Podcasts about CCNA

Jason Gooley is a longtime member of the Cisco community and author of the latest edition of the CCNA book. Jason joins the show to share his unconventional path from a challenging childhood to technical evangelist and author at Cisco. Together they discuss the importance of community, mental health, and resilience in navigating technical career... Read more »

Jason Gooley is a longtime member of the Cisco community and author of the latest edition of the CCNA book. Jason joins the show to share his unconventional path from a challenging childhood to technical evangelist and author at Cisco. Together they discuss the importance of community, mental health, and resilience in navigating technical career... Read more »

Since it became a state 150 years ago, Colorado's political identity has always been hard to pin down. It's been a lot of things at once, a place of contradictions that, at times, puts the state at the forefront of change including women's suffrage and civil rights. At other times, political power rested with those interested in turning back the clock. As the state marks its 150th statehood anniversary, CPR's Bente Birkeland and Arlo Pérez Esquivel examine two significant chapters in Colorado's political history that exemplify this push and pull, while also asking what those periods tell us about the present political moment. Live Event:Do you want to watch an episode of Purplish get made? Join us for a live event, “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama.” Get answers to your burning questions about the proposals and issues you'll see on your ballot this fall from reporters from across the CCNA network, who will sit down in our hot seat, with CPR's Bente Birkeland and Jesse Paul from The Colorado Sun hosting. Look for tickets here.Purplish is produced by CPR News and the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish's producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Additional reporting from Colorado Matters' Hayley Sanchez and CPR's Stephanie Wolf. Megan Verlee is CPR News' executive producer of podcasts.

Two Cisco training veterans break down how to know you are ready for the CCNA exam, what changes in CCNA 2.0, and whether the CCNA is still worth it in 2026. Brian Bays has been teaching official Cisco classes since 2000. Michael Aldridge has been writing practice exam content since 2001. In this interview they answer the questions I get asked constantly: how long should I study, do I need physical equipment, should I do Network Plus first, and is AI going to take these jobs away? Short answer on that last one: they have heard this before. Automation was going to end tech jobs. Then virtualization. Then cloud. Every time, it just made good engineers more productive. Junior engineers become senior engineers, and we cannot function without senior engineers. We also cover what is coming in CCNA 2.0, including more troubleshooting woven through every section, a dark mode option, a full screen CLI, and the ability to send a command to every device in a lab at once. This video is not sponsored. I have known Brian and Michael for years and I recommend them because I rate them, not because anyone paid for this. Get CCNA Certified with Boson's comprehensive training solutions: https://boson.com/certifications/ccna/ // Bryan Baize SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / bbaize // Michael Aldridge SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / michael-aldridge-48125338a Reddit: / bosonmichael // Boson LinkedIn // LinkedIn: / boson // David's SOCIAL // Discord: discord.com/invite/usKSyzb Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbombal Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbombal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidbombal Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidbombal.co TikTok: tiktok.com/@davidbombal YouTube: / @davidbombal Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3f6k6gE... SoundCloud: / davidbombal Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... // MY STUFF // https://www.amazon.com/shop/davidbombal // SPONSORS // Interested in sponsoring my videos? Reach out to my team here: sponsors@davidbombal.com // MENU // 0:00 - Coming up 01:01 - Introductions 03:55 - When will you be ready for the CCNA exam? 08:34 - Overwhelming exam resources 11:14 - Do you need physical equipment for the CCNA exam? 13:52 - Mistakes preparing for the exam 16:56 - The learning never stops 17:57 - CCNA vs Network+ 19:52 - What is Boson NetSim? 20:53 - What is Boson ExSim? 21:37 - NetSim vs Packet Tracer 22:37 - Why trust Boson? 24:46 - Tips for passing the CCNA exam 25:37 - How long should you study for the CCNA exam? 27:34 - New CCNA exam expectations 29:27 - Mistakes when taking the exam 31:52 - Topics students struggle with 33:26 - Important resources 35:23 - Conclusion Please note that links listed may be affiliate links and provide me with a small percentage/kickback should you use them to purchase any of the items listed or recommended. Thank you for supporting me and this channel! Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. #boson #ccna #networkengineer

Alexis and Kevin talk about their experiences attending Cisco Live alongside return guest Melina Bertholf. They offer different perspectives about the event while highlighting the importance of building professional relationships and community through in-person gatherings. They also share personal anecdotes and advice for those looking to maximize their social and professional networking efforts at tech... Read more »

Alexis and Kevin talk about their experiences attending Cisco Live alongside return guest Melina Bertholf. They offer different perspectives about the event while highlighting the importance of building professional relationships and community through in-person gatherings. They also share personal anecdotes and advice for those looking to maximize their social and professional networking efforts at tech... Read more »

Unlock your dream job in IT with our proven community: https://itcareerjob.com/Cisco just dropped the brand new CCNA v2.0 blueprint, bringing the most disruptive change to the certification track in six years. In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Ryan Rose, Cisco's Director of Product Management for Skills and Certifications, to pull back the curtain on why the exam is changing on February 3, 2027, and what it means for your IT career.We break down the massive shift from basic terminology memorization to deep, scenario-based network troubleshooting. Ryan explains the return of performance-based exam labs, the structural elimination of the standalone automation domain, and how Cisco plans to test your ability to audit AI hallucinations in production environments. If you are currently studying for CCNA v1.1 or trying to break into the networking industry, this conversation will completely redefine your study roadmap and home lab strategy.

Big thanks to Cisco for sponsoring this video and sponsoring my trip to Cisco Live Vegas. Cisco has officially announced a major update to the CCNA, moving from version 1.1 to the new CCNA 2.0 blueprint. Recorded live at Cisco Live, David Bombal sits down with Cisco certification insiders Hank and Quinn to dissect exactly what these changes mean for your career, what entry-level networking topics have been completely removed, and how the test is shifting heavily toward hands-on performance-based testing lablets. Learn why traditional, shallow network automation topics were pulled to make room for 2026 enterprise priorities like Agentic AI, digital network assistants, and secure device management (including mandatory AAA, secure copy protocols, and client-side security). The team breaks down the structural consolidation from six domains down to five, including the revamped 25% weight on Switching and Network Access and the newly introduced AI Network Operations and Management domain. Whether you are currently studying for your exam or just beginning your networking journey, this comprehensive breakdown explains how to align your lab practice using free tools like Cisco Packet Tracer and Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) to become truly job-ready. // Hank Preston SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / hpreston // Quinn Snyder SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / qsnyder // Website REFERENCE // https://u.cisco.com/tutorials https://www.netacad.com/ // David's SOCIAL // Discord: discord.com/invite/usKSyzb Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbombal Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbombal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidbombal Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidbombal.co TikTok: tiktok.com/@davidbombal YouTube: / @davidbombal Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3f6k6gE... SoundCloud: / davidbombal Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... // MY STUFF // https://www.amazon.com/shop/davidbombal // SPONSORS // Interested in sponsoring my videos? Reach out to my team here: sponsors@davidbombal.com // MENU // 0:00 - Coming Up 0:58 - Intro 03:51 - What Are 'Verbs'? 05:08 - New Blueprint Tasks 09:03 - Is Automation Important? 12:46 - AI in the CCNA Blueprint 15:15 - New Blueprint Additions and Changes 18:49 - Old and New Domains 25:21 - Hands-On Practice 29:18 - What is the 'Diagnose' verb? 30:50 - What is the 'Validate' verb? 32:11 - What is the 'Interoperate' verb? 33:13 - When Should You Take The CCNA? 35:42 - Do You Need Hardware to Study? 36:40 - Available Study Materials 40:03 - How To Cope with Studying for CCNA 42:22 - Conclusion Please note that links listed may be affiliate links and provide me with a small percentage/kickback should you use them to purchase any of the items listed or recommended. Thank you for supporting me and this channel! Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. #ccna #cisco #cml

In this episode, David Bombal sits down with Joe and Dalton from Cisco to break down the biggest Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) 2.10 release yet. Joe demos the new open source MCP server (model context protocol) that lets an AI model like Claude build a full CML lab from plain English. Just by asking for three IOL routers with a simple BGP config, the AI looks up the node definitions, invents the IP addresses, builds the topology, chooses eBGP on its own, and even starts the lab and waits for convergence. From there you will see the MCP server spin up a CCNA troubleshooting scenario from the official blueprint, quiz you, review your console history and final config, and hand back an honest evaluation with coaching tips. It can even turn a BGP packet capture into a ladder diagram to explain how the protocol works. Dalton then shows off CML 2.10's new wireless fabric, which runs end to end WiFi simulations with no real radios or physical access points. Watch signal strength change as you drag a client across the canvas, simulate roaming between two APs, add link conditioning to mimic a concrete wall, and run wireless packet capture on the .11 frames. Finally, Joe walks through the upgraded breakout tool that streams live packet captures straight into Wireshark so you can troubleshoot BGP and other protocols in real time. Everything shown works in the free version of CML, making this a must watch for anyone studying for the CCNA or leveling up as a network engineer. Big thanks to Cisco for sponsoring my trip to Cisco Live Vegas. // Joe Clarke SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / joeclarke2 // Dalton Ortega SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / dalton-ortega // Website REFERENCE // https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/lear... // David's SOCIAL // Discord: discord.com/invite/usKSyzb Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbombal Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbombal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidbombal Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidbombal.co TikTok: tiktok.com/@davidbombal YouTube: / @davidbombal Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3f6k6gE... SoundCloud: / davidbombal Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... // MY STUFF // https://www.amazon.com/shop/davidbombal // SPONSORS // Interested in sponsoring my videos? Reach out to my team here: sponsors@davidbombal.com // MENU // 0:00 - Coming Up 01:00 - Intro 02:08 - CML 2.X Updates 02:48 - AI and CML 03:40 - Using AI to Create Practice Labs 06:20 - Starting the Lab, Showing a Console 07:58 - AI Evaluation and Tips for Troubleshooting 11:06 - BGP Ladder Diagram 12:08 - Wireless Fabric in CML 15:20 - Wireless Support Demo 17:45 - Packet Capture 19:21 - Outro Please note that links listed may be affiliate links and provide me with a small percentage/kickback should you use them to purchase any of the items listed or recommended. Thank you for supporting me and this channel! Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. #cml #cisco #ai

Chris Lapp is an Emmy award-winning network engineer, focused on AI, media, and entertainment. Chris is also known as “The Guy”, the one you call when the problem is sitting between broadcast networking and media and the stakes are high. Join us as Kevin and Alexis sit down with Chris to find out how he... Read more »

Chris Lapp is an Emmy award-winning network engineer, focused on AI, media, and entertainment. Chris is also known as “The Guy”, the one you call when the problem is sitting between broadcast networking and media and the stakes are high. Join us as Kevin and Alexis sit down with Chris to find out how he... Read more »

Today, let's talk about how to counter the rapidly evolving cyber threats facing the transportation industry in this episode with Jaime Lightfoot of Lightfoot Labs and Joe Ohr of the NMFTA! They share the new realities of logistical vulnerabilities, moving beyond abstract ransomware fears to reveal how everyday tools like legacy maintenance software and Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are being weaponized as backdoors into critical transport infrastructure. They also breaks down why fleets cannot afford to play catch-up with sophisticated, state-sponsored cybercriminals who exploit software white-labeling and GPS spoofing to manipulate logbooks or orchestrate strategic cargo theft. From simple wired connections during routine garage service to complex wireless interventions while trucks are actively moving on the highway, this conversation serves as a wakeup call emphasizing that asset protection requires continuous, proactive defensive remediation and a rigorous evaluation of every digital touchpoint in your supply chain!   About Jamie Lightfoot Jaime Lightfoot is an independent security researcher, electrical engineer, and full-stack developer with over 12 years of industry experience. She specializes in embedded systems security within heavy trucking, automotive, and other critical infrastructure, helping companies assess vulnerabilities and working with their engineers to fix the gaps.    About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.  

Big thank you to Cisco for sponsoring my trip to Cisco Live Vegas // Ryan Rose's SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / ryanrose3 Cisco Blogs: https://blogs.cisco.com/author/ryanrose X: https://x.com/RyanRose // Cisco Blogs // Cisco Announcement: https://blogs.cisco.com/learning/ai-u... CCNA 2.0 Blueprint: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/c... // Websites and YouTube Channel links // Cisco U: https://u.cisco.com/ Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ Netacad: https://www.netacad.com // David's SOCIAL // Discord: discord.com/invite/usKSyzb Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbombal Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbombal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidbombal Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidbombal.co TikTok: tiktok.com/@davidbombal YouTube: / @davidbombal Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3f6k6gE... SoundCloud: / davidbombal Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... // MY STUFF // https://www.amazon.com/shop/davidbombal // SPONSORS // Interested in sponsoring my videos? Reach out to my team here: sponsors@davidbombal.com // MENU // 0:00 - Coming Up 0:18 - Intro 0:25 - CCNA Update Announcement 03:03 - Practical Skills/Troubleshooting as the Focus 08:23 - Simlets/Lablets in the CCNA 11:40 - AI in the CCNA 15:24 - Biggest Changes in the New CCNA 18:35 - Goals of the New CCNA 20:58 - Transitioning to the New CCNA 24:37 - CML, Packet Tracer and Other Free Tools 26:25 - CCIE Update Announcement 32:57 - Communication and Critical Thinking Tutorials 35:29 - Free and Paid Training Resources 38:24 - Final Thoughts Please note that links listed may be affiliate links and provide me with a small percentage/kickback should you use them to purchase any of the items listed or recommended. Thank you for supporting me and this channel! #ccna #cisco #ai

Today’s guest takes us behind the scenes of modern concert venues, which rely on wired and wireless IP networking. Michael Keith Lewis is a front-of-house engineer, tour manager, audio creator, and co-founder of Truck Packer. Michael shares his career path from starting in a church, quitting a salaried job to tour with his favorite band,... Read more »

Today’s guest takes us behind the scenes of modern concert venues, which rely on wired and wireless IP networking. Michael Keith Lewis is a front-of-house engineer, tour manager, audio creator, and co-founder of Truck Packer. Michael shares his career path from starting in a church, quitting a salaried job to tour with his favorite band,... Read more »

Ryan Rose of Learn with Cisco outlines refreshed CCNA, CCIE and Cisco U. programs designed to prepare networking professionals for AI-driven infrastructure “I get to help people grow their careers,” says Ryan Rose of Learn with Cisco. “I get to help people learn new things.” In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green speaks with Ryan Rose of Learn with Cisco about Cisco's latest updates to its certification and training portfolio, including refreshed CCNA and CCIE programs, expanded Cisco U. learning resources, and new AI-focused training designed to help networking professionals stay current as infrastructure evolves. Rose describes his role at Cisco as one of stewardship. Cisco's certification program has been a fixture in the networking industry for roughly 30 years, and Rose says the goal is to make sure the program continues to reflect the skills people actually need in the field. “What we've done and what we announced is really our intention of how we evolve both CCNA and CCIE,” says Rose. A central theme of the conversation is that AI is changing the skills map for networking professionals, but it is not replacing the need for core networking expertise. Instead, Rose explains that professionals will need to understand how to use AI tools effectively, evaluate AI-generated recommendations, and combine automation with sound technical judgment. The updates include a refreshed CCNA blueprint, new AI-related training in Cisco U., and changes to the CCIE Practical exam that reflect how AI tools are beginning to show up in real-world network operations. For partners, MSPs, resellers and enterprise IT teams, the message is clear: AI fluency is becoming part of the networking skill set. Rose also points to Cisco U. as a practical learning platform for professionals who need to build new skills while continuing to work in the industry. Rather than treating certification as a one-time milestone, Cisco is emphasizing continuous learning, hands-on training and career development. For the channel community, the certification updates arrive at a moment when customers are asking more from their technology partners. AI-ready infrastructure, secure operations, automation and resilient networks all require people who understand both the fundamentals and the new tools entering the market. In this podcast, Rose outlines how Cisco is refreshing its learning and certification programs to help professionals prepare for that future. Learn more at Cisco U. and Learn with Cisco.

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demoWhat does it actually take to become a network engineer today? In this episode, 15-year veteran infrastructure engineer Kevin Nanns (@adjacentnode) strips away the corporate fluff to give you the honest roadmap for building a successful tech career.If you're feeling completely stuck grinding away at a tier-1 help desk resetting passwords, or you're exhausted from collecting IT certifications like trading cards hoping for a breakthrough, this conversation is the reality check you've been waiting for. Kevin shares his own journey from a school district help desk to engineering massive enterprise networks, breaking down the exact tactical shifts you need to make to bypass the entry-level bottleneck and unlock six-figure infrastructure roles.We also dive deep into his most contrarian views, including why traditional physical home labs are a massive waste of money, what nobody tells you about the real value of a CCNA, the toxic "LinkedIn cringe" ruining mainstream career advice, and where artificial intelligence is genuinely shifting the workload versus where it's just overhyped vendor marketing garbage.

Today's guest is Eyvonne Sharp, a Google Cloud technical leader, Network Collective co-founder, co-host of The Cloud Gambit podcast, and former network architect at a Fortune 100. Eyvonne shares stories from her impressive career, offers advice to her younger self, and how to appreciate those “magic” moments in your career when a project fires on... Read more »

Today's guest is Eyvonne Sharp, a Google Cloud technical leader, Network Collective co-founder, co-host of The Cloud Gambit podcast, and former network architect at a Fortune 100. Eyvonne shares stories from her impressive career, offers advice to her younger self, and how to appreciate those “magic” moments in your career when a project fires on... Read more »

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Linda Haviv, an AI/ML Engineer and founder of Coding Crystals. Linda is known for making AI infrastructure accessible, and for a career path that went from philosophy student to professional singer to self-taught developer to AI engineer. Together they discuss the difference between AI infrastructure and AI engineering, the... Read more »

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Linda Haviv, an AI/ML Engineer and founder of Coding Crystals. Linda is known for making AI infrastructure accessible, and for a career path that went from philosophy student to professional singer to self-taught developer to AI engineer. Together they discuss the difference between AI infrastructure and AI engineering, the... Read more »

If you are still relying on a "Clean MC" and a static insurance certificate to vet your carriers, you are leaving your business wide open to organized crime. Today, I'm joined by Joe Ohr of the NMFTA to perform a forensic audit on the "DNA" of modern freight fraud. Joe pulls back the curtain on the NMFTA's Freight Fraud Prevention Hub and their advanced Threat Detection Portal. We move past the surface-level checks to examine the behavioral patterns, digital footprints, and social engineering tactics that today's criminal syndicates use to "wear the skin" of legitimate carriers. This is a masterclass in shifting from a "Checklist Mindset" to an "Intelligence Mindset." If you want to protect your margins and your reputation in 2026, you need to understand the science of the scam.   Inside this Defensive Briefing: The NMFTA Standard: How the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub is unifying the industry's defense. The Threat Detection Portal: Using cross-network intelligence to spot "Bad Actors" in real-time. Identifying the DNA: The 5 behavioral red flags that an MC number will never show you. Organized Syndicate Tactics: How scammers use AI and identity theft to bypass traditional vetting. The Zero-Trust Model: Why the NMFTA is pushing for a complete reset of the "Digital Handshake" in logistics.   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.  

Ray Cline has been in the tech trenches since he was twelve years old, helping his Dad run a bulletin board service. Today he runs an MSP called Libertas Consulting and leads a nonprofit called TEKnowledge Worldwide (TKW) that has donated over a million dollars in network infrastructure to communities in need. Join us for... Read more »

Ray Cline has been in the tech trenches since he was twelve years old, helping his Dad run a bulletin board service. Today he runs an MSP called Libertas Consulting and leads a nonprofit called TEKnowledge Worldwide (TKW) that has donated over a million dollars in network infrastructure to communities in need. Join us for... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis are back with a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast with guest Melina Bertholf, who joined the team a while back to help manage content. (And yes, sharp-eyed readers will notice a family name shared by Alexis and Melina). After interviewing many guests about their tech journeys, our hosts share their own personal... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis are back with a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast with guest Melina Bertholf, who joined the team a while back to help manage content. (And yes, sharp-eyed readers will notice a family name shared by Alexis and Melina). After interviewing many guests about their tech journeys, our hosts share their own personal... Read more »

Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns sit down for a conversation with Andrei Istrate, Senior Mobile Developer at Toptal. Andrei has taken the “mobile” part of his job literally: he’s built a life around travel and experiences rather than settling in one location. Andrei talks about the travel opportunities that remote work has presented, how he... Read more »

Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns sit down for a conversation with Andrei Istrate, Senior Mobile Developer at Toptal. Andrei has taken the “mobile” part of his job literally: he’s built a life around travel and experiences rather than settling in one location. Andrei talks about the travel opportunities that remote work has presented, how he... Read more »

Is your digital infrastructure actually secure, or are you just waiting for the next cyber threat to put you out of business? What does it take to stay ahead of bad actors in an industry where the window for a response has shrunk from months to minutes? Joe Ohr is back on the show, and today, he's joined by Todd Florence from Estes Express Lines to discuss the current state of cybersecurity in logistics! We're diving deep into the launch of the NMFTA Threat Portal and the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub, essential tools designed to help carriers and brokers share real-time data on everything from double brokering to advanced social engineering attacks. Todd doesn't hold back on why protecting your threat information isn't a competitive advantage; it's a liability to the entire national supply chain. Whether you're a one-truck owner-operator or a massive LTL carrier, you need to understand that everyone is on the radar, and having a practiced response plan is the only way to survive in this digital revolution. It's time to stop burying your head in the sand and start collaborating because, at the end of the day, the data is just as important as moving the freight itself! Visit https://bit.ly/4t5SPr5 to learn more about the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub and Threat Portal!   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.   About Todd Florence Todd is the Chief Information Officer at Estes Express Lines, where he has led transformative IT initiatives since joining the company in 2020. He directs Estes' technology strategy and teams, driving innovation to make shipping seamless for customers and employees. Under his leadership, Estes implemented Samsara for Telematics in just six months—earning national recognition—and advanced key digital tools and routing systems. With over 20 years of leadership experience, including 15 years at Celerity, Todd brings deep expertise in technology integration, strategy, and business transformation. He holds both a B.S. and MBA from The American University and is a Certified Scrum Master and Six Sigma Yellow Belt. A frequent industry speaker and recognized thought leader, Todd has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and named one of Samsara's "100 Fleet Operators to Watch" in 2025.  

Kevin and Alexis take a break from their regular interviews to answer your questions! Join them for an unfiltered, wide-ranging discussion including the value of certifications, online learning pros and cons, how networking engineering jobs are changing, how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and more. AdSpot Sponsor: Statseeker Statseeker gives engineers near real-time performance... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis take a break from their regular interviews to answer your questions! Join them for an unfiltered, wide-ranging discussion including the value of certifications, online learning pros and cons, how networking engineering jobs are changing, how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and more. AdSpot Sponsor: Statseeker Statseeker gives engineers near real-time performance... Read more »

Today, we've got Joe Ohr and Marli Hall from NMFTA to discuss the launch of SCAC Verified and why identity verification is quickly becoming a non-negotiable standard in freight brokerage, trucking, and supply chain operations! As verification requirements tighten across the industry, this NMFTA-led initiative strengthens carrier legitimacy through biometric verification, helping brokers, shippers, and carriers combat rising cargo theft, chameleon carriers, and digital fraud risks. We also cover the upcoming Freight Fraud Prevention Hub launching on March 3rd, a collaborative resource packed with best practices, fraud trends, and actionable strategies designed to protect logistics providers across the transportation industry.  As regulatory pressure increases from the FMCSA and fraud continues to escalate, maintaining an active SCAC code and adopting verification tools early will separate legitimate carriers from bad actors, build trust faster during onboarding, and create a real competitive advantage in today's freight market, because moving freight safely now starts with proving who you are! Visit this link to learn more: https://freightfraudhub.com/   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.   About Marli Hall Marli Hall is the Director of Communications and Marketing at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), where she leads strategic communication efforts to enhance the organization's visibility and reputation within the freight transportation industry. In this role, Marli oversees media relations, manages key messaging, and develops public relations campaigns that promote NMFTA's initiatives, partnerships, and contributions to the sector. She started with NMFTA in August 2022, previously serving as the director of communications and member services, and earlier as a communications specialist. Prior to NMFTA, Marli was the senior director of outreach & engagement at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for nearly a decade. She directed marketing and communications strategies to promote TCA's educational programs, image initiatives, and outreach efforts. She holds a bachelor's degree in news editorial from West Virginia University and graduated from the Public Affairs & Advocacy Institute at American University. Marli has served as an FMCSA Our Roads Our Safety Program Partner and was nominated to the Women of Trucking Advisory Board. Marli resides in Alexandria, VA, with her husband, Chris, and enjoys visiting her family's 300-acre cattle farm and attending concerts.  

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Mike Miller to discuss what brought him from the back of a garbage truck to his current position as a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (VCISO). He breaks down how a VCISO differs from a CISO, and discusses the two types of clients looking for VCISO services: those looking... Read more »

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Mike Miller to discuss what brought him from the back of a garbage truck to his current position as a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (VCISO). He breaks down how a VCISO differs from a CISO, and discusses the two types of clients looking for VCISO services: those looking... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis sit down with Melissa Brooks, a Senior Cloud Engineer at Aritzia, to discuss how she went from being a “terrible waitress” to going back to school for a diploma in network security. They explore how she used a strategic, “reverse engineered” approach to goal setting to land on a career in tech.... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis sit down with Melissa Brooks, a Senior Cloud Engineer at Aritzia, to discuss how she went from being a “terrible waitress” to going back to school for a diploma in network security. They explore how she used a strategic, “reverse engineered” approach to goal setting to land on a career in tech.... Read more »

Ifeanyi Otuonye was a decorated track and field athlete at Kansas State and even competed professionally. Then he made the leap to a Technical Account Manager role at Amazon Web Services. Alexis and Kevin sit down with Ifeanyi to discuss the difficulties of that career change. Ifeanyi explains why he chose cloud engineering, what he... Read more »

Ifeanyi Otuonye was a decorated track and field athlete at Kansas State and even competed professionally. Then he made the leap to a Technical Account Manager role at Amazon Web Services. Alexis and Kevin sit down with Ifeanyi to discuss the difficulties of that career change. Ifeanyi explains why he chose cloud engineering, what he... Read more »

What happens if you don't verify your SCAC? Is this the beginning of the end for freight fraud in non-Class 8 carriers? Joe Ohr and Holly Taylor are back on the show to discuss the launch of SCAC Verify on February 26, 2026, NMFTA's new mandatory identity and address verification program designed to close a major security gap impacting sprinters, box trucks, hotshots, and other non-Class 8 carriers! We talk about how the fast 1–3 minute verification process works using government ID, biometric selfie matching, and DMV checks across 42 states, why failure to comply could mean losing your SCAC code renewal, and how verified carriers gain a significant competitive edge with shippers, brokers, and insurers. We also cover why this move is about fraud prevention, cargo theft reduction, and carrier trust, how it creates a clean accountability paper trail without storing personal data, and why this standard is likely a preview of future FMCSA and federal regulations. The bottom line of our conversation? This is a leveling of the playing field, a trust signal for legitimate carriers, and potentially a path to lower insurance premiums in a market that has been crushed by fraud! Visit https://nmfta.org/scac/ to learn more!   About Joe Ohr and Holly Taylor Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs. Holly Taylor is the Director of Product at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™. In her current role, Holly leverages her diverse background to lead cross-functional teams, shape strategic product visions, as well as anticipate and deliver solutions that exceed market expectations. Her unique blend of technical expertise and leadership skills has driven product success and customer satisfaction, positioning her as a pivotal force in shaping the future of NMFTA's products. With over 24 years of extensive experience in the software industry, Holly is a seasoned professional known for driving innovation and excellence across the product lifecycle. She began her career as a Technical Writer, where she honed a meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of user needs. Progressing to roles such as Documentation Manager and eventually Senior Product Manager, she built a reputation for transforming complex technical concepts into clear and intuitive applications. Holly earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Penn State and a Masters of Arts in English from SNHU. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Publishing from the University of Denver. During her time at Oracle, Holly was a member of Oracle Women's Leadership and a charter member of OWL at the Columbia, MD location.  

Is it possible for IT professionals to remain technical when moving into roles that expand influence, scale, and reach? Matt Starling, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Ekahau and co-founder of the WiFi Ninjas podcast, joins Alexis and Kevin to share how your career can evolve beyond on-call operations without losing the technical core. His... Read more »

Is it possible for IT professionals to remain technical when moving into roles that expand influence, scale, and reach? Matt Starling, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Ekahau and co-founder of the WiFi Ninjas podcast, joins Alexis and Kevin to share how your career can evolve beyond on-call operations without losing the technical core. His... Read more »

AJ Murray joins Kevin and Alexis to share his unique journey into tech, pivoting away from aviation maintenance into networking. Together they explore the importance of person-to-person networking and building a community in order to be successful. They also talk about the reality of burnout, which ultimately led AJ to step away from his podcast.... Read more »

AJ Murray joins Kevin and Alexis to share his unique journey into tech, pivoting away from aviation maintenance into networking. Together they explore the importance of person-to-person networking and building a community in order to be successful. They also talk about the reality of burnout, which ultimately led AJ to step away from his podcast.... Read more »

Think you need a degree or a ton of certificates to succeed in tech? Think again. Matthew Oborne joins our hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns to discuss how he went from working fast food to leading operations at an ISP. Your starting point doesn't define your ceiling; resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn... Read more »

Think you need a degree or a ton of certificates to succeed in tech? Think again. Matthew Oborne joins our hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns to discuss how he went from working fast food to leading operations at an ISP. Your starting point doesn't define your ceiling; resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn... Read more »

On Purplish, our focus is usually on exploring the politics of the moment. But for Veterans Day, we're offering something different -- a chance to experience a defining moment in World War II from one of the last remaining veterans to live through it.The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the toughest in Marine Corps history. Nearly 7,000 Marines lost their lives taking the volcanic island from its Japanese defenders.80 years on, few remain who served in that grueling conflict. One of them is Jim Blane of Denver.It took Blane decades after the war ended to begin to talk about his time in combat. But as he prepares to celebrate his 101st birthday this month – just as the U.S. Marine Corps marks its 250th anniversary – the veteran says when it comes to the war and Iwo Jima, he's now wide open. Blane recently shared his story with CPR's Bente Birkeland.Purplish is a production of member-supported Colorado Public Radio and the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. The CCNA is a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS and the Colorado Sun, with support from news outlets throughout the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I'm Bente Birkeland.Purplish's producer is Stephanie Wolf and the story editor is Megan Verlee. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey – with additional sound design support on this episode from Stephanie Wolf and Megan Verlee. Our theme music is by Brad Turner. CPR News' executive producer of podcasting is Rachel Estabrook. Special thanks to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans for assisting with archival sound used in this episode, and the Library of Congress for its archive of images. 

In this episode, we continue the conversation on how AI is transforming the world of enterprise networking. You'll hear how Cisco approached internal AI adoption with caution and clarity, including the importance of private LLM instances and avoiding shadow AI practices. The group also explores how education, governance, and secure tools are critical for protecting data and building trust in AI systems. From prompt injection attacks to certification updates, the episode breaks down how Cisco is evolving its learning paths and certification programs (like CCNA, DevNet, and CCDE) to reflect the skills networking professionals need in an AI-driven future. Whether you're an entry-level learner or a seasoned network engineer, you'll walk away with actionable guidance—and a clear call to get involved, experiment responsibly, and help shape the next era of enterprise networking.

Your background and experiences outside of tech can become a significant factor in your tech career. Guest Chris Williams is a good example; he talks about how his undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology influenced his work as a Developer Relations Manger at Hashicorp. Hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns chat with him about how... Read more »

Your background and experiences outside of tech can become a significant factor in your tech career. Guest Chris Williams is a good example; he talks about how his undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology influenced his work as a Developer Relations Manger at Hashicorp. Hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns chat with him about how... Read more »

A college degree can be a useful stepping stone into a tech career, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have it on your resume. But do you really need that college degree to succeed in IT? Maybe, maybe not. Today’s guest is Wes Noonan, whose non-traditional path into and through a career in IT has... Read more »