Andrew Connell - Good (AI Coding) Vibrations
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
In this episode, Chris McNulty interviews Andrew Connell about AI-assisted software development, vibe coding, and the future of AI in enterprise tech. They explore the current state of Microsoft's AI strategies, the risks and opportunities of vibe coding, and practical applications of AI tools in development workflows. Action items Explore AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT for development workflows Consider the fragmentation in Microsoft's AI tools and advocate for cohesion Use AI for SEO and content optimization to improve visibility Leverage AI as a collaborative partner for ideation...
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Inside Microsoft 365 E7, Or, How Four Equals Seven
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode of Polaris, we explore Microsoft’s game-changing March 2026 announcements – including the Microsoft 365 E7 “Frontier Suite,” Agent 365 for AI governance, and the new Copilot Cowork capability – and unpack what these innovations mean for business and technology leaders navigating the AI-powered future. Key Takeaways Microsoft 365 E7 (“Frontier Suite”): Microsoft introduced Microsoft 365 E7, the...
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AI in 2026: A Trillion Dollars Is Coming. Who’s Going to Win It?
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. The Synozur 2026 AI Report lands with a clear verdict: the global AI market is on a path to $944 billion by 2030 — but most organizations are stuck in the middle, scoring just 260 out of 500 on AI maturity, while a small group of leaders pull decisively ahead. Takeaways The AI market is enormous — and the range of estimates tells you everything. Global AI spend in 2026 is projected anywhere from $244 billion to $2 trillion,...
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Never Sit in the Lobby: Glenn Poulos on Sales, Startups, and Survival
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Glenn Poulos, co-founder of Gap Wireless and author of Never Sit in the Lobby, shares how he built and sold multiple businesses across three decades, reveals why face-to-face relationships still matter in the AI age, and explains how mid-market companies can leverage technology without losing their human touch. Takeaways Fear of poverty drives action more than fear of failure – Glenn's entrepreneurial journey started when his...
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Copilot, Culture & the Cloud: 2025 at Synozur
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Four Synozur leaders - Michelle Boyd, Michelle Caldwell, Joshua Christensen & Shari Oswald – join Chris McNulty on a special holiday edition of Polaris to reflect on 2025's seismic shifts in AI, the gap between technology and organizational maturity, and why 2026 will separate those who merely adopted tools from those who fundamentally transformed how work gets done. KEY TAKEAWAYS Agentic AI arrived in force in...
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Larry Namer: The Kid from Coney Island Who Invented Modern TV
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Summary Larry Namer, co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, shares his remarkable journey with Chris McNulty on Polaris - from working underground installing cables in Manhattan to building a multi-billion-dollar global media empire that transformed celebrity culture, pioneered red carpet coverage, and expanded entertainment across 140 countries—plus his insights on AI, thinking globally, and why passion alone isn't always...
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Humanity as a Strategy - Ed DeAngelis
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty interviews Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, who shares his journey of transforming a roofing company into a leader in the construction industry through a focus on servant leadership and a people-first approach. Ed discusses the challenges faced in the construction sector, the importance of creating a win-win culture, and how humanity plays a crucial role in business success. He...
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Microsoft Ignite 2025 - Day One News on Copilot and M365
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty discusses the latest innovations announced at Microsoft's Ignite conference, focusing on AI advancements in Microsoft 365. Key topics include the introduction of Work IQ, the centralized management platform Agent 365, new features in Office apps, enhancements in Outlook for AI powered scheduling, and the role of SharePoint in AI-driven collaboration. The episode also highlights the...
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On Point with SharePoint - Adam Harmetz
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty speaks with Adam Harmetz, Corporate Vice President for SharePoint at Microsoft. They discuss Adam's career journey, and the significant role of AI in knowledge management. The conversation delves into how SharePoint is evolving as a knowledge engine for AI, the importance of community feedback in product development, and the future of information management. Adam shares insights on...
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AI for Nonprofits - Tori Miller-Liu & Andrew Borg
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Nonprofits are moving from AI experiments to governed, human‑centered deployments. AIIM’s Tori Miller‑Liu and Synozur’s Andrew Borg share field lessons, from “conversational search” that cites sources to coalition‑driven ethics and the EU AI Act’s impact horizon. Takeaways AI is a force multiplier, not a headcount reducer. The biggest value today is in accelerating research, finance, content triage, and...
info_outlinePolaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease.
In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty interviews Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, who shares his journey of transforming a roofing company into a leader in the construction industry through a focus on servant leadership and a people-first approach. Ed discusses the challenges faced in the construction sector, the importance of creating a win-win culture, and how humanity plays a crucial role in business success. He emphasizes the need for vulnerability in leadership and the impact of AI on the future of the industry.
Takeaways
Humanity as a Strategy
Treating employees as human beings first—before focusing on transactions—unlocks greater loyalty, performance, and organizational success.
Win-Win Beats Zero-Sum
Moving away from "I win, you lose" thinking to collaborative partnerships creates sustainable success with employees, vendors, and customers alike.
Leadership Evolution Takes Time
Shifting from command-and-control to servant leadership requires patience—not everyone will come along, and that's okay.
Vulnerability Is a Superpower
The best leaders know what they don't know. Humility and vulnerability build trust far more effectively than projecting invincibility.
Accountability and Care Coexist
Being people-first doesn't mean avoiding accountability—you can hold people to high standards while still treating them humanely.
The Human Brain Outpaces AI
While AI will automate mundane tasks, human emotion, creativity, and the ability to dream remain irreplaceable competitive advantages.
Culture Attracts Talent
In an industry facing a shortage of 439,000 workers, creating a best-in-class environment makes your organization the top choice for skilled talent.
Sound bites
Ed DeAngelis Quotes
"Humanity as a strategy. Be strategic on how you want to treat your people as humans first. Secondarily, you will then treat them where there's a transaction in there—but first treat them as a human."
"Vulnerability is one of the greatest assets of a great leader. The best leaders I've ever dealt with are so humble to the point that they know what they don't know."
"I'm not afraid of artificial intelligence, but I'm also not afraid of the value of humanity of humans. The human brain is a thousand times more powerful than an artificial intelligent brain."
"A robot can only do what the robot can do. A human being with the right focus on their emotion, their drive—they are way more powerful."
References
Guest Information:
Ed DeAngelis [ LinkedIn] – CEO, Servant Leader, Believer in "Humanity as a Strategy"
EDA Contractors – Specializing in exterior envelope solutions for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings
Titan 100 – Ed DeAngelis was named one of Philadelphia's top 100 CEOs in 2025
Business
Companies and Organizations Mentioned:
Zappos – Known for customer-centric and people-first culture
Starbucks – Pioneer in employee-focused corporate culture
Google – Recognized for innovative workplace culture
Southwest Airlines – Famous for servant leadership approach
Vanguard – Founded by John Bogle, known for client-first philosophy
Statistics and Data Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Source: approximately 49.9% of businesses fail within five years
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) – Source: The construction industry needs 439,000 new workers in 2025
Pop Culture
Sports Reference:
Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl LIX Champions (February 2025), defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. Jalen Hurts named Super Bowl MVP.
Events
ESPC 25 (European SharePoint Conference) – December 1-4, 2025, Dublin, Ireland
Strategy, Now With AI – January 6. 2026 (Teams Webinar)
M365 Community Days DC – January 29-30, 2026 (Arlington, Virginia)
Production
Polaris is produced with help from Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe. Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.
Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:45 Introducing Ed DeAngelis
01:34 News and Data Points
03:10 Welcoming Ed to Polaris
05:27 Career Journey and Entrepreneurial Spirit
07:55 Current Business Climate and Challenges
10:18 Leadership Evolution and Style
12:33 Creating a People-First Culture
14:48 Implementing Change and Overcoming Resistance
19:08 Navigating Different Paths in Business Relationships
19:41 The Power of Humanity in the Workplace
22:45 Leadership Beyond Transactions
25:41 The Strength of Vulnerability in Leadership
27:00 The Future of the Construction Industry
30:17 The Impact of Pop Culture on Leadership Philosophy
34:28 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement
35:44 Gratitude and Reflection During Thanksgiving
36:37 Future Conversations and Insights on Technology
37:09 Closing Credits