The Jason Cavness Experience

Cody Brown, CEO of Security Research Group and former Navy Cyber Operations Specialist, brings over a decade of experience in offensive cyber operations, national defense, and enterprise security. From U.S. Cyber Command to startup leadership, Cody breaks down how modern cyber threats work, what's hype versus reality in AI security, and why every business — large or small — needs a defense mindset.

Episode Highlights • The biggest cybersecurity threats facing individuals and small businesses today • How to detect and respond to hacks before they escalate • What "military-grade" cybersecurity really means — and how it applies commercially • The truth about AI in cybersecurity: hype, reality, and risk • Lessons from Navy intelligence and government contracting that every founder should know

Call to Action (CTAs) Full archive and show notes: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Invest in CavnessHR: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr Download 7 free startup eBooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks Join the Builders Club: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/buildersclub

Guest Bio (Condensed) Cody Brown is the CEO of Security Research Group, where he leads initiatives in military-grade cybersecurity, compliance, and defense technology. A former Navy CTN and cybersecurity lead for the Department of Defense, Cody has directed national-scale operations for agencies including U.S. Cyber Command and the Army Research Lab. He holds a Master of Information Technology from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Cyber Operations from Dakota State University.

Guest Links Website – https://securityresearch.us/ LinkedIn (Company) – https://www.linkedin.com/company/srg-sec/ LinkedIn (Personal) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-ross-brown/

Sponsors

Breeze Docs – AI-powered RFP response platform helping SMBs reduce completion times by up to 80%. Mention The Jason Cavness Experience for a free upgrade from Breeze Solo to Breeze AI+ ($6,000 value). Upgrade link: https://www.breezedocs.ai/rfp-response-software-jason-caveness

CavnessHR: Seattle's Got Tech – Showcase your product and compete for top startup prizes. Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBV98Am90oAoP08vWaS870Uk7Zp7WVDCwF6PALwlJf5NgmWw/viewform?usp=header

Topics Discussed (for Libsyn Notes) • Understanding modern cybersecurity and common myths • Individual vs. business-level cyber threats • Responding to hacks and ransomware incidents • AI in cybersecurity — hype, tools, and real threats • Government vs. private sector cybersecurity operations • Starting and running a cybersecurity company • Balancing technical work with customer service • Hiring and developing cybersecurity talent • Government contracting and compliance requirements • Future trends in cyber defense and insider threats

Syed K. Jamal is a founder, filmmaker, and Ford Fellow measuring what matters in education and the creative economy. From Tacoma–Kochi cross-cultural partnerships to mentoring global youth, Syed shows how storytelling, social capital, and community networks unlock smarter career paths and civic impact. This conversation maps a practical path from inspiration to measurable outcomes.

Episode Highlights • Why storytelling and the creative economy are powerful levers for education and careers • Building cross-border partnerships (Tacoma–Kochi) that catalyze film, culture, and youth opportunity • Measuring what matters: outcomes, social capital, and real pathways for students • Lessons from film craft (angles, lighting, narrative) that every leader can use • How cities like Tacoma become hubs for inclusive, community-driven innovation

Call to Action (CTAs) Full archive and show notes: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Become a CavnessHR investor: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks Join the Builders Club: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/buildersclub

Guest Bio (Condensed) Syed K. Jamal is an Indian-American entrepreneur and strategic advisor working at the intersection of creative economy, education, and public diplomacy. Chair of the Tacoma–Kochi Friendship City Committee and executive producer at 222 Pictures, he serves on the board of Tasveer (the world's only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival) and advises youth programs including Collegey and Rise. A Ford Foundation International Fellow and former EducationUSA communications leader, Syed builds high-impact partnerships that help young people make informed career decisions and tell their stories with authenticity.

Guest Links LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/skjamal/ Website – https://www.gobranta.com/ceofounder

Sponsors Breeze Docs — AI-powered RFP response platform for SMBs. Cut proposal and questionnaire time by up to 80%. Mention The Jason Cavness Experience for a free upgrade from Breeze Solo to Breeze AI+ (a $6,000 value). Upgrade link: https://www.breezedocs.ai/rfp-response-software-jason-caveness Learn more: https://www.breezedocs.ai

CavnessHR: Seattle's Got Tech — Apply to demo your product and compete for prizes. Sign-up form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBV98Am90oAoP08vWaS870Uk7Zp7WVDCwF6PALwlJf5NgmWw/viewform?usp=header

Topics Discussed (for Libsyn "Notes" section) • Syed's background and journey; poetry, nature, and biking • Empowering youth career decisions; the future of higher education and the role of college • Tacoma's creative economy, nonprofits, and civic strengths • Filmmaking craft: camera angles, lighting, and storytelling evolution • Humanizing homelessness; South Asian film festivals and social capital • Religious and cultural practices; immigration, trade, and global collaboration • Public vs private education; socioeconomic disparities and originality in creativity • Introducing Grid City Studio; building Tacoma as a creative hub with community engagement

Syed's Advice Think deeply about your story — it's a collective of your family, neighborhood, books, and experiences. Don't underestimate it. Share it openly and authentically; your story matters, and it can spark opportunities for you and others.

Robert Smedley, CIO of Atlas Design Group and founder of Smedley's IT, blends a passion for technology with a deep commitment to community service. From supporting affordable housing projects to helping small businesses and government teams stay secure, Bob's story is about purpose, practicality, and people. He shares lessons on leadership, integrity, and why curiosity is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Episode Highlights • Why "Be Better" is more than a motto — it's a mindset • Lessons in leadership, trust, and accountability from tech to community work • The real role of a CIO in shaping affordable housing and small business resilience • Balancing entrepreneurship, family, and purpose • How simplicity, agility, and curiosity drive sustainable innovation

Call to Action (CTAs) 🔗 Listen to all episodes at: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

💡 Become a CavnessHR investor: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr

📘 Download 7 free startup eBooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

👥 Join the Builders Club: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/buildersclub

(Rotate CTAs per campaign — Wefunder, eBooks, or Builders Club.)

Guest Bio (Condensed) Robert Smedley is the CIO of Atlas Design Group, a Seattle-based structural engineering firm building affordable housing, and founder of Smedley's IT, where he provides tech consulting services to businesses and government clients. A proud member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Bob's approach combines technical expertise, service, and a lifelong mission to help people "be better."

Guest Links LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsmedley/ Website – https://www.robertsmedley.tech/ Email – [email protected] Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SmedleysIT

Bob's Advice "It may be hard, but just believe in yourself. Whatever you want to do — start your own business, take a risk — accept your failures and own them. You're not gonna hit bullseye every time, but if you don't try, you'll never know."

Sponsors

Breeze Docs – AI-powered RFP response platform helping SMBs reduce completion times by up to 80%. Mention The Jason Cavness Experience for a free upgrade from Breeze Solo to Breeze AI+ (valued at $6,000). https://www.breezedocs.ai/rfp-response-software-jason-caveness

SmarterQueue – Streamline your social media workflow with advanced analytics, scheduling, and engagement tools. Free 30-day trial: https://smarterqueue.com?afmc=2kv

Evan Poncelet, Founding Managing Partner of Dreamward Ventures and Executive Director of Venture Black, is shaping a new generation of innovation and Black entrepreneurship. Drawing from 12+ years in tech and a family legacy rooted in economic justice, Evan shares how trust, intentionality, and access can reshape venture capital from the inside out. His story bridges heritage and innovation — and shows what it means to build equity that lasts.

Episode Highlights • How family legacy inspired Evan's mission to empower Black and ally founders • What it takes to launch and sustain a values-driven VC fund • Why mentorship and intentional collaboration are essential to inclusive innovation • The importance of trust, networks, and cultural context in startup investing • How economic justice and curiosity can guide the next generation of builders

Call to Action (CTAs) 🔗 Listen to all episodes at: www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

💡 Become a CavnessHR investor: https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr

📘 Download 7 free startup ebooks: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

👥 Join the Builders Club: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/buildersclub

(Rotate the CTA focus per campaign — Wefunder, eBooks, or Builders Club.)

Guest Bio (Condensed) Evan Poncelet is the Founding Managing Partner of Dreamward Ventures and Executive Director of Venture Black, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black and ally founders and investors. A Seattle Angel Conference and BLCK VC alumnus, he brings over a decade of software and venture experience — inspired by his grandfather's legacy as co-founder of Liberty Bank, one of Seattle's first Black-owned banks.

Guest Links LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanponcelet/ Website – https://www.venture-black.org/ Email – [email protected]

Evan's Advice "The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken."

Sponsors

Breeze Docs — Simplify RFPs and win more business. AI-powered RFP response platform helping SMBs cut completion times by up to 80%. Mention The Jason Cavness Experience for a free upgrade from Breeze Solo to Breeze AI+ ($6,000 value). https://www.breezedocs.ai/rfp-response-software-jason-caveness

SmarterQueue — Automate your social presence and engagement. Track conversations, analyze competitors, and manage your brand in one place. Free 30-day trial: https://smarterqueue.com?afmc=2kv

David Robicheaux, Founder of BlackMuse LLC, joins The Jason Cavness Experience to discuss how VR, AI, and immersive technology are transforming how we learn, train, and connect. With a career spanning virtual reality development, system administration, and educational innovation, David is at the forefront of building the bridge between technology and human potential.

From leading VR development at Abettertrack LLC to managing large-scale projects at Sitebiz and Kingdom Technology Services, David has seen firsthand how innovation can rewire how people think, learn, and grow. Now through BlackMuse LLC, he's shaping the next generation of virtual and metaverse experiences designed to inspire curiosity and creativity.

We Talk About: • Pitch competitions for Tacoma School District students • The power of curiosity over skill • The role of AI and VR in transforming education • How politics and technology shape society • Indigenous perspectives and historical context • The balance between art, culture, and performance • Technological ethics, AI in healthcare, and automation • The evolution of human spirituality in the age of AI • Personal stories, philosophical insights, and cultural identity • The future of education, creativity, and innovation

David's Advice: "Curiosity will always be more powerful than skill. Technology changes fast, but your ability to ask better questions will always be your greatest asset."

Connect with David: 🌐 Website: https://www.blackmuse.net/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackmusellc/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094131262907

Sponsor — CavnessHR CavnessHR provides affordable, tailored HR for small businesses with 49 or fewer employees. We combine automation with a dedicated HR Business Partner to help founders focus on what matters most — growth and people. 👉 www.CavnessHR.com

Invest in CavnessHR on Wefunder Support the creation of an AI-native HR system for small businesses. Be part of the next evolution in HR tech. 🚀 https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr

Download 7 Free eBooks from The Jason Cavness Experience Get insights from founders, investors, and innovators across AI, startups, and leadership. 📘 https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Join the CavnessHR Builders Club A community for founders, dreamers, and builders shaping the future of AI and HR.

Emeka Alozie is a Principal at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), where he helps startups bring emerging technologies to the Department of Defense. With over a decade of experience driving startup success from inception through Series A, Emeka's career spans venture capital, medical innovation, and social impact leadership.

Before joining DIU, he led marketing and partnerships at IntuitiveX, helping launch three FDA-designated Breakthrough Devices. He also directed Founder Institute Seattle, guiding early-stage founders, and served as a Venture Advisor at 360 Social Impact Studios. Beyond startups, Emeka is a community leader — Co-Chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, a member of the SPD Crisis Intervention Committee, and Founder of The Living Bread, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to unity and purpose.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of faith, innovation, and defense technology — diving into Emeka's spiritual journey, his work in human rights and venture capital, and how he sees technology shaping the next decade of national security.

We Talk About: • The Defense Innovation Unit and startup collaboration with DoD • AI, defense tech, and the future of innovation • Faith, spirituality, and metaphysical insights • Human rights, mental health, and social justice • Diversity and inclusion in venture capital • The Living Bread and community building • Seattle's AI and startup ecosystem • Leadership, mentorship, and career advice

Emeka's Advice: "The world is bigger than your perception of it. You've been called to see yourself beyond who you think you are. Believe in yourself, have fun, and don't be boring."

Connect with Emeka: 🌐 Defense Innovation Unit: https://www.diu.mil/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeka-a/

Sponsor — CavnessHR CavnessHR provides affordable, tailored HR for small businesses with 49 or fewer employees. Our AI-native platform automates HR while giving you access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. Focus on your business — CavnessHR has your HR. 👉 www.CavnessHR.com

Invest in CavnessHR on Wefunder Support the development of our AI-native HR platform for small businesses. 🚀 https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr

Download 7 Free eBooks from The Jason Cavness Experience Featuring insights from founders, investors, and innovators shaping the future of work. 📘 https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Join the CavnessHR Builders Club A community of founders and innovators collaborating to build the future of HR and work.

Andrie's Bio: Yanjun (Andrie) Lin is a Veteran, technologist, and community builder known for her ability to reinvent herself and thrive across vastly different environments. Based in Seattle, she serves as VP of Program Management at Panda Mobile, leading the development of community-focused MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that provide culturally relevant, niche wireless services to underserved markets — especially Chinese immigrant communities and university ecosystems.

Originally from China, Andrie left everything familiar behind to pursue her education in the U.S. Despite early challenges, she graduated summa cum laude, placed second in a school-wide business plan competition, and completed two internships — all while building resilience and adaptability.

Driven by purpose, she left her finance background to join the U.S. Army — a field she had no prior experience in. She excelled, earning multiple leadership awards during her 7.5 years of service and one deployment. After retiring from the military, Andrie transitioned into the tech world, completing a successful software engineering internship within six months and mastering new technologies with determination.

Today, as Founder of OffChain Global Seattle, Andrie unites entrepreneurs, investors, and technologists across Web3, AI, AR/VR, and IoT — building community-driven ecosystems that foster innovation and connection.

We Talk About: • Andrie's journey to inner peace • Military service and lessons learned • Transition from logistics to tech and FinTech • Leadership and community building • Challenges and opportunities in Seattle's tech scene • Funding and startup ecosystem insights • OffChain Seattle and the power of community • AI, ethics, and emerging technologies • Balancing work, personal life, and mindfulness • Mentorship, personal growth, and advice for Veterans • Navigating career transitions with purpose

Andrie's Advice: "Stay in peace of mind and focus on the present. You can't change the past — in that moment, you made the best decision you could with what you knew. Be kind to your past self, learn from it, and keep moving forward."

Connect with Andrie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanjun-linked/ Panda Mobile: https://pandamobile.com/

👉 Learn more: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com

Free eBooks from The Jason Cavness Experience Get 7 eBooks featuring insights from founders, investors, and leaders shaping the future of work. 📘 Download now: https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Join the CavnessHR Builders Club A community for founders and innovators shaping the next generation of work. Collaborate. Build. Grow.

Invest in CavnessHR on Wefunder Support the development of an AI-native HR platform for small businesses. 🚀 https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr

Sponsored by CavnessHR CavnessHR delivers HR for small businesses with 49 or fewer employees. We combine a smart AI-driven HR platform with a dedicated HR Business Partner — giving founders real-time support without enterprise-level costs.

Learn more: www.CavnessHR.com

About Our Guest

Dr. Jamar "Doc" Montgomery is a multifaceted leader bridging technology, law, and social impact. He's a blockchain and crypto policy expert, keynote speaker, and civil rights advocate whose work spans defense, education, law, and emerging technology.

Career Highlights:

• Began college at 14 years old (Cal State LA)

• Youngest Weapons Systems Engineer in U.S. Navy history

• JD + MBA from Southern University

• Certificate in Data Analysis and Machine Learning (MIT)

• Former Public Defender and Counterterrorism Project Manager at Booz Allen Hamilton

• Civil Rights Advocate with the NAACP

• Blockchain Educator and Global Speaker (World Economic Forum Davos, AfricaNXT, All Black National Convention)

Today, Dr. Montgomery advises diplomats, founders, and educators on technology, policy, and social impact — helping bridge the gap between innovation and inclusion.

We Talk About the Following and Other Topics

• NFL Draft and Shedeur Sanders

• HBCUs and Systemic Challenges

• Early Life, Parental Influence, and Military Service

• From Navy to Law School

• Public Defense and Civil Rights Work

• Blockchain, Crypto, and Tech Policy

• The Future of DEI and Accessibility in Tech

• Entrepreneurship and Scaling Ventures

• The Ethics of Emerging Technologies

• Social Justice, History, and Global Education

• Balancing Ambition, Legacy, and Mental Health

Connect with Dr. Jamar Montgomery

Website: drjamarmontgomery.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jammontgomery Instagram: @drjamarmontgomery TikTok: @drjamarmontgomery X: @DocMontyforUs YouTube: youtube.com/@drjamarmontgomery

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Invest in CavnessHR on Wefunder Help us bring AI-powered HR to small businesses: wefunder.com/cavnesshr

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Listen, learn, and build. Subscribe to The Jason Cavness Experience wherever you get your podcasts.

Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full conversation and more episodes with founders, builders, and leaders.

Barry's Bio

Barry Gipson is a retired 23-year active-duty Navy veteran and the creator of OfficialAmerica'sTeam.com, the only blog dedicated to telling the real "Boots on Ground" stories of Dallas Cowboys fans who travel city to city to support their team.

After retiring in 2016, Barry went all-in on digital storytelling. He:

• Built a Facebook community of 20,000+ Cowboys fans

• Created the first Dallas Cowboys Fan Club Directory

• Launched the "TOP OF THE MORNING" live show ("the best part of waking up")

• Began teaching NFL superfans and vets how to become content creators who get paid

In 2025 he expanded his content strategy to LinkedIn, sharing playbooks for creators. He's released two free Canva eBooks:

1. How to Get Monetized on Facebook as a Creator

2. How to Plan Your Social Media Strategy for the 2025 NFL Season

He's also loud about something most people whisper about: cannabis access for veterans. Barry openly advocates for medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids for pain management and mental health, and he publishes a weekly LinkedIn newsletter helping veterans understand the emerging (and fast-legalizing) cannabis economy.

His motto: "Demonstration beats conversation." In other words, do it live and let the work speak.

We talk about the following and other items

• Cannabis legalization, pain management, and veteran mental health

• Barry's Navy recruiting career and what he learned about people

• Texas culture, music, loyalty, and Cowboys fandom

• His travel blog and how he turned fan travel into a storytelling platform

• What it's really like following the Cowboys from stadium to stadium

• Post-military identity and building something of your own

• Media manipulation, rumor cycles, and how the NFL feeds narratives

• Salary caps, coaching drama, and the performative chaos around the Cowboys

• The rise of independent NFL media made by fans, not networks

• Tailgates, away-game economies, and how fans move money

• Live streaming strategy and real-time engagement

• The shift from Facebook to LinkedIn and why LinkedIn is Barry's next "home field"

• Monetization models: Patreon, blogs, direct community membership

• How creators can build without begging for permission from the league

• Mental health and belonging for vets after service

• The future of "team media" when the fans become the broadcast

Barry's Social Media

Barry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-gipson-cowboys-unifier/

Barry's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cowboysunifier

Official America's Team Website: https://officialamericasteam.com/

Official America's Team Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialamericasteam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowboysunifier/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CowboysUnifier

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/officialamericasteam

Barry's Advice

"If you're a content creator and you're an NFL fan, think twice before you build around your favorite team. Learn the business side first.

It took me nine years to really organize what I was doing. There was no path — so I had to cut a path. Now I'm trying to hand that path to other people.

If you're going to spend time on your phone, get a return. You can make money as a creator. Blog. Patreon. Live stream. Membership. Whatever. Don't just scroll — build."

L

Talk HR with CavnessHR: https://calendly.com/jasoncavness/cavnesshr-meeting

Support the Build

Invest in CavnessHR on Wefunder: Help us build the HR platform for small business. Become an early backer: wefunder.com/cavnesshr

Get the 7 free eBooks: Playbooks on fundraising, hiring, marketing, and founder ops — collected from guests of The Jason Cavness Experience. buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks

Join the CavnessHR Builders Club: A community of founders, operators, vets, and builders who actually execute. buildcavnesshr.com

Zion's Bio At just 18 years old, Zion Zhang is the Co-Founder of Ponder, a platform helping youth build real-world skills through projects guided by AI simulations of their future selves.

Zion believes education will look radically different by 2035. The rise of AI, self-learning, and homeschooling are early signals of that transformation—and Ponder is his contribution to accelerating this change.

A passionate thinker and builder, Zion combines bold vision with hands-on experimentation, shaping a future where learning is personalized, adaptive, and purpose-driven.

We talked about the following and other items • Zion's personal journey and the origin of Ponder • Self-learning, curiosity, and early influences • Building a product that redefines education • Finding purpose and vision at a young age • The role of parental support in entrepreneurship • How cold emailing helped him network with founders and investors • Building a strong technical co-founder relationship • Generational differences in how people learn and grow • The evolution of homeschooling and AI's role in education • Department of Education policies and systemic reform • Educational inequality and funding challenges • College education — purpose, cost, and future relevance • Investor relations and startup execution • Ponder's long-term mission and global potential • How AI will reshape learning and personal development

Zion's Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zion-zhang-984345262/ Website: https://ponder.school/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/ZheyunZhangJ

Zion's Advice "Agency is about disagreeability in a positive sense — the willingness to challenge assumptions, think critically, and take action.

When I was 17, I started acting on opportunities instead of overthinking them. Even when I made mistakes, I learned faster. That's what agency really is — the ability to move forward, learn through experience, and build confidence through doing.

When you feel stuck or hesitant, that's a signal of low agency. The solution? Just start. Action creates clarity."