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
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Today in the studio, we have Olivia Herriford, whose great and exceptional work is focused on equity in technology. Olivia is the Regional Director and Employer Engagement at Bay Area Community College Consortium.
Olivia’s background is in technology, and with the Bay Area Community College Consortium, they support 28 community colleges in the San Francisco Bay region. She often tells people she has what one would call an “ancient” computer science degree which she earned in 1973. Olivia takes us back to what it was like to be a black woman in the mid-70s working with hardware and software engineers in the area of hardware design. Sadly, she experienced a rather hostile work environment.
In today’s world, Olivia believes one of the best things we can do for reaching out to younger people is instill confidence. These young people do not need to be swayed by comparing themselves to others, but rather realize we all bring something unique to the table. Everyone needs to understand their own capabilities and power.
Key Takeaways:
2:26 Olivia’s background
6:38 How Olivia ended up where she is
15:45 How do we change the environment
17:17 Progress & future
20:42 Making an impact
23:04 Cultivating conversations
26:22 Equity in technology
29:08 Advice for awareness
32:35 Connecting with Olivia
Links:
Olivia on LinkedIn
Olivia on YouTube
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Sponsored by Panther Labs
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Welcome back to the Hacker Valley Studio podcast. I'm sure you've heard of the term personal brand, and maybe you've asked yourself, what does it mean and how do I promote it. In this episode, we speak to someone that helps others develop their personal brand. We speak to Stephen Hart, entrepreneur, marketer, and brand strategist. We've known Stephen since way back. He's been a huge supporter, and someone that's helped develop our podcast and our branding. And this episode is nothing but pure gold and entertainment. Can't wait for everyone to listen. Let's jump right into it.
Our guest this episode is Stephen Hart. Stephen is the founder of Isles Media LLC, creator of Brand in Demand, and podcast host of Trailblazers.fm. podcast. Stephen always starts conversations off from a place of gratitude. He is grateful for his daughters, who have given him a “home base to run everything through. Beyond that, his is a Marketer and a podcast host for the last five, five and a half years. He is a brand strategist and the creator of an amazing program that he will talk about in a bit here.
Listen in as Stephen gives some great tips, and a special invitation.
00:59 Welcome and Intro to Steven Hart
2:16 Steven shares his background
3:45 Become a brand in demand
6:06 Creating a digital footprint
8:15 Desire to start a podcast
9:08 Share others success through Trailblazers.fm
10:00 Creating a course for others
11:23 Brand Management
13:05 Business Digital Footprint vs. Personal footprint
14:39 Brand does not equal logo
16:55 Recreating himself
18:26 Getting clear on goals
19:55 Lacking clarity & how to get clear
24:00 Foundation to your vision
27:10 Entrepreneurship can live simultaneously with employment
30:46 Investment vs. spending
32:45 Getting started on your own vision
35:00 Who do you want to serve?
37:47 Discount for Hacker Valley Tribe
Stephen Hart on LinkedIn
Stephen Hart on Twitter
Stephen Hart on Instagram
Visit Stephen on his website, stephenahart.com
Join Brand in Demand, brandindemand.co Coupon code: hackervalley200
Hacker Valley website, hackervalley.com
Hacker Valley Studio on LinkedIn
Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter
Hacker Valley Studio on Instagram
Sponsored by AttackIQ
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
It has been way too long in the making. But it's finally here! We have Hacker Valley merchandise available! We have shirts, we have hats, we have sweatshirts that you can purchase.
You are in the Hacker Valley Studio with your hosts Ron and Chris. Welcome back to the show. Today in the studio, we've brought in Nikki Ivey. Nikki is a B2B revenue growth and startup culture leader. She's recognized as a 2020 LinkedIn top voice, and she is the co-founder of SDR Defenders community.
For those that want to get to know Nikki and understand where she come from and what she is up to today, Nikki shares she works with Fortune 500 companies to help them make their outsides match their insides. In short, she helps folks close a gap, so everybody has access to a greater sense of belonging and purpose in the work that they do.
Sadly, Nikki started down this path because she felt she often did not belong or was not often treated like she belonged. Her mom says her first full sentence was, “That's not fair.” She actually studied broadcasting and journalism but then discovered that tech sales was an outlet for all of those things that she cared about.
Nikki cares deeply about culture and has experienced so many issues as she has gone through her career. The one thing she would love to change is people not being the gatekeepers rather be stewards.
Nikki has a lot of advice on “cancelling the cold call” and making connections. She is full of beautiful ideas to make everyone, from top to bottom in a company feel included, important and connected.
Key Takeaways:
:58 Episode starts with Ron and Chris
1:40 Nikki shares her background
2:55 Bringing people into the fold
5:18 Culture issues
7:57 Nikki’s superpower
10:00 Making connections
14:20 Doubling down
19:09 Being genuine
23:11 Building your brand
26:54 Final piece of advice from Nikki
Links:
Nikki on LinkedIn
Nikki on Instagram
Nikki on Twitter
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Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.
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Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Today in the studio, we have Alexis Robertson, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at a large law firm and a recovering lawyer.
Alexis kicks in with a bit about herself, and shares “I am director of diversity inclusion at a large law firm but spent the first 10 years or so of my career dedicated to laws, going to law school and practicing as a lawyer for about seven and a half years before leaving legal practice closing in on six years ago, I grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, spent most of my life in the Midwest, except for time spent in DC at American University for undergrad and then I went to the University of Michigan for law school. That's me in a nutshell.”
Alexis shares throughout this episode how her health, exercise and food habits all became habit with some very big changes. It isn’t about getting healthy; it is about a long journey of being healthy. You will hear a little bit about her food choices and why she made them, the exercises she partakes in, and how she balances it all.
Key Takeaways:
1:27 Welcome
2:23 Alexis shares her background
3:25 Serendipity
5:33 Self-improvement journey
12:41 Healthy mentality with food
17:20 Next steps
21:12 Getting back on track
24:07 Fitness journey
28:16 Looking forward
31:13 Advice to others
33:17 Staying in touch with Alexis
Alexis on LinkedIn
Alexis on Instagram
The Path & The Practice Podcast
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Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.
Learn more about our sponsor ByteChek.
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
In this episode, we talk to our special guest, Natasha Barnes. Natasha is the Associate Director and the CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellow of Protiviti. She is a certified mindfulness workplace facilitator and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Natasha is part of a movement to answer the question of does corporate America have a role to play in advancing racial equity within our nation, and essentially improving our overall societal well-being.
Technology serves as a way to propel the conversation forward, and recognizing global interconnectedness.
Listen in for all of Natasha’s insights!
Key Takeaways:
1:02 Welcome back
2:16 Natasha shares her background
3:11 Natasha’s journey through wellness
4:23 Mindfulness purpose
6:28 Instructing others
10:27 Corporate role
10:52 Four pillars
15:06 Her journey
17:24 Creating solutions
19:24 Progress
21:39 Equity through mindfulness and technology
26:48 Impact
Natasha on LinkedIn
CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon. Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.
Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.
Sponsored by ByteChek