Episode Summary
In this episode, host David Malicoat sits down in St. Louis, Missouri with Gary Chan, Chief Information Security Officer at SSM Health — and a professional Security Mentalist. Gary blends his background in cybersecurity, engineering, and mentalism to bring a refreshingly human and creative approach to leadership, awareness, and influence in the world of cyber.
From performing mind-reading demonstrations to explaining how storytelling drives executive buy-in, Gary shows us how creativity and communication can transform a CISO’s impact inside and outside the organization.
They dive deep into how CISOs can become better leaders, storytellers, and advocates for security — and why selling the “why” is far more powerful than explaining the “how.”
Key Takeaways
Notable Quotes
“When you’re a senior leader, it’s all about storytelling — people need to understand how security ties back to why the organization exists.”“Nobody cares about reducing risk. They care about the impact to them — their goals, their reputation, their mission.”
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Guest Information
Gary Chan
Chief Information Security Officer, SSM Health
Security Mentalist & Speaker
🔗 Website: gschan2000.com
🔗 Search “Gary Chan Security Mentalist” for more information
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