ITSPmagazine

131 years. Still handcrafted in Nashville. Still changing music.At NAMM 2026, Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli sat down with Jeff Stempka, Global Brand & Marketing at Gibson & Gibson Custom, to talk about what makes this brand untouchable—the craftsmanship, the artist connection, and why people will stretch their budget just to hold one.From the Les Paul Studio Double Trouble to the ES-335 Fifties and Sixties refresh, Gibson is honoring its legacy while pushing forward.Jeff said it best: "These are tools that enable incredible musicians to take the instruments and do something we never intended."🎸 Les Paul Studio Double Trouble – Modern collection, coil splits, pure bypass 🎸 ES-335 Fifties & Sixties – Neck profiles for every player 🎸 100 Years of Flat Tops – From Orville Gibson to todayThis isn't just gear. It's functional art. It's history. It's emotion.Part of ITSPmagazine's On Location Coverage at NAMM 2026.🌐 https://www.itspmagazine.com/the-namm-show-2026-namm-music-conference-music-technology-event-coverage-anaheim-california__________________________This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is an introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTJeff StempkaGlobal Brand & Marketing at GibsonRESOURCESLearn more about Gibson Guitars: https://www.gibson.com/Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Snowboards and Guitars: Circle Strings x Burton at NAMM 2026Some collaborations make you stop and ask how nobody thought of this before.At NAMM Media Day 2026, Sean Martin caught up with Adam Buchwald and William Hylton from Circle Strings, a Vermont-based guitar company, to talk about their partnership with Burton. The concept is deceptively simple: matching snowboards and custom guitars built from the same materials.But the execution is anything but simple.Buchwald owns a wood company in Vermont. He had an entire tree of figured mahogany set aside, waiting for the right project. When Burton agreed to collaborate, he knew exactly what to do with it. The wood became the centerpiece—the visual and sonic foundation of everything that followed.Then William Hylton got to work.Hylton, Circle Strings' designer and CNC specialist, is a backcountry snowboarder. He chose Burton's Alakazam powder board shape as his starting point, drawn to its distinctive tail curve. That curve, he realized, was already guitar-esque. So he wove it through the entire instrument—the fingerboard extension, the pickguard, the bridge tips. The snowboard's DNA lives in every contour.But here's where it gets interesting.The core of a Burton snowboard is wood. Lightweight, durable, designed for performance. Hylton took that same core material and built a guitar body from it. The result feels right in your hands—balanced, resonant, purposeful. It's not a gimmick. It's a genuine instrument built from materials engineered to perform.The acoustic model features a sound hole that mirrors the snowboard's design. Inlays are crafted from Burton's core material, tying everything together visually and conceptually. Both guitars showcase snowflake inlays inspired by Snowflake Bentley, the Vermont photographer who first captured snowflakes in their true crystalline form over a century ago.It's a detail that says everything about how Circle Strings approaches their work. History. Craft. Place.Vermont runs through this collaboration. Buchwald and Hylton are snowboarders. They source their wood locally. They build instruments that reflect where they come from. Burton, also rooted in Vermont's snow culture, was a natural partner.The Burton team, according to Hylton, is thrilled. Many of them are musicians. Some are fans of the artists Circle Strings builds for. The connection was already there—this project just made it tangible.What strikes me about this collaboration is the underlying philosophy. Snowboards and guitars aren't that different when you strip them down. Both are built from wood. Both demand precision. Both exist to help someone express themselves—whether carving powder or carving a melody.Circle Strings and Burton understand this. They didn't force a partnership. They found the common thread and followed it.The result is a set of instruments that belong in a museum and on a stage. Objects that tell a story about craft, place, and the people who refuse to separate their passions.Snowboards and guitars. Same wood. Same craft. Different ride.Sean Martin reports from NAMM 2026 for ITSPmagazine.__________________________This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is an introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTSAdam Buchwald and William HyltonRESOURCESLearn more about Circle Strings Guitars: https://circlestrings.comLearn more about Burton Snowboards: https://www.burton.comAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSNAMM 2026, Burton, Circle Strings, custom guitars, snowboard guitar, handmade guitars, Vermont, guitar collaboration, Burton snowboards, NAMM, luthier, unique guitars Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Show NotesDay two at NAMM 2026 reinforces why this show continues to matter. Not just for product launches or celebrity sightings, but for the culture that forms when creators, builders, and technologists share the same physical space. From the Creator Lounge to the show floor, the conversation stays grounded in making, playing, and experimenting.This episode captures that energy in real time. Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli reflect on how NAMM functions as a crossroads where legacy craftsmanship, modern production, and creative curiosity intersect. Guitars, basses, drums, microphones, and software all coexist here, but the real story is how people interact with the tools and with each other.Creativity on the FloorThe discussion touches on conversations with brands and builders like Gibson, John Page Guitars, and others shaping instruments that balance tradition with modern design. These are not abstract ideas. They are physical objects that invite musicians to explore sound differently, whether through lighter builds, new electronics, or rethinking classic forms.Technology Without Losing the SoulA recurring theme is how technology shows up at NAMM without overshadowing the human element. From live sound testing that occasionally overwhelms a recording to quiet moments in shared spaces, the episode highlights how tools serve creativity, not the other way around. The hosts reflect on artists who embrace technology while staying rooted in raw expression and performance.The Meaning of Being On LocationBeing present matters. This conversation underscores why on location coverage adds context that studio conversations cannot replicate. Background noise, spontaneous encounters, and unexpected access all become part of the story. NAMM is not polished. It is alive.The episode closes with anticipation. Major award events, standout performances, and conversations still to come point to why day two feels less like a midpoint and more like momentum building.GuestMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.comHostSean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/ResourcesThe NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attendMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/Keywordssean martin, marco ciappelli, namm 2026, namm show day 2, music industry, guitar gear, bass guitars, music technology, creator lounge, live music culture, instrument design, behind the scenes nammMore From Sean MartinMore from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcastMusic Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtWMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/On Location with Sean and Marco: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-locationITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazineBe sure to share and subscribe! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Show NotesThe first day at NAMM 2026 opens in the only way it can: loud, imperfect, and unmistakably human. Forklifts roll by, sound systems compete for attention, and instruments are already being pushed to their limits. This episode captures that moment before the show floor officially opens, when ideas are raw and expectations are still forming.Sean Martin, host of Music Evolves, and Marco Ciappelli, host of Redefining Technology and Society, use this Day 1 conversation to ground the week in a bigger question: what role does technology actually play in music right now? Not as a replacement for creativity, but as a set of tools shaped by the people using them.The discussion cuts through familiar narratives about automation and generative systems by pointing directly at what is happening on the floor. New products are being introduced, but very little of it is framed as machines making music on their own. Instead, the focus is on musicians performing, experimenting, and expressing themselves through instruments that blend analog craft with digital capability.From acoustic guitars rooted in century-old designs to hybrid instruments that invite unconventional inputs like wood, metal, or physical objects, the message is consistent. Innovation does not erase musical tradition. It extends it. The instruments change, the interfaces evolve, but the act of creation remains human-driven.The conversation also reflects on how easily fear can creep into discussions about new tools. At NAMM, that fear feels misplaced. Artists are not stepping aside. They are leaning in, learning new techniques, and pushing boundaries in ways that still require skill, memory, timing, and emotional intent.This episode sets the tone for the rest of the week. NAMM is not about machines replacing musicians. It is about musicians deciding what they want to do next, using whatever tools help them say it more clearly.GuestMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.comHostSean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/ResourcesThe NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attendMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/Keywordssean martin, marco ciappelli, namm 2026, namm show, music, musicians, instruments, creativity, technology, innovation, event coverage, on location, conferenceMore From Sean MartinMore from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcastMusic Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtWMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/On Location with Sean and Marco: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-locationITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazineBe sure to share and subscribe! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vintage Dreams, Modern Hands: A Conversation with PRS Guitars at NAMM 2026They were literally closing down the show floor when I grabbed Alex Chadwick from PRS Guitars for a conversation I wasn't willing to miss.We'd been talking off-mic about something that kept nagging at me—this tension between technology and creativity that runs through everything in the music world right now. So I hit record, security guards circling, and asked him straight: Is technology helping musicians become better artists, or do you still need to learn the hard way?His answer was refreshingly honest. Technology isn't inherently good or bad. It's a tool. When it helps people be more expressive, more creative—that's the win. When it gets in the way of that expression? That's when we have a problem.It's the kind of nuance that gets lost in the usual gear coverage.PRS brought some beautiful new instruments to NAMM this year. The John Mayer Wild Blue Silver Sky stopped people in their tracks—a sharp turquoise finish with the first matching headstock ever produced from their Maryland factory on a Silver Sky. Limited to a thousand pieces worldwide. For Mayer fans and Silver Sky devotees alike, this one feels special.Then there's the Ed Sheeran Semi-Hollow Piezo Baritone. A 27.7-inch scale instrument tuned a fifth below standard, with discrete outputs for both magnetic and piezo elements. But here's what got me: each guitar ships with a signed print of Sheeran's original artwork that appears on the body. He's a visual artist too. The instrument becomes a canvas for multiple creative expressions at once.But the conversation that really stuck with me was about vintage guitars and why we romanticize them so much.Those 1950s and 60s instruments—the ones on posters, in documentaries, making the music that shaped entire generations—they've become holy relics. And the ones that actually sound magical? They cost as much as a house now. So how does anyone access that?Chadwick explained something about PRS's philosophy that I found genuinely compelling. They don't go back to the fifties. They go back to 1985. That gives them freedom—they can draw inspiration from those holy grail instruments without being trapped by their quirks, their inconsistent tolerances, their aged components. They can take what made those guitars legendary and build it into something repeatable, accessible, and comfortable.The goal, he said, is to create instruments that get out of the way. Guitars that let the person be more expressive instead of fighting against limitations.That phrase has been echoing in my head since I left Anaheim. Instruments that get out of the way.Because that's really what this is about, isn't it? All the gear, all the technology, all the innovation—it only matters if it helps someone find their voice. Make their own music. Tell their own story.PRS seems to understand that. In a world obsessed with vintage nostalgia and spec-sheet comparisons, they're building for expression.And that's worth a conversation, even when security is showing you the door.Marco Ciappelli reports from NAMM 2026 for ITSPmagazine, exploring the intersection of technology, creativity, and the humans who make music possible.__________________________This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is an introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTAlexander ChadwickPRS GuitarsRESOURCESLearn more about PRS GUITARS: https://prsguitars.comAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSNAMM 2026, PRS Guitars, John Mayer Silver Sky, Ed Sheeran guitar, PRS Wild Blue, baritone guitar, guitar gear, new guitars 2026, PRS limited edition, guitar innovation, NAMM Show, musician interviews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vincent Stoffer, Field Chief Technology Officer at Corelight, shares his predictions for 2026 and what security teams should prepare for in the coming year. With nearly a decade at Corelight and a background in network and security engineering, Stoffer brings a unique perspective on where the industry is heading.The conversation explores the emergence of the agentic SOC, where AI agents work alongside human analysts to accelerate detection, response, and incident resolution. Stoffer explains that while the protocols and tools have been in development, 2026 is the year organizations will finally see these capabilities deliver real results. The key differentiator, he notes, is data quality. Tools that provide rich, detailed, and comprehensive network evidence will thrive in this AI-enabled environment.Stoffer also addresses the persistent threat from nation-state actors, particularly China's Typhoon campaigns targeting critical infrastructure. From energy and telecoms to international partners, these threats continue to expand with AI-powered acceleration. Understanding your environment and detecting anomalous behavior remains essential for organizations facing these sophisticated adversaries.The discussion concludes with a look at post-quantum readiness. While quantum computing threats may be 10 to 20 years away, Stoffer emphasizes the importance of understanding cryptographic assets now. Corelight has published a white paper detailing how NDR provides the network visibility needed to locate cryptographic assets and plan migration to quantum-ready cipher suites.This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is an introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTVincent Stoffer, Field Chief Technology Officer at CorelightOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-stoffer-07057827/RESOURCESLearn more about Corelight: https://corelight.comAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSVincent Stoffer, Corelight, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, agentic SOC, network detection and response, NDR, critical infrastructure security, nation-state threats, China Typhoon campaigns, Salt Typhoon, Volt Typhoon, post-quantum cryptography, quantum readiness, AI in cybersecurity, security operations, incident response, network visibility, Zeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The renewable energy sector faces a critical cybersecurity gap. As wind farms, solar installations, and battery energy storage systems proliferate across the globe, they create a decentralized network of digitally controlled assets that remain largely unprotected. Rafael Narezzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Cyber Energia, brings more than two decades of technology leadership experience to address this growing vulnerability in critical infrastructure.Cyber Energia takes a fundamentally different approach to OT security. While most cybersecurity companies stop at identifying risks through CVE scores and vulnerability assessments, Cyber Energia starts from the risk and translates it into financial terms that executives can act upon. The platform connects technical findings to compliance frameworks including NIS 2.0, IEC 62443, and NERC CIP, providing asset owners with a clear maturity landscape and actionable intelligence.Rafael Narezzi explains that asset owners in the renewable sector operate differently than traditional IT environments. Financial companies often acquire energy assets as investments without maintaining technical staff on-site. When compliance regulations now hold these owners personally liable for cybersecurity failures, they need tools that speak their language: dollars, risk, and return on investment. Cyber Energia prices its services per megawatt, demonstrating its commitment to speaking the language of energy.The decentralization of energy generation presents unique challenges. Rafael Narezzi points to recent cyber attacks on Poland's distributed grid as evidence that threat actors understand how to manipulate multiple remote locations simultaneously to destabilize power networks. Battery energy storage systems present particular risks, as compromised dispatch commands could create grid imbalances similar to the fictional scenario depicted in Ocean's 11. Yet many sites lack even basic cyber hygiene protections.Cyber Energia helps customers understand the financial impact of potential attacks. A 98-megawatt wind turbine site, for example, could lose 1.9 million dollars from just one week of downtime. This quantification enables executives to make informed decisions about relatively modest security investments that significantly reduce their risk exposure. The platform provides a single-view dashboard for organizations managing hundreds of sites across different regions, technologies, and regulatory environments.Rafael Narezzi observes that a CEO before a cyber attack is fundamentally different from a CEO after one. Organizations often underestimate digital risks compared to physical ones, despite living in an increasingly connected world. Regulations like NIS 2.0 now impose personal liability on directors and can revoke operating licenses, removing any excuse for neglecting cybersecurity. The awareness is changing, but Cyber Energia continues working to close the gap between compliance requirements and actual security posture across the renewable energy sector.This is a Brand Story. A Brand Story is a ~35-40 minute in-depth conversation designed to tell the complete story of the guest, their company, and their vision. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#fullGUESTRafael Narezzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Cyber Energiahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/narezzi/RESOURCESCyber Energiahttps://cyberenergia.com/Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSRafael Narezzi, Cyber Energia, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story, OT cybersecurity, renewable energy security, critical infrastructure protection, NIS 2.0 compliance, IEC 62443, wind farm cybersecurity, solar energy security, battery energy storage systems, BESS security, decentralized energy grid, cyber risk quantification, energy sector compliance, NERC CIP, operational technology security Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Giannina the Cat Giannina the cat lived in a house with a garden. The garden wall bordered a park where children gathered to play. The town was small but charming — from the windowsills of the houses, pots of geraniums and petunias tumbled down like colorful cascades. Her owner, Signora Mafalda, often took her around the town center. All the children knew her, and whenever they spotted her, they would run over and shower her with affection. Giannina was quite the little rascal. During the day she loved chasing lizards, hunting insects, butterflies, and anything that moved. To rest, she would stretch out in the sun on the warm stones, then cool off among the blades of grass. In the garden, among the pomegranate tree, the lemon tree, and the olive with its silvery leaves, she and Mafalda spent their afternoons playing together. But one day, Mafalda began to notice something strange. Giannina would leap to catch her prey, but she kept missing and ending up in the rose bushes. "Ow, ow, ow! I've pricked myself and my tail is tangled in the branches!" she meowed. She barely managed to dodge trees she used to climb with ease. She reached her food and water bowls with an uncertain gait. Worried, Mafalda took her to the Veterinarian. After listening to the little cat's strange adventures, the Doctor smiled and delivered his verdict with a wise air: "This little kitty can't see well. She needs glasses." No sooner said than done — in the blink of an eye, the veterinarian searched through a display case full of frames for pets and, finding the perfect one, exclaimed: "Here we are — a pair of glasses fit for an elegant lady!" As soon as they were placed on Giannina's sweet little snout, the cat looked around in wonder. She could see everything so clearly! She rubbed against the Veterinarian's legs and leaped into Mafalda's arms as if to thank her. The Doctor, touched by her sweetness, gave her a special gift: a golden chain with a small pearl at its center that glowed with its own light. Whispering, he told her: "If you close your eyes and touch this pearl with your little nose, you will gain magical powers that only you will have. They will help you help others." Giannina thought that perhaps this Veterinarian was also a Wizard, but she said nothing to Mafalda. It was a secret between her and the strange Doctor. On the way home, people turned to look at her, thinking: that cat seems mysterious — there's something glimmering around her. At home, Giannina's first wish was to climb onto a chair and gaze out the window. The flowers shone in their colors, and even the grass was a brilliant green, as if covered in dew. She smiled, happier than ever. Mafalda, sharing in her joy, decided to take her to the park. They arrived in no time. Squirrels scampered through the trees, birds sang as they flew from branch to branch. Small creatures popped out everywhere, and the children followed them with curiosity — they ran alongside the lizards, leaped with the butterflies dancing in the air, while red ladybugs landed on their skin like good luck charms. After chases, slides, and ring-around-the-rosy, the children sat down on the grass for their snack. From their colorful backpacks came tasty treats. That's when they arrived. "Vriiip! Vriiip! Vriiip!" At full speed, a platoon of ants zoomed in on rumbling mini-motorcycles. They wore shiny little helmets on their heads, round goggles over their eyes, and tiny boots on their feet. They braked sharply in front of the children, raising little clouds of dust. "Make way! We're here too!" shouted the lead ant, lifting her visor. "Can we collect the crumbs?" The children burst out laughing. "Yes, yes! Munch all the crumbs you want!" The ants parked their mini-motorcycles in a neat row, removed their helmets with theatrical gestures, and got to work carrying crumbs twice their size, singing a little marching song. In this joyful atmosphere, Giannina and Mafalda strolled along the pathways. And suddenly, as they passed, the trees bent their branches in a bow and their leaves rustled in greeting. The roses in the flower beds opened their petals and began to sing. The lizards beat their tails on the ground like drums: "Rattatatà! Rattatatà!" And the millipedes started tap dancing to the lively rhythm. "Oh my, what a wonderful commotion!" exclaimed Giannina, who was beginning to feel a mysterious aura around her. She couldn't help but think of the Wizard Veterinarian. What could these magical powers be? And what would happen if she touched the pearl with her little nose? She told Mafalda, who was carrying a book of fairy tales under her arm. They looked at each other and, understanding instantly, seized the moment. Giannina gathered the children in a circle. Some came quickly, others more shy joined in slowly. The ants too, their bellies full, put on their mini helmets again, did one last rumbling lap on their motorcycles, then climbed off and approached the group. It was the right moment. Giannina closed her eyes and touched the magic pearl with her little nose. A golden spark flashed in the air. She took the book from Mafalda's hands, opened it, and chose the tale that seemed to be waiting for her, glowing among the pages. In a gentle voice, she began to read. "Once upon a time, there was a little rabbit who lived in the woods. He kept tripping over tree roots and pebbles. At school, he made mistakes reading letters and numbers, so he didn't want to go anymore. When the teacher saw his drawings, she said: 'Well done!' His mom and dad said the same: 'Well done!' But to him, the colors seemed faded. The truth was, he couldn't see well, but instead of saying so, he would run away and hide in a burrow beneath a talking tree. And the tree, with the rustle of its leaves, whispered a secret: talk to your parents. So he did, and they helped him get glasses. And the world became beautiful again." Giannina closed the book. She understood: with the magic pearl, she could read the hearts of children, discovering emotions and secrets waiting to be brought to light. "You know," she said to her little listeners, "not long ago, I couldn't see well either. But I put on these glasses and poof! The world became clearer and more beautiful." A boy approached her, almost embarrassed, and whispered in her ear: "Maybe I need them too, like you." Giannina gently stroked him. "I helped you open your heart. Now talk to your parents, and everything will be fine." Just then, a little rabbit appeared suddenly from the bushes. He came up to Giannina, hugged her, and said: "You are magically magical!" And — you won't believe it — that little rabbit was wearing a lovely pair of colorful glasses. From that day on, Giannina took the children of the town by the paw, teaching them to believe in themselves and to have confidence. She became the mascot with the magic glasses, and everyone wanted to wear them just like her. But the true wonder was how she now saw the world from her window: brighter, more colorful, more alive. And every evening, before falling asleep, she would touch the pearl with her little nose and smile, knowing that the next day she would help someone else see the world with new eyes. It almost seemed like it had been a dream. But as we know, reality and fantasy often walk hand in hand. _— Written by Lucia & Marco Ciappelli_ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CES 2026 Just Showed Us the Future. It's More Practical Than You Think.CES has always been part crystal ball, part carnival. But something shifted this year.I caught up with Brian Comiskey—Senior Director of Innovation and Trends at CTA and a futurist by trade—days after 148,000 people walked the Las Vegas floor. What he described wasn't the usual parade of flashy prototypes destined for tech graveyards. This was different. This was technology getting serious about actually being useful.Three mega trends defined the show: intelligent transformation, longevity, and engineering tomorrow. Fancy terms, but they translate to something concrete: AI that works, health tech that extends lives, and innovations that move us, power us, and feed us. Not technology for its own sake. Technology with a job to do.The AI conversation has matured. A year ago, generative AI was the headline—impressive demos, uncertain applications. Now the use cases are landing. Industrial AI is optimizing factory operations through digital twins. Agentic AI is handling enterprise workflows autonomously. And physical AI—robotics—is getting genuinely capable. Brian pointed to robotic vacuums that now have arms, wash floors, and mop. Not revolutionary in isolation, but symbolic of something larger: AI escaping the screen and entering the physical world.Humanoid robots took a visible leap. Companies like Sharpa and Real Hand showcased machines folding laundry, picking up papers, playing ping pong. The movement is becoming fluid, dexterous, human-like. LG even introduced a consumer-facing humanoid. We're past the novelty phase. The question now is integration—how these machines will collaborate, cowork, and coexist with humans.Then there's energy—the quiet enabler hiding behind the AI headlines.Korea Hydro Nuclear Power demonstrated small modular reactors. Next-generation nuclear that could cleanly power cities with minimal waste. A company called Flint Paper Battery showcased recyclable batteries using zinc instead of lithium and cobalt. These aren't sexy announcements. They're foundational.Brian framed it well: AI demands energy. Quantum computing demands energy. The future demands energy. Without solving that equation, everything else stalls. The good news? AI itself is being deployed for grid modernization, load balancing, and optimizing renewable cycles. The technologies aren't competing—they're converging.Quantum made the leap from theory to presence. CES launched a new area called Foundry this year, featuring innovations from D-Wave and Quantum Computing Inc. Brian still sees quantum as a 2030s defining technology, but we're in the back half of the 2020s now. The runway is shorter than we thought.His predictions for 2026: quantum goes more mainstream, humanoid robotics moves beyond enterprise into consumer markets, and space technologies start playing a bigger role in connectivity and research. The threads are weaving together.Technology conversations often drift toward dystopia—job displacement, surveillance, environmental cost. Brian sees it differently. The convergence of AI, quantum, and clean energy could push things toward something better. The pieces exist. The question is whether we assemble them wisely.CES is a snapshot. One moment in the relentless march. But this year's snapshot suggests technology is entering a phase where substance wins over spectacle.That's a future worth watching.This episode is part of the Redefining Society and Technology podcast's CES 2026 coverage. Subscribe to stay informed as technology and humanity continue to intersect.Subscribe to the Redefining Society and Technology podcast. Stay curious. Stay human.> https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7079849705156870144/Marco Ciappelli: https://www.marcociappelli.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Show NotesSinger, songwriter, and guitarist Margaret Glaspy joins Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli for a Music Evolves conversation recorded in the context of the NAMM Show and the She Rocks Awards, where Glaspy is recognized as a 2026 honoree. The discussion centers on how artists develop a voice, how creative practice sustains a career, and why music functions as a form of public service rather than a commodity alone. Glaspy shares how growing up in a musically active household normalized creativity and removed the idea that music must be exceptional to be meaningful. Early immersion in Texas-style fiddle competitions, alongside exposure to jazz, songwriter traditions, and alternative rock, shapes a foundation rooted in lineage rather than trend. That sense of lineage continues to guide her current work, where influence is acknowledged openly rather than hidden.Songwriting, as Glaspy describes it, is a daily practice rather than an output-driven process. Writing consistently, sometimes a song a day, becomes a way to maintain agency in a career shaped by touring cycles, releases, and expectations. Albums emerge from accumulation and reflection, not from pre-defined concepts. This approach reframes productivity as presence, with creativity tied to well-being and continuity.The conversation also explores how artists navigate maturity. Early attempts to emulate heroes eventually give way to self-recognition. Glaspy speaks to the value of being a student of music, letting imitation serve as a bridge to personal expression rather than a destination. That perspective resists the myth of originality in isolation and places artists within an ongoing cultural thread.Recognition at the She Rocks Awards introduces another dimension. Glaspy views the honor with humility, emphasizing the importance of creating space to acknowledge women’s contributions in music without turning the work itself into a competition. In that context, the NAMM Show represents the maker side of music, instrument builders, technologists, and craftspeople whose work enables creative expression.This episode positions music not as a product to be optimized, but as a practice to be protected, cultivated, and shared.GuestMargaret Glaspy, Singer, Songwriter, and Guitarist | Website: https://margaretglaspy.com/HostSean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.comResources2026 She Rocks Awards: https://sherocksawards.com/The NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attendMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/Keywordsmargaret glaspy, sean martin, marco ciappelli, namm, she rocks awards, music, creativity, art, artist, musician, music evolves, music podcast, music and technology podcast, singer, songwriter, guitarist, guitar playingMore From Sean MartinMore from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcastMusic Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtWMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/On Location with Sean and Marco: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-locationITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazineBe sure to share and subscribe! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Show NotesBass rarely leads the conversation about music innovation, yet it quietly shapes how songs move, how bands connect, and how audiences feel rhythm in their bodies. In this episode of Music Evolves, hosts Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli explore that idea with Jon D’Auria, Editor in Chief of Bass Magazine, through the lens of community, technology, and cultural relevance.D’Auria describes bass not as a background instrument, but as a stabilizing force. It anchors songs while allowing others to shine, a role mirrored by bass players themselves. That identity informs how the bass community operates: collaborative, inclusive, and deeply connected across generations. Events like the Bass Magazine Awards, held alongside the NAMM Show, are not about spectacle alone. They are about recognition, continuity, and shared lineage.Technology plays a central role in how this community grows. Digital publishing allowed Bass Magazine to expand reach beyond the limits of print, creating immediate access to news, gear releases, artist stories, and cultural moments. Social platforms now surface bass players from bedrooms and rehearsal spaces worldwide, creating opportunity while also reshaping how success is measured.Innovation, however, is not framed as progress for its own sake. The conversation questions where technology supports creativity and where it distracts from it. Lightweight amps, compact gear, and modeling tools solve real problems for working musicians. AI, on the other hand, introduces unresolved tension. While it lowers barriers to creation, it also challenges authorship, labor, and artistic value.Through it all, the episode reinforces a simple truth: music remains human at its core. Technology can amplify access, speed, and scale, but it does not replace intention, emotion, or community. Bass, often overlooked, becomes the perfect metaphor for that balance. Present, essential, and powerful without demanding the spotlight.This episode positions bass not just as an instrument, but as a signal of how music culture adapts while staying grounded in human connection.GuestJon D’Auria, Editor in Chief of Bass Magazine | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-d-auria-2a7b5089/HostSean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.comResourcesBass Magazine: https://bassmagazine.comBass Magazine Awards: https://bassmagazineawards.com/The NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attendMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/Keywordssean martin, marco ciappelli, jon dauria, bass magazine, namm, bass, music, technology, community, creativity, music, creativity, art, artist, musician, music evolves, music podcast, music and technology podcastMore From Sean MartinMore from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcastMusic Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtWMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/On Location with Sean and Marco: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-locationITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazineBe sure to share and subscribe! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Brand Highlight, Ivan Milenkovic, Vice President, Cyber Risk Technology at Qualys, joins host Sean Martin to discuss how security leaders can break free from the whack-a-mole cycle of vulnerability management.With more than 48,000 vulnerabilities disclosed in 2025 alone and the average enterprise juggling 76 different security consoles, Milenkovic argues that the old methods of counting patches and chasing alerts are no longer sustainable. Instead, Qualys helps organizations prioritize threats based on business context through what the company calls TruRisk.Milenkovic describes a fundamental shift he sees taking place in boardroom conversations: moving from risk appetite to risk tolerance. Boards and executives now want to know what specific losses mean to the business rather than simply asking whether the organization is secure.For CISOs, this means evolving from the department of "No" to the department of "Know," where security leaders understand where problems exist, how to fix them, and what architecture supports business objectives. The key is demonstrating return on investment through resilience metrics rather than vulnerability counts.Qualys addresses this challenge through its Enterprise TruRisk Management platform, which facilitates what Milenkovic calls the Risk Operations Center. Unlike a traditional SOC that focuses on incidents that have already occurred, the ROC takes a proactive stance, helping organizations prevent threats and optimize security spending before damage occurs.This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is a ~5 minute introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTIvan Milenkovic, Vice President, Cyber Risk Technology, QualysOn LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanmilenkovic/RESOURCESLearn more about Qualys | https://www.qualys.comAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSIvan Milenkovic, Qualys, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, Enterprise TruRisk Management, Risk Operations Center, ROC, vulnerability management, CISO, cyber risk, risk tolerance, security leadership, proactive security Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LEOPOLDO'S SECRET LIBRARYSome people are strange — they like to spend their evenings reading books.Others are even stranger — they believe in the magic found between pages, in fantastical adventures, in stories of impossible love, in ghosts that walk among the living, and they think that everything that doesn't exist — maybe does after all.In short, this story is for those who are a little strange, like you and me — you know, for those who.So… listen.If you take the road up the hill from the center of town, you'll find an old and noble villa, one that has been there for a very long time. It must be about 350 years now that it has stood there in silence, watching and breathing softly beneath the Tuscan sky.Enormous rooms filled with history, endless corridors, and windows as large as dreams — but now, instead of porcelain plates and figurines, it gives us stories on paper for those who wish to read them.Yes, now it's the town library — a bit out of the way, but so beautiful. Well, you can't have everything.Now, on a summer night, wrapped in a blanket of stars and the soft glow of delicate lanterns, the villa had filled with voices, music, smiles, and so many stories told and heard, spoken aloud or whispered, intertwining in the embrace of the celebration.A special evening already, no doubt, but pay attention, because something even more unusual was about to happen.Yes, because Elisa was there too. Eyes as wide as the sky, hair as dark as the night, and a book in her hand — as always.Despite everything happening around her, Elisa preferred to read.She was there, in the main corridor: between the garden and the inner courtyard, halfway between the certain and the perhaps, sitting in an armchair a little too big for her, lost in a mysterious and captivating story — in a world all her own.She turns a page, then another, adjusts her yellow glasses, and turns another page…When slowly, the echo of piano music reached her ears.She didn't pay much attention. Thinking it came from the courtyard, she turned another page — and then another.But before long she realized that the notes she heard were not coming from the villa's courtyard but from one of its corridors — carried by a gentle breeze, from faraway places outside of time.Without thinking too much, Elisa rose silently, tucked her book under her arm, and followed the music.She crossed ancient corridors and rooms with shelves full of volumes of every size and color imaginable — rainbows of thoughts and words lined up one by one that seemed to never end.As the music grew stronger, the light faded, the rooms she passed through began to appear forgotten, the stone stairs she climbed and descended worn by time, the side corridors were now dark passages lit only by torches on the walls, appearing and disappearing in the darkness like breaths.A staircase, a wooden door left ajar, another passage, another staircase, and still more rooms and shelves and books without end.Then, suddenly, a mist covered the floor like a gentle tide, and there, before her, a heavy curtain — half open.A little light showed through, and a few small wooden steps.She climbed them, those little stairs, and the music wrapped around her like an embrace.On the stage, candles floated in the air like fireflies on a timeless night. And there, at the center, seated before a tiny piano, was a mouse.But not just any mouse.Leopoldo wore a dark green tweed jacket, brown trousers pressed with care, and on his little snout, golden spectacles that gleamed with ancient and gentle wisdom.His fingers danced on the keys as if they were telling a secret."Welcome, Elisa," he said, without stopping his playing. "I've been waiting for you."Elisa blinked, enchanted. "How do you know my name?""Ah," Leopoldo smiled, letting the last note fade softly into the air, "those who love stories always recognize those who seek them."He stood, adjusted his jacket with an elegant gesture, and looked at her with eyes full of stars."Do you know where you are?""In the town library," Elisa answered, but her voice trembled a little, as if she knew the answer was something else."That one everyone knows," said Leopoldo, stepping down slowly from the stage. "Every town has one that everyone knows. But every town also has another — one that almost no one finds."He paused, his eyes gleaming."You have found the second."Leopoldo led her toward a large wooden door that Elisa could have sworn wasn't there a moment before. It opened slowly, without a sound, like a sigh held too long.And what she saw took her breath away.Endless shelves climbed upward, descended downward, stretched in every direction like spirals of galaxies made of paper and dreams. Candles floated everywhere, illuminating books that seemed to breathe, to pulse softly, like sleeping hearts."What is this place?" Elisa whispered."This," said Leopoldo, walking among the shelves, "is the library of books never written."Elisa followed, confused. "Books never written? But how can they exist?"Leopoldo stopped, turned, and looked at her with infinite gentleness."Every story ever dreamed exists, Elisa. Every adventure imagined before sleep. Every tale thought but never put to paper. They all live here, at the border between the world and the dream, waiting."They stopped before a shelf.Leopoldo pointed to a small book, bound in blue like a summer sky."Touch it," he said softly.Elisa reached out, hesitant, and brushed the cover.A gentle warmth passed through her fingers. And for an instant — just an instant — she heard a child's laughter, saw a dragon made of clouds, and a castle built of pillows and blankets."This," said Leopoldo, "was the dream of a six-year-old boy. A story he told his teddy bear every night. He never wrote it down. But it exists. You see? It exists."Elisa smiled, her heart light.They walked on, through corridors of silent stories, until Leopoldo stopped before another book.This one was different. Larger, bound in dark leather, with golden letters that seemed to tremble."And this one?" asked Elisa, quietly."This one," said Leopoldo, and his voice grew soft as a caress, "belonged to a grandmother."Elisa touched it.And she felt something different.Not laughter, this time. But a warm, distant voice, telling of a brave little girl who crossed an enchanted forest to bring light to a forgotten village."It was the story she wanted to leave her grandchildren," Leopoldo explained. "But time… time sometimes runs faster than dreams. She didn't have time to write it."Elisa felt her eyes sting."But it's here," she whispered."It's here," Leopoldo confirmed. "Forever."They continued walking, in silence, until they reached a shelf unlike the others.It was nearly empty. Only a few books, spaced apart, and so many open spaces, waiting.At the center, a book without a title.The cover was white, clean, like freshly fallen snow, like a page waiting for its first mark."May I?" asked Elisa.Leopoldo nodded.She touched it.Nothing. No warmth. No voice. Only silence. But a full silence, like a breath held."This book is empty," said Elisa, surprised."Not yet written," Leopoldo corrected. "Not even dreamed. Not yet. It waits for someone to find the courage to imagine it."He turned toward her, and his eyes shone like the candles floating around them."Perhaps it waits for you. Perhaps it waits for someone else. But it waits."Elisa stood still, looking at that white book.And she understood.She understood that every story she had ever imagined, every adventure invented before sleep, every dream she thought lost upon waking, existed somewhere.And she understood something else.That you don't have to be afraid to write.Because stories already exist — in the heart, in the mind, in dreams. Putting them on paper is not creating them from nothing. It is only opening a door and letting them out."I have to go, don't I?" said Elisa, softly.Leopoldo smiled. "Your world awaits you. But now you know this place exists. And you know that every story you dream will always have a place here, whether you write it or not."He paused."But if you do write it," he added with a sly smile, "it can live out there too. And that, my dear, is another kind of magic."Elisa found herself back in the villa's corridor, sitting in the armchair a little too big for her, the book still under her arm.The celebration went on, voices and music and laughter, as if no time had passed at all.But something had changed.She had changed.She opened the book she had been reading, looked at the pages, and smiled.Then she closed it.Because now she knew that the most beautiful stories are not only the ones we read.They are the ones we carry inside, the ones we dream with our eyes open, and the ones that one day, with a little courage, we dare to tell.— This story was written by Marco Ciappelli for "Storie Sotto Le Stelle"  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dave Tourjé: You Have to Destroy What You Create to Become FreeWhen Dave Tourjé was two years old, he had a box of wooden blocks. Every day he'd dump them on the floor, stack them into towers of color, admire what he built—then destroy it and start over.That ritual never stopped.Tourjé is a painter, a punk rock musician, a skateboarder, and a founding member of the California Locos—a collective of LA artists who represent the city's raw, multicultural energy. When he sat down with me for Audio Signals Podcast, we talked about survival, rebellion, and what it really takes to stay free as an artist."You have to learn to destroy what you're creating to really become free," Tourjé told me. "Otherwise you're gonna be trapped by your own creation."He calls himself a lucky survivor of the eighties. Born in 1960, raised in Los Angeles, he hit the punk rock scene at 19, got his first skateboard at 7, and was riding swimming pools by the time urethane wheels made it possible. He studied art on scholarship but quit when they asked him to do papier-mâché in college. "That was third grade for me," he said. "I just said, fuck this. I'm outta here."He's the only practicing artist from that program.When galleries started selling his concrete and steel furniture around the world, Tourjé thought they'd embrace his paintings too. Instead, they told him to stick with what was selling. When collectors wanted commissioned work in different colors, he walked away. "I was not built to do it," he said. "So I bowed out."Instead of finding a patron, he built one. A construction company that runs without him—a machine that pays him without requiring him to owe anything to anyone. "It's going to be my patron," he explained. "It's a similar model, but without all the social implications."That freedom let him focus on the California Locos, a collective he assembled around 2011 with friends who were all leaders in their own corners of LA culture—surf, skate, street art, tattoo, photography. "We are basically Los Angeles," he said. "A very honest reflection."Their book, Renaissance and Rebellion, tells the story from the sixties to now. It's published by Drago in Rome and distributed internationally. They're currently showing at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, with museum shows lined up for 2027 and Spain on the horizon.But the moment that stuck with me came at the end of our conversation. We talked about how musicians destroy as they create—every live performance disappears the moment it's played. "It's like painting a painting that as soon as you put it down and you go to get the next paint, the paint is gone."And when someone looks at his paintings and sees something he never intended? He doesn't correct them. "The story is the painting," he said. "As soon as the artist says what it's about, everybody has to abide by the rules."He refuses to impose meaning. Once he's done, he becomes an observer. The work is no longer his—it's an object from the past. He's already onto the next thing.That's what freedom looks like after a lifetime of rebellion.Stay tuned. Subscribe. And remember—we are all made of stories.-- Marco_______________________________________________________________________________________Audio Signals Podcast 🌐 https://www.audiosignalspodcast.comDave Tourjé 🌐 https://davetourje.com/Marco Ciappelli 🌐 https://www.marcociappelli.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As AI makes it easier for attackers to launch account takeover campaigns at scale, organizations face mounting pressure to protect their customers and their brand. Israel Mazin, Co-Founder and CEO of Memcyco, joins the conversation to discuss how real-time detection and protection capabilities are changing the game.Memcyco is built on four products within a unified platform, each designed to detect and block both traditional and AI-driven attacks in real time. Unlike reactive threat intelligence solutions, Memcyco identifies victims as they interact with fake sites, provides detailed attacker data, and even deploys credential deception to neutralize stolen information before it can be used.With an agentless deployment that takes just minutes to implement, Memcyco delivers more than 10x ROI for customers across financial services, retail, airlines, logistics, and hospitality. The company has achieved nearly 300% year-over-year growth, serving organizations across North America, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is a ~5 minute introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTIsrael Mazin, Co-Founder and CEO of MemcycoOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/israel-mazin-62215b/RESOURCESMemcyco: https://www.memcyco.com/Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSIsrael Mazin, Memcyco, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, account takeover, ATO fraud, digital impersonation, phishing protection, real-time fraud detection, credential deception, website spoofing, AI-driven attacks, fraud prevention platform, agentless security Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jensen Huang Just Won IEEE's Highest Honor. The Reason Tells Us Everything About Where Tech Is Headed.IEEE announced Jensen Huang as its 2026 Medal of Honor recipient at CES this week. The NVIDIA founder joins a lineage stretching back to 1917—over a century of recognizing people who didn't just advance technology, but advanced humanity through technology.That distinction matters more than ever.I spoke with Mary Ellen Randall, IEEE's 2026 President and CEO, from the floor of CES Las Vegas. The timing felt significant. Here we are, surrounded by the latest gadgets and AI demonstrations, having a conversation about something deeper: what all this technology is actually for.IEEE isn't a small operation. It's the world's largest technical professional society—500,000 members across 190 countries, 38 technical societies, and 142 years of history that traces back to when the telegraph was connecting continents and electricity was the revolutionary new thing. Back then, engineers gathered to exchange ideas, challenge each other's thinking, and push innovation forward responsibly.The methods have evolved. The mission hasn't."We're dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity," Randall told me. Not advancing technology for its own sake. Not for quarterly earnings. For humanity. It sounds like a slogan until you realize it's been their operating principle since before radio existed.What struck me was her framing of this moment. Randall sees parallels to the Renaissance—painters working with sculptors, sharing ideas with scientists, cross-pollinating across disciplines to create explosive growth. "I believe we're in another time like that," she said. "And IEEE plays a crucial role because we are the way to get together and exchange ideas on a very rapid scale."The Jensen Huang selection reflects this philosophy. Yes, NVIDIA built the hardware that powers AI. But the Medal of Honor citation focuses on something broader—the entire ecosystem NVIDIA created that enables AI advancement across healthcare, autonomous systems, drug discovery, and beyond. It's not just about chips. It's about what the chips make possible.That ecosystem thinking matters when AI is moving faster than our ethical frameworks can keep pace. IEEE is developing standards to address bias in AI models. They've created certification programs for ethical AI development. They even have standards for protecting young people online—work that doesn't make headlines but shapes the digital environment we all inhabit."Technology is a double-edged sword," Randall acknowledged. "But we've worked very hard to move it forward in a very responsible and ethical way."What does responsible look like when everything is accelerating? IEEE's answer involves convening experts to challenge each other, peer-reviewing research to maintain trust, and developing standards that create guardrails without killing innovation. It's the slow, unglamorous work that lets the exciting breakthroughs happen safely.The organization includes 189,000 student members—the next generation of engineers who will inherit both the tools and the responsibilities we're creating now. "Engineering with purpose" is the phrase Randall kept returning to. People don't join IEEE just for career advancement. They join because they want to do good.I asked about the future. Her answer circled back to history: the Renaissance happened when different disciplines intersected and people exchanged ideas freely. We have better tools for that now—virtual conferences, global collaboration, instant communication. The question is whether we use them wisely.We live in a Hybrid Analog Digital Society where the choices engineers make today ripple through everything tomorrow. Organizations like IEEE exist to ensure those choices serve humanity, not just shareholder returns.Jensen Huang's Medal of Honor isn't just recognition of past achievement. It's a statement about what kind of innovation matters.Subscribe to the Redefining Society and Technology podcast. Stay curious. Stay human.My Newsletter? Yes, of course, it is here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7079849705156870144/Marco Ciappelli: https://www.marcociappelli.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Brand Highlight, we talk with Denny LeCompte, CEO and Co-Founder of Portnox, about how identity and access control are changing as AI-driven agents and synthetic identities become active participants inside enterprise environments.Passwords still sit at the root of many security failures, which is why the conversation starts with the fundamentals: controlling who can access data, from where, and under what device and policy conditions. Certificate-based authentication emerges as a practical way to reduce password dependency while keeping enforcement tied to managed devices and policy compliance.The discussion then shifts to what is changing for security leaders. CISOs may feel more confident managing traditional cyber threats, but uncertainty rises quickly when AI-generated and non-human identities enter the picture. Agentic AI turns automation into an entity that touches networks and applications, making access control a first-order requirement rather than an afterthought.A clear theme emerges throughout the conversation: synthetic identities are not hypothetical. They appear anywhere autonomous agents require permissions to act, from software development to workflow automation. Applying the same discipline used for human identities, including least privilege, scope limitation, and policy enforcement, becomes essential to maintaining control as AI adoption accelerates.Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.GuestDenny LeCompte, CEO and Co-Founder of Portnoxhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dennylecompte/ResourcesLearn more about Portnox: https://www.portnox.com/Are you interested in telling your story?Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#fullBrand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlightBrand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKeywords: sean martin, denny lecompte, portnox, identity, access, zero trust, passwordless, certificates, agentic ai, synthetic identities, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Across dozens of conversations centered on the CISO experience, one reality keeps surfacing: the role no longer exists to protect systems in isolation. It exists to protect the business itself.Today’s CISO operates at the intersection of operational risk, executive decision-making, and organizational trust. The responsibility is not just to identify threats, but to help leadership understand which risks matter, when they matter, and why they deserve attention. This shift changes what success looks like. It also changes how pressure is felt.During the early years of this transition, CISOs carry accountability without authority. They are expected to influence outcomes without always having control over budgets, priorities, or timelines. That tension forces a new skill set to the forefront. Technical knowledge is assumed. The differentiator becomes communication, translation, and relationship-building across the business.As organizations mature, the conversation evolves again. Security stops being framed around individual threats and starts being framed as an operational discipline. CISOs focus on prioritization, tradeoffs, and clarity rather than coverage for everything. This requires judgment more than tooling.The role also becomes deeply human. Fear shows up quietly. Fear of pushing too hard. Fear of slowing the business. Fear of being seen as the blocker. CISOs who succeed do not eliminate that fear. They learn how to manage it while building credibility with executive peers.AI enters the picture not as a replacement, but as a force multiplier. Automation supports scale, but judgment remains human. Security programs increasingly deny by default and permit intentionally, which demands a deep understanding of how the business actually works. That understanding cannot be automated.What emerges is a clearer definition of modern security leadership. The CISO is no longer a gatekeeper. This is a risk advisor, a translator, and a strategist who helps the organization focus its limited resources where they matter most.The role has not become easier. It has become more meaningful.Read the full article: TBA________This story represents the results of an interactive collaboration between Human Cognition and Artificial Intelligence.Enjoy, think, share with others, and subscribe to "The Future of Cybersecurity" newsletter on LinkedIn: https://itspm.ag/future-of-cybersecuritySincerely, Sean Martin and TAPE9________Sean Martin is a life-long musician and the host of the Music Evolves Podcast; a career technologist, cybersecurity professional, and host of the Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast; and is also the co-host of the On Location Event Coverage Podcast. These shows are all part of ITSPmagazine—which he co-founded with his good friend Marco Ciappelli, to explore and discuss topics at The Intersection of Technology, Cybersecurity, and Society.™️Would you like Sean to work with you on a topic/series to help you tell your story? Visit his services page to learn more: https://www.seanmartin.com/servicesWant to connect with Sean and Marco On Location at an event or conference near you? See where they will be next: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-locationTo learn more about Sean, visit his personal website.Keywords: sean martin, marco ciappelli, steve katz, tim brown, jessica robinson, rob allen, rohit ghai, rich seiersen, steven j speer, chris pierson, mark lambert, jim manico, robin bylenga, redefining cybersecurity, cybersecurity podcast, redefining cybersecurity podcast, ciso, risk, leadership, ai, resilience, strategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Show NotesMusic placement has quietly become one of the most powerful engines shaping how audiences discover new artists. In this episode of Music Evolves, host Sean Martin speaks with Chris SD, music producer and founder focused on connecting independent songwriters with film, television, and media opportunities, about how music moves from personal creation into shared cultural moments.The conversation centers on sync licensing not as a shortcut, but as a parallel creative economy. Chris SD explains that music supervisors, the professionals responsible for sourcing music for screen, are not looking for imitation or trend chasing. They are listening for authenticity. Songs that already exist, written without a brief or a pitch in mind, often resonate more deeply because they carry emotional truth rather than calculated intent.Why Indie Music Wins Screen TimeIndependent artists play a critical role in modern film and television. Budget realities often make major label catalogs impractical, while independent creators offer flexibility, ownership clarity, and creative alignment. This shifts the opportunity structure. Artists who control their masters and publishing are easier to work with and faster to license, which matters in production schedules driven by speed.Exposure matters as much as payment. A single placement can introduce an artist to millions of viewers in a context that builds emotional association rather than passive listening. That connection often leads to discovery, touring opportunities, and long-term audience growth.Technology as a Tool, Not the AuthorThe episode also addresses the growing conversation around AI in music creation. Chris SD draws a clear distinction between technology as a production aid and technology as a replacement for human authorship. Current legal frameworks and copyright realities prevent fully AI-generated music from being licensed for film and television. More importantly, the emotional nuance required for storytelling still depends on human experience.The message is consistent throughout the discussion. Music that endures is not built on novelty or automation alone. It survives because it reflects something real. Sync licensing rewards that honesty rather than undermines it.For artists navigating visibility, rights, and sustainability, this conversation reframes placement not as selling out, but as participation in a larger storytelling ecosystem.GuestChris SD, Musician, Producer, and Founder of Sync Songwriter | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-sd/HostSean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine, Studio C60, and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/ResourcesAttend The Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel: https://www.syncsongwriterprograms.com/a/2148209544/Z3BHNXLzMore From Sean MartinMore from Music Evolves: https://www.seanmartin.com/music-evolves-podcastMusic Evolves on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllTRJ5du7hFDXjiugu-uNPtWMusic Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/Line of Sight Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7400591548452667392/ITSPmagazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazineBe sure to share and subscribe!Keywordssean martin, chris sd, sync, licensing, music, film, television, independent, supervisors, creativity, art, artist, musician, music evolves, music podcast, music and technology podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Across 152 conversations this year, a set of recurring patterns kept surfacing, regardless of whether the discussion focused on application security, software supply chain risk, AI systems, or creative work. The industries varied. The roles varied. The challenges did not.One theme rises above the rest: visibility remains the foundation of everything else, yet organizations continue to accept blind spots as normal. Asset inventories are incomplete. Build systems are poorly understood. Dependencies change faster than teams can track them. The issue is not a lack of tools. It is a willingness to tolerate uncertainty because discovery feels hard or disruptive.Another pattern is equally consistent. Integration matters more than novelty. New features, including AI-driven ones, sound compelling until they fail to connect with what teams already rely on. Security programs fracture when tools operate in isolation. Coverage looks strong on paper while gaps quietly expand in practice. When tools fail to integrate into existing environments, they create complexity instead of reducing risk.Security also continues to struggle with how it shows up in daily work. Programs succeed when security is embedded into workflows, automated where possible, and invisible until it matters. They fail when security acts as a gate that arrives after decisions are already made. Teams either adopt security naturally or route around it entirely. There is no neutral middle ground.Context repeatedly separates effective leadership from noise. Risk only becomes meaningful when it is framed in terms of business operations, delivery speed, and real tradeoffs. Leaders who understand how the business actually functions communicate risk clearly and make better decisions under pressure.Finally, creativity remains undervalued in security conversations. Automation should remove repetitive tasks so people can focus on judgment, problem solving, and design. The same mindset that produces elegant guitars, photographs, or products applies directly to building resilient security programs.These five patterns are not independent ideas. Together, they describe a shift toward security that is visible, integrated, contextual, workflow-driven, and human-centered.Read the full article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/five-patterns-from-152-podcast-episodes-2025-changed-i-martin-cissp-st1ge________This story represents the results of an interactive collaboration between Human Cognition and Artificial Intelligence.Enjoy, think, share with others, and subscribe to "The Future of Cybersecurity" newsletter on LinkedIn: https://itspm.ag/future-of-cybersecuritySincerely, Sean Martin and TAPE9________Sean Martin is a life-long musician and the host of the Music Evolves Podcast; a career technologist, cybersecurity professional, and host of the Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast; and is also the co-host of the On Location Event Coverage Podcast. These shows are all part of ITSPmagazine—which he co-founded with his good friend Marco Ciappelli, to explore and discuss topics at The Intersection of Technology, Cybersecurity, and Society.™️Would you like Sean to work with you on a topic/series to help you tell your story? Visit his services page to learn more: https://www.seanmartin.com/servicesWant to connect with Sean and Marco On Location at an event or conference near you? See where they will be next: https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-locationTo learn more about Sean, visit his personal website. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.