

Hacker Valley Studio
Hacker Valley Media
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
Mentioned books

Feb 22, 2022 • 30min
Episode 200
In this episode, Ron and Chris take a stroll down podcast memory lane in celebration of Hacker Valley’s 200th episode. The guys reflect on their rise from humble podcast beginnings, their ever-growing fascination with human-centric stories, making a difference, and what lies ahead for Hacker Valley Media.
Key Takeaways:
01:29 Celebrating episode 200!
02:47 From humble, homegrown beginnings
03:38 Scaling and growing
06:12 Facing our biggest challenges
08:21 Tapping into our inner child
13:20 Human-centric stories
17:14 Making a difference
18:45 Thanking our team
20:37 Thanking our listeners
21:39 A humbling realization
22:40 What’s to come?
25:00 Growing together
27:05 Our advice to you
29:03 Stay in touch!
Sending all of our listeners a big THANK YOU for all of the love, support, and feedback we’ve received over the last 3 years! We could not have done it without you. Cheers to the next 3 years! - Ron and Chris
Links:
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by our friends at Uptycs and Axonius

Feb 15, 2022 • 31min
Episode 199 - Sharing The Mic with Camille Stewart
In this episode, Ron and Chris are joined by Camille Stewart, the Global Head of Product Security Strategy at Google and Co-Founder of Share The Mic. The trio have an honest conversation about advocacy and representation in cybersecurity, the story behind Camille’s Share The Mic social movement, how we can begin to move in the right direction, and how culture shapes the way we interact with technology. Lastly, Chris talks about Hacker Valley’s stance on representation – from award nominations to our greatest loss in listenership history.
Key Takeaways:
02:47 Bio
05:43 Advocacy - it’s in my DNA
07:16 Giving a voice to the underrepresented
08:54 “Share The Mic”
12:28 The state of diversity in cybersecurity
14:28 Achieving a better tomorrow
18:94 How do we bridge the opportunities gap?
20:13 The intersection of culture and technology
22:45 Who is Camille Stewart?
26:00 The dark side of speaking up
28:53 This is a mission critical issue
30:12 Stay in touch with Camille!
Links:
Stay in touch with Camille Stewart on Twitter | LinkedIn |Instagram
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by our friends at Uptycs and Axonius

Feb 8, 2022 • 35min
Episode 198 - Scaling Your Efforts with Veronica Kirin
Ron and Chris sit down with anthropologist, author, entrepreneur and coach, Veronica Kirin, to learn how she distilled her seventy hour work week down to ten. Veronica shares her knowledge on helping small businesses scale, why and which automation tools are a scaling must-have, hiring best practices, and the power of goal mapping. Lastly, Veronica shares her seventy year business plan method which helps folks actualize their long-term vision.
Key takeaways:
02:53 Bio
04:39 Anthropology and business - bridging the gap
07:37 What is scaling and how do we do it right?
11:20 Tools to help you scale - Ron’s take
13:55 Veronica’s 3 Pillars of Business Scaling
16:33 Hiring woes
17:18 Hiring best practices - trip wires
20:38 How are current events changing business?
23:21 Actualizing your legacy
26:52 Creating goal maps
30:12 Get connected
31:30 Reach out for help
33:16 Stay in touch with Veronica!
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Website
Veronica Kirin: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
Thank you to our friends at Axonius and Uptycs for sponsoring this episode.

Feb 1, 2022 • 30min
Episode 197 - Leading Your Tribe with Simone Knego
In this week’s episode, Ron and Chris are joined by speaker, entrepreneur, mother of six and the best-selling author of The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You, Simone Knego. The trio explore the highs and lows of parenting, while attempting to manage it all – and then some! Simone shares how believing in herself was the secret sauce behind writing a book and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, why patience truly is a virtue, and how a positive mindset can help get you through even the toughest of days. Lastly, soon-to-be-married Ron Eddings, gets advice on marriage and building a family.
Key takeaways:
02:33 Bio
04:01 Staying humble
05:11 Positive role modeling
07:43 Raising a multi cultural family
09:10 Trying to manage it all
10:57 The book - sharing her story
13:35 Believing in yourself
15:29 Patience is a virtue
18:47 Mindset and daily affirmations
22:21 Social media and “mom guilt”
24:21 Advice for the soon-to-be married, Ron
26:50 Self-care and honoring your family
28:46 Stay in touch with Simone!
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Website
Simone Knego: LinkedIn | Website | Facebook
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
Thank you to our friends at Axonius and Uptycs for sponsoring this episode.

Jan 25, 2022 • 30min
Episode 196 - Cybersecurity Advocates with Julie Haney
In this episode, Ron and Chris are joined by Julie Haney – a computer scientist and Usable Security Researcher at NIST, to talk about the human within the technologist. The trio sit down and have a powerful discussion on ways in which cybersecurity practitioners can bring their best work to the table, the importance of empathy within the workplace, and how to empower ourselves and the security community at large.
Key Takeaways:
02:55 Bio
06:46 Why research?
08:55 Bringing your best work to the table
11:28 Surprising research
12:46 What’s your superpower?
16:10 Empathy in practice
19:27 B.E.S.T.O.W.
22:22 Normalizing CS Advocacy
25:07 What’s missing in cybersecurity?
27:12 Being more intentional
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Julie Haney: LinkedIn | Website | Twitter
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
Thank you to our friends at Axonius and Uptycs for sponsoring this episode.

Jan 18, 2022 • 31min
Episode 195 - Shades Of Yes with David Chislett
In this episode, Ron and Chris are joined by author, poet, musician, artist and entrepreneur, David Chislett. David dives deep into the beauty and power of creativity and the creative process. The trio explore reasons we become less creative over time, how technologists can begin tapping into their creativity and why we should start replacing “but” with “and.”
Key Takeaways:
02:37 Bio
03:42 Origin as a creative
05:40 Losing creativity over time
10:23 A daily commitment to creativity
12:05 Structure in creativity
15:10 The hero’s journey
23:34 Innovation vs. Creativity
25:38 Defining creativity
28:59 Get in touch
Links:
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
David Chislett: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by our friends at Uptycs and Axonius

Jan 11, 2022 • 38min
Episode 194 - Priming the Mind for Happiness with Zahra Karsan
In this episode of Hacker Valley Studio, Ron and Chris are joined by the author of 6 Weeks to Happy, success coach extraordinaire and CEO of GetZend, Zahra Karsan. The trio examine happiness and why it is so difficult to define and what role does personal freedom play in the matter. Zahra speaks on retraining your brain for success, learning the tools to thrive and recognizing your fears in order to make change. Furthermore, the group discusses energy and ego depletion and how it affects will power and overall performance.
Key Takeaways:
03:03 Bio
04:19 What is happiness?
10:52 Seeking freedom
14:10 Will accomplishing goals make us happy?
17:29 Regaining control over our lives
22:20 Understanding how to change mindsets
28:42 Will power and ego depletion
33:42 Advice for an action plan
36:18 Get in touch!
Links:
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Zahra Karsan: LinkedIn | GetZend | Twitter
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by our friends at Uptycs and Axonius

Dec 22, 2021 • 31min
Episode 193 - Love is the Name of the Game with Tyrone E. Wilson
Happy Holidays from Hacker Valley Media!
Tyrone E. Wilson is a passionate information security professional with 24 years of experience in information technology and has a mission to improve as many lives as possible through education in cybersecurity. Currently, Wilson is the Founder and CEO of Cover6 Solutions, LLC; which teaches companies and professionals various aspects of information security, penetration testing, and IPv6. Wilson is also the organizer of The D.C. Cyber Security Professionals. Join Chris, Ron and Tyrone as they help uncover the truth about being your true self.
Key Takeaways:
02:38 Bio
07:34 The “E” story
09:16 Reality TV star?!
15:30 Opportunities from being more open in public
18:25 Doing more to be better | taking control of the moment
22:00 Getting around personal resistance
25:21 Lessons learned building communities & being yourself
27:00 “I understand.”
29:42 Get in touch
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Tyrone E. Wilson: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by our friends at Crowdstrike

Dec 14, 2021 • 34min
Episode 192 - Wisdom and Celebrity with Clint Arthur
Today Chris and Ron are joined by Clint Arthur. Clint is an actor, public speaker and mentor to many. He has had the pleasure of meeting some of the most influential people in the world, and has decided to use this to help people all over the world discover their meaning and drive them to self-fulfillment and success. Tune in for experiences, stories and advice from one of the most well-traveled, well-written people they’ve ever met!
Key Takeaways:
02:59 Bio and beginnings
06:07 No more Hollywood
09:37 20 books?!
12:57 Finding value, giving value and feeling valued
17:32 John Travolta said fly high. What does that really mean?
20:40 Matchstick secrets
22:54 Impactful moments
33:47 Get in touch
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Clint Arthur: Website | Book
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is presented to you by our good friends at CrowdStrike. Join the CrowdStrike team here.

Dec 7, 2021 • 35min
Episode 191 - Listen as I Fall Out of This Window with Tyler Foley
Sean Tyler Foley is an accomplished film and stage performer and has been acting in film and television since he was 6 years old. He has appeared in productions including Freddy Vs Jason, Door to Door, Carrie, and the musical Ragtime. Tyler is passionate about helping others confidently take the stage and impact an audience with their stories. He is currently the Managing Director of Total Buy-In and author of the #1 best-selling book The Power to Speak Naked. Join Chris, Ron and Tyler for a schooling in presenting yourself and engaging with others.
Key Takeaways:
03:06 Bio
04:55 The journey to now; acting to public speaking
11:07 Making safety training engaging
14:38 Re-kindling the story for the listener
18:22 Engaging remotely
22:27 The driest safety subject – fall protection
24:49 Nobody likes getting should on
25:40 Tyler’s book – The Power to Speak Naked
28:24 Getting your story out
32:06 Get in touch
Links:
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Tyler Foley: Total Buy In | Book | Website | LinkedIn | IMDb
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is presented to you by our good friends at CrowdStrike. Join the CrowdStrike team here.


