The Education Road

Mike Biocchi
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This podcast will talk to interesting people who will share their journey from the classroom to where they are now. How did their education play a role in who they are today and where they ended up? The education road is windy because there isn’t necessarily one path that leads you on your journey.

  1. ١١ مايو

    Interview with Julian Nasielski

    The Name of the Game! In this episode of The Education Road, we connect with Julian Nasielski, a level designer at Ubisoft Montreal whose career path was defined by what he describes as a "bumpy road with a couple of detours". Julian shares how his childhood passion for games, sparked by surreal and whimsical titles like Earthworm Jim and Rayman 2, eventually transformed from a hobby into a professional mission. Despite knowing he wanted to design games since he was eight years old, he reveals the internal and external pressures that nearly led him toward a career in medicine before he fully committed to his creative roots. The conversation dives into Julian's academic transition at John Abbott College, where he initially struggled with sciences like calculus and chemistry before finding his stride in the Creative Arts program. He reflects on the formative power of the CEGEP system in Quebec, which allowed him to experiment with everything from radio production and filmmaking to horror film classes and digital media. This period of exploration was crucial in helping him to see behind the curtain of the gaming industry, moving him closer to the specialized field of level design as he realized that the industry was much more vast and varied than he had initially understood as a child. Beyond his personal history, Julian offers a candid look at the modern landscape of game development, discussing the differences between what makes for a great level and what doesn't. He emphasizes the accessibility of the industry today, noting that free tools and Game Jams provide a low barrier to entry for those willing to persevere. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring creators to never give up and to keep making games, serving as an inspiring roadmap for anyone navigating their own non-linear path into the technical and creative arts.

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  2. ٢٤ أبريل

    Interview with Ross Lazerowitz

    The Journey from Staples to Founder In this episode, we explore the career journey of Ross, co-founder and CEO of Mirage Security. Ross traces his origins from his early days as a local IT handyman and a retail associate at Staples. He emphasizes the value of retail work for anyone entering the tech field, arguing that it builds essential empathy and a first-hand understanding of the corporate structures that dominate the professional world. This early exposure to the human side of technology eventually led him to Syracuse University, where a cybersecurity internship at JP Morgan Chase convinced him to switch from a general IT track to more rigorous software engineering. Ross explains how his unconventional academic background, which paired software engineering with a minor in cognitive science and entrepreneurship, became a unique professional asset. Today, his work at Mirage Security focuses on defending the "human element" against sophisticated social engineering and AI-generated deepfakes, recognizing that while technology has deterministic controls, people remain the final and most vulnerable path for modern attackers. The conversation concludes with a deep dive into the AI revolution and its disruptive impact on both the workforce and the classroom. Ross shares his perspective on AI as a "universal tutor" capable of providing individualized instruction, while also addressing the growing challenge for junior developers who now find themselves mentoring AI agents rather than learning through traditional boilerplate tasks. He reflects on the rigor of academic weed-out courses like functional programming in Haskell and offers a final piece of advice for the next generation: in an era of generalist AI, specialized expertise in technical fields like engineering or math is a far more secure foundation than a general business degree.

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  3. ٥ مارس

    Interview with John Ailes

    From being a nerd to being even a bigger nerd, a journey through Costco In this episode of The Education Road, we chat with John Ailes, an Incident Response (IR) specialist, to explore the high-stakes world of Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR). John shares his unique journey from a computer-loving kid, whose father taught him powers of two as nursery rhymes, to becoming part of the first graduating class of George Mason University’s Cybersecurity Engineering program. John breaks down the "umbrella" of Digital Forensics and Incident Response, explaining how it functions as a technical fact-finding mission for everything from corporate data breaches to wrongful death lawsuits. He shares insights into the value of a technical degree and certifications like Security+. John also pulls back the curtain on his intense study process for advanced SANS/GIAC certifications. John reflects on his transition from an individual contributor to a manager, emphasizing the importance of supporting your team and finding mentors early in your career. Whether you are a cybersecurity student looking for career advice or a seasoned professional interested in the nuances of incident response, this episode offers a deep dive into the technical and human side of defending the digital world. Plus: A side tangent on the "small world" history of Elgammal encryption and why every city needs a Costco.

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  4. ١٢ فبراير

    Interview with Michael Shulman

    Thinking about going into sales? Listen to this podcast! In this episode of The Education Road, we sit down with Michael Shulman, whose career path is rooted in sales! Michael’s academic road began at York University, where he completed an Honours BA in Business Economics with a specialization in finance. Along the way, he discovered a strong aptitude for accounting and economics, skills that would later prove invaluable. Although he originally envisioned a future in investment banking, his career took a different turn. After starting in corporate finance at Bombardier, a moment reviewing sales commission structures sparked a realization: he wanted to be on the revenue-generating side of the business. That decision launched him into tech sales, first through finance roles in major organizations like Sun Microsystems, then progressively closer to end-user enterprise sales. Throughout the conversation, Michael breaks down what sales really looks like at the enterprise level. It’s not quick transactions or movie-style theatrics. It’s long sales cycles, strategic account planning, navigating budget cycles, building C-level relationships, and sometimes waiting years to close a deal. He shares how understanding accounting, balance sheets, international economics, and stakeholder dynamics allows him to have meaningful conversations with CFOs, CIOs, and CISOs. The episode also pulls back the curtain on compensation structures (base + commission, quotas, accelerators), the realities of prospecting, and the discipline required to consistently perform. One lesson that stuck with Michael from his mentor: “Always be prospecting.” In enterprise sales, if you’re not planting seeds today, you won’t be harvesting deals tomorrow. For students curious about sales, Michael offers candid advice: there’s no single required degree, but understanding business fundamentals helps. And if you want to get into sales, there is a more conventional path than the one he took, starting as an SDR and building from there. At its core, this episode explores how an education in finance and global affairs can translate into a high-impact career in enterprise technology sales and why the ability to understand systems, incentives, and people is what ultimately drives success.

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  5. ٢٩ يناير

    Interview with Christin Gadsby

    Diversified education and the non-traditional education path to career! In this episode of The Education Road, we speak with Christine Gadsby, Chief Security Advisor at BlackBerry, whose education road is, in her own words, “non-traditional and very bumpy.” Christine’s story is a powerful reminder that learning paths are unique and often not expected. Christine begins by sharing the reality of her childhood. In high school, her focus wasn’t on a future career, but on getting through the day. As a teenage mother, survival became the priority, and higher education wasn’t immediately part of the picture. Her path into post-secondary education came later and in pieces. Christine took classes at the University of Washington, but ultimately completed her degree at Western Governors University, earning credentials in information technology and business management. She then worked her way into technology and security roles, gradually building expertise through hands-on experience. Over time, that foundation led her to BlackBerry, where she grew through multiple roles before becoming Chief Security Advisor. Throughout the conversation, Christine emphasizes how different her reality was from the traditional “college-to-career” narrative. She speaks candidly about what it means to learn without safety nets. Her story challenges the idea that success requires early clarity or privilege, and instead highlights resilience, grit, and the willingness to keep going. Mike and Christine also discuss how background shapes leadership. Christine reflects on how her experiences inform the way she approaches security, risk, and decision-making today. This episode won't touch upon polished resumes or perfect plans. Instead, we'll talk about building something meaningful from unstable ground, and recognizing that education often happens in fragments, including late nights, second chances, and hard-earned confidence.

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  6. ١٨‏/١٢‏/٢٠٢٥

    Interview with Ali Crawford

    It’s okay to pursue passions and don’t be afraid to chase the unknown In this episode, we sit down with Ali Crawford, a Senior Research Analyst at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) at Georgetown University. Ali shares her continuous and unexpected journey, taking listeners from the starting blocks of collegiate track and field to the complex world of national security and cyber policy. The conversation begins with Ali’s background as a Division II sprinter and hurdler at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She discusses the discipline required to balance academics with athletics and the transition to becoming a "NARP" (Non-Athletic Regular Person) after graduation. Ali reveals how a fascination with international business and a pivotal class taught by a former FBI agent during her Master’s program led her to carve out a niche in intelligence and cyber policy. Mike and Ali then dive deep into the current state of the cybersecurity workforce. They explore the "broken first rung" of the career ladder, debating why entry-level talent struggles to find work despite the reported massive labor shortages. Ali offers expert insights into the disconnect between higher education and workforce demands, the rise of "ghost postings," and the critical need for skills-based learning over purely theoretical degrees. For listeners who worry that they haven't found their "calling" yet, Ali’s story offers a powerful reassurance: you don't need a perfect plan to end up in a place your younger self would admire. Her journey underscores that progress is rarely a straight line. It's "continuous and unexpected," often shaped by the detours we take and the mentors we meet along the way. At its heart, this episode proves that education extends far beyond the classroom; it is found in the courage to embrace uncertainty and the willingness to simply chase the unknown.

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  7. ٠٧‏/١١‏/٢٠٢٥

    Interview with Ian Kalman

    Prepare to be disappointed! In this episode of The Education Road, we chat with Ian Kalman, founder and creative director of Bald Guy Greetings, the irreverent, hilarious, and wildly relatable greeting card company found in hundreds of stores across North America. Ian kicks things off with what he calls “a road full of questionable choices that somehow worked out,” and that phrase couldn’t sum up his story better. From dreaming of writing witty ad copy in college to running a nationally recognized greeting card business, Ian’s journey proves that the best careers often start as happy accidents. He takes us back to his time at San Jose State University, where he majored in advertising and minored in psychology, a combination that would later help him connect with audiences on a deeply human level. After graduating, Ian landed his dream job in advertising, working on iconic campaigns for Budweiser, E*TRADE, and the Oakland A’s. But everything changed with a birthday cake. What started as a joke written in frosting sparked an idea: What if greeting cards were actually funny? On a plane ride shortly after, Ian began jotting down card ideas — 60 in total. Twelve of them became the first Bald Guy Greetings collection, and the rest is history. Mike and Ian talk about the early struggles of starting a business without a roadmap. No entrepreneurship courses, no investors, just a writer who wanted to make people laugh. Ian admits that his college education didn’t prepare him for payroll, taxes, or packaging orders, but it did teach him creativity, persistence, and empathy. Ian also opens up about his creative process, describing it as spontaneous and joy-driven. He keeps hundreds of ideas in his phone notes, drawing inspiration from overheard conversations, awkward social moments, and life’s little absurdities. With over 350 cards in circulation today, his brand has become a cult favorite for people who prefer laughter over sentimentality. “If it makes me laugh, I’ll make it. I’d rather fail on my own terms than succeed at something that doesn’t feel like me.” It’s that authenticity that’s made Bald Guy Greetings such a success and why so many customers, like Mike’s own family, refuse to buy any other cards. By the end of the episode, you’ll see why Ian’s self-proclaimed “questionable choices” were anything but. His story is a reminder that passion, persistence, and a sense of humor can take you further than any perfect plan ever could.

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  8. ٣٠‏/١٠‏/٢٠٢٥

    Interview with Jacob Robinson

    How to find what doesn't feel like work! In this episode of The Education Road, we sit down with Jacob Robinson, an attorney turned sports writer for The Athletic, whose winding journey from law school to becoming a writer covering the NFL is a testament to the power of following your curiosity and doing the reps. Jacob’s story begins in Ontario, where a dual-degree business program at Brock University led him to Germany for two years of study abroad. That experience, he says, changed everything: living in a tiny village outside Frankfurt, learning to be resourceful, and discovering a love for exploration that would later define his career choices. After earning degrees in both Canada and Germany, Jacob went on to law school through the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, where he earned credentials on both sides of the border. But it was a single Malcolm Gladwell book that changed his trajectory. Inspired by Outliers, Jacob realized that success often comes from being in the right place at the right time, and for him, that place was blockchain. While studying law, he dove deep into crypto policy, took a chance on a niche elective course, and became an early voice in decentralized law. That curiosity led to a role with the Ethereum Foundation and the creation of a popular podcast exploring crypto regulation. Yet, the real twist came when Jacob’s side project, a fantasy football newsletter he started for fun, exploded overnight on Reddit. What began as five (forced) subscribers grew to thousands, and eventually caught the attention of The Athletic. Fast-forward to today, Jacob writes the largest NFL newsletter in the world, with over 1.4 million subscribers, delivering daily insights, humor, and analysis to football fans everywhere. His advice to students and aspiring creators is simple: Don’t wait for permission. Start writing, start posting, start building. Whether it’s a podcast, blog, or newsletter, your work is your proof. Jacob’s story captures what The Education Road is all about: the unpredictable, deeply human journey of learning, growing, and eventually finding work that doesn’t feel like work.

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This podcast will talk to interesting people who will share their journey from the classroom to where they are now. How did their education play a role in who they are today and where they ended up? The education road is windy because there isn’t necessarily one path that leads you on your journey.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Mike Biocchi
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٥ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ٢٢
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © Mike Biocchi
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    The Education Road