Audio Episodes

Send us Fan Mail What’s the difference between a Network Administrator and a Network Engineer? If you’re trying to get into networking, you’ve probably seen both job titles and wondered which one is right for you. In this episode, I break down the key differences between the two roles, the responsi…

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m ranking some of the most common certifications people use to transition into tech. I’m putting each certification into a tier based on its return on investment, industry recognition, marketability, and how useful I think it is for someone trying to break int…

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of Debt Free in IT, I’m giving you my 7 Laws of the IT Industry — lessons I’ve learned throughout my years working in tech. Some of these lessons I learned the hard way, some from mentors and coworkers, and some just from watching other people make mistakes and p…

Send us Fan Mail Everyone talks about GRC, CISA, and Security+ — but nobody mentions the Network Security Engineer role that quietly pays $120K–$150K. If you want a path into cybersecurity with real demand and serious salary upside, this is the lane most people overlook. What You'll Learn: What a N…

Send us Fan Mail Stuck on the help desk and wondering how to stand out and move up? These 6 help desk tips come from watching the best techs I know climb the ladder — different paths, same habits. Use them to get noticed and earn your shot at the team you actually want. What you'll learn: How to wr…

Send us Fan Mail Think IT is out of reach because you don't have a tech background? You're closer than you think. In this episode, I break down how the everyday jobs you've already worked — retail, customer service, healthcare, trades — are quietly preparing you for a career in IT. Before IT, I was…

Send us Fan Mail This episode came straight from a listener question. They're currently a truck driver looking to transition into IT — and they wanted to know whether to start with A+, Network+, or Security+, and if they even need all three. Honestly? It's one of the most common questions I get. So…

Send us Fan Mail If you're trying to break into IT or level up your career, the 2026 Robert Half Salary Guide tells you exactly what companies are hiring for, what skills they're paying more for, and where the real opportunities are right now — and in this video, I'm breaking it all down for you. I…

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in IT… The value of your team. A lot of people focus on certifications, resumes, and landing that next job—but what really determines how fast you grow in IT is the environment you’re in and the people you…

Send us Fan Mail If you’re trying to get into IT but you’re more introverted, this episode is for you. A lot of people start their IT careers in roles like help desk or desktop support and quickly feel drained. The constant conversations, dealing with frustrated users, and having to think on the sp…

Send us Fan Mail Cisco just made a major change to the CCNP Enterprise certification… and it might actually make me consider taking it again. In this episode, we break down the latest updates to the CCNP ENCOR blueprint, including the removal of wireless topics and what that means for anyone studyi…

Send a text In this episode, I talk about the power of starting at the bottom in IT and why it can actually make your career easier in the long run. When many of us get certifications or degrees, we expect to jump straight into high-level roles. But most people start in entry-level positions like o…

Send a text In my last episode about hidden jobs in IT, I ranked healthcare as the #1 industry. During that episode, I mentioned something most people in tech have never heard of… Epic certifications. In this video, I break down: •What Epic is and why it dominates hospital systems •How Epic certifi…

Send a text In this episode, I break down my Top 7 places to find IT jobs in your city — especially if you don’t live near a big tech hub. A lot of people think you need to work for a flashy tech company to have a real IT career. That’s not true. Some of the most stable, high-paying, and opportunit…

Send a text Are bootcamps a scam… or are they a shortcut to breaking into tech faster? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down both sides of the bootcamp debate. Some people say bootcamps changed their life. Others say they wasted their money. So which one is it? In this video, I cover: 🎯 The real be…

Send us a text Should you take a contract job in IT? In today’s episode, I’m answering a listener question: “I’ve been looking at contract roles… what are your thoughts?” Contract roles can look attractive — especially with higher hourly pay — but like anything in tech, there are trade-offs. In thi…

Send us a text Why do so many people struggle after passing CCNA? In today’s episode, I break down the biggest mistakes people make after earning their CCNA — mistakes that slow down their job search, kill momentum, and lead to unnecessary frustration. If you just passed CCNA, are applying for jobs…

Send us a text Why do so many people quit IT too early? In today’s episode, I break down the real reasons why people give up on their IT journey — sometimes before they even get their first tech job. If you’re transitioning into tech, stuck in help desk, burned out, or feeling discouraged, this epi…

Send us a text Today’s episode comes from a listener question. They asked if I could do a story-time episode about my experience working in a call center and how everything worked out. They mentioned they’ve been in a call center for about a year, want to leave badly, and that hearing stories like …

Send us a text Top Tech Skills to Learn in 2026 (AI, Cloud, Linux, Automation & More) Welcome to Debt Free in IT — I’m your host, Mike. This channel is for anyone looking to get into the IT industry, whether you’re making a career change, leveling up your current role, or just curious about tec…

Send us a text Setting Goals for 2026 | Focus, Discipline & One Lane at a Time In today’s episode, I’m breaking down how I’m approaching goal setting for 2026 — and why this year is all about focus over overload. If you’ve followed my content for a while, you already know I’m big on writing goa…

Send us a text This episode is my 2025 podcast review. Every year, this is one of my favorite episodes to record because it gives me a chance to go behind the scenes and talk honestly about the ins and outs of the podcast — the wins, the growth, the challenges, and the lessons learned along the way…

Send us a text Preparing for an IT certification takes time, money, and consistency—and sometimes, even after doing everything right, you can still fall short by just a few points. If you’ve ever studied hard for a certification exam, only to fail and then feel the added pressure of having to pay f…

Send us a text Today’s episode comes straight from a listener question: They’re 41 years old, thinking about entering the tech field, starting a bootcamp soon, and wanted my honest opinion about beginning an IT career at their age — and what I think about job placement programs. In this episode, I …