Data and Confused

In this episode, cybersecurity expert Trey Blalock joins Glen to unpack how attackers are weaponizing AI to create new zero-days, bypass MFA, and overwhelm defenders faster than ever before. From China’s use of “org networks” that break traditional attribution, to the rise of dark markets selling live browser sessions, Trey explains how the balance of power online is shifting.

They also explore how nation-state actors, ransomware cartels, and social engineering operations are converging into a global cybercrime economy—and why most companies still underestimate how vulnerable they really are.

Whether you work in IT, risk management, or simply want to understand how AI is changing the threat landscape, this conversation reveals how quickly the ground beneath cybersecurity is moving.

More from Trey: https://www.verificationlabs.com/

#Cybersecurity #AI #Ransomware #DataAndConfused #CyberCrime #InfoSec #Hacking #ZeroDay #NationStateHacks

Software engineer and founder Ruben Fiszel joins Glen on Data and Confused to unpack how his open-source platform Windmill is redefining what “job orchestration” means for modern development.

From his early days at Palantir to building a Rust-based, language-agnostic orchestration engine, Ruben shares how Windmill empowers developers to run, automate, and scale complex workflows—without being locked into one tool, one language, or one cloud.

Together, they dive into why traditional workflow tools like Airflow and Temporal miss the mark, how Windmill’s zero-trust architecture strengthens security and compliance, and what it takes to balance developer experience with enterprise reliability. Ruben also explains why the rise of AI isn’t about removing code entirely, but about ushering in what he calls “Programming 2.0”—a new era of smarter, faster, and more flexible software creation.

Whether you’re building distributed systems, experimenting with AI-driven workflows, or just curious about where automation and code intersect, this episode explores the evolving landscape of modern software orchestration and the future of development itself.

🌐 Explore Windmill: https://www.windmill.dev

🎙 More from Data and Confused: Data and Confused Landing Page

#SoftwareEngineering #Automation #OpenSource #RustLang #AI #WorkflowAutomation #DevOps #DataAndConfused

Retired NASA astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger joins Glen Kendell on Data and Confused to share her remarkable journey from high school science teacher to flying aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

In this episode, Dottie opens up about her path to becoming a NASA astronaut—starting as the first space camp alum to go to space—and what life was really like on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. She shares stories about teamwork, problem-solving when technology fails, and how astronauts and mission control rely on each other to succeed.

The conversation also explores the future of NASA: returning to the Moon through the Artemis program, preparing for Mars missions, and why humans remain essential to space exploration even in an era of robotics and AI. Dottie also reflects on STEM education, inspiring the next generation of explorers, and how tools like AI can support (but never replace) critical thinking.

Whether you’re fascinated by astronaut stories, curious about NASA’s next missions, or looking for inspiration from women in STEM, this episode brings together science, storytelling, and lessons that apply far beyond space.

Executive coach and bestselling author Rob Hatch joins Glen on Data and Confused to unpack how AI is reshaping creativity, authorship, and our relationship with technology.

In this conversation, Rob shares candid reflections on the promise and pitfalls of AI—from how he’s used tools like Notebook LM to spark new ideas, to why true authorship still depends on human perspective and lived experience. Together, Glen and Rob explore the balance between leveraging AI as a research and reflection tool while preserving the soul, accountability, and wisdom that only people can bring.

Whether you’re a business leader, writer, or simply curious about how AI will influence the future of work and creativity, this episode offers a thoughtful, practical take on navigating disruption without losing what makes us human.

Executive coach and bestselling author Rob Hatch joins Glen on Data and Confused to explore the art of decision-making, leadership, and learning from success.

In this conversation, Rob shares insights from his books Attention and Success Frames, breaking down why success—not failure—is often the richer teacher. From small experiments in business to the power of reflection, Rob shows how leaders can build confidence, find focus, and uncover their authentic selves.

Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about how to make better decisions in a noisy world, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and thoughtful perspective.

What if happiness isn’t something you chase, but something you choose? In this episode, Glen sits down with Tobin Smith, founder of The Happiness Department, to explore how gratitude, curiosity, and reframing hardships can transform both life and business. From Stoic philosophy to personal branding and even the role of AI, Tobin shares practical tools for living with meaning, trust, and resilience.

Cybersecurity expert Markus Schober returns to dive deep into the world of APTs—Advanced Persistent Threats. In this episode, we unpack what APT groups are, how they operate, and why they pose a growing risk to both companies and everyday users. From nation-state cyber espionage to ransomware-as-a-service models and supply chain attacks like SolarWinds, Markus shares insider knowledge from real-world investigations.

Whether you’re in cybersecurity or just trying to understand what’s really going on behind the headlines, this episode is packed with real talk and practical insight.

🔐 More from Markus: https://bluecapesecurity.com/about/

🎙 Host: Glen of Data and Confused

#Cybersecurity #APT #Ransomware #SupplyChainAttack #SolarWinds #CyberEspionage #DataAndConfused #MarkusSchober

Data and Confused is a media property of Concourse-cloud. Learn about our services at https://concourse-cloud.com/

What really happens when a company gets hit by ransomware?

In this episode, Glen sits down with cybersecurity expert Markus Schober—founder of Blue Cape Security and former member of IBM’s elite X-Force incident response team—to unpack the high-stakes world of digital forensics and incident response (DFIR). Markus shares stories from real ransomware breaches, lessons learned from the frontlines, and why purple teaming is the future of cybersecurity.

Whether you're an aspiring analyst or a seasoned defender, this episode offers gritty insight and practical advice from someone who's lived it.

🔐 More from Markus: https://bluecapesecurity.com/about/

🎙 Hosted by Glen for Data and Confused

#CyberSecurity #Ransomware #DigitalForensics #IncidentResponse #DFIR #BlueTeam #PurpleTeam #CyberTraining #Podcast #Infosec

What happens when a major breach hits—and you're the one responsible for the response? In this episode, cybersecurity expert Stela Fink takes us inside the world of incident response, sharing hard-earned lessons from real-world breaches and how organizations can bounce back stronger.

Whether you're a tech leader, IT professional, or just cyber-curious, this conversation is packed with insights to help you build a smarter, more resilient security strategy.

🔐 Stay alert. Stay prepared. Stay ahead.

🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into tech, data, and the people working behind the scenes to keep it all running.

In this episode, Glen is joined by Randy Knight of SQL Solutions Group — a Microsoft Certified Master with decades of experience in the SQL Server world.

Together, they dive deep into:

• The hidden pitfalls that trip up developers and accidental DBAs
• How poor query design and misunderstood features (like scalar functions) cripple performance
• Why tools like Query Store matter — and why they’re still underused
• Cloud vs. On-Prem SQL: What you really need to know about Azure, AWS, IaaS, and PaaS
• What sets SQL Server apart from Postgres and Oracle
• And the hard lessons you only learn through hands-on experience (or painful outages)

Whether you're a seasoned dev, new to SQL, or managing a growing SaaS platform — this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and rethink how you manage data at scale.

Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about data, performance, and what actually works in the real world.