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Let's Tech it Out!
 
The OCTOpod is the place to track government techies, geeks and innovators who are making a huge difference in the Nation's Capital. There are a lot of cool people in the DC Government tech space and on OCTOpod you can meet them all.
The podcast is available on:
Apple Podcasts
Anchor
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Sticher
RadioPublic
Breaker
Pocket Casts

Episodes

Episode #14 - September 30, 2025

Episode 14 - Harnessing AI for Smarter Government: Launching Procurement AI in DC

OCTO, has led the charge to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in DC government under the leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser and her February 2024 Mayor’s Order Defining DC’s AI Values and AI Strategic Benchmarks.

Since then, OCTO has created the Handbook for AI Values Alignment -- the blueprint that guides agencies through the careful consideration of AI tools against the District’s six AI values, chief among them clear benefits to residents.

In sync with pioneering innovations to positively impact the DC residents and agencies, OCTO has released a new AI tool for DC government.

This new AI tool -- Procurement AI -- was created in partnership with the generative AI platform – Morfius.

We are excited to have Morfius AI Vice President of Business Development, Tabassum Jahangir, to discuss this new AI tool.

We are also joined by OCTO's Chief Operating Officer Tehsin Faruk and OCTO’s Chief Data Officer Matt Sokol.

Episodes

Episode #13 - March 6, 2025

Episode 13 - Making tech accessible to all with Department on Disability Services (DDS)

Today, we’re excited to have Program Development Specialist, Donald Clark, join us with the DC Department on Disability Services (DDS). 

Making tech accessible to all, is a core OCTO principle that always informs our work – which is why having DDS as a guest is so important.

The District's Tech Plan is focused on Unleashing the Possible. OCTO knows everyone can’t unleash the possible – unless everyone has tech access. Whether it’s our Web Team using tools to scan all DC Government websites for accessibility or deploying the full suite of Microsoft Accessibility Solutions, when OCTO leads or supports initiatives, we strive to effectively serve people with different hearing, sight and neuro-diverse needs.

In the works now is an exciting collaboration with ODR to require DC Government agencies to ensure that their websites are fully accessible…so having DDS’ Donald Clark – as our guest today is perfect!

Episode #12 - October 31, 2024

Episode 12 - Cybersecurity in the age of AI: Chief Information Security Officer for DC Government, Suneel Cherukuri

Today, we’re excited to have the Chief Information Security Officer for DC Government, Suneel Cherukuri -- joining us. 

Suneel Cherukuri provides leadership and day-to-day coordination for securing and protecting Washington, DC’s information resources from external and internal threats.

A recipient of the StateScoop 50 Award in the “State Cybersecurity Leader of the Year” category, he has 20-plus-years of industry experience in leading large enterprise network environments, specializing in cybersecurity architecture, design, engineering, and operations. 

Episode #11 - October 4, 2024

Episode 11 - Fueling Innovations & Gratitude in DC with the Innovations Team at OCTO

We’re excited to have the OCTO Innovation Team joining us! Started in 2021, by a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Innovation Team – or iTeam –was created to enhance public services and create an exceptional digital experience for District residents.
Episode #10 - March 8, 2024

Episode 10 - DC Business Portal Unveiled: New DLCP Director, Tiffany Crowe

Get the scoop on the DC Business Portal and how DLCP is making a difference in the District. The DC Business portal is your one-stop destination for turning dreams into reality. In its first year, entrepreneurs and owners have logged into business.dc.gov over 1300 times to kickstart and manage their businesses effortlessly.
Episode #9 - May 3, 2022

Episode 9 - Tech Talk with Capitol City Robotics

OCTOpod Adrian interviews the Capitol City Robotics Director and three members of the team that will represent the District of Columbia at the VEX Robotics World Championship in May 2022. The Capitol City Robotics is a robotics and coding educational program that exposes K-12 students to science and technology while inspiring them to pursue a STEM career. We learned about the different roles on a robotic team and how the team made it to the Vex Championship and how community members can support Capital City Robotics.
Episode #8 - March 5, 2020

Episode 8 - Women's HERstory Month with DC MOWPI

In honor of Women’s History Month, we have Joya Matthews, Associate Director of the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives (MOWPI). She comes to MOWPI after years of public service in workforce development and here to talk to us about this year's Women's HERstory Month and "the why" behind the creation of an agency that specifically focuses on women's initiatives and policies.
Episode #7 - February 26, 2020

Episode 7 - Community and Innovation in DC with The Mayor's Office of African American Affairs

In honor of Black History DC, we are sitting down with Director Ashley Emerson, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of African American Affairs (MOAAA) to talk about how innovation impacts Africans Americans in the DC area, the community, #BlackHistoryDC, and more!
Episode #6 - October 31, 2019

Episode 6 - Building, Maintaining and Sustaining DC with DGS

From parks and recs to building modernization, OCTOPod sits down with the Director of DC Department of General Services (DGS), Keith Anderson to talk about school modernizations, tech lounges, Percent for Art Programs and more!
Episode #5 - May 3, 2019

Episode 5 - All Hands on Tech with Connect.DC

OCTOPod sits down with Director of Connect.DC, Delano Squires to talk about bridging the digital divide by making technology easier to use, more accessible, more affordable, and more relevant to the everyday lives of District residents.
Episode #4 - April 22, 2019

Episode 4 - Tech and Taxis with DC For Hire Vehicles

The new DC For Hire Vehicles(DCFHV) CIO, Eric Fidler joins OCTOPod to talk about tech and taxis! Discussing his transition to DC government, DC taxis vs. Rideshare apps, "Where Are the Taxis" digital platform and more!
Episode #3 - March 20, 2019

Episode 3 - Let's Make It Official with DC CTO

Having been confirmed just two weeks ago, meet DC's new Chief Technology Officer, Lindsey Parker as she sits down with team OCTOPod to talk about tackling tech and innovation in the nation's capital and more.
Episode #2 - March 11, 2019

Episode 2 - Talk Trash with DPW

OCTOPod team Mike, Nina and Michele sit down with Acting Director of the Department of Public Works, Christopher Geldart to "talk trash" about all things DPW. Discussing the new launch of the MyDPW App, smart waste collection solutions, Zero Waste DC and more!
Episode #1 - January 1, 2019

Episode 1 - Let's Tech About Cybersecurity!

In the inaugural OCTOpod Mike and Nina interview DC’s newly appointed Chief Information Security Officer, and grill him about why passwords need to be complex, why emails are a big risk, and how DC agencies can work with us to stay innovative but also cyber secure. More show notes
Preview - January 1, 2019

Preview

Welcome to the Octopod!

Our Team

OCTOpod

Vinny Mwano

Co-Host / Producer & Editor
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Laura-Celine Patrick

Co-Host
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Michele Roseman

Co-Host
 
 
 

Let's Talk About Tech!

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