Adventures of Alice & Bob

Merchants Media
  • 5.0 (16)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Adventures of Alice & Bob

Welcome to the Adventures of Alice & Bob Podcast, where we talk shop with pen testers, hackers, and the unsung heroes of the cybersecurity world about the human element of being on the front lines of cyber attacks. Produced by Merchants Media. For booking inquires, email booking@merchantsmedia.com

  1. JUN 6

    Ep. 80 - Vampire Satellites, Stolen Wine, and Why Your Boat is a Giant IoT Nightmare // Chris Kubecka

    In today's episode, James Maude dives into the world of cyber warfare, espionage, and hacked satellites with the legendary Chris Kubecka—aka the "Chief Hacktress." From grounding overconfident pilots as one of the first female C-5 loadmasters, to investigating mysterious “vampire satellites” that silently disable spacecraft, Chris has lived a life straight out of a cyber-thriller. She recounts her front-line role in the aftermath of the Shamoon cyberattack, one of the most destructive digital assaults in history, which wiped 35,000 systems at Saudi Aramco and sent shockwaves across global security circles. Plus: embassy cyber drama, Turkish spies posing as English students, Yemeni drones with a grudge, and how AI is now a tool in her mission to expose and disrupt digital authoritarianism. And yes, we also talk about why your boat is a terrifying floating IoT vulnerability.

    59 min

  2. MAY 23

    Ep. 79 - Hacking Rifles and Protecting Reporters // Runa Sandvik

    In this episode, host James Maude sits down with Runa Sandvik, a cybersecurity pioneer protecting journalists and vulnerable populations worldwide. From hacking wi-fi enabled rifles to creating secure tip systems for The New York Times, Runa shares the fascinating journey that led her from Norway's tight-knit tech scene to the frontlines of digital security.

    49 min

  3. MAY 12

    Ep.78 - Champagne at 2AM: The International Zotob Takedown // Kymberlee Price

    In this episode, cybersecurity veteran, Kymberlee Price joins James and Marc for a riveting conversation that traces her unconventional path from public health to becoming a pioneering force at Microsoft Security. Kymberlee opens up about her classified work tracking down the creators of the infamous Zotob worm, and how that experience helped reshape how companies collaborate with security researchers. With clarity and candor, she tackles the pitfalls of the vulnerability “whack-a-mole” approach, the art of communicating real risk, and why the best cybersecurity minds don’t always come from traditional backgrounds. It’s a must-listen for anyone curious about the human side of threat hunting—and the hidden strengths in forging your own path.

    1h 5m

  4. APR 25

    Ep. 77 - Bugs in the System: When Moths Hack Power Plants // Lesley Carhart

    In this episode, James Maude chats with industrial cybersecurity expert Lesley Carhart (aka "Hacks for Pancakes"), whose journey from programming on her family farm to protecting critical infrastructure was shaped by curiosity and determination. Lesley reveals how moths accidentally activating a power plant touchscreen led to a late-night "Chinese hackers" investigation, explains why she carries a "marriage counseling" sign when mediating between feuding IT and OT teams, and delivers a passionate wake-up call about the industry's mentorship crisis and the brutal reality facing cybersecurity newcomers today.

    52 min

  5. APR 11

    Ep. 76 - Phishing, Predictions, and Starship Troopers // Brian Kime

    In this episode, James Maude chats with cyber threat intel pro Brian Kime, whose journey from the Army’s infamous “chemical guy” to security expert was partly inspired by Starship Troopers. Brian dishes on his legendary Dell SecureWorks phishing op that hit a wild 50% click rate—by predicting an IPO years ahead of time. He also unpacks why vulnerability management can stall business and how design thinking can reshape threat intel.

    58 min

  6. MAR 28

    Ep. 75 - DOS Viruses & Catching Chinese APT Hackers // Roger Grimes

    James Maude chats with Roger Grimes, a 36-year cyber veteran and KnowBe4’s Defense Evangelist. From hacking DOS viruses for John McAfee to catching Chinese APT hackers red-handed, Roger’s war stories are unforgettable. But he’s not just here for the drama—he lays out a bold plan to fix Internet security and reveals why social engineering remains our biggest blind spot. Don't miss this episode—it's a masterclass in cyber warfare, deception, and the battle for a safer digital future!

    54 min

  7. MAR 14

    Ep. 74 - The Accidental Worm that Shutdown a University // Sounil Yu

    In this episode, James sits down with Sounil Yu, the mind behind the Cyber Defense Matrix and DIE Triad frameworks that have transformed how organizations approach security. From his early days getting stuffed in lockers as a self-described computer geek to becoming a disruptive force at Bank of America and co-founding Gnostic, Sounil shares the mental models that have guided his three-decade journey in cybersecurity. They discuss how an accidental college worm shutdown taught valuable lessons in OpSec, and why Sounil starts with the icebreaker question: "What's the most IT damage you've caused without getting fired?"

    54 min

  8. FEB 28

    Ep. 73 - How a Magazine Article Led to a Cybersecurity Empire // Richard Stiennon

    In this episode, James chats with Richard Stiennon—cybersecurity analyst, author, and former aerospace engineer—whose 20+ year journey spans from designing car seats to hacking corporate systems for giants like Dell. Hear how a 1992 magazine article led him to launch his own ISP and rise to prominence at Gartner. Richard shares his personal stories from the frontlines of cybersecurity, his crusade against risk management jargon, and bold predictions on AI’s impact on security. Plus, private jet mishaps and the unconventional wisdom behind IT Harvest.

    56 min
See All (80)

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Adventures of Alice & Bob Podcast, where we talk shop with pen testers, hackers, and the unsung heroes of the cybersecurity world about the human element of being on the front lines of cyber attacks. Produced by Merchants Media. For booking inquires, email booking@merchantsmedia.com

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