In this powerful March episode of Forward, I sit down with Dr. Safi Mojidi, a cybersecurity leader, educator, and unapologetic change agent to unpack a journey that spans federal agencies, including NASA, and now academia.

From delivering secure enterprise solutions under pressureto earning a doctorate to challenge systemic gaps in cybersecurity, Dr. Mojidi shares:

• Why security is a business strategy, not a blocker.

• The reality of navigating tech as a Black professional, and as a trans man.

• Why diversity is not optional in cybersecurity.

• The truth about AI hype and what you actually need tosucceed.

• How documentation, clarity, and “professionally pushing back” can protect your career.

• What executive leaders really need to understand about cyber risk.

This episode is about more than cyber. It’s about courage,identity, impact, and building secure systems that protect everyone.

If you’re in cybersecurity, tech, leadership, or aspiringto be, this conversation will challenge and equip you.

Incident Response in the AI Era: Inside the Modern SOC, Cyber Leadership, and the Human Factor

In this episode, we dive deep into the real world of cybersecurity incident response with a seasoned cyber leader who has spent over 15 years protecting mission-critical environments, from the DoD to enterprise-scaleSecurity Operations Centers (SOC).

This conversation goes beyond buzzwords and tools.We unpack what cybersecurity looks like behind the scenes and why human collaboration, leadership, and governance are now the most critical defenses in the age of AI-drivenattacks.

What you will learn in this episode:

·       The many interconnected domains of cybersecurity and why SOC is only one piece of the puzzle

·       Inside a modern Security Operations Center (SOC): analysts, threat intel, forensics, red/blue teams, and fusion operations

·       Why siloed security teams fail, and how cyber fusiontransforms response and resilience

·       How leaders manage pressure when defenders must be right 100% of the time

·       The overlooked power of post-incident debriefs and psychological safety

·       How AI is reshaping both attacks and defense, and why governance matters more than tools

·       What aspiring and early-career professionals should focuson to succeed in cybersecurity today

·       Why Zero Trust is a journey, not a product

Whether you’re a cybersecurity professional, technology leader, student, or simply curious about how organizations defend themselves in a rapidly evolving threat landscape, this episode delivers practical wisdom, leadership insight, and a grounded perspective on AI and security.

Because in the end, true cyber resilience isn’t built by machines alone, it’s built by people.

In this episode, host Mignon Edorh sits down with IT Director and Project Management leader Danielle Thomas-Pollard for a powerful conversation on clarity, communication, and the human side of projects. From navigating complex stakeholder requirements to transforming emotional “venting” into actionable outcomes, Danielle shares real-world techniques that help teams move from confusion to alignment. Listeners will learn why listening is the ultimate leadership skill, how asking better questions unlocks clarity, and why most project challenges aren’t technical problems, but people and process challenges. This episode is especially valuable for project managers, leaders, and anyone navigating complex conversations at work or in life.

If you’re seeking grounded advice, practical tools, and a reminder that progress starts with understanding, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Mignon sits down with her dear friend, Margarita Carrasco, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation. Margarita opens up about the courage it takes to meet people where they are, through carrying for her 85 years brother, the importance of being patient with yourself and others, and the power of staying true to who you are, even when it’s the hardest choice to make.

She reminds us that sometimes choosing peace means letting go, walking away, or losing relationships that no longer align with our growth. But on the other side of that courage? Freedom, clarity, and a deeper sense of self.

This is an episode for anyone seeking strength, healing, and a gentle push to honor their truth. Tune in, breathe deep, and take a step forward with us.