In The Thick of IT

Fern R.

5.0 (2)
Technology
Updated Daily

Tired of podcasts that focus on a company, product, or something other than the guest? Yea, me too. Join me on my journey to learn as much as possible from the leaders in tech that we all respect, appreciate, and wish to hear their stories we can all relate to.

06/23/2025

Cybersecurity Lessons You Didn't Learn in School with Ryan Murray

What does it really take to build trust, community, and resilience across an entire state’s cybersecurity ecosystem? In this episode, we go deep with Ryan Murray on how showing up matters more than titles, and how long-game relationships make or break vendor partnerships. We also dive into personal stories around growing up in Yuma to how a three-piece suit became part of Ryan’s brand. Along the way, we hit on why education gaps persist in cyber, what happens when vendors fail to play the long game, and how AI and deepfakes are rewriting the threat landscape. This episode brings humor, honesty, and hard truths about the work ahead. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording this one! 00:00:00 — First impressions, podcast setup, and showing up for community 00:15:31 — How showing up builds statewide trust in cybersecurity 00:33:01 — Growing up with limited means, education gaps, mentors, underserved communities 00:51:01 — Why being accessible matters 01:08:01 — Vendor vs. Partner: How vendors lose when they don’t play the long game 01:26:01 — The hidden power of statewide purchasing 01:48:01 — Training users vs. securing systems; why humans still click the link 02:13:01 — AI risks, deepfakes, and why modern users can’t keep up with threat evolution 02:30:01 — How early career experiences shape today’s leadership 02:51:01 — Building relationships that last; 03:10:01 — Personal stories: growing up in Detroit, loss, manifesting success, learning from mistakes 03:28:01 — The culture of technology adoption vs. security maturity — why we’re wired to chase shiny new tools 03:45:01 — AI risks, human nature, the speed of tech vs. the speed of wisdom; why building trust and empathy matters more than ever

4h 7m
05/28/2025

Dan Shuler - The epiphany that changed everything

Ever feel like you're playing a game without knowing the rules? This episode dives into the behind-the-scenes world of tech sales, vendor relationships, and the unwritten codes that shape your security and budget decisions. With some transparency, humor, and a touch of whiskey(Fern only), we pull back the curtain on renewals, sales incentives, and the "circle of trust" that gets you access; or possibly keeps you locked out. From burnout to betrayal, to building trust the long way, this one's for the leaders asking: "How do I actually win?" in a matrix built by sales. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:15:01 - Renewals, reseller games & playing a game without written rules 00:30:01 - "Fill the bucket": Aligning incentives with sales 00:45:01 - Brokers of knowledge, ethical sales, and the trust equation 01:00:01 - When relationships fall apart: Burnout, betrayal & rebirth 01:15:01 - Circles of trust & gatekeeping in the sales world 01:30:01 - The CactusCon panel, good moderation & real curiosity 01:45:01 - Golf, grit & unexpected career paths 02:00:01 - The security startup hustle 02:15:01 - From SRP to Phoenix Children's: Scaling security programs 02:30:01 - Inner circles, silent wins & lessons from the shadows 02:45:01 - Guardrails, curiosity & defending 03:00:01 - Fighting the uphill battle in cybersecurity 03:15:01 - Building a trusted peer network & free resource ideas 03:30:01 - Circles, advocacy & the closing toast

3h 43m
05/05/2025

Thriving in Security as an Engineer with Trevor Costanzi

Trevor Costanzi pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in security—from burnout and certifications to why the best engineers don’t always wear suits. We dig into hacker origins, secure-by-design philosophy, and how relationships—not just résumés—build lasting tech careers. Whether you're trying to break into cyber, pivot from helpdesk, or finally make sense of DevSecOps, this one hits like a late-night Slack message that changes everything. Buckle up. 00:00:00 : Why most security teams are misunderstood, and how some non-technical leadership breaks trust 00:15:01 : From hacking middle school servers to burnout-proof job advice. Why security isn’t for everyone 00:30:01 : Certifications vs. reality: what the industry doesn’t want you to know about getting hired 00:45:01 : The power of showing up: why building real-world relationships trumps LinkedIn hype 01:00:01 : DevSecOps decoded: building secure products without killing team velocity 01:15:01 : In the trenches and at the top: bridging the trust gap between engineers and execs 01:30:01 : The mindset shift from paycheck collector to legacy builder 01:45:01 : Career roadmap for new security pros—and why coding is the ultimate unlock 02:00:01 : Late-night failures, university rants, and the boldest take on GenAI yet

2h 22m
04/14/2025

Leadership, Trust, and Strategic Growth: A No-Hype Conversation with Frank Grimmelmann

I sat down with someone whose work lives far from the spotlight but impacts everything from intelligence strategy to leadership systems. In this nearly three-hour conversation, Frank shares what it takes to lead when stakes are high, decisions are gray, and systems are bigger than any one person. We unpack how influence is earned, what happens behind the scenes in real-world operations, and how trust, precision, and humility come together to drive real progress. If you're someone who likes to think about leadership at the systems level—this one's for you. 00:00:00 - 00:10:10 — Building a career rooted in trust 00:10:11 - 00:20:36 — Influence built through relationships, not titles 00:20:37 - 00:31:18 — Crisis, trust, and real-time leadership 00:31:19 - 00:41:43 — Surveillance ethics and threat assessment 00:41:44 - 00:52:15 — Navigating transparency vs. duty 00:52:16 - 01:03:07 — Perception vs. operational reality 01:03:08 - 01:13:33 — Innovation inside government red tape 01:13:34 - 01:24:17 — Healthcare shows systemic failures 01:24:18 - 01:34:46 — Leadership when seconds count 01:34:47 - 01:45:17 — Systems that quietly break trust 01:45:18 - 01:56:04 —Tech waste and procurement dysfunction 01:56:05 - 02:06:21 — Infrastructure, targeting, and resilience 02:06:22 - 02:16:35 — Deepfakes and digital identity erosion 02:16:36 - 02:27:15 — Burnout-proofing digital transformation 02:27:16 - 02:37:39 — Compliance vs. practical progress 02:37:40 - 02:47:47 — Humanity and humor in leadership 02:47:48 - 02:54:52 — Franks final reflections on legacy, courage, and why clarity matters more than confidence.

2h 55m
03/10/2025

Graham Greytak on Building a Legacy

Graham shares his career journey from PHX Suns ticket sales to CEO, the lessons he learned from both sides of the table, and how he built HireRising into a powerhouse in tech staffing and consulting. 🔹 Was he crazy to take the risk? (Even his friends thought so.) 🔹 The biggest hiring trends for 2025 : who’s in demand & what’s changing? 🔹 How sales experience can transform your career 🔹 The secret to building high-value relationships that fuel success. 🔹 Graham’s daily routine for peak performance—cold plunges, meditation & mindset shifts. If you’ve ever thought about taking a leap in your career or business, Graham has the story you need to hear. 0:00 | From Sales to Business Ownership 7:01 | Understanding Both Sides in Business 14:31 | Overcoming Doubt & Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap 20:51 | Hiring Trends for 2025 & Business Growth 29:16 | Work-Life Balance & Personal Success Habits 38:01 | The Power of Business Relationships 44:21 | Future of Hiring & Industry Shifts 51:31 | HireRising’s Vision & Expansion into Consulting 58:41 | Final Takeaways & Career Advice

1h 4m
02/21/2025

Paul Wolf- The Journey After Being Laid Off

I am not certain any person actually has the life they expected. I would argue, a number of unexpected events lead us down a path we might not have imagined. In the episode, Paul Wolf opens up about an early dream of becoming an actor, a surprising detour into radio, and the financial hardships during a tech layoff. Through his storytelling, we explore the struggles of finding our footing, career pivots, and the emotional toll of losing your source of income. From being “voluntold” into cybersecurity to navigating financial survival, this episode covers resilience, personal growth, and how security roles have evolved in the business world. If you're unsure of what your future looks like, find yourself at a career crossroads, or looking for some inspiration, Paul is just to person to learn from. Listen to his story about overcoming setbacks, adapting to change, and finding purpose. This episode is a reminder that the toughest moments can lead to the most unexpected opportunities. 00:00:00 - The Accidental Path to Cybersecurity 00:10:23 - Chasing Dreams: From Acting to Tech 00:22:46 - Breaking into Radio & Early Tech Experiences 00:34:16 - The Reality of Low Salaries in Radio 00:47:31 - Transitioning from Radio to IT 01:02:01 - The Evolution of Security Roles 01:17:46 - When Your Career Chooses You 01:31:01 - Struggles of Building a Security Program 01:43:51 - Getting Laid Off and Facing Rock Bottom 02:00:11 - The Emotional Toll of Financial Struggles 02:20:00 - The Evolution of Security in Business 02:40:00 - Rebuilding and Finding Purpose in Security 02:57:36 - Final Reflections & Career Advice

3h 7m
01/21/2025

Lock L- Finding your secret formula

In this episode, we dive into the origin of a CISO, how they handle challenges, and how professionals integrate work and life to be successful. Using examples from family life, the conversation shows why trust, teamwork, and doing the right thing are important for a strong workplace culture through CISO leadership. You’ll also hear about how professionals deal with topics around AI and privacy, but also how they help future leaders grow. This episode is full of great tips and stories that will make you think about how to be a better leader and a better version of yourself with different perspectives from the host/guest. Tune in to learn about the ups and downs of leadership and what the future might look like for you. 00:00:00 - The Role of CIOs and CISOs 00:10:23 - Security in Leadership: Lessons from Family Life 00:22:46 - Managing Risks in Corporate Culture 00:34:16 - Building Trust in Teams and Technology 00:47:51 - Personal Growth Through Professional Challenges 01:02:01 - Balancing Work, Life, and Innovation 01:17:16 - The Ethics of Cybersecurity and Privacy 01:31:01 - Empowering Future Leaders in Cybersecurity 01:43:51 - Facing the Future: Challenges and Opportunities 02:00:11 - Hypothetical Risk Scenarios and Leadership Responsibility 02:20:00 - Adapting Security Practices and Tools 02:40:00 - Building Connections and Sharing Expertise 02:53:00 - Final Reflections and Future Plans

2h 58m
12/13/2024

Dina Mathers- Finding your inner confidence

Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Breaking Down Barriers: Early Career Lessons 00:10:05 - Navigating Leadership in Tech 00:20:42 - The Power of Storytelling in Cybersecurity 00:34:35 - Fostering Trust Through Collaboration 00:47:50 - Personal Growth Through Professional Challenges 01:02:20 - Balancing Work, Family, and Self 01:18:05 - Innovation vs. Legacy: Making Strategic Decisions 01:31:10 - Empowering Teams with Purpose-Driven Leadership 01:44:05 - Lessons from Mistakes: A Personal Reflection 02:00:35 - Facing the Future: Tech and Trust 02:20:25 - The Importance of Diversity in Tech Leadership 02:35:10 - Closing Reflections and Future Visions

2h 43m

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Tired of podcasts that focus on a company, product, or something other than the guest? Yea, me too. Join me on my journey to learn as much as possible from the leaders in tech that we all respect, appreciate, and wish to hear their stories we can all relate to.

Creator

Fern R.
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

15
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Copyright 2025 Fern R.
Show Website

In The Thick of IT