Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration
Courageous Daring Wonderful You, LLC
49 episodes
19 hours ago
Send us a text In this audio overview, we're covering the intersection of: The Impact of Standards (ANSI's Role): Understand how voluntary consensus standards, coordinated by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are literally everywhere, shaping innovation, improving safety and well-being, reducing costs, and enabling global trade.Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE): Explore this community-developed, free-to-use list of common software and hardware weakness types...
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Send us a text In this audio overview, we're covering the intersection of: The Impact of Standards (ANSI's Role): Understand how voluntary consensus standards, coordinated by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are literally everywhere, shaping innovation, improving safety and well-being, reducing costs, and enabling global trade.Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE): Explore this community-developed, free-to-use list of common software and hardware weakness types...
Send us a text In this audio overview, we're covering the intersection of: The Impact of Standards (ANSI's Role): Understand how voluntary consensus standards, coordinated by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are literally everywhere, shaping innovation, improving safety and well-being, reducing costs, and enabling global trade.Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE): Explore this community-developed, free-to-use list of common software and hardware weakness types...
Send us a text In the final part of this series, we zoom in on mentorship, representation, and legacy. The panelists share what grounds them, how they support the next generation, and what they hope for the future of tech—especially for underrepresented voices. It’s the call to action we all need. JT Taylor is a senior-level tech professional, entrepreneur, and coach with a sharp focus on DevOps, Scrum, and business development. With a career built on grit and giving back, he’s deeply p...
Send us a text In Part 2 of the panel with Adam Roberts and JT Taylor, we talk about staying future-ready in an evolving tech world. The panel explores certifications vs. degrees, soft skills that matter, and how to stay ten steps ahead. It's strategy, insight, and real-world perspective from those who’ve lived it. Connect with us: Adam: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamdroberts/ JT: https://www.linkedin.com/josetaylor06 Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Support the show Hey, list...
Send us a text Origins: How We Got Here & What We’ve Learned In Part 1 of this 3-part panel series, we go behind the titles and hear the real stories—how two leaders built their tech careers from the ground up, the lessons they learned the hard way, and how they’re now paving the way for the next generation. This episode covers origin stories, identity evolution, imposter syndrome, and making space to thrive. JT Taylor is a senior-level tech professional, entrepreneur, and coach wi...
Send us a text How does someone go from cable installations at Cisco Academy to founding a cybersecurity powerhouse? In this episode, I sit down with Charles Rush III, a Cybersecurity Founder and government contractor—CISSP, PMP, FSCE certified, and a proud Goldman Sachs 10KSB alum—who’s spent more than 20 years in tech redefining what success looks like. We dig deep into the realities behind financial freedom in IT, the critical need to “know the business of your business,” and w...
Send us a text What happens when you walk away from a high-powered tech career to chase your true calling? In this electrifying episode, I sit down with a former Microsoft leader, the powerhouse founder of Limitless Leaders, Uma Subramanian. Following her time at Microsoft, while working with a tech startup, Uma left it all behind after a jaw-dropping meeting with the startup CEO who crossed the line. Within weeks, she transformed that pivotal moment into a mission: helping tech p...
Send us a text In Part 2 of our series with Thalia Brown, the founder of Authentic Discussion, we dive into the realities of recruitment and networking in today's competitive tech landscape. Thalia shares her journey with professional networking, authentic professional branding and the critical need for candidates to differentiate themselves. We explore strategies for standing out in a crowded job market, especially with the rise of AI and automation, emphasizing the importance of...
Send us a text In Part 1 of this two-part series, I sit down with Thalia Brown, the founder of Authentic Discussion—a pioneering learning platform using research-based tools, podcasts, virtual reality, and AI to tackle gender equity and workplace challenges in tech and cybersecurity. Drawing on years of experience as a diversity practitioner and recruiter, Thalia shares how her mission-driven business is helping candidates overcome imposter syndrome, anxiety, and emotional bias in hirin...
Send us a text In Part 2 of our change management series, with my guest, Shanayla Sweat, we explore why performative change efforts often fall short and how genuine leadership commitment is key to lasting transformation. Shanayla highlights the critical role of soft skills in change management, emphasizing the need for leaders to truly listen and respond to employee needs like flexibility, autonomy, and better benefits. We also discuss the broader societal tensions between individ...
Send us a text In Part 1 of this two-part series, we dive into the world of change management in technology and cybersecurity with Shanayla Sweat, who has journeyed from software quality assurance to leading organizational transitions. Discover why effective change management is crucial for successful tech adoption, how storytelling and authentic communication drive real change, and why human resistance is often overlooked in the rush toward AI and cloud-based solutions. We also unpack ...
Send us a text In this solo reflection, I share a powerful reframe on what it really means to thrive — especially when you're navigating transitions, uncertainty, or moments when clarity feels out of reach. Inspired by a recent PowerToFly session and the wisdom of Elizabeth Weingarten, this episode gently challenges the idea that thriving means having it all figured out. Instead, you’ll be invited to recognize the strength it takes to keep going — one step at a time — and to trust that motion...
Send us a text In today’s bite-sized episode of Bytes, Bits & Brilliance, we explore one powerful leadership question: Do you know how important it is to know your people? Whether you lead a team, manage projects, or mentor others, the truth is this —people don’t leave companies, they leave managers. And retention starts with relationship. In under 10 minutes, I break down: 3 reasons why knowing your team deeply matters3 practical ways to build meaningful connectionsThe link between empat...
Send us a text In this Quick Bytes of Brilliance episode, I unpack insights from a recent ISC2 article on non-traditional paths into cybersecurity — and share a heartfelt reflection on the realities women still face, from systemic bias to pay inequity to being underestimated despite our qualifications. This episode is for every woman carving her own way in cyber and beyond. Tune in for truth, encouragement, and a powerful reminder of who you are. ************************************** C...
Send us a text Step back in time and leap forward with us as we celebrate the extraordinary journey of a trailblazing IT trainer, Carol "Lady Ray" Holmes, who has spent four decades breaking barriers, empowering communities, and growing alongside technology itself. From delivering flyers at 13 to transitioning typist skills to teach basic computer skills, our guest shares her story of resilience, patience, and self-taught mastery-without a college degree. We dive into her experiences na...
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with JT Taylor, the visionary leader behind our non-profit, Black IT Academy (BITA). JT shares his inspiring journey through the tech industry, from overcoming the glass ceiling without a college degree to embracing leadership roles in customer success management. We dive deep into the importance of confidence, networking, and continuous learning, especially for underrepresented professionals. Our conversation explores how balancing pr...
Send us a text In today's episode, we're moving from reflection to action. If you've ever felt stretched thin, overwhelmed by change, or unsure of your next move in tech or cybersecurity, you're not alone AND you're not failing. You're being called to evolve. Join me as I share five powerful, actionable strategies to overcome career challenges, thrive in dynamic environments, and build resilience that doesn't just help you survive but propels you into your next level. It’s time to colla...
Send us a text In this heartfelt and empowering episode, we tackle one of the most important yet often unspoken parts of a technology or cybersecurity career: Navigating the professional challenges that stretch, test, and shape us. Through compassion, insight, and real talk, you'll hear how challenges are not interruptions but essential parts of your growth. We'll explore why it's critical to ask for help, how to redefine success on your terms, and practical tools you can use to thrive throug...
Send us a text Welcome back to the Podcast and another AI voiced episode, inspired by my reading the book, The First 90 Days and My Musings aka From My Mind. Transitions: whether a new job, a career pivot, or a sabbatical, can shake us to our core. In this episode, we explore a powerful insight from The First 90 Days about the difference between balance and equilibrium, and why mastering this distinction can transform how you navigate change. You’ll learn why transitions disrupt your se...
Send us a text What sparked the idea for this podcast? What hurdles did I face? And how did I go from “I should do this” to launching Bytes, Bits & Brilliance? In this special solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing the real, raw journey of how this show came to life. From mentor conversations that planted the first seed, to doubts, analysis paralysis, and finally, ACTION! I’m reflecting on what it takes to bring an idea into the world, imperfectly and courageously. Yo...
Send us a text In this episode, I dive deep into the pressing issue of the Cybersecurity and IT workforce gap, exploring its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. With insights from Perplexity AI, we unravel: The origins and persistence of the workforce gap, spanning decades.Why rapid technological advancements and skill obsolescence exacerbate the problem.The challenges faced by both technical and non-technical professionals in adapting to evolving roles.Strategies for recruitment, ...
Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration
Send us a text In this audio overview, we're covering the intersection of: The Impact of Standards (ANSI's Role): Understand how voluntary consensus standards, coordinated by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are literally everywhere, shaping innovation, improving safety and well-being, reducing costs, and enabling global trade.Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE): Explore this community-developed, free-to-use list of common software and hardware weakness types...
