Translating security and tech concepts for the everyday consumer

Translating security and tech concepts for the everyday consumer

Author: BKBT Productions January 5, 2026 Duration: 34:46
When did we stop asking how things work? Rich Greene joins the show to talk about his new podcast Plaintext with Rich [https://open.spotify.com/show/2DCglwZU8zBxzZgy8iHRCa],  and we get into something that matters more than any tech: curiosity itself. Rich spent 20 years in Special Operations before becoming a SANS instructor. Now he's taking complex tech topics and breaking them down for people who need to understand, not just use. There's a tension building between the tech sector and society at large. AI promises to make everything easier, and maybe it does. But easier can become a trap when it stops us from asking the fundamental questions. When convenience replaces comprehension, we don't just lose technical skill, we lose the ability to think critically about the systems we're building and trusting. The conversation pushes on a deeper problem: we're creating a generation that believes technology is magic. That you can "vibe code" production software. That prompts replace understanding. And when everything becomes a black box, we've surrendered more than we realize. Communication and curiosity - those are the skills that matter when the tools change every six months. Find Plaintext with Rich: * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2DCglwZU8zBxzZgy8iHRCa] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plaintext-with-rich/id1864969176] * Blog on Medium [https://medium.com/@plaintextwithrich]

There’s a lot of noise in the world of technology talk, but Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks cuts through it with a focus on the people behind the products and the societal currents shaping our digital landscape. Hosts George K and George A steer conversations that are less about specs and hype, and more about real-world consequences. You’ll hear them dig into topics like the messy rollout of new AI tools, the often-invisible backbone of digital infrastructure, and why communities adopt or reject certain technologies. This podcast regularly features guests from various fields who offer unvarnished opinions on what’s genuinely functional and what’s fundamentally flawed in our tech-saturated lives. The discussions move beyond simple commentary to challenge the standard narratives promoted by the tech industry, examining the cultural and social ripples of every new development. It’s a show for anyone who feels that technology coverage often misses the human element-the frustrations, the adaptations, and the ethical dilemmas. Tune in for a grounded, critical, and consistently engaging dialogue that connects the dots between code and culture. This production from BKBT Productions lives up to its name, getting down to the brass tacks of how technology is built and used, with a bare-knuckle honesty that’s increasingly rare.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks
Podcast Episodes
From Digital Saturation Back to Real Relationships in Cyber Marketing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:59
While everyone's obsessing over digital lead gen and automation, veteran marketer David Mundy argues the best companies are going back to basics - building actual relationships and cutting through the noise. George K and…
What's Really Plaguing SOC Teams, Lessons for Vendors & Leaders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
Erik Bloch, security operations expert and longtime infosec leader, joins the show to talk about the real problems plaguing SOCs and why the industry keeps missing the mark! George K and George A talk to Erik about: - Th…
Burnout Lessons for Executive Leaders in Tech & Cyber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:44
This conversation hits different. Mohammed "Moh" Waqas, CTO Healthcare at Armis, joined us to talk about burnout, mental health, and the hidden costs of our "always-on" cybersecurity culture. George K and George A talk t…
From SOC to CEO, and Learning from Failure to Find Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
Quinnlan Varcoe, founder of Blueberry Security, joins the show for a raw conversation about building a security startup! Quinn takes us through her wild ride from SOC analyst to founder - including how she shut down her…
New Research on Burnout and Performance in Cyber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
Dr. Kashyap "Kash" Thimmaraju joins the show to talk about a new study on burnout, wellbeing, and flow state in security operations. George K and George A talk to Kash about: * New research using psychologically validate…
Memes, Menace, and Monster Trucks: Live from RSAC 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:00
Recorded LIVE at RSAC 2025: Don Jeter, Chief Meme Officer at Torq returns! He breaks down how Torq built a cult brand in cybersecurity around their "SOAR is Dead" campaign. George K and George A talk to Don about: * Harn…
RSAC 2025 Preview! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:46
George K and George A are off to San Francisco for RSAC 2025 this week. Here are some short musings on what they think they might see... Mentioned: * Chase Cunningham has built an app that lets you rank vendor demos in r…
From Hacker to Founder, and Cybersecurity's Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
"When you look at cybersecurity…we've got to be constantly thinking about how we disrupt ourselves in order to actually solve the problem." Casey Ellis is a hacker, a founder, and an advisor and investor. Occupying a lot…
Why Great CISOs Are Never Bored [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:01
Jake Bernardes, CISO at Anecdotes, brings a uniquely adventurous spirit to this week's show! And his ethos of "Don't be an a**hole" is certainly one we can get behind. George K and George A talk to Jake about: * Jake's "…
Best of Episode! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:43
George K and George A are out this week to keynote SecureWorld Toronto and host the Cyber Pitch Battle Royale. Catch up on interviews you may have missed with: * Stacey Lokey-Day on collecting experiences to build your c…