Amanda's Podcast Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:27:31 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548128 en-us © 2026 Amanda's Podcast yes 7e7826e1-d786-5294-b79a-3018901ed684 Amanda episodic false Breaking barriers between technology, leadership, and the human condition.

Hosted by Amanda Mercier — technologist, strategist, and storyteller — this podcast explores what it means to lead, grow, and build in complex systems. From the battlefield to the boardroom, Amanda shares lessons on transformation, creative discipline, and personal resilience — drawn from years of leading AI, data, and modernization efforts across government and industry.

Each episode begins with a story — about leadership, health, or the creative process — and ends with a call to action you can use right away. Whether you’re scaling a team, writing your next big idea, or just trying to see your own progress more clearly, this show helps you bridge the gap between thought and action.

Themes:

  • Leadership and self-awareness
  • Technology, AI, and the people behind it
  • Creative process, burnout, and recovery
  • Building cultures of accountability and impact
  • Transformation in large systems

Because thinking deeply is only half the battle — the real change comes when you act.


Amanda Mercier is the Chief Digital and AI Officer at U.S. Army Special Operations Command with a history of experience leading technical teams in government and industry. The views expressed here are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of War.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Amanda https://storage.buzzsprout.com/qumd0hibtikg3mnspe96zl92xlkz?.jpg Amanda's Podcast The AI Brain: How Machines Learn to Recognize Patterns The AI Brain: How Machines Learn to Recognize Patterns Hardware gives us capability.
AI gives us pattern recognition at scale.

But there is no silver bullet.

There is no single algorithm that dominates every battlefield.

There is only:

  • The right tool
  • For the right task
  • Trained on the right data
  • Deployed by the right team

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Hardware gives us capability.
AI gives us pattern recognition at scale.

But there is no silver bullet.

There is no single algorithm that dominates every battlefield.

There is only:

  • The right tool
  • For the right task
  • Trained on the right data
  • Deployed by the right team

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18768238 Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500 493 full false An Operator’s Guide to Hardware An Operator’s Guide to Hardware In this first installment of Digital Dominance, we are opening up the hood. We will explore the basic hardware components so that you can understand the foundation for everything that follows. The digital kit you need will include a brain, a workbench, and a rucksack. There are more components, but you will have a good understanding if you know the most basic gear. 

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> In this first installment of Digital Dominance, we are opening up the hood. We will explore the basic hardware components so that you can understand the foundation for everything that follows. The digital kit you need will include a brain, a workbench, and a rucksack. There are more components, but you will have a good understanding if you know the most basic gear. 

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18768222 Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500 372 full false Beyond Silicon Valley Beyond Silicon Valley The best of Army Special Operations Forces knows how to adapt, endure, and execute under pressure. The best of big tech knows how to build, iterate, and innovate at scale. Together, we can create a model of leadership and collaboration that transcends sectors.

Whether you wear a badge, a hoodie, or a beret, the mission is the same: learn fast, serve others, and build something that lasts.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> The best of Army Special Operations Forces knows how to adapt, endure, and execute under pressure. The best of big tech knows how to build, iterate, and innovate at scale. Together, we can create a model of leadership and collaboration that transcends sectors.

Whether you wear a badge, a hoodie, or a beret, the mission is the same: learn fast, serve others, and build something that lasts.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18695315 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:00:00 -0500 477 full false Metrics are the Message Metrics are the Message In every organization, what you choose to measure quietly sets the tone for what you truly value. If you claim to value transformation but cannot point to how it is measured, you are signaling aspiration without commitment. Metrics are the bridge between intent and outcome. If transformation matters, measure participation in training, the acquisition of new skills, the adoption of modern tools, and the velocity at which teams learn. Promotions determine who rises, but metrics determine how the system behaves every day. Ignore either, and transformation does not stall by accident, it collapses by design.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> In every organization, what you choose to measure quietly sets the tone for what you truly value. If you claim to value transformation but cannot point to how it is measured, you are signaling aspiration without commitment. Metrics are the bridge between intent and outcome. If transformation matters, measure participation in training, the acquisition of new skills, the adoption of modern tools, and the velocity at which teams learn. Promotions determine who rises, but metrics determine how the system behaves every day. Ignore either, and transformation does not stall by accident, it collapses by design.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18695234 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0500 338 full false Promotion is Policy Promotion is Policy Most organizations believe culture is shaped by values, messaging, and leadership intent.
In reality, culture is shaped by incentives: promotions, ratings, awards, prestige, visibility, and protection.

Transformation fails when the incentive system punishes the very behaviors transformation requires.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Most organizations believe culture is shaped by values, messaging, and leadership intent.
In reality, culture is shaped by incentives: promotions, ratings, awards, prestige, visibility, and protection.

Transformation fails when the incentive system punishes the very behaviors transformation requires.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18545978 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 363 full false The Middle Moves the Machine The Middle Moves the Machine Most transformations don’t fail because leaders lack vision or because frontline teams resist change. They fail in the middle where identity, incentives, and fear collide.

At the top, transformation feels logical.
At the edge, it feels helpful.
In the middle, it feels existential.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Most transformations don’t fail because leaders lack vision or because frontline teams resist change. They fail in the middle where identity, incentives, and fear collide.

At the top, transformation feels logical.
At the edge, it feels helpful.
In the middle, it feels existential.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18518670 Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500 712 full false Difficult By Design Difficult By Design Sometimes it’s not the person who is difficult; it’s the role.

Transformation leaders are often designed to be disruptive. The role exists to challenge legacy processes, to inject technical rigor into decisions that were once made relationally or politically.

That shift creates friction.

When data replaces intuition, someone loses power. The role becomes “in the way.” And so the role gets labeled difficult.

That label is often a signal that transformation is working 

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Sometimes it’s not the person who is difficult; it’s the role.

Transformation leaders are often designed to be disruptive. The role exists to challenge legacy processes, to inject technical rigor into decisions that were once made relationally or politically.

That shift creates friction.

When data replaces intuition, someone loses power. The role becomes “in the way.” And so the role gets labeled difficult.

That label is often a signal that transformation is working 

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18458302 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 415 full false The Real Value is in the Seams The Real Value is in the Seams Stop hiring for silos. Start hiring for seams.

You need translators, connectors, and polymaths, the ones who see the through-lines others miss. These are the people who can match talent to task, simplify complexity, and build bridges between brilliant but disconnected communities.

Because in modern organizations, value doesn’t live inside the boxes on your org chart.
It lives in the white space between them.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Stop hiring for silos. Start hiring for seams.

You need translators, connectors, and polymaths, the ones who see the through-lines others miss. These are the people who can match talent to task, simplify complexity, and build bridges between brilliant but disconnected communities.

Because in modern organizations, value doesn’t live inside the boxes on your org chart.
It lives in the white space between them.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18440289 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:00:00 -0500 311 full false Just Start Just Start You don’t need permission to start.
You just need to begin.

And sometimes, when you do, life starts conspiring in your favor one small moment at a time.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> You don’t need permission to start.
You just need to begin.

And sometimes, when you do, life starts conspiring in your favor one small moment at a time.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18411198 Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500 413 full false Setting Traps Setting Traps Setting traps isn’t about tricking yourself. It’s about designing your environment to protect your best self.

If you tend to forget, create triggers.
If you struggle to focus, guard your deep-work time.
If you want to nurture relationships, schedule love.

It’s not self-discipline. It’s self-design.
You’re not punishing your weaknesses; you’re architecting your strengths.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Setting traps isn’t about tricking yourself. It’s about designing your environment to protect your best self.

If you tend to forget, create triggers.
If you struggle to focus, guard your deep-work time.
If you want to nurture relationships, schedule love.

It’s not self-discipline. It’s self-design.
You’re not punishing your weaknesses; you’re architecting your strengths.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18368106 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 340 full false The Sugar Diet The Sugar Diet Discipline builds endurance. Joy builds momentum.
You need both.

If you’ve been running your professional life on pure grind, try the sugar diet for your soul. Introduce something light, bright, and enjoyable, something that reminds you that you love what you do.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Discipline builds endurance. Joy builds momentum.
You need both.

If you’ve been running your professional life on pure grind, try the sugar diet for your soul. Introduce something light, bright, and enjoyable, something that reminds you that you love what you do.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18077167 Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 309 1 8 full false Feedback is a Gift Feedback is a Gift Feedback can hurt.
It exposes gaps you’d rather not see.
But it also shines a light on dark corners you didn’t know existed.

Treat it like a delicate, unexpected gift.
You don’t have to love it right away.
But unwrap it. Study it. Decide what you can use and discard what doesn’t fit.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Feedback can hurt.
It exposes gaps you’d rather not see.
But it also shines a light on dark corners you didn’t know existed.

Treat it like a delicate, unexpected gift.
You don’t have to love it right away.
But unwrap it. Study it. Decide what you can use and discard what doesn’t fit.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18127557 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 228 1 7 full false Insecurity The Professor Insecurity The Professor Insecurity is the best professor.
She’s ruthless.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Insecurity is the best professor.
She’s ruthless.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18127478 Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500 173 full false False Summit False Summit False summits aren’t failures. They’re checkpoints. They’re proof you can make it this far and a reminder that “this far” isn’t all there is.

So set your sights higher. Aim for the goal that scares you. The one you’re not sure you can reach.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> False summits aren’t failures. They’re checkpoints. They’re proof you can make it this far and a reminder that “this far” isn’t all there is.

So set your sights higher. Aim for the goal that scares you. The one you’re not sure you can reach.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18127248 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500 194 1 5 full false Change Your Focus Change Your Focus Finding Beauty (and Growth) in What You Resist

The moments we resist — the projects that frustrate us, the chores that bore us, the people who test us — often hold the greatest potential for joy and growth. 

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Finding Beauty (and Growth) in What You Resist

The moments we resist — the projects that frustrate us, the chores that bore us, the people who test us — often hold the greatest potential for joy and growth. 

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18173277 Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500 251 full false Separation Separation Separation is a superpower. It gives you perspective, objectivity, and peace.
If you’re stuck — in art, in work, or in life — step back. Breathe. Let time do some of the thinking.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Separation is a superpower. It gives you perspective, objectivity, and peace.
If you’re stuck — in art, in work, or in life — step back. Breathe. Let time do some of the thinking.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18081123 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500 355 1 3 full false The Mommy Daddy Problem The Mommy Daddy Problem When roles blur, relationships suffer.
When boundaries are clear, teams thrive.

It’s tempting to think that friendship or goodwill can compensate for lack of clarity — but it can’t. The best leaders don’t assume harmony will hold; they design it through definition.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> When roles blur, relationships suffer.
When boundaries are clear, teams thrive.

It’s tempting to think that friendship or goodwill can compensate for lack of clarity — but it can’t. The best leaders don’t assume harmony will hold; they design it through definition.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18077149 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400 309 1 2 full false I Got Receipts I Got Receipts As leaders, it’s our duty to communicate: clearly, consistently, and respectfully. But it’s also our duty to recognize when the burden of listening belongs to someone else.

Don’t confuse silence for failure or assume someone’s ignorance means you didn’t do your job.

Keep the receipts. Protect your energy.
And remember, clarity isn’t control, it’s kindness, with a timestamp.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> As leaders, it’s our duty to communicate: clearly, consistently, and respectfully. But it’s also our duty to recognize when the burden of listening belongs to someone else.

Don’t confuse silence for failure or assume someone’s ignorance means you didn’t do your job.

Keep the receipts. Protect your energy.
And remember, clarity isn’t control, it’s kindness, with a timestamp.

Subscribe at www.AmandaMercier.com

]]> Amanda Buzzsprout-18077060 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400 284 1 1 full false