Tech Woke

Christopher Okpala

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.

  1. Jun 17

    How to Get Hired as a Cloud Engineer in 2026 (Step-by-Step Roadmap)

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Free Break into cybersecurity guide: https://www.rmfacademy.io/products/digital_downloads/breaking-into-cybersecurity Decription: In this episode of the Tech Woke Podcast, Christopher Okpala sits down with cloud engineer and content creator Jhante Henderson to discuss how aspiring technology professionals can break into cloud engineering and position themselves for success in today's competitive job market. We cover the skills employers are looking for, certifications versus hands-on projects, building a portfolio, preparing for interviews, and the steps beginners can take to stand out when applying for cloud engineering roles. Whether you're coming from help desk, system administration, cybersecurity, or another IT background, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for landing your first cloud engineering job. We also discuss personal branding, LinkedIn strategies, AI's impact on hiring, and how building real-world projects can help you demonstrate your skills and attract opportunities in cloud computing.

    54 min

  2. Jun 10

    How to Break Into FedRAMP & Cloud Compliance in 2026

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:18 From NSA Engineer to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur 02:12 How Ajay Got Started in RMF 03:30 Building a FedRAMP Business 04:06 Starting a Cybersecurity Company 08:28 Career Advice for Cybersecurity Professionals 12:45 What a FedRAMP Engineering Company Does 15:24 How Companies Prepare for FedRAMP 19:45 FedRAMP Explained 23:52 Common FedRAMP Mistakes 25:35 Continuous Monitoring Explained 28:05 How to Break Into FedRAMP Careers 32:02 AI Governance, GRC Engineering & Cybersecurity 40:13 FedRAMP 20x & OSCAL Explained 44:10 Skills Needed for Future Cybersecurity Careers 47:50 Entrepreneurship & Building a Team 50:20 Career Advice for the Next Generation 52:00 Closing Thoughts In this episode of the Tech Woke Podcast, Christopher Okpala sits down with Ajay Chandhok, CEO of Stratus Cyber, to discuss his journey from engineering and cybersecurity into building a company that manages FedRAMP and CMMC environments for government and commercial clients. Ajay shares how he got started in RMF, transitioned into the FedRAMP space, built a cybersecurity business, and what it takes to support cloud environments operating at FedRAMP Moderate and High authorization levels. We also dive into FedRAMP careers, continuous monitoring, cloud compliance, FedRAMP 20x, OSCAL, AI's impact on cybersecurity, and the future of compliance engineering. Whether you're interested in RMF, GRC, FedRAMP, cloud security, government contracting, or building a cybersecurity business, this conversation provides valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing areas of cybersecurity and compliance.

    54 min
  3. How to Build a Successful Business in Tech Without a Huge Team

    Jun 3

    How to Build a Successful Business in Tech Without a Huge Team

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Meet Richard Tarity 00:53 From Warehouse Worker to Tech Entrepreneur 02:30 Breaking Into the Technology Industry 03:21 Why Companies Make Bad Technology Decisions 05:15 The Biggest Mistake Leaders Make During Digital Transformation 07:18 Why End Users Are Often Ignored in Tech Projects 09:30 How Poor Communication Kills Technology Implementations 11:02 The Disconnect Between Sales, Engineering, and Customers 14:41 How Richard's Platform Helps Organizations Make Better Decisions 16:45 Why Technology Projects Fail 18:30 The Importance of Planning Before Implementation 20:45 Technology Risk, Cybersecurity, and Business Impact 22:15 AI Adoption: How Organizations Are Using AI Today 24:30 AI as a Force Multiplier for Business 25:54 Why AI Gives Smaller Companies a Competitive Advantage 28:05 How to Make Better Business Decisions 29:48 Slow Down to Speed Up: A Key Leadership Lesson 31:45 Advice for Entrepreneurs Building a Tech Business 33:32 Why Networking Still Matters More Than Social Media 36:45 Building Relationships in Business and Technology 38:30 Lessons Learned from 27 Years in Business 40:35 How to Create Value for Customers 43:55 Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers 45:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks How do you build a technology business that lasts for decades in an industry that never stops changing? In this episode of the Tech Woke Podcast, Christopher Okpala sits down with Richard Tarity, entrepreneur, advisor, speaker, and bestselling author, to discuss lessons learned from more than 27 years in the technology industry. Richard shares insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, technology adoption, customer success, artificial intelligence, and what it takes to build a business that continues to grow and deliver value over time. Whether you're a tech professional, business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation offers practical advice for navigating today's rapidly evolving technology landscape.

    47 min

  4. May 23

    GRC vs RMF Explained: Which Cybersecurity Path Should You Learn?

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Trying to break into cybersecurity but confused about GRC vs RMF? Everybody online says “get into GRC,” but most people never explain how different these paths actually are. In this live Tech Woke conversation, we break down: • What GRC actually is • What RMF really looks like in the real world • Federal vs commercial cybersecurity careers • Which path is better for beginners • Salary potential and career growth • Real job titles to target • Interview questions you should expect • AI, cloud compliance, and where cybersecurity compliance is going next If you’re trying to get into cybersecurity, GovTech, compliance, audit, risk, or RMF, this conversation will save you time. Hosted by Christopher Okpala | Tech Woke Podcast Subscribe for real cybersecurity career conversations, RMF insights, GovTech training, and practical tech career advice. #Cybersecurity #GRC #RMF

    59 min

  5. May 17

    The Future of Cybersecurity Compliance (RMF Explained)

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Video Description: Cybersecurity compliance is changing fast. AI, cloud computing, automation, DevSecOps, and continuous monitoring are reshaping what RMF and compliance work actually look like in real environments. In this live conversation, we’ll break down the future of RMF, cybersecurity compliance, and the skills professionals need to stay relevant in 2026 and beyond. Topics include: • The future of RMF and cybersecurity compliance • How AI is changing GRC, ISSO, and RMF roles • Cloud compliance and FedRAMP environments • cATO and compliance automation • Why “paper compliance” is dying • The cybersecurity jobs nobody talks about • Hidden careers in GRC, audit, risk, and cloud compliance • What skills people should actually be learning right now • Will AI replace compliance jobs? • How cybersecurity is becoming more technical This conversation is designed for people trying to break into cybersecurity, grow in GovTech, understand RMF, or stay ahead of where the industry is heading. Host: Christopher Okpala Guest: Osasu Osagie #Cybersecurity #RMF #GRC

    1h 47m

  6. May 15

    How to Get a GRC Job in Cybersecurity (No Experience Needed)

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Meet Peju Adedeji – GRC & Cybersecurity Audit Expert 03:45 What Is Cybersecurity Audit & GRC? (Beginner Breakdown) 07:28 Why So Many People Overlook GRC Careers 11:10 Fastest Way to Break Into GRC With No Experience 15:42 Certifications vs Real Skills (CISA, CISM, Security+) 20:30 Why Certifications Alone Won’t Get You Hired 25:18 Top Skills Needed to Succeed in GRC & Audit 30:44 How to Reposition Your Current Experience Into GRC 35:12 Beginner Roles to Target in Cybersecurity Compliance 39:50 Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Auditor 44:06 Common Audit Findings Organizations Keep Failing 48:35 How Frameworks Like NIST & ISO Work in Real Life 52:10 Career Advice for Breaking Into Cybersecurity 53:26 Keep Moving Forward (Closing Motivation) 53:56 RMF Academy / Final Thoughts Description: Welcome back to the Tech Woke Podcast. In this episode, Christopher Okpala, host of Tech Woke and cybersecurity professional in the GovTech space, sits down with Peju Adedeji to break down how to successfully transition into GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) and cybersecurity auditing—even if you have no prior experience. If you’ve been trying to break into cybersecurity, getting certifications, applying for jobs, and still not getting interviews, this conversation is for you.

    54 min
  7. How To Become a Project Manager In 2026 (No Expeerience Guide)

    May 6

    How To Become a Project Manager In 2026 (No Expeerience Guide)

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Role of a project manager 05:22 Understanding system development stages 09:09 Managing personal life projects 11:10 Project management and event planning 15:00 Getting a PMP Certification 17:36 Applying educational and work experience 22:35 Discussing pay transparency benefits 25:08 Day-to-day as a project manager 27:09 Explaining software development processes 31:03 Using Jira for project management 35:02 Importance of transparency in teams 37:53 Importance of proper documentation 43:21 Being personable at work 46:31 Time management and organization tips 50:21 Keeping motivated through tech challenges 50:55 Staying motivated in tough times Description: Welcome back to the Tech Woke Podcast hosted by Christopher Okpala. In this episode, Christopher sits down with Diamond Tarwoe, a Project Manager with over 10 years of experience leading IT and cybersecurity projects across Fortune 500 companies. If you’ve ever wondered how to break into project management in tech, what project managers actually do, or how to transition into tech without coding, this episode breaks it down in a practical and beginner-friendly way. Diamond shares: • How she transitioned into project management • What project managers do day to day • PMP, Agile, and Scrum certifications explained • Skills employers look for in tech project managers • Resume and career advice for beginners • How project management connects to cybersecurity and IT • How to grow a career in tech leadership Whether you're exploring project management, cybersecurity, or non-coding tech careers, this episode is packed with real-world insights and actionable advice. Host: Christopher Okpala Guest: Diamond Tarwoe #ProjectManagement #TechCareers #Cybersecurity

    53 min

  8. Apr 22

    How to Break Into Threat Hunting (No Experience Roadmap)

    Join ECA Cyber Range: https://www.skool.com/eca-cyber-range-4625/about?ref=ec3abb3a3b014ed2a08e060ef406fb98 RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Please Rate the Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/techwoke Timestamps: 00:00 Chris's early career struggles 04:28 Explaining SIM systems basics 09:07 Daily routine in cybersecurity job 10:20 Understanding backend log generation 15:12 Skills and mindset for IT roles 17:53 Starting to charge for classes 20:39 Helping IT and cybersecurity professionals 23:36 Learning cloud and certifications 26:04 Discussion on AI in cybersecurity 29:44 Asking for favors and help Description: In this episode, Christopher sits down with Kenneth Ellington, a senior threat analyst and cybersecurity trainer, to break down what threat hunting actually is and how you can get into this space. If you’ve been trying to break into cybersecurity but feel lost after getting certifications like Security+, this episode gives you a real-world understanding of what the job actually looks like and how to position yourself to get in. In this episode, we cover: • What threat hunting is in simple terms • The difference between reactive vs proactive cybersecurity • What a day in the life of a threat hunter looks like • How SIEM tools like Splunk are used in real environments • What skills you actually need to get into threat hunting • Why certifications alone are not enough • How to build hands-on experience without a job • The role of AI in cybersecurity and automation • Salary expectations and career growth in cyber Whether you're coming from IT, trying to transition into cybersecurity, or stuck after getting certified, this episode will give you clarity on your next steps. Subscribe for more content on cybersecurity, GRC, RMF, GovTech, and real tech career paths. Like, comment, and share if this helped you.

    32 min
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5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Christopher Okpala
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tech Woke

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