[S2E1] The Structural Cyber Talent Shift: Deconstructing the 2026 SANS Cyber Workforce Report

[S2E3] “Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum” (Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down)

EPISODE SUMMARY What happens when you refuse to let the traditional mold define your path in cybersecurity? In this episode of The Cyber Talent Matrix, hosts Jeff Welgan, Dr. Sasha Vanterpool, and Will Denman dive into a bold, unfiltered conversation with Caitlin Sarian, the force behind Cybersecurity Girl. Moving past the standard "how-to" career checklist, this episode lifts the hood on the internal resilience, self-belief, and persistence required to navigate a gatekept industry. Caitlin shares the reality of facing critics, overcoming imposter syndrome, and deciding which voices actually matter when building credibility on your own terms. Whether you are an aspiring professional feeling underestimated or a leader trying to understand how to leverage nontraditional talent, this episode is a blueprint for breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a modern cyber expert. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Navigating the Gatekeepers: How to handle criticism and push forward when the established structure doesn't recognize your background. * Resilience as a Daily Practice: Moving past resilience as a buzzword and embracing it as the quiet, consistent choice to keep building. * Redefining Credibility: Why legitimacy in cybersecurity is shifting away from traditional corporate ladders and toward authentic public advocacy. * The Permission vs. Persistence Paradox: Why staying consistent matters far more than waiting for someone to hand you a seat at the table. * The Impact of Representation: Why visible, nontraditional role models are a functional business necessity for building the future cyber workforce. ABOUT THE GUEST Caitlin Sarian is a globally recognized cybersecurity expert, advocate, speaker, and content creator known online as Cybersecurity Girl. By breaking down complex technical concepts into accessible education, she has built an influential platform dedicated to diversifying the tech pipeline, empowering underrepresented communities, and advising organizations on modern talent engagement. ---------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES * Learn more about Caitlin's work: Cybersecurity Girl Official Website [https://www.cybersecuritygirl.com] * Follow Caitlin Sarian on LinkedIn: Caitlin Sarian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-sarian/] * Follow Cybersecurity Girl on Instagram: @cybersecuritygirl [https://www.instagram.com/cybersecuritygirl/] CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS & SKILLREX * Jeff Welgan: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-welgan/] * Dr. Sasha Vanterpool: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashavanterpool/] * Will Denman: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-denman/] * Follow skillrex: skillrex Company Page [https://www.linkedin.com/company/104171469] ---------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Cyber Talent Matrix on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts so you never miss a play. If you enjoyed this conversation, leave us a review and share it with a colleague!

[S2E2] Beyond the Prompt: Measuring Original Intelligence in an AI World

EPISODE SUMMARY As organizations rush to integrate Artificial Intelligence, many are finding that AI has become "The Great Equalizer." When every knowledge worker has access to the same models and speed, where does competitive advantage come from? In this episode, hosts Jeff Welgan, Dr. Sasha Vanterpool, and Will Denman are joined by Jonathan Aberman, CEO of Hupside, to explore the concept of Original Intelligence (OI). They dive into why most AI deployments fail to generate ROI and how leaders can objectively identify "AI-Ready" talent using the Hupchecker. From identifying creative archetypes—Focals, Augmenters, Connecters, and Expanders—to building a workforce that creates value beyond the prompt, this conversation redefines the human layer of cybersecurity. ABOUT THE GUEST Jonathan Aberman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hupside. He is a veteran investor, academic leader, and professional services expert who has raised over $2B in funds and generated more than $1B in new revenue throughout his career. At Hupside, he leads the mission to identify, measure, and promote the human upside in an AI-driven world. ---------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES * Hupside Official Website: https://www.hupside.com/ [https://www.hupside.com/] * Follow Jonathan Aberman on LinkedIn: Jonathan Aberman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanaberman/] * Learn more about the Hupchecker: Hupchecker Product Page [https://www.hupside.com/] * Skillrex + Hupside Partnership: Affiliate Program Announcement [https://www.prweb.com/releases/hupside-announces-launch-of-affiliate-partner-program-welcomes-skillrex-as-first-partner-302692461.html] CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS * Jeff Welgan: LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwelgan/] * Dr. Sasha Vanterpool: LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashavanterpool/] * Will Denman: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/willdenman/] * Follow skillrex: skillrex Company Page [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillrex/] Subscribe to The Cyber Talent Matrix Live on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode!

[S2E1] The Structural Cyber Talent Shift: Deconstructing the 2026 SANS Cyber Workforce Report

In this Season 2 premiere of The Cyber Talent Matrix, Jeff Welgan dives into the "Perfect Storm" currently reshaping the global cyber workforce. Joined by special guest Brian Correia, Director of Business Development at SANS | GIAC, we deconstruct the findings of the newly released 2026 Cybersecurity Workforce Research Report. The data reveals a fundamental transformation: for the first time, the Skills Gap (60%) has officially pulled away from the Headcount Gap (40%) as the industry's primary challenge. We are no longer just missing "bodies"—we are missing validated, specialized capabilities. In this episode, we explore: * The Regulatory Accelerator: Why 95% of organizations now report that regulations like NIS2, DORA, and CMMC are directly dictating their hiring and specialist needs. * The AI Paradox: How AI is automating the traditional "apprenticeship" tasks of SOC and security analysts, threatening the junior talent pipeline. * Top-Down Rebuilding: Why 53% of hiring authority has migrated to senior leadership as organizations prioritize expert hires over long-term internal development. * Precision Validation: The rise of frameworks like NICE and ECSF and why 64% of organizations now rely on certifications as the primary sensor for skill validation. Whether you are a CISO navigating budget constraints or an HR leader trying to define what "qualified" looks like in an AI-driven world, this episode provides the "Moneyball" scouting report you need to build a sustainable, resilient defense. The play of the day: Stop hiring for tenure—start validating for capability.

[S1E7] Finding Comfort in the Chaos: Navigating an Uncertain Cyber Job Market with Authenticity

In this episode of the Cyber Talent Matrix, host Jeff Welgan is joined by experts Dr. Sasha Vanterpool and Will Denman, along with special guest Dawn Butler, a former senior leader at Citi and host of "Bytes Bits and Brilliance." Together, they delve into the challenges of navigating an uncertain job market in cybersecurity, focusing on career disruption, identity, and resilience. Dawn shares her personal journey from senior leadership to job seeker, offering insights on maintaining authenticity and finding comfort amidst chaos. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about embracing change and redefining success in the face of adversity.

[S1E6] Cyber Workforce in 2025: Humanity, Honesty, and Gratitude

In this special Thanksgiving edition of The Cyber Talent Matrix, we step away from dashboards and datasets to focus on what really drives cybersecurity: people. CEO Jeff Welgan, alongside co-hosts Sasha Vanterpool and Will Denman, takes a candid look at the cyber workforce narrative — and Jeff doesn’t hold back. In this episode, he calls “bullsh*t” on the long-standing myth of a cyber talent shortage, arguing that what we truly face is a strategy problem, not a supply problem. Together, the hosts explore: * Why the “cyber workforce shortage” narrative is misleading * The real reasons organizations struggle to hire and retain cyber talent * How early-career professionals are being overlooked despite high interest and capability * Why senior talent demands are misaligned with reality * How workforce intelligence and data-driven planning can reshape the future of cyber talent * And, in the spirit of the season, what each host is grateful for this year — across the cyber community, their work, and the people behind every success Whether you’re a security leader, HR/L&D professional, cyber practitioner, or simply need a thoughtful break from turkey, family, or football — this episode offers honesty, insight, and a moment of gratitude for the people who keep cybersecurity moving forward.