Christopher Okpala

Tech Woke

Technology EN ↓ 80 episodes

Join us as we demystify the tech landscape, offer guidance on educational pathways, and showcase inspirational stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned into tech careers. We address challenges, celebrate triumphs, and equip you with the knowledge and motivation to take your first steps or advance further in the tech world.

Author

Christopher Okpala

Episodes

Breaking Into Cybersecurity GRC Careers, Soft Skills, and Navigating New Tech Trends 23.10.2025 1:03:13

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Time stamps: 00:00 "Cybersecurity Basics and Networking" 16:44 "Risk, Policies, Compliance Cycle" 23:05 "Building SSP for Security Compliance" 30:54 Mastering Communication in GRC 34:18 Cybersecur...

AI Resumes Won’t Save You: Personal Branding & Salary Negotiations 07.10.2025 1:11:06

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Guest Information: Website: https://hireinfluenceconsulting.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hireinflue...

Navigating AI Resumes, Personal Branding, and Salary Negotiations in Today’s Tech Job Market 24.09.2025 1:00:14

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 AI and Personal Branding Risks 04:33 Elusive Job Opportunities Everywhere 06:19 Corporate Net...

How to get into cybersecurity with no experience 2025 16.09.2025 1:03:21

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Compliance Community: https://www.skool.com/compliance-community-7740/about?ref=ec3abb3a3b014ed2a08e060ef406fb98 RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Time Stamps: 00:00 From...

Breaking Into GovTech: Certifications, Clearances, and Career Secrets with ft. @symonebeez 01.09.2025 46:10

How to Land an ISSO Job with Zero Experience 16.08.2025 27:09

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Description: Breaking into cybersecurity isn’t about luck, it’s about having a proven formula. If you want...

From Theater to Tech: Khalif Cooper’s Journey to Self-Taught Software Engineer 29.07.2025 35:58

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 "From Servers to Engineers" 03:13 Reflecting on Khalif's Dynamic Journey 08:2...

How to Succeed in Government Cybersecurity: RMF, CMMC, and Career Growth Tips 22.07.2025 1:05:10

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Time stamps: 1.30 Who is Derron king? 2:50 How CSMC Works in Government Contracting and Small Business 4:35...

How To Make A Career Shift: From Teacher To Tech 19.07.2025 52:40

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Time stamps: 3:14 Who is Jasmin Wooton? 6:24 Pivoting Paths: Athlete → Teacher → Tech 20:00 Aligning Your Resume and Interview Skills with the Tec...

Transitioning From T-Mobile Store Manager to Govtech Software Business Analyst 08.07.2025 1:08:18

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Time stamps: 00:00 Podcast Prayer of Gratitude 08:29 Chose Health Science Path 11:48 Uncertain Post-Graduation Path 17:25 Love-Hate T-Mobile Expe...

How to Break Into Cybersecurity Without the Traditional Path 01.07.2025 1:09:17

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Guest:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dontae-tyler-cyberhygiene/ Timestamps: 1.18 Intro: Who Is Donte? 6:00 Unplugged: Donte’s Life Before Tech 8.30...

How Cloud Security Governance Can Launch Your Cyber Career 23.06.2025 1:27:53

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Time stamps: 4:00 – Mastering Cloud Compliance 14:20 – What You Need to Know About GRC 30:00 – Overcoming the Fear of Failure 35:00 - Clearance i...

How to Get in the Right Rooms in Tech (Even With No Experience) 23.06.2025 55:16

Tech Woke LinkedIn: / christopher-okpala-413565158 Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=... Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Creative Techie: Video Editing Journey 05:50 "Maintaining Connections with Professors" 06:49 Networking Lessons at Hampton...

How to Start Your CMMC Journey with No Experience 03.06.2025 1:02:13

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 "Federal Rulemaking Process Overview" 09:59 DOD Compliance Self-Assessment Penalties 15:45 Starting as Assessment Domai...

FROM Software Engineer TO Product Manager and Here's What Happened! 16.05.2025 56:25

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 Exploring Software Engineering Paths 03:29 Discovering Tech Over Business 08:46 School Benefits vs. Self-Learning 10:51 Lengthy...

Private Sector vs Government: Career Advice, Investing Tips, and AI’s Impact 08.05.2025 56:01

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Check out the Patreon: patreon.com/TechWoke Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 Rethinking Government Job Security 04:03 Inexperienced Leadership Hurts Economy 06:57 Embracing Innovation in Private Sector 11...

How to Break into GRC Cybersecurity (Without a Tech Background) 30.04.2025 1:09:35

Tech Woke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Book Consulting Call: https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/1hr-cybersecurity-consultation Merch:https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 – "Pre-Podcast Prayer for Guidance" 07:40 – Government Risk Managem...

How To Become a Solutions Engineer With no Experience 21.04.2025 1:14:02

Tech Woke linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Book consulting call: https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/1hr-cybersecurity-consultation Merch: https://3c25a2-b9.myshopify.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1 Please Rate the Podcast - https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Guest Contact Information: linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diondria-brown-mba-18241017a/ Timest...

How to get a Security Clearance for I.T. Jobs 🇺🇸 GovTech 2025 14.04.2025 49:54

Tech Woke linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Book consulting call: https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/1hr-cybersecurity-consultation Reviews - https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 Prioritizing Precision, Not Difficulty 06:12 "Graduate Goal: Secure Career Start" 08:06 D.C. Youth Job Opportunities 11:40 Ensuring Quality for Agency Missio...

From military To Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME) 07.04.2025 1:14:11

Tech Woke linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Book consulting call: https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/1hr-cybersecurity-consultation Timestamps: 00:00 Childhood Ambitions: Army and More 08:06 Pursuing Independence After High School 11:26 Navigating Challenges with Resilience 20:31 "Certifications Over Degrees for Jobs" 23:18 "Sans Institute GI Bill...

Breaking Into Cybersecurity From ZERO Experience in 2025! 01.04.2025 24:12

Tech Woke linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Join My Tech RMF and Cyberscurity Community: https://www.skool.com/techwokecommunity Book consulting call:https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/discovery-call Timestamps: 00:00 Tech-Savvy Social Media Expert 04:16 SOC 2 Compliance Preparation 09:22 LinkedIn Engagement Encourages Collaboration 12:16 Tailoring Resumes for...

Top RMF Interview Questions and Answers to Ace Your Next Job 10.03.2025 19:58

Tech Woke linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-okpala-413565158/ Join My Tech RMF and Cyberscurity Community: https://www.skool.com/techwokecommunity Book consulting call:https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/discovery-call Timestamps: 00:00 RMS Specialist Interview Prep 05:29 Understanding POEMs in Project Management 06:31 Tracking POAMs in Federal Systems 09:39 Understanding Poem C...

From Tech Founder to PG County Executive Candidate 26.02.2025 37:06

Host Information: Instagram: techwokepodcast Tiktok: Techwoke Guest Information: 👉 Donate: https://www.electmarcelluscrews.com/ 👉 About Marcellus Crews: https://www.marcelluscrews.com/about/ Cybersecurity Consulting: https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/discovery-call Website: https://www.techwokepodcast.com/ Merch: https://shoptechwoke.com/ Join the Newsletter: subscribepage.io/TechWokeNewsLe...

What Does a Government ISSO ACTUALLY Do All Day? 18.02.2025 13:59

Host Information: Instagram: techwokepodcast Tiktok: Techwoke Cybersecurity Consulting: https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/discovery-call Website: https://www.techwokepodcast.com/ Merch: https://shoptechwoke.com/ Join the Newsletter: subscribepage.io/TechWokeNewsLetterSignup 🎙️ Check out The Tech Woke Podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/01f865d1-... #cybersecurity #govtech #techwoke Time sta...

FREE Information System Security Officer Training 10.02.2025 15:37

Host Information: Instagram: techwokepodcast Tiktok: Techwoke Skool Community Link: https://www.skool.com/techwokecommunity/about Cybersecurity Consulting: https://calendly.com/christopherokpala/1hr-cybersecurity-consultation Website: https://www.techwokepodcast.com/ Merch: https://shoptechwoke.com/ Join the Newsletter: subscribepage.io/TechWokeNewsLetterSignup 🎙️ Check out The Tech Woke Podcast: ...