Coffee and Bytes is a podcast focused on sharing interesting stories. No fluff.
Every episode I talks with folks from all walks of live that have interesting stories to share. As someone in the world of Tech, there may be some more tech focused and leadership content. But that's not all.
It could be a story of how it all started, could be about a cool toll/company the guest build, could be about something they tried or learned, or something I am super curious about and have no idea how it worms.
My goal is to share interesting chats with all of you.
Former engineer turned executive coach Karla explains how to influence technical teams without relying on formal management authority.
The conversation covers overcoming imposter syndrome while advising senior enterprise directors, dismantling rigid Scrum dogmatism, and building genuine credibility in engineering organizations.
0:04 Welcome to Coffee and Bites
0:46 Carla's Origin Story
4:26 Leaving Engineering for Agility
7:06 Breaking Biases with Tech Credibility
10:58 Agile Mindsets and Cultural Resistance
14:54 Stepping into Executive Coaching
20:53 Vulnerability at the Top
24:46 Unwinding with Crafting Hobbies
28:46 Finding Inspiration Outside Tech
34:44 The Power of Authentic Leadership
40:48 Navigating Certifications & Growth
46:53 The Traffic Analogy of Team Dynamics
49:23 Advice for Aspiring Leaders
50:46 Where to Find Carla & Outro
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📝 Show Notes
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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlamerza/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlamerza/)
Website: https://www.karlamerza.com/ (https://www.karlamerza.com/)
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☕️ Join our Discord Community
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We post our content also in discord, never miss an episode. We also sometimes go live there. Join us there: https://coffeenbytes.com/discord (https://coffeenbytes.com/discord)
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🎙️ Want to be a guest ?
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👉 We do all our recording online. Apply here: https://coffeenbytes.com/guest (https://coffeenbytes.com/guest)
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🎙️ All our Podcast Links:
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https://coffeenbytes.com/ (https://coffeenbytes.com/)
https://x.com/coffee_n_bytes (https://x.com/coffee_n_bytes)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeenbytes (https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeenbytes)
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coffeenbytes/ (https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coffeenbytes/)
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Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaruitiago/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaruitiago/)
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2 Sept 2026
The Hidden Risk of NOT understanding Neurodiversity
Agile coach Anita explores the realities of neurodiversity, ADHD, and team dynamics within software development organizations. She explains why framing ADHD solely as a superpower can backfire, how simple workplace accommodations prevent burnout, and why agile leaders must address management blind spots. Learn actionable advice on fixing dysfunctional engineering teams and creating inclusive corporate environments.
0:00:00 Teaser
0:01:14 Welcome
0:02:25 Anita's Journey into Agile and Neurodiversity
0:05:47 De-stigmatizing ADHD and Superpower Myths
0:10:13 Tech Leadership Blind Spots in Inclusion
0:13:42 The "Slack Robot" and Fast Organization
0:18:41 Workshop Misunderstandings and Terminology
0:25:10 Safe Spaces and Liberating Structures
0:30:49 Balancing Agile Delivery with Burnout Prevention
0:35:50 Resolving Team Friction and Splitting Teams
0:39:17 Creating Neuro-Inclusive Workplaces and Accommodations
0:44:28 Salary Transparency and Job Description Biases
0:52:48 Overcoming Manager Fears and Misconceptions
0:55:00 Navigating Diagnosis and Trusted Resources
1:00:46 Actionable Advice: Treat Grown-ups Like Grown-ups
1:02:28 Final Takeaways and Wrapping Up
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📝 Show Notes
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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitakalmane/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitakalmane/)
====================================
☕️ Join our Discord Community
====================================
We post our content also in discord, never miss an episode. We also sometimes go live there. Join us there: https://coffeenbytes.com/discord (https://coffeenbytes.com/discord)
====================================
🎙️ Want to be a guest ?
====================================
👉 We do all our recording online. Apply here: https://coffeenbytes.com/guest (https://coffeenbytes.com/guest)
====================================
🎙️ All our Podcast Links:
====================================
https://coffeenbytes.com/ (https://coffeenbytes.com/)
https://x.com/coffee_n_bytes (https://x.com/coffee_n_bytes)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeenbytes (https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeenbytes)
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coffeenbytes/ (https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coffeenbytes/)
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Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaruitiago/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaruitiago/)
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19 Aug 2026
How to Work with Data and AI to Improve Doing Business
Most companies talk about becoming data-driven or adopting AI, and few actually improve the business as a result.
Maren Vos joins our Coffee Pod to talk about the practical side of working with data and AI.
how to set up platforms that support the business,
why organizational design (including approaches like Data Mesh) matters
how to avoid the classic dashboard trap, and what it takes to make data truly useful for decision-making and processes.
We also cover the jump from academia to industry, leadership skills, and advice for early-career data professionals.
0:00 Teaser: The Legend of 'Tom'
0:40 Welcome to Coffee & Bites
1:45 From Academia to Industry Data Science
4:47 Early Career Realities: APIs and Programming Stacks
9:53 Demystifying Data Mesh and Data Products
16:50 Hurdles in Decentralization and Shadow IT
24:45 Bronze, Silver, and Gold Data Layers Explained
29:46 Balancing Technical and Leadership Skills
38:04 Common Pitfalls in Building a Data-Driven Culture
47:15 Career Advice for Young Data Professionals
54:01 Final Takeaways and Outro
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📝 Show Notes
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/marenvos/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marenvos/)
Tom meme: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7402599186782638080/
====================================
☕️ Join our Discord Community
====================================
We post our content also in discord, never miss an episode. We also sometimes go live there. Join us there: https://coffeenbytes.com/discord (https://coffeenbytes.com/discord)
====================================
🎙️ Want to be a guest ?
====================================
👉 We do all our recording online. Apply here: https://coffeenbytes.com/guest (https://coffeenbytes.com/guest)
====================================
🎙️ All our Podcast Links:
====================================
https://coffeenbytes.com/ (https://coffeenbytes.com/)
https://x.com/coffee_n_bytes (https://x.com/coffee_n_bytes)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeenbytes (https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeenbytes)
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coffeenbytes/ (https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/coffeenbytes/)
====================================
Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaruitiago/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaruitiago/)
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