Welcome to the Mission Possible Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories of extraordinary individuals who push the boundaries of what’s achievable. Each episode features leaders, visionaries, and changemakers who share their personal journeys, pivotal moments, and practical wisdom on overcoming challenges, driving innovation, and creating meaningful impact.
In our inaugural episode, Chad sits down with veteran engineers Zil Vyas and Jason Herschcopf to explore the leadership principles that elevate technical teams from functional to exceptional.
What separates software engineers who merely code from those who drive transformational mission outcomes?
This conversation goes beyond typical tech talk to examine the human side of software engineering. Zil and Jason share their unconventional paths into technology—from pharmacy technician to application developer, and childhood programming prodigy to rapid prototyping savant. They dissect career-shaping moments: early mistakes, mentors who reframed failure as learning, and communication strategies that transform defensive code reviews into collaborative growth.
The discussion reveals a fascinating contrast—Zil’s structured, edge-case methodology versus Jason’s rapid prototyping approach—yet both consistently deliver exceptional results. They tackle cross-functional team dynamics, breaking down organizational silos, and recognizing when to move on from stagnant environments.
As the conversation shifts toward AI and automation, both offer grounded perspectives on how intelligent tooling will amplify rather than replace strategic thinking. Their advice for new graduates cuts through industry noise: prioritize adaptability, communication, and finding work that genuinely energizes you.
Whether you’re leading technical teams in mission-critical environments or navigating your own engineering career, this episode delivers battle-tested wisdom on thriving through continuous learning and authentic collaboration.
Listen to the first episode below:
You can also find the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.