The QTS Experience
The most valuable commodity on earth today is data. How we make it, use it, move it & protect it. Join David McCall as he invites guests from all industries to talk about how they use data to drive their business & innovation in their market.
Episodes
I sat down with Uptime Institute’s Rose Weinschenk – a former psychology researcher turned data-center truth-teller. Rose brings a rare talent: understanding the humans behind the hardware. We dig into how people actually behave in high-stakes environments, why mentorship still matters, the trouble with poaching, and what it really takes to build trust in an AI-powered future. It’s thoughtful, nerdy, and full of moments that make y...
Structural engineer Kurt Lindorfer joins the QTS Experience to explore what happens when design goes beyond the code. From intelligent structures and base isolation to hula-dancing data centers, we blend serious seismic insight with humor—because protecting billions in data deserves a little swagger.
Ep232: Manja Thessin: Densification Drama– Fiber Highways to AI Superhighways; Squeeze in More Chaos
Join me as Manja Thessin from AFL dives into the wild world of data center densification–think packing 10x more fiber into racks without turning techs into contortionists. We geek out on AI's fiber frenzy, modular magic, and why spreadsheets are so last decade. Buckle up for this eye-opening chat!
Guest Links
Manja Thessin's LinkedIn Profile: (31) Manja Thessin, RCDD, RTPM | LinkedIn
Company Website (AFL): https://www.aflglobal.com...
Joe Rozza joins me to explore how passion, purpose, and practical sustainability collide. From Florida’s drainage ditches to corporate water stewardship, we dig into resilience, governance, and how real business value flows when companies stop treating sustainability like a side project. Dive in—this one’s deep.
External ReferencesBrent Trenga joins me to spill on why construction is stuck in the Stone Age while we run space-age data centers. We geek out on circular economies, ethical capitalism, and why data centers should be built like Legos—easy to snap together, just as easy to snap apart—so growth and reuse don’t come with carbon regret. Tune in for laughs and lightbulb moments!
References to Studies, Reports, Data, or External Agencies
I've got Luke Saladyga sharing his wild ride from nukes on subs to hyperscale data centers at Google and now Oracle. We dive into operational maturity, high availability nines, and why curiosity beats repetition every time – because who wants boring when you can automate the chaos?
Studies, References, and External Mentions
- Myers-Briggs personality test (referenced in leadership course): https://www.myersbriggs.org/
- Open Compu...
Sustainability in data centers boils down to slashing carbon footprints and waste—think Lean Six Sigma magic and robotic automation. I geek out with Joel Chakkalakal on decommissioning hacks, circular economies, and why ops folks deserve a seat at the design table. Let's make our industry greener, one velcro trace at a time!
Studies, References, Data, or External Agencies
- Lean Six Sigma: https://www.asq.org/quality-resources/...
He went from pouring pints to powering platforms—and once dreamed of being the next great Irish basketball star (don’t we all). Cathal Quinn and I discuss big builds, mental health, and why Ireland is still punching above its digital weight class.
Referenced Reports / Concepts
- FLAP-D: Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin as major European DC hubs
- Compound growth of the EU data center market: Estimated 15–20% YoY over 3–...
Sean James spills on sustainable tech, smart designs, and why flops spark wins. Plus, how to hired by a Hyperscale in 3 easy steps—proof nice guys finish first! Join me for a hilarious, eye-opening chat!
References
Duke University Study: Duke University's Energy Initiative. https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/publications/rethinking-load-growth.pdf Don Saddaway (MIT): TED Talk. https://youtu.be/Sddb0Khx0yA?si=NM...
What do you get when you mix solar panels, shipping containers, and sheer willpower? A data center in the wild. Dagi Berhane joins me to talk trust, technology, and why availability should come before sustainability. Also, what happens when your cloud has no internet? (Spoiler: Dagi builds one.)
Guest Links- Dagi Berhane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagi-berhane/
- Salesforce Website: https://www.salesforce.com/
What do AI, energy, and rural America have in common? Everything. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak joins me to talk about working together—across communities, industries, and the aisle—to tackle tough challenges with common sense and shared purpose, from Wahpeton to Washington.
Guest Info Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak – U.S. House of Representatives: https://fedorchak.house.gov
References & Mentions
What if we stopped asking “what’s left?” and started asking “what’s possible?” In this episode, JP Buzzell helps us shake off the doom and gloom with a fresh take on what’s next for power, AI, and the people building the future. He’s all about big ideas, smart grids, and working together to get things done. If you’re tired of hearing “that’ll never work,” this one’s for you. Optimism is on the table—and it might just power the next...
David McCall sits down with John Coster, the master electrician turned systems thinker, to explore why AI might break your systems — and why your best defense is a little philosophy, a lot of collaboration, and maybe a good spreadsheet. Expect humor, reflection, and big questions about human flourishing.
AI is learning, growing, and optimizing our world—but can it make a proper peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Jim Gao joins David McCall to discuss how AI went from winning board games to optimizing data centers, why trusting AI is like supervising an intern, and how data centers might just become the next big "player" in AI’s game of efficiency.
Guest Links
Jim Gao’s Company (Phaidra): https://www.phaidra.ai/
Jim Gao on LinkedIn: ...
AI isn’t coming for your job—but it might take the boring parts! Carrie Goetz joins David McCall to talk about mentorship, career opportunities in tech, and how to make AI work for us (instead of the other way around). Plus, why data centers are the best-kept secret in the job market and how one simple trick can clean up your social media feed.
Guest Links:
Carrie Goetz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriegoetz/
How do we transform conflict into peace? Dr. Paul Root Wolpe returns to discuss his mission to make Atlanta a global hub for conflict resolution. Can AI help in this process? Maybe—but should we trust it blindly? Probably not. This episode unpacks the balance between technology and human connection. Plus, Dave investigates Dr. Wolpe’s suspiciously youthful appearance.
- Dr. Paul Root Wolpe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in...
Dan Crosby sheds light on the exciting world of data center power, exploring innovative solutions for a sustainable future. Discover how microgrids, strategic partnerships, and a touch of optimism can power the data centers of tomorrow!
- Dan Crosby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-crosby-a58a3212/
- Legend Energy Advisors: https://legendenergyadvisors.com/
Craig Pennington takes us on a journey from adventures with the Royal Air Force to rethinking data centers for AI environments. Tune in for GPU gossip, liquid cooling confessions, and why collaboration might just save us all! This episode is as electrifying as a 130-kilowatt cabinet!
David McCall, Christine King, and Chris Lohse dive into nuclear power’s pivotal role in meeting rising energy demand and decarbonization goals. They explore AI-driven challenges, grid reliability, SMRs, microreactors, energy justice, and policy hurdles. Spoiler: even gummy bears find their way into this electrifying discussion on resilience and innovation.
Christine King: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-king-engineer/ Chris...
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