Tech Me Seriously!

In this episode of Tech Me Seriously, Sarah Tenisi, CEO of TenisiTech [https://tenisitech.com/] and host of the show, interviews Devin C. Hughes, speaker, author, and culture strategist, who’s worked with clients ranging from Disney to the Department of Defense. Known for his TED-worthy humor and no-fluff delivery, Devin helps leaders build thriving, people-first cultures where trust, retention, and performance go hand in hand. Together, Sarah and Devin explore how gratitude, emotional intelligence, and mindset shifts can transform workplace dynamics. They dig into the practical ways leaders can promote well-being, normalize taking time off, and create meaningful connections on their teams. Drawing from positive psychology and organizational research, Devin shares tools and real-life stories that show how kindness and clarity can drive serious business outcomes. 🎧 Listen for actionable strategies on building a culture of gratitude, boosting engagement, and creating workplaces where people—and profits—grow together. 👉 Connect with Devin: Website: www.devinchughes.com [https://www.devinchughes.com/] LinkedIn: Devin C. Hughes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinchughes/] Company: Devin C. Hughes Enterprises, LLC [https://www.linkedin.com/company/devin-c-hughes-enterprises-llc] Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Tech Me Seriously 00:29 Meet Devin C. Hughes: Speaker, Author, and Workplace Culture Expert 01:31 The Importance of Gratitude at Work 03:06 Changing Workplace Norms and Culture 04:28 The Role of Leadership in Promoting Work-Life Balance 07:40 Devin's Journey and Passion for Workplace Culture 17:03 Embedding Wellness into Work Routines 25:31 The Importance of Celebrating Small Wins 27:38 The Power of Positive Affirmations 29:23 Assuming Positive Intent in Relationships 31:40 Creating a Culture of Connection 33:58 Addressing Workforce Engagement Challenges 36:42 The Role of Leaders in Fostering Engagement 46:21 Implementing a Gratitude Challenge 48:18 Personal Practices for Positivity

In this episode of Tech Me Seriously, Sarah Tenisi, CEO of TenisiTech [https://tenisitech.com/] and host of the show, interviews Taylor Setar, a certified personal trainer and founder of Fit Firm Coaching [https://www.fitfirmcoaching.com/]. Taylor has worked with hundreds of clients over the past six years, helping women embrace strength and functional training as a foundation for long-term health. Since opening her own fitness center in 2018, she has led countless group fitness classes and personal training sessions, empowering women to build both physical strength and mental toughness. Together, Sarah and Taylor discuss the unique challenges women in tech face like irregular hours, demanding schedules, and inconsistent routines, and how these can impact health, fitness, and overall well-being. Taylor offers actionable strategies for maintaining a workout routine, improving nutrition, prioritizing sleep, and integrating fitness into a busy tech career. She also shares success stories and busts common fitness myths, all while highlighting the power of working with a coach to build sustainable, healthy habits. 🎧 Listen for tips on overcoming gym anxiety, building consistent routines, and giving yourself permission to do what you can—especially on tough days. 👉 Connect with Taylor: * Instagram: @fitfirmcoaching [https://www.instagram.com/fitfirmcoaching] * Free Masterclass: fitfirm-coaching.kit.com/free-masterclass [https://fitfirm-coaching.kit.com/free-masterclass] * Book a Free Call: tidycal.com/fitfirmcoaching/free-health-consultation-call [https://tidycal.com/fitfirmcoaching/free-health-consultation-call]   00:00 Introduction to Tech Me Seriously 00:29 Meet Taylor Setar: Fitness Expert for Women in Tech 01:25 Challenges Women in Tech Face 07:17 Success Stories and Fitness Tips 20:33 Taylor's Personal Fitness Journey 24:38 Prioritizing Health and Fitness 24:53 Balancing Work, Family, and Fitness 25:53 Building a Sustainable Workout Routine 26:54 Overcoming Gym Anxiety 28:18 The Importance of Strength Training for Women 34:43 Nutrition and Logging for Success 41:50 Tips and Tricks for Habit Building 45:34 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of Tech Me Seriously, host Sarah Tenisi, CEO of TenisiTech [https://tenisitech.com/], converses with Nichole Robertson, the newly appointed CEO of Teladata. Nichole shares her journey from joining Teladata in 2005 and rising to CEO in 2025, emphasizing the importance of gaining technical aptitude through experience rather than just education. They discuss various non-linear paths into IT, the essential role of culture fit in hiring, and the significance of mentorship and willingness to learn. The conversation also delves into strategies for employers to attract diverse talent and the balance between technical skills and personal attributes in achieving long-term industry success.   00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:00 Building Technical Aptitude Through Experience 01:29 The Evolution of IT Departments 05:46 Nichole's Journey to CEO 06:05 Understanding Teladata's Role 12:20 The Importance of Culture Fit in Tech 13:16 Nichole's Career Path and Roles 23:23 Journey to Leadership 23:43 Succession Planning and Selection 24:06 Supportive Team Dynamics 25:44 Learning and Mentorship 27:48 Safe Learning Environment 29:18 Starting an IT Career 37:07 Hiring for Potential 39:37 Building a Positive Work Culture 48:58 Career Pathing and Flexibility 50:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of Tech Me Seriously, Sarah Tenisi, CEO of Tenisi Tech, engages in an insightful conversation with Nicholas Muy, the current CISO at Scrut Automation. The discussion dives into the fundamentals of compliance programs, their importance in cybersecurity, and how businesses can simplify their compliance strategy to fit their unique needs. They also touch upon the misconceptions of compliance and security, the differences between adhering to and being certified in compliance standards, and the role of technology in streamlining compliance processes. Additionally, Nick shares his extensive background in security, including his work at the Department of Homeland Security and Expedia, and provides practical advice for companies looking to implement or improve their compliance programs. 00:00 Introduction to Tech Me Seriously 00:29 Meet Nicholas: Cybersecurity Expert 01:17 The Basics of Compliance 01:51 Why Compliance Matters 02:16 Understanding Security and Compliance 07:14 Nick's Professional Journey 13:44 Determining Your Compliance Needs 19:40 Security vs. Compliance 25:52 Collaboration Between Security and Compliance Teams 26:51 The Role of GRC and Security Teams 27:42 Who Should Handle Compliance in Small Companies? 28:23 Building a Compliance Team 31:46 The Importance of Internal Audits 32:50 Leveraging Technology for Compliance 44:49 Adhering to Standards vs. Certification 48:33 Navigating Regulatory Changes 52:05 Conclusion and Upcoming Webinar

In this episode of 'Tech Me Seriously,' Sarah Tenisi, CEO of Tenisi Tech, has a candid conversation with Den Jones, the Chief Security Officer at Banyan Security. The episode dives deep into common cybersecurity myths, discussing real-world examples and practical advice for how to better secure organizations. Den shares his extensive experience from working at major Silicon Valley enterprises like Cisco and Adobe, providing insights on the most effective security measures, the pitfalls of outdated strategies, and the importance of simplifying and automating security processes. 00:00 Introduction to Tech Me Seriously 00:32 Meet Den Jones: Chief Security Officer at Banyan Security 01:42 Cybersecurity Myths: Let's Bust Some Shit 02:25 The Reality of Cyber Breaches 05:21 Common Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities 14:54 The Importance of Patching and Configuration 26:31 Governance vs. Security: The Real Deal 29:05 HR Training and Governance 29:38 Phishing Simulations and Tools 31:23 Vendor Risk and Email Security 32:34 Governance and Compliance Challenges 33:50 Least Privilege and Access Management 38:25 Career Journey and IT Evolution 49:40 Security Myths and Best Practices 53:13 Conclusion and Future Topics The 3 Main Takeaways: (1) Breaches often occur due to simple lapses like weak passwords and poor configuration, not highly sophisticated hacks, with phishing attacks being a common vector.  (2) Tools like vulnerability management systems and risk registries are often outdated and less effective compared to consistent patching and robust configuration management.  (3) Governance and compliance do not necessarily equate to adequate security; organizations need to implement practical and automated solutions like MFA, regular patching, and identity management to truly safeguard their assets.