Advertise on podcast: A Bit Personal with Jodi Shelton

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Sanjay Mehrotra, President and CEO of Micron Technology, to explore the relentless determination and visionary foresight that built the foundation of modern data storage. While Micron stands as a trillion-dollar titan powering the high-performance memory demands of the global AI boom, Sanjay joins us to discuss the deeply personal trials that shaped his path long before he ever entered a Silicon Valley boardroom. Sanjay shares the remarkable story of his 18-year-old self in New Delhi, facing three consecutive U.S. student visa rejections that nearly shattered his academic dreams—and how his father’s refusal to give up ultimately paved his way to UC Berkeley. He reflects on co-founding SanDisk in 1988, changing how humanity carries data in its pockets, and what it takes to lead Micron through the massive technological shift toward ubiquitous AI.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Dr. Tom Caulfield, Executive Chairman of the Board at GlobalFoundries, to discuss the complex art of scaling the world's most critical semiconductor manufacturing operations. As the leader who navigated GlobalFoundries through its historic 2021 IPO—the largest semiconductor public offering in Nasdaq history at the time—Tom offers a unique vantage point on the evolution of the foundry model. Tom reflects on a 30-year career that spans from his foundational years at IBM to his executive roles in solar and solid-state lighting, and finally to the helm of GF. He shares the personal grit required to manage global fab operations and his philosophy on why the semiconductor industry is no longer just about performance, but about "security, longevity, and sustainability" in an increasingly fragmented world.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton is joined by Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm, for a deep dive into the journey of an engineer who has helped shape ecosystems—and the strategy guiding Qualcomm’s next chapter. Qualcomm is powering the future of intelligent computing—from device to edge to cloud. Cristiano joins us to reflects on his path from an electrical engineering student in Brazil to leading a global technology company, and how that experience informs his leadership today.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton travels to Austin, Texas, for an exclusive look inside the private car collection of Hassane El-Khoury, President and CEO of onsemi. Filmed among rows of meticulously maintained performance vehicles, this conversation explores the parallel worlds of automotive precision and semiconductor innovation. Hassane isn’t just a CEO; he is a lifelong "tinkerer" who understands that leading a global tech giant requires the same attention to detail as restoring a classic engine. He shares his journey from Lebanon to the helm of a multi-billion dollar leader in power and sensing technology, revealing how he "rebuilt" onsemi to lead the global transition toward electric vehicles and industrial automation.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Pat Gelsinger, the legendary former CEO of Intel and current Executive Chair of Gloo, for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges the gap between high-stakes global technology and deeply personal convictions. Pat spent over 40 years at the heart of the silicon world, serving as Intel’s first-ever CTO and as the architect of the original 80486 processor. Since stepping down as CEO of Intel, Pat has entered a new chapter as a venture capitalist, investing in and advising next-generation semiconductor and deep-tech companies. His work includes involvement with innovators like Ayar Labs, a company pioneering optical interconnect technology to transform how chips communicate—along with other startups pushing the boundaries of AI infrastructure and advanced chip design. Pat reflects on his journey from a Pennsylvania farm to the pinnacle of Silicon Valley. He shares the grit required to balance a decade-defining career while earning degrees from Santa Clara University and Stanford, and explains why he transitioned from Intel to lead a “faith ecosystem” at Gloo.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Anirudh Devgan, President and CEO of Cadence Design Systems, to explore the intersection of technical mastery and human leadership. While Cadence is the quiet engine powering the design of the world’s most advanced semiconductors, Anirudh joins us to share the personal journey that fueled his rise as one of the world's leading authorities in Electronic Design Automation (EDA). Anirudh reflects on his unique upbringing on the IIT Delhi campus where his father was a professor, and how that academic environment instilled a lifelong passion for state-of-the-art research. He shares the grit behind completing his Master’s and PhD at Carnegie Mellon University in just three years and his formative "technical powerhouse" years at IBM Research.

History tells us something uncomfortable: revolutions are real, bubbles are real, and sometimes they happen at the same time. As the global markets grapple with the "AI moment," many are left questioning whether we are witnessing a fundamental shift in human capability or a speculative fever. In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton hosts a high-level masterclass with two Wall Street titans who have navigated the most volatile cycles and bubbles of the last 30 years: Mark Edelstone, Managing Director, and Colin Stewart, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley. As the primary architects behind some of the largest IPOs and mergers and acquisitions in tech history, Mark and Colin pull back the curtain on "this moment." They share their unique vantage point on how to navigate the most complex industry on the planet, offering a candid assessment of where we truly stand in the cycle and what the current semiconductor boom means for global markets and the future world order.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Rick Tsai, CEO of MediaTek, to explore the career of a leader who has helped shape the very backbone of the semiconductor industry. As the head of one of the world's largest fabless chipmakers, Rick discusses the shift from the foundry model to the frontline of consumer technology and the "strategic focus" required to power billions of devices worldwide. Rick reflects on his storied journey. From his pivotal years as CEO of TSMC to transforming MediaTek into a global powerhouse in 5G and AI. Beyond the technical milestones, Rick shares the personal leadership principles that have guided him through industry cycles: the importance of organizational discipline, the courage to make massive R&D bets, and the humility required to foster a truly global team.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton is joined by Dr. Tien Wu, CEO of Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE), to discuss the intricate balance of precision and empathy required to lead the world’s largest semiconductor packaging and testing provider. While ASE is a cornerstone of the global supply chain, Tien joins us to share the human philosophy that guides his leadership: Clarity, Consistency, and Care. Dr. Wu reflects on his personal journey as a "bridge" between cultures, navigating the complexities of an East-West professional identity. He shares the discipline behind ASE’s early, decisive bets on AI and the values of humility and loyalty that define "the ASE way".

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Matt Murphy, CEO of Marvell, to explore the relentless drive and human vulnerability behind one of the most successful transformations in the semiconductor industry. While the world watches Marvell’s pivotal role in AI and cloud infrastructure, Matt joins us to discuss the personal "endurance mindset" that fuels his leadership. Matt reflects on how his background in competitive sports, from triathlons to Iron Mans, taught him that success is built on how you handle losing. He shares the thinking behind his "One Marvell" philosophy and why he prioritizes a weekly personal note to his global workforce.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton is joined by Dr. Charlie Kawwas, President of Broadcom’s Semiconductor Solutions Group, to pull back the curtain on the invisible infrastructure powering our digital world. While many focus on the hype of software, Charlie dives into the high-stakes reality of the hardware that makes it all possible—from the massive scale of AI data centers to the critical evolution of global connectivity. Charlie shares his unique perspective on leading through some of the most transformative shifts in tech history. He breaks down why the semiconductor industry is no longer just a supply chain story, but a foundational pillar of global innovation, and what it takes to engineer solutions at a scale that moves the entire world forward.

In this episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Dr. Leo Li, CEO & Chairman of Blue Ocean Smart System (HK) Limited, a titan of the semiconductor industry and a pivotal figure in the globalization of the chip ecosystem. As the first chairman of the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) from mainland China, Leo has spent his career at the intersection of two worlds, leading massive growth and fostering international collaboration. While the industry often focuses on technical specifications, Leo joins us to share the human side of his legacy. He reflects on the "builder’s DNA" he forged working on farms, the resilience required to hold 14 patents, and the leadership philosophy that drove Spreadtrum from $70M to $2B in revenue.

In this special bonus episode of A Bit Personal, Jodi Shelton sits down with Zak Dychtwald, author of Young China and a leading expert on the country’s modern evolution. While the semiconductor world is often viewed through the lens of policy and hardware, Zak helps us understand the story driving China’s massive bet on AI and silicon. Zak examines China’s “90s generation,” a demographic wave of 400 million that global companies can no longer afford to misunderstand.

AMD’s comeback is one of the most unbelievable stories in modern tech and Lisa Su is the reason it happened. In this episode, Jodi Shelton sits down with Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD. Some CEOs chase hype. Lisa Su chased execution. Guess who won. In this episode, Jodi Shelton sits down with Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD. This is the part of tech history people will pretend was obvious later. It wasn’t. In this episode, Jodi Shelton sits down with Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD.

How does one build a Fortune 500 pillar of the semiconductor industry from the ground up? In this episode, Jodi Shelton sits down with Aart de Geus, Founder and Executive Chair of Synopsys. Aart has spent decades at the intersection of silicon and software, leading the company that provides the very tools used to design the complex chips. We dive into the grit required to scale a global tech giant, the evolution of Electronic Design Automation (EDA), and why Aart believes the future of innovation is as much about humanity as it is about hardware. Plus, we explore a different side of the tech icon: his life as a blues musician and how the rhythm of the stage influences the boardroom.