The Cyber Savvy Woman

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Jen Seregos, founder of Athena Digital, for a thoughtful conversation about AI, leadership, marketing, and the future of work. Rachele and Jen explore how curiosity can become one of the most valuable leadership skills in a rapidly changing digital world, and why business owners need to approach AI with both excitement and responsibility.
Jen shares how experimenting with AI transformed the way Athena Digital operates, helping streamline workflows, creating more flexibility, and opening new opportunities for growth. The conversation dives into the ethical side of AI, including bias in large language models, responsible AI use in organizations, data privacy concerns, and why businesses can no longer afford to ignore the role AI is playing in everyday operations.
Rachele and Jen also discuss how AI can reflect the strengths and weaknesses inside organizations, the growing importance of AI literacy, the human skills that will matter most in an automated future, and the security risks business owners should take more seriously. They explore protecting business data, using AI safely, and how leaders can guide their teams through change with more confidence and clarity.
The episode wraps up with a fun rapid-fire conversation covering password managers, phishing emails, VPNs, cybersecurity habits, and practical ways businesses can better protect themselves in today’s digital landscape.
Stay connected with Jen Seregos and learn more about her work with AI, marketing, and business growth at jenseregos.aiathena-digital.com
You can also connect with Jen on Instagram @jenseregos and on
LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jenseregos. 
 
 

In this episode of Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Edith Sumaquial, founder of The Kulay Collective, to talk about how organizations can simplify their technology and use AI in a practical, intentional way. We explore her journey from journalism to corporate roles, and how that experience shaped her passion for connecting teams, breaking down silos, and turning complex systems into clear, workable processes.
Edith shares how The Kulay Collective supports startups and nonprofits by improving workflows, clarifying strategy, and helping teams get real value from the tools they already use. We talk about leadership, innovation, experimentation, and why technology should support people,  not overwhelm them. She also explains how she uses AI for research and strategy, and why testing, learning, and staying open to change is so important in today’s fast-moving world.
This conversation is about efficiency, collaboration, empathy in tech, and building smarter systems that help organizations focus on their mission.
To connect with Edith and learn more about her work, visit https://kulaycollective.com and find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-sumaquial-11318911/

Real Decisions Behind Running a Business in a Digital World
Running a business today means making constant decisions — what tools to use, where to show up online, how to communicate with clients, and how to stay focused when the digital world keeps changing.
In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman podcast, host Rachele Schainker sits down with Laryssa Wirstiuk to talk about what it really takes to run a business in a digital world — beyond the trends, platforms, and buzzwords. Together, they unpack how business owners can make smarter digital decisions, choose tools that actually support their goals, and build a more confident approach.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How digital tools influence everyday business decisions
Why business owners need strategy before choosing new platforms
How to stay visible online without chasing every trend
What it means to make confident decisions in a fast-changing digital space
How to balance technology, client communication, and real business growth
Why practical experience matters when building and managing a modern business
Whether you’re building your business online, managing clients digitally, or trying to make better decisions about the tools you use, this conversation will help you think more clearly about what truly matters.
🎧 Listen to the full episode now and follow the channel for more conversations on business, technology, cybersecurity, and digital confidence.
🔗 Connect with Laryssa Wirstiuk:
Website: https://joyjoya.com/
 
💡 The Cyber Savvy Woman is your digital empowerment sanctuary — where women business owners turn cyber fear into cyber confidence.
💌 Want to be a guest? Reach out — we’d love to hear your story!

Why Digital Literacy Matters in the Age of AI
In this episode, host Rachele Schainker sits down with Martin Mehl to explore why digital literacy has become one of the most important skills for business owners, leaders, and professionals in the age of AI.
Together, they unpack how technology is changing the way we work, why practical understanding matters more than just knowing the tools, and how people can build confidence in a world where AI is moving faster than ever.
In this episode, you'll learn:Why digital literacy is no longer optional in today’s business worldHow AI is changing the way people learn, work, and make decisionsWhy practical experience matters more than just having technical knowledgeHow business owners can avoid feeling overwhelmed by new technologyWhy understanding technology helps you lead with more confidence
Whether you're a business owner, team leader, or simply trying to keep up with the fast-changing digital world, this conversation offers practical insights on how to understand technology, use AI wisely, and stay confident in the future of work.
🔗 Connect with Martin Mehl:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mehl/Website: https://www.mentorship-academy.com
💡 The Cyber Savvy Woman is your digital empowerment sanctuary — where women business owners turn cyber fear into cyber confidence.
📩 Want to be a guest? Reach out — we'd love to hear your story!

What's Really Killing Your Business Culture (And Your Tech Projects)
Most leaders think culture is a vibe. Most tech teams think adoption is a training problem. They're both wrong — and it's costing them more than they realize.
In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker sits down with Anthony Calleo, founder of Calleo EX, to have the conversation most business owners are too busy to have — until something breaks.
Anthony has spent his career inside organizations helping leaders understand why their best-laid plans fall apart, why their people disengage, and why the shiny new system they just rolled out is collecting digital dust. The answer is almost never the technology. It's always the people, the process, and the culture surrounding it.
If you've ever launched a tool your team quietly ignored, hired consultants who handed you a playbook that didn't fit, or wondered why your company just doesn't feel the way you want it to — this episode is your answer.
You'll walk away knowing:
The real reason tech projects fail (and it has nothing to do with the software)
Why "build it and they will come" is the most expensive mistake a business can make
How to lead change without losing your people in the process
What authentic leadership actually looks like day-to-day
How Anthony uses AI as a solo consultant — and what every small business owner can learn from it
The very first step to take before bringing in any outside help
"If you don't spend that time upfront, you're going to spend it elsewhere — mitigating nightmares and headaches."
This one is practical, honest, and packed with the kind of insight you usually only get from someone who's been inside hundreds of organizations.
Connect with Anthony Calleo:
🔗 Website: https://www.calleoex.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonybcalleo/
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/AnthonyABCNY

 In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachel Schenker sits down with Greg Roche, founder of Retention and Rewards Partners and creator of The Introverted Networker.
Greg shares how he turned a career-changing layoff into a new way of thinking about networking. Instead of awkward events, cold outreach, and forced small talk, he explains how networking can be simple, natural, and built through real human connection.
They talk about how introverts can build strong professional relationships, why networking should be seen as career insurance, and how small, consistent actions can lead to big opportunities. Greg also shares his “Connection Loop” framework, practical tips for getting referrals and clients, and how technology can help or hurt our ability to connect.
If networking feels uncomfortable or overwhelming, this episode will help you see it in a whole new way.
...

What actually scales a business today—and what’s just noise?
In this episode of THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN, host Rachele Schainker sits down with sales and marketing strategist Wes Schaeffer, also known as The Sales Whisperer®, to break down the real-world systems behind sustainable growth.
From old-school sales to modern automation, Wes shares how he transitioned from cold calling and workshops to building scalable systems powered by automation—and now, AI.
If you’ve been hearing about AI agents but aren’t sure where to start (or what’s hype vs. useful), this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
• How to structure sales conversations to eliminate endless follow-ups
• The difference between AI tools vs. true AI agents
• Why AI today feels like marketing automation in 2008
• Simple automations you can implement immediately (no tech overwhelm)
• How to avoid common AI traps that waste time and money
• Security risks to watch out for when using AI in your business
• The systems that actually help you scale—without losing control
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Cyber Savvy
00:52 Meet Rachele and Wes
01:51 Wes Origin Story
02:56 Sales Whisperer Beginnings
05:29 Art and Science of Sales
06:59 No More Follow-Up
11:23 Automation Pivot (2008)
13:26 Jiu Jitsu Mastermind
16:52 AI Feels Like 2008
19:48 Agents vs ChatGPT
21:29 Managing Digital Agents
22:00 Text Expansion Basics
22:59 Automate Repeated Tasks
23:55 Shortcode Profit Story
26:38 Avoid AI Research Traps
28:20 AI Marketing and Websites
30:47 Data Security Guardrails
33:58 Security Layers and Tools
36:11 Rapid Fire Favorites
38:47 Wrap Up and Takeaways
🎙️ About the Guest – Wes Schaeffer
Wes Schaeffer, The Sales Whisperer®, helps businesses say what they actually mean—clearly and effectively—so they can sell more without sounding salesy. A U.S. Air Force veteran, father of seven, and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wes has built a reputation for blending practical sales strategy with real-world experience.
He founded his business in 2006 and has since spoken around the world, authored multiple books, and published over 800 podcast episodes. Known for cutting through the noise, Wes focuses on building systems and messaging that drive consistent results.
🔐 About THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN
THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN is where women business owners reclaim their power in the digital world. We break down cybersecurity, automation, and digital systems into clear, actionable strategies—so you can scale your business with confidence.
🔗 Watch More Episodes:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJHqbJjczdo
📩 Want to be a guest or collaborate?
Reach out and let’s connect—we’d love to hear your story.

What separates successful product launches from the ones that quietly fail?
In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman, host Rachele Schainker is joined by Yasmeen Turayhi—product marketing leader, founder, and author—to explore what really drives effective go-to-market strategies.
With experience commercializing over 200 technology products, Yasmeen shares why most companies skip the most critical step: truly understanding their customer. The conversation explores how strategy, intuition, and continuous iteration work together to create launches that actually resonate.
You’ll also hear why launches aren’t one-time events, how to distinguish between a product problem and a marketing problem, and where AI can support—but not replace—human judgment.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why most product launches fail before they even begin
• The importance of market research—and why it’s often done wrong
• How to understand customer sentiment beyond data and demographics
• The difference between a product problem and a marketing problem
• Why go-to-market success is about prioritization, not doing everything
• How intuition plays a role in leadership and decision-making
• Where AI is helpful—and where it still falls short
• Why launches should be treated as ongoing processes, not one-time events
 
About Yasmeen Turayhi:
Yasmeen Turayhi is the Founder of Modern Product Agency, where she has helped commercialize over 200 technology products across industries including AI, fintech, climatetech, and neurotech.
She is the author of multiple books on product marketing, including the bestseller Product Marketing Debunked. Yasmeen also leads the Inner Knowing School of Intuition, working with executives and creatives to strengthen decision-making through intuition and discernment.
She is also the host of the globally ranked podcast Gateways to Awakening, which explores neuroscience, intuition, and consciousness. Her TEDx talk, How to Use Your Intuition to Make Better Decisions, has reached over 25,000 views.
🔗 Connect with Yasmeen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmeenturayhi/
 
About The Cyber Savvy Woman Podcast:
Hosted by Rachele Schainker, The Cyber Savvy Woman helps women business owners build confidence in the digital world by breaking down cybersecurity into practical, actionable strategies.
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on technology, leadership, and digital empowerment.
#TheCyberSavvyWoman #ProductMarketing #WomenInTech #GoToMarket #Leadership #AI #CyberSecurity #WomenInBusiness #BusinessStrategy

Cyber Savvy AI: Using AI Without Putting Your Business at Risk
AI adoption is accelerating across businesses—but many leaders still don’t realize how widely it’s already being used inside their own organizations.
In this episode of THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN, host Rachele Schainker sits down with Brett Schklar, serial entrepreneur, AI adoption strategist, and author of AI Without the BS, to talk about how CEOs and business owners can embrace AI while protecting their companies from unnecessary risk.
The conversation cuts through the hype around AI and focuses on practical leadership decisions: how to set the tone inside your organization, avoid “shadow AI,” create simple guardrails for employees, and focus on the use cases that deliver real ROI.
Brett shares lessons from decades of building and scaling companies, why many CEOs misunderstand how their teams are already using AI, and how leaders can introduce AI without damaging culture, trust, or security.
If you’re a business owner, leader, or operator trying to figure out how to adopt AI responsibly, this episode offers a clear, practical roadmap.
Key Topics in This Episode
• Why many CEOs underestimate how much AI their teams are already using
• The real risk of “shadow AI” inside organizations
• Why AI adoption should be led by leadership—not just IT
• How to create simple AI guardrails without slowing innovation
• The danger of copying company data into free AI tools
• How companies discovered hundreds of AI tools already in use
• Why “show and tell” can accelerate safe AI adoption
• Where AI delivers the fastest ROI (marketing and sales)
• How AI can reduce RFP response time from weeks to under an hour
• Why businesses should train one primary LLM (Copilot or Gemini)
Timestamps
00:00 Cyber Savvy Welcome
00:51 Meet Rachele and Brett
02:04 Entrepreneur Lessons on Change
03:53 Scaling Systems and Clients
06:24 ChatGPT Turning Point
09:06 CEO AI Misconceptions
11:20 Why IT-Led AI Fails
13:55 Low-Stress AI Start
17:59 Bring Your Own AI
18:36 Copy-Paste Data Risks
20:23 Free Tools Data Risk
21:11 Auditing Shadow AI
22:09 Show and Tell Adoption
23:04 Where ROI Shows Up
24:30 RFPs in Under an Hour
26:13 Pick One Use Case
27:01 Centralize Your LLM
29:35 Plain English AI Policy
32:04 Multiple LLMs Debate
34:48 AI Without the BS Book
36:36 Cybersecurity Rapid Fire
37:58 Final Takeaways and Wrap
About Brett Schklar
Brett Schklar is the founder of AI-First Leadership, a keynote speaker, and an AI adoption coach who helps CEOs cut through the hype and deploy AI in ways that drive productivity, speed, and competitive advantage.
A former agency CEO who successfully built, scaled, and exited Market Creation Group, Brett has worked with more than 230 companies helping them turn unclear positioning and messy go-to-market strategies into repeatable growth systems.
Today he leads GROW Powered, the market’s first assembly of AI-First Fractional CMOs, and advises leaders on how to implement AI responsibly—without sacrificing culture, trust, or momentum.
He is also the author of AI Without the BS: The CEO’s Playbook for Actually Getting AI Right.
Connect with Brett Schklar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bschklar
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aifirstleadership
About THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN
THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN is a podcast that helps women business owners protect their businesses and build confidence in the digital world. Hosted by Rachele Schainker, a Silicon Valley technologist and owner of the award-winning managed service provider CMIT Solutions of San Mateo, the show brings practical conversations about cybersecurity, leadership, and navigating technology safely.

Reinvention doesn’t have to mean becoming a tech expert — it can mean becoming more intentional.
In this episode of THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN, host Rachele Schainker sits down with Nancy Fox—author of Network Like a Fox and CEO of WYZE Rainmakers—to talk about strategic networking, mindset, and how women business owners can use AI as an advantage without getting overwhelmed.
Nancy shares her journey from a corporate career in women’s lingerie (including leading product development, design, and marketing) into coaching and training—and why the modern business landscape demands smarter positioning, clearer niches, and more targeted relationship-building.
You’ll also hear Nancy’s practical framework for “networking like a fox”: building the right mix of decision-makers, referral sources, and influencers, and using tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and AI-driven research to save time, money, and energy.
In this conversation, we cover:
• What reinvention really looks like in the age of AI
• How coaching and networking changed with technology (and Zoom)
• How to stop networking “everywhere” and start choosing the right rooms
• How to pick a primary niche + a backup niche without fear
• AI’s best use case right now: research, targeting, and messaging insights
• “Crisis point” messaging: what makes a client reach out now
• Why portfolio careers are becoming more common (and how to do it wisely)
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – THE CYBER SAVVY WOMAN intro
00:51 – Meet Nancy Fox
02:22 – From corporate to coaching
04:18 – How coaching evolved with technology
06:49 – Network Like a Fox and targeted relationship-building
08:20 – Building a targeted networking roadmap
12:05 – Niching without fear (primary + secondary niches)
14:12 – How to tell you’re in the wrong networking room
16:39 – LinkedIn research advantage (finding the real decision-makers)
18:45 – Using AI for smarter networking + research
20:12 – AI assistants and automation in real life
21:34 – Client tools: roadmaps + “market hunger” reports
22:28 – Crisis-point messaging (what triggers action)
23:35 – The “AI wild west” (and what to be careful about)
24:45 – Why you should test before you launch
25:53 – Portfolio careers + modern reinvention
28:23 – Generational differences in reinvention
30:02 – Nancy’s upcoming Reinvention Board + reinvention stories podcast
35:01 – Rapid fire tech picks
37:36 – AI risk, trust, and protecting the business
38:37 – Closing takeaways
About Nancy Fox
Nancy Fox is the CEO of WYZE Rainmakers and a longtime coach, trainer, and community builder focused on targeted networking, rainmaking, and business development. She’s the author of Network Like a Fox: A Targeted Approach to Building Successful Business Relationships In Person & Online and has helped professionals and firms build smarter, more strategic growth systems.
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