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We’re wrapping up the year with a special re-release featuring Mike Paez, Fortinet technical trainer and the “Bill Nye of Cybersecurity.” In this listener favorite, Mike shares his path from sales to sales engineering to becoming a standout educator whose creative videos are transforming how people learn about cybersecurity. As we close out the season, we’re taking a break to gear up for Season 2, returning in spring 2026. Enjoy this highlight episode, and thanks for riding with us this year.   Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/3RNGHKz

In this re-release, we sit down in Nashville with MacKenzie Brown, VP of Security at Blackpoint Cyber, to talk about how Identity-Based Security is changing the game for organizations of all sizes. MacKenzie shares her journey from working in IT at Microsoft to leading cybersecurity initiatives at Blackpoint, offering an inside look at what it’s like to grow and lead in this fast-moving industry. As a woman in tech, she brings a unique and inspiring perspective on navigating the cybersecurity world and where she sees it headed next. Whether you’re in IT, cybersecurity, or just love hearing real conversations about leadership and innovation, this is an episode worth revisiting.

This week we are resharing one of our favorite cybersecurity episodes featuring Scott Augenbaum, a renowned cybersecurity expert with over 30 years of experience, including 15 years as a Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI focused on cybercrime and counterintelligence. Now an author, speaker, and advocate for cyber awareness, Scott shares eye-opening insights on: Why cybersecurity threats keep getting worse despite billions in spending The critical human element we’re ignoring Real-world stories from his time in the FBI What businesses and individuals really need to focus on to stay safe If you think technology alone can protect you, this episode will change your perspective. Don’t miss this deep dive into the real-world failures and future of cybersecurity. Learn more about Plow Networks: https://plow.net/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast  Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks  Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod

This week, we are resharing a fan favorite episode featuring Roni Jamesmeyer, Senior Marketing Manager at Five9. They explore how AI is reshaping healthcare through cutting-edge contact center solutions. With Five9's 20+ year evolution, from dialer software to a cloud contact center leader, Roni brings a unique perspective shaped by her own journey from traditional cabling to hosted voice. This episode dives into the rise of interactive virtual agents (IVAs) in healthcare, how AI is enhancing patient experience and satisfaction, and what it takes for healthcare organizations to meet today’s consumer-driven expectations. If you're exploring how AI fits into your customer engagement strategy, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Learn more about Plow Networks: https://plow.net/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast  Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks  Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod

In this re-released episode of Cut the $hIT, we’re bringing back one of our most insightful conversations: a deep dive into the world of network architecture with Stephen Ziehr. Stephen, Plow’s Senior Network Engineer, has nearly 25 years in IT and over a decade of hands-on network engineering experience. From building out infrastructure in his high school days to tackling large-scale network challenges for enterprise clients, Stephen’s been in the trenches, and he’s got the stories to prove it. They talk about the evolution of network monitoring and management, how to design for resilience at scale, and why understanding networking is critical to seeing the bigger picture in tech. Stephen’s sharp thinking, candid insights, and no-BS perspective make this episode a must-listen for anyone who works in or around IT infrastructure. Whether you missed it the first time or need a refresher, now’s your chance to catch one of the best episodes from our archive. Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/3RNGHKz

This week, we are traveling back to 2023 to revisit our second Cut the $hIT live show, where we had six IT expert panelists breaking down zero trust architecture, what it is, and how you can implement the security strategy within your business. This episode is packed full of expert advice, good security knowledge, and is still incredibly relevant to the current cybersecurity landscape. It's one of our favorites. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more of our favorite moments from the 80-plus episodes we’ve put out so far as we take a little time behind the scenes to rework and reimagine what the next version of this show will look like. Thanks for being here, and let’s get into it. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsKqqX3p--Z9BK2ZRKlPd7nSu3utqLQvp&si=gAW8Z6zwrj2HxbUj  Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/3RNGHKz

This week Bryan sits down with Plow Networks' Co-Founders, Brian and Cameron, for a special After Hours episode focused on a topic every business eventually faces—succession planning. Whether you’ve navigated it successfully or learned some hard lessons along the way, the departure of a key team member can shake up even the strongest organizations. In this candid conversation, Brian and Cameron share personal stories of where they got it wrong—times when poor succession planning impacted clients, teams, and trust. But through those failures came valuable insights and hard-earned best practices, which they openly discuss in this episode. It's a real, unfiltered look at what happens when someone critical leaves—and how to prepare for it before it’s too late. This episode is also a bittersweet one, as it marks Bryan Link’s final time behind the mic. Bryan has accepted a new opportunity outside of Plow Networks, and while we’re incredibly excited for him, we’re also deeply grateful for the passion and commitment he brought to Cut the $hIT and to Plow Networks as a whole. To celebrate the journey, we’ll be resharing some of our favorite moments from the 80+ episodes over the coming months. It’s been one hell of a ride—and we’re just getting started. A new chapter begins for Cut the $hIT. We hope you’ll stick with us. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/3RNGHKz

This week Bryan sits down with Lee Foster, the General Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Insentra, a global IT services and consulting powerhouse. Lee’s path to leadership is anything but traditional—and that’s exactly what makes his perspective so valuable. With offices in Sydney, the UK, and the US, Insentra partners with companies like Plow to deliver IT solutions through the channel model. Bryan and Lee dig into the evolving role of AI in enterprise IT, the biggest challenges businesses face in getting real results from AI, and how Insentra is positioning itself—and its clients—for success in this rapidly changing landscape. Lee also shares insights from his unique background, shedding light on how adaptability and unconventional thinking can drive innovation. Don’t miss this thoughtful, forward-looking conversation with one of Insentra’s top AI voices. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks/podcasts TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/3RNGHKz

October 14th marks the official end of the road for Windows 10 updates — no more patches, no more bug fixes, and no more support. In this episode, Bryan sits down with Plow Networks' Systems Support Engineer, Emmanuel Tsavaris, to break down what this means for businesses still running Windows 10 and why sticking with the familiar could come with serious security risks. Emmanuel explains why so many organizations have dragged their feet on switching to Windows 11, the real dangers of running an unsupported OS, and what practical steps IT leaders should be taking now, from hardware upgrades to end user training, to prepare for a smooth and secure transition. Plus, they explore the benefits of Windows 11 beyond just security, including faster performance and improved efficiency, and offer guidance for teams that aren't quite ready to make the move. If you're still "kicking the can" on Windows 11, this episode is your wake-up call — and your action plan. Links to resources mentioned in the show: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/meetwindows11  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/getting-ready-for-the-windows-11-upgrade-eb50813f-c7da-4cf8-89a3-6ba0d33b2773 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks/podcasts TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/3RNGHKz

This week, Bryan sits down with Kyle Duke, CIO of EvidenceCare, to dig into the critical intersection of technology and healthcare. With nearly 20 years of experience in health tech—from nimble startups to major enterprises—Kyle brings a unique lens to the conversation. They explore the growing demand for "technology translators" inside organizations, the evolving role of clinical decision support tools, and why Kyle remains optimistic about the future of tech-supported healthcare. If you're into real talk about where healthcare and innovation collide, this one’s for you.  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/3RNGHKz

In this After Hours episode, Bryan Link is again joined by Plow Networks Co-Founders Brian Law and Cameron Plato for an in-depth conversation on key issues impacting businesses today. The trio dives into the importance of conducting business reviews with your IT providers, sharing essential questions to ensure you're aligned with your service providers and getting the best IT solutions for your business. They also discuss Microsoft’s April 1st 5% price increase on all monthly license subscriptions, offering insights on optimization strategies that could keep businesses from feeling that 5% increase—but also unpacking the frustrations behind potential clients' reluctance to optimize. Wrapping up, the guys explore Microsoft’s new Copilot product, its hefty $30-per-license price tag, and the mixed expectations surrounding its value. Is it on Microsoft or the CSPs to drive sales for Copilot? The team theorizes on this and more, ultimately concluding that the new AI tool still faces a tough road ahead. Tune in for a no bull$hIT discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving IT landscape.  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/4bLZmzT

This week Bryan sits down with Mike Paez, a Technical Trainer at Fortinet and a rising star in cybersecurity education. With his engaging and creative approach to teaching, Mike has earned the nickname “The Bill Nye of Cybersecurity.” He shares his unique career journey—from sales to engineering to his current role—highlighting how empathy, ingenuity, and design creativity drive his mission to make cybersecurity more accessible. Tune in to hear how Mike is changing the game on YouTube, LinkedIn, and beyond! We hope you enjoy this week's episode of Cut the $hIT. Watch Mike on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLbbcH8MnXJ7m8eACMz-Aoz0cxDprEOp4&si=D9GhZ_vYu4C4xpbG  Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report: https://www.fortinet.com/content/dam/fortinet/assets/reports/2024-cybersecurity-skills-gap-report.pdf Watch the video version on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks/playlists  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/4bLZmzT

Technology and service sales are evolving—so what’s working, what’s not, and where are we headed? This week Bryan sits down with Christopher Shubert, VP of Channel Sales at AppDirect, to break it all down. With nearly six years under his belt at AppDirect and extensive experience in sales, Christopher shares his take on the current state of the industry, the biggest challenges facing sellers today, and how research and training platforms will shape the future of buying and selling. No matter what you're selling the bottom line is, in this current "information era" fueled by the internet and artificial intelligence we are in, consumers' buying habits are changing. And that is what Bryan and Christopher are here to talk about. We hope you glean a few thoughtful insights from this week's episode, enjoy.  Watch the video version on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks/playlists  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/4bLZmzT

For the first episode of 2025, Bryan is solo, bringing you his annual technology trends and predictions for the new year. As they say, the more things change the more they stay the same, that seems to be the case with technology trends for this year as well. From the widespread adoption of AI to companies looking to maintain safe levels of cybersecurity, Bryan guesses not much will change regarding those this year. However, with a new president in the white house, there are always going to be changes that come with that. What kind of changes will the IT industry see with President Trump in office? Find out Bryan's predictions in this week's episode of Cut the $hIT.    Articles referenced during the show: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-are-companies-using-ai-agents-heres-a-look-at-five-early-users-of-the-bots-26f87845?mod=tech_lead_story https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/microsoft-ai-assistant-copilot-365-suite-dfb293b3?mod=tech_feat1_ai_pos3    Watch the video version on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks/playlists  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://bit.ly/4bLZmzT

In the last episode of 2024, Bryan sits down with Nathan Whittacre, Founder and CEO of Stimulus Technologies, a leading managed IT services provider (MSP) based in Henderson, Nevada. Despite both being veterans of the IT services industry, this conversation goes beyond "inside baseball" and dives into the real challenges and opportunities facing MSPs today. Nathan shares his unique perspectives on the IT buying process, how MSPs can deliver genuine value to their clients, and where he sees AI shaping the future of IT services. Whether you're in the tech world, an IT leader, or just curious about the evolving business landscape, this episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking discussion. Tune in for an engaging look at how technology providers are adapting, innovating, and delivering smarter solutions for clients in today's fast-paced environment.  We will see you all in 2025! Unlock Your 5% Discount on Microsoft 365 Licensing! https://plow.net/microsoft-365-promo/    Watch the video version on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlowNetworks/playlists  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cuttheshitpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuttheshit_pod/ Learn more about Plow Networks: https://plow.net