Voices of the Vigilant

Jess Vachon
  • 5.0 (2)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Voices of the Vigilant is where bold conversations meet unflinching purpose. Hosted by Jess Vachon, cybersecurity leader, Buddhist minister, and founder of Vigilant Violet LLC, this podcast explores the front lines of digital resilience, ethical leadership, and equitable transformation in tech. Through authentic dialogue with boundary-pushers, disruptors, and unsung heroes, each episode dives deep into the human side of cybersecurity—where strategy meets values, and innovation is grounded in integrity. From career pivots and cultural shifts to systemic inequities and visionary leadership, nothing is off the table. This isn’t another tech podcast filled with jargon. Voices of the Vigilant is for those who lead with intention, speak truth to power, and are ready to reimagine what’s possible in an industry that’s overdue for change. 🔔 Subscribe, share, and step into a community where vigilance is both a practice and a path forward. "Humanizing cybersecurity with candid tales from cyberspace and beyond!"

  1. 1D AGO

    Protecting What Matters: Disney, Diversity, and Doing the Work

    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 stand out in rooms that matter. Rob takes us from dumpster diving to Fortune 500 leadership and lays out a practical roadmap for anyone trying to enter or advance in cyber. We talk about why tinkering beats test prep, how to build troubleshooting instincts, and what it really takes to succeed in high-pressure interviews at places like Disney, Google, and Amazon. Rob makes a compelling case for servant leadership: define success clearly, protect vacations, build redundancy, and bring calm to incident chaos with a simple check—“Is anyone dying?” The result is strong, sustainable teams that deliver consistently without burning out. We also tackle the uncomfortable truth behind the “cyber talent shortage.” Many of those roles are unfunded headcount, which is why entry-level postings get thousands of applications and interviews flow through referrals. Rob shares how he social-engineered LinkedIn, sent targeted video intros, and turned weak ties into opportunities. If you’re neurodivergent, you’ll hear concrete ways companies can interview better—advance questions, work samples, real accommodations—and why honesty about gaps earns trust. The through line is simple: passion and proof beat pedigree when paired with clear communication and relentless curiosity. Join us for a candid, practical, and human conversation that will sharpen your job hunt, reshape your leadership, and remind you why solving real problems matters more than sounding smart. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    57 min

  2. JAN 25

    Running Toward the Fire - Cybersecurity, Motherhood, and Marathons

    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 from the classroom to the SOC: structure, self‑teaching, differentiated learning, and the patience to process before speaking. If you’ve ever felt behind, this story shows how consistent effort compounds into momentum. We also zoom out to the big picture leaders are wrestling with. Is the AI bubble nearing a correction as tools overpromise and underdeliver on simple workflows? Where do agentic SOC models fit, and how do we balance machine speed with human judgment? We break down why you can’t buy your way out of risk, how to separate signal from vendor noise, and why relationship‑driven selling outperforms quarter‑end pressure tactics. Then we dig into category shifts reshaping architecture: the rise of enterprise browsers like Island, collapsing brittle stacks, enabling zero trust without heavy VPNs or VDI, and speeding secure onboarding in minutes, not months. Finally, we confront timelines most teams prefer to defer: post‑quantum cryptography. Ten‑year roadmaps are already stale, and “harvest now, decrypt later” is not a thought experiment. We outline pragmatic steps to inventory crypto dependencies, prioritize migrations, and budget in phases. We also talk about public‑sector headwinds and where practitioners can still find trusted signal—peer communities, credible advisories, and leaders who share what actually works. If you’re eyeing a move into cyber, or you’re in the trenches and need a reset, this conversation blends grit, guidance, and grounded predictions you can act on today. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and drop your bold 2026 security prediction in a review—we’ll feature our favorites in a future episode. Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    53 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    Muted to Unmuted: Finding Your Voice in Cybersecurity

    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 into the moments that change everything: the first terminal command that touched the internet, the DEF CON night when community said “you belong,” and the leadership shift from heroic bursts to steady, compounding wins. We get tactical without losing the human thread. Akira explains why AppSec works best as enablement, not enforcement, and how a good leader “tailors” security into the SDLC instead of tearing it apart. Threat modeling becomes the star—recast from checkbox to business engine. We talk metrics that matter, risk you intentionally accept, and where compensating controls deliver the most value. You’ll hear pragmatic guidance on keeping velocity without sacrificing security, building credibility with developers, and designing programs teams actually use. We also explore AI’s double edge. For seasoned engineers, AI can boost secure development and documentation at speed. For beginners, it can hide missing fundamentals and import flawed patterns. Akira shares how to keep human review in the loop, vet model provenance, and use agentic AI to ship real tools faster—without skipping security basics. The episode closes with a message for outsiders: keep your integrity, find your people, and let your craft be both voice and shield. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a lift, and tell us: what’s one security habit you’d “tailor” into your team’s workflow today? Your reviews help this show reach more builders, breakers, and brave weirdos—thanks for being part of the Voice of the Vigilant community. Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    46 min

  4. 11/21/2025

    Fear into Fluency: Building Real Cyber Literacy

    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 and deepfake phone calls. The takeaway: rewarded behaviors are repeated, and that truth can transform both culture and outcomes. We dig into the highest-ROI controls leaders can deploy today, starting with multi-factor authentication across every external account and a fast path to passkeys. Craig demystifies passkeys in plain language, showing how FIDO2-backed credentials tie identity to both device and site, neutralizing password reuse and phishing without extra hassle. For overstretched SMBs, these steps deliver outsized protection with minimal cost. From there, we zoom out to program strategy. Craig outlines a risk assessment approach that ranks issues by impact, likelihood, and business materiality, then tackles the basics most teams skip: complete asset inventory, verified patching, least privilege, and clean entitlement hygiene. He shares why agentic AI makes phishing smarter and faster, and how a simple rubric for email analysis, practiced monthly, can blunt even adaptive lures. Throughout, we focus on win-win-win outcomes: empowered users, fewer incidents, and lower support costs for MSPs and IT teams. Ready to build a resilient security culture without burnout or blame? Tune in for clear steps, relatable stories, and tools you can use this quarter: MFA everywhere, passkeys where possible, short training sprints, and disciplined housekeeping.  Special Podcast Offer: 20% off CyberHoot for 1 year using the podcast’s unique coupon code: Coupon Code: "UnHacked" Free access to CyberHoot's Cybersecurity Literacy Training platform for individuals: https://cyberhoot.com/individuals Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    42 min

  5. 11/08/2025

    Calm Under Fire: The Psychology of Thriving in Cybersecurity

    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 rate variability literacy, and tactile micro-tools to turn stress recovery into a repeatable skill set, not a wellness slogan. We talk through what masking emotions looks like in remote and hybrid teams, why belonging cues matter for cognition, and how to spot the moment focus flips into fatigue. Sara demonstrates playful, science-backed techniques such as elongated exhale breathing with a “stress straw” and a two-minute humming practice that stimulates the vagus nerve. She explains HRV in plain terms—why flexibility, not flat calm, is the goal—and shares how simple biofeedback like respiratory rate helps skeptical, data-driven pros trust the process. The result: fewer errors, clearer priorities, and faster returns to baseline under pressure. We also tackle tough territory—substance use as experiential avoidance, the loneliness of executive roles, and how leaders can reframe recovery as a readiness control tied to performance, retention, and reduced false alarms. Sara offers free, bite-size modules tailored to cybersecurity challenges—from off-ramping after on-call to resetting imposter spirals—that fit into busy days without adding burden. There’s even a candid look at AI: where it truly helps neurodivergent practitioners and where guardrails are essential. If you’re ready to protect your edge without burning it down, this conversation gives you practical tools, language for your team, and a fresh definition of vigilance: compassionate, sustained attention you can direct on purpose. Listen, try a two-minute reset (https://learn.pacificmndfl.com/) and share your experience. If this resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to someone who could use a calmer baseline tomorrow. Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    41 min

  6. 10/16/2025

    The Groundbreaker: Lessons from the Many Layers of Cyber

    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, and privileged access workstations, then connects those lessons to today’s Entra ID, Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Identity, and Defender for Cloud Apps. If you’ve wondered how identity-first practices evolved into a full-stack defense strategy, this conversation maps the terrain with clarity. What stands out is her through-line of grit. The military taught attention to detail, respect for mission, and composure under stress—skills that translate directly to enterprise response. Andreae explains how compromise recovery belongs beside incident response, not behind it, and why durable outcomes hinge on credential hygiene, tiered access, and secure admin workflows. We also explore the promise and limits of AI in detection and response: better signal and speed, not silver bullets, and the operational discipline required to turn insights into lasting change. Community threads through every chapter. Scholarship for Service linked education to public impact and built a network that endures. Cyberjutsu—where Andreae now serves on the board—offers a technical, welcoming space that expects moxie and helps members level up through peer-led Small Tribes mentorship. We close with a bold wish: kill the password. Moving toward passkeys and passwordless reduces entire attack classes and the human burden that fuels social engineering. If you’re navigating a cyber career, leveling up your IR program, or looking for a community that matches your grit, you’ll find practical guidance and fresh energy here. If this resonated, subscribe, leave a quick review, and share with a teammate who needs a nudge forward. Your support helps us bring more candid, useful conversations to your feed. Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    48 min

  7. 09/20/2025

    The Mentor’s Map: Empowering Pathways to Cyber

    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 – experience that unexpectedly provided transferable skills in problem-solving and people management. This unconventional entry point gives her a fresh lens on industry challenges and a passion for helping others find their way into the field. At the heart of Chris's work is the belief that diversity creates stronger security teams. "If everyone is the same with the same background and knowledge, there will be gaps," she explains. "What we need is that Swiss cheese model – when everyone has different lived experiences, we're covering security from all different angles." Her involvement with organizations like Latinas in Cyber demonstrates her commitment to bringing underrepresented voices into the conversation. The Cybersecurity Career Accelerator program Chris runs exemplifies her practical approach to education. Beyond technical skills, she focuses on helping students stand out in a competitive job market. Through Capture The Flag competitions and hands-on learning, participants discover their cybersecurity interests while building real-world capabilities. Most importantly, these programs are grant-funded and free to students, removing financial barriers to entry. Chris's passion extends beyond the classroom. Her "Backpacks for Good" initiative repurposes unused conference swag bags into care packages for Chicago's homeless population, showing how the tech community can address local needs. This commitment to making a difference reflects her core motivation: "It's not just changing one life but generations – it's changing how their kids are raised." Ready to see how diverse perspectives strengthen cybersecurity? Listen now to discover how your unique background might be your greatest asset in tech. Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    41 min

  8. 08/21/2025

    The Grid Guardian: Strength through The Circle

    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 working as a campus janitor to briefing CEOs for meetings with President Obama. As a veteran CISO who protected critical infrastructure for multiple oil and gas companies, she witnessed firsthand how cybercriminals don't discriminate between targets. This realization, coupled with seeing a friend's mother lose $850,000 to online scammers, fueled her passion to democratize cybersecurity knowledge. Now as a fractional CISO, Dd splits her time between enterprise clients and small businesses that could never afford full-time security leadership. She tailors her approach to each organization's specific needs, recognizing there's no "cookie-cutter" solution to security challenges. Her Cybersecurity Circle initiative brings together complete beginners and seasoned professionals in a welcoming environment where they can learn together through accessible, relatable, and – yes – fun discussions about digital safety. Throughout our conversation, Dd shares powerful insights about career evolution, work-life balance, and the humbling experience of stepping back from prestigious roles to prioritize family during the pandemic. Her message of continuous reinvention resonates whether you're just starting in tech or leading a security program: "Future-proof yourself" by remaining flexible, continuously learning, and understanding that meaningful impact happens at every career stage. Note: In the podcast, Dd refers to the DoD (Department of Defense). The correct agency she is referring to is the Department of Energy (DoE). Connect with Dd to learn how you might start a Cybersecurity Circle in your community, or join the movement to make cybersecurity knowledge accessible to everyone. Because defeating cyber criminals requires an army of informed users, not just security experts. Send us a text Support the show https://www.vigilantviolet.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/jessvachon1

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Voices of the Vigilant is where bold conversations meet unflinching purpose. Hosted by Jess Vachon, cybersecurity leader, Buddhist minister, and founder of Vigilant Violet LLC, this podcast explores the front lines of digital resilience, ethical leadership, and equitable transformation in tech. Through authentic dialogue with boundary-pushers, disruptors, and unsung heroes, each episode dives deep into the human side of cybersecurity—where strategy meets values, and innovation is grounded in integrity. From career pivots and cultural shifts to systemic inequities and visionary leadership, nothing is off the table. This isn’t another tech podcast filled with jargon. Voices of the Vigilant is for those who lead with intention, speak truth to power, and are ready to reimagine what’s possible in an industry that’s overdue for change. 🔔 Subscribe, share, and step into a community where vigilance is both a practice and a path forward. "Humanizing cybersecurity with candid tales from cyberspace and beyond!"

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Vachon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Voices of the Vigilant
  • Show Website
    Voices of the Vigilant