Candid CISO Podcast

At Candid CISO , our mission is to raise the game for cybersecurity leaders. There’s no manual for sitting in the CISO seat. Leadership is forged under pressure—through blind spots, board meetings, and breach drills. Our exclusive content delivers unfiltered stories, practical guidance, and sharp insight from those who’ve led through it all. From identity to AI, we surface what matters most to those shaping security at the highest level. Explore our full library of episodes, playbooks, strategic briefs, and hard-earned lessons here on Substack ➡️ https://candidciso.substack.com/

Candid CISO Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Steve Tout & John Donovan, with 12 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Steve Tout & John Donovan hosts Candid CISO Podcast, a business show with 12 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #12

  Leading Fearlessly in High-Growth Environments with Jimmy Sanders

  Nov 27, 202452 minS1

  <p>Send us a text</p><p>In this episode of the Candid CISO Podcast, John Donovan sits down with Jimmy Sanders, a cybersecurity leader whose journey from interning at a beef jerky company to leading security teams at Netflix and Samsung is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as Jimmy shares his experience of leading fearlessly in high-growth environments, where the pressure to innovate never stops and the stakes are sky-high. He reveals how he balanced security and rapid development, motivated teams beyond monetary incentives, and built proactive, resilient defenses in environments where risk was a given. We also...

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  Episode #11

  Reimagining Risk and the Virtual CISO

  Nov 6, 202456 minS1

  <p>Send us a text</p><p>In this insightful Candid CISO episode, John Donovan interviews Carlota Sage, a vCISO with a unique, multifaceted background in tech and cybersecurity. They discuss the strengths and challenges of the vCISO role versus full-time CISO positions, emphasizing the flexibility and affordability vCISOs bring to organizations that can't justify a full-time CISO. Carlota shares her experiences at major security conferences, the increasing role of compliance in driving security initiatives, and the critical importance of community, diversity, and boundary-setting in tech. Her candid stories reveal her journey from unconventional beginnings in tech to her current...

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  Episode #8

  The CISO Who Rebuilt Giants with Rinki Sethi

  Oct 25, 202454 minS1

  <p>Send us a text</p><p>In this episode of The Candid CISO, Rinki Sethi, a trailblazing cybersecurity leader, shares her incredible journey from an unexpected start in the industry to her rise as a prominent figure in security leadership with host John Donovan. Rinki opens up about the challenges she faced, the importance of mentorship, and how vulnerability and communication have been crucial to her success. She provides insightful guidance on building strong security teams, navigating crisis management, and fostering a supportive cybersecurity community. Tune in for practical advice and inspiration for advancing your own cybersecurity career.</p> <...

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  Episode #10

  Resilience On The Trails And In Cybersecurity: A Journey with Jason Elrod

  Oct 25, 202457 minS1

  <p>Send us a text</p><p>In this episode of the Candid CISO, Co-Host John Donovan sits down with Jason Elrod, CISO of MultiCare Health Systems, who shares how getting lost on a trail run and running barefoot for 19 miles became a metaphor for leadership in cybersecurity. Jason dives into the tough realities of protecting critical infrastructure, balancing security and compliance, and tackling imposter syndrome head-on. He also reveals why being fiercely dangerous (ethically, of course) is essential for a successful cybersecurity career. From personal lessons on resilience to high-candor takes on navigating boardrooms, Jason keeps it real—and a...

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  Episode #9

  Innovating in Cybersecurity with AI and Inclusive Leadership

  Oct 11, 202453 minS1

  <p>Send us a text</p><p>In this episode of the Candid CISO podcast, host John Donovan sits down with Mandy Andress, an experienced CISO, investor, and board member, to explore her career journey in the cybersecurity industry. Mandy discusses how her diverse roles have shaped her perspective on implementing security measures tailored to different organizations, taking into account their culture, communication styles, and technological infrastructure. She also opens up about her personal experiences as a gay woman working in tech, offering insight into how diversity has influenced her leadership approach and decision-making processes.</p> <p>The conversation touches...

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