The CNL Podcast

In this episode, Sedric sits down with Barbara Shelton, CEO of Secure Shield Cyber Security Insurance, to cut through the hype around “shiny tool + insurance” packages. Barbara explains why many small and medium businesses think they’re protected, but when an incident happens, the fine print often leaves them exposed. She breaks down why insurers can deny claims, and why relying on bundled softwar...

In this episode, we break down one of the biggest mindset shifts happening in the industry: moving away from old-school, boundary-based security and stepping fully into Zero Trust. Oscar Papel explains why the “build a wall and hope for the best” approach just doesn’t work anymore. You fix one issue and another pops up, and modern threats move way too fast for reactive security. We dive into what...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast, Sedric sits down with Petros, Director of IT at Employees Club of California, for a real talk about ransomware, backups, and what actually works in the real world. Petros shares why paying ransoms only fuels more attacks and how having solid, offline backups can save your business when things go wrong. We chat about the simple habits that make the biggest differ...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast , Sedric sits down with Zakkery Gage , Director of Cybersecurity at Inversion6, for a real and refreshing take on what it’s like to protect small and midsize businesses in today’s world.   Zakkery shares how he went from troubleshooting tech problems to helping companies build real security cultures that last. He opens up about the unique challenges SMBs face, ti...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast, Sedric sits down with Robert Bingham , VP of IT and Security at Excelsior Wellness, to talk about the challenges and realities of managing cybersecurity in the age of AI.   Robert shares his journey from serving in Navy cyber warfare to leading technology and security in the healthcare space. He opens up about facing an overwhelming 700+ AI tools within his orga...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast, Sedric sits down with Aaron Schaub, Chief Information Security Officer at United Midwest Savings Bank. Aaron shares his journey from tinkering with computers in the late ’90s to leading cybersecurity for one of the region’s top financial institutions. He talks about how saying yes to challenges shaped his growth , and why adaptability and accountability define t...

On this episode of the CNL Podcast, Sedric sits down with Trenton Ridgway to explore what real leadership in cybersecurity looks like. Trenton shares why true security starts with owning risk, not just managing technology. He talks about the importance of accountability and why collaboration beats blame every time. When things go wrong, pointing fingers doesn’t fix it, communication does. Trenton...

On this episode of the CNL Podcast, Sedric sits down with Chris Leslie to talk about the realities of starting a career in technology. Chris shares why patience is the key trait every beginner needs when stepping into the fast-moving world of tech. and opens up about the overwhelming pace of change and why it’s impossible to master everything overnight. Instead, Chris encourages newcomers to focus...

On this episode of the CNL Podcast, Sedric sits down with David McHenry, Virtual CISO, to explore his unique journey from the music industry into IT and security.   David shares how creativity fueled his career shift and how mentorship shaped his leadership approach. He opens up about the importance of security awareness training making it engaging, personal, and memorable.   He also reveals why p...

In this episode of the CNL podcast, Peter DiDonato, Chief Innovation Officer at SC Academy, talks about the ongoing challenge of pushing new ideas forward while making sure security doesn’t fall behind.   Peter highlights why it’s so important to build security into projects right from the start, instead of trying to add it on later. This mindset is especially important in education, where technol...

In this episode, CIO Gary Kern called out one of the biggest myths in cybersecurity, the idea that a system can ever be 100% secure. Instead of chasing perfection, he said companies should focus on being prepared, because a breach isn’t a matter of if, it’s when. For Gary, the most important defense starts with people. Employees need regular training to spot phishing and other scams, since human e...

In this Episode with Sedric, Timothy Hoffard, Senior Manager of IT Security and Governance at Padagis, made it clear that integrity and due diligence aren’t optional in cybersecurity. He pointed out that it’s better to admit when you don’t know something than to pretend you do. Timothy and Sedric also talked about the power of collaboration. Sometimes, a quick five-minute conversation can save hou...

In this episode, host Sedric and CISO Elliott Franklin discuss the realities of professional growth in cybersecurity. They highlight that degrees and certifications are valuable, but not the ultimate indicators of success. Elliott stresses the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, and a constant hunger to learn. He shares how employees who wait for direction often struggle in a field t...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast, host Sedric speaks with Melina Taylor, Director of IT at Hope Lab, about her unconventional journey from psychology to IT leadership. Inspired by early gaming on the SNES and N64, Melina discovered her passion for technology in college and turned it into a career. She reflects on challenges, including burnout while running her own IT consulting firm, and how tha...

On this episode of the CNL podcast, host Sedric chats with Jon Buhagiar, Director of IT Services at RareMed. Jon’s path into technology wasn’t a straight line, it started back in the mid-1980s with an Apple IIe and a fascination for 8-bit computing. After spending five years as a mechanic, a chance conversation with a customer steered him toward IT. That encounter sparked a decision to take the Mi...

On the CNL Podcast, Sedric speaks with Richard Nolan, Director of IT at Stable Dry, about his two-decade journey in tech, starting at Dell in 2000. Richard emphasizes the value of building deep expertise early on and understanding how foundational IT knowledge impacts business and security decisions. At Stable Dry, he leads a lean team, balancing hands-on engineering with strategic planning. He hi...

In this episode of the CNL podcast, Joe Orlando Director of IT and Cybersecurity at Kern Health Systems opens up about what it really takes to succeed in cybersecurity today, and how he leads with clarity, curiosity, and collaboration. Joe talks about the importance of stepping back from narrow specializations to see the bigger picture. From networks to software to human behaviour, he believes tha...

In this insightful episode of the CNL podcast, host Sedric sits down with Charles Payne, CISO and CTO at Neptune Media, who brings over 25 years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity. Charles shares his journey into the field, beginning with network security, a foundation he still recommends for anyone serious about understanding the full scope of IT. Together, they explore the hard truths of th...

In this inspiring episode of the CNL Podcast, host Sedric sits down with Briana Brown, Chief Information Officer at Denova Collaborative Health. Briana shares her unique journey from healthcare operations to the IT leadership seat, driven by a mission to improve lives through technology. She opens up about navigating the challenges of being a woman in tech, addressing the ongoing biases she faces,...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast, host Sedric sits down with Andrew List, Director of Cybersecurity at OTC Industrial Technologies, to explore his unique path from photojournalism to cybersecurity. Andrew opens up about how his early days as a SOC analyst shaped his perspective and walks us through key moments on the blue and purple teams at Wendy’s. Together, they unpack some of today’s biggest...

The idea of someone gaining unauthorized access to protected devices within our power grid is more than just a concern—it’s a true "nightmare scenario" that keeps IT and cybersecurity professionals awake at night. In this episode of the CNL Podcast, we speak with Kaber Esplin, IT Manager at Garkane Energy Cooperative, who offers a firsthand look at the most pressing security threats faci...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast, host Sedric chats with Mike Lowrey, Director of IT at Preston Adventures, about his journey through the tech world and the challenges of today’s cybersecurity landscape. Mike shares how he got started building computers back in the ‘90s, what it was like working through the dot-com bubble, and how a decade at an MSP helped sharpen his skills. The two dive into t...

In this episode of the CNL podcast, host Sedric chats with Thomas Sweet, CIO at Industrial Refrigeration Pros, about what it really takes to lead in today’s tech landscape. From ethical dilemmas to private equity strategy, it’s a wide-ranging and honest conversation. They kick off with a powerful real-life story about a CISO who chose ethics over pressure and paid the price. That moment sets the s...

In this episode of the CNL Podcast, Brent Brown, IT Manager at Highland, sits down with Sedric for a real convo about growing in tech from setting up sketchy home labs on junky hardware to running serious IT systems at scale.! Brent breaks down why understanding the why behind your work matters, and how documenting those choices can save your team from chaos later on. They chat about the value of...

In this episode, Ryan shares the pivotal moment that shaped his career: a major Active Directory lockout early on that tested his resilience and defined his path in the industry. him and Sedric explore how high-pressure incidents can become powerful learning experiences, the importance of building a security-first culture with executive support, and the complex landscape of OT/ICS security. You’ll...