• The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to Grace Sharpe-Rauth, Global Learning and Development Manager, Chronosphere
    Jan 14 2026

    Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast: Navigating Career Journeys and Leveraging AI with Grace Rauth,

    In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast, Thomas interacts with Grace Rauth, the global Learning and Development Manager at Chronosphere.

    Grace shares her journey from an HR specialist to an L&D specialist, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in today’s fast-changing work environment, especially with the rise of AI. The conversation also explores how Enneagram can be a powerful tool for understanding team dynamics and personal motivations. Grace shares her love for 'The Lord of the Rings' as a personal life philosophy and recommends 'Five Dysfunctions of a Team' for professional development.

    The episode wraps up with practical advice for job seekers in the current tough market, emphasizing the value of AI tools, active listening, and staying positive.

    00:14 Discussing the Weather and Working Conditions

    01:26 Grace's Career Journey

    01:59 The Startup Experience

    03:31 Adapting to AI in the Workplace

    11:11 The Importance of Active Listening

    17:00 Understanding Motivation with Enneagram

    20:28 The Challenges of Transitioning to Management

    21:52 The Complexities of Sales and Recruitment

    24:38 The Impact of Market Conditions on Hiring

    29:38 Leveraging AI and Staying Positive in Job Search

    34:37 The Value of Patience and Adaptability in Careers

    Grace Rauth suggested:

    The Lord of the Rings by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

    The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

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    41 mins
  • The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to Max Schroeder, Chief Technology Officer, Aqueity
    Jan 9 2026

    Insightful Journeys in Cybersecurity and the Impact of Emotional Intelligence

    In this episode of the 'Cyber Security Recruiter' podcast, Thomas welcomes Max Schroeder, CTO at Aquiety, who shares his unique career trajectory from the beverage industry to becoming a CTO in cybersecurity. Max emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in technical roles and elaborates on how his hospitality background has been instrumental to his success.

    The discussion covers recurring themes concerning the hospitality industry's influence on career advancement, the significance of networking and genuine human connection in a digitized world, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in recruiting and cybersecurity. Max offers invaluable advice on the importance of communication skills, continuous learning, and the need for passion outside of work to stay grounded. The episode also features a thoughtful recommendation for the book 'Setting the Table' by Danny Meyer, highlighting the essence of exceptional customer service and its relevance across different fields.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:31 Max Shroeder's Career Journey

    02:27 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

    05:23 Leadership and Communication Skills

    10:08 Networking and AI in Recruitment

    16:14 The Value of Conferences and Networking Groups

    20:32 LinkedIn and Online Presence

    23:23 The Quest for Authenticity in the Age of AI

    24:21 Balancing AI Innovation with Security Concerns

    26:30 The Importance of Quality Over Quantity in SMBs

    27:48 The Power of Positive Experiences and Referrals

    29:55 Building Genuine Connections in Professional Networking

    33:52 Navigating Career Progression and Job Loyalty

    41:34 The Value of Passion Projects and Continuous Learning

    44:02 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

    Max suggested:

    Setting the Table by Danny Meyer

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    44 mins
  • The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to George Charles Osterholt, Lead Cyber Security Engineer, Scientia LLC
    Jan 6 2026

    Navigating Cybersecurity and Career Transitions with George Charles Osterholt

    In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, the host welcomes George Charles Osterholt, a lead cybersecurity engineer at Scientia. They discuss George's career transition from managing sizable teams in restaurants to becoming an advisor at Indiana University and later advancing in the cybersecurity field.

    George shares his insights on managing remote teams, the importance of cybersecurity compliance, and the challenges of integrating AI into security measures. He also offers valuable advice on effectively communicating the importance of cybersecurity to non-technical stakeholders.

    George recommends 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho and a book about the life of MF Doom, emphasizing the importance of adventure, self-realization, and sticking to first principles in one's career journey.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:41 George's Background and Career Journey

    01:16 A Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Engineer

    02:19 CMMC and Compliance in Cybersecurity

    03:17 The Importance of Security and Privacy

    04:19 Team Dynamics and Development

    05:21 Incident Response and Continuous Learning

    10:10 Balancing Budget and Security

    13:51 Communicating ROI in Cybersecurity

    19:45 AI and the Future of Cybersecurity

    22:21 Navigating Security with Caveats

    23:41 Effective Cybersecurity Training

    24:54 Visible Security and Trust

    25:42 Communication and Adaptability in Security

    26:33 Lessons from the Restaurant Industry

    29:03 Incident Response and Agility

    32:59 Career Transitions and Lifelong Learning

    35:08 The Future of AI and Cybersecurity

    36:41 Economic Cycles and Career Resilience

    37:44 Adapting to Remote Work

    39:50 Books that Inspire and Guide

    42:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    George suggested:

    The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

    The Chronicles of Doom by S.H. Fernando Jr.

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    43 mins
  • The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to Brennan Lodge, Founder, BLodgic & CISO DeepTempo
    Dec 11 2025

    Navigating Cybersecurity Careers: Insights from Brennan Lodge

    In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter Podcast, Thomas is joined by Brennan Lodge to discuss his extensive experience and career in cybersecurity. They delve into Brennan's past roles at Goldman Sachs, BlockFi, and HSBC, as well as his current ventures as a founder of BLodgic and fractional CISO. Brennan shares insights on balancing multiple roles, the importance of communication and mentorship, and his passion for integrating AI and data science into cybersecurity practices.

    The conversation also touches on the need for resilience, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, and the benefits of attending industry conferences. Brennan recommends two impactful books: Shon Harris's CISSP guide and Ethan Mollick's 'Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI

    Brennan also tells us about his LinkedIn Learning LinkedIn learning class coming out on AI Tools and Automation for Cybersecurity and his previous classes on LinkedIn Learning,- RAG (retrieve augmented generation) and use cases of RAG for cybersecurity. And then MCP (model context protocol) and use cases of using and securing MCP and cybersecurity.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:30 Guest Background and Career Highlights

    01:45 Current Role and Responsibilities

    03:38 Insights on Cybersecurity and Career Growth

    05:35 Challenges and Strategies in Cybersecurity

    13:49 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity

    21:49 AI in Legal and Security Frameworks

    22:27 The Role of AI in GRC and Audits

    23:22 Challenges and Benefits of AI in Compliance

    27:38 The Importance of Conferences and Networking

    31:56 Upcoming Talks and Learning Resources

    35:07 Books and Resources for Career Growth

    38:10 Final Thoughts on Cybersecurity and AI

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    36 mins
  • The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to Carter Miller, Head of Talent, Trail of Bits
    Dec 1 2025

    Navigating Cybersecurity Recruitment: Insights from Carter Miller

    In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Tom engages in a candid conversation with Carter Miller, the head of talent at Trail of Bits. They discuss Carter's journey in the recruitment industry, touching on his roles at various organizations including Scope Group, Capital One, and Research Innovations. They delve into the importance of passion, continuous learning, and community involvement for candidates looking to excel in cybersecurity roles.

    Carter shares insights on effective hiring practices, the impact of AI in recruitment, and the challenges posed by fake candidates. The episode also highlights Carter's personal growth journey and his efforts to create an inclusive and agile work environment at Trail of Bits. Book recommendation: ´The Rising Leader Handbook´ by Mark Silverman.

    00:00 Introduction and Technical Issues

    01:15 Carter Miller's Career Journey

    03:48 Recruitment Insights and Strategies

    09:23 AI and Cybersecurity Innovations

    15:34 Hiring Criteria and Candidate Tips

    18:48 Hiring Passionate People at Trail of Bits

    19:19 Importance of Blockchain and Public Contests

    20:43 Job Search Fatigue and Candidate Preparation

    21:54 Challenges in Reviewing Resumes

    24:12 AI in Job Applications

    30:57 Building Relationships in Recruiting

    35:14 The Rising Leader Handbook

    38:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Carter suggested:

    The Rising leader Handbook by Mark Silverman

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    39 mins
  • The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to Kevin Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Secure Ideas
    Dec 1 2025

    The Journey from Employee to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur with Kevin Johnson

    In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, the host interviews Kevin Johnson, CEO of Secure Ideas.

    Kevin shares his experience and insights from his career journey, including his early days as a programmer, a SANS instructor, and his transition to running his own successful cybersecurity firm. He discusses the differences between being busy and being productive, the importance of consuming and discerning information, and the ethical implications of business practices like cold calling.

    Kevin also emphasizes the role of a strong support network in achieving entrepreneurial success and offers advice on how to sustain long-term business growth.

    Additionally, he recommends Malcolm Gladwell's podcast 'Revisionist History' for its insights into understanding and solving complex problems.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:23 The Busy vs. Productive Debate

    02:15 Kevin's Journey into Cybersecurity

    04:42 The Importance of Consuming Knowledge

    07:24 From Employee to Entrepreneur

    14:48 The Power of Doing

    18:29 The Evolution of MVPs and Security Concerns

    19:10 Leadership vs. Management: A Personal Insight

    20:04 The Importance of Fun in the Workplace

    21:24 A Unique Approach to Customer Service

    26:07 The Ethics of Cold Calling and Inbound Marketing

    31:52 The Impact of Revisionist History

    36:45 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

    Kevin suggested:

    Talking to Strangers book and Revisionist History podcast by Malcolm Gladwell

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    36 mins
  • The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to Donna Pacheco, Talent Acquisition Specialist, I2X Technologies
    Nov 27 2025

    Navigating the Job Market:- Insights from Industry Experts

    In this episode of the Talent Acquisition podcast, Tom welcomes Donna Pacheco, a seasoned talent acquisition specialist, for an in-depth discussion on the contemporary recruitment landscape.

    Donna shares her extensive career journey and insights from her experience in various sectors, including healthcare and logistics. The conversation covers the chaotic post-COVID job market, emphasizing the importance of industry-specific knowledge and adaptability.

    Key topics include the impact of AI on job applications, strategies for effective job searching, relationship-building with recruiters, and the evolving nature of recruitment in a more volatile world. Both Tom and Donna stress the importance of authenticity and due diligence for job seekers and recruiters alike, offering practical advice to help navigate these unprecedented times.

    Donna recommends reading  Franklin Covey series about being mindful of time management.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:30 Donna's Career Journey

    01:13 Post-COVID Job Market Insights

    03:09 AI and Technology in Job Hunting

    03:34 Industry-Specific Job Market Trends

    05:36 Using AI for Resumes and Interviews

    15:47 Building Relationships in Recruiting

    17:23 Challenges in Modern Recruiting

    19:46 Scaling Back on Profiles

    20:17 The Importance of Personal Branding

    21:00 Challenges in Recruitment

    22:35 Fake Applications and Impersonation Issues

    24:38 The Value of Initial Screening Calls

    25:23 Recruiter and Candidate Communication

    26:31 Understanding Recruiter Workloads

    29:05 The Impact of Company Restructuring

    31:13 The Joy and Challenges of Recruitment

    34:39 Time Management Tips for Recruiters

    Donna suggested:

    Franklin Covey Training series

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    38 mins
  • The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to Patrick Garrity, Security Research / Vulnerability Intelligence, VulnCheck
    Nov 25 2025

    Balancing Cybersecurity and Skateboarding: Insights from Patrick Garrity

    In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Thomas is joined by Patrick Garrity, an experienced cybersecurity professional with a unique passion for skateboarding. They discuss Patrick’s journey from sales to high-level roles in cybersecurity, his innovative office setup, and his skateboarding adventures.

    Patrick shares his experiences with injury, the importance of vulnerability and persistence in professional development, and strategies for effective online engagement. They also explore valuable resources for cybersecurity research and the importance of staying active, both mentally and physically. Patrick recommends the book 'The Mutt' by skateboard legend Rodney Mullen for inspiration.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:12 Skateboarding Passion and Injuries

    02:47 Patrick's Professional Journey

    04:05 Daily Life and Work in Cybersecurity

    05:37 The Importance of Communication Skills

    07:35 Embracing Criticism and Feedback

    17:50 Balancing Work and Hobbies

    21:28 The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with Good People

    22:53 Climbing the Career Ladder: Titles and Responsibilities

    30:47 Balancing Work and Personal Life

    34:07 Resources for Vulnerability Research

    37:29 Conference Highlights and Networking

    40:05 Book Recommendations and Personal Growth

    42:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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    43 mins