Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be “entry-level”? This episode of Bytes, Bits & Brilliance , is sparked by an unexpected conversation with Juan, a cybersecurity student I met at the grocery store. Being new—whether to a role, a team, an organization, or an entirely new profession—can feel overwhelming, especially in a competitive and shifting job market. This episode reframes “new...

Send us Fan Mail In this second part of the series inspired by the ISACA State of Cybersecurity 2025 Report, we move from pipeline and skills into the cultural and emotional reality of cybersecurity work in 2025.  We look at incidents, underreporting, psychological safety, and the rising stress that’s pushing cyber professionals to the edge. ​ You’ll hear: Why 43% of cybersecurity professionals th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we unpack highlights of ISACA’s 2025 State of Cybersecurity report and what it really means for your career, your team, and your leadership journey.  Instead of just listing statistics, we use a facts → framing → question pattern to explore how the data intersects with culture, opportunity, and equity in cybersecurity. ​You’ll hear:...

Send us Fan Mail Shadow IT has evolved, and now the biggest threats lurk in unapproved cloud tools and ungoverned generative AI.  This episode breaks down the critical difference between Shadow SaaS and Shadow AI, the severe risks they introduce, and the specialized, eight-step Incident Response (IR) plan necessary to contain these modern threats What You'll Learn: Shadow Definitions: We clar...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what happens when cyber policy meets real-world collaboration in D.C.?  Dive into my raw takeaways from the Aspen Cybersecurity Summit, a 10-year powerhouse event packed with federal insights, government initiatives, and unfiltered panel talks. Hear firsthand about the close-knit community of recurring pros, the power of diverse voices (including trailblazing women),...

Send us Fan Mail Discover why knowing your “why” is more than a catchphrase—it’s your guiding light through career pivots, big decisions, and seasons of uncertainty.  Inspired by Simon Sinek’s legendary framework, this episode unpacks the power of purpose for leaders and changemakers. Reflect with your host on the true reason this podcast was born: mentorship, community, and the joyful amplificati...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you realize the language of diversity and belonging is everywhere — yet the systems remain the same? In this episode, we explore what it truly means to have a seat at the table and why representation alone isn’t enough. Host, Dawn Butler, shares a deeply personal story about leading a critical phase of an in-development framework — owning documentation, process c...

Send us Fan Mail What does true tech leadership look like when you’re stuck managing critical systems but don’t get to steer the ship?  Inspired by a LinkedIn post, this episode, the “folding chair” at the corporate table becomes a metaphor for reclaiming autonomy, breaking out of what the poster, A CISO, called the cyber Stockholm Syndrome, and rewriting the rules on influence in the industry. We...

Send us Fan Mail Are you looking to understand how organizations deliver software at speed and scale while keeping security front and center? This episode is your essential guide to the methodologies that govern modern software delivery and the leadership strategies required to drive technical excellence. We start by defining the fundamental building blocks of Agile methodology. We then examine ho...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I unpack the 2025 SANS Report, “Attract, Hire, and Retain Cybersecurity Roles,” and challenge what it really means for the global cyber workforce. We’ll talk about certification barriers, the myth of “no entry-level roles,” and the widening gap between HR, cyber managers, and real-world professionals. Join me as I dissect what’s working—and what’s not—in how organ...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Bytes, Bits & Brilliance , host Dawn Butler invites listeners into a heart-to-heart about what it truly means to use our voices — especially as Black women in Cybersecurity and Tech leadership . Dawn shares her journey from silence to self-advocacy, from fighting invisible internal battles to boldly standing up for fairness, equi...

Send us Fan Mail The Customer Success Manager (CSM) role has emerged as a critical strategic business function in the technology industry, particularly within SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) companies . But what does a CSM actually do, and how can your existing professional experience launch you into this growing field? When I was laid off and started exploring options for my next role, a few people...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really look like to lead with empathy in industries that reward output over openness?  In this refreshingly honest episode, I share my personal journey from environments lacking compassion to intentionally creating micro-cultures of belonging, trust, and meaningful feedback.  Drawing on the powerful McKinsey article, “It’s Cool to Be Kind: The Value of Empathy at Work...

Send us Fan Mail Is leadership just for those in corner offices?  Not so fast. Meet a Bahamian computer scientist, Aaleyah Evans,  whose early career in cybersecurity and academia challenged every stereotype—proving that relatability, mentorship, and mistakes are the real fuel for future leaders. Listen in for honest stories about building confidence, tackling mistakes head-on, and the power of co...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your “perfect job” doesn’t fit?  In this electrifying episode, meet a former tech pro, Jessica Cumming, who battled layoffs and glass ceilings—then flipped uncertainty into unstoppable growth. Hear how she turned misalignment at Dell into a launchpad for transformation, chose purpose over comfort, and built a coaching career grounded in bold action and realignmen...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to pivot from a 24-year career in caregiving to a thriving path in cybersecurity?   In this inspiring episode, we sit down with a former nanny and caregiver, Diana Sofi Rodriguez , originally from Peru, who shares her remarkable journey of reinvention.  She opens up about how skills like patience, organization, and empathy became powerful assets for a cybersecuri...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to thrive for two decades in cybersecurity—and to blaze a trail for others?   In this episode of Bytes, Bits and Brilliance, I sit down with the powerhouse behind Cyber Thriver, Geraldine Okon , a 20-year cybersecurity pro who rose from computer operator to trusted mentor, connector, and entrepreneur. We dive deep into her unconventional journey—spanning f...

Send us Fan Mail This 20-minute episode dives into the transformative journey of tech leadership in the age of generative AI.  Drawing from My personal reflections and insights from the Google Cloud Generative AI Leader training, it explores how leaders can navigate uncertainty, drive innovation, and empower teams through change.  Whether you're a CTO, product manager, or engineering lead, th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to thrive in tech and beyond. My guest, Dana Zellers, a former tech worker turned executive coach, joins me to unpack the lessons of work-life balance, the power of boundaries, and why intentional career planning is non-negotiable.  Together, we explore coaching strategies, how to handle career crossroads, and the role mentor...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to thrive in tech? In this episode, I sit down with Sayantika Banik , a founder and data scientist who calls herself a “mixed bag.” From building backend systems to serving on the Django Software Foundation’s Board of Directors, her journey is anything but ordinary. We dive into: The realities of burnout and the power of community support Why embracing you...

Send us Fan Mail In this audio overview, we're covering the intersection of: The Impact of Standards (ANSI's Role) : Understand how voluntary consensus standards, coordinated by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are literally everywhere , shaping innovation, improving safety and well-being, reducing costs, and enabling global trade. Common Weakness Enum...

Send us Fan Mail In the final part of this series, we zoom in on mentorship, representation, and legacy.  The panelists share what grounds them, how they support the next generation, and what they hope for the future of tech—especially for underrepresented voices. It’s the call to action we all need. JT Taylor is a senior-level tech professional, entrepreneur, and coach with a sharp focus on DevOp...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of the panel with Adam Roberts and JT Taylor , we talk about staying future-ready in an evolving tech world. The panel explores certifications vs. degrees, soft skills that matter, and how to stay ten steps ahead. It's strategy, insight, and real-world perspective from those who’ve lived it. Connect with us: Adam: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamdroberts/ JT: https:...

Send us Fan Mail Origins: How We Got Here & What We’ve Learned In Part 1 of this 3-part panel series, we go behind the titles and hear the real stories—how two leaders built their tech careers from the ground up, the lessons they learned the hard way, and how they’re now paving the way for the next generation.  This episode covers origin stories, identity evolution, imposter syndrome, and maki...

Send us Fan Mail How does someone go from cable installations at Cisco Academy to founding a cybersecurity powerhouse?  In this episode, I sit down with Charles Rush III , a Cybersecurity Founder and government contractor—CISSP, PMP, FSCE certified, and a proud Goldman Sachs 10KSB alum—who’s spent more than 20 years in tech redefining what success looks like.  We dig deep into the realities behind...