Decoded Stories

Ever wonder what it REALLY takes to retire young in tech? This episode isn't your typical career advice; It's raw truth from someone who's done it.

Derrick breaks down his journey from applying to 400+ jobs out of college to becoming a principal cyber consultant planning retirement in his 30s. He shares the strategies nobody talks about: why imbalance beats balance, how he turned house savings into $350K in 8 months, and the mindset shift that changed everything.

We dive deep into:

• The REAL way to break into tech (hint: it's not just LinkedIn applications)
• Why failure is your biggest asset and how to use it
• The power of being comfortable with being uncomfortable
• How to sacrifice strategically without burning out
• Building wealth while working full-time in cybersecurity
• Marriage, fatherhood, and entrepreneurship: Balancing it all
• Why mentorship beats certifications every time

This isn't just about tech careers. It's about rewriting the rules, refusing mediocrity, and building the life you actually want.

If you're tired of feeling stuck, applying to jobs that ghost you, or wondering if there's a better way, this episode is for you.

CONNECT WITH ME:

• Instagram: ⁠Annor Code⁠
• YouTube: ⁠Annor Code⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠Nyamekye Annor⁠

CONNECT WITH DERRICK:

• Instagram: Big Humble Energy
• Beam Confident: Beam Confident

In this episode of Decoded Stories, I sat down with Sahana, an engineering manager who’s built across startups, led teams, and now shares her journey online. We discussed the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in tech. She emphasizes the importance of supportive leadership, work-life balance, and the realities of navigating the tech industry, including layoffs and the startup culture.

She also broke down what hiring managers are actually looking for, why some people grow faster than others, what really happens behind the scenes with hiring and firing, and the truth about micromanagement.

Sahana also reflects on her experiences as a new mother and how it has shaped her approach to work and life. This discussion highlights the significance of creating, managing, and building a life with purpose.

CONNECT WITH ME:

Instagram: ⁠Annor Code⁠

YouTube: ⁠Annor Code⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠Nyamekye Annor⁠

CONNECT WITH SAHANA:

Instagram: ⁠Sahanaintech⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠Sahana Carlsen

#DecodedStories #AnnorCode #Creative #Tech #Podcast

In this episode of Decoded Stories, Bree Hall shares her journey into tech and what it’s been like to navigate the industry as a Black woman and software engineer.

We discuss her not fitting in growing up, learning to stop dimming yourself for others, and finding confidence in who you are. Bree also opens up about the challenges she faced early in her career, the importance of community and support systems, and how content creation ended up changing her life.

We also get into AI, developer culture, and what it looks like to build a career in tech while balancing real life, relationships, and identity.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink yourself to fit in, this conversation is for you.

CONNECT WITH ME:

Instagram: Annor Code

YouTube: Annor Code

LinkedIn: Nyamekye Annor

CONNECT WITH BREE:‬

Instagram: Bytesofbree

LinkedIn: Bree Hall

#DecodedStories #AnnorCode #Creative #Tech #Podcast

Tech isn’t dead. The mindset is.

In this episode of Decoded Stories, we get real about what it actually takes to break into tech in today’s market.

From 600+ job applications to landing a role at Apple, this conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. We talk about self-belief, transferable skills, why most people quit too early, and what “go figure it out” really means.

This isn’t just about getting hired. It’s about ownership. Discipline. Knowing who you are. And building value even when nobody is clapping for you.

We also dive into AI fears, layoffs, product management, content creation, and why tech still has massive opportunity for the people willing to do the work.

If you’ve been questioning whether tech is worth it right now, this episode is for you.

CONNECT WITH ME:

Instagram: ⁠annor code

YouTube: ⁠‪annor code

CONNECT WITH JUWON:

YouTube: JuwonTheTechie

Instagram: JuwonTheTechie

Byron’s career story is unconventional.

He didn’t chase tech. He didn’t apply for most of the jobs he’s had. Opportunities came through relationships, faith, and moments of obedience that didn’t make sense at the time.

In this conversation, we talk about growing up broke, being bullied, starting in help desk, navigating federal IT, cloud roles, marriage, and learning that a career can be your profession without becoming your identity.

This episode is about faith, favor, discipline, humility, and surrender.And what it looks like to build a life that’s bigger than your job title.

CONNECT WITH ME:

Instagram: ⁠Annorcode⁠⁠

YouTube: Annor Code

CONNECT WITH BYRON HORNE:

LinkedIn: ⁠Byron Horne

Season 2 Finale – The Power of Delayed Gratification

In the finale of Season 2, I sit down with Disleve Kanku, a data engineer making serious moves in the AI space. From humble beginnings to earning a master’s in data analytics and now building smart cloud solutions, Disleve shares the mindset, grit, and delayed gratification it took to pivot into tech and win.

#DecodedStories #AnnorCode #TechJourney #Podcast #Creative

In this episode, I sit down with Keith Foster, a SWE, husband and father, who went from stocking shelves and working odd jobs to landing a job in gov tech.

We talk about:

• How he found Harvard’s free CS50 course and made it count

• Why his wife Jessica (also in tech!) helped drag him to tech meetups

• What it really takes to land that first role (and why most won’t make it)

• His first tech job offer that changed everything

• Why AI won’t kill tech jobs — but will change the skillset

• The sacrifices you have to make if you want to win in tech

• Building your own doors and not waiting to be hired

• His goal to build an app in 7 days with ChatGPT (and show you how)

• How fatherhood and partnership with his wife shaped his grind

👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes!

⁠#DecodedStories⁠ ⁠#Podcast⁠ ⁠#AnnorCode⁠

Jessica started her journey into tech without a degree, landing roles in government tech and creative agencies as a front-end developer. But after experiencing postpartum and navigating life as a mom of three, she realized her heart was pulling her in a new direction — data analytics.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Breaking into tech with zero formal education

• Being a mother and a wife while building a career

• Struggling with mental health while staying creative

• Why she pivoted from front-end dev to data analytics

• The power of women in tech communities

• And how she's now learning to align her career with her deeper purpose

Whether you're navigating your own pivot or feeling stuck in your current role, this is the episode for you!

CONNECT WITH ME:Instagram: annorcodeLinkedIn: Nyamekye AnnorCONNECT WITH Jessica:

YouTube: The Minimum JessInstagram: The Minimal Jess👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway.🔔 Don’t forget to like and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!#DecodedStories #Podcast #AnnorCode

In this episode of Decoded Stories, I sit down with Lawrence Lockhart — a man whose story redefines what perseverance, faith, and purpose look like.Lawrence landed his first dev role at 46 after spending nearly two decades in the restaurant industry. Today, he’s a Senior Developer Advocate, speaker, mentor, and voice of encouragement to thousands online.We talk about:• How he went from flipping burgers to writing code• Starting over in his 40s and breaking into tech without a degree• Overcoming imposter syndrome and layoffs• The role of identity in success• Finding the “dog” in you — that relentless drive to keep going• How faith and grace carried him through depression, burnout, and setbacksThis episode goes beyond tech — it’s about faith, purpose, and the courage to start again, no matter your age or background.CONNECT WITH ME:Instagram: Annor Code LinkedIn: Nyamekye Annor CONNECT WITH Lawrence Lockhart:

Instagram: LawrenceDcodes

Tiktok: LawrenceDCodes

LinkedIn: Lawrence Lockhart👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes!#DecodedStories #Podcast #AnnorCode

In this episode of Decoded Stories, I sit down with Travis Woods, an infrastructure engineer whose path to tech was anything but traditional. From studying nursing to building IT systems at ACM, Travis opens up about what it really means to be dynamic in your career.

We talk about:

• How jumping around early in your career can be a strength

• Why saying yes to new opportunities can open unexpected doors

• The impact of mentorship and family support

• How his dad sparked his love for IT

• What it's like working at ACM

• Why you don't need to follow a linear path to thrive in tech

  
  

Whether you’re pivoting careers, just getting started in tech, or figuring it out as you go, this convo will remind you that your journey is valid. The key is to stay curious, say yes more often, and just get started.

CONNECT WITH ME:

Instagram: Annor Code

LinkedIn: Nyamekye Annor

CONNECT WITH Travis Woods:

LinkedIn: Travis Woods

👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes!

#DecodedStories #Podcast #AnnorCode