Send us a text In this second part of the series inspired by the ISACA State of Cybersecurity 2025 Report, we move from pipeline and skills into the cultural and emotional reality of cybersecurity work in 2025. We look at incidents, underreporting, psychological safety, and the rising stress that’s pushing cyber professionals to the edge. ​You’ll hear: Why 43% of cybersecurity professionals think an attack on their organization is likely in the next year, yet only 41% feel confident in...

Send us a text In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we unpack highlights of ISACA’s 2025 State of Cybersecurity report and what it really means for your career, your team, and your leadership journey. Instead of just listing statistics, we use a facts → framing → question pattern to explore how the data intersects with culture, opportunity, and equity in cybersecurity. ​You’ll hear: Why more than half of cybersecurity teams are understaffed while 65% of organizations still h...

Send us a text Shadow IT has evolved, and now the biggest threats lurk in unapproved cloud tools and ungoverned generative AI. This episode breaks down the critical difference between Shadow SaaS and Shadow AI, the severe risks they introduce, and the specialized, eight-step Incident Response (IR) plan necessary to contain these modern threats What You'll Learn: Shadow Definitions: We clarify that Shadow IT is the overarching umbrella for unsanctioned tech, while Shadow SaaS involves un...

Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when cyber policy meets real-world collaboration in D.C.? Dive into my raw takeaways from the Aspen Cybersecurity Summit, a 10-year powerhouse event packed with federal insights, government initiatives, and unfiltered panel talks. Hear firsthand about the close-knit community of recurring pros, the power of diverse voices (including trailblazing women), and why showing up shapes the narrative. From interviewing Bowie State cyber students ...

Send us a text Discover why knowing your “why” is more than a catchphrase—it’s your guiding light through career pivots, big decisions, and seasons of uncertainty. Inspired by Simon Sinek’s legendary framework, this episode unpacks the power of purpose for leaders and changemakers. Reflect with your host on the true reason this podcast was born: mentorship, community, and the joyful amplification of underrepresented technologists. You’ll take away practical tips for discovering your...

Send us a text What happens when you realize the language of diversity and belonging is everywhere — yet the systems remain the same? In this episode, we explore what it truly means to have a seat at the table and why representation alone isn’t enough. Host, Dawn Butler, shares a deeply personal story about leading a critical phase of an in-development framework — owning documentation, process changes, and adoption — only to find her voice dismissed and her expertise ignored. When the chaos c...

Send us a text What does true tech leadership look like when you’re stuck managing critical systems but don’t get to steer the ship? Inspired by a LinkedIn post, this episode, the “folding chair” at the corporate table becomes a metaphor for reclaiming autonomy, breaking out of what the poster, A CISO, called the cyber Stockholm Syndrome, and rewriting the rules on influence in the industry. We’ll unpack: Why IT leaders must reclaim ownership and genuine decision-making powerThe hidden ...

Send us a text Are you looking to understand how organizations deliver software at speed and scale while keeping security front and center? This episode is your essential guide to the methodologies that govern modern software delivery and the leadership strategies required to drive technical excellence. We start by defining the fundamental building blocks of Agile methodology.We then examine how Agile scales.Next, we shift focus to the integration of development, operations, and security. We ...

Send us a text In this episode, I unpack the 2025 SANS Report, “Attract, Hire, and Retain Cybersecurity Roles,” and challenge what it really means for the global cyber workforce. We’ll talk about certification barriers, the myth of “no entry-level roles,” and the widening gap between HR, cyber managers, and real-world professionals. Join me as I dissect what’s working—and what’s not—in how organizations attract, hire, and retain cybersecurity talent. It’s a conversation about equity, strategy...

Send us a text In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Bytes, Bits & Brilliance, host Dawn Butler invites listeners into a heart-to-heart about what it truly means to use our voices — especially as Black women in Cybersecurity and Tech leadership. Dawn shares her journey from silence to self-advocacy, from fighting invisible internal battles to boldly standing up for fairness, equity, and representation. With emotional depth and practical wisdom, she unpacks how fear, culture, and...

Send us a text The Customer Success Manager (CSM) role has emerged as a critical strategic business function in the technology industry, particularly within SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) companies. But what does a CSM actually do, and how can your existing professional experience launch you into this growing field? When I was laid off and started exploring options for my next role, a few people suggested customer success and I realized I'd heard about the role but didn't know much about it, wh...

Send us a text What does it really look like to lead with empathy in industries that reward output over openness? In this refreshingly honest episode, I share my personal journey from environments lacking compassion to intentionally creating micro-cultures of belonging, trust, and meaningful feedback. Drawing on the powerful McKinsey article, “It’s Cool to Be Kind: The Value of Empathy at Work,” I’ll break down actionable takeaways using the starburst method. Whether you’re ...

Send us a text Is leadership just for those in corner offices? Not so fast. Meet a Bahamian computer scientist, Aaleyah Evans, whose early career in cybersecurity and academia challenged every stereotype—proving that relatability, mentorship, and mistakes are the real fuel for future leaders. Listen in for honest stories about building confidence, tackling mistakes head-on, and the power of company-led mentorship to inspire the next wave of tech talent. If cybersecurity sounds a...

Send us a text What happens when your “perfect job” doesn’t fit? In this electrifying episode, meet a former tech pro, Jessica Cumming, who battled layoffs and glass ceilings—then flipped uncertainty into unstoppable growth. Hear how she turned misalignment at Dell into a launchpad for transformation, chose purpose over comfort, and built a coaching career grounded in bold action and realignment. We dive into the importance of: Taking time to truly reflect before transitioning careersBu...

Send us a text What does it take to pivot from a 24-year career in caregiving to a thriving path in cybersecurity? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with a former nanny and caregiver, Diana Sofi Rodriguez, originally from Peru, who shares her remarkable journey of reinvention. She opens up about how skills like patience, organization, and empathy became powerful assets for a cybersecurity career and how faith and perseverance played a central role in her growth. From graduati...

Send us a text What does it really take to thrive for two decades in cybersecurity—and to blaze a trail for others? In this episode of Bytes, Bits and Brilliance, I sit down with the powerhouse behind Cyber Thriver, Geraldine Okon, a 20-year cybersecurity pro who rose from computer operator to trusted mentor, connector, and entrepreneur. We dive deep into her unconventional journey—spanning financial services, a forklift company, and beyond—while unpacking the real roadblocks and hidd...

Send us a text This 20-minute episode dives into the transformative journey of tech leadership in the age of generative AI. Drawing from My personal reflections and insights from the Google Cloud Generative AI Leader training, it explores how leaders can navigate uncertainty, drive innovation, and empower teams through change. Whether you're a CTO, product manager, or engineering lead, this episode offers practical strategies and thought-provoking perspectives to help you lead wit...

Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to thrive in tech and beyond. My guest, Dana Zellers, a former tech worker turned executive coach, joins me to unpack the lessons of work-life balance, the power of boundaries, and why intentional career planning is non-negotiable. Together, we explore coaching strategies, how to handle career crossroads, and the role mentors and managers play in our growth. We talk about giving yourself (and others) grace, why posit...

Send us a text What does it really mean to thrive in tech? In this episode, I sit down with Sayantika Banik, a founder and data scientist who calls herself a “mixed bag.” From building backend systems to serving on the Django Software Foundation’s Board of Directors, her journey is anything but ordinary. We dive into: The realities of burnout and the power of community supportWhy embracing your whole self—not just technical skills—mattersLessons in self-advocacy, resilience, and finding your ...

Send us a text In this audio overview, we're covering the intersection of: The Impact of Standards (ANSI's Role): Understand how voluntary consensus standards, coordinated by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are literally everywhere, shaping innovation, improving safety and well-being, reducing costs, and enabling global trade.Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE): Explore this community-developed, free-to-use list of common software and hardware weakness types...