The ITSPmagazine Podcast

Day two at NAMM 2026 reinforces why this show continues to matter. Not just for product launches or celebrity sightings, but for the culture that forms when creators, builders, and technologists share the same physical space. From the Creator Lounge to the show floor, the conversation stays grounded in making, playing, and experimenting.

This episode captures that energy in real time. Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli reflect on how NAMM functions as a crossroads where legacy craftsmanship, modern production, and creative curiosity intersect. Guitars, basses, drums, microphones, and software all coexist here, but the real story is how people interact with the tools and with each other.

Creativity on the Floor

The discussion touches on conversations with brands and builders like Gibson, John Page Guitars, and others shaping instruments that balance tradition with modern design. These are not abstract ideas. They are physical objects that invite musicians to explore sound differently, whether through lighter builds, new electronics, or rethinking classic forms.

Technology Without Losing the Soul

A recurring theme is how technology shows up at NAMM without overshadowing the human element. From live sound testing that occasionally overwhelms a recording to quiet moments in shared spaces, the episode highlights how tools serve creativity, not the other way around. The hosts reflect on artists who embrace technology while staying rooted in raw expression and performance.

The Meaning of Being On Location

Being present matters. This conversation underscores why on location coverage adds context that studio conversations cannot replicate. Background noise, spontaneous encounters, and unexpected access all become part of the story. NAMM is not polished. It is alive.

The episode closes with anticipation. Major award events, standout performances, and conversations still to come point to why day two feels less like a midpoint and more like momentum building.

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/

The NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026

The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend

Music Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/

sean martin, marco ciappelli, namm 2026, namm show day 2, music industry, guitar gear, bass guitars, music technology, creator lounge, live music culture, instrument design, behind the scenes namm

More from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcast

Music Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtW

Music Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/

On Location with Sean and Marco: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-location

ITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazine

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The first day at NAMM 2026 opens in the only way it can: loud, imperfect, and unmistakably human. Forklifts roll by, sound systems compete for attention, and instruments are already being pushed to their limits. This episode captures that moment before the show floor officially opens, when ideas are raw and expectations are still forming.

Sean Martin, host of Music Evolves, and Marco Ciappelli, host of Redefining Technology and Society, use this Day 1 conversation to ground the week in a bigger question: what role does technology actually play in music right now? Not as a replacement for creativity, but as a set of tools shaped by the people using them.

The discussion cuts through familiar narratives about automation and generative systems by pointing directly at what is happening on the floor. New products are being introduced, but very little of it is framed as machines making music on their own. Instead, the focus is on musicians performing, experimenting, and expressing themselves through instruments that blend analog craft with digital capability.

From acoustic guitars rooted in century-old designs to hybrid instruments that invite unconventional inputs like wood, metal, or physical objects, the message is consistent. Innovation does not erase musical tradition. It extends it. The instruments change, the interfaces evolve, but the act of creation remains human-driven.

The conversation also reflects on how easily fear can creep into discussions about new tools. At NAMM, that fear feels misplaced. Artists are not stepping aside. They are leaning in, learning new techniques, and pushing boundaries in ways that still require skill, memory, timing, and emotional intent.

This episode sets the tone for the rest of the week. NAMM is not about machines replacing musicians. It is about musicians deciding what they want to do next, using whatever tools help them say it more clearly.

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/

The NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026

The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend

Music Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/

sean martin, marco ciappelli, namm 2026, namm show, music, musicians, instruments, creativity, technology, innovation, event coverage, on location, conference

More from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcast

Music Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtW

Music Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/

On Location with Sean and Marco: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-location

ITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazine

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Vintage Dreams, Modern Hands: A Conversation with PRS Guitars at NAMM 2026

They were literally closing down the show floor when I grabbed Alex Chadwick from PRS Guitars for a conversation I wasn't willing to miss.

We'd been talking off-mic about something that kept nagging at me—this tension between technology and creativity that runs through everything in the music world right now. So I hit record, security guards circling, and asked him straight: Is technology helping musicians become better artists, or do you still need to learn the hard way?

His answer was refreshingly honest. Technology isn't inherently good or bad. It's a tool. When it helps people be more expressive, more creative—that's the win. When it gets in the way of that expression? That's when we have a problem.

It's the kind of nuance that gets lost in the usual gear coverage.

PRS brought some beautiful new instruments to NAMM this year. The John Mayer Wild Blue Silver Sky stopped people in their tracks—a sharp turquoise finish with the first matching headstock ever produced from their Maryland factory on a Silver Sky. Limited to a thousand pieces worldwide. For Mayer fans and Silver Sky devotees alike, this one feels special.

Then there's the Ed Sheeran Semi-Hollow Piezo Baritone. A 27.7-inch scale instrument tuned a fifth below standard, with discrete outputs for both magnetic and piezo elements. But here's what got me: each guitar ships with a signed print of Sheeran's original artwork that appears on the body. He's a visual artist too. The instrument becomes a canvas for multiple creative expressions at once.

But the conversation that really stuck with me was about vintage guitars and why we romanticize them so much.

Those 1950s and 60s instruments—the ones on posters, in documentaries, making the music that shaped entire generations—they've become holy relics. And the ones that actually sound magical? They cost as much as a house now. So how does anyone access that?

Chadwick explained something about PRS's philosophy that I found genuinely compelling. They don't go back to the fifties. They go back to 1985. That gives them freedom—they can draw inspiration from those holy grail instruments without being trapped by their quirks, their inconsistent tolerances, their aged components. They can take what made those guitars legendary and build it into something repeatable, accessible, and comfortable.

The goal, he said, is to create instruments that get out of the way. Guitars that let the person be more expressive instead of fighting against limitations.

That phrase has been echoing in my head since I left Anaheim. Instruments that get out of the way.

Because that's really what this is about, isn't it? All the gear, all the technology, all the innovation—it only matters if it helps someone find their voice. Make their own music. Tell their own story.

PRS seems to understand that. In a world obsessed with vintage nostalgia and spec-sheet comparisons, they're building for expression.

And that's worth a conversation, even when security is showing you the door.

Marco Ciappelli reports from NAMM 2026 for ITSPmagazine, exploring the intersection of technology, creativity, and the humans who make music possible.
__________________________

This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is an introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlight

GUEST

Alexander Chadwick
PRS Guitars

RESOURCES

Learn more about PRS GUITARS: https://prsguitars.com

Are you interested in telling your story?
▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full
▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight
▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight

KEYWORDS

NAMM 2026, PRS Guitars, John Mayer Silver Sky, Ed Sheeran guitar, PRS Wild Blue, baritone guitar, guitar gear, new guitars 2026, PRS limited edition, guitar innovation, NAMM Show, musician interviews

Vincent Stoffer, Field Chief Technology Officer at Corelight, shares his predictions for 2026 and what security teams should prepare for in the coming year. With nearly a decade at Corelight and a background in network and security engineering, Stoffer brings a unique perspective on where the industry is heading.

The conversation explores the emergence of the agentic SOC, where AI agents work alongside human analysts to accelerate detection, response, and incident resolution. Stoffer explains that while the protocols and tools have been in development, 2026 is the year organizations will finally see these capabilities deliver real results. The key differentiator, he notes, is data quality. Tools that provide rich, detailed, and comprehensive network evidence will thrive in this AI-enabled environment.

Stoffer also addresses the persistent threat from nation-state actors, particularly China's Typhoon campaigns targeting critical infrastructure. From energy and telecoms to international partners, these threats continue to expand with AI-powered acceleration. Understanding your environment and detecting anomalous behavior remains essential for organizations facing these sophisticated adversaries.

The discussion concludes with a look at post-quantum readiness. While quantum computing threats may be 10 to 20 years away, Stoffer emphasizes the importance of understanding cryptographic assets now. Corelight has published a white paper detailing how NDR provides the network visibility needed to locate cryptographic assets and plan migration to quantum-ready cipher suites.

This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is an introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlight

GUEST

Vincent Stoffer, Field Chief Technology Officer at Corelight
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-stoffer-07057827/

RESOURCES

Learn more about Corelight: https://corelight.com

Are you interested in telling your story?
▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full
▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight
▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight

KEYWORDS

Vincent Stoffer, Corelight, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, agentic SOC, network detection and response, NDR, critical infrastructure security, nation-state threats, China Typhoon campaigns, Salt Typhoon, Volt Typhoon, post-quantum cryptography, quantum readiness, AI in cybersecurity, security operations, incident response, network visibility, Zeek

The renewable energy sector faces a critical cybersecurity gap. As wind farms, solar installations, and battery energy storage systems proliferate across the globe, they create a decentralized network of digitally controlled assets that remain largely unprotected. Rafael Narezzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Cyber Energia, brings more than two decades of technology leadership experience to address this growing vulnerability in critical infrastructure.

Cyber Energia takes a fundamentally different approach to OT security. While most cybersecurity companies stop at identifying risks through CVE scores and vulnerability assessments, Cyber Energia starts from the risk and translates it into financial terms that executives can act upon. The platform connects technical findings to compliance frameworks including NIS 2.0, IEC 62443, and NERC CIP, providing asset owners with a clear maturity landscape and actionable intelligence.

Rafael Narezzi explains that asset owners in the renewable sector operate differently than traditional IT environments. Financial companies often acquire energy assets as investments without maintaining technical staff on-site. When compliance regulations now hold these owners personally liable for cybersecurity failures, they need tools that speak their language: dollars, risk, and return on investment. Cyber Energia prices its services per megawatt, demonstrating its commitment to speaking the language of energy.

The decentralization of energy generation presents unique challenges. Rafael Narezzi points to recent cyber attacks on Poland's distributed grid as evidence that threat actors understand how to manipulate multiple remote locations simultaneously to destabilize power networks. Battery energy storage systems present particular risks, as compromised dispatch commands could create grid imbalances similar to the fictional scenario depicted in Ocean's 11. Yet many sites lack even basic cyber hygiene protections.

Cyber Energia helps customers understand the financial impact of potential attacks. A 98-megawatt wind turbine site, for example, could lose 1.9 million dollars from just one week of downtime. This quantification enables executives to make informed decisions about relatively modest security investments that significantly reduce their risk exposure. The platform provides a single-view dashboard for organizations managing hundreds of sites across different regions, technologies, and regulatory environments.

Rafael Narezzi observes that a CEO before a cyber attack is fundamentally different from a CEO after one. Organizations often underestimate digital risks compared to physical ones, despite living in an increasingly connected world. Regulations like NIS 2.0 now impose personal liability on directors and can revoke operating licenses, removing any excuse for neglecting cybersecurity. The awareness is changing, but Cyber Energia continues working to close the gap between compliance requirements and actual security posture across the renewable energy sector.

This is a Brand Story. A Brand Story is a ~35-40 minute in-depth conversation designed to tell the complete story of the guest, their company, and their vision. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#full

GUEST

Rafael Narezzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Cyber Energia
https://www.linkedin.com/in/narezzi/

RESOURCES

Cyber Energia
https://cyberenergia.com/

Are you interested in telling your story?
▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full
▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight
▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight

KEYWORDS

Rafael Narezzi, Cyber Energia, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story, OT cybersecurity, renewable energy security, critical infrastructure protection, NIS 2.0 compliance, IEC 62443, wind farm cybersecurity, solar energy security, battery energy storage systems, BESS security, decentralized energy grid, cyber risk quantification, energy sector compliance, NERC CIP, operational technology security

Giannina the Cat

Giannina the cat lived in a house with a garden. The garden wall bordered a park where children gathered to play. The town was small but charming — from the windowsills of the houses, pots of geraniums and petunias tumbled down like colorful cascades.

Her owner, Signora Mafalda, often took her around the town center. All the children knew her, and whenever they spotted her, they would run over and shower her with affection.

Giannina was quite the little rascal. During the day she loved chasing lizards, hunting insects, butterflies, and anything that moved. To rest, she would stretch out in the sun on the warm stones, then cool off among the blades of grass. In the garden, among the pomegranate tree, the lemon tree, and the olive with its silvery leaves, she and Mafalda spent their afternoons playing together.

But one day, Mafalda began to notice something strange. Giannina would leap to catch her prey, but she kept missing and ending up in the rose bushes. "Ow, ow, ow! I've pricked myself and my tail is tangled in the branches!" she meowed. She barely managed to dodge trees she used to climb with ease. She reached her food and water bowls with an uncertain gait.

Worried, Mafalda took her to the Veterinarian.

After listening to the little cat's strange adventures, the Doctor smiled and delivered his verdict with a wise air: "This little kitty can't see well. She needs glasses."

No sooner said than done — in the blink of an eye, the veterinarian searched through a display case full of frames for pets and, finding the perfect one, exclaimed: "Here we are — a pair of glasses fit for an elegant lady!"

As soon as they were placed on Giannina's sweet little snout, the cat looked around in wonder. She could see everything so clearly! She rubbed against the Veterinarian's legs and leaped into Mafalda's arms as if to thank her.

The Doctor, touched by her sweetness, gave her a special gift: a golden chain with a small pearl at its center that glowed with its own light. Whispering, he told her: "If you close your eyes and touch this pearl with your little nose, you will gain magical powers that only you will have. They will help you help others."

Giannina thought that perhaps this Veterinarian was also a Wizard, but she said nothing to Mafalda. It was a secret between her and the strange Doctor.

On the way home, people turned to look at her, thinking: that cat seems mysterious — there's something glimmering around her.

At home, Giannina's first wish was to climb onto a chair and gaze out the window. The flowers shone in their colors, and even the grass was a brilliant green, as if covered in dew. She smiled, happier than ever.

Mafalda, sharing in her joy, decided to take her to the park.

They arrived in no time. Squirrels scampered through the trees, birds sang as they flew from branch to branch. Small creatures popped out everywhere, and the children followed them with curiosity — they ran alongside the lizards, leaped with the butterflies dancing in the air, while red ladybugs landed on their skin like good luck charms.

After chases, slides, and ring-around-the-rosy, the children sat down on the grass for their snack. From their colorful backpacks came tasty treats.

That's when they arrived.

"Vriiip! Vriiip! Vriiip!"

At full speed, a platoon of ants zoomed in on rumbling mini-motorcycles. They wore shiny little helmets on their heads, round goggles over their eyes, and tiny boots on their feet. They braked sharply in front of the children, raising little clouds of dust.

"Make way! We're here too!" shouted the lead ant, lifting her visor. "Can we collect the crumbs?"

The children burst out laughing. "Yes, yes! Munch all the crumbs you want!"

The ants parked their mini-motorcycles in a neat row, removed their helmets with theatrical gestures, and got to work carrying crumbs twice their size, singing a little marching song.

In this joyful atmosphere, Giannina and Mafalda strolled along the pathways. And suddenly, as they passed, the trees bent their branches in a bow and their leaves rustled in greeting. The roses in the flower beds opened their petals and began to sing. The lizards beat their tails on the ground like drums: "Rattatatà! Rattatatà!" And the millipedes started tap dancing to the lively rhythm.

"Oh my, what a wonderful commotion!" exclaimed Giannina, who was beginning to feel a mysterious aura around her.

She couldn't help but think of the Wizard Veterinarian. What could these magical powers be? And what would happen if she touched the pearl with her little nose?

She told Mafalda, who was carrying a book of fairy tales under her arm. They looked at each other and, understanding instantly, seized the moment.

Giannina gathered the children in a circle. Some came quickly, others more shy joined in slowly. The ants too, their bellies full, put on their mini helmets again, did one last rumbling lap on their motorcycles, then climbed off and approached the group.

It was the right moment.

Giannina closed her eyes and touched the magic pearl with her little nose. A golden spark flashed in the air. She took the book from Mafalda's hands, opened it, and chose the tale that seemed to be waiting for her, glowing among the pages.

In a gentle voice, she began to read.

"Once upon a time, there was a little rabbit who lived in the woods. He kept tripping over tree roots and pebbles. At school, he made mistakes reading letters and numbers, so he didn't want to go anymore. When the teacher saw his drawings, she said: 'Well done!' His mom and dad said the same: 'Well done!' But to him, the colors seemed faded. The truth was, he couldn't see well, but instead of saying so, he would run away and hide in a burrow beneath a talking tree. And the tree, with the rustle of its leaves, whispered a secret: talk to your parents. So he did, and they helped him get glasses. And the world became beautiful again."

Giannina closed the book. She understood: with the magic pearl, she could read the hearts of children, discovering emotions and secrets waiting to be brought to light.

"You know," she said to her little listeners, "not long ago, I couldn't see well either. But I put on these glasses and poof! The world became clearer and more beautiful."

A boy approached her, almost embarrassed, and whispered in her ear: "Maybe I need them too, like you."

Giannina gently stroked him. "I helped you open your heart. Now talk to your parents, and everything will be fine."

Just then, a little rabbit appeared suddenly from the bushes. He came up to Giannina, hugged her, and said: "You are magically magical!"

And — you won't believe it — that little rabbit was wearing a lovely pair of colorful glasses.

From that day on, Giannina took the children of the town by the paw, teaching them to believe in themselves and to have confidence. She became the mascot with the magic glasses, and everyone wanted to wear them just like her.

But the true wonder was how she now saw the world from her window: brighter, more colorful, more alive. And every evening, before falling asleep, she would touch the pearl with her little nose and smile, knowing that the next day she would help someone else see the world with new eyes.

It almost seemed like it had been a dream. But as we know, reality and fantasy often walk hand in hand.

_— Written by Lucia & Marco Ciappelli_

CES 2026 Just Showed Us the Future. It's More Practical Than You Think.

CES has always been part crystal ball, part carnival. But something shifted this year.

I caught up with Brian Comiskey—Senior Director of Innovation and Trends at CTA and a futurist by trade—days after 148,000 people walked the Las Vegas floor. What he described wasn't the usual parade of flashy prototypes destined for tech graveyards. This was different. This was technology getting serious about actually being useful.

Three mega trends defined the show: intelligent transformation, longevity, and engineering tomorrow. Fancy terms, but they translate to something concrete: AI that works, health tech that extends lives, and innovations that move us, power us, and feed us. Not technology for its own sake. Technology with a job to do.

The AI conversation has matured. A year ago, generative AI was the headline—impressive demos, uncertain applications. Now the use cases are landing. Industrial AI is optimizing factory operations through digital twins. Agentic AI is handling enterprise workflows autonomously. And physical AI—robotics—is getting genuinely capable. Brian pointed to robotic vacuums that now have arms, wash floors, and mop. Not revolutionary in isolation, but symbolic of something larger: AI escaping the screen and entering the physical world.

Humanoid robots took a visible leap. Companies like Sharpa and Real Hand showcased machines folding laundry, picking up papers, playing ping pong. The movement is becoming fluid, dexterous, human-like. LG even introduced a consumer-facing humanoid. We're past the novelty phase. The question now is integration—how these machines will collaborate, cowork, and coexist with humans.

Then there's energy—the quiet enabler hiding behind the AI headlines.

Korea Hydro Nuclear Power demonstrated small modular reactors. Next-generation nuclear that could cleanly power cities with minimal waste. A company called Flint Paper Battery showcased recyclable batteries using zinc instead of lithium and cobalt. These aren't sexy announcements. They're foundational.

Brian framed it well: AI demands energy. Quantum computing demands energy. The future demands energy. Without solving that equation, everything else stalls. The good news? AI itself is being deployed for grid modernization, load balancing, and optimizing renewable cycles. The technologies aren't competing—they're converging.

Quantum made the leap from theory to presence. CES launched a new area called Foundry this year, featuring innovations from D-Wave and Quantum Computing Inc. Brian still sees quantum as a 2030s defining technology, but we're in the back half of the 2020s now. The runway is shorter than we thought.

His predictions for 2026: quantum goes more mainstream, humanoid robotics moves beyond enterprise into consumer markets, and space technologies start playing a bigger role in connectivity and research. The threads are weaving together.

Technology conversations often drift toward dystopia—job displacement, surveillance, environmental cost. Brian sees it differently. The convergence of AI, quantum, and clean energy could push things toward something better. The pieces exist. The question is whether we assemble them wisely.

CES is a snapshot. One moment in the relentless march. But this year's snapshot suggests technology is entering a phase where substance wins over spectacle.

That's a future worth watching.

This episode is part of the Redefining Society and Technology podcast's CES 2026 coverage. Subscribe to stay informed as technology and humanity continue to intersect.

Subscribe to the Redefining Society and Technology podcast. Stay curious. Stay human.
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Marco Ciappelli: https://www.marcociappelli.com/

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Margaret Glaspy joins Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli for a Music Evolves conversation recorded in the context of the NAMM Show and the She Rocks Awards, where Glaspy is recognized as a 2026 honoree. The discussion centers on how artists develop a voice, how creative practice sustains a career, and why music functions as a form of public service rather than a commodity alone. 

Glaspy shares how growing up in a musically active household normalized creativity and removed the idea that music must be exceptional to be meaningful. Early immersion in Texas-style fiddle competitions, alongside exposure to jazz, songwriter traditions, and alternative rock, shapes a foundation rooted in lineage rather than trend. That sense of lineage continues to guide her current work, where influence is acknowledged openly rather than hidden.

Songwriting, as Glaspy describes it, is a daily practice rather than an output-driven process. Writing consistently, sometimes a song a day, becomes a way to maintain agency in a career shaped by touring cycles, releases, and expectations. Albums emerge from accumulation and reflection, not from pre-defined concepts. This approach reframes productivity as presence, with creativity tied to well-being and continuity.

The conversation also explores how artists navigate maturity. Early attempts to emulate heroes eventually give way to self-recognition. Glaspy speaks to the value of being a student of music, letting imitation serve as a bridge to personal expression rather than a destination. That perspective resists the myth of originality in isolation and places artists within an ongoing cultural thread.

Recognition at the She Rocks Awards introduces another dimension. Glaspy views the honor with humility, emphasizing the importance of creating space to acknowledge women’s contributions in music without turning the work itself into a competition. In that context, the NAMM Show represents the maker side of music, instrument builders, technologists, and craftspeople whose work enables creative expression.

This episode positions music not as a product to be optimized, but as a practice to be protected, cultivated, and shared.

Margaret Glaspy, Singer, Songwriter, and Guitarist | Website: https://margaretglaspy.com/

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com

2026 She Rocks Awards: https://sherocksawards.com/

The NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026

The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend

Music Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/

margaret glaspy, sean martin, marco ciappelli, namm, she rocks awards, music, creativity, art, artist, musician, music evolves, music podcast, music and technology podcast, singer, songwriter, guitarist, guitar playing

More from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcast

Music Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtW

Music Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/

On Location with Sean and Marco: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-location

ITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazine

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Bass rarely leads the conversation about music innovation, yet it quietly shapes how songs move, how bands connect, and how audiences feel rhythm in their bodies. In this episode of Music Evolves, hosts Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli explore that idea with Jon D’Auria, Editor in Chief of Bass Magazine, through the lens of community, technology, and cultural relevance.

D’Auria describes bass not as a background instrument, but as a stabilizing force. It anchors songs while allowing others to shine, a role mirrored by bass players themselves. That identity informs how the bass community operates: collaborative, inclusive, and deeply connected across generations. Events like the Bass Magazine Awards, held alongside the NAMM Show, are not about spectacle alone. They are about recognition, continuity, and shared lineage.

Technology plays a central role in how this community grows. Digital publishing allowed Bass Magazine to expand reach beyond the limits of print, creating immediate access to news, gear releases, artist stories, and cultural moments. Social platforms now surface bass players from bedrooms and rehearsal spaces worldwide, creating opportunity while also reshaping how success is measured.

Innovation, however, is not framed as progress for its own sake. The conversation questions where technology supports creativity and where it distracts from it. Lightweight amps, compact gear, and modeling tools solve real problems for working musicians. AI, on the other hand, introduces unresolved tension. While it lowers barriers to creation, it also challenges authorship, labor, and artistic value.

Through it all, the episode reinforces a simple truth: music remains human at its core. Technology can amplify access, speed, and scale, but it does not replace intention, emotion, or community. Bass, often overlooked, becomes the perfect metaphor for that balance. Present, essential, and powerful without demanding the spotlight.

This episode positions bass not just as an instrument, but as a signal of how music culture adapts while staying grounded in human connection.

Jon D’Auria, Editor in Chief of Bass Magazine | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-d-auria-2a7b5089/

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com

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In this Brand Highlight, Ivan Milenkovic, Vice President, Cyber Risk Technology at Qualys, joins host Sean Martin to discuss how security leaders can break free from the whack-a-mole cycle of vulnerability management.

With more than 48,000 vulnerabilities disclosed in 2025 alone and the average enterprise juggling 76 different security consoles, Milenkovic argues that the old methods of counting patches and chasing alerts are no longer sustainable. Instead, Qualys helps organizations prioritize threats based on business context through what the company calls TruRisk.

Milenkovic describes a fundamental shift he sees taking place in boardroom conversations: moving from risk appetite to risk tolerance. Boards and executives now want to know what specific losses mean to the business rather than simply asking whether the organization is secure.

For CISOs, this means evolving from the department of "No" to the department of "Know," where security leaders understand where problems exist, how to fix them, and what architecture supports business objectives. The key is demonstrating return on investment through resilience metrics rather than vulnerability counts.

Qualys addresses this challenge through its Enterprise TruRisk Management platform, which facilitates what Milenkovic calls the Risk Operations Center. Unlike a traditional SOC that focuses on incidents that have already occurred, the ROC takes a proactive stance, helping organizations prevent threats and optimize security spending before damage occurs.

This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is a ~5 minute introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlight

GUEST

Ivan Milenkovic, Vice President, Cyber Risk Technology, Qualys

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanmilenkovic/

RESOURCES

Learn more about Qualys | https://www.qualys.com

Are you interested in telling your story?
▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full
▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight
▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight

KEYWORDS

Ivan Milenkovic, Qualys, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, Enterprise TruRisk Management, Risk Operations Center, ROC, vulnerability management, CISO, cyber risk, risk tolerance, security leadership, proactive security