The Identity Jedi Show: Where Identity Meets Strategy

David Lee | Sameer Sait | Identity Jedi Show
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The Identity Jedi Show brings bold insights on identity and access management (IAM), cybersecurity, and modern identity strategy. Hosted by David Lee and Sameer Sait each episode features expert interviews, real-world tactics, and unfiltered takes on IAM, Zero Trust, identity governance, and AI-driven security. Whether you’re a CISO or identity practitioner, this podcast helps you simplify complexity and lead with impact. Subscribe and level up your identity game.

  1. 12/23/2025

    The Identity Jedi Show: Big Bucks in Identity Security & Hard-Hitting Industry Real Talk

    In this holiday-themed episode of The Identity Jedi Show, we delve into major developments in the identity security industry. Host David kicks things off with holiday greetings before diving into significant recent events, including a whopping $700 million series B funding, a billion-dollar acquisition, and an $11 billion buyout. He also emphasizes the importance of staying plugged into The Identity Jedi community. Later, David introduces special guest Lee Header for a no-holds-barred interview about the state of the identity and access management industry—discussing the persistent challenges and necessary improvements. David and Lee cover everything from the 'enterprise SSO tax' to the gaps in standards adoption, and the role of AI in the future of identity security. Don't miss this insightful and honest discussion, plus tips on how the industry can better serve both security experts and end-users. Stay tuned and let's make the most of this festive season! https://saviynt.com/press-release/saviynt-raises-700m-in-kkr-led-round-to-establish-identity-security-as-the-foundation-for-the-ai-era https://newsroom.ibm.com/2025-12-08-ibm-to-acquire-confluent-to-create-smart-data-platform-for-enterprise-generative-ai https://veza.com/company/press-room/servicenow-to-expand-security-portfolio-with-acquisition-of-vezas-leading-ai-native-identity-security-platform/00:00 Holiday Greetings and Show Introduction00:24 Upcoming Topics Teaser01:55 Housekeeping and Announcements02:53 Big News in Identity Security06:37 IBM's Strategic Acquisition11:40 Interview with Lee Tschetetter14:37 Enterprise SSO Tax Discussion37:20 Exploring the Higher Ed Ecosystem38:26 The Role of Grad Students in Higher Ed Projects39:00 Shared Signals Framework and Its Importance39:38 Challenges in Information Sharing40:56 The Need for Human-Friendly Standards42:15 The Complexity of Security Standards49:58 Real-World Examples of Security Mishaps55:25 The Importance of User-Friendly Security01:09:47 The Future of Identity and Security01:11:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    1h 13m

  2. 12/02/2025

    A Conversation with Joe Palmer: Insights and Innovations

    In this episode, David interviews Joe Palmer, Chief Innovation Officer, to discuss his journey from a developer to his current role. The conversation delves into the evolution of identity verification technology, the impact of digital transformation, and the importance of identity security in the modern era. Joe shares insights on the challenges and advancements in the identity verification industry, emphasizing the significance of detecting live identities amidst increasing digital threats. The interview also touches on the future of identity verification, including the proliferation of AI and digital identities, and what lies ahead for iPro's innovations. To wrap up, Joe discusses his personal interests and the joy of balancing work with family life. Links https://www.iproov.com/ https://www.theidentityjedi.com 00:00 Introduction and Welcome02:03 Joe Palmer's Journey: From Developer to Chief Innovation Officer07:43 The Evolution of Identity and Security18:43 Challenges and Innovations in Identity Verification29:22 Entrepreneurship and Industry Insights30:40 Future of Digital Identity and AI44:47 Exciting Developments at IProov49:21 Personal Insights and Conclusion

    54 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    Understanding the Critical Role of Identity in Cybersecurity

    Identity is the heart of cybersecurity.In this episode of The Identity Jedi Show, we sit down with Dutch — former senior advisor at Raytheon and AWS, now VP of Cloud Services — and Joe Palmer, Chief Innovation Officer at iProov, to unpack how identity and security are converging faster than ever.Together, we explore:🔹 Why identity is the new security perimeter🔹 How biometrics and AI are reshaping trust in digital ecosystems🔹 The challenges of vendor consolidation and what it means for enterprise defenders🔹 How leaders can build resilient, identity-first security strategiesWhether you’re an Identity Architect, Security Engineer, or CISO, this roundtable delivers real-world insights from experts shaping the future of identity-driven cybersecurity.💬 Question for You: How do you see AI and biometrics changing your approach to identity security in the next 2 years? Drop your thoughts below 👇🏾🔔 Subscribe to The Identity Jedi Show — where we talk about the future of identity, security, and everything in between.Check out our episode sponsorhttps://www.iproov.com00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:34 Round Table Guest Introductions01:57 The Importance of Identity in Security05:57 Challenges in Identity Verification08:19 The Rise of Biometric Solutions19:28 Account Recovery and Social Engineering21:38 Industry Trends and Consolidation27:07 Problem-Solving and Empowerment in Security28:07 Technological Advancements and Deep Fakes28:59 The Evolution of Cloud Computing and Security32:00 Identity Verification and Digital IDs38:32 Balancing Security Platforms and Vendor Management44:07 The Importance of Identity in Security49:42 Final Thoughts and Parting Shots

    51 min

  4. 10/21/2025

    People First: Rich Rhodes' Approach to Leadership In Cybersecurity

    Welcome back to the Identity Jedi Show! In this episode, host David Identity Jedi sits down with Rich Rhodes, Chief Information Security Officer at Choice Bank, for a candid and insightful conversation about leadership, team building, and the evolving world of identity security. Episode Highlights: Rich’s journey from small-town Minnesota to the CISO seatThe evolution of identity management to identity securityWhy people and process matter more than technology in cybersecurityBuilding and leading high-performing, people-first teamsLessons learned from mergers, acquisitions, and industry consolidationThe importance of empathy, mentorship, and authentic leadershipNavigating the challenges of cloud computing and disaster recoveryIndustry trends: platform consolidation, subscription models, and the rise of new playersSpotlight: Yes ID — an Okta alternative for small businessesQuick-fire questions: best advice, favorite food spots, and travel dreamsKey Takeaways: Leadership is about empowering others, not just holding a title.The biggest challenges in identity security are still about people and process, not just technology.Team success comes from trust, clear expectations, and genuine care for each member.The industry is changing fast, but the fundamentals of good leadership remain the same.Featured Guest: Rich Rhodes — CISO at Choice Bank, with decades of experience in IT, security, and team leadership.Resources & Mentions: YeshID (Okta alternative for small businesses)Identity Jedi newsletter and blogLeovici gear (discount code: IdentityJedi)Connect with Us: Subscribe to the Identity Jedi newsletter at theidentityjedi.comSend your questions for the upcoming mailbag episode: identityjedi@gmail.comFollow us on Spotify, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platformsThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe. Be good to each other, be kind to each, love each other, and we’ll see you next time on the Identity Jedi Show.

    53 min

  5. 10/07/2025

    Identity and AI: Navigating the Complexities with Jim Desantis

    In this episode of the Identity Jedi Show, the host welcomes Jim DeSantis for an engaging interview. They discuss their unique paths in the identity field, share experiences with Active Directory, and explore the rapid development of AI technologies. The episode highlights the challenges and misconceptions around AI implementation in enterprises, the permanence of Active Directory in certain sectors, and the complexities of data management. Additionally, the host outlines recent major acquisitions in the identity space and speculates on the future of identity management as vendors strive for platform consolidation. The episode concludes with a reflection on the inevitable disruption AI will bring to various industries and the evolving role of service companies. https://www.theidentityjedi.com https://leovici.com/?ref=identityjedi 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:02 Insert Intro Video/Music01:37 Housekeeping and Announcements04:11 Interview with Jim DeSantis06:19 Identity Management Challenges15:02 AI in Identity and Data Management29:44 Exploring AI Tools and Their Impact30:22 The Magic and Reality of Technology31:27 The Future of Software Development34:01 Challenges in Cybersecurity and SOC Integration35:13 The Cycles of Tech Platforms and Best Practices44:56 The Longevity of Active Directory51:43 The Year of Acquisitions in Identity56:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

    57 min

  6. 09/09/2025

    Building the Future with AI and Identity

    In this special sponsored episode of the Identity Jedi Show Podcast, host David discusses the intersection of AI and identity with Granville, the Chief Architect at Strata.io. They delve into the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI within enterprises, focusing on securing and auditing AI interactions and identity delegation. The conversation covers Strata's innovative solutions like MCP Bridge and their approach to enabling businesses to integrate AI while maintaining high levels of security and compliance. Granville shares his background in startups and security, and both he and David reflect on the evolution of AI and identity management. David also shares some of his personal thoughts and experiences, emphasizing the importance of intent-based access and future-proof identity orchestration. www.strata.io www.theidentityjedi.com 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:34 Welcome to the Identity Jedi Show00:42 Sponsorship and Show Details01:25 Engagement and Audience Interaction02:13 Introduction to the Sponsored Interview02:34 Meet Grandville, Chief Architect at Strata04:02 Grandville's Professional Journey04:39 Personal Interests and Hobbies07:27 Ohio State Football Fandom11:05 The Importance of Technical Background in Product Management13:47 Challenges in Security and Identity Management16:11 The Role of AI in Modern Enterprises25:29 Human-in-the-Loop Approval Systems28:35 The Excitement and Challenges of AI Development30:46 Complexity of AI Agent Interactions32:59 Authentication and Authorization Challenges34:35 Intent-Based Access: A New Paradigm39:13 Product Development Insights46:55 MCP Bridge and Enterprise Integration58:13 Future of AI and Identity01:02:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 6m

  7. 08/26/2025

    Identity Unscripted: Tales from the Jedi Lounge

    Join us for a special episode of the Identity Jedi Show! After a short break, we're back with insightful conversations featuring our friends and identity experts Jen Cox and Aubrey Turner. In this episode, we discuss the journey of becoming friends through the identity field, share surprising anecdotes and challenges we've faced in our careers, explore exciting moments in identity, and examine the future role of AI in the industry. Tune in for some fun and candid chats, and stay until the end for updates on our upcoming live event in Austin! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts with us. #IdentityJediShow #IdentityManagement #AIInSecurity #Podcast 00:00 Welcome Back to the Identity Jedi Show  00:46 Upcoming Podcast Highlights and Special Guests  02:22 Meet the Guests: Jen Cox and Aubrey Turner  03:22 Home Renovation and Chat GPT  12:08 Surprising Customer Stories in Identity  17:11 Challenges in Modernizing Legacy Systems  24:32 Empathy in Identity Management  25:34 Favorite Moments in Identity  26:32 Community and Continuous Learning  28:47 Client Engagement and Success Stories  30:41 Funny Stories from the Field  34:31 Excitement and Concerns About AI  40:53 Future Plans and Live Events  42:15 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

    43 min

  8. 08/05/2025

    Palo Alto Acquires CyberArk for $25 Billion - Identity Jedi Show

    In this episode of the Identity Jedi Show, we dive into the breaking news of Palo Alto's $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk. We discuss the implications of this major deal for the identity and security market and explore whether it marks the beginning of a trend towards consolidation in the industry. We also touch on key developments in identity security and the growing importance of managing machine identities in cloud environments, especially with the rise of AI agents. Tune in to hear our insights and what this could mean for the future of security and identity management.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:49 Palo Alto's Acquisition of CyberArk03:01 The Impact on the Market05:05 CyberArk's Evolution and Future Prospects07:40 Broader Industry Implications09:14 Keyless NHI Federation and Machine Identities12:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    15 min
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The Identity Jedi Show brings bold insights on identity and access management (IAM), cybersecurity, and modern identity strategy. Hosted by David Lee and Sameer Sait each episode features expert interviews, real-world tactics, and unfiltered takes on IAM, Zero Trust, identity governance, and AI-driven security. Whether you’re a CISO or identity practitioner, this podcast helps you simplify complexity and lead with impact. Subscribe and level up your identity game.

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