The QTS Experience

Ep 238: Dan Golding: SMRs, Fusion, and Why Your Data Center is Just a Cold White Box

I’m joined by Dan Golding to tear down the old rules of data center design. We explore the nuclear renaissance, why the fiber-to-power trifecta is non-negotiable, and why 600kW racks might require you to wear a face shield. It's time to stop resting on our laurels.

 

External References & Links

• Idaho National Lab (INL): Referenced in transcript as "Gaidu National Lab" regarding SMR scale calculations. https://inl.gov/
• Commonwealth Fusion Systems: Mentioned regarding Google’s power purchase agreement for the first plant in Virginia. https://cfs.energy/
• Nvidia: Referenced regarding the 600kW rack roadmap. https://www.nvidia.com/
• Open Compute Project (OCP): Mentioned regarding upcoming discussions on cooling infrastructure. https://www.opencompute.org/

Guest Connections

• Guest: Dan Golding, CTO and Apple/Google Veteran.
• LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgolding/

Ep237: Jim McDermott on the Digital Monroe Doctrine, Power, and Data Gravity

Jim McDermott drops a provocative idea: a Digital Monroe Doctrine to keep compute close to home while partnering with Canada and Mexico. We geek out on why moving bits beats moving electrons, power gravity, and how prosperity next door keeps everyone happier (and scorpions cooler).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesacmcdermott/

Ep236: Steve Altizer—From Big Boxes to Smart Modules: The New Data Center Frontier

Steve Altizer—mechanical legend and self-proclaimed closet architect—offers a fresh way to look at the modern data center. From the rise of prefabricated white space to liquid cooling’s growing pains, he lays out where the industry is headed and why the old concrete box might finally be ready for an upgrade. It’s smart, honest, and unexpectedly fun.

Ep235: Santiago Suinaga – From Mexico City Gamer Kid to Data Center Titan

Santiago Suinaga grew up in Mexico City with a Macintosh and a dad obsessed with tech. 19 years later, he sold his data center empire and now runs Infrastructure Masons full-time. We talk power, community drama, AI boom, and why the industry needs to stop working in silos.

 

Guest LinkedIn: (33) Santiago Suinaga | LinkedIn
Infrastructure Masons: https://www.imasons.org

Ep 234: Rose Weinschenk – From Minds to Megawatts: A Human Scientist and Data Center Whisperer

I sat down with Uptime Institute’s Rose Weinschenk – a former psychology researcher turned data-center truth-teller. Rose brings a rare talent: understanding the humans behind the hardware. We dig into how people actually behave in high-stakes environments, why mentorship still matters, the trouble with poaching, and what it really takes to build trust in an AI-powered future. It’s thoughtful, nerdy, and full of moments that make you wonder why more psych majors aren’t running critical infrastructure.

References & Links
Uptime Institute 2025 Staffing Survey Report: https://intelligence.uptimeinstitute.com/resource/2025-staffing-and-recruitment-survey-results-and-crosstab-files
Rose Weinschenk: https://intelligence.uptimeinstitute.com/author/rweinschenk
Uptime Institute: https://uptimeinstitute.com/ 

Ep233: Kurt Lindorfer – “Shaking Things Up with Seismic Smarts & Data Center Swagger”

Structural engineer Kurt Lindorfer joins the QTS Experience to explore what happens when design goes beyond the code. From intelligent structures and base isolation to hula-dancing data centers, we blend serious seismic insight with humor—because protecting billions in data deserves a little swagger.

Ep232: Manja Thessin: Densification Drama– Fiber Highways to AI Superhighways; Squeeze in More Chaos

Join me as Manja Thessin from AFL dives into the wild world of data center densification–think packing 10x more fiber into racks without turning techs into contortionists. We geek out on AI's fiber frenzy, modular magic, and why spreadsheets are so last decade. Buckle up for this eye-opening chat!

Guest Links

Manja Thessin's LinkedIn Profile: (31) Manja Thessin, RCDD, RTPM | LinkedIn

Company Website (AFL): https://www.aflglobal.com/

Ep231: Joe Rozza – The Power of Purpose, Water, and Sustainable Innovation

Joe Rozza joins me to explore how passion, purpose, and practical sustainability collide. From Florida’s drainage ditches to corporate water stewardship, we dig into resilience, governance, and how real business value flows when companies stop treating sustainability like a side project. Dive in—this one’s deep.

External References

• Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" (referenced regarding PLO formation and water diversion): https://www.amazon.com/Palestine-Peace-Not-Apartheid-Carter/dp/0743285034
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card (referenced for U.S. infrastructure grade of D): https://infrastructurereportcard.org/
• Net Zero Carbon commitments (general reference to corporate pledges): https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/net-zero-emissions-cop26-climate-change/

Guest Links

• Joe Rozza's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-rozza-p-e-bcee-a8143b12
• Ryan Companies Website: https://www.ryancompanies.com/

Ep230: Brent Trenga: Recovering Architect Redefines Building – Circularity, Data Centers, & Legos

Brent Trenga joins me to spill on why construction is stuck in the Stone Age while we run space-age data centers. We geek out on circular economies, ethical capitalism, and why data centers should be built like Legos—easy to snap together, just as easy to snap apart—so growth and reuse don’t come with carbon regret. Tune in for laughs and lightbulb moments!

References to Studies, Reports, Data, or External Agencies

• Katerra (failed mass timber company) – Company history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katerra 
• Sidewalk Labs – Alphabet project https://www.sidewalklabs.com/ 

Guest Links

• Brent Trenga's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-trenga-a077278
• Company Website: Kingspan Insulated Panels North America https://www.kingspan.com/us/en-us/product-groups/insulated-panels

Ep229: Luke Saladyga: Submarine Officer to Oracle Innovator–Systems Engineering, Data Centers, & AI

I've got Luke Saladyga sharing his wild ride from nukes on subs to hyperscale data centers at Google and now Oracle. We dive into operational maturity, high availability nines, and why curiosity beats repetition every time – because who wants boring when you can automate the chaos?

Studies, References, and External Mentions

• Myers-Briggs personality test (referenced in leadership course): https://www.myersbriggs.org/
• Open Compute Project (initiated by Meta): https://www.opencompute.org/
• Nvidia GTC conference and GB200 GPUs: https://www.nvidia.com/gtc/
• IEC 61850 standard (substation protocol): https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/6028

Guest Links

• Luke Saladyga's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saladyga/
• Oracle Company Website: https://www.oracle.com/