Behind the scenes of Waves & Wires: bringing our monthly podcast to life

Every month, the Waves & Wires team heads into the studio at Zyxel Networks’ Netherlands office to record another episode exploring the latest in cloud networking, wired and wireless technologies, and network security. For listeners, it’s a chance to hear expert insight on the topics shaping the networking industry. Behind the scenes though, each episode is the result of careful planning, collaboration and a shared enthusiasm for making complex technology accessible.

Hosted by Senior Marketing Director Kevin Drinkall and Senior Regional Sales Engineer & Team Leader Michel Nicolai, Waves & Wires brings together voices from across Zyxel Networks EMEA. Regular guest speakers include Market Development Managers Hugh Simpson, who shares updates on WiFi, Luke Harley on switching, and Daniele Barilli on cybersecurity. Occasionally, customers also join the conversation to bring a real-world perspective to the discussion.

“Every episode starts with one simple question: what’s most useful for our listeners right now?” said Kevin. “We want the podcast to be relevant to partners, customers and anyone interested in networking, so the planning stage is all about identifying the topics that matter most – whether that’s WiFi trends, switching best practice or the latest developments in network security.”

Once the theme is agreed, the hosts work with their guests to shape the episode, mapping out the key discussion points and making sure the conversation reflects the challenges and opportunities partners and customers are seeing in the real world.

“We don’t script the episodes word for word,” said Michel, “but we do spend time shaping the discussion so it feels focused and useful. The goal is to keep it conversational while still making sure we cover the details that listeners really care about.”

Recording day is where it all comes together. In the studio, microphones are checked, sound levels adjusted and the running order reviewed before Kevin, Michel and their guest(s) sit down to record. There’s plenty of technical preparation involved, but there’s also a lot of energy in the room – especially when the discussion moves from product updates into broader trends and customer challenges.

That blend of expertise and personality is what makes Waves & Wires so valuable. The podcast gives Zyxel Networks’ experts a platform to share their knowledge in a more relaxed and human way, while still helping listeners stay informed on the technologies driving modern business networks.

“The best conversations are the ones that feel genuine,” said Kevin. “We’re talking about serious technology, but we’re doing it through real conversations with people who live and breathe it every day.”

Ready to tune in? Whether you're looking for practical networking advice, the latest technology updates or expert perspectives on cloud networking, WiFi, switching and cybersecurity, Waves & Wires has something for you.

Browse all episodes and subscribe to stay up to date with the latest discussions from the Zyxel Networks EMEA team. We'd also love to hear from you – if there's a networking topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode, let us know.