César Antonio López Segura, Author of Neural Networks and Adaptive Control
In this episode of the Leanpub Podcast, Len Epp interviews César Antonio López Segura, author of Neural Networks and Adaptive Control: An Online Machine Learning Perspective. They discuss his deep technical background in control theory, his passion for bridging it with modern machine learning, and how adaptive systems can respond intelligently to dynamic environments. César also talks about his experience in independent technical publishing, his approach to making complex AI topics more accessible, and the importance of continuous learning and curiosity in advancing both research and practical applications.
This interview was recorded on October 24, 2025.
The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/FM326-Ce%CC%81sar-Antonio-Lo%CC%81pez-Segura-2025-10-24.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.
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Rich Allen, Author of User Needs Mapping: Aligning Teams Around What Matters
In this Leanpub Podcast episode, host Len Epp interviews Rich Allen, author of User Needs Mapping: Aligning Teams Around What Matters and an independent consultant specialising in socio-technical architecture and team design. With over two decades of experience and a role as a long-serving valued practitioner of the Team Topologies community, Rich brings both hands-on technical depth and organisational insight.
Rich argues that many teams fail not because they don’t try hard, but because they lack clarity on whose needs they’re serving and how their work delivers value. He guides listeners through the essentials of the User Needs Mapping technique: starting with “Who are our users?”, then “What do they need?”, mapping the capabilities and dependencies that fulfil those needs, and finally, aligning team boundaries and responsibilities to deliver that value effectively.
For listeners involved in transformation, product, engineering or team design work, Rich’s insights offer a tangible framework to reduce cognitive load, increase alignment and re-focus effort to what matters most.
This interview was recorded on October 23, 2025.
The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/FM325-Rich-Allen-2025-10-23.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.
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Edward Abramowich, Author of Rethinking Capital Project Delivery
In this episode of the Leanpub Podcast, Len Epp interviews Edward Abramowich, author of Rethinking Capital Project Delivery: Agentic AI–Driven Strategies for the New Era. They discuss why large projects often fail to deliver on time and budget, and how agentic AI - autonomous AI agents that plan, act, and learn - can transform the way complex projects are managed.
Edward explains how agentic AI improves adaptability, risk management, and coordination by acting as a “nervous system” for projects. They explore real-world applications in sectors like energy and infrastructure, cultural and organizational shifts needed for adoption, data integration challenges, and practical first steps for companies beginning their AI journey.
This conversation highlights how early adopters can gain strategic advantages through reduced execution risk and faster responses to change, while project managers evolve toward more strategic and leadership-focused roles.
This interview was recorded on September 18, 2025.
The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/324-Edward-Abramowich-2025-09-18.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.
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Max Guernsey, III, Co-Author of Ready: Why Most Software Projects Fail and How to Fix It
In this Leanpub Podcast episode, Leanpub co-founder Len Epp interviews Max Guernsey, III, co-author of Ready: Why Most Software Projects Fail and How to Fix It and co-founder of Producore.
With nearly 30 years in the software industry, Max shares insights from his diverse career across technologies and domains. He discusses why so many software projects fail - often due to the gap between strategy and execution - and how organizations can address these problems through better alignment and learning.
The conversation explores Max’s work in consulting, his perspective on Agile practices, and his emphasis on creating the conditions for teams to succeed. He highlights how focusing on readiness, rather than rushing to execution, can dramatically improve outcomes. Along the way, Max shares practical advice on building healthier organizations, fostering adaptive learning, and making Agile principles work in practice rather than in theory.
This episode is full of valuable insights for software developers, managers, and leaders who want to understand why failure is so common in projects and how to build the kind of environments where teams can thrive.
This interview was recorded on August 25, 2025.
The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/FM323-Max-Guernsey-III-2025-08-25.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.
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Luniel de Beer, Co-Author of Ready: Why Most Software Projects Fail and How to Fix It
In this episode of the Leanpub Podcast, Len Epp interviews Luniel de Beer, co-author of Ready: Why Most Software Projects Fail and How to Fix It and co-founder of Producore. Luniel explains why so many software projects fail due to poor preparation, misaligned expectations, and weak communication between business and development teams. He shares insights from his book on how to create clarity, resilience, and real value in projects by aligning strategy with execution, strengthening collaboration, and focusing on measurable outcomes. The discussion covers both the pitfalls and practical solutions for teams aiming to consistently deliver successful software.
This interview was recorded on August 25, 2025.
The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/FM322-Luniel-de-Beer-2025-08-25.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.
In Leanpub's Frontmatter podcast, we interview authors and special guests about their lives & careers, their areas of expertise and the issues of the moment, and their experiences as writers. Every episode is deeply researched and covers areas that are equally of human interest, general interest, and professional interest.
New Zealand