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Podcasts & Appearances

Why Software Development Sucks And 7 Mental Models To Help Fix It

In this podcast, Shane Hastie, Lead Editor for Culture & Methods, spoke to Thanos Diacakis about how teams often struggle with software delivery. He proposes a shift in mental models and a four-step framework to systematically improve software development by focusing on bottlenecks, balancing different types of work beyond just feature delivery, and investing 20-30% of effort in improving how the team works.
 

Surviving the Software Apocalypse, - AI, Agile and Good Engineering

On Data Driven, Thanos Diacakis joins Frank La Vigne, Andy Leonard, and AI BAILeY to discuss AI’s impact on software engineering. They cover the risks of “vibe coding,” shifting bottlenecks, and why fundamentals still matter. Thanos shares his seven mental models, strategies for working with AI tools, and insights on balancing efficiency while keeping teams sane and productive.

 

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The feature factory trap when output doesn't equal progress

  • Why planning more often leads to less progress

  • What non-technical leaders need to ask their tech teams

  • How to find your team’s bottleneck (and why that changes over time)

  • The 4 stages of becoming a high-velocity software team

If you’re a founder, product leader, or innovation exec frustrated by slow progress, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to course-correct.

 

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Better Engineering Teams

Thanos shares lessons from startups on scaling teams, debunks myths about productivity, and introduces his ABCD framework. He discusses balancing work types, avoiding burnout, and rediscovering joy in software, while also sharing personal favorites and advice. Ideal for startup founders, engineering leaders, and anyone interested in team health and software delivery.

 

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Story of a fractional CTO

Thanos shared insights on improving software delivery and balancing work with personal life. He highlighted the flexibility and value of a fractional CTO business, lessons from scaling Uber’s bikes and scooters, and the importance of cross-pollinating ideas from different clients.

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Scaling Startups & Tackling Tech Debt

In this episode of TBCY (The Brand Called You), Ashutosh Garg talks to Thanos Diacakis—Software Delivery Coach, Fractional CTO, and holder of seven software patents—about the critical factors behind engineering success in startups and scaleups. Thanos shares candid insights on managing tech debt, aligning technology with business outcomes, scaling engineering teams, navigating the build vs. buy dilemma, and fostering a strong company culture, especially in the age of AI.

 

Ditch the Ticket Factory Mentality

Dive into the secrets of building high-performing, happy engineering teams with Thanos Diacakis, a fractional CTO and engineering coach with over 25 years of experience.
 

Will AI Snap That?

A sharp, funny, and insightful podcast exploring the chaotic intersection of AI and real-world impact. Hosts Thanos and Rollins dig into the hype and hard truths of artificial intelligence—covering everything from bugs in production to whether AI will replace teachers, coders, or even God. Featuring spirited debates, expert guests, and a healthy dose of skepticism, this show cuts through the buzzwords to uncover how AI is really changing work, creativity, and society.

 

Business Lessons From Uber

In this podcast episode of Entrepreneurship Lab, my guest is Thanos Diacakis, a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of experience in optimizing software development and engineering teams for startups and high-growth companies.

Engineering Culture, Operational Excellence & Designing for Scale

In this session, we explore lessons on engineering culture and operational excellence across experiences from large companies to startups with Shibani Sanan (CTO @ Ladder), Rakesh Rajan (VPE @ Rippling) & Thanos Diacakis (Software Engineering Effectiveness Coach & Technical Leader @ Cosmic Teacups)!

They’ll share insights on scaling systems and platform strategy to encourage speed, innovation and to minimize dependencies. Plus perspectives on shaping culture for engineering and operational excellence covering expectations for managers, production operational reviews, rewarding excellence, prioritization and more.

 

Architecting for Ambiguity

We write software for an uncertain world. From agile development to progressive delivery, we've built software delivery practices around the assumption that we'll build the wrong thing and we'll build it wrong. So we optimize for fast feedback and adjust on the fly. But how do you architect a system if you're not sure what you're building?
 
In this fireside chat, CircleCI CTO Rob Zuber will explore the role of architecture in the face of ambiguity–from identifying the things you do know to designing systems centered around change. With a focus on deeply understanding your domain and your business, this chat will venture into DDD, system evolution, technology choices, and how to put your energy into the most impactful decisions.