Tired of podcasts that focus on a company, product, or something other than the guest? Yea, me too. Join me on my journey to learn as much as possible from the leaders in tech that we all respect, appreciate, and wish to hear their stories we can all relate to.
Cybersecurity Lessons You Didn't Learn in School with Ryan Murray
Ryan Murray shares cybersecurity lessons, emphasizing the importance of building trust and long-term relationships within a state's cybersecurity ecosystem in this interview.
28 May 2025
Dan Shuler - The epiphany that changed everything
Dan Shuler shares his epiphany about navigating the unwritten rules of tech sales and vendor relationships, revealing insights on renewals, incentives, and building trust within the industry in this interview.
5 May 2025
Thriving in Security as an Engineer with Trevor Costanzi
Trevor Costanzi pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in security—from burnout and certifications to why the best engineers don’t always wear suits. We dig into hacker origins, secure-by-design philosophy, and how relationships—not just résumés—build lasting tech careers. Whether you're trying to break into cyber, pivot from helpdesk, or finally make sense of DevSecOps, this one hits like a late-night Slack message that changes everything. Buckle up.
00:00:00 : Why most security teams are misunderstood, and how some non-technical leadership breaks trust
00:15:01 : From hacking middle school servers to burnout-proof job advice. Why security isn’t for everyone
00:30:01 : Certifications vs. reality: what the industry doesn’t want you to know about getting hired
00:45:01 : The power of showing up: why building real-world relationships trumps LinkedIn hype
01:00:01 : DevSecOps decoded: building secure products without killing team velocity
01:15:01 : In the trenches and at the top: bridging the trust gap between engineers and execs
01:30:01 : The mindset shift from paycheck collector to legacy builder
01:45:01 : Career roadmap for new security pros—and why coding is the ultimate unlock
02:00:01 : Late-night failures, university rants, and the boldest take on GenAI yet
14 Apr 2025
Leadership, Trust, and Strategic Growth: A No-Hype Conversation with Frank Grimmelmann
I sat down with someone whose work lives far from the spotlight but impacts everything from intelligence strategy to leadership systems. In this nearly three-hour conversation, Frank shares what it takes to lead when stakes are high, decisions are gray, and systems are bigger than any one person. We unpack how influence is earned, what happens behind the scenes in real-world operations, and how trust, precision, and humility come together to drive real progress. If you're someone who likes to think about leadership at the systems level—this one's for you.
00:00:00 - 00:10:10 — Building a career rooted in trust
00:10:11 - 00:20:36 — Influence built through relationships, not titles
00:20:37 - 00:31:18 — Crisis, trust, and real-time leadership
00:31:19 - 00:41:43 — Surveillance ethics and threat assessment
00:41:44 - 00:52:15 — Navigating transparency vs. duty
00:52:16 - 01:03:07 — Perception vs. operational reality
01:03:08 - 01:13:33 — Innovation inside government red tape
01:13:34 - 01:24:17 — Healthcare shows systemic failures
01:24:18 - 01:34:46 — Leadership when seconds count
01:34:47 - 01:45:17 — Systems that quietly break trust
01:45:18 - 01:56:04 —Tech waste and procurement dysfunction
01:56:05 - 02:06:21 — Infrastructure, targeting, and resilience
02:06:22 - 02:16:35 — Deepfakes and digital identity erosion
02:16:36 - 02:27:15 — Burnout-proofing digital transformation
02:27:16 - 02:37:39 — Compliance vs. practical progress
02:37:40 - 02:47:47 — Humanity and humor in leadership
02:47:48 - 02:54:52 — Franks final reflections on legacy, courage, and why clarity matters more than confidence.
10 Mar 2025
Graham Greytak on Building a Legacy
Graham shares his career journey from PHX Suns ticket sales to CEO, the lessons he learned from both sides of the table, and how he built HireRising into a powerhouse in tech staffing and consulting.
🔹 Was he crazy to take the risk? (Even his friends thought so.)
🔹 The biggest hiring trends for 2025 : who’s in demand & what’s changing?
🔹 How sales experience can transform your career
🔹 The secret to building high-value relationships that fuel success.
🔹 Graham’s daily routine for peak performance—cold plunges, meditation & mindset shifts.
If you’ve ever thought about taking a leap in your career or business, Graham has the story you need to hear.
0:00 | From Sales to Business Ownership
7:01 | Understanding Both Sides in Business
14:31 | Overcoming Doubt & Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap
20:51 | Hiring Trends for 2025 & Business Growth
29:16 | Work-Life Balance & Personal Success Habits
38:01 | The Power of Business Relationships
44:21 | Future of Hiring & Industry Shifts
51:31 | HireRising’s Vision & Expansion into Consulting
58:41 | Final Takeaways & Career Advice
21 Feb 2025
Paul Wolf- The Journey After Being Laid Off
I am not certain any person actually has the life they expected. I would argue, a number of unexpected events lead us down a path we might not have imagined.
In the episode, Paul Wolf opens up about an early dream of becoming an actor, a surprising detour into radio, and the financial hardships during a tech layoff. Through his storytelling, we explore the struggles of finding our footing, career pivots, and the emotional toll of losing your source of income.
From being “voluntold” into cybersecurity to navigating financial survival, this episode covers resilience, personal growth, and how security roles have evolved in the business world.
If you're unsure of what your future looks like, find yourself at a career crossroads, or looking for some inspiration, Paul is just to person to learn from. Listen to his story about overcoming setbacks, adapting to change, and finding purpose.
This episode is a reminder that the toughest moments can lead to the most unexpected opportunities.
00:00:00 - The Accidental Path to Cybersecurity
00:10:23 - Chasing Dreams: From Acting to Tech
00:22:46 - Breaking into Radio & Early Tech Experiences
00:34:16 - The Reality of Low Salaries in Radio
00:47:31 - Transitioning from Radio to IT
01:02:01 - The Evolution of Security Roles
01:17:46 - When Your Career Chooses You
01:31:01 - Struggles of Building a Security Program
01:43:51 - Getting Laid Off and Facing Rock Bottom
02:00:11 - The Emotional Toll of Financial Struggles
02:20:00 - The Evolution of Security in Business
02:40:00 - Rebuilding and Finding Purpose in Security
02:57:36 - Final Reflections & Career Advice
21 Jan 2025
Lock L- Finding your secret formula
In this episode, we dive into the origin of a CISO, how they handle challenges, and how professionals integrate work and life to be successful. Using examples from family life, the conversation shows why trust, teamwork, and doing the right thing are important for a strong workplace culture through CISO leadership. You’ll also hear about how professionals deal with topics around AI and privacy, but also how they help future leaders grow. This episode is full of great tips and stories that will make you think about how to be a better leader and a better version of yourself with different perspectives from the host/guest. Tune in to learn about the ups and downs of leadership and what the future might look like for you.
00:00:00 - The Role of CIOs and CISOs
00:10:23 - Security in Leadership: Lessons from Family Life
00:22:46 - Managing Risks in Corporate Culture
00:34:16 - Building Trust in Teams and Technology
00:47:51 - Personal Growth Through Professional Challenges
01:02:01 - Balancing Work, Life, and Innovation
01:17:16 - The Ethics of Cybersecurity and Privacy
01:31:01 - Empowering Future Leaders in Cybersecurity
01:43:51 - Facing the Future: Challenges and Opportunities
02:00:11 - Hypothetical Risk Scenarios and Leadership Responsibility
02:20:00 - Adapting Security Practices and Tools
02:40:00 - Building Connections and Sharing Expertise
02:53:00 - Final Reflections and Future Plans
13 Dec 2024
Dina Mathers- Finding your inner confidence
Dina Mathers shares her journey to finding inner confidence, navigating tech leadership, and empowering teams with purpose-driven leadership through stories of personal growth and professional challenges.
26 Oct 2024
Bindi Davé talks about her Challenges to Triumphs in life, work, and family.
00:00:00 - How It All Began: Early Passions and Inspirations
00:08:31 - First Hurdles: Navigating Challenges and Finding Footing
00:15:46 - Hard Lessons, Big Wins: Key Moments of Growth
00:25:21 - Mentors Who Made an Impact
00:35:01 - Career Defining Moments: The Projects and Decisions That Mattered
00:50:01 - Keeping Up with Change: Adapting to a Fast-Moving Industry
01:05:16 - Striking a Balance: Personal Growth Beyond the Office
01:15:46 - Facing Setbacks Head-On: Stories of Resilience and Comebacks
01:30:01 - The Power of a Support Network
01:45:01 - Becoming a Visionary Leader: Insights on Leading with Purpose
02:00:31 - Looking Forward: What’s Next on the Horizon
12 Oct 2024
Mike Bonner - Personal stories on balancing security, innovation, and thriving in life
Every CISO has war stories, but Mike is different.
His 26 years of experience of client and vendor roles has provided perspective to the stories people rarely speak about. The darker side of security where corporations lose more through Business Email Compromise than the recorded ransomware attacks you might read about in the news.
Take a seat and buckle up.
I guarantee these stories will blow your mind and provide a perspective into the things we all wonder about, but rarely hear of.
20 Sept 2024
Decades of Influence with Rich Owen: From NASA's Johnson Space Center to Cyber Legend
Through mentorship, on the job coaching, and most recently through his Security Sam Series of books promoting Cybersecurity for today's youth, Rich has established himself as a Cybersecurity Legend.
His 50 years of experience and mentorship of countless CISOs in todays market has provided the wisdom a significant number of organizations can attribute to their security practice foundations.
Through all the years, processes, controls, frameworks, equipment, software and technology breakthroughs, one thing has and will always be true about Cybersecurity:
Its All about people.
Learn from the living legend in this 3+ hour conversation where we talk NASA to AI and technology from 1970 to 2024.
If you are interested in reading more about Security Sam or the books discussed in this episode, please use the following link:
https://store.bookbaby.com/profile/RichOwen
10% Promo Code: "JSS1"
Guest Info:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwowen/
30 Aug 2024
Chris Lawrence talks Authentic Leadership, Communication, Culture and Personal Growth
If you have ever wondered how successful leaders build authentic connections to create a thriving workplace, this is for you. In this episode we sit with Chris Lawrence to discuss his insights on navigating these challenges with the optics of being an engineer early in his career to a standing CISO.
Our conversation jumps into being reflective on stories of personal growth through tragic loss and the renewed purpose we find through our desire to create the legacy we were destined for.
Whether you are leading a team, aspiring to lead, or struggling to find the flame within, this episode will provide the words of encouragement you might need.
Tune in for this weeks episode.
9 Aug 2024
Lester Godsey shares his thoughts on finding a Cyber career without a technical background and leveraging soft skills to become a successful leader
Lester and I sat to discuss how his unique experiences forged his beliefs on leadership, building teams, and finding success in Cyber. We captured the stories where his confidence in himself allowed him to transfer from a music background to being responsible for one of the largest counties in the US. Things are not always as they seem, and Lester gave us his opinion on how there is a place for everyone in Cyber regardless of what people might have heard about qualifications. Everyone can make a positive impact with securing our community. Find out how with this episode.
Guest:
Lester Godsey
CISO of Maricopa County.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lestergodsey/
2 Aug 2024
Kim Jones talks Leadership, Accountability and Communication as a Cyber Professional
I sat with Kim Jones, a Cyber Professional with nearly 40 years of experience, to get his take on leadership. I learned personal accountability and communication are key components to his success, but there are plenty of other characteristics we must develop before we can expect to make an impact. Through impact, we leave a legacy for the next generation to carry the torch on.
Listen on and enjoy a snippet of 38 years of experience broken into 23 chapters.
26 Jul 2024
Andy Jordan
Have you wondered what the journey from Cyber Consultant to CEO might look like? If so, this is for you.
Andy Jordan successfully made the transition from frustrated employee to inspired CEO with his guiding light coming from prior experiences he sought to improve. He is on a mission to build an company where employees love their work and the appreciation they receive, but also an organization where clients love the transformational results they achieve.
Listen in for the inspiration you might need to take a leap of faith.
Guest: Andy Jordan, CEO New Genesis Solutions
Andy's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyjjordan/
New Genesis Solutions:
https://www.newgenesissolutions.org/
13 Jul 2024
Mike Manrod
MIke Manrod is a pillar in the AZ Cyber community. I was fortunate enough to meet him at a local event where he encouraged me to start a podcast during our first conversation. 6 months later, here we are. I could not be more excited to sit with one of the most respected and accomplished professionals in our local market.
I hope you enjoy our conversation and take a few lessons for your tech journey.
Thank you for your support!
Guest Info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manrod/
Host Info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernandojrojas/
Podcast Info: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-thick-of-it/?viewAsMember=true
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheThickofIT-
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