Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you walk away from a high-powered tech career to chase your true calling?  In this electrifying episode, I sit down with a former Microsoft leader, the powerhouse founder of Limitless Leaders, Uma Subramanian. Following her time at Microsoft, while working with a tech startup, Uma left it all behind after a jaw-dropping meeting with the startup CEO who crossed th...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of our series with Thalia Brown, the founder of Authentic Discussion , we dive into the realities of recruitment and networking in today's competitive tech landscape.  Thalia shares her journey with professional networking, authentic professional branding and the critical need for candidates to differentiate themselves.  We explore strategies for standing out in a c...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 1 of this two-part series, I sit down with Thalia Brown , the founder of Authentic Discussion —a pioneering learning platform using research-based tools, podcasts, virtual reality, and AI to tackle gender equity and workplace challenges in tech and cybersecurity.  Drawing on years of experience as a diversity practitioner and recruiter, Thalia shares how her mission-driven...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of our change management series, with my guest, Shanayla Sweat , we explore why performative change efforts often fall short and how genuine leadership commitment is key to lasting transformation.  Shanayla highlights the critical role of soft skills in change management, emphasizing the need for leaders to truly listen and respond to employee needs like flexibility, aut...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 1 of this two-part series, we dive into the world of change management in technology and cybersecurity with Shanayla Sweat, who has journeyed from software quality assurance to leading organizational transitions.  Discover why effective change management is crucial for successful tech adoption, how storytelling and authentic communication drive real change, and why human r...

Send us Fan Mail In this solo reflection, I share a powerful reframe on what it really means to thrive — especially when you're navigating transitions, uncertainty, or moments when clarity feels out of reach. Inspired by a recent PowerToFly session and the wisdom of Elizabeth Weingarten, this episode gently challenges the idea that thriving means having it all figured out. Instead, you’ll be...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s bite-sized episode of Bytes, Bits & Brilliance , we explore one powerful leadership question: Do you know how important it is to know your people? Whether you lead a team, manage projects, or mentor others, the truth is this —people don’t leave companies, they leave managers. And retention starts with relationship. In under 10 minutes, I break down: 3 reasons why kn...

Send us Fan Mail In this Quick Bytes of Brilliance episode, I unpack insights from a recent ISC2 article on non-traditional paths into cybersecurity — and share a heartfelt reflection on the realities women still face, from systemic bias to pay inequity to being underestimated despite our qualifications.  This episode is for every woman carving her own way in cyber and beyond. Tune in for truth, e...

Send us Fan Mail Step back in time and leap forward with us as we celebrate the extraordinary journey of a trailblazing IT trainer, Carol "Lady Ray" Holmes, who has spent four decades breaking barriers, empowering communities, and growing alongside technology itself.  From delivering flyers at 13 to transitioning typist skills to teach basic computer skills, our guest shares her story of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with JT Taylor, the visionary leader behind our non-profit, Black IT Academy (BITA).   JT shares his inspiring journey through the tech industry, from overcoming the glass ceiling without a college degree to embracing leadership roles in customer success management.  We dive deep into the importance of confidence, networking, and continuous learning, es...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we're moving from reflection to action . If you've ever felt stretched thin, overwhelmed by change, or unsure of your next move in tech or cybersecurity, you're not alone AND you're not failing.  You're being called to evolve. Join me as I share five powerful, actionable strategies to overcome career challenges, thrive in dynamic e...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt and empowering episode, we tackle one of the most important yet often unspoken parts of a technology or cybersecurity career: Navigating the professional challenges that stretch, test, and shape us. Through compassion, insight, and real talk, you'll hear how challenges are not interruptions but essential parts of your growth. We'll explore why it's...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the Podcast and another AI voiced episode, inspired by my reading the book, The First 90 Days and My Musings aka From My Mind. Transitions: whether a new job, a career pivot, or a sabbatical, can shake us to our core. In this episode, we explore a powerful insight from The First 90 Days about the difference between balance and equilibrium, and why mastering this di...

Send us Fan Mail What sparked the idea for this podcast? What hurdles did I face? And how did I go from “I should do this” to launching Bytes, Bits & Brilliance ? In this special solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing the real, raw journey of how this show came to life. From mentor conversations that planted the first seed, to doubts, analysis paralysis, and finally, ACTION...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I dive deep into the pressing issue of the Cybersecurity and IT workforce gap, exploring its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. With insights from Perplexity AI , we unravel: The origins and persistence of the workforce gap, spanning decades. Why rapid technological advancements and skill obsolescence exacerbate the problem. The challenges faced by bot...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I dive into the powerful insights from the first chapter of The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins, exploring the common transition traps that can derail us during periods of change.  Reflecting on my own experiences, I share how I fell into some of the traps and got caught in the vicious cycle described in the book. With transparency and honesty, I unpack the le...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2 of Bytes, Bits, and Brilliance is here—and we’re coming back bigger and bolder! This episode we dig into the highlights and lessons learned from Season 1 then move into the Expansion and Bold Moves coming to you in Season 2!   Last season, we had incredible conversations on career pivots, leadership, personal branding, and navigating the tech industry as underrepresented...

Send us Fan Mail Hi Bytes, Bits and Brilliance Audience! Season 1 has ended and Season 2 will be in full swing in March, the 1 year anniversary of the podcast. 🎉 Today my curiosity took me to a conversation with Perplexity AI about Edge Computing and the result was so 🔥 I wanted to share it with you as well.  This was just the push and inspiration I needed to try out Google's NotebookLM pod...

Send us Fan Mail That's a Wrap!  Wow, we’ve officially wrapped up Season 1 of Bytes, Bits, and Brilliance ! It’s been an incredible journey sharing stories, insights, and lessons with you all. Thank you for tuning in, engaging, and being part of this amazing community. 🙏 As we gear up for Season 2 in March 2025, I want to hear from YOU! Your feedback will help shape the next chapter of the p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Bytes, Bits and Brilliance, we delve into the true value of networking beyond just financial gain. Discover how your professional connections can provide education, emotional support, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities.  Join us as we explore seven non-monetary benefits of building a strong community and learn actionable strategies to enhance your netwo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Charron Andrus , a dynamic leader who transitioned from studying pharmacy to making significant strides in Technology and Cybersecurity.  Join us as we explore her diverse career journey, which includes roles in clinical applications, project management, and enterprise applications.  Also discover insights on career transitions, the importance of...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the podcast, Jeneba Wint , a visionary Futurist, Speaker, and Author who transforms how professionals navigate the tech-career landscape and the future of work. A former Division I athlete turned technology and innovation leader, she founded Bloomology LLC and created Bloomy Brand GPT to help professionals discover their "zone of genius". Drawing from her jour...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about how to navigate the world of cybersecurity from a different angle? Nigel Redrick, a seasoned Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) professional, who's career started in Education as a Mathematics teacher. For those contemplating a career in cybersecurity, Nigel provides valuable insights into aligning your professional journey with your personal interests and s...

Send us Fan Mail As we wrap up another year in the fast-paced world of tech, it's time for a gratitude reboot. In this episode, we explore how cultivating appreciation can be your secret weapon for career resilience and success. From reframing challenges to fostering a culture of recognition, we'll dive deep into practical strategies that can transform your professional outlook. Discover...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to thrive as a technologist in today’s rapidly evolving landscape? My guest, Bobby Kingsberry II , a seasoned Technology & Cybersecurity Leader, began his journey in a humble data entry role and worked his way up by seizing opportunities and taking calculated risks. In this episode, he shares invaluable strategies for career growth, highlights the resilience...