Rookies to Rockstars
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Podcast Overview
<p>GovCon is full of rules, red tape and make-or-break moments—but how do you go from a rookie struggling with acronyms to a rockstar closing deals and leading strategy? "Rookies to Rockstars" is the podcast where industry experts share the advice they wish they had starting out.</p><p> </p><p>Co-hosts Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti bring on GovCon leaders who get real about the lessons, missteps and strategies that shaped their success. In 20-minute episodes, guests break down what they’ve learned about winning contracts, building relationships and navigating the GovCon world.</p><p> </p><p>Whether you’re figuring out your next career move or setting your sights on the C-suite, these leaders share the hard-won advice they wish they knew earlier—how to manage risk, lead with confidence and make decisions that drive real impact in GovCon.</p>
Language
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Publishing Since
9/2/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 5, 2026
Stepping Into the Unknown: Ross O’Rourke’s Rise to CEO
Ross O’Rourke didn’t set out to run a company. Like many in national security, he followed the openings in front of him and said yes to things he wasn’t sure he could pull off. The technical work came first. The leadership came later, once he could see where both the mission and the market were going. On this episode of “Rookies to Rockstars,” hosts Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti talk with O’Rourke about building Crimson Phoenix, what it actually takes to scale a mission-driven company and ...
May 13, 2026
She Was 18, Had No Mentor and Accidentally Joined the NSA. The Rest Got More Interesting From There.
Dr. Yolanda Reid didn't choose national security. She had a competing offer from a pharmaceutical company and picked the National Security Agency because the scheduling lined up better with school. She was 18. She didn't know the difference between the two industries. She just knew someone would pay for college. In this episode of "Rookies to Rockstars," hosts Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti sit down with Reid, vice president of cybersecurity at the MIL Corp., on what it looks like to ...
April 15, 2026
When Opportunity (or the CIA) Calls, Say Yes Early and Figure it Out Later: Lessons from Mario Orsini
Security may be high stakes, but building a career in it isn’t always a straight line. In this episode of "Rookies to Rockstars," hosts Camille Tuutti and Amanda Ziadeh sit down with Mario Orsini, vice president of security at Nightwing, to talk about the unconventional path that led him from a criminal justice degree to a surprise CIA recruitment call and into the world of national security. Orsini shares what he wishes he knew early on, including why the security field is “a lot smaller tha...
14 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Rookies to Rockstars?
<p>GovCon is full of rules, red tape and make-or-break moments—but how do you go from a rookie struggling with acronyms to a rockstar closing deals and leading strategy? "Rookies to Rockstars" is the podcast where industry experts share the advice they wish they had starting out.</p><p> </p><p>Co-hosts Amanda Ziadeh and Camille Tuutti bring on GovCon leaders who get real about the lessons, missteps and strategies that shaped their success. In 20-minute episodes, guests break down what they’ve learned about winning contracts, building relationships and navigating the GovCon world.</p><p> </p><p>Whether you’re figuring out your next career move or setting your sights on the C-suite, these leaders share the hard-won advice they wish they knew earlier—how to manage risk, lead with confidence and make decisions that drive real impact in GovCon.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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