Bites & Bytes Podcast
Bites and Bytes Podcast explores cybersecurity, technology, and beyond in the food industry. Discover the exciting world where cybersecurity, technology, and the food industry converge on the Bites and Bytes Podcast. As one of the few shows focusing on cybersecurity in the food sector, we offer unique insights and groundbreaking discussions. Our interview-style chats and in-depth discussions reveal the challenges and innovations at the intersection of digital defenses, food protection, and systems thinking. Everything is interconnected, whether through technology, natural cycles, or systems. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or passionate about safeguarding our food supply, please tune in for conversations illuminating this dynamic and evolving field!
Listen on:
Meet Your Host
Kristin Demoranville
is far from your ordinary cybersecurity expert; she spices up over 25 years of tech and security expertise with a rich palette of experiences in the food industry. Kristin has done everything from safeguarding food manufacturing and supply chains to sharing laughs over the bar as a bartender, serving up smiles as a server, and crafting the perfect cup as a coffee barista. Her adventures even took her to the National Zoo commissary, where she fed various wildlife, adding an exceptional flavor to her culinary journey.
This unique combination of high-level professional knowledge and grassroots food and beverage experience establishes Kristin as a distinctly approachable voice in cybersecurity. She doesn't just understand the food industry from a technical standpoint; she's lived it, from the critical nuances of digital security to the hustle and hospitality of food service and even the unique challenge of catering to zoo inhabitants. Her perspectives are deeply rooted in practical reality, offering a rich, layered view of the importance of food safety in our increasingly digital world.
Listeners tuning into Kristin's narratives will gain a treasure trove of cybersecurity insights and be treated to captivating stories from her and her guests. Kristin excels in weaving together the threads of technology, security, and culinary delight, drawing in a broad audience to underscore the critical need to shield our food systems from the looming shadow of digital threats. Her genuine connection with guests—melding professional insights with personal rapport—sparks enlightening dialogues that shed light on the vital confluence of tech, security, and food.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
What does it take to build a cybersecurity workforce capable of protecting the systems that keep the lights on and food on our plates?
In this episode, host Kristin Demoranville is joined by Nathaniel Smith, Co-Founder and VP at SR2, a purpose-driven recruitment firm. Nathaniel, who specializes in hiring OT/ICS, brings over 14 years of recruiting experience and a refreshing dose of honesty to the challenges of hiring in critical infrastructure.
Together, they explore what makes a strong Operational Technology (OT) candidate, why culture fit matters as much as technical skills, and how broken hiring processes often keep the best people out. For sectors like food and agriculture, where operational technology is directly tied to safety, production, and public trust, getting the right people into the right roles isn’t just important. It’s essential.
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Show Notes:
Mike Holcomb’s Episode (here)
SEC Ruling on Disclosure of Cyber Incidents (here)
📘 Sign up for early updates, exclusive previews, and launch news of Kristin’s book, “Securing What Feeds Us” (working title) here.📖 Kristin will also be sharing updates, behind-the-scenes chaos, and the occasional existential crisis over on her personal Substack
🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to speak at your conference, corporate event, or workshop.
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Episode Key Highlights
00:04:50 – OT as Public Service00:08:27 – Recruiter Perspective in OT00:09:42 – What Makes a Good OT Hire00:12:04 – Trust and Floor Experience00:13:59 – OT vs. IT Culture00:18:09 – The Talent Shortage Myth00:20:18 – Broken Hiring Systems00:22:50 – Job Descriptions That Miss the Mark00:27:00 – Current OT Hiring Trends00:29:30 – Who’s Hiring in OT00:32:00 – Community in OT00:33:00 – Why Specialized Recruiting Matters---------------
🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear!
Socials: TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; Substack
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🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries. AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience. Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.
AnzenOT Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple. Smart. Swift.AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Sign up for a free trial (here)Explore the platform at anzenot.comFor demo requests or inquiries, email stuart@anzenot.com or kristin@anzenot.com
Saturday Jun 21, 2025
Saturday Jun 21, 2025
In this episode of Bites and Bytes Podcast, Kristin sits down with Colson Steber, co-CEO of Qlarity Access, Ag Access, CEO of Vet Access, and a voice for intentional, human-centered innovation in agriculture. With nearly two decades of experience conducting market research for some of the biggest names in agriculture, Colson shares why understanding farmers is essential before offering them another piece of tech.
Together, they discuss how agriculture has evolved, particularly with the rise of precision technology, the aging workforce, and the pressure on first-generation farmers to do more with less. From the hidden costs of AgTech adoption to the overlooked value of legacy knowledge, Colson breaks down why empathy, trust, and real feedback matter more than ever.
This episode touches on everything from the future of food traceability and sustainability to what farmers are actually thinking when you pitch them the “next big thing.”
Whether you're in AgTech, food production, or just curious about how our food systems are shaped by research and technology, you’ll walk away with a richer understanding of what it really takes to serve the people who feed us.
📘 Sign up for early updates, exclusive previews, and launch news of Kristin’s book, “Securing What Feeds Us” (working title) here.📖 Kristin will also be sharing updates, behind-the-scenes chaos, and the occasional existential crisis over on her personal Substack
🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to speak at your conference, corporate event, or workshop.
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Episode Key Highlights00:11:30 – Why market research in ag is misunderstood00:20:12 – Farmers aren't your user, they're your customer00:25:50 – The burden of legacy vs. innovation in ag00:33:04 – How tech fatigue is reshaping adoption00:36:22 – Colson’s take on trust as a technology
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear!
Socials: TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; Substack
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🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries. AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience. Their services include:
Security Resilience Advisory
Security Resilience Assessments
Security Awareness & Training
Exercise, Drill & Scenario Workshops
Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.
AnzenOT Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple. Smart. Swift.AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Key features include:
AI-powered analytics
Quantified risk scoring & impact zones
Compliance & regulatory alignment
ESG integration for sector-specific reporting
Explore the platform at anzenot.comFor demo requests or inquiries, email stuart@anzenot.com or kristin@anzenot.com
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
What does it really take to launch a perishable food brand that refuses to cut corners?
In this episode of The Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville talks with Camille Hardy, founder and CEO of Chunky Vegan, about building a baby food company that blends clean ingredients, operational resilience, and cybersecurity from the ground up.
Camille brings decades of experience from Disney, NBCUniversal, and Sony Pictures in enterprise IT, but it was a simple trip to the grocery store that lit the fuse. What started as frustration over toddler food labels evolved into a mission: to build a brand that embodies transparency, safety, and smarter technology across the food supply chain.
You’ll hear:• How Camille’s corporate IT background gave her an edge in food startup chaos• The hidden costs (and ethical choices) of making clean food for infants• Why packaging, yes, even the glass, matters more than you think• Where AI is already improving forecasting, planning, and personalization• The role of cybersecurity and data privacy in food startups, even small ones• Real talk on sourcing, compliance, and what the future of nutrition could look like
If you work in food, agriculture, supply chain, food safety, or startup innovation, or just care about what we feed the next generation, this episode is a must-listen.
Show Notes:
BBC article “How humanity has changed the food it eats”
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Episode Key Highlights
00:05:44 – Why Camille Started Chunky Vegan00:14:10 – The Challenges of Producing Fresh Baby Food00:15:30 – Why They Follow UK Food Standards Over U.S.00:22:33 – Farm Sourcing, Traceability & Food Safety Practices00:26:48 – Even Glass Jars Need to Be Tested for Lead00:30:24 – AI Plans for Ingredient Sourcing & Custom Meals00:32:29 – Cybersecurity, Privacy & Encrypted Customer Data00:36:35 – Failover Plans, Cyber Resilience & Small Biz Security00:38:26 – Future Plans: Senior Nutrition & Store Expansion00:43:16 – What Needs to Change in Food: Cold Chain Affordability
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Visit Now: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.
Shop Now: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear!
Read Our Blog: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry.
Take the Survey: We value your feedback! Could you help us make the Podcast even better?
Schedule a Call with Kristin: Share Your Thoughts. Schedule Now
TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; Substack
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🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries. AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience. Their services include:
Security Resilience Advisory
Security Resilience Assessments
Security Awareness & Training
Exercise, Drill & Scenario Workshops
Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.
AnzenOT Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple. Smart. Swift.AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Key features include:
AI-powered analytics
Quantified risk scoring & impact zones
Compliance & regulatory alignment
ESG integration for sector-specific reporting
Explore the platform at anzenot.comFor demo requests or inquiries, email stuart@anzenot.com or kristin@anzenot.com
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🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to Speak
To invite Kristin to speak at your conference, corporate event, or workshop, visit anzensage.com/speaking and submit a request.
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Why do most new food products fail, and what does AI have to do with it?
In this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, you host, Kristin Demoranville, is joined by Andreas Duess, co-founder of GoCPG and CEO of 6 Seeds, to unpack what’s really driving the food and beverage industry right now.
Spoiler: it’s not just taste trends or fancy branding. Its behavior, data, and decisions are made without proper insight.
We talk about:
How AI is helping food brands try to understand real consumer behavior
The say-do gap: why people don’t buy what they say they want
How Uber Eats data, smart fridges, and strained supply chains shape product development
Why big brands are suddenly out-innovating startups
What GLP-1 drugs mean for food categories
And why rebuilding communities around food matters more than ever
Whether you’re in food, tech, or cybersecurity, or just curious about the systems behind what we eat, this episode pulls back the curtain on where the industry is headed.
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Andrea Duess’s contact information & companies:
Andrea’s LinkedIn
Personal Site
6 Seeds is the Communication and Innovation Consultancy for today’s agri-food Brands
goCPG is an AI-powered platform that helps food entrepreneurs and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands grow by providing personalized insights, mentorship, and tools to turn their ideas into successful businesses.
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🎯 Episode Key Highlights
06:59 The Role of Data in Food Innovation
11:19 Navigating the Fragmented Consumer Market
13:58 AI’s Impact on Data Utilization
19:30 Consumer Awareness and Ethical Considerations
23:13 Supply Chain Challenges and Rising Costs
24:39 The Evolution of Food Security and Pricing
27:55 Climate Change and Its Impact on Agriculture
30:18 Community Resilience in the Face of Crisis
33:45 Building Community Through Food
38:27 AI as a Tool for Meaning and Sense-Making
42:00 The Significance of AI in Daily Life
44:00 AI as a Tool for Innovation
45:00 The Shift in Innovation Dynamics
46:10 The Importance of Embracing AI
48:32 Historical Perspectives on Technology
51:07 Optimism in the Face of Challenges
52:45 The Evolution of Food Trends
54:05 Empowerment Through AI
57:41 Advice for Food Founders
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website. Visit Now
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear! 🧢👕 Shop Now
Blog: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry. Read Our Blog
Audience Survey: We value your feedback! Could you help us make the Podcast even better? Take the Survey
Schedule a Call with Kristin: Want to share your thoughts? Schedule a meeting with Kristin! Schedule Now
Socials: TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; Substack
_____________________________________
🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries. AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience. Their services include:
Security Resilience Advisory
Security Resilience Assessments
Security Awareness & Training
Exercise, Drill & Scenario Workshops
Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.
AnzenOT Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple. Smart. Swift.AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Key features include:
AI-powered analytics
Quantified risk scoring & impact zones
Compliance & regulatory alignment
ESG integration for sector-specific reporting
Explore the platform at anzenot.comFor demo requests or inquiries, email stuart@anzenot.com or kristin@anzenot.com
_____________________________________
🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to Speak
Looking to bring a fresh, engaging perspective on cybersecurity to your next event? Kristin Demoranville, CEO of AnzenSage, co-founder of AnzenOT, and host of the award-winning Bites and Bytes Podcast, is a dynamic speaker who bridges the gap between technology and the industries that feed, sustain, and inspire us.
With over 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Kristin has captivated audiences at prestigious conferences such as the American Zoo Association, RSA Conference, S4X24, the Food Safety Consortium, and many more. Her talks are known for their compelling storytelling, practical insights, and ability to make complex topics accessible and relevant.
Whether addressing the nuances of cybersecurity in the food industry or the broader implications for critical infrastructure, Kristin’s presentations are tailored to resonate with diverse audiences, encouraging discussion and fostering an inclusive environment.
To invite Kristin to speak at your conference, corporate event, or workshop, visit anzensage.com/speaking and submit a request.
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
In this compelling episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville sits down with Tracy Brunet, cattle rancher, Canadian Ag media powerhouse, and host of The Impact Farming Show. Broadcasting from her family farm in Southeastern Manitoba, Tracy opens up about the realities of modern agriculture, including land pressures, succession planning, tech adoption, and how family farms are quietly being squeezed out.
Together, Kristin and Tracy examine how smart farming and digital innovation are reshaping the industry, for better or worse. They also unpack the rising threat of agroterrorism and cyber-physical attacks, as well as what happens when farm automation goes wrong. This isn’t your typical farm chat; it's real talk about the challenges and resilience of today’s producers.
Whether you're in ag, food, or tech, this conversation is packed with insights on business, legacy, and safeguarding our food system. Tracy’s passion for farming is contagious, and her straight-shooting perspective on the future of agriculture will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.🎧 This is a sister episode to Tracy’s show, The Impact Farming Show—you can also watch our whole conversation on their YouTube channel: Watch here.
_______________________________________________🎙️ Guest Information: Tracy Brunet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-brunet-53a204b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracymbrunet/Farm Marketer: https://www.farmmarketer.com/
🎙️ The Impact Farming Show:
The Impact Farming Show is a podcast produced by Farm Marketer, created specifically for Canadian farmers who want to thrive in the business of farming. Hosted by Tracy Brunet, a cattle rancher and the CEO of Farm Marketer, the show features conversations with leading farm advisors and industry experts. Each episode offers practical advice on topics like succession planning, financial management, mental health, and the latest in ag innovation. Designed for busy farmers on the move, the show aims to provide insights that help them build successful, resilient farms and pass them on to the next generation.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@farmmarketer3270
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/impact-farming/id1409740089
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0UwMzcGCuFKkvlzJgOmhRl?si=00dacd734e1840c3
_______________________________________________🎯 Episode Key Highlights(00:14:05) – Land Developers, Pressure, and Displacement of Family Farms(00:19:17) – Succession Planning & Inheritance Struggles in Ag(00:24:48) – What Happens When Cyber Risk Hits the Ranch(00:35:55) – Real Incidents: Cyber Attacks on Dairy & Meat Industries(00:42:59) – The Risk of Connected Equipment & Smart Tech on the Farm(00:47:34) – Agroterrorism & Espionage: The Physical-Digital Crossover(00:55:12) – When Cyber Attacks Lead to Loss of Life on Farms
_______________________________________________Show Notes:
🔗 Resources and Further Reading
Farm Succession Planning
Passing Down The Family Farm with Clint Fischer | Episode 240Tracy discusses the intricacies of farm transition planning with Clint Fischer, emphasizing the importance of early and strategic planning.Watch the episode
TOP 10 Farm Transition Planning Mistakes with Tracy BrunetAn insightful episode where Tracy outlines common pitfalls in farm succession planning and offers practical advice to avoid them.Watch the episode
Precision Agriculture
Benefits and Evolution of Precision AgricultureAn overview by USDA ARS on how precision agriculture tools enhance farming efficiency and sustainability.Read the article
Precision Agriculture in the Digital EraA report detailing recent trends in the adoption of precision technologies on U.S. farms.Access the report
Cybersecurity in Agriculture
Ransomware Attack Paralyzes Milking Robots—Cow DeadAn incident highlighting the real-world consequences of cybersecurity breaches in agriculture.Read the article
Why the Food & Agriculture Industry Needs Cyber InsuranceAn overview of how cyber insurance can safeguard farming operations against digital threats.Download the PDF
Agroterrorism and Food Security
Agroterrorism: Threats to America's Economy and Food SupplyAn FBI investigation into the threats posed by agroterrorism to the agricultural sector.Read the article
Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats: How Farms Are Under AttackIn this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, we discuss deliberately targeting farms, livestock, and food supply chains to incite fear, economic damage, or ideological change.Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Spotify
JBS Ransomware Attack (2021)
A cyberattack in the meat industry was used to illustrate how digital risks can halt real-world production.
BBC Article
BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)
Also known as "mad cow disease." Tracy mentions that the outbreak stalled their early plans to start a beef ranch.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: BSE Overview
Lab-Grown Meat and Food Technology
Foods Produced Using Animal Cell Culture TechnologyInformation from the FDA on the development and regulation of lab-grown meat products.Download the PDF
Solar Flare & GPS Disruption in Precision Ag
Tractor GPS knocked out by Solar Flares during Harvest 2024
NASA Overview
Cutting Horses
The term "cutting horses" refers to agile saddle horses trained to separate individual animals from a herd of cattle. They possess an innate ability called "cow sense," allowing them to anticipate and respond to a cow's movements without direct guidance from the rider. This skill is essential in cutting competitions, where the horse must prevent a separated cow from returning to the herd. Wikipedia
_______________________________________________💡 Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2025 Stakeholders Summit
If you enjoyed our episode on agroterrorism and cyber threats to farms, featuring the Animal Agriculture Alliance, here’s another opportunity to explore critical conversations about our food system. And if you haven’t listened yet, check it out here:
🎙 Episode Link: Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats – How Farms Are Under Attack📢 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The 2025 Stakeholders Summit, happening April 30 – May 2 in Arlington, VA, will bring together industry leaders from farms, food processing, retail, and more to discuss sustainability and the future of animal agriculture. This year’s theme, “Food for Thought: Dishing on Sustainability,” focuses on collaboration and innovation to shape the future of food production.
Reserve your seat at the table—register by April 25!
🔗 Learn more and register: 2025 Stakeholders Summit🔗 About the Animal Agriculture Alliance: AnimalAgAlliance.org
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website. Visit Now
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear! 🧢👕 Shop Now
Blog: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry. Read Our Blog
Audience Survey: We value your feedback! Help us make the podcast even better. Take the Survey
Schedule a Call with Kristin: Share Your Thoughts. Schedule a meeting with Kristin! Schedule Now
Socials: TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn
_______________________________________________
🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries. AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience. Their services include:
Security Resilience Advisory
Security Resilience Assessments
Security Awareness & Training
Exercise, Drill & Scenario Workshops
Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.
AnzenOT Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple. Smart. Swift.AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Key features include:
AI-powered analytics
Quantified risk scoring & impact zones
Compliance & regulatory alignment
ESG integration for sector-specific reporting
Explore the platform at anzenot.comFor demo requests or inquiries, email stuart@anzenot.com or kristin@anzenot.com