Why You Should Join Us
We would be honored to have you as a guest on “Where Warlocks Stay Up Late”. Your participation will not only celebrate your remarkable contributions but also inspire and educate future generations of cybersecurity experts. Through the series we will create a definitive history of cybersecurity, honoring those who built the world we live in today.
Documenting History
Be part of a unique endeavor to chronicle the origins and evolution of cybersecurity. Your story will be preserved for future generations of security professionals and enthusiasts, ensuring that your contributions are recognized and celebrated.
In-Depth Conversations
Engage in a comprehensive and relaxed conversation where you can share your experiences, philosophies, and insights without the constraints of time. This long-form format allows for a deeper exploration of your journey and contributions.
Exclusive Audience
Our interview will attract a dedicated and knowledgeable audience that includes industry professionals, enthusiasts, and historians. Your participation will reach those who truly appreciate and understand the significance of your work.
Legacy and Recognition
By participating in this interview, you will solidify your legacy as one of the founding figures in cybersecurity. Our extensive reach and promotion will ensure that your name and accomplishments are highlighted and appreciated by a wide audience.
Connecting the Past with Present
Help bridge the gap between the early days of cybersecurity and today's cutting-edge developments. Your insights will provide valuable context and inspiration for the current and next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Remembering Those No Longer With Us
In addition to celebrating the contributions of living pioneers, “Where Warlocks Stay Up Late” will honor the memory of those who are no longer with us. These individuals made significant impacts on the field of cybersecurity and their legacies continue to inspire. Among those we will remember include:
Barnaby Jack
Known for his groundbreaking work in exposing vulnerabilities in ATMs and medical devices, Jack's research has had a lasting impact on cybersecurity.
Dan Kaminsky
Celebrated for discovering critical DNS vulnerabilities, Kaminsky was a respected figure whose work improved internet security for all.
Kevin Mitnick
Once one of the most wanted hackers, Mitnick's transformation into a security consultant and author left a profound legacy in the cybersecurity world.
W. Richard Stevens
Renowned author and computer scientist, W. Richard Stevens wrote several influential books on Unix and TCP/IP networking, significantly contributing to the understanding and development of these technologies.
By sharing your stories, you help us honor these trailblazers and ensure that their contributions are remembered and celebrated alongside your own.
Interview Format
The WWSUL interview series will follow a general structure that helps to extract deep insights and personal stories from the interviewees. Regardless of how well I know the guest, the guest should assume I know nothing and to be as descriptive as possible because the guest’s life and story is important for documenting the history of the Internet, cybersecurity, and national security.
Background and Origin Story
We will start by asking guests about their background, including where they grew up, their family life, and what led them to choose their career path.
Impactful Experiences
We will explore pivotal experiences that shaped the guest’s life and career. This can include discussions about founding companies and missions, adversity and resilience, trials and tribulations, and the highs and lows of being a pioneer.
Career Highlights and Challenges
We will delve into the specifics of the guest’s professional experiences, focusing on key moments, significant milestones, and particular challenges they faced. This often includes discussions about relevant experiences, leadership roles, and critical decisions.
Current Endeavors & Philosophy
The conversation shifts to what the guest is currently working on, whether it's leading a company, involvement in public affairs, or other pursuits.
Where Are We Headed
We will explore what the future holds and where the major cyber risks are going forward; how can they be managed; and whether the guest is optimistic or pessimistic about the ability to manage them; is AI the solution or the problem?
Advice and Reflections
Towards the end of the interview, ask guests for advice they would give to others, reflections on their journey, and insights into handling adversity. This sequence helps in creating a comprehensive portrait of each guest, providing listeners with a deep understanding of their journeys, philosophies, and current pursuits. The structured yet open-ended nature of the interviews allows guests to share profound personal and professional insights.
Join Us
We would be honored to have you as a guest on “Where Wizards Stay Up Late.” Your participation will not only celebrate your remarkable contributions but also inspire and educate future generations of cybersecurity experts. Through the series we will create a definitive history of cybersecurity, honoring the wizards who stayed up late to build the world we live in today.
For more information or to schedule your interview, please contact us. We look forward to documenting your story and sharing it with the world.
What To Expect
- Guest Research: The host and production team typically spend a significant amount of time researching the guest. This includes reading books, articles, and interviews, watching videos, and understanding the guest’s background, expertise, and interests.
- Episode Planning: Key topics and themes for the episode are planned in advance. This helps to ensure a coherent and engaging conversation. While the interview may be free-flowing, having a roadmap ensures all important areas are covered.
- Question Preparation: Although many podcasts aim for a natural, conversational style, having a list of prepared questions or prompts is common. This ensures the host can steer the conversation and cover essential topics.
- Outlining Objectives: We will clarify the goals of the interview with the guest to align expectations and provide examples of questions that may be asked.
- Pre-Interview Remote Zoom Meeting: We will hold a 45 min pre-interview conversation with the guest to build rapport, set expectations, and answer any questions. This will help the guest feel comfortable and can lead to a more relaxed and open interview.
- Pre-Interview Dinner: Nathan Sportsman will take the guest out for dinner or a casual meet-up the night before to help break the ice and establish a personal connection. This informal setting allows both the host and the guest to get to know each other better.
- Tour of the Studio: We will invite the guest to tour the studio before the recording to help them familiarize themselves with the environment and equipment, reducing any potential anxiety.
- Casual Conversation: While the cameras are rolling we will engage in a light, casual conversation before the official interview starts to help the guest relax and ease into the discussion.
- Personal Touch: Doing something special based on the guest’s interests or preferences, like having their favorite snack or beverage available, can make them feel valued and appreciated.
- Active Engagement: The guest should be prepared to speak 80% of the time with the host asking open ended questions and engaging in active listening that shows genuine interest in the guest’s responses encourages a more natural and engaging conversation.
- Positive Reinforcement: Providing positive feedback and reinforcement during the conversation can boost the guest’s confidence and encourage them to share more openly.
- Natural Flow: The host will allow the conversation to flow naturally, even if it deviates from the planned topics, to lead to more authentic and interesting discussions.
- Comfortable Setting: Ensuring the interview setting is comfortable, whether it’s a cozy studio or a relaxed virtual environment, helps the guest feel at ease. Comfortable seating, appropriate temperature, and minimal distractions contribute to this.
- Empathy and Patience: Showing empathy and patience, especially if the guest is nervous or unfamiliar with being interviewed, helps in building trust and comfort.
- Refreshments: Providing water, tea, coffee, or light snacks can make the guest feel more at home and comfortable during the recording.
- Editing and Enhancements: We will take care of all post-production work, including editing for clarity, adding music, and enhancing audio quality, is crucial. This ensures the final product is polished and professional.
- Distribution and Promotion: We will develop a comprehensive distribution and promotion strategy to ensure the episode reaches a wide audience. This includes uploading the episode to various podcast platforms, promoting it on social media, creating promotional clips, and leveraging ad spend for wider reach.
- Thank You Note: We will send a personalized thank-you note or a small token of appreciation after the interview to leave a lasting positive impression and encourage future collaborations.
- Feedback Request: We will ask the guest for feedback on their experience to help improve future interviews and show that their comfort and satisfaction are valued.
Travel Logistics
We are committed to making your experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. If you have any special requirements or unanswered questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to welcoming you to Austin and having a great conversation on “Where Warlocks Stay Up Late.”
We believe that in-person interviews provide the best environment for meaningful conversations and high-quality content. To ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for our guests, we have outlined the logistics and arrangements for the interview process.
All interviews will be conducted in person in Austin, Texas.
We will cover all travel, lodging, and incidental expenses for our guests. This includes:
Airfare: We will arrange and cover the cost of first-class round-trip flights to and from Austin, Texas.
Lodging: Luxury accommodations will be provided for the duration of your stay.
Incidentals: We will cover incidental expenses incurred during your stay.
To help our guests feel at ease, Nathan will host a dinner the night before the interview. This will be an informal opportunity to get acquainted and discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
- Home-Like Environment: The interview will take place in a relaxed, home-like setting to ensure you feel comfortable and at ease.
- Private Drivers: Private drivers will be arranged to pick you up from the airport upon arrival and take you to your hotel. They will also transport you to and from the shooting location on the day of the interview and back to the airport for your departure.
- Arrival: Arrive in Austin the day before the interview.
- Dinner: Pre-interview dinner in the evening.
- Interview Day: The following day, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the interview location. After the interview, you will be transported back to your hotel or directly to the airport, depending on your departure schedule.