Technology

The CTO Playbook

by Adam Horner

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Latest episodes

Ep 115: Impostor syndrome is a strategy you are running

October 20, 2026 · 44 min

Most leaders treat impostor syndrome as something they need to overcome. But what if the belief that you're not good enough is actually serving a purpose? Adrian Koehler is a leadership coach at Take New Ground. He has spent 15 years…
114: Building the builder: how CTOs fix the AI code review bottleneck

October 13, 2026 · 19 min

AI has made building software dramatically faster. The problem is that the rest of the engineering system hasn’t caught up. AI agents can now produce code, tests, documentation, migrations, and pull requests at a pace most engineering…
113: Anyone with an API key can copy your AI strategy, with Ritavan

October 6, 2026 · 58 min

AI adoption is getting easier for everyone. The harder question is whether you're using it to optimise the game you're already in, or to build a position that changes the game. Ritavan, author of The System Gambit and Data Impact, returns…
112: Your best managers are the most replaceable, with Prof. Charles Wood

September 29, 2026 · 54 min

AI isn't just changing how engineers work. It's forcing technology leaders to rethink what makes management valuable. Prof. Charles Wood is Senior Manager, Data Science & AI at Comcast, where he has spent nearly a decade leading…
111: Every technology decision you make now is a post-quantum decision

September 22, 2026 · 54 min

Quantum computing may not be breaking your security today, but the decisions you make now could determine how exposed your organization is when it does. Conor Deegan explains why CTOs need to start preparing before Q Day arrives. Build…

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110: AI Compressed the Work That Built Your Judgment

September 14, 2026 · 43 min

Twenty years at one company should have made my guest predictable, and that is exactly the trap he built a method to escape. Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com - the leadership platform built for the full CTO journey…
109: Your Agents Are Held to a Lower Standard Than Your Engineers

September 7, 2026 · 58 min

Most CTOs think adopting AI means picking the right tools, but Sumeet argues the real work is closing the accountability gap between agents and engineers. Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com - the leadership platform…
108: Your Most Valuable Executive Relationship Is the CFO

August 31, 2026 · 50 min

Ask a CTO which executive relationship matters most, and they'll name the CEO, but my guest today would send you to the CFO instead. Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com - the leadership platform built for the full CTO…
107: The Controlled Re-Entry: A CTO Playbook for Coming Back from Holiday

August 24, 2026 · 25 min

I nearly turned my own summer into the cautionary tale. The thing that saved me was a last-minute week in the Swedish mountains. Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com - the leadership platform built for the full CTO…
106: Trust, temper, override: managing the AI you don't control

July 27, 2026 · 23 min

One CTO spent two weeks tearing frontier models out and ended up back where they started. Another spent a few days building a tested escape route for what actually mattered. Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com - the…
105: The CTO's real job when agents write the code (belief reversal)

July 20, 2026 · 46 min

A founder went from zero to $10 million ARR in six months with six engineers and fifty agents, and the gap between idea and shipped feature was nine hours. Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com - the leadership platform…
104: Why the Best CTOs Filter the Firehose Instead of Blocking It

July 13, 2026 · 23 min

Shielding your team from context isn't protection, it's a subtle underestimation of the people you hired for their judgment. Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com - the leadership platform built for the full CTO journey…

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About the show

Join Adam Horner, a CTO with over 30 years in the tech industry, on The CTO Playbook — the podcast dedicated to helping CTOs excel. Perfect for CTOs and tech leaders navigating the complexities of their roles, each episode offers clear insights, innovative strategies, and practical advice from top leaders in tech. With Adam’s extensive experience mentoring engineers and tech leaders, and over a decade as a CTO, you’ll gain the tools and knowledge to build and refine your own CTO playbook. Whether you're tackling complex projects, fostering innovation, leading teams, or shaping your company's tech strategy, this podcast is your go-to resource. Adam’s journey from engineer to strategic CTO was challenging. He learned through the school of hard knocks, making avoidable mistakes and facing countless challenges. Often out of his comfort zone and wishing for more guidance, he created this podcast to provide the support and advice he once lacked. Tune in for engaging interviews, leadership tips, and the latest in technology strategy. Each episode is designed to help you lead with confidence and level up as a CTO. Listen now to start your journey with The CTO Playbook and build your own playbook to excel in your role.