Welcome back to the show! Hacker Valley Studio podcast features Host Ron Eddings, as he explores the world of cybersecurity through the eyes of professionals in the industry. We cover everything from inspirational real-life stories in tech, to highlighting influential cybersecurity companies, and we do so in a fun and enthusiastic way. We’re making cybersecurity accessible, creating a whole new form of entertainment: cybertainment.
Episodes
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Search engines aren’t dying quietly, they’re being replaced in real time by AI browsers and voice agents.
AI isn’t just answering questions anymore; it’s acting for us. In this episode, Ron Eddings explores how tools like NanoBrowser and Comet are reshaping browsing, why Google may be in trouble, and how AI voices are becoming the new interface for productivity. From breakthroughs to risks, this is a front-row look at how AI agents are changing how we work, connect, and live online.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - AI agents as everyday tools
02:00 - Testing AI-powered browsers
03:00 - Comet: AI browser from Perplexity
04:30 - Why Google should be worried
05:30 - Real-world tasks for AI browsers
07:00 - Automating cybersecurity inventory
09:00 - Comet in action on LinkedIn
10:00 - Testing for malicious exploits
11:00 - Risks of persuasive AI prompts
12:00 - The rise of voice agents
13:30 - First real-world AI voice experience
15:00 - Security concerns with customer data
16:30 - Double-edged sword of AI adoption
17:30 - System prompt leakage vulnerabilities
18:00 - Why voice could shrink attack surfaces
Links:
Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldeddings/
Check out NanoBrowser: https://nanobrowser.ai/
Check out Comet by Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/comet
Read the article ‘No more links, no more scrolling - the browser is becoming an AI Agent.’ here: https://venturebeat.com/ai/no-more-links-no-more-scrolling-the-browser-is-becoming-an-ai-agent
Read the article ‘How Voice AI Prompt Injection Threatens Enterprise Security’ here: https://www.teneo.ai/blog/how-voice-ai-prompt-injection-threatens-enterprise-security
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Some tools replace tasks. Others reshape the way we think about security.
In this episode, Ron welcomes back Phillip Wylie, one of the most respected voices in offensive security, author, educator, and longtime friend of the Hacker Valley community. With over 27 years of experience across cybersecurity disciplines, Phillip has guided thousands of professionals through his books, talks, and mentorship.
He shares how AI is reshaping pen testing and red teaming, the value of automating away repetitive tasks, and why the fundamentals of security will always matter. From defining red teaming in 2025 to guiding newcomers on how to break in, Phillip delivers insights that balance cutting-edge innovation with timeless wisdom.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Why Phillip keeps podcasting
03:00 - AI opportunities in pen testing
04:30 - What automation should replace
06:00 - Red teaming vs pen testing in 2025
08:00 - Defining adversary emulation
10:40 - Building the ideal AI assistant
15:00 - The best AI use cases today
18:30 - AI-driven threat modeling
21:00 - Breaking into pen testing now
25:00 - Building a portfolio and personal brand
27:30 - Why in-person networking still matters
Links:
Connect with Phillip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipwylie/
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
What if showing up with consistency could spark opportunities, create careers, and build a global movement?
In this episode, Ron sits down with Gerald Auger, Ph.D., cybersecurity educator, content creator, and founder of Simply Cyber. Gerald shares how his daily livestream grew into a thriving community, why consistency is the key to influence, and how AI is reshaping the way cyber professionals work.
From building SimplyCyberCon to launching a new pentesting venture, Gerry’s journey is a masterclass in community, creativity, and courage. This episode is filled with inspiration and practical takeaways for anyone ready to grow their career, brand, or business in cybersecurity.
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
What if defenders had their own AI-powered task force, always on, always adapting, and finally one step ahead of attackers?
In this episode, Ron welcomes Vineet Edupuganti, Founder and CEO of Cogent Security, to discuss how AI agents are rewriting the rules of cybersecurity. Vineet shares why traditional vulnerability management is fundamentally broken, why exposure management matters more than ever, and how Cogent is building an “AI Task Force” to give defenders the edge. From his early days in machine learning to reshaping the future of cyber defense, Vineet breaks down the urgent need for automation, context-driven insights, and explainable AI in security.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
02:00 - Vineet’s journey into AI and cyber
04:30 - Why vulnerability management is broken
06:10 - Generative AI as a defender’s edge
08:20 - Why AI agents outperform brittle automation
09:45 - The first use cases for Cogent’s agents
12:00 - Rethinking tier-one SOC analyst roles
13:30 - The rise of exposure management (CTEM)
17:10 - Cogent’s vision for an AI task force
18:30 - Early wins and insights with Cogent
20:00 - Biggest misconceptions about AI in security
23:00 - What enterprises should demand from vendors
25:00 - Why explainability is essential in AI systems
27:00 - Startups vs incumbents in cybersecurity innovation
29:30 - Why enterprises must invest in AI now
Links:
Connect with our guest, Vineet Edupuganti, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineetedupuganti
Learn more about Cogent Security: https://www.cogent.security
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
AI is neither friend nor foe, it’s both. The way we choose to use it determines whether it helps or harms.
In this solo episode, Ron Eddings shares lessons from his first job at a grocery store, his early days in cybersecurity, and today’s AI-driven landscape. From productivity hacks like meeting transcription, to creative tools like content-aware editing, to the dark side of phishing and deepfakes, Ron shows why human judgment remains the ultimate defense. This is a passionate reminder that the real power isn’t in the tools, it’s in us.
Impactful Moments
00:00 - Introduction
01:15 - AI is the tool, not the toolbox
03:00 - A grocery store scam that taught a life lesson
06:00 - The irreplaceable role of human judgment
07:30 - First cybersecurity job at Booz Allen Hamilton
09:00 - How AI boosts productivity with meeting transcription
12:00 - Creative shortcuts with AI in image and video editing
15:00 - Vibe coding and generative red teaming
17:30 - AI-powered phishing and scam emails
18:50 - Testing a deepfake voice on Ron’s mom
21:30 - Why curiosity and skepticism beat AI deception
22:30 - Final challenge: don’t serve AI—make AI serve you
Links:
Connect with our Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldeddings/
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/