What The Tech Podcast (AU)
A weekly Australian podcast where two tech insiders interview industry leaders to explain how AI is practically changing business, design, and software.
This is a co-hosted interview show that bridges the gap between high-level tech news and on-the-ground application. The hosts bring in senior experts—design heads, solutions architects, CEOs—to explain the 'how' and 'why' behind AI's impact on their specific domains. A recurring theme is Australia's place in the global tech landscape and the need for sovereign capability, making it as much about industry analysis as it is about technology.
“Its key differentiator is the combination of a specific Australian focus with access to high-caliber guests from major global and local tech companies. The two-host format, with one often asking broad, conceptual questions and the other adding technical context, provides a well-rounded and accessible perspective.”
Who hosts this show
Hosted by technologists Vivienne Mutembwa and René Essomba, What The Tech Podcast (AU) breaks down how artificial intelligence and modern technology are actually being built and used. Through interviews with founders, operators, and builders from companies like Canva, Supabase, and Microsoft, the show moves beyond the hype to offer real-world insights. It focuses heavily on the Australian tech ecosystem, exploring topics like data sovereignty, AI adoption, and building a local tech capability.
Credentials & credits
- Vivienne Mutembwa: Consultant in Cyber Security, Governance, Risk and Compliance; B.Comm in Economics; B.Comm Honours in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management.
- René Essomba: Analytics professional; academic background in Mathematics, Statistics & Actuarial Studies.
What kind of podcast
- Country
- Australia
- Region
- anz
When new episodes drop
- 01AI Is Changing Software Development — But There’s a Catch w/ Gerardo EstabaMay 11, 2026 · 1h 13m
- 02Who Owns Your Data in the AI Era? w/ Dr. Sue KeayApr 6, 2026 · 57 min
- 03How AI Shapes Product Design w/ Christina JonesFeb 26, 2026 · 50 min
- 04Australia versus Big Tech w/ Dave LemphersJan 26, 2026 · 56 min
- 05Cisco Live Melbourne Exec Interview w/ Julie Canepa (Part 2)Dec 3, 2025 · 25 min
- 06Cisco Live Melbourne Exec Interview w/ Mary De Wysocki (Part 1)Nov 30, 2025 · 25 min
- 07Securing the Modern Workplace: Cisco's Adaptive Access StrategyNov 29, 2025 · 3 min
- 08AI-Driven Data Engineering w/ Christopher Simusokwe (S1-E10)Nov 1, 2025 · 53 min
Notable episodes
- 01Australia versus Big Tech w/ Dave Lemphers
This episode perfectly encapsulates the show's core thesis about the need for Australia to build its own foundational AI, making a strong case for technological sovereignty.
- 02How AI Shapes Product Design w/ Christina Jones
A great example of the show's ability to connect high-level AI concepts to a specific, creative profession, featuring the Head of GenAI Design from a major tech company (Canva).
- 03Who Owns Your Data in the AI Era? w/ Dr. Sue Keay
Highlights the podcast's engagement with policy and national strategy, featuring a leading voice in Australia's AI ecosystem discussing data ownership and regulation.
What you'll be asked on this show
Vivienne Mutembwa and René Essomba use a conversational, two-on-one format. Vivienne typically opens with broad, framing questions about industry trends, definitions, or the guest's motivations. René often follows up with more technical or clarifying questions, adding another layer to the discussion. They are well-researched, providing detailed guest introductions that highlight specific career achievements. They skillfully use a guest's role (e.g., Head of Design at Canva) to anchor abstract discussions in concrete examples, moving the conversation from high-level concepts (e.g., 'What is Australian-made AI?') to specific, practical advice (e.g., 'What habits help you stay inspired?').
The show follows a two-on-one interview format with hosts Vivienne Mutembwa and René Essomba. They provide detailed, formal introductions for each guest, establishing their credibility and expertise. The conversation is guided by broad, open-ended questions that allow the expert to elaborate, with the hosts often framing questions by summarizing public discourse before asking for a grounded take.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
13 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
industry
2- Q.01
“What are you actually seeing on the ground in Australia regarding AI adoption?”
This opening question grounds the conversation in the local context and cuts through global hype.
- Q.02
“Why is it time for Australia to build its own AI capability?”
This question directly addresses the show's recurring theme of technological sovereignty.
craft
1- Q.01
“How do you define [your field] today, and how has that definition evolved with AI?”
Used early to establish a baseline understanding of the guest's domain in the current AI landscape.
process
2- Q.01
“What distinguishes organizations that get measurable outcomes from those stuck in pilots?”
Probes for the key success factors and differentiators in successful technology implementation.
- Q.02
“When building a real AI product, what actually matters beyond the model itself?”
Focuses the discussion on the practical, often overlooked aspects of product development and execution.
controversy
3- Q.01
“What's one belief the tech industry has about AI that you think is wrong?”
A signature question designed to elicit a contrarian or expert opinion that challenges common narratives.
- Q.02
“What's your take on the public view that AI will have a negative impact on jobs?”
The hosts frequently tackle this common public concern, asking guests to weigh in from their perspective.
- Q.03
“What ethical or social questions should we be asking about AI?”
This question shifts the focus to the broader societal implications of the technology being discussed.
future
3- Q.01
“Are we shifting from craftsmanship to curation as AI is integrated into the process?”
Explores how AI is changing the fundamental nature of professional roles and skills.
- Q.02
“What needs to change in the education system to support the future of AI?”
Asks guests to look ahead and propose solutions for future-proofing the workforce.
- Q.03
“What excites and worries you most about the future of your field and AI?”
A forward-looking question that captures both the optimism and apprehension surrounding AI's trajectory.
advice
2- Q.01
“What's one thing you know now that you wish you knew earlier in your career?”
A classic closing question used to elicit personal reflection and actionable advice for listeners.
- Q.02
“What habits or rituals help you stay inspired and maintain your creative edge?”
This question seeks personal, practical advice for listeners looking to improve their own work habits.
Signature segments
- · Branded intro/outro sequence
- · Direct-to-camera host segment asking viewers to like and subscribe
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
The podcast books senior leaders and experts with direct, hands-on experience building or implementing technology. Guests are typically directors, heads of departments, CEOs, or founders from companies like Canva, Supabase, and Cisco, or academic leaders in the AI field.
- Gerardo Estabaon AI Is Changing Software Development — But There’s a Catch w/ Gerardo Estaba
- Dr. Sue Keayon Who Owns Your Data in the AI Era? w/ Dr. Sue Keay
- Christina (CJ) Joneson How AI Shapes Product Design w/ Christina Jones
- Dave Lempherson Australia versus Big Tech w/ Dave Lemphers
- Julie Canepaon Cisco Live Melbourne Exec Interview w/ Julie Canepa (Part 2)
- Christopher Simusokweon AI-Driven Data Engineering w/ Christopher Simusokwe (S1-E10)
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
Based on observed sponsorships like 'Paperwork', the show appears to target B2B technology and enterprise software companies, especially those focused on AI, software development, and cybersecurity.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- Who are the hosts of What The Tech Podcast (AU)?
- The podcast is hosted by Vivienne Mutembwa, a cybersecurity and risk consultant, and René Essomba, an analytics and statistics professional.
- What is the format of the podcast?
- It is a weekly interview show where the two hosts have a conversation with a single expert guest from the tech industry.
- Is the podcast still running?
- Yes, based on the episode publication dates from 2026, the podcast is currently active and releases episodes on a weekly cadence.
- What topics does the podcast focus on?
- The show primarily focuses on the practical application and impact of AI on industries like software development and design, with a strong emphasis on the Australian tech landscape, data sovereignty, and AI ethics.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and has an official Substack for newsletters and updates.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]What The Tech (AU) | Substackwhatthetechau.substack.com
- [02]About - What The Tech (AU)whatthetechau.substack.com
- [03]What The Tech Podcast (AU) - YouTube Channelyoutube.com
- [04]What The Tech Podcast (AU) on Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
- [05]Host background: Vivienne Mutembwawomeninbusiness.com.au
- [06]Host background: Rene Essombadatascienceplus.com
- [07]YouTube Episode confirming hostsyoutube.com
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