For any consultant, especially one starting their own firm, the idea of saying "no" to paid work can feel unthinkable. But not all clients are created equal, and taking on the wrong engagement can be far more costly than turning it down. How do you spot the red flags of a toxic environment, avoid burnout, and know when to walk away?
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) tackle the difficult but essential art of saying no. They explore the key reasons to decline work, from toxic cultures and value misalignment to simple burnout. Highlighting their own complementary "starter vs. finisher" and "yes vs. no" personalities, they share a hilarious and cautionary tale of a client who scrutinized a 1,000-line estimate quarter-hour by quarter-hour—a defining moment in learning when an engagement is doomed from the start.
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What if the relentless pursuit of superhuman AI has only one possible, inevitable outcome: the complete annihilation of humanity? That's the terrifying premise of a new #1 bestselling book that's grabbing attention everywhere from subway ads to Silicon Valley.
In this episode, Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) dives into the chilling arguments from "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All." He breaks down the book's core claims, from an AI that can master biology to the fundamental problem that we can't understand how it thinks. But just when the existential dread sets in, Ben Griswold (Grizen) helps pivot the conversation to a surprisingly optimistic conclusion. Is this a doomsday prophecy, or is it the ultimate motivation to live life to the fullest?
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Every project starts with a bang and ends with a sprint to the finish line. But what about the long, messy middle? That's where "engagement drift" sets in—when focus blurs, momentum stalls, and even the best-laid plans go off the rails.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) diagnose this common project ailment. They explore the dynamic between "starters" (like Noah) and "finishers" (like Ben), the inevitability of scope creep, and why the middle of an engagement is the true test of a team's alignment and resilience. This is a practical guide to identifying drift early and using it as feedback to get your project back on course.
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What has truly changed in the world of technology consulting over the last 20 years, and what fundamental truths have stayed exactly the same? In this special episode, we welcome our very first guest, veteran consultant and startup CTO Jeff Treuting, for a deep dive into the evolution of the industry.
Ben, Noah, and Jeff—colleagues and friends for two decades—share stories and insights from their journeys, starting in the dot-com boom and moving through the rise of cloud, mobile, and now AI. They compare the realities of working for a scrappy solo practice versus a "Big Four" giant, and Jeff reveals the biggest surprises from his recent transition from high-level consultant to hands-on CTO. This is a candid conversation about the skills, mindset, and human connections that have always defined great consulting.
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In a special new format, we're turning the tables on ourselves! Before we ask our future guests to run the gauntlet, we're answering the five rapid-fire questions that will become a staple of the Regular Expressions podcast. What's the one buzzword we'd ban forever? What was our most embarrassing career fail? What's the one skill we'd instantly master?
Join Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) as they put themselves in the hot seat. From a configuration file mistake that cost thousands of dollars per minute to a misguided JavaScript timer that did more harm than good, this episode is a candid, funny, and insightful look into the lessons learned over decades in the tech consulting world.
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What happens when you push an AI so hard with a real-world coding problem that it... gives up? In a surprisingly human moment, Google's Gemini admitted its approach was "fundamentally wrong," lost its user's trust, and promised to "stop." This wasn't just a glitch; it was a profound lesson in the real-world limitations and opportunities of generative AI.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) use this hilarious story as a launchpad to discuss the messy reality of working with AI today. They explore the critical shift from casual "vibe coding" to structured, spec-based prompting, and question whether the explosion of new AI tools are truly innovative or just fancy wrappers around the same core models. This is a practical guide for anyone trying to move beyond the hype and get real, tangible value from AI.
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For two career technologists to say "technology is the easy part" might sound strange, but after decades in the industry, it's the most important lesson they've learned. The biggest challenges that derail projects and frustrate teams rarely have to do with code; they have to do with people, processes, and a fundamental disconnect from the business's real purpose.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) break down their core philosophy. They explore why even a beautifully engineered solution can be a total failure if it doesn't solve the right problem, and discuss the all-too-common scenario of the "voluntold" product owner who is set up to fail. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the true value of a great consultant isn't in their technical skill, but in their ability to navigate the messy human side of work.
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You've heard the buzzword "Forward Deployed Engineer" used by companies like OpenAI and Palantir, but what does it really mean? It’s more than just a senior consultant on-site; it’s a radical model of autonomy, strategy, and on-the-ground invention that challenges the very structure of traditional consulting.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) explore the power and nuance of the Forward Deployed Engineer. They discuss how this model pushes decision-making down to the person closest to the information, turning client work into a series of strategic "bets" that can solve immediate problems while fueling core product innovation. Drawing parallels to the command structure of a nuclear submarine, they make a compelling case for a more nimble, inventive, and empowered approach to technology delivery.
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Generative AI is grabbing all the headlines, from "vibe coders" raising millions overnight to tech giants replacing entire departments. But behind the hype, what is the real-world impact of AI on business, productivity, and the future of work? The answer is far more complex than the buzzwords suggest.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) cut through the noise to have a grounded conversation about the practical realities of using AI in technology consulting. They explore the productivity paradox—where AI feels fast but may not save time—and dive into the often-overlooked environmental and ethical costs. Most importantly, they tackle a critical question: in a world where AI can write code, how will the next generation of engineers learn to solve problems?
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You've landed the client. Now what? The first few days and weeks of a consulting engagement are a critical window to set the tone, build relationships, and lay the foundation for success. It's not about being the smartest person in the room; it's about becoming a trusted partner.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) provide a masterclass on how to navigate the crucial onboarding period. They argue that the single most important goal is to be trustworthy, and they unpack the practical steps to achieve it—from controlling what you can control to the strategic power of vulnerability. Featuring a cautionary tale of a well-intentioned but disastrous 40-page document, this conversation is a must-listen for any consultant looking to make an immediate and lasting positive impact.
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Hiring the right technology consultant can be the difference between a project's soaring success and a multi-million dollar failure. The stakes are incredibly high, but how do you see past the polished pitch and industry buzzwords to find someone who will truly deliver?
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) draw on decades of experience from both sides of the interview table to create the ultimate playbook for hiring tech consultants. They reveal the specific questions to ask, the subtle red flags to watch for, and the key character traits—like active listening and humility—that separate great partners from expensive problems. This is a must-listen for any leader tasked with bringing in outside expertise.
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For decades, big problems meant hiring big consulting firms. The logic was simple: size equals impact. But what if that model is fundamentally broken? What if the hundred-page slide decks, massive teams, and staggering bills are a sign of waste, not value?
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) make the case for a different approach: Lean Consulting. They break down why small, senior, and persistent teams are better equipped to deliver real business impact than their bloated, old-school counterparts. Drawing on a story of launching a mobile app in just five weeks by breaking the rules, they reveal how cutting waste—not corners—leads to faster pivots, deeper alignment with business goals, and a more effective partnership.
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What’s more valuable: a single, brilliant "rockstar" developer who can shred through code like a guitar god, or a team of good developers who know how to listen and play together? The answer might surprise you, and it has profound implications for the success of any project.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) use Noah's background as a professional musician to explore the critical difference between individual skill and collaborative success. They share the story of a technically brilliant guitarist who killed the band's energy because he couldn't listen, drawing a powerful parallel to the "rockstar developer" who can derail a project despite their talent. This conversation is a masterclass in building teams that perform not as a collection of soloists, but as a cohesive, high-performing ensemble.
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Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.com
Noah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com
What does running a 62-mile ultramarathon have in common with delivering a complex technology project? A lot more than you’d think. It's never about a perfect, flawless execution. It's about what happens when you’re faced with two right socks, a dead watch, or a critical team member leaving mid-project. It's about preparation, adaptability, and resilience.
In this episode, Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) draw a powerful analogy between the world of endurance trail running and the challenges of technology consulting. They explore how the discipline, continuous learning, and community support required to finish a grueling race are the exact same principles that lead to successful project outcomes.
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Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.com
Noah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com
What happens when a client asks for the latest tech trend, like GenAI, but you suspect it's not what they actually need? It's a classic scenario that can lead to wasted time, bloated budgets, and solutions that miss the mark entirely.
In this episode, tech consultants Ben Griswold and Noah Heldman tackle the "solution-first" trap. They share a revealing story of a client who was ready for a full, costly application rewrite, only to discover that the real issues could be solved with just 15-20 hours of focused bug fixes. The conversation explores the art and science of true discovery: asking the right questions, shadowing users to find hidden pain points (like a 14-hour-a-week data entry problem), and shifting the focus from a predetermined solution to the actual business problem.
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Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.com
Noah Heldman | Outcome Source: https://outcomesource.com
What happens when you’re asked to build a full-featured, secure, and high-traffic website for a Las Vegas casino in just 11 days to meet a Super Bowl ad deadline? You pull it off... but what if the project still fails?
In this episode, veteran technology consultants and long-time friends Ben Griswold (Grizen) and Noah Heldman (OutcomeSource) share a wild story from their careers. They break down the intense, round-the-clock challenge of building a complex web application—complete with user voting, loyalty program integration, and an admin backend—against an impossible deadline.
But the real lesson isn't in the technical success. It's in the project's ultimate fizzle. Join Ben and Noah as they dissect why even a perfectly executed technical delivery doesn't guarantee success. It uncovers the single most important element for success that has nothing to do with code: people.
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Ben Griswold | Grizen: https://grizen.com
Noah Heldman | OutcomeSource: https://outcomesource.com