NEXT LEVEL WITH PETE SACCO

In this wide-ranging conversation, Jon and Pete cover everything from the impact of AI on the workforce to optimizing human performance and the intersection of those two topics.

Pete has a fascinating background with a wide-ranging experience - from technologist and tech founder to data-center consultant, author, and speaker - Pete covers a lot of ground.

Find out more about Pete: https://www.petesacco.com/

Let's Go Do Great Things!

www.apexperformance.one

Ahead of ISC West, I have a follow-up conversation with Tristin regarding all things Marketing and Branding.

As always, Tristin delivers a wealth of knowledge and actionable recommendations to take your Marketing game to the Next Level.

Connect with Tristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristinvaccaro/

Let's Go Do Great Things!

Next Level w/ William C. Davis

In this episode, Jon sits down with leadership expert and author William C. Davis to unpack what’s broken in modern leadership—and how to fix it. With nearly 40 years of experience and a 90%+ retention track record, William shares why leadership must return to its core: people, trust, and connection.

This conversation explores the difference between managing and leading, the cost of poor leadership, and why humility, empathy, and self-awareness are essential for building high-performing teams. A powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about enabling others to succeed.

How to connect with William

https://www.williamcdavis.net/

In this episode of The Next Level Podcast, Jon Harris sits down with Jenny Casson — Olympian rower, entrepreneur, and performance coach — for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of purpose beyond competition. Jenny shares her journey from national team rower to co-founder of Daylilie Bras, revealing how setbacks, injuries, and transition moments can fuel growth.

They dive deep into the mindsets that drive sustained excellence — focusing on controllables, finding gratitude in hardship, and redefining success through curiosity and daily consistency. This is a masterclass in turning adversity into advantage and learning to belong in every room you walk into.

Key Takeaways

• Process over outcome: True fulfillment comes from the daily pursuit, not the single result.

• Resilience through reflection: “Be okay with not being okay” — your self-talk shapes your comeback.

• Performance framework: Be the best. If not, be your best. If not, just do your best — and give 100 % of what you have that day.

• Entrepreneurial purpose: Channel competitive drive into impact — build products and environments that make others feel seen.

• Belonging and leadership: Show up with intention, know your worth, and lead yourself before leading others.

  
  

  Get connected with Jenny and Daylilie:

  https://www.daylilie.com/

  https://www.instagram.com/daylilie_bras/

  https://www.instagram.com/jenny_joan_casson/

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercassonoly/

In this episode of the Next Level Podcast, I sit down with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, to explore the future of AI, data, and human knowledge. Rowan shares his personal journey from heavy engineering in Scotland to diving headfirst into crypto and Web3 — and how those risks led him to pioneer a decentralized data foundry that empowers people across 100+ countries to monetize their expertise.

We talk about what it really means to hit reset on your career, the tension between risk and responsibility, and the courage it takes to leave comfort behind in pursuit of passion. Rowan opens up about the lessons he’s learned building startups, the challenges of earning trust in a crowded AI landscape, and why the quality of data — not just algorithms or compute — is the key to safe, useful, and impactful AI.

This conversation moves beyond the tech, touching on education, the creator economy, and what it means to shape a future where people aren’t left behind but are empowered to participate. If you’re curious about the intersection of leadership, innovation, and humanity’s role in AI, this episode will leave you inspired to take your next leap.

Show Notes

00:00 – Welcome back to the Next Level Podcast and intro to Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien.
05:30 – Rowan’s journey from heavy engineering in Scotland to diving headfirst into crypto and building in Web3.
12:40 – Taking the leap: leaving comfort behind to pursue passion, risk vs. responsibility, and what drives career pivots.
20:15 – Building Sapien: why data quality is the missing piece in AI and how their decentralized data foundry empowers people worldwide.
32:00 – Leadership lessons from scaling startups, cold start challenges, and keeping teams aligned in a fast-moving space.
41:50 – Beyond the tech: how Sapien’s model could transform education, the creator economy, and global participation in AI.
55:10 – Advice for the next generation of leaders, and Rowan’s personal “Next Level.”
1:01:30 – Where to learn more about Sapien and how to get involved.

If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to like the episode, subscribe to the Next Level Podcast, and follow along on social so you never miss future insights from leaders pushing the boundaries of technology and performance.

The Next Level Podcast is POWERED by 1st Phorm

Do you want to reach your NEXT LEVEL? I want to work with YOU!

• 1:1 Coaching. 

• Team coaching. 

• Training workshops. (Virtual or in-person)

• Speaking. 

Join the NEXT LEVEL COMMUNITY

My name is Jon. I am a Leadership and Performance Development Coach. My mission is to help 10,000 security professionals take their skills to the next level. 

I am a husband, a father, a coach, and a life-long learner.

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🎙️ Next Level Podcast w/ Kyle Walsh

In this powerhouse episode of The Next Level Podcast, Jon Harris sits down with Kyle Walsh, a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and seasoned leader with nearly 15 years of experience building and leading GSOC programs at top-tier organizations like Google, Meta, Bird, Cruise, Stripe, and Netflix. Kyle shares a refreshingly honest and strategic look at career development, business enablement, and modern security leadership.

🔍 From Craigslist to Crisis Management Kyle’s unexpected entry into the industry began with a Craigslist job post, leading to key security roles at some of the world’s most innovative companies. From OSINT analyst to leading crisis response programs, he unpacks how curiosity, grit, and a willingness to learn fueled his rise.

🏗️ Building GSOCs with Business Impact Kyle discusses building global security operations centers from the ground up, and how security can—and must—shift from being a cost center to a business enabler. At Cruise and Netflix, he drove strategic value by integrating risk intelligence into business operations and using security to increase operational efficiency.

🚀 Intentional Growth and Career Pivots Rather than chase titles, Kyle has built his career through calculated risk, joining startups and new industries to expand his skills and leadership capabilities. He and Jon dig into the idea of “failing by design,” embracing discomfort to grow, and seeking out roles that stretch your potential.

💼 Security as a Cross-Functional Partner Kyle emphasizes that great security leaders speak the language of the business and build strong internal networks. Whether working with tech teams or operations, he shares how understanding the mission, building trust, and demonstrating ROI are key to elevating security’s role in the enterprise.

🧠 Advice for Aspiring Leaders Kyle offers practical advice: stay curious, invest in networking, prioritize your well-being, and work for leaders or missions you believe in. He encourages security professionals to stay informed, take smart risks, and challenge outdated thinking with fresh, strategic approaches.

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for any security professional looking to build a meaningful, business-aligned career or for those ready to take the leap to the Next Level.

The Next Level Podcast is POWERED by 1st Phorm

Do you want to reach your NEXT LEVEL? I want to work with YOU!

• 1:1 Coaching. 

• Team coaching. 

• Training workshops. (Virtual or in-person)

• Speaking. 

Join the NEXT LEVEL COMMUNITY

My name is Jon. I am a Leadership and Performance Development Coach. My mission is to help 10,000 security professionals take their skills to the next level. 

I am a husband, a father, a coach, and a life-long learner. 

*********

In this solo episode of the Next Level Podcast, host Jon Harris shares a personal and powerful message about hitting the reset button in Q2. Drawing from his coaching playbook and personal journey, Jon introduces a transformative but straightforward weekly practice: asking four core questions that drive clarity, growth, and consistency.

Whether you're a security leader, operator, athlete, or high achiever in any field, this episode is your mid-year wake-up call. If you’re ahead of your goals, double down. If you’ve fallen behind, it’s not too late. Q2 is your opportunity to correct the course and build unstoppable momentum.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The importance of Q2 — and why it's often overlooked
2. Four weekly reflection questions to keep you on track
3. The Power–Purpose–Passion–Production Framework
4. Real-life examples from coaching athletes and executives
5. How Jon applies these strategies in his own life
6. A challenge to take one action per week through June

Reflection Questions - Use Each Week:

1. What am I doing well?

2. What am I not doing well?

3. What am I not doing that, if I started, would it help me improve?

4. What did I learn this week?

🎯 Challenge for Listeners:

For the next 10 weeks, set aside 15 minutes every week to reflect. Choose one action. Apply it. Small wins build big momentum.

In this episode, I sit down with Don Morron, a longtime security industry leader turned entrepreneur, to talk about the game-changing impact of AI agents on the security industry. We break down the massive value AI can bring—especially for SMBs—and how it’s reshaping security operations.

🔹 What we cover:
✅ How AI agents are transforming security operations 🔄
✅ The biggest opportunities for SMBs adopting AI solutions 💡
✅ Challenges in the market & how AI addresses them 🛠️
✅ Highland Tech’s launch and its vision for the future 🌎

💡 Don shares exciting news about the launch of Highland Tech and how his company is tackling security challenges with AI-driven automation.

Let's Go Do Great Things!

Join the NEXT LEVEL COMMUNITY⁠

My name is Jon. I am a Leadership and Performance Development Coach. My mission is to help 10,000 security professionals take their skills to the next level. 

I am a husband, a father, a coach, and a life-long learner.

Do you want to reach your NEXT LEVEL? I want to work with YOU!

• 1:1 Coaching. 

• Team coaching. 

• Training workshops. (Virtual or in-person)

• Speaking. 

🎙️ Next Level Podcast w/ Jenna Hardie

In this episode, Jon interviews Jenna Hardie to discuss how innovative marketing and communication strategies can help security companies stand out in a crowded industry.

🔹The Power of Storytelling in Security 📝 – Jenna shares how her background in journalism and reporting shaped her marketing approach.
🔹Innovative Marketing Strategies 🚀 – Why security companies must embrace new tools, platforms, and messaging techniques to differentiate themselves.
🔹Effective Communication for Industry Growth 📢 – The role of clear, compelling messaging in building trust and brand awareness.
🔹Jenna’s Unique Career Path 🔄 – From newsrooms to GSOCs, her journey offers valuable lessons for professionals looking to pivot and grow.

Jenna’s insights provide a fresh perspective on how marketing can elevate brands in the security space.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to sharpen your communication strategy and take your brand to the next level!

#TheNextLevelPodcast #Marketing #SecurityIndustry #BrandStrategy #Storytelling

🚀 Next Level Podcast w/ Judy Selby

In this episode, Jon sits down with Judy Selby, a legal cybersecurity expert, to break down the complexities of cyber risk management, cyber insurance, and the evolving threat landscape.

🔹 The Complexity of Cyber Insurance 🛡️ – Judy explains why cyber policies are among the most intricate and how businesses can navigate them effectively.

Judy’s insights provide actionable strategies for professionals navigating cybersecurity, legal risks, and insurance complexities.

🎧 Tune in to level up your understanding of cyber risk and stay ahead in an ever-changing industry!

#TheNextLevelPodcast #Cybersecurity #RiskManagement #CyberInsurance #Leadership

Follow Judy on Instagram

More info and resources - Judy Selby

The Next Level Podcast is POWERED by 1st Phorm

Do you want to reach your NEXT LEVEL? I want to work with YOU!

1:1 Coaching. 

Team coaching. 

Training workshops. (Virtual or in-person)

Speaking. 

Join the NEXT LEVEL COMMUNITY

My name is Jon. I am a Leadership and Performance Development Coach. My mission is to help 10,000 security professionals take their skills to the next level. 

I am a husband, a father, a coach, and a life-long learner.