A Conversation About Network Certifications with Jason Gooley

Cables2Clouds

Send us a text

What does it take to write the books that build the backbone of the networking industry? In this energetic conversation with Jason Gooley, Technical Evangelist at Cisco and author of numerous certification guides, we dive into the fascinating world of technical education and the art of making complex networking concepts accessible to learners.
Jason shares his remarkable journey from networking novice who once believed the myth that "CCIEs make more than the president" to becoming the author selected to take over the iconic CCNA certification guides from Wendell Odom after his 23-year, 10-edition legacy. The responsibility is enormous—with Cisco's Network Academy having certified 17 million professionals and aiming for another 25 million in the next decade, Jason's words will shape countless careers.
We explore the delicate balance required when creating technical content: providing enough depth for certification success without overwhelming readers, adding engaging storytelling without sacrificing accuracy, and addressing varied audience backgrounds without assuming too much or too little prior knowledge. As Jason beautifully puts it, "When I write, it feels like I'm talking... like I'm explaining it to a specific person." This approach transforms what could be dry technical manuals—"paper cuts to the eyes"—into relatable learning experiences.
For anyone working in technology, the episode offers valuable insights on continuous learning in a rapidly evolving field. Jason describes technology as "a train... the second you step on, you're moving with it." The key is simply starting somewhere: "Don't be afraid to get on the train. Just do 'hello world.' Get a Raspberry Pi. Use Alexa to turn off your lights."
Whether you're pursuing certifications, teaching others, or creating educational content, this episode provides practical wisdom on making technical knowledge accessible, relevant, and engaging. Subscribe now for more conversations that bridge the gap between complex technology and human understanding.
Connect with the Guest:
@Jason_Gooley on X

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgooley/

Purchase Chris and Tim's new book on AWS Cloud Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Advanced-Networking-Certification-certification/dp/1835080839/

Check out the Fortnightly Cloud Networking News
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/

Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/
Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.com
Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2clouds
Merch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/
Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj

Chapters

1. Meet Jason Gooley (00:00:00)

2. Evolution of a Tech Evangelist (00:10:05)

3. Writing Technical Books (00:17:15)

4. Creating Engaging Certification Content (00:24:25)

5. Balancing Technical Depth with Accessibility (00:31:48)

6. The Technology Treadmill (00:38:45)