-a-m365-governance-framework/

For this episode, I spoke with Chris McNulty (@cmcnulty2000), Chief Marketing Officer at Synozur Alliance, on the business value of SharePoint Premium, highlighting its advanced content management, automation, and security features. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/02/ollabtalk-podcast-episode-161-with-chris-mcnulty/

For this episode, I'm exploring why most companies fail at feedback by lacking clear processes, failing to act on input, and overcomplicating collection methods, while also highlighting best practices for building scalable, repeatable mechanisms that create lasting impact. You can find more information at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/01/collabtalk-podcast-episode-160-on-stakeholder-engagement-and-scalable-feedback/

For this episode, I spoke with David Pileggi Jr. (@DavidPileggi), an occasional actor, content creator, and Sr. SharePoint Engineer at Staples, on how humor in the workplace can help you to build trust, drive engagement, and create a healthy company culture. You can find more information about my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/01/collabtalk-podcast-episode-159-with-david-pileggi-jr/

For this episode, I spoke with Jodie Zerega (@jodie_zerega), Founder and Managing Director of Zerega Consulting, on how AI is transforming recruitment with innovative tools that streamline hiring, enhance candidate experiences, and reshape the future of talent acquisition. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/01/collabtalk-podcast-episode-158-with-jodie-zerega/

For this episode, I spoke with Kirsty McGrath (@KirstyMcGrath13), Managing Director at OnPoint Solutions, on how Microsoft Copilot is transforming personal and team productivity by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing creativity, and streamlining workflows in tools like Word, Excel, and Teams. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/01/ollabtalk-podcast-episode-157-with-kirsty-mcgrath/

For this episode, I spoke with Michael Meehan (/in/meehanmichaelj/), General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Howso, on how intellectual property (IP) serves as a cornerstone for innovation and competitive strategy in the modern business landscape, and its critical role in fostering sustainable business growth. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2025/01/collabtalk-podcast-episode-156-with-michael-meehan/

For this episode, I spoke with Norm Young (@stormin_30), a Microsoft MVP, and Power Platform Solutions Architect at AvePoint, on key announcements from the recent Microsoft Ignite Conference in Chicago, including Copilot and the Power Platform. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/12/collabtalk-podcast-episode-155-with-norm-young/

For this episode, I spoke with Galen Keene, CEO of Lion Tech Consulting, and Shari Oswald, MVP, MCT, and CEO of PowerUp! Learning, on their in-person takeaways from the Microsoft Ignite 2024 conference last month in Chicago. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/12/collabtalk-podcast-episode-153-with-galen-keene-and-shari-oswald/

For this episode, I spoke with Hussein Hallak (/IN/husseinhallak/), the Founder and CEO of Next Decentrum, on how AI and immersive technologies such as AR and VR are transforming business and education through sophisticated gamification strategies. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/12/collabtalk-podcast-episode-154-with-hussein-hallak/

For this episode, we focused on insights and announcements from Microsoft Ignite 2024, exploring the evolving role of AI in business productivity, new tools in Microsoft 365, and updates in Azure services. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/11/collabtalk-podcast-episode-152-with-sean-mcdonough-and-geoff-varosky/

For this episode, I'm exploring the growing challenge of digital debt—technical inefficiencies that hinder workplace productivity—and how organizations can harness the power of AI to overcome these obstacles. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/11/collabtalk-podcast-episode-151-on-overcoming-digital-debt-with-ai/

For this episode, I spoke with Ryan Chute (@wizardryanchute), an Entrepreneur, Marketer, and Partner with Wizard of Ads, a marketing services company, on the importance of persuasive communication in building stronger brands and teams, and the core principles of persuasion with techniques for crafting compelling messages. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/11/collabtalk-podcast-episode-150-with-ryan-chute/

For this episode, I spoke with Shari Oswald (@shortcutshari), Owner and Principal of PowerUp! Learning, on what workplace productivity means in today’s evolving digital landscape, and how technology, especially Microsoft tools like Microsoft 365 and Power Platform, plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity at the individual, team, and organizational levels. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/11/collabtalk-podcast-episode-149-with-shari-oswald/

For this episode, I spoke with Josh Bloomfield (@bloomfieldj), Founder and CEO of Givecloud, on the evolution of fundraising, focusing on the digital transformation of donor engagement and the rise of community-driven models. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/10/collabtalk-podcast-episode-148-with-josh-bloomfield/

For this episode, I joined fellow MVPs Abdul Kazi (@abdulkazi) and Chris Gill (@cgill) as a guest on their Come Cloud With Us (@ComeCloudWithUs) livestream to share guidance on what it means to create a scalable governance framework for managing Microsoft 365. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/10/collabtalk-podcast-episode-147-on-creating-a-m365-governance-framework/

For this episode, I spoke with Norm Young (@stormin_30), a Microsoft MVP, and Power Platform Solutions Architect at AvePoint, on key announcements from the recent Power Platform Community Conference in Las Vegas, including Copilot Agents and Power Apps Plan Designer. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/10/collabtalk-podcast-episode-146-with-norm-young/

For this episode, I spoke with fellow MVP Sean McDonough (@spmcdonough) and Geoff Varosky (@gvaro), on the latest Microsoft News from the recent Power Platform Community Conference (PPCC), including updates on Delve end-of-life, Copilot Agents, Office 2024, and more! You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/10/ollabtalk-podcast-episode-145-with-sean-mcdonough-and-geoff-varosky/

For this episode, I'm exploring how integrating storytelling into internal communications can transform a company's culture, inspire employee engagement, and better align…. everyone. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/10/collabtalk-podcast-episode-144-on-better-internal-storytelling/

For this episode, I spoke with Artug Acar, Chief Operating Officer at Mercury, on the strategic approaches organizations can take to successfully adopt new technologies and drive meaningful business transformation. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/09/collabtalk-podcast-episode-143-with-artug-acar/

For this episode, I spoke with Matt Strippelhoff (@RedHawkTech), Partner and CEO of Red Hawk Technologies, on the impact of artificial intelligence on the software development lifecycle, and the balance between technology and talent. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at http://buckleyplanet.com/2024/09/collabtalk-podcast-episode-142-with-matt-strippelhoff/

For this episode, I wanted to provide an introduction of my weekly livestream series, Project Failure Files, which simulcasts across the various social channels every Monday morning at 9am Pacific. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/09/collabtalk-podcast-episode-141-on-project-failure-files/

For this episode, I spoke with Kristy Hissa (@MeetKairos), General Manager at Kairos, on the need to overhaul the way we conduct meetings to drive efficiency and better collaboration. You can find more information on my guest on my blog at https://buckleyplanet.com/2024/09/collabtalk-podcast-episode-140-with-kristy-hissa/