Mind What Matters is where data security meets real talk. Hosted by Samuel Hill & Landen Brown, this podcast blends cybersecurity conversations with a dose of humor. Each episode dives into hot headlines deep-dive discussions all while keeping it light, quirky and fun. From password fails to policy debates, we’ll help you mind what matters in data security.
“AI Slop, Teen Ransomware Gangs & How a CISO Vets AI Vendors”
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here, and your team doesn’t need another pizza party.
In Mind the Headlines, Samuel looks at how AI-generated submissions are flooding Google’s bug bounty program and why letting AI police AI-written bug reports about AI-written code might be a step too far. He also covers the takedown of ShinyHunters and the KillSec ransomware group, both reportedly run by teenagers, and what it means for security leaders: focus on the controls you own.
Next, MIND co-founder Itai Schwartz talks about building culture at a fast-growing startup, how MIND is putting its $72M Series B to work, trading Tel Aviv for Brooklyn and his ongoing quest to understand American football.
Then, a preview of next week’s webinar with Parrish Gunnels, CISO at MVB Bank. Parrish walks through what he asks every AI vendor: which models they run, how much of their code AI wrote, whether that code’s been reviewed and how they handle hallucinations and model validation. Plus the vendor conversation that left his team uneasy.
Finally, five ideas for what security teams actually want this October, from a toil-kill hackathon and a no-pager weekend to a full security theater purge.
Register for the full webinar with Parrish Gunnels (https://mind.io/events/does-your-ai-vendor-pass-the-ciso-test)
24 Sept 2026
$72 Million, Shadow AI & a Liz-Approved Trip
On this episode of Mind What Matters, Samuel sits down with Eran Barak, MIND co-founder and CEO, to talk about MIND's $72 million Series B. They cover how the round came together just a year after the Series A and where the new fuel goes next as AI agents make protecting sensitive data even harder. They also answer the important question: is there a pool full of money involved?
Then we play a clip from our recent webinar with Mike Hiltz, CISO at nference and Anumana. Mike explains why data lives everywhere and why endpoint visibility matters. He also covers what happens when users get "permission fatigue" with AI tools and just click allow.
In Mind the Headlines, we dig into IBM's Cost of a Data Breach report, which found shadow AI in 43% of breaches, up from 20% last year. We also look at the growing calls to slow down frontier AI.
And Liz Cook, our Global Head of Standards, checks in from South Beach with a trip review that was 100% Liz approved. Well, almost.
Watch the full webinar with Mike Hiltz: https://mind.io/events/since-the-business-runs-on-ai-your-dlp-should-too-right (https://mind.io/events/since-the-business-runs-on-ai-your-dlp-should-too-right)
7 May 2026
Everything is a data security problem now
CISOs are less confident in their data protection than ever and that number is still falling. Samuel and Landen unpack new research showing confidence has dropped from 48% in 2022 to just 26% today, then connect it to the Medtronic breach, where Shiny Hunters walked away with millions of sensitive records through a chain of identity, SaaS and infrastructure failures.
The through-line: cybersecurity isn't a collection of siloed disciplines anymore. It's one massive problem with a common answer: Secure your data.
Then Samuel and Landen get into it on conference speaking panels. Vendor stages, suit jackets at RSA, and the practitioners nobody's putting in front of a crowd. They don't entirely agree, which is the point.
Plus: a three-year-old takes first place in Pee Wee Beginners desert racing, and a five-year-old hides behind his coach to juke an entire flag football field.
24 Apr 2026
The next AI model might be too dangerous to release.
In this episode, Samuel Hill and Landon Brown explore the latest in AI advancements, cybersecurity challenges, and the importance of data governance. They discuss the impact of new AI models like Claude Mythos, the future of cyber defense, and how to adapt in a rapidly interconnected world.
keywords
AI, cybersecurity, Claude Mythos, data governance, cyber defense, AI models, cyber threats, innovation, open source security, data protection
key topics
AI model Mythos and its implications
Cybersecurity challenges with AI advancements
Data governance and security in AI era
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mind What Matters Podcast
01:43 Personal Updates and Family Dynamics
05:38 Navigating Family Calendars
07:41 The Rise of Claude Mythos
11:44 AI and Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword
15:39 The Future of Cyber Defense
21:07 The Importance of Data Security
25:30 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
resources
Mind Security Research Report -https://mind.io/content/research-report-impact-of-data-trust-on-ai-success (https://mind.io/content/research-report-impact-of-data-trust-on-ai-success)
31 Mar 2026
The RSA 2026 after-action report
The podcast episode discusses the post-RSAC feedback and experience, the theme of agentic AI at RSAC, food marketing and brand experience, team commitment and growth, oddities and brand presence at RSAC, and the shift towards realism and tangibility in the market.
21 Mar 2026
What will RSAC be like this year?
This episode covers the upcoming RSA conference, cybersecurity industry insights, and the impact of geopolitics on cyber threats. Guests share their perspectives on industry trends, conference expectations, and the importance of community in cybersecurity.
16 Jan 2026
Would you trust Dr. ChatGPT?
In this episode of Mind What Matters, host Samuel Hill welcomes Tyson Hempel, the Chief Revenue Officer at MIND, to discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the impact of AI on the industry. They kick off the conversation by reflecting on personal experiences and aspirations for the new year, emphasizing the importance of both personal and professional growth. As they transition into the main topic, they delve into the integration of AI in healthcare, particularly the implications of using tools like ChatGPT for managing sensitive health data. Tyson highlights the security challenges that arise from this trend, stressing the need for robust data protection measures in the healthcare sector.
The discussion then shifts to evaluating cybersecurity companies, where Tyson shares insights on what makes a company valuable in the current market. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the people behind the technology, the need for genuine partnerships, and the significance of ongoing customer support. The episode wraps up with anecdotes about the unpredictable nature of sales and leadership, showcasing the lighter side of their experiences in the industry.
Takeaways:
"It's not about just the product or the market or the tech, but more so about the people and the team."
"You can change your credit card number. You can't change your blood type."
"The customer journey doesn't begin or end at the actual sale."
"Find an organization that's maniacally focused on partnership."
"You have to work your ass off, period. There's no free lunch."
23 Dec 2025
The future of AI and cybersecurity
Summary
In this episode of Mind What Matters, hosts Samuel Hill, Landen Brown welcome Eran Barak to discuss holiday traditions, predictions for 2026 in cybersecurity, and the evolving landscape of AI and data security. They explore the implications of AI initiatives, data poisoning, and the need for security teams to focus on business enablement rather than just tool counts. The conversation highlights the importance of trust in technology and the potential challenges that lie ahead as AI becomes more integrated into business processes.
Takeaways
The importance of holiday traditions in different cultures.
Predictions for 2026 include a rise in AI initiatives.
Data poisoning is a significant concern for AI models.
Security teams will be measured by business enablement.
Tool sprawl is recognized as a liability.
AI agents will become more prevalent in organizations.
Data security will surpass application security in importance.
Trust and validation are crucial in cybersecurity.
The need for innovative solutions to manage AI agents.
The holiday season is a time for family and reflection.
4 Dec 2025
Why CISOs shouldn't go to jail.
In this episode, Landon Brown and Samuel Hill discuss various themes surrounding cybersecurity, including the impact of software on aviation safety, the responsibility of developers in managing secrets in public repositories and the accountability of CISOs in the face of breaches. They also reflect on personal traditions during the holiday season and the importance of preparedness in both personal and professional contexts.
20 Nov 2025
Why no one trusts AI
In this episode of Mind What Matters, hosts Samuel Hill and Landon Brown discuss various topics related to cybersecurity, including the 50th anniversary of Apple, a cybersecurity incident at the University of Pennsylvania, and the implications of prompt injection attacks. They delve into the rise of Agentic AI and its impact on data security, the convergence of data loss prevention and insider risk, and the trust issues surrounding AI and non-human identities. The conversation reflects on the complexity of human experience and the future of AI in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Takeaways
The importance of understanding data security in the context of human behavior.
Apple's influence on technology and culture over the past 50 years.
Cybersecurity incidents can have serious implications for organizations.
Prompt injection attacks pose a significant risk to AI systems.
Agentic AI is changing the landscape of trust and security.
Data loss prevention and insider risk need to be integrated.
Trust issues with AI reflect broader human concerns about reliability.
The future of AI may involve balancing deterministic and non-deterministic approaches.
Human experience is complex and should inform AI development.
Conversations about trust and technology are more relevant than ever.
4 Nov 2025
Why are we still using RegEx?
In this episode of Mind What Matters, hosts Samuel Hill and Landon Brown discuss various topics in cybersecurity, including Nvidia's unexpected investment in Intel, the risks associated with foreign communication devices in critical infrastructure, the challenges of live tech demos, and the inefficiencies in traditional processes like regex in data security. They emphasize the importance of innovation and adapting to new technologies while reflecting on personal experiences and the value of family.
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