In this episode, host Aaron Crow welcomes cybersecurity expert John Schimanski Jr., Chief Information Security Officer at Trivigil, for an eye-opening conversation that every parent, educator, and technologist needs to hear. Together, they delve into the escalating dangers children face online - from the alarming rise of cyber predators and social media manipulation, to the misuse of AI and increasingly sophisticated scams targeting families.

John shares powerful stories from his work with educational institutions and law enforcement, highlighting how digital threats are evolving far faster than most parents can keep up with. Aaron reflects on personal challenges as a parent navigating device safety and digital boundaries, and the two discuss practical strategies for protecting kids in today’s hyper-connected world.

This episode doesn’t just explore the risks - it offers hope and tangible action, including details about cybersecurity education initiatives like the MASK Next Gen Shield game, designed to give kids and parents the knowledge they need to stay safe online. Whether you’re a concerned parent, a teacher, or someone working in the cybersecurity field, this discussion is packed with real-world advice and resources you can use right now.

Tune in for a timely conversation on the front lines of digital safety—and learn why, when it comes to protecting our kids, awareness and action are more important than ever.

Key Moments:

05:00 Digital Image Blacklist Management

08:08 Parental Cybersecurity and Tech Awareness

10:06 Fake Arrest Warrant Scam Alert

13:27 AI Development Concerns and Future

21:13 Online Predator Alert & Teen Safety

25:33 Limits of Facebook Moderation

27:29 Managing Digital Challenges for Parents

30:46 Teen Sextortion Crisis Emerges

33:44 "Saving Kids Amidst Social Media"

42:23 Broken Graphics Card Issue Resolved

45:33 Internet Safety Tips for Parents

49:43 Pause Before Reacting

51:17 Future Concerns and Optimism

56:46 "Essential Curriculum for Schools"

About the guest :

John Schimanski Jr. brings more than three decades of experience in physical and cybersecurity, spanning private and public sectors. Beginning his career in 1994, he worked as a physical security specialist protecting super-regional shopping centers in high-crime areas, focusing on stolen vehicles and safety operations. During this time, he earned two master’s degrees—one in Criminal Justice and Security Administration and another in Managing Information Systems—along with a bachelor’s in Business Administration.

He transitioned into cybersecurity in 2007, when ransomware was still a $5,000 payment on a green dot credit card. While working in a small data center, he developed customized web services and interfaces for organizations such as the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC).

In this episode, host Aaron Crow sits down with cybersecurity leader and National Guard threat hunt team lead Christopher Ross, diving into the real-world experiences that shape careers in the intersecting worlds of IT and OT security. Chris shares his 18-year journey from joining the military with a passion for computers to leading critical infrastructure cybersecurity efforts - both in uniform and in the private sector. Together, Aaron and Chris break down myths about gatekeeping, discuss the unique challenges of military versus civilian roles, and highlight lessons learned along the way.

From imposter syndrome to servant leadership, the conversation unpacks how effective communication, continuous training, and the willingness to learn from failure fuel professional growth. Chris also reflects on how military training instills risk mitigation and teamwork, and how those skills can translate - and sometimes clash - with civilian cybersecurity cultures. They talk certifications, hands-on learning, the importance of meaningful tabletop exercises, and the evolving landscape as AI powers both attackers and defenders.

Whether you’re a veteran, a fresh analyst, or just passionate about cybersecurity, this honest and energetic exchange will leave you motivated to keep learning, keep growing, and keep protecting it all. So grab your energy drink and tune in for a conversation that proves everyone in cyber, no matter their path, has wisdom worth sharing.

Key Moments:

05:30 Military Adventures Surpass Civilian Opportunities

07:28 Military vs. Civilian Leadership Dynamics

10:42 Clarifying Civilian vs Military Missions

12:22 Leadership: Addressing Miscommunication & Misalignment

15:45 Toxic Leadership and Military Transition

20:01 Reliance on Tools vs. Core Skills

22:29 "Forgotten Skills Fade Over Time"

25:13 Boosting Confidence in New Roles

29:42 Interactive Training and Environmental Protection

32:37 Purple Teaming Strategy Insights

36:15 Persistence in Skill Development

39:04 Soft Skills Matter for Career Growth

42:44 "Technical & Business Acumen Fusion"

44:41 Military: Career Value and Benefits

48:09 "Cyber Education for K-12"

Resources Mentioned :

https://www.ransomware.live/

• comprehensive resource that tracks and monitors ransomware groups and their activities.

https://ransomwhe.re/

• tracks ransomware payments by collecting and analyzing cryptocurrency addresses associated with ransomware attacks.

https://www.ransom-db.com/

• real-time ransomware tracking platform that collects, indexes, and centralizes information on ransomware groups and their victims.

About the Gu...

In this episode, host Aaron Crow is joined by Kathryn Wang, Principal of Public Sector at SandboxAQ, for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the critical role AI and quantum technology are playing in today's cybersecurity landscape.

Kathryn and Aaron break down complex concepts like quantum cryptography and the growing risks of deepfakes, data poisoning, and behavioral warfare - all with real-world examples that hit close to home. They dig into why cryptographic resilience is now more urgent than ever, how AI can both strengthen and threaten our defenses, and why your grandma shouldn’t be left in charge of her own data security.

From lessons learned in power plants and national defense to the nuances of protecting everything from nuclear codes to family recipes, this episode dives deep into how we can balance innovation with critical risk management.

Kathryn shares practical advice on securing the basics, educating your network, and making smart decisions about what truly needs to be connected to AI. Whether you’re an IT, OT, or cybersecurity professional—or just trying to keep ahead of the next cyber threat - this episode will arm you with insights, strategies, and a little bit of much-needed perspective. Tune in for a mix of expert knowledge, humor, and actionable takeaways to help you protect it all.

Key Moments:

04:02 "Securing Assets in Post-Quantum Era"

07:44 AI and Cybersecurity Concerns

12:26 "Full-Time Job: Crafting LLM Prompts"

15:28 AI Vulnerabilities Exploited at DEFCON

19:30 AI Data Poisoning Concerns

20:21 AI Vulnerability in Critical Infrastructure

23:45 Deepfake Threats and Cybersecurity Concerns

28:34 Question Everything: Trust, Verify, Repeat

33:20 "Digital Systems' Security Vulnerabilities"

35:12 Digital Awareness for Children

39:10 "Understanding Data Privacy Risks"

43:31 "Leveling Up: VCs Embrace Futurism"

45:16 AI-Powered Personalized Medicine

About the guest :

Kathryn Wang is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of leadership in the technology and security sectors, specializing in the fusion of cutting-edge innovations and cybersecurity strategies.

She currently serves as the Public Sector Principal at SandboxAQ, where she bridges advancements in post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and data protection with the mission-critical needs of government agencies. Her work focuses on equipping these organizations with a zero-trust approach to securing sensitive systems against the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats.

During her 16-year tenure at Google and its incubator Area120, Kathryn drove global efforts to develop and implement Secure by Design principles in emerging technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI.

How to connect Kathryn :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-wang/

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