Epik Mellon - the QA Cafe Podcast

Jason Walls, Director of Technical Marketing at QA Cafe

Epik Mellon is a podcast about networks; the real people and crazy stories behind the amazing fact that the Internet even works. Networking folk are mavericks, adventurers, and nerds all rolled into one. Sponsored by QA Cafe, we discuss how people like us got into the field, the real issues and funny circumstances we've been in, and some real conversations about the state of the industry, technology, and the future of communications. If you ever wanted to know "how the sausage is made" behind network communications, you'll find it at Epik Mellon.

Epik Mellon is a portmanteau of "Mellon Epikoinonión" - a rough Greek translation of "the Future of Communications." It might also involve fruit sometimes. No promises.

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“The Wisdom of Being Well Rounded” with Michael Shaw, CEO of Axiros North America

“The Wisdom of Being Well Rounded” with Michael Shaw, CEO of Axiros North America

In this episode I got to sit down with Michael Shaw of Axiros NA, a long time friend and one of the people I consider “most interesting people in the world,” on how everything you learn in life, from anywhere, will prepare you for a career in networking (and then some!)

Episodes

“The Wisdom of Being Well Rounded” with Michael Shaw, CEO of Axiros North America

“The Wisdom of Being Well Rounded” with Michael Shaw, CEO of Axiros North America

In this episode I got to sit down with Michael Shaw of Axiros NA, a long time friend and one of the people I consider “most interesting people in the world,” on how everything you learn in life, from anywhere, will prepare you for a career in networking (and then some!)

"Live from the 2024 USP Plugfest" with Tim Spets of Nokia

"Live from the 2024 USP Plugfest" with Tim Spets of Nokia

Our first ever live stream episode from Durham, NH, at the UNH InterOperability Laboratory. Tim and I talk about the 20th anniversary of TR-069, why collaborating with other engineers matters, and what things look like for the future of the home network.

“It starts and ends with packets” with Tom Peterson, Sr. Technology Specialist at QA Cafe

“It starts and ends with packets” with Tom Peterson, Sr. Technology Specialist at QA Cafe

In this episode I set down with QA Cafe’s Tom Peterson, the working hands behind most of our network analysis solutions including CloudShark and Packet Viewer, about how network packets are how we learn how things work, how they solve problems (especially in cybersecurity), and what 20 years in technology looks like.

"Alternate views from the AltNet” with Jody Botham, Head of Networks at Brsk

"Alternate views from the AltNet” with Jody Botham, Head of Networks at Brsk

In this episode, I chat with Joday Botham from the UK AltNet “Brsk” about how he got his start in construction and what struggles ISPs face when delivering quality broadband to end-users who want it to just work.

“The Guy Who Knows” with Wojciech Romek, Subject Matter Expert at Icotera

“The Guy Who Knows” with Wojciech Romek, Subject Matter Expert at Icotera

In this episode I sit down with Wojciech Romek at Icotera about getting the “networking bug” early on, always having something new to learn, and how Wi-Fi has stood the test of time.

“On the broadband front lines” with Patrick Moreno of ZyXEL Communications

“On the broadband front lines” with Patrick Moreno of ZyXEL Communications

In this episode I chat with Patrick Moreno, Western Regional Sales Account Manager at ZyXEL Communications, about the realities of rural broadband, what it’s like to be on the tradeshow circuit, and how cutting-edge tech aligns with the needs of connected consumers.

"Jack of All Trades, Master of Fun” with Brian Dubreuil, Sr. Technology Specialist at QA Cafe

"Jack of All Trades, Master of Fun” with Brian Dubreuil, Sr. Technology Specialist at QA Cafe

In this episode, Jason sits down with Brian Dubreuil, one of the magician’s behind customer success and support here at QA Cafe. They chat about Wi-Fi, being an extension of our customers teams, and why The Princess Bride is the greatest movie of all time.

“Mining, Mastery, and Meraki” with Brennan Martin and Alex Burger of Cisco Meraki

“Mining, Mastery, and Meraki” with Brennan Martin and Alex Burger of Cisco Meraki

In our first multi-guest episode for Epik Mellon, we sit down with Brennan Martin, Technical Leader at Cisco Meraki, and Alex Burger, Principal Engineer at Cisco Meraki, about networking expertise, pcaps, and working remotely both before and after covid.

"The most fun you’ll have” with Craig Thomas, CEO of the Broadband Forum

"The most fun you’ll have” with Craig Thomas, CEO of the Broadband Forum

Alright, it’s time for a deep dive into the standards organization I work with most: the Broadband Forum. CEO Craig Thomas and I sit down and chat about the future of the connected home, why we love standards, and why getting involved pays off for companies.

“The Human Factor” with Massimo Zefferino of zfactor

“The Human Factor” with Massimo Zefferino of zfactor

In this episode we sit down with Massimo Zefferino of zfactor, the digital marketing firm that handles our work at QA Cafe and many others in the broadband and computer networking industries, about finding a niche, sticking with it, and making sure that everyone everywhere is always thinking about the end-user first when designing their brand and their messaging around technology.

“Fortunate Failures” with Tzvi Skapinker, VP of Product Management and Friendly Technologies

“Fortunate Failures” with Tzvi Skapinker, VP of Product Management and Friendly Technologies

In this episode, I talk with Tzvi Skapinker of Friendly Technologies about the evolution of home network management for ISPs and how something that seems like a failure can turn out to be the change you need to get in on the future you were meant for.

"PCAPs, Australia, and Acronym Soup” with Tim Winters, CTO at QA Cafe

"PCAPs, Australia, and Acronym Soup” with Tim Winters, CTO at QA Cafe

In this episode I sit down once again with Tim Winters, our CTO at QA Cafe, to talk about all of the changes we’ve experienced in the last year, the challenges with making complex test and network information accessible to everyone, and flying to Australia for IETF meetings.

“A Year Later” with Jeremy Brown, VP of Threat Analysis at Trinity Cyber

“A Year Later” with Jeremy Brown, VP of Threat Analysis at Trinity Cyber

Almost exactly one year after Epik Mellon began, I chat once again with Jeremy Brown of Trinity Cyber about the newest threat landscape, the technology skills gap, and doubling a company's size in a single year.

“Through the Consumer Lens” with Elizabeth Parks of Parks Associates

“Through the Consumer Lens” with Elizabeth Parks of Parks Associates

In this episode I got to talk with Elizabeth Parks from Parks Associates, the premier research firm for the connected consumer industry, about the pace of technology over the last 40 years and how everyone, everywhere in the supply chain, needs to have their mind on the consumer experience.

“Broadband at the edges” with Josh Seidemann, VP of Policy and Industry Innovation at NTCA

“Broadband at the edges” with Josh Seidemann, VP of Policy and Industry Innovation at NTCA

In this episode, Josh Seidemann of the NTCA joins me to talk about the state of broadband in rural areas and how independent ISPs act as technology leaders for their neighbors and their communities.

“Making the Internet Better” with Dave Taht, Chief Science Officer at LibreQoS

“Making the Internet Better” with Dave Taht, Chief Science Officer at LibreQoS

In this episode, I chat with the famous Dave Taht, one of the top minds working on improving how the Internet handles the applications we use more and more every day. We talk music, bufferbloat, and the double-edged sword that is network latency.

Embedded Systems is a “Gateway” Drug, with Evgueni Tzvetanov, Distinguished Engineer System Architecture at Verizon

Embedded Systems is a “Gateway” Drug, with Evgueni Tzvetanov, Distinguished Engineer System Architecture at Verizon

In this episode, I chat with Evgueni Tzvetanov of Verizon about our work at prpl Foundation, the future of the home gateway, and what we all want out of AI and home automation.

“Have you met Steve?” - with Steve Scapicchio, VP of Global Sales at QA Cafe

“Have you met Steve?” - with Steve Scapicchio, VP of Global Sales at QA Cafe

In this episode I chat with Steve Scapicchio, one more denizen of the “fun zone” at QA Cafe and our VP of Global Sales about moving from engineering to sales, keeping strong relationships, and customer success as a vision.

“The Wild World of AI Law” with Diana Bikbaeva, Senior Associate Attourney at Marashlian and Donahue, PLLC

“The Wild World of AI Law” with Diana Bikbaeva, Senior Associate Attourney at Marashlian and Donahue, PLLC

In this Episode, Diana Bikbaeva of Marashlian and Donahue, a boutique law firm focused on telecomms and startups, talks about her passion for AI law and the brave new world we find ourselves in.

“Language, Laughter, and Standards” with Mauro Tilocca, Access Network Automation PM at TIM

“Language, Laughter, and Standards” with Mauro Tilocca, Access Network Automation PM at TIM

In this episode, I chat with my good friend Mauro Tilocca of Telecom Italia about the new world of automation for broadband, the benefits of AI, and how our love of language translates to a love of networking.