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// The SE Journey

The path into and through sales engineering.

Conversations on making the jump into the SE role and growing once you're there — careers, craft, and the people who've lived it. Hosted by Zane Allyn and Chris Sprague.

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The SE Journey

Episodes

The full archive — 13 episodes, listenable right here.

S3 · E2 · Dec 8, 2024 · 1:02:00

Adding the Value Earned

You can't make a Tomlette without breaking some Greggs

Longtime friend Matt Yette — Director of Technology and Senior Solutions Architect at Ivoxy Consulting — on going from sysadmin to a dual leadership/technical role at a VAR, and why authenticity, curiosity, and ethics build long-term customer trust.

S3 · E1 · May 20, 2024 · 1:14:00

Getting to Market

Langer from building vSAN to crafting its message

Jason Langer — now in marketing at Pure Storage — on moving from customer to VAR to product marketing, and crafting a quality message you can trust. A departure from the usual guests that shows the many avenues of the journey.

S2 · E4 · Sep 1, 2023 · 1:13:37

Sitting in the Front Row with Emilee

From sports agent to the big stage

Emilee Tellez — who started as an SE the same year as Zane — on her path to technical strategist. What Jerry Maguire has to do with presales, cubicle etiquette, and the best place to sit during keynotes.

S2 · E3 · Jul 22, 2023 · 1:10:10

Learning to Avoid the Eject Lever

Second place is a set of steak knives

Tristan Todd on a career that spans from driving ships to talking virtualization — living with your arranged sales 'marriage,' the movies that prep you for the gig, and the personal growth that comes with becoming an SE.

S2 · E2 · Apr 8, 2023 · 1:14:10

Success in the Channel

Perspectives of a Partner SE

Veeam Technical Partner Manager Eric Dougherty on what it means to be an SE directly supporting the channel — what got him to his role, and the lessons learned along the way. A cross-over with his own Partner Perspectives podcast.

S2 · E1 · Jan 28, 2023 · 1:05:06

New Year New Content

Chris and Zane reflect on 2022 while looking to 2023

Chris and Zane catch up, reflect on their lives and careers over the last year, and look ahead to 2023. A new season begins.

S1 · E7 · Aug 13, 2022 · 1:23:34

Thinking Out Cloud

The SE genesis of Bryan Sullins

Bryan Sullins, just three months into the SE role after a long IT career, on staying a trusted advisor and the day-to-day changes. (Named for his own blog, Thinking Out Cloud — and yes, he taught Literature before IT.)

S1 · E6 · May 10, 2022 · 1:13:37

There is Going to be a Test!

JD Wallace joins us for Episode 6

JD Wallace joins Chris and Zane in person to talk through his role and journey — and how to increase inclusion in the industry.

S1 · E5 · Jan 22, 2022 · 1:10:51

Our New Dance Club

Joe Mudra joins us on this episode

Joe Mudra joins Chris and Zane for a wide-ranging conversation on the SE life.

S1 · E4 · Dec 6, 2021 · 1:24:00

Shooting the Breeze

Bronson Aber joins us this week to catch up

Catching up with good friend and former colleague Bronson Aber — how IT runs in his family, and what it's like to go from product management to sales engineer.

S1 · E3 · Aug 22, 2021 · 1:23:38

Ask the Hard Question

Will Weeams joins us this week

Will Weeams on finding his love for IT, a job that won't get you dirty, and the importance of learning to ask the hard questions.

S1 · E2 · Jul 14, 2021

It's a Heat Wave

Zane and Chris talk with Gene Torres.

S1 · E1 · Jun 10, 2021

We're LIVE!

Finally, we are live

The very first episode — The SE Journey begins.