Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration

Send us Fan Mail What if the real cybersecurity workforce problem isn’t just headcount — but how the work itself is changing? In this episode, I dig into a SANS and GIAC report that challenges the usual “talent shortage” narrative and reveals a more complex picture of AI, compliance, career progression, and the future of cyber talent. In this episode, I explore: Why skills gaps are now outranking...

Send us Fan Mail There’s a narrative in cybersecurity that’s quietly pushing good people away. And it’s a problem we need to address. In this episode, I’m unpacking a tension that doesn’t make sense on the surface: Thousands of open cybersecurity roles… and still, talented people questioning whether they belong. So what’s really going on? We talk about: The disconnect between the cybersecurity tal...

Send us Fan Mail What’s really happening in the cybersecurity workforce—and why are so many organizations still struggling to hire and retain the right talent? In this episode, I sit down with Brian Correia, the Director of Global Cyber Workforce Strategy & Engagement at SANS, to unpack key insights from the 2026 SANS GIAC Workforce Report. But this isn’t your typical workforce conversation. T...

Send us Fan Mail Your track record for surviving hard days is 100%. Let me prove it to you. In this deeply personal episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the three T's that have kept me grounded through 28 years in tech, multiple layoffs, career transitions, and everything in between. You'll learn: Transparency : Why vulnerability is your secret weapon—and how admitting "I&a...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to better leadership, stronger teams, and healthier workplace culture starts with one thing— self-awareness? In this episode, I sit down with Larissa Fitzhugh, founder of Diadem Solutions, t o explore what it really takes to build workplaces where people can thrive—not just perform. Larissa shares how her journey in HR operations led her to focus on employee experi...

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest cybersecurity risk isn’t your company - but your life? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Hazel Cerra, a retired U.S. Secret Service agent who spent 25 years protecting world leaders before stepping into the world of digital security convergence at BlackCloak. We explore how today’s threat landscape has evolved far beyond physical protection. Execut...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bytes, Bits and Brilliance, we address common concerns for individuals looking to pivot into cybersecurity, particularly those who feel they may need to start over or obtain additional certifications.  It's important to view roles not just as job titles but as signals that reflect what companies truly need.  Dawn shares her insights on how to leverage exist...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s evolving job market, the rules of career growth are changing—and this episode is your guide to navigating it with confidence. Dawn sits down with Natasha Schwartz , a seasoned staffing and recruiting expert with over 30 years of experience, who is now pivoting into cybersecurity while leveraging her deep expertise in talent strategy. Together, they unpack what it really...

Send us Fan Mail This episode dives into innovative approaches to hiring that focus on genuine conversations, soft skills, and strategic collaboration. Tara Turk-Haynes shares practical frameworks and insights for transforming hiring processes to better assess candidates and foster lasting talent retention, especially in technical and cyber roles. In this episode: The importance of viewing intervi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the raw realities of career journeys, the power of authentic networking, and the importance of resilience in tech. Daniela, a college student and club president, shares her experience of overcoming insecurities at career fairs, the lessons learned from failure, and her passion for sustainability in AI and edge computing. In this episode:  How first impr...

Send us Fan Mail What if hitting pause could become the most powerful move in your career? In this honest and soul-stirring episode of Bytes, Bits, and Brilliance, Dawn sits down with Nyam , a digital product delivery leader who made the bold decision to take a year-long sabbatical after experiencing burnout. Together, they explore how intentional rest can lead to deep transformation, renewed crea...

Send us Fan Mail In this intimate and honest conversation, Dawn reconnects with longtime friend and former mentor Ali , an Afro-Latina, Caribbean-born technologist whose journey spans cybersecurity, data analytics, AI engineering, and beyond. Together, they explore what it really means to lead and live well in the tech industry—where success demands not just skill, but soul. You’ll hear insights o...

Send us Fan Mail This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. In this episode of Bytes, Bits, and Brilliance, Dawn invites listeners to go beyond consuming content and instead co-create the next evolution of the show and its growing community. She shares plans for exciting new features, including: 🎙️ “Ask Me Anything” episodes about career, leadership, and the next steps in navigating your path. 💬...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the evolving world of IT workforce development—from internships and apprenticeships to change management and inclusion.  Feevan shares her inspiring journey into tech, starting from George Washington University to discovering her passion for cybersecurity through e-commerce security and IT strategy classes. We also explore: The power of sponsors and m...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, I’m joined by Rob T. Lee, Chief AI Officer and Chief of Research at SANS Institute —a globally respected voice in cyber, AI, and education who also happens to be down‑to‑earth, funny, and incredibly relatable.  Together, we unpack what the future of cybersecurity careers looks like in an AI‑driven world, and what it really means to lead through rapid, messy,...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 3 of Bytes, Bits, and Brilliance! 🎙️ In this solo episode, I share my vision for the season ahead. This season is all about intention, courage, and authentic leadership in a rapidly evolving world.  We'll explore emerging themes from Season 2—leadership, growth, and well-being—and shines a light on the big questions we’re all asking: How do we use our voices...

Send us Fan Mail As Season 2 closes, I want to pause—not to summarize, but to celebrate. This season was never just about tech or cybersecurity. It was about you . The listener taking notes mid-episode. The one who pressed play through grief, career shifts, and imposter syndrome. The lifelong learner who found mentorship, belonging, and community through this space. In this episode, we reflect on:...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2 started with a commitment to consistency. It ended with clarity about power. In this closing episode, I step back and examine the patterns that emerged across solo episodes and interviews—from career pivots and layoffs to financial literacy, mentorship, leadership, and legacy. Across every conversation, one theme echoed: Power isn’t granted. It’s chosen. This episode is a...

Send us Fan Mail This episode dives deep into the seismic shift from Generative AI (GenAI) to Agentic AI , moving beyond mere content creation toward autonomous, goal-driven systems .  We unpack the fundamental differences between these technologies, providing listeners with a clear roadmap for understanding how AI is evolving from a reactive tool that responds to prompts into a proactive "di...

Send us Fan Mail As Season 2 closes, I reflect on what hosting this podcast revealed about me—not just as a leader in tech, but as a builder. This isn’t a motivational episode. It’s a reclamation. In this episode, I unpack what audacity really means in leadership and career growth—especially for women navigating tech and cybersecurity spaces where visibility can feel costly. This conversation is a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the world of alternative tech pathways , exploring how apprenticeships and returnships are dismantling traditional barriers to entry. We break down how these "learn-and-earn" models allow participants to gain hands-on experience and professional mentorship while addressing the industry’s persistent skills gap and lack of diversity .  We also...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Bites and Brilliance podcast, I speak with Sage and Haley, on our Away Mission at the Aspen Cyber Summit in November 2025.   Sage and Haley, both scholars at Bowie State University,  share their journeys into the field of cybersecurity.  They talk about the importance of community and mentorship in navigating their careers, particularly as women of color in...

Send us Fan Mail Early in my career, I misunderstood what mentorship was and how it worked. I believed it had to be formal, perfectly aligned, and initiated by someone else. I didn’t yet understand my role, or how essential mentorship truly was. In this Mentorship Moment, I reflect on the assumptions I carried, the distinctions I didn’t yet understand, and how openness to mentorship later reshaped...

Send us Fan Mail No matter how capable or driven we are, there are things we simply can’t give ourselves.  In this episode, I share what mentorship offered me over the years, from seeing myself more clearly, to gaining insight into paths I had never walked, to receiving affirmation at moments when I needed it most. This reflection explores how mentorship expands our view, challenges our assumption...

Send us Fan Mail People often talk about mentorship as if it begins with a single defining moment. In reality, it’s often a series of moments that share the same feeling. Being ready for more. Feeling adrift. Facing decisions without a clear path forward. In this Mentorship Moment, I reflect on the seasons and situations that stirred my desire for guidance, how mentorship relationships can shift w...