New Episodes Released Every Friday @12am

Audio Episodes

Oct. 23, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Working in IT

Send us a text When it comes to IT, it’s not all certifications and six-figure salaries — there’s The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. In today’s episode, I’m keeping it real about what I love about this industry, what frustrates me, and what I honestly wish would change. Whether you’re just getting st…
Oct. 16, 2025

Professionalism in Tech: What Really Matters

Send us a text In this episode of Debt Free in IT w/ Mike, we dive into a listener question that goes beyond certifications and career advice — it’s about appearance, professionalism, and identity in tech. A listener asked if having locs could hold them back from opportunities in the IT industry. I…
Oct. 9, 2025

Success Leaves Clues: Top 5 Ways to Build Wealth in IT

Send us a text When it comes to getting rich in tech, success leaves clues. In this episode of Debt Free in IT, I’m breaking down the top 5 ways people are building wealth in the tech industry — from climbing the salary ladder to freelancing, building a personal brand, joining startups, and leverag…
Oct. 2, 2025

The Reset Button: Are You Ready for an IT Career Change?

Send us a text Feeling stuck in your career? No growth, no money, no future? It might be time to hit The Reset Button. In this episode, I break down why people change careers and what it really takes to make the move — whether you’re coming into IT from another industry or pivoting inside IT into a…
Sept. 25, 2025

Which One? A+ vs. Net+ vs. CCNA

Send us a text Which certification should you start with — CompTIA A+, Network+, or Cisco CCNA? 🤔 In this episode, I break down the differences, the career paths they open, and which one actually gets you noticed by employers. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Video: •The real difference between A+, Net+…
Sept. 18, 2025

Started from the Bottom: How to Plan Your First 5 Years in IT

Send us a text Your first five years in IT can make or break your career. In this video, I’m sharing my personal roadmap — the lessons I learned, the mistakes I made, and the moves that helped me grow from entry-level to networking. Whether you’re just starting out or already a couple of years in, …
Sept. 11, 2025

CCST or Cloud? The Best Path to Start Your IT Career

Send us a text Age is not a barrier in tech — skills are. In this video, I break down why networking is still one of the best foundations you can start with, and how the CCST can help you build confidence before moving into bigger certifications. This video also answers a common question: Should yo…
Sept. 4, 2025

Cisco’s New Wireless Certification Track (2026) | CCNA, CCNP & CCIE Wireless Explained

Send us a text Wireless might feel like a lost art form — nobody says “I want to be a wireless engineer” — but every campus, hospital, and stadium depends on Wi-Fi. And now Cisco is reviving wireless with a brand-new certification track launching March 2026. In this episode, I break down: ✅ Where C…
Aug. 28, 2025

How to Build Confidence in IT (Even When You Feel Behind)

Send us a text 💻 In IT, confidence is everything. But let’s be real—there are times when you feel behind, like everyone else knows more than you, and you start questioning if you even belong. I’ve been there too. In this episode of Debt Free in IT, I break down 5 practical ways to build real confid…
Aug. 21, 2025

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money, Mo’ Money: 5 Ways IT Pros Max ROI

Send us a text 💻 In IT, every move you make is an investment—whether it’s studying for certs, building new skills, or the years you give to a company. But not all investments pay off the same. In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 ways to maximize your ROI as an IT professional so your time, money, …
Aug. 14, 2025

3 Times I Stepped Out of My Comfort Zone in IT (And How It Made Me Better)

Send us a text Most of us like to stay in our comfort zones — it feels safe, predictable, and easy. But looking back on my IT career, the biggest growth came when I stepped out of mine. In this episode, I break down the three career moves that pushed me the hardest, why they were so intimidating at…
Aug. 7, 2025

Done with Helpdesk? Here’s What’s Next in Your IT Career

Send us a text Helpdesk isn’t a dead end. It’s your launchpad. In this video: ✅ Key skills you take with you ✅ Top jobs to target after helpdesk ✅ Certs to help you make the jump ✅ How to move up faster Whether you want networking, sysadmin, apps, or security — this is your roadmap out. 💬 Comment: …
July 31, 2025

Best CCNA Training Videos to Pass the Exam (Free + Paid Options)

Send us a text In this episode, I answer a common question I get all the time—what are the best video resources to study for the CCNA? Having earned my CCNA three times over the course of my IT journey, I break down: ✅ My personal study experience ✅ Free and paid CCNA training video options ✅ What …
July 24, 2025

Just Start: The Best Advice for Getting Into Tech (or Anything)

Send us a text Are you stuck overthinking your next move in tech? Wondering if you should go to school, self-study, or which cert to start with? In this episode of Debt Free in IT, I’m giving you the realest advice I’ve ever received—and now I’m passing it on to you: 👉 JUST START. I’ll break down 5…
July 17, 2025

WCA: WireShark Certified Analyst

Send us a text In this video, I break down Wireshark—the powerful network protocol analyzer—and why it’s a must-have tool for IT pros, from troubleshooting slow networks to identifying security threats. Then I dive into the Wireshark Certified Analyst (WCA) certification: ✔️ Who it’s for ✔️ What th…
July 10, 2025

Ready or Not: How to Prepare for Your Next IT Interview

Send us a text Today’s episode is inspired by a listener question: “I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and I’m applying for entry-level IT technician and help desk roles in Canada. How can I prepare for the interviews?” In this episode, I break down exactly how to get interv…
June 26, 2025

My CCNA Was About to Expire — Here’s How I Saved It

Send us a text If you have a Cisco certification that’s about to expire, this video is for you. Most certs expire after 3 years—and trust me, that time flies. In this episode, I break down: • The different ways you can renew your CCNA or any Cisco cert • How I personally renewed mine (and almost mi…
June 19, 2025

The Greatest Conference on Earth: Cisco Live 2025 Recap

Send us a text Last week, I attended Cisco Live in San Diego, and in this episode, I’m breaking down my experience — from the sessions and networking to the real value (and cost) of one of the biggest tech conferences in the world. ⸻ 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why I attended Cisco Live …
June 12, 2025

Cisco Certification Updates

Send us a text 🚨 Big changes are coming to Cisco’s certification program in 2026 — and if you’re in IT or thinking about getting certified, you need to hear this. In this episode, I break down everything you need to know about Cisco’s updated cert tracks, including: 🔹 DevNet is now the Automation T…
June 5, 2025

Moment of Clarity: 5 Mental Shifts That Helped Me Grow in IT

Send us a text Sometimes the biggest thing in your way… is you. In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 key mindset shifts that helped me grow in my IT career — from overthinking and fear of failure to finally embracing the learning process. If you’re trying to level up in tech, this is the kind of cl…
May 29, 2025

Many Men: Gatekeeping in IT

Send us a text Today’s episode is all about Gatekeeping in IT — the folks who hold on to knowledge, block access to tools, and don’t want to see you grow… because deep down, they’re afraid you’ll pass them up. 🎙 I break down: •Real examples of what IT gatekeeping looks like •Why people gatekeep (fe…
May 22, 2025

I Got Options: 5 Paths to Help You Transition Into Tech

Send us a text Are you looking to break into tech but not sure where to start? In this episode, I walk you through 5 IT career paths that are perfect for career changers — and the best entry-level certifications for each one. Whether you’re coming from retail, healthcare, or just tired of your 9 to…
May 15, 2025

Motivation: Build Your Own Lane – Freelancing as a Network Engineer

Send us a text Today’s episode comes straight from a listener question: “Do you have any advice on becoming a freelance network engineer — and is it possible within a year?” 🧠 What You’ll Learn: • How to decide if this will be a side hustle or a business • Why starting an LLC might help you stay fo…
May 8, 2025

The Bigger Picture: Windows Gets You In, Linux Gets You Paid

Send us a text 💻 Windows vs. Linux: Which Skills Pay More in IT? Most of us know Windows — it’s familiar, user-friendly, and still dominant in most IT shops. But Linux? That’s where the real money starts to show up — especially in cloud, DevOps, and cybersecurity. 🎯 In this episode, I break down: •…