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I started out wrapping burritos at Chipotle, dreaming of something bigger but not quite sure where to go. Over time, that drive to learn and grow led me into cybersecurity—an industry where the stakes are high and the stories are endlessly fascinating. K.O.’s Launchpad is my way of opening the door for anyone curious about how to break in, level up, and find purpose in a field that’s shaping our digital future. In every episode, we’ll chat with experts, share practical strategies, and explor ...
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Floral Designs, Firewalls, and Finding Her Place in Tech: Mindy’s Cyber Story
1:29:24
1:29:24
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1:29:24
In this episode of K.O.’s Launchpad, we dive into the remarkable story of a lifelong learner who turned curiosity into a thriving career. Mindy has done it all. From early jobs in horticulture and mechanics to earning her computer science degree at Georgia Tech and leading in cybersecurity at some of the world’s top companies. Her story is a master…
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40+ Certs and 5 Degrees Later: Elyson De La Cruz’s Rise to Cyber Leadership
2:09:51
2:09:51
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2:09:51
In this episode of K.O.’s Launchpad, we showcase a remarkable career built on expertise, vision, and leadership. This week’s guest, Elyson De La Cruz, serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at Imagine Believe Realize, where he safeguards sensitive technology programs that impact missions across the globe. He has over two decades of experi…
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From Jumping Out of Helicopters to Cisco Cyber Leader: Rob Gresham's Journey
1:39:38
1:39:38
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1:39:38
In this episode of K.O.’s Launchpad, we highlight an extraordinary journey of discipline, expertise, and service. The focus of this week’s episode is Rob Gresham, a Principal Engineer in Cisco’s Security Business Group, whose 25+ year career spans digital forensics, threat intelligence, and SOC team development. From military service to industry le…
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Driving Security at Scale: Dave Abbott’s Path to Cyber Leadership
1:30:29
1:30:29
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1:30:29
In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad, we feature an inspiring journey of technical mastery, strategic thinking, and continuous growth. The highlight of this week's episode is Dave Abbott, a Cisco Security Engineering Leader who covers the company’s largest cybersecurity partners. Dave’s work at the intersection of cloud and networking security has l…
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From Building Defenders to Commanding Cyber Labs: Ismael Valenzuela’s Journey
1:27:45
1:27:45
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1:27:45
In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad, we share an inspiring journey of dedication, technical excellence, and global influence. The highlight of this week's episode is Ismael Valenzuela, Vice President of Labs at Arctic Wolf and one of the world’s leading voices in cybersecurity. With over 24 years of experience, Ismael has advised governments, criti…
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From Pro Wrestler to Pentester: Phillip Wylie’s Wild Path
1:12:53
1:12:53
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In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad, we share an amazing journey of curiosity, dedication, and mastery. The highlight of this week's episode is Phillip Wylie, a respected offensive security professional and ethical hacker with over 21 years in cybersecurity. From system administrator to pentester, conference speaker, author, and educator, Phillip s…
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From Teaching to Threat Hunting: Alena Funtikova-White’s Leap into Cybersecurity
1:35:10
1:35:10
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In this episode of K.O.’s Launchpad, we share an inspiring journey of transformation, dedication, and growth. The highlight of this week's episode is Alena, who transformed her career from research and teaching to defending against cyber threats at State Farm. Her path demonstrates what is possible when you commit to growth and lean into new challe…
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Built for Pressure: Lloyd Powell’s journey from Varsity-Athlete to NASA Cyber Leader
1:03:38
1:03:38
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1:03:38
In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad, we share an amazing journey of perseverance, determination, and success. The highlight of this week's episode is a former varsity football player who earned one of LSU's most difficult degrees in computer science. Lloyd Powell, who is currently a NASA cybersecurity leader and the creative force behind the @pieta…
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From Zero to Hero: A Solutions Architect Mindset - Kyu Jin Lee
1:29:00
1:29:00
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Kyu Lee is a Cybersecurity Solutions Architect at Cisco, where she designs secure infrastructure and helps enterprises strengthen their defensive posture in an ever-evolving threat landscape. She holds an M.S. in Information Security Engineering from the prestigious SANS Institute of Technology, along with 12 GIAC certifications, a CISSP, and CompT…
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Paralympian to Cyber Sales Expert - Faizal Hamdoon
48:11
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About Faizal: Faizal Hamdoon is an accomplished sales and marketing professional known for his dynamic approach and relentless pursuit of excellence. A former Eagle Scout and US National Paralympic athlete, Faizal brings a unique blend of discipline, resilience, and a competitive edge to every endeavor. With over a decade of diverse experience in s…
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From Nuke Operator to Cybersecurity Expert: MIKE MCPHEE Shows What’s Possible
1:41:54
1:41:54
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In this episode, I sit down with Mike McPhee, a principal solutions engineer at Cisco, to explore his expansive career in cybersecurity. We delve into his early experiences in the US Navy, his journey through multiple degrees and certifications, including the prestigious GIAC Security Expert, and the lessons he learned from challenging roles in the…
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SIMEON KAKPOVI's on a Mission to Make Cybersecurity Learning Free Through KC7's Game-based Education
1:28:52
1:28:52
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In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad: An Infosec Podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of Simeon Kakpovi, the founder of the KC7 Foundation and a senior threat intelligence analyst at Microsoft. We discuss his transition from a network defender at Lockheed Martin to shaping a more inclusive future in cybersecurity through his nonprofit organiz…
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JIBBY SAETANG’s Unconventional Path: From Watchmaker to Cybersecurity Pro in 1 Year (No IT Background or Certifications Needed)
1:14:56
1:14:56
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In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad, we explore the extraordinary journey of Jibby Saetang, who transitioned from repairing watches to becoming a security researcher on Microsoft's GHOST team. Jibby shares his path from working in a family jewelry business to joining the cybersecurity industry, with no formal IT background. We delve into his experi…
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