Voices of the Vigilant

A lot of people think cybersecurity has one “right” entry point: computer science degree, IT help desk, then a straight climb into security. Courtney Hans is living proof that the best security leaders often come from the roads nobody expects. She’s led adventure travelers through remote terrain, earned an MBA, built security programs as a first security hire inside a fast moving SaaS startup, and...

Everybody wants AI right now, and that includes the teams security rarely sees as “technical.” When marketing, HR, and ops start downloading agent tools, prompt packs, and random code from the internet, we get a new kind of software supply chain risk, one that most security programs are not staffed or tooled to handle. I sit down with Amber Bennoui, a product leader and builder who has worked acro...

Security teams get asked the same question in a hundred different ways: “What’s the ROI?” We go straight at it with Monica Reagor, Manager of Information Security Compliance at Crestron Electronics and host of the My GRC POV podcast, to show how governance, risk, and compliance becomes a growth lever when it’s done with clarity, data, and the right relationships. We trace Monica’s path from techni...

We are participating in Podcasthon 2026. Podcasthon is the world’s largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for charitable causes. In support of this noble cause, we spotlight the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu with CEO Mari Galloway, tracing how hands-on training, cohort mentorship, and a tight-knit community create real jobs and lasting confiden...

Security fails when it’s written for auditors instead of humans. Jess Vachon sits down with cybersecurity and privacy leader Ash Mohanaprakas to unpack how the best security programs feel practical, lightweight, and deeply aligned to the mission, even under pressure. Ash shares how she helps organizations turn security from a cost center into a strategic advantage that supports enterprise deals, c...

What if building stronger security started with building stronger people? We sit down with founder and researcher Shira Shamban to explore the human engine behind cloud security: courage, bias, pivots, and the relentless focus required to turn signal into action. From a values‑driven upbringing and early community projects to leading a startup through the 2020 lockdowns, Shira’s story pulls back t...

What if the fastest way to break into cybersecurity isn’t another cert, but a soldering iron, a home lab, and the courage to say “I don’t know”? We sit down with Rob “Bowtie Security Guy” Whetstine —prop builder, mentor, and former Disney security leader—who built his career from other people’s discarded tech and turned a bow tie into a personal brand that helped him conquer social anxiety and sta...

Reinvention isn’t a neat pivot. It’s a grind, a choice you make on hard mornings, and a mindset you carry when no one’s clapping. We sit down with Saeger Fischer of Omada Technologies—former educator, mom of three, and 17‑time marathoner—who rebuilt her career in cybersecurity by treating learning like training and partnerships like team sports. Together we trace the real skills that translate fro...

If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out in tech, this conversation will feel like oxygen. Akira Brand joins us to share how a shy kid, bullied for being different, found sanctuary in two unlikely rooms—the choir room and the computer lab—and turned that mix of voice and logic into a career leading application security. We map the path from opera training to DevRel to AppSec leadership, and dig in...

Panic is not a security strategy. We sit down with Craig Taylor, co-founder of Cyberhoot and longtime virtual CISO, to unpack a people-first blueprint that replaces shame and fear with positive reinforcement, practical safeguards, and repeatable habits. Craig draws on his psychology background to explain why short, gamified exercises build muscle memory that holds up against urgent “CEO” emails an...

Ever wonder why your brain feels sharp at 2 p.m. triaging alerts but foggy by 7 p.m. at home? We sit down with psychologist and behavioral scientist Dr. Sara Rabinovich to unpack the hidden cost of constant vigilance—and the small, evidence-based resets that bring your nervous system back online. Sara works with high-stress sectors like cybersecurity and uses polyvagal-informed practices, heart ra...

Careers aren’t linear, and the most resilient defenders are forged in the messy middle. We sit down with Andreae Pohlman —Air Force veteran, former Microsoft incident responder, and enterprise security advisor—to trace a path from identity trenches to global ransomware recovery and back to the architecture that holds it all together. Andreae opens the vault on Pass‑the‑Hash, ESAE bastion forests,...

Chris Lemon's cybersecurity journey defies conventional paths. As Director of Security Engineering at Secure Yeti and an educator at City Colleges of Chicago, she's building bridges between education and employment while championing diversity in tech. What makes Chris's perspective so valuable is her unique background. Before entering cybersecurity, she worked as a nanny – experienc...

What if protecting yourself online wasn't mysterious or intimidating, but as normal as locking your front door? Dd Budiharto, founder of CyberPoint Advisory LLC and self-proclaimed "cybersecurity equivalent of a Swiss army knife," is on a mission to make that reality. Dd's remarkable journey spans continents and careers – from arriving in America without speaking English and wo...

What happens when cybersecurity expertise meets fifth-generation quilting passion? In this thought-provoking conversation with Mea Clift, Principal Executive Advisor for Cyber Risk Engineering at Liberty Mutual, we uncover the fascinating intersection of technical prowess and human diversity that powers effective security leadership. Drawing from her 28-year journey through every corner of IT and...

Ever clicked that dreaded "Talk to Sales" button on a cybersecurity vendor's website and immediately regretted it? You're not alone. The traditional cybersecurity sales process is broken – endless calls, months-long POCs, legal paperwork, and frustration on both sides. Mariana Padilla, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Hackerverse AI, is determined to fix this. With her unique...

What happens when AI replaces the careers we've built our identities around? This question sits at the heart of my conversation with Naomi Buckwalter, Director of Product Security at Contrast Security and founder of Cybersecurity Gatebreakers Foundation. Naomi's cybersecurity journey began with a moment of clarity during a week-long hacking course that changed everything. "The cloud...

What happens when we bring our authentic selves to work? Rachel Arnold, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Secure Nation, reveals the power of human connection in building lasting client relationships in cybersecurity. Rachel describes her unique role as "the human API" - connecting people, products, and possibilities through deep understanding of communication preferences and needs....

Sivan Tehila, CEO and founder of Onyxia Cyber, shares her journey from Israeli military CISO to innovative startup founder and cybersecurity educator, revealing how personal resilience shaped her multi-faceted career. • Started as a cybersecurity officer in the Israeli military for 10 years, serving as CISO of the Research and Analysis Division • Named her company Onyxia after a World of Warcraft...

The battle for representation in the cybersecurity field takes center stage in this podcast episode featuring Stacey Champagne, founder of Hacker Heels. Stacey Champagne is the Founder & CEO of Hacker in Heels, a pioneering organization dedicated to elevating women into positions of power within the cybersecurity industry. As an active cybersecurity practitioner and transformational coach, she...

Clea Ostendorf, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Wolfpack Security, unveils her journey from startup highs and lows to the impactful changes in the cybersecurity field. You'll gain a firsthand account of how she's transforming the industry by addressing immediate security needs, even as businesses face budget constraints and staffing challenges. Clea shares personal reflections on leade...