In The Thick of IT

Ever feel like you're playing a game without knowing the rules? This episode dives into the behind-the-scenes world of tech sales, vendor relationships, and the unwritten codes that shape your security and budget decisions. With some transparency, humor, and a touch of whiskey(Fern only), we pull back the curtain on renewals, sales incentives, and the "circle of trust" that gets you access; or possibly keeps you locked out. From b...

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 messa...

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 t...

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 relation...

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 l...

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...

Time Stamps

00:00:00 - Breaking Down Barriers: Early Career Lessons

00:10:05 - Navigating Leadership in Tech

00:20:42 - The Power of Storytelling in Cybersecurity

00:34:35 - Fostering Trust Through Collaboration

00:47:50 - Personal Growth Through Professional Challenges

01:02:20 - Balancing Work, Family, and Self

01:18:05 - Innovation vs. Legacy: Making Strategic Decisions

01:31:10 - Empowering Teams with Purpose-Driven Leadership

01:44:0...

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 in...

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...

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 throu...

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 ...

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 experienc...

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 transformatio...

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...