In this episode, Jeffrey Wheatman sits down with Carter Schoenberg, Chief Security Officer at Soundway Consulting and author of Why Cybersecurity Fails in America. From his unexpected transition from homicide detective to cybersecurity leader, Carter shares hard-earned insights into the failures of our current cyber risk models—and how to fix them. They dive into cybercriminal collaboration, the stagnation of HR and hiring practices, and why security leaders need to learn to “speak CFO.”

Richie Lampani—self-proclaimed Chief Recruiter Dude—joins Jeffrey Wheatman to talk about the real state of hiring today. From music industry war stories to navigating post-pandemic expectations, Richie drops insights on transparency, mentorship, and why the “perfect candidate” is a myth. Candid, sharp, and unexpectedly hilarious.

Jayson Street, Chief Adversarial Officer at Secure Yeti, returns to Risk and Reels for a no-holds-barred conversation on hacking human nature, creating teachable moments, and why kindness matters in cybersecurity. From robbing banks during celestial events to sneaky USB exploits involving hearing aids, Jayson shares stories that are as outrageous as they are enlightening. Plus: the power of the pause, avoiding blame culture, and how code words like “rutabaga” can save your family from scams.

In this episode of Risk & Reels, host Jeffrey Wheatman sits down with Ed Gaudet, CEO and founder of Censinet, for an insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, product innovation, and the evolution of cybersecurity in healthcare. Ed shares the winding path that led him to founding Censinet, why listening to customers is a game-changer, and how authentic leadership and human connection have shaped his journey. The two also geek out over company origin stories in film—think Tucker, BlackBerry, and of course, Jobs. With lessons on vision, leverage, and not losing sight of the people you serve, this episode is a must-listen for builders, dreamers, and anyone navigating the fast-moving world of tech and risk.

In this episode of Risk and Reels, host Jeffrey Wheatman welcomes security veteran and former NSA executive Don Boian for a wide-ranging conversation on intelligence, cybersecurity, and life on both sides of the public-private divide. Don reflects on his 30-year NSA career, shares myths about intelligence agencies, and explains how AI is shifting the balance for defenders. He also dives into his work as an expert witness, his boardroom insights, and how introverts can thrive in public speaking and leadership roles. It’s a blend of wisdom, war stories, and actionable advice for anyone in or entering the cybersecurity world.

Here's the list of the books Don mentions - Note: He does not endorse or profit from these books. Some have facts, fiction, and a little of both.
* Dark Territory

* Sandworm

* Countdown to Zero Day

* This is How They Tell Me the World Ends

In this episode of Risk and Reels, host Jeffrey Wheatman sits down with seasoned cybersecurity leader Kimberly Trapani to discuss the evolving role of the CISO. With over 30 years in security, Kimberly shares insights from her career, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between business and technology.

Drawing inspiration from Apollo 13, likening a CISO’s role to mission control, she highlights navigating unexpected challenges with agility and confidence and shifting from a compliance-driven security program to a more integrated, business-resilient approach.

In this episode of Risk and Reels, Jeffrey Wheatman (interviewing himself!) dives into the concept of the 'silent breach'—cybersecurity exposures that organizations don’t realize exist until it’s too late. He explores real-world examples of major supply chain vulnerabilities and the challenges of visibility in today’s digital ecosystem. Wheatman also discusses how organizations can improve risk assessment and response strategies to mitigate the cascading effects of hidden threats.

In this episode (throwback to Black Hat 2024), Jeffrey talks to Munish Walther-Puri, Adjunct Fellow at NYU Center for Global Affairs. Jeffrey and Munish discuss exploring real-life challenges through fantasy and science fiction movies, allowing us to think through the more "uncomfortable" topics in a comfortable space. Have you heard of a "pirate unicorn?" Doubtful. Listen to episode 80 to find out.  

In this episode, Jeffrey talks to Dr. David Bray, PhD, who shares his extensive background in cybersecurity, national security and technology in the public sector. The conversation explores the accurate portrayal of cybersecurity in movies, the challenges of supply chain security, and the importance of deep hardware interrogation to ensure the integrity of technology. 

Dr. Bray emphasizes the need for proactive measures in cybersecurity and the significance of understanding the perception of reality in the context of social engineering and national security. They also dig into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, focusing on the challenges posed by compromised hardware, the rise of scams and ransomware and the dynamics between government and non-state actors. The conversation also touches on the implications of generative AI in cybersecurity and emphasize the need for proactive measures and innovative solutions to address these threats.

In this episode, Jeffrey talks to Steven Teppler, a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett and the lead of the firm's Privacy and Cybersecurity practice group. Steve is an ISACA-certified Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) and the firm's chief cybersecurity legal officer. They discuss sci-fi movies and the intersection of cybersecurity and law — focusing on the evolving role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and the legal implications they face. They also explore the increasing legal exposure for CISOs, the complexities of downstream liability and the importance of defensibility in cybersecurity practices.