Artificial Intelligence isn’t coming,  it’s here.  And like every great leap before it, it’s testing what kind of leaders we are.

In this solo episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., Jason Elrod breaks down the leadership shift of our time as we move from the Information Age to the Age of AI.

He shares how 2025 transformed progress itself, why we’re living in a “weightless” moment at the peak of acceleration, and how clarity, timing, and intent have replaced control as the new leadership currency.

You’ll learn:

This isn’t about technology. It’s about how you show up in the face of it.

“At the peak of the arc, mass and strength don’t matter. Only direction and timing do.”

Listen now and learn how to use the moment of weightlessness to build what comes next.

Jason Elrod talks with Dorene Rettas, co-founder of Cyber Security Tribe, about courage, empathy, and what it really means to lead with purpose. From leaving corporate comfort to building a mission-driven business, Dorene shares lessons on failure, resilience, and why doing the right thing is always the best strategy.

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What happens when you stop chasing safety and start leading with purpose?

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with Dorene Rettas, co-founder of Cybersecurity Tribe, to explore how courage, empathy, and authenticity redefine leadership.

Dorene shares how she left corporate comfort to build something that aligned with her values and family. She opens up about learning through failure, leading with compassion, and how “doing the right thing” became her guiding principle in both business and life.

This conversation is real, grounded, and full of lessons for anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to build a life that actually fits.

The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur

Why “doing the right thing” is the most powerful leadership move

How to lead with empathy through hard decisions

Integrating work and life instead of trying to balance them

Lessons learned from failure and rebuilding with resilience

The importance of grounding, partnership, and community

“If you can rest your head on your pillow at night and know you did the right thing, that’s what matters.” – Dorene Rettas

“It doesn’t have to be complex to be correct.” – Jason Elrod

Dorene Rettas is the Co-Founder of Cyber Security Tribe, a global community connecting cybersecurity professionals through collaboration, content, and shared experience.

Connect with Dorene on LinkedIn: Dorene Rettas 

Spotify → limitlesscyber.com/spotify 
YouTube → limitlesscyber.com/YT-subscribe 
More episodes → limitlesscyber.com/DCDCS

Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, Courage, Empathy, Purpose, Resilience, Mindset, Community, JasonElrod, DoreneRettas, DrinkCoffeeDoCoolStuff

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with longtime friend and ultra-endurance athlete Brian Recore. With more than a hundred ultra marathons under his belt, including 50+ 100-milers and the infamous Badwater, Brian has learned lessons that apply far beyond running.

We explore:

Brian’s story is about more than running, it’s about the mindset of preparation and resilience. Just like an ultramarathon, life demands that you keep moving forward when it’s hardest, and that you already know how you’ll respond before the questions come. Because isn’t life just the ultramarathon we all are running?

Brian Recore - LInkedIn

Most people think prepping is about bunkers and canned beans. But the truth is, being a prepper isn’t paranoia, it’s preparation.

And that’s exactly what Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) is all about.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I connect the dots between personal prepping and enterprise resilience. Because whether it’s your pantry or your data center, the same mindset applies: preparation always beats panic.

You’ll hear:

--> At home, preparedness isn’t paranoia. It’s love.

--> At work, preparedness isn’t compliance. It’s leadership.

Because when disruption hits, the only bad plan is no plan.

From the eposide: Prepper Starter Kit (MVP List):

Prices shown are as of the recording of this episode.

Stealth Angel Survival – 72 Hour Family Emergency Kit (2 Person) – $119.29
Perfect starting place to build from.

Candle Lantern – $29.99
Holds 1–3 candles and can heat a can or cup on top.

20 Pack Candle Refills – $24.99
Fits the lantern above.

ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply – 120 Servings – $87.53
For 2 people: ~1,800 calories/day for 6 days.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter – $17.49
Great for drinking directly from a stream.

Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets (100 Pack) – $32.99
One tablet treats 4 gallons of water in 30 minutes.

GOODaaa Power Bank (45800mAh) w/ Hand Crank, Solar, Flashlight – $38.24
Big capacity + multiple charging methods (direct, solar, hand crank).

These are simple, reliable items to get your household to a minimum viable preparedness level without overcomplicating things.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Pretty much all proceeds go to buying coffee and doing cool stuff.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with James Pham — entrepreneur, risk-taker, and co-founder / CEO of Opisin.

James’s story is one of bold leaps: leaving med school in Vietnam, moving across countries on faith alone, and turning down safe jobs to chase uncertain opportunities. At the core of his journey is radical transparency: a leadership style built on honesty, trust, and clarity instead of politics or hidden agendas.

But what really defines James isn’t just risk or entrepreneurship. It’s how he uses both as a path to something greater: purpose.

We explore:

💡 Reflection for Leaders: Where are you spending your time currency — and is it aligned with your true purpose?

👉 If last week was about why silence is surrender, this week is about how risk, transparency, and purpose combine to create leadership that lasts.

James Pham - LInkedIn

This episode is different. It’s not about strategy or technology, it’s about conviction. When the murder of Charlie Kirk shook the nation, it was more than another act of violence. It was an assault on freedom itself, on the foundation of America, on free speech and expression, and on the courage to stand against evil. In this solo episode, Jason Elrod shares why silence in the face of darkness is not neutrality, it’s surrender. He calls for dangerous men and women of virtue: leaders grounded in ethics, anchored in integrity, and disciplined in action. You’ll hear why: Free speech is the bedrock of all freedom Passivity only strengthens the adversary Leadership requires dangerous courage, tempered with discipline Psalm 23:4 isn’t just comfort - it’s a call to defend and protect This is not a call to chaos. This is a call to courage. Because life is a leadership test and this test is here. Now. Show up ready. 👉 Watch on YouTube: limitlesscyber.com/YT-subscribe

In this solo episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I share the story of my first leadership role—and how I almost walked away from management before I even got started. What turned it around was a lesson I’ll never forget: leadership isn’t about taking power, it’s about brokering it. We’ll unpack what it really means to be a Power Broker in today’s organizations, why influence is multiplied by giving it away, and the practical steps you can take to stop being a bottleneck and start creating growth through others. 👉 If you want to move from power taker to power broker, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with Noel Grover, entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of EnQuanta.

Noel’s journey is extraordinary. At 38, his heart stopped, and coming back gave him a fearless perspective on risk, purpose, and innovation. He shares how failure became his best teacher, why persistence and common sense are underrated superpowers, and the lessons he learned building early voice recognition technology before sound cards even existed.

We also dive into today’s big horizon: the convergence of quantum computing and AI. Noel explains why the current playbook for post quantum cryptography is broken and why crypto agility may be the only real path to future proofing security.

👉 If you have ever wondered how to turn failure into fuel or how to prepare for the quantum AI era, this conversation will spark both urgency and inspiration.

Noel Grover LinkedIn

EnQanta

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with Corey Elinburg — a seasoned CISO and field security leader — to talk about why emotional intelligence, identity, and outcomes matter more than tools or titles. We explore the realities of healthcare cybersecurity, the lessons of servant leadership done right, and why the best leaders don’t shade out growth around them.

👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, purpose, and cybersecurity.

Corey's LinkedIn

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Tout—strategist, author, endurance runner, and advocate for digital equity. We explore the deep connections between running ultramarathons and leading through chaos in cybersecurity. Steve opens up about the discipline behind transformation, his book The CISO Edge, and why purpose isn’t a buzzword—it’s a survival strategy. If you’ve ever faced imposter syndrome, career reinvention, or wondered what keeps someone running 50 miles (literally), this one’s for you.

Steve's LinkedIn

Steve's Website