Episode 15: Community Building, Art of Convincing, and GTD Strategies

🎙️ Welcome back to the Distilled Security Podcast!In this episode, hosts Justin Leapline, Joe Wynn, and Rick Yocum sit down with James Ringold (Senior Security Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft and President of ISSA Pittsburgh) to talk all about building stronger cybersecurity communities.From the behind-the-scenes of BSides Pittsburgh 2025 to engaging the next generation through mentorship and student-led talks, this episode offers practical insights on how to grow inclusive, vendor-neutral spaces that truly support people in security.Topics CoveredBSides Pittsburgh 2025 HighlightsWhat made this year’s event stand out — from arcade machines and pastries to great speakers and a welcoming atmosphere.Running an Inclusive Security ChapterInsights into leading ISSA Pittsburgh, maintaining momentum, and building a vendor-neutral space that feels open to everyone.The Power of ConsistencyWhy showing up regularly and following through matters when growing a security community.Mentoring the Next GenerationThe importance of mentorship chains, student-led initiatives, and creating low-pressure environments for future leaders.Engaging Students Beyond AttendanceHow to get students truly involved, from submitting talks to building long-term relationships that support career growth.Authenticity and Community BuildingWhy empathy, storytelling, and invitation—not pressure—are essential for creating lasting, supportive security ecosystems.Timestamps:00:00:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome 00:02:20 – BSides Pittsburgh 2025 Preview 00:24:10 – Building Inclusive Security Communities 00:41:20 – Mentorship & Student Talks 01:11:00 – Whiskey Tasting: Grand Traverse Distillery 01:33:00 – Growing Through Empathy & Local Leadership 01:48:30 – Final Reflections & OutroLinksISSA PittsburghBSides PittsburghHostsJustin Leapline Joe Wynn  Rick Yocum Guest James RingoldConnect with UsWebsite: distilledsecuritypodcast.comTwitter: @DisSecPodEmail: [email protected]