# Talking Innovation Talking Innovation is a conversation about what comes next, hosted by Grant Asplund, a four-decade technology veteran who has spent his career arriving in categories before they had names. Each episode brings together the builders, founders, and operators shaping where technology is headed, with candid conversations about the ideas, bets, and hard-won lessons behind real innovation. This isn't a show about hype cycles. It's about the people doing the work: how they see around corners, how they… Page: Feed: --- ## [112-Talking Innovation with Walter Haydock, Founder and CEO, StackAware](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/112-talking-innovation-with-walter-haydock-founder-and-ceo-stackaware/) _2026-08-16_ In this episode of Talking Innovation, I sit down with Walter Haydock, founder and CEO of Stack Aware, to explore the fast-evolving world of AI governance, cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance. Walter shares how his background in Marine Corps intelligence, counterterrorism, and government risk management shaped his approach to building a more quantitative, actionable way to assess and manage… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ynlt78pi6805le5j/Talking_Innovation-Howard-FINAL.mp4) ## [111-Talking Innovation with Jon Oltsik, Cybersecurity community activist, consultant, board member.](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/111-talking-innovation-with-jon-oltsik-cybersecurity-community-activist-consultant-board-member/) _2026-08-02_ In this episode of Talking Innovation, I sit down with cybersecurity veteran Jon Oltsik for a wide-ranging conversation about the rapid rise of AI in security operations, the future of automation, and how work itself is being reshaped. Jon shares his perspective on the AI SOC, exposure management, agentic AI, and why human judgment will remain critical even as more tasks become automated. The… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6g07vna6sb20fpd5/Talking_Innovation_with_Jon_Oltsik-FINAL.mp4) ## [110-Talking Innovation with Dr. Atif Farid Mohammad PhD, Chief AI Office/CISO at Cyquent, Inc.](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/110-talking-innovation-with-dr-atif-farid-mohammad-phd-chief-ai-officeciso-at-cyquent-inc/) _2026-07-19_ Unlock the future where quantum computing, AI, and human intelligence collide—discover why the critical skill of emotional quotient (EQ) may soon trump IQ in this fast-evolving landscape. In this captivating episode, Dr. Atif Farid Mohammed, chief AI officer at CyQuint and author of Least Intelligence, takes us on a journey through the depths of quantum physics, AI’s limitations, and the profound… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/kjcb5rb3qyldjoys/riverside_dr_atif_farid_mohammad_talking_innovation.mp4) ## [109-Talking Innovation with Todd Beebe, Fortune 500' CISO](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/109-talking-innovation-with-todd-beebe-fortune-500-ciso/) _2026-07-05_ Most organizations are fighting an uphill battle to prevent breaches—yet many still ignore the real costs demanded by vulnerable software. In this episode, cybersecurity veteran Todd Beebe explains why the pace of cyber threats is forcing teams to move from reactive patching to proactive security. You’ll hear why old perimeter defenses are no longer enough, how AI is helping attackers find… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/twry11vhw4z5f6l5/riverside_todd__grant_talking_innovation.mp4) ## [108-Talking Innovation with John Graham, Author, Executive Director, The Giraffe Heroes Project](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/108-talking-innovation-with-john-graham-author-executive-director-the-giraffe-heroes-project/) _2026-06-21_ Most conversations about AI focus on doom and gloom, but what if the real risks come from ignoring its enormous potential for good? In this episode, John Graham, a seasoned diplomat and author, challenges us to rethink how we view technological innovation and global risks. Graham shares gripping stories from his adventurous life, from near-death mountain climbs to intense diplomatic battles,… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/dphy5z5iypnnbrxu/riverside_john__grant_talking_innovation.mp4) ## [107-Talking Innovation with Christian Torres, Founder of Stark Analytics](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/107-talking-innovation-with-christian-torres-founder-of-stark-analytics/) _2026-06-07_ Most entrepreneurs and business leaders are missing the huge potential of AI because they’re stuck in deterministic thinking—or risking catastrophic mistakes by ignoring probabilistic tools. Christian Torres, founder of Stark Analytics, shares his extraordinary journey from solitary confinement to pioneering decision models that leverage AI’s full power. He reveals how small businesses can build… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/eoserloxu5lpyl6b/riverside_christian__grant_talking_innovation.mp4) ## [106-Talking Innovation with Venu Rao Koyyada, Co-founder & CEO @ Strobes Security](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/106-talking-innovation-with-venu-rao-koyyada-co-founder-ceo-strobes-security/) _2026-05-24_ Unlock how AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity...and what you must do now to stay protected. If you're a security professional, CTO, or business leader navigating a world where vulnerabilities evolve in seconds and AI accelerates both innovation and threat, this episode is your essential playbook. Venu Koyyada, CEO of Strobes Security, shares deep insights from his decade of experience in exposure… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/vx6pe1hfe5t8datr/riverside_venu__grant_talking_innovation.mp4) ## [105-Talking Innovation with David Cross, CISO at Atlassian](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/105-talking-innovation-with-david-cross-ciso-at-atlassian/) _2026-05-10_ Building the Future of AI and Security with David Cross Join me in this illuminating conversation with David Cross, Chief Information Security Officer at Atlassian, as we explore the rapid evolution of AI, its implications for cybersecurity, and leadership lessons for navigating technological change. In this episode: David Cross shares his journey from Navy electronic warfare to leading security… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/38ctl5c1je5fauwl/Talking_Innovation-David_Cross-CISO_at_Atlassian.mp4) ## [104-Talking Innovation with Chuck Brooks, Named a “Top Person to Follow on Tech” on LinkedIn. Voted “Cybersecurity Person of the Year” Presidential Appointee, FORBES Writer, Author](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/104-talking-innovation-with-chuck-brooksnamed-atopperson-tofollow-ontechon-linkedin-votedcybersecurityperson-ofthe-yearpresidential-appointee-forbes/) _2026-04-26_ Most of us are watching AI evolve at a staggering pace, but few grasp how deeply it's reshaping everything—security, education, industry, and even our social fabric. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the real threat and immense opportunity of AI, this episode will change your perspective. Join me as I dive into an electrifying conversation with cybersecurity expert Chuck Brooks, one of… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/xfym0na16pygx1le/Talking_Innovation-Chuck_Brooks.mp4) ## [Refer a Friend, Earn Rewards (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/kRPOqwqVj8Sg) _2026-04-26 · **Sponsored**_ Earn rewards when friends get the Graphite Business Card through your referral. ## [103-Talking Innovation with Carter Huffman, Co-Founder and CTO at Modulate.ai](https://talkingcloud.podbean.com/e/103-talking-innovation-with-carter-huffman-co-founder-and-cto-at-modulateai/) _2026-04-12_ In this episode of Talking Innovation, I interview Carter Huffman, CTO and co-founder of Modulate, about cutting-edge voice AI technology. We explore how voice understanding can combat fraud, harassment, and manipulation, and discuss the broader implications for cybersecurity and customer experience. I hope you enjoy it! [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/h4ykettq5ee5bx3j/Talking_Innovation-Carter_Huffman-Modulate.mp4)