In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyler interviews James Shotwell from Country Minute, exploring the diverse world of country music. They discuss the evolution of the genre, the significance of Nashville as a cultural hub, and the impact of artists like Morgan Wallen on mainstream popularity. The conversation delves into the fusion of genres within…

In this RSA Conference 2025 special episode, we dive into the evolving world of cyberattribution, AI-powered threat tactics, and real-world incident response in AWS and GCPenvironments.Our guests include:● Tal Darsan and Etay Maor from Cato Networks, discussing stealthy attacker techniques,AI-powered evasion, and lessons from ransomware groups like…

🔥 Welcome to INFLUENCE — a B-Side Banter series where we dive into the minds behind the music. 🔥 In this episode, Tyler is joined by producer, writer, and mixer Caleb Wright — known for his work on Samia’s acclaimed Bloodless album. Caleb opens up about crafting the record, translating it for live shows, and why it just might be the album of the su…

In this RSA Conference 2025 special episode, we explore two critical frontiers shaping thefuture of cybersecurity.First, Jon DiMaggio (Author of The Ransomware Diaries, Analyst1) breaks down the hiddensupply chains behind ransomware gangs, including the economics of affiliate betrayal and thechallenge of accurate attribution. He walks us through hi…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, host Tyler sits down with music and film contnent creator Myah Elliott for a deep dive into the cultural power of soundtracks, cinema, and live performance. They explore the evolving relationship between music and film—discussing everything from Pixar classics and Ryan Coogler’s direction to the rise of curated sou…

Welcome to a special RSAC 2025 episode of the Breaking Badness Cybersecurity Podcast!Today, we delve into the critical role of domains in modern cyber attacks. From sophisticated nation-state operations to AI-powered phishing kits and malicious browser extensions, domains are the foundational infrastructure for threat actors. Host Kali Fencl is joi…

🔥 Welcome to the FIRST episode of Influence – a brand-new B-Side Banter segment! 🔥 In this new series, we shift the spotlight to the creators behind the music—producers, songwriters, and engineers—diving into the sounds and artists that shaped them. I’m joined by Tone Def, the producer behind Briston Moroney’s breakout track Freaking Out on the Int…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we sit down with Raji Vannianathan, a cybersecurity leader at Microsoft driving the charge on AI security and safety. Raji shares her experience leading the team responsible for managing the end-to-end lifecycle of AI vulnerability disclosures, building proactive safety frameworks, and cultivating a global commu…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, host B-Side Channel interviews Giggens, a full-time content creator and co-manager of a record store. They discuss Giggens' passion for music, particularly The Beach Boys, and his unique approach to album reviews that focus on positivity. The conversation delves into the darker aspects of The Beach Boys' history, t…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, host Tyler engages with Yusuf and Grace from Music Review World, discussing the platform's mission to provide in-depth music reviews and valuable feedback to emerging artists. They explore trends in music submissions, the impact of AI on music creation, and the importance of honest reviews in the industry. The conv…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, Kali Fencl sits down with Mick Baccio, Global SecurityAdvisor at Splunk and former CISO for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign. Mickshares his journey from aspiring Navy nuclear engineer to leading security in some of thehighest-stakes environments, including the White House.They explore how threat inte…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyler from B-Side Channel interviews Carly Bogie, a passionate music curator and content creator. Carly shares her journey from starting a music blog in her college dorm to becoming a prominent figure in indie music curation on TikTok. The conversation delves into her transition from playlist curation to conducting…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we sit down with John Donovan of ZEDEDA to unpack thelighter and more profound sides of cybersecurity’s biggest gatherings. From RSA’s unexpectedbaby goats and vendor booth antics to BSides San Francisco’s community-driven keynotestage, John shares personal stories, industry insights, and valuable advice on how …

In this episode, we dive deep into the Drake vs Kendrick beef with guest Sal Luciano, a Toronto-based TikTok creator known for his passionate takes on Drake and music culture. We break down how the feud started, why J. Cole bowed out, and whether Kendrick’s Super Bowl shots crossed the line. We also explore how ghostwriting gets misunderstood in hi…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, the crew investigates two escalating threats in the cybercrime ecosystem: the cleverly named phishing-as-a-service platform Morphing Meerkat, and the bulletproof hosting provider Proton66, a favorite among amateur cybercriminals.First, they dig into how Morphing Meerkat uses DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and clever phish…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyson Jones discusses his journey in music commentary, focusing on hip hop and the current landscape of the genre. He shares insights on the challenges of consuming music today, the resurgence of hip hop in 2023, and the impact of live performances on album sales. The conversation also delves into the Billboard 'Tr…

In this powerful continuation of our DFIR series, cybersecurity experts Daniel Schwalbe, DavidBianco, Lesley Carhart, and Sarah Sabotka dissect the heart of effective incident response,containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned. Packed with firsthand war stories,sharp tactical advice, and honest debates, this episode is a must-listen f…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, host B-Side Channel interviews Patrick Hicks, a music storyteller known for his engaging TikTok videos. They discuss Patrick's journey from starting on TikTok to evolving his storytelling style, focusing on influential artists like Juan Gabriel and Nina Simone, and exploring the impact of various musicians througho…

In Part 1 of this special two-part panel, the Breaking Badness podcast gathers leadingcybersecurity experts to explore the foundations of DFIR - Digital Forensics and IncidentResponse. Featuring Daniel Schwalbe (DomainTools), Lesley Carhart (Dragos), David Bianco(Splunk), and Sarah Sabotka (Proofpoint), the panel dives into what makes an effective …

In this episode, B-Side Channel interviews Mike Tee, a prominent music reviewer known for his engaging commentary on platforms like TikTok. They discuss various recent album releases, including Black Country New Road's new direction, Will Smith's unexpected return to music, and Lucy Dacus's exploration of love in her latest work. The conversation a…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, host Kali Fencl is joined by DomainTools' Daniel Schwabeand disinformation expert Scot Terban to uncover how modern Russian disinformationcampaigns are using domain registrars, homoglyph attacks, and generative AI to mimiclegitimate news outlets and manipulate public perception. From the eerie sophistication ofD…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, host B-Side Channel welcomes Ty, a TikTok creator known for his insights into rock, metal, and alternative music. The conversation explores Ty's musical journey, his favorite artists, and the evolution of his tastes over the years. They delve into the impact of iconic bands like The Cure and LCD Sound System, discu…

In this special DNS Masterclass episode of Breaking Badness, hosts Kali Fencl, Tim Helming, and Taylor Wilkes-Pierce take a deep dive into the Domain Name System often dubbed the backbone and battleground of the internet. From its humble beginnings with host files to its critical role in modern security, the episode unpacks DNS’s evolution, vulnera…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, we’re diving headfirst into the chaos: from the worst popular rappers to our most controversial music takes. Honeybee Reviews joins me again as we debate Yeat, Koi Leray, Lil Yachty, and even icons like Lady Gaga and Drake. Plus, we play three rounds of blind ranking featuring Kendrick Lamar songs, Kanye West bange…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, host Kali Fencl welcomes Wes Young of CSIRT Gadgets and Daniel Schwalbe, CISO and head of investigations at DomainTools, dive into a recent DomainTools Investigations (DTI) analysis involving ValleyRAT and Silver Fox, and how new tools are enabling faster, more accessible analysis for junior and seasoned analyst…

Playboi Carti FINALLY dropped his long-awaited album MUSIC—but was it worth the hype? 🤔 In this episode of B-Side Banter, I’m joined by Honeybee Reviews as we break down Carti’s newest project, the biggest surprises, and whether it lived up to five years of anticipation. From Kendrick Lamar’s unexpected feature to AI conspiracy theories surrounding…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we dive into two major cybersecurity stories: the exploitation of a VPN vulnerability by Chinese APT 41 and the newly discovered “Wall Bleed” flaw in the Great Firewall of China.APT 41 has been using a critical VPN vulnerability to infiltrate operational technology (OT) organizations, targeting industries like a…

🎙️ B-Side Banter is back with an exclusive look inside one of the most influential music publications—Pitchfork! In this episode, I sit down with Olivier Lafontant, an editorial fellow at Pitchfork, to discuss what goes on behind the scenes of music journalism, the controversy surrounding his reviews, and why Playboi Carti fans are growing impatien…

Episode 202 of Breaking Badness takes a deep dive into two of the biggest cybersecurity stories of the year (so far):● Black Basta’s Leaked Chats – A major data leak has exposed internal conversations from this notorious ransomware gang, revealing their internal struggles, ransom negotiations, and even workplace drama.● Salt Typhoon’s Cyber Espiona…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, I sit down with Kasey from Kasey’s Playlists, one of TikTok’s go-to curators for indie music discovery. With over five years of experience filtering through the endless sea of indie rock, folk, and pop, Kasey shares how she finds hidden gems, what defines “indie” today, and why some artists break while others strug…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we sit down with Bruce and Heidi Potter, two of the masterminds behind ShmooCon, the legendary cybersecurity conference that ran for 20 years. They take us behind the scenes, from its hilarious bar-napkin origins to how they built a tight-knit hacker community that thrived for two decades.…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, I sit down with Aidan Nelson, the mastermind behind the viral New Music Friday TikTok series, to dive deep into the world of live music and 2025's most anticipated releases. Aidan shares his experiences attending 80 concerts in one year, revealing what makes live music so addicting and the culture shifts he's notic…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we dive into two major cybersecurity concerns: the risks of abandoned S3 buckets and a wave of phishing attacks impersonating DeepSeek. Watchtowr Labs uncovers how forgotten AWS storage can be hijacked for malicious purposes, potentially compromising military, government, and enterprise systems. Meanwhile, attac…

🔥 I messed up. BIG TIME. 🔥 In this episode of B-Side Banter, I’m coming clean about one of the WORST takes I’ve ever made as a music reviewer. I originally ranked Chappell Roan’s album and totally got it wrong—especially when it comes to the song “Coffee”. After dozens of listens, I’ve completely changed my mind, and I owe Chappell Roan and her fan…

Welcome to the 200th episode of Breaking Badness! 🎉 In this special milestone edition, we take a nostalgic stroll down memory lane, discuss the evolution of cybersecurity, and explore how the podcast—and the security landscape—has changed since 2019.In this special milestone episode, hosts Kali Fencl, Tim Helming, and Taylor Wilkes-Pierce are joine…

Mac Miller’s Balloonerism is here—but is it the best posthumous album ever? We break down his legacy, the hidden connection between Balloonerism and Good A.M., and where it ranks among the greatest posthumous releases. Plus, The Weeknd’s surprise Grammy appearance—was it a strategic comeback? And is Hurry Up Tomorrow really his final album? We also…

🎤 Did we just witness the greatest hip-hop run of all time? 🎤 In this bonus episode of B-Side Banter, we break down Kendrick Lamar’s historic year, from his record-breaking Grammy sweep to the viral rap beef with Drake that took over the internet. We discuss: ✅ The explosive impact of Kendrick’s Not Like Us ✅ How the beef transcended hip-hop into p…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we welcome back Tanya Janca, aka SheHacksPurple, to discuss her latest book, Alice and Bob Learn Secure Coding. Tanya dives deep into the fundamental principles of secure software development, the psychology behind developer incentives, and the often-overlooked importance of zero trust security.…

🔥 Welcome to the FIRST episode of B-Side Banter! 🔥 In this episode, we’re diving DEEP into the 2025 Grammy Awards—breaking down the biggest winners, biggest snubs, and the most controversial moments. I’m joined by Honeybee Reviews, a top-tier music reviewer known for their in-depth takes on New Music Friday releases. We debate whether Kendrick Lama…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we analyze two fascinating cybersecurity incidents that expose both corporate misconfigurations and hacker missteps. Security researcher Philippe Caturegli discovered a typo in MasterCard’s DNS records, which left the company open to traffic hijacking and data exposure. This long-overlooked flaw, dating back yea…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, Tricia Howard of Akamai joins Kali Fencl and Ian Campbell to dive deep into the intersection of gaming culture, mental health, and cybersecurity. Tricia shares her journey from theater arts to cybersecurity research, her love for gaming, and her experiences tackling emotional toxicity in digital spaces. The epis…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we dive into the cybersecurity headlines making waves in 2025. We discuss the U.S. Treasury breach, allegedly orchestrated by Chinese hackers using third-party access. Learn about how lingering chat histories can expose sensitive data and the importance of digital spring cleaning.…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we sit down with Tanya Janca, aka SheHacksPurple, a cybersecurity educator, and author of the best-selling book Alice and Bob Learn Application Security. Tanya shares her journey from software developer to AppSec expert, dives into the unique challenges of teaching secure coding, and discusses the impact of cybe…

Welcome to this special episode of the Breaking Badness Cybersecurity Podcast! We’re turning the spotlight on the books that have shaped the world of cybersecurity and inspired professionals in the field. As part of our ongoing book club series, this episode is a journey into storytelling, research, and the unique perspectives that make cybersecuri…

In this special episode of Breaking Badness, we wrap up 2024 with a countdown of the top episodes, puns, and cybersecurity moments that defined the year. From the hoodiest hacks to the goodiest wins, Kali, Tim, and Taylor reflect on critical insights, industry-changing events, and listener favorites. Tune in for discussions about evolving OT securi…

In this special 2025 Predictions episode of Breaking Badness, host Kali Fencl joins cybersecurity experts Sean McNee, Tim Helming, and Daniel Schwalbe to discuss the future of cyber threats and defense. From ransomware evolution and AI-powered attacks to quantum computing and “synthetic identity fraud,” the group compares their insights with predic…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we dive into two fascinating stories shaping the cybersecurity landscape. First, we unpack the case of Gabriel Koo and his surprising acquisition of the domain us-east-1.com, a domain closely tied to AWS’s naming conventions. What insights can this seemingly simple purchase reveal about DNS misconfigurations and…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we delve into the cybersecurity trends shaping the holiday season. We unpack the 60% surge in scam domain registrations targeting holiday shoppers, discuss the tactics of TAG-112, a Chinese state-sponsored threat group, and analyze their use of compromised websites to deliver Cobalt Strike malware. Plus, we shar…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we dive into the critical challenges and innovations in healthcare cybersecurity with Ken Zalevsky, CEO of Vigilant Ops. From the vulnerabilities in medical devices to the revolutionary role of Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs), Ken shares his two decades of expertise in safeguarding patient safety and hospital…

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we explore two fascinating cybersecurity stories. First, we delve into the unusual case of an ex-Disney employee who hacked menu systems, creating chaos in the happiest place on Earth. Next, we discuss Sophos' five-year-long battle with a determined group of attackers targeting their firewalls. Tune in as we bre…