Podcast
The Identity Jedi Show: Where Identity Meets Strategy
Hosted by David Lee · EN
Identity was built for people. Most of what asks for access now is not a person, and the old playbook does not hold.
The Identity Jedi Show is where that gets worked out honestly. Host David Lee talks with the founders, architects, and practitioners building and breaking these systems. Non-human identity, agentic AI governance, runtime authorization, and the permission boundaries nobody has solved yet.
No vendor gloss. You will hear your own problems here before you hear a pitch. New episodes bi-weekly.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
People First: Rich Rhodes' Approach to Leadership In Cybersecurity
Oct 2100:53:03Tap to summarizeWelcome back to the Identity Jedi Show! In this episode, host David Identity Jedi sits down with Rich Rhodes, Chief Information Security Officer at Choice Bank, for a candid and insightful conversation about leadership, team building, and the evolving world of identity security.Episode Highlights:Rich’s journey from small-town Minnesota to the CISO seatThe evolution of identity management to identity securityWhy people and process matter more than technology in cybersecurityBuilding and leading high-performing, people-first teamsLessons learned from mergers, acquisitions, and industry consolidationThe importance of empathy, mentorship, and authentic leadershipNavigating the challenges of cloud computing and disaster recoveryIndustry trends: platform consolidation, subscription models, and the rise of new playersSpotlight: Yes ID — an Okta alternative for small businessesQuick-fire questions: best advice, favorite food spots, and travel dreamsKey Takeaways:Leadership is about empowering others, not just holding a title.The biggest challenges in identity security are still about people and process, not just technology.Team success comes from trust, clear expectations, and genuine care for each member.The industry is changing fast, but the fundamentals of good leadership remain the same.Featured Guest:Rich Rhodes — CISO at Choice Bank, with decades of experience in IT, security, and team leadership.Resources & Mentions:YeshID (Okta alternative for small businesses)Identity Jedi newsletter and blogLeovici gear (discount code: IdentityJedi)Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Identity Jedi newsletter at theidentityjedi.comSend your questions for the upcoming mailbag episode: identityjedi@gmail.comFollow us on Spotify, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platformsThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe. Be good to each other, be kind to each, love each other, and we’ll see you next time on the Identity Jedi Show.
Transcribe →Identity and AI: Navigating the Complexities with Jim Desantis
Oct 700:57:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Identity Jedi Show, the host welcomes Jim DeSantis for an engaging interview. They discuss their unique paths in the identity field, share experiences with Active Directory, and explore the rapid development of AI technologies. The episode highlights the challenges and misconceptions around AI implementation in enterprises, the permanence of Active Directory in certain sectors, and the complexities of data management. Additionally, the host outlines recent major acquisitions in the identity space and speculates on the future of identity management as vendors strive for platform consolidation. The episode concludes with a reflection on the inevitable disruption AI will bring to various industries and the evolving role of service companies.https://www.theidentityjedi.comhttps://leovici.com/?ref=identityjedi00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:02 Insert Intro Video/Music01:37 Housekeeping and Announcements04:11 Interview with Jim DeSantis06:19 Identity Management Challenges15:02 AI in Identity and Data Management29:44 Exploring AI Tools and Their Impact30:22 The Magic and Reality of Technology31:27 The Future of Software Development34:01 Challenges in Cybersecurity and SOC Integration35:13 The Cycles of Tech Platforms and Best Practices44:56 The Longevity of Active Directory51:43 The Year of Acquisitions in Identity56:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook
Transcribe →Building the Future with AI and Identity
Sep 901:06:09Tap to summarizeIn this special sponsored episode of the Identity Jedi Show Podcast, host David discusses the intersection of AI and identity with Granville, the Chief Architect at Strata.io. They delve into the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI within enterprises, focusing on securing and auditing AI interactions and identity delegation. The conversation covers Strata's innovative solutions like MCP Bridge and their approach to enabling businesses to integrate AI while maintaining high levels of security and compliance. Granville shares his background in startups and security, and both he and David reflect on the evolution of AI and identity management. David also shares some of his personal thoughts and experiences, emphasizing the importance of intent-based access and future-proof identity orchestration.www.strata.iowww.theidentityjedi.com00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:34 Welcome to the Identity Jedi Show00:42 Sponsorship and Show Details01:25 Engagement and Audience Interaction02:13 Introduction to the Sponsored Interview02:34 Meet Grandville, Chief Architect at Strata04:02 Grandville's Professional Journey04:39 Personal Interests and Hobbies07:27 Ohio State Football Fandom11:05 The Importance of Technical Background in Product Management13:47 Challenges in Security and Identity Management16:11 The Role of AI in Modern Enterprises25:29 Human-in-the-Loop Approval Systems28:35 The Excitement and Challenges of AI Development30:46 Complexity of AI Agent Interactions32:59 Authentication and Authorization Challenges34:35 Intent-Based Access: A New Paradigm39:13 Product Development Insights46:55 MCP Bridge and Enterprise Integration58:13 Future of AI and Identity01:02:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Transcribe →Identity Unscripted: Tales from the Jedi Lounge
Aug 2600:43:19Tap to summarizeJoin us for a special episode of the Identity Jedi Show! After a short break, we're back with insightful conversations featuring our friends and identity experts Jen Cox and Aubrey Turner. In this episode, we discuss the journey of becoming friends through the identity field, share surprising anecdotes and challenges we've faced in our careers, explore exciting moments in identity, and examine the future role of AI in the industry. Tune in for some fun and candid chats, and stay until the end for updates on our upcoming live event in Austin! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts with us. #IdentityJediShow #IdentityManagement #AIInSecurity #Podcast00:00 Welcome Back to the Identity Jedi Show 00:46 Upcoming Podcast Highlights and Special Guests 02:22 Meet the Guests: Jen Cox and Aubrey Turner 03:22 Home Renovation and Chat GPT 12:08 Surprising Customer Stories in Identity 17:11 Challenges in Modernizing Legacy Systems 24:32 Empathy in Identity Management 25:34 Favorite Moments in Identity 26:32 Community and Continuous Learning 28:47 Client Engagement and Success Stories 30:41 Funny Stories from the Field 34:31 Excitement and Concerns About AI 40:53 Future Plans and Live Events 42:15 Closing Remarks and Gratitude
Transcribe →Palo Alto Acquires CyberArk for $25 Billion - Identity Jedi Show
Aug 5, 202500:14:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Identity Jedi Show, we dive into the breaking news of Palo Alto's $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk. We discuss the implications of this major deal for the identity and security market and explore whether it marks the beginning of a trend towards consolidation in the industry. We also touch on key developments in identity security and the growing importance of managing machine identities in cloud environments, especially with the rise of AI agents. Tune in to hear our insights and what this could mean for the future of security and identity management.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:49 Palo Alto's Acquisition of CyberArk03:01 The Impact on the Market05:05 CyberArk's Evolution and Future Prospects07:40 Broader Industry Implications09:14 Keyless NHI Federation and Machine Identities12:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Transcribe →Identity Security's Next Wave: Leveraging AI Innovations
Jul 29, 202500:47:19Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode, host David Lee delves into the complex world of identity and access management (IAM) and the impending challenges as AI becomes more integrated into business operations. David discusses alarming statistics on identity-related cyber attacks, the evolution from perimeter defense to identity-focused security, and how AI is revolutionizing access management. He offers actionable insights on governance audits, behavioral analytics, and the critical need for AI governance policies. Whether you're a CISO, developer, or business leader, this episode is a must-watch for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving IAM landscape. Don't forget to like, rate, and subscribe for more in-depth analyses every Tuesday.00:00 Introduction and Shocking Statistics00:59 Podcast Housekeeping and Announcements03:00 The Current State of Identity and Access Management06:36 Challenges in Traditional Security Approaches14:33 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Identity Management19:41 Implementing Zero Trust and Future Trends23:45 Market Growth and Compliance25:00 AI Revolution and Identity25:28 AI as the New Interface30:21 AI Agents and Identity Management Challenges34:38 Governance and Policy Recommendations39:48 Future of AI in Identity Management43:00 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionKey References and SourcesMarket ResearchPrecedence Research - Global IAM market: $23B (2025) to $66B (2034), 12.4% CAGR https://www.precedenceresearch.com/identity-and-access-management-marketFuture Market Insights - IAM projected $17B (2025) to $73B (2035), MFA adoption up 50% https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/identity-and-access-management-marketVeritis - 78% had identity breaches, 30% use passkeys, 3:1 machine-to-human identities by 2025 https://www.veritis.com/blog/identity-and-access-management-trends/ Security ResearchSHI Resource Hub - 93% faced 2+ identity breaches, 84% had business impact https://blog.shi.com/cybersecurity/how-to-build-an-effective-iam-program-in-2025s-hybrid-landscape/Palo Alto Unit 42 - 5x increase in cloud security alerts in 2024 https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/2025-cloud-security-alert-trends/Avatier - Employees manage 191 passwords, 51% reuse work/personal passwords https://www.avatier.com/blog/biometrics-ai-the-future/ Standards & AnalysisCloud Security Alliance - AI/Zero Trust integration, Shadow Access risks https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/blog/2025/02/27/how-is-ai-strengthening-zero-trustTechTarget- 70% vendor consolidation, post-quantum crypto prep https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/Identity-and-access-management-trends-to-watchTrustBuilder - NIS2 requirements, FIDO2 standards, expert insights https://www.trustbuilder.com/en/identity-access-management-trends-innovations/ Recent BreachesBrightDefense - Oracle Cloud (140K+ tenants), PowerSchool (62M students) https://www.brightdefense.com/resources/recent-data-breaches/Tech.co- Yale Health (5.6M patients), Blue Shield (4.7M patients) https://tech.co/news/data-breaches-updated-list Additional SourcesForrester - 8 key IAM trends including deepfake detection https://www.forrester.com/report/the-top-trends-shaping-identity-and-access-management-in-2025/RES182132The Hacker News - Zero Trust evolution, AI implementation https://thehackernews.com/2025/07/assessing-role-of-ai-in-zero-trust.html
Transcribe →What happens at Gartner, stays at Gartner...
Nov 1, 2022Tap to summarizeThe second episode of the Identity Jedi show, fresh from a trip to the Gartner IAM conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Host David Lee breaks down the biggest moments from the show and the latest acquisitions in the Identity market. PE Firm Thoma Bravo purchases SailPoint, and Ping Identity. Also, an interview with Alex Babeanu of 3edges.com to talk about how the graph can add some richness to identity.
Transcribe →