Watch Now

Show Notes

In this episode of the Hacker Valley Studio, hosts Ron and Chris are joined by McKenna Yeakey to talk about her experience with being laid off in cybersecurity and finding a new job. Mckenna shares her journey through the emotional and psychological struggles she faced during her layoff, and how she overcame feelings of self-doubt and worthiness. She also highlights the role her professional network and the cybersecurity community played in supporting her during this difficult time and how she ultimately landed her next gig.

McKenna also shares her insights on diversity and leadership in the cybersecurity industry, as a black woman in tech. She offers her perspective on what true inclusivity should look like, and how to identify companies that are actively promoting it. From her favorite leadership questions to ask during job interviews to tips on how to support others in the industry, McKenna shares it all.

This cybersecurity podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their cybersecurity career. This promises to be an inspiring and empowering resource for anyone facing job loss or seeking to improve their professional prospects in the cybersecurity field.

...........................

Links:

Stay up to date with McKenna Yeakey on LinkedIn

Join our Patreon monthly creative mastermind

Connect with Ron Eddings on LinkedIn and Twitter

Connect with Chris Cochran on LinkedIn and Twitter

Purchase an HVS t-shirt at our shop

Continue the conversation by joining our Discord

Check out Hacker Valley Media and Hacker Valley Studio

Recent Episodes

Jun 19, 2025

The AI Gold Rush in Cybersecurity with Chris Cochran

The new cybersecurity pioneers aren’t chasing alerts, they’re building with AI. But what happens when tools meant to assist begin making decisions for us? And what skills do we lose when ...

Jun 12, 2025

The AI That Tried to Escape with Ron Eddings

What happens when AI refuses to be replaced? This episode kicks off with a chilling real-world example of an AI threatening blackmail—and only gets more intense from there. Host Ron Eddings ...

Jun 5, 2025

Zero Trust Isn’t a Tool — It’s Everything with George Finney

What if Zero Trust isn’t a framework, but the only viable cybersecurity strategy—more about people than products? In this episode, George Finney, CISO at the University of Texas System and ...

May 29, 2025

Your Two-Year Edge Starts Now with Marco Figueroa

You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone using it better. Returning guest Marco Figueroa is back with a frontline report on the AI agent boom. This isn’t a prediction—it’s a ...

May 22, 2025

Badge Cloning, Alarm Triggers & Getting Hired to Hack with Greg ...

Most people think red teaming is digital—until someone bypasses your locks, plants a Raspberry Pi in your server room, and walks out with your data. That’s not sci-fi. That’s White Knight Labs. ...

May 15, 2025

Building Cyber Resilience Through Culture with David Shipley

What if fixing cybersecurity wasn’t about more tools, but about unlocking human potential?  In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes back David Shipley, CEO and Field CSO of Beauceron Security, for ...

May 8, 2025

Ditch the Spreadsheets: Smarter Crypto Security with Michael ...

Still tracking certificates in a spreadsheet? You’re not alone—and there’s a better way. In this special episode from RSA 2025, Ron sits down with Michael Klieman, Global Vice President of ...

Apr 24, 2025

Protecting People, Not Just Perimeters with Andrey Suzdaltsev

AI is reshaping the cybersecurity battlefield, and cyber adversaries are getting smarter. In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes Andrey Suzdaltsev, Co-Founder and CEO of Brightside AI, for a look ...

Apr 10, 2025

Digital Clutter and the Death of Passwords with Collin Sweeney & ...

Passwords are the original digital clutter—messy, overstuffed, and way too easy to forget. Like a junk drawer full of old keys and cables, we keep tossing more into them, hoping they’ll somehow ...

Apr 3, 2025

What Most Cybersecurity Advice Misses—And How to Fix It with ...

What if the biggest threat to cybersecurity isn’t attackers—but the defenders themselves? Why are we still building tools for experts in a world where technical skills are fading fast? In this ...

WORK WITH US

PODCASTS + SPEAKING + EVENTS

Are you the best kept secret in cybersecurity? Let's change that by partnering together for podcast ads, social campaigns, and your next event or keynote. Send us your details to get started.