The Audit Podcast

Episode: IA on AI - Happy Holidays
Host: Trent Russell
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This special holiday episode blends a seasonal message with a focus on the importance of soft skills in internal audit leadership, while also featuring a book giveaway for listeners. Host Trent Russell underlines the value of relationship-building and personal development—what he refers to as “power skills”—alongside technical proficiency and AI analytics in audit. The episode is guest-less and centers around the announcement of a book giveaway tied to enhancing Chief Audit Executive (CAE) capabilities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Acknowledgment of the Holiday and Episode Format

• [00:00–01:00]
  • Trent notes that, given it's Christmas Eve, this episode is an informal "replay" of the previous day's message.
  • The episode targets listeners interested in the intersection of AI and internal audit but emphasizes that both technical expertise and "soft skills" (or "power skills") are crucial.
  • Notable Quote (Trent Russell, 00:30):

    "The soft skill stuff and the how to be a CAE is as important, if not more. And so it's really just our way of sending the message of, yep, AI analytics, the technical stuff is critical. It's super important, but it's still about the relationships and the soft slash power skill."

2. The Rarity of Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Resources

• [01:35–02:12]
  • Trent shares his motivation for starting The Audit Podcast: the lack of practical resources for aspiring or current CAEs.
  • He points out the abundance of books for other C-level positions and the scarcity for CAEs—a gap addressed by Navin Pashrika’s book, “Getting Ready to Roar: Chief Auditor's Guide, Audit Room to Boardroom”.
  • Notable Quote (Trent Russell, 01:45):

    “There is no book on how to be a CAE. There’s a lot of CEO books, CMO, CDO, now Chief Data Officer books... but type in CAE book—not a lot of good stuff out there. And that was the case until somewhat recently when Navin Pashrika wrote a book...”

3. Endorsement of “Getting Ready to Roar”

• [02:13–03:10]
  • The episode highlights the significance of Navin Pashrika’s book for audit professionals.
  • Trent references Hal Garon, a well-regarded internal audit thought leader, whose endorsement further validates the book’s value.
    • Hal is noted for his prolific book reading and strong recommendations.
    • Notable Quote (Trent Russell, 02:45):

      “Hal reads a lot of books... he came across this post from Hal a month ago where he basically said the same thing or is echoing the same sentiments and thoughts that I have on Getting Ready to Roar and said it’s really great.”

4. Book Giveaway Details and How to Enter

• [03:11–05:00]
  • The podcast is giving away a copy of “Getting Ready to Roar”, and listeners can enter by:
    • Engaging (commenting) on the LinkedIn post about the giveaway, either on the Audit Podcast page or Trent’s personal profile.
    • Leaving a written review of the podcast on iTunes or Spotify (with a screenshot sent to Trent).
  • The contest is “raffle style” and based partly on the honor system for review submissions.
  • Instructions from Trent (04:08):

    “Go to either the Audit Podcast and find it from there or you can go to Trent Russell, my LinkedIn profile, find it from there, engage with a post, add some kind of comment... We will just let—literally any comment is fine and we will raffle that off...”

  • Trent’s contact details are given for review confirmations:

    “Trent dot Russell at GSKanalytics dot com”

5. Final Thoughts and Holiday Well-Wishes

• [05:01–06:36]
  • Trent encourages listeners, even if they don’t win, to buy the book themselves.
  • He closes with well-wishes for the holidays and promotes the next episode (first of 2026), featuring Pat Niemann of EY discussing risks for the coming year.
    • Notable Quote (Trent Russell, 06:30):

      “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, enjoy the time off for those that have it... Our first episode in 2026 is from our friend Pat Niemann over at EY who's going to talk about 2026 risks to keep an eye out on.”

Memorable Quotes

• On balancing technical and interpersonal skills:

  “AI analytics, the technical stuff is critical. It's super important, but it’s still about the relationships and the soft slash power skill.”
  —Trent Russell [00:30]

• On the scarcity of CAE resources:

  “...not a lot of good stuff out there. And that was the case until somewhat recently when Navin Pashrika wrote a book...”
  —Trent Russell [01:45]

• On trusted endorsements:

  “He [Hal Garon] reads a lot of books and posts about it very consistently... said it’s really great. He bought it himself. He also is sharing it with basically anyone who will listen to him.”
  —Trent Russell [02:45]

• On holiday spirit and future episodes:

  “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, all stuff. We will see you all in 2026.”
  —Trent Russell [06:33]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00–01:00] — Holiday setup, episode’s informal format, and the emphasis on “power skills”.
• [01:35–02:12] — Motivation for the podcast and lack of CAE-specific resources.
• [02:13–03:10] — Importance and endorsement of Navin Pashrika’s “Getting Ready to Roar.”
• [03:11–05:00] — Detailed explanation of the book giveaway and how to enter.
• [05:01–06:36] — Wrap-up, encouragement to check out the book, holiday wishes, and preview of next year’s content.

Summary & Listener Takeaways

• This episode underscores the enduring importance of soft (or “power”) skills for auditors, especially those aspiring to be (or currently serving as) CAEs.
• “Getting Ready to Roar” by Navin Pashrika is highlighted as a much-needed, practical guide for audit leaders, strongly endorsed within the professional community.
• There’s an open invitation for listeners to join the giveaway for this resource or seek it out themselves for professional development.
• The podcast wishes all listeners happy holidays, reiterates the value of personal growth and relationships in audit leadership, and promises insightful content in 2026—including a look ahead at emerging risks.

For more, follow The Audit Podcast on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Happy Holidays!