In this episode of Free Form AI, Michael and Ben draw surprising parallels between military strategy and consulting practice. They break down how principles like competence, trust-building and ethical engagement translate into stronger client relationships and long-term success.

From showing quiet confidence to making clients aware of their pitfalls, the discussion explores how consulting is as much about empathy and communication as it is about analysis. Along the way, they highlight why being “nice” is not a soft skill but a strategic one.

Tune in to Episode 22 for a wide-ranging conversation about:
• Why competence and confidence create credibility in client work
• How to earn trust by showing clients their blind spots
• Why ethical guidelines are non-negotiable for lasting relationships
• The role of empathy, communication, and culture in consulting success

If you’ve ever wondered how to approach consulting with both rigor and humanity, this episode is for you.

Passion for the product, not compensation, is what keeps the best engineers engaged.

In this episode of Free Form AI, Michael and Ben sit down with Aleksandr Patrushev, Head of DevRel at Nebius, to explore the evolving role of Developer Relations and the culture that sustains technical talent. From modernizing hardware in data centers to weighing the trade-offs between self-hosted and managed services, Alexander shares how knowledge sharing, process and passion drive both DevRel and product management.

Tune in to Episode 21 for a wide-ranging conversation about:
• Why DevRel is built on knowledge sharing and community impact
• The ongoing challenges of modernizing hardware in cloud + AI systems
• How culture influences technical staff retention and motivation

If you’re interested in the future of cloud + AI services and how culture shapes technology, this episode is for you.

Behind every robust AI system is a solution accelerator that makes complex development smarter.

In this episode of Free Form AI, Michael and Ben dive into the role of solution accelerators in bridging the gap between production-ready software and simpler resources like blogs or cookbooks. They discuss frameworks vs. tools, the challenges of maintainability and how forward deployed engineers can build reusable components.

Tune in to Episode 20 for a wide-ranging conversation about:
• Why solution accelerators streamline development
• How to balance abstraction and usability in frameworks and APIs
• Testing strategies that support quality and extensibility
• Where AI tools like GitHub Copilot fit into modern workflows

If you’re focused on building software that lasts while delivering business value, this episode is for you.