"Something Big Is Happening" — AI: Fear, Opportunity & Your Career
The Wired Garage With Pops | Hosts: Brian ("Pops"), Steele & Toby

The crew reacts to Matt Schumer's viral article "Something Big Is Happening," dissecting AI's real-world impact through the lens of IT professionals who've lived through every major tech wave — from CNC machines to cloud to containers. The episode runs in two halves: Fear and Opportunity, with raw, honest stories from the trenches.

Part 1 – Fear: The hosts tackle the uncomfortable reality that AI can now do in seconds what used to take skilled workers hours. They discuss job displacement, government unpreparedness, AI security risks (cyberattacks on water/power grids), prompt injection vulnerabilities, and the danger of blind trust in AI output. The concern isn't the technology itself — it's people using it as a crutch without critical thinking.

Part 2 – Opportunity: The tone shifts to what excites them most — eliminating "zombie work" (repetitive, low-value tasks) so IT professionals can focus on what humans do best: relationships, trust, accountability, and innovation. Real examples include ServiceNow's BuildAgent, AI-powered ticket routing, and using AI as a "round table of nine experts" to challenge and sharpen your thinking.
The episode closes on an optimistic note: be the giraffe, not the ostrich. AI is coming either way — the question is whether you'll adapt or get left behind.

Something Big Is Happening by Matt Shumer, Feb 9, 2026
https://shumer.dev/something-big-is-happening

✅ KEY TAKEAWAYS

• AI is already here — and faster than most realize. Schumer's core argument: this isn't a future problem. It's a now problem.
• Stop using AI as a smarter Google. Treat it like a round table of domain experts — challenge it, argue with it, push back.
• The "Brian vs. AI" trap. Employers who cut skilled staff to save money will quickly discover that the human judgment, context, and accountability don't transfer.
• Zombie work is the biggest opportunity. Offloading repetitive, low-value tasks frees teams to innovate. That's where the real ROI is.
• Critical thinking is the new superpower. The better your input, the better your AI output. Garbage in, garbage out — but brilliant in, brilliant out.
• The two emerging trends: Technology will manage technology. Humans will get better at managing humans — empathy, trust, and relationships become the premium skill set.
• AI is not one-size-fits-all. Know when to use it, when to review it, and when to trust a human instead.
• Upskill now or fall behind. Like the machinist who learned to program the CNC machine, the goal is to evolve with the tool — not resist it.
• You're still the 10th person at the table. AI gives you nine-tenths of the answer. Your judgment, experience, and context complete it.
• Be the giraffe. Head up, eyes open, long view — not the ostrich with its head in the sand.

🔑 KEYWORDS / TAGS
AI and jobs, Matt Schumer Something Big Is Happening, AI fear and opportunity, artificial intelligence career, future of work AI, AI replacing jobs, IT career advice, AI in the workplace, AI upskilling, technology and employment, ServiceNow AI, AI automation IT, zombie work automation, AI critical thinking, ChatGPT vs Claude, AI prompt engineering, AI job displacement, generative AI for IT professionals

#ArtificialIntelligence #AIJobs #FutureOfWork #ITCareers #AIAutomation #TechPodcast #GenAI #UpskillWithAI #ServiceNow #CriticalThinking #AIOpportunity #WiredGarage #AIFear #ZombieWork #BeTheGiraffe

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s1e27 Rocking Leadership - Insights from Matt Godsted

In this episode of Wired Garage, host Pops interviews Matt Godsted, a strategic leader in cybersecurity and a passionate musician involved in the charity concert 'Suits That Rock.' The conversation explores the parallels between music and leadership, the impact of charity work on community engagement, and the importance of mentorship for youth in technology. Matt shares insights on managing stress, the significance of work-life balance, and the skills needed for future leaders. He emphasizes the value of giving back and finding personal fulfillment through charitable endeavors.

Keywords: cybersecurity, mentorship, charity, music, leadership, Suits That Rock, Inter Alliance, work-life balance, youth development, community engagement

Takeaways:

• Being prepared is crucial in both music and leadership.
• Suits That Rock raises funds for arts education.
• The camaraderie among musicians enhances performance.
• Leadership requires diverse skills and collaboration.
• Stress management can come from engaging in music.
• Finding work-life balance is essential for well-being.
• Mentorship plays a vital role in youth development.
• High school students can outperform full-time employees.
• Professionalism and soft skills are critical for success.
• Giving back should align with personal passions.

Sound Bites:

"The energy that you see on stage is all genuine."

"You have to find something that makes you happy."

"They're always willing to listen and learn."

Chapters:

• Introduction to Matt Godsted and Suits That Rock
• The Intersection of Music and Leadership
• The Evolution of Suits That Rock
• Emotional Highlights of Suits That Rock
• Mentorship and the Inter Alliance
• Engagement in Tech Olympics
• Impact of the Pandemic on Education
• Skills and Attitudes of Young Interns
• Cybersecurity Awareness Among Students
• The Role of Mentorship in Student Development
• Finding Opportunities to Give Back
• Quickfire Round: Music and Technology

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s1e24 30 Years of Hacking in Dayton - The Underground Story with Bryan Fite

Discover how Dayton, Ohio transformed from a small city into a notable hub of hacker culture and cybersecurity innovation. In this episode, Bryan Fite shares stories of early hacking days, community building, and the evolution of hacker events like DayCon, along with lessons on leadership, diversity, and staying resilient in a fast-changing landscape.

Main Topics Covered

• The origins of Dayton’s hacking community and its influence on global security culture
• The evolution of hacker events such as DayCon, DEFCON, and B-Sides from local meetups to international conferences
• Insights on building inclusive communities, soft skills, and leadership in cybersecurity
• The technological landscape of the 70s, 80s, and 90s: modems, BBS, early hacking exploits, and the rise of car hacking
• The importance of physical presence, trust, and authentic connections in hacker culture
• The shift from underground communities to formalized, compliant security practices

In this episode:

• Bryan Fite walks through some of his earliest hacker moments and community roots in Dayton
• Stories of local cons, hallway conversations, and the culture around hacker meetups
• How Dayton’s hackers contributed to key cybersecurity concepts like RFID shielding and car hacking
• Behind the scenes of DayCon, its unique non-concept, and community-driven origins
• Leadership lessons learned from mentors and evolving soft skills in cybersecurity
• The role of diversity and representation in the hacker community today
• Reflections on the future of cybersecurity, community resilience, and the importance of physical, in-person interactions

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - The history and influence of Dayton’s hacker community
• 02:30 - Early hacking moments, modems, and BBS culture
• 05:00 - Local mentors and the Dayton security scene’s roots
• 08:00 - The evolution of hacker meetups and conferences like DayCon
• 12:00 - The rise of hacker games and capture-the-flag traditions
• 15:00 - Hardware hacking, RFID protection, and automotive vulnerabilities
• 20:00 - Transition from underground meetups to formal security communities
• 25:00 - The impact of 9/11 and shifts in hacker culture
• 30:00 - Embracing diversity, soft skills, and leadership in cybersecurity
• 35:00 - The role of physical presence and trust in hacker culture
• 40:00 - Building resilient systems, signal intelligence, and future defenses
• 45:00 - Mentoring, soft skills, emotional IQ, and community growth
• 50:00 - The importance of inclusive, welcoming hacker communities
• 55:00 - The call to action: Get involved, attend conferences, and build community

Resources & Links:

• Bryan Fite - Connect on LinkedIn
• Dayton Security Summit
• Dayton Hackers Meetup
• DEFCON Conference
• B-Sides Security
• Hack Dayton
• Car Hacking Handbook by Agent Smith (Documented car hacking exploits)
• Jason Scott - BBS Chronicles

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