Identity Matters is a podcast hosted by Mark McClain, CEO and Founder of SailPoint, where he talks with security experts, business leaders, and people who are simply humble, hungry and smart.
Identity Matters with Sebastian Thrun, Founder of Google X, Waymo, & Udacity
In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain is joined by AI pioneer Sebastian Thrun, for a candid conversation on identity, innovation, and trust. Sebastian shares insights from his groundbreaking career, discussing the core mission that connects his work on everything from self-driving cars to democratizing education.
Mark and Sebastian dive into the challenge of building a culture where failure is rewarded as a necessary step for innovation. They explore the mindset that enables continuous learning, what the psychology of autonomous vehicles can teach us about trust in AI, and how a leader's identity must adapt across different environments like academia and the startup world.
Tune in for discussions on redefining success, adapting leadership to new challenges, and discovering which uniquely human skills are most essential for the worker of the future.
29 May 2026
Identity Matters with Kevin Lynch, Optiv CEO
In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain is joined by Kevin Lynch, CEO of Optiv, for a candid conversation on leadership, enterprise security, and the power of effective communication. Kevin shares his thoughts on his unconventional journey to leading a major tech company, and the invaluable lessons he learned transitioning from a top advisory role to the chief executive seat.
Mark and Kevin dive into the challenges of leading in a constantly reactive, high-alert industry, exploring how executives can carve out the necessary space for their teams to think proactively. They discuss the future of cybersecurity and AI, exploring what conventional industry wisdom most needs to be challenged and the critical conversations security leaders must prioritize in the boardroom today.
Tune in for discussions on navigating the impact of emerging technologies and practical lessons on how executives can stay grounded and connected to the day-to-day realities of their teams.
21 Apr 2026
Identity Matters with Ethan Mollick, The Wharton School Professor and Author of Co-Intelligence
In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain sits down with Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School and a leading expert on AI and innovation, to decode the hype and the reality of AI's impact on the future of work. Ethan shares his perspective on how individuals and organizations are grappling with this technological shift, offering a fresh take on the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Mark and Ethan unpack the seemingly contradictory nature of AI's evolution—both the massive, rapid transformations and the slower, more subtle shifts happening simultaneously. They explore the common misconceptions leaders have about AI, what it takes to move beyond surface-level understanding, and how to foster a culture of intelligent experimentation within an organization.
Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on how to think differently about AI, the most valuable resources for staying informed in a rapidly changing landscape, and the critical questions leaders should be asking.
13 Apr 2026
Identity Matters with Fran Rosch, Imprivata President and CEO
In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain is joined by Fran Rosch, President and CEO of Imprivata, for a candid conversation on leadership, reinvention, and the future of identity. Fran shares his thoughts on the constant need for personal and professional growth in the fast-paced technology landscape.
Mark and Fran dive into the challenges of staying relevant in a constantly evolving industry, exploring how embracing change and welcoming new perspectives are critical for innovation. They discuss the next frontier of identity, exploring how to enhance both security and the user experience by moving beyond legacy approaches.
Tune in for discussions on leadership through change, the future of identity and security, and lessons on the importance of embracing new perspectives.
5 Feb 2026
Identity Matters with Sean Joyce, PwC Global Office of the Chairman
In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain sits down with Sean Joyce, PwC Global Office of the Chairman, to explore leadership, security, and trust from a uniquely global perspective. Sean traces his career journey from the FBI to the private sector, sharing what surprised him most about how organizations approach security.
Mark and Sean unpack how conversations about cybersecurity, risk, and resilience have fundamentally changed over the past five years, including what’s truly different about today’s threat landscape, and the blind spots leaders face as cloud, AI, and interconnected ecosystems increase complexity.
Tune in for discussions on leadership under pressure, what distinguishes great cybersecurity leaders, and leadership lessons across public and private sectors. This is a great episode for those seeking insights on what the next generation of security leaders will need—and what timeless principles are worth preserving.
7 Jan 2026
Identity Matters with Sudhakar Ramakrishna, SolarWinds CEO
In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain is joined by Sudhakar Ramakrishna, CEO of SolarWinds, for a conversation on trust, leadership, and resilience in an increasingly complex digital world. Sudhakar reflects on SolarWinds’ evolution, from its roots in IT management to its central role in modern cybersecurity, and how the company’s mission has sharpened around trust, transparency, and accountability under his leadership.
Together, Mark and Sudhakar explore how enterprise thinking about identity, trust, and visibility has shifted as hybrid environments, cloud adoption, and distributed workforces redefine the security perimeter. They discuss the rapidly changing threat landscape, the dual impact of AI for attackers and defenders, and why “secure by design” must be a sustained mindset—not a one-time response.
Tune in for lessons on leadership under pressure, practical advice for leaders facing defining moments, and board-level perspective on risk and resilience!
11 Dec 2025
Identity Matters with Andre Durand, Ping Identity Founder and CEO
Andre Durand, Ping Identity Founder and CEO, discusses his career journey and the evolution of "identity" with Mark McClain, SailPoint CEO and Founder, in an interview about identity challenges and the impact of AI.
10 Nov 2025
Identity Matters with Bradley Rapier, Emmy-nominated, award-winning Choreographer, Author
Choreographer Bradley Rapier discusses with host Mark McClain how leaders embrace authenticity to transform organizational transactions into meaningful engagement in this interview.
22 Oct 2025
Identity Matters with Tracey Newell, SailPoint Board Member
SailPoint CEO Mark McClain interviews SailPoint Board Member Tracey Newell, who shares her journey into technology and discusses leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of identity in enterprise security.
10 Apr 2025
Identity Matters with Kevin Cunningham, SailPoint Co-Founder and former President
On this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain reunites with co-founder Kevin Cunningham to reflect on three decades of innovation in identity security. From their early days at Tivoli to launching WaveSet and building SailPoint, they share the risks, lessons, and leadership insights that shaped their journey.
Hear how they navigated the dot-com era, built a resilient company culture, and pioneered identity governance in an evolving cybersecurity landscape. They also discuss the “lifeboat mentality” that kept their team aligned, the power of listening, and Kevin’s shift into mentorship and philanthropy.
This episode is packed with wisdom on staying steady, adapting, and leading with purpose. Listen now for a candid conversation on resilience, vision, and building a lasting company.
21 Jan 2025
Identity Matters with Dmitri Alperovitch, Co-Founder and Chairman at Silverado Policy Accelerator
In this episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain and Silverado Policy Accelerator Co-Founder and Chairman Dmitri Alperovitch examine the state of cybersecurity in the face of new technological advances.
Dmitri discusses the new role of cybersecurity as the frontline of conflict, and why it will never be as simple as solving one issue, because new tools, techniques, and technologies like social engineering and AI are continually emerging for security teams and attackers alike. He underscores the need for organizations to be resilient, with plans to rebuild quickly following attacks.
This episode examines the evolving threat and identity landscapes, and why the role and definition of identity within cybersecurity are shifting. Dmitri shares his sharp observations about the latest approaches to cyberattacks and why we should look to Ukraine as an example of rebuilding after a breach. Whether you’re a seasoned cybersecurity veteran or new to the industry, you won’t want to miss this.
7 Jan 2025
Identity Matters with Cole Hocker, Olympic Champion
In this latest episode of Identity Matters, SailPoint CEO Mark McClain sits down with Olympic gold medalist Cole Hocker for an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation.
Cole shares his journey to becoming the 1500-meter champion at the 2024 Paris Olympics, beating world-class favorites in a race that stunned spectators worldwide. He delves into the mindset, preparation, and resilience required to overcome setbacks, including injuries and self-doubt, while maintaining focus on his goals.
The episode explores universal lessons about preparation, grit, and adapting to life's unexpected challenges, drawing parallels between athletic excellence and professional success. With memorable anecdotes—like seizing a fleeting opening in the race's final stretch—and actionable wisdom, Cole exemplifies what it means to stay "humble, hungry, and smart." Whether you're chasing dreams in sports, work, or life, this episode will leave you motivated to win your own race.
21 Nov 2024
Identity Matters with Sumit Dhawan, Proofpoint CEO
On this episode of Identity Matters, Mark McClain, CEO and Founder of SailPoint, is joined by Sumit Dhawan, CEO of Proofpoint.
Dhawan discusses his approach to cybersecurity and leadership, and the culture he strives to model at Proofpoint. McClain and Dhawan dive into the critical role that cybersecurity organizations play in helping enterprises solve their security challenges, and the importance of partnership with CISOs.
A key theme of this episode is the changing nature of cyber threats, and why AI is necessary to help defend against these increasingly sophisticated attacks. The conversation examines the four key solution platforms that have emerged in the cybersecurity industry, as well as the CISO’s shift in mindset from defending every possible corner of their business to operationalizing and managing risk through a suite of key solutions.
This episode explores the future of cybersecurity, why we should be excited about the industry’s direction, and how security teams can best support their CISO customers in the midst of uncertainty. Cybersecurity buffs and newbies alike will come away inspired about the possibilities that lie ahead.
21 Nov 2024
Identity Matters with Ron Green, cybersecurity fellow at Mastercard
In this first episode of Identity Matters, Mark McClain, CEO and Founder of SailPoint, is joined by Ron Green, cybersecurity fellow at Mastercard and SailPoint board member.
Green discusses his impressive career journey, from a childhood aspiration to become a Philadelphia police officer to serving in the U.S. Army, the Secret Service, and later leading security initiatives at major organizations like Bank of America and MasterCard. The conversation delves into the evolution of cybersecurity, reminiscing on Green’s early days dealing with cybercrime to today’s complex landscape to the human impact of cybersecurity during crises, comparing unique challenges of supporting teams through unexpected global threats.
A key theme of this episode is the importance of fundamentals in security—often overlooked but critical for preventing attacks. McClain and Green explore the role of AI in cybersecurity, not only for defending against today’s threats but also for anticipating future risks through techniques like threatcasting. They also discuss the growing significance of identity security, explaining how securing access to applications and data has always been the goal and why identity security is at the core of everything.
This episode explores the future of cybersecurity and the human side of defending in our digital world. It’s a must-listen for anyone trying to wrap their arms around the future of cybersecurity, threat intelligence and the critical role identity security plays in safeguarding our digital world.
Who has been a guest on Identity Matters
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Andre Durand
Bradley Rapier
Tracey Newell
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Identity Matters
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
