Welcome back to another episode of “Is that how it happened”, where we dive into the real stories behind remarkable careers. Today, we’re sitting down with someone who has climbed the legal ladder all the way to the top — a highly successful attorney and law firm partner whose journey is as demanding as it is inspiring.

In this episode, we trace the path from college to law school — through years of intense study, competitive internships, and the pressure-packed environment of firm life. Our guest opens up about the long hours, the high stakes, the sacrifices — including time away from family and the personal toll that often comes with professional ambition.

But it’s also a story of achievement. Of making partner. Of building a reputation. And of the opportunities this career has unlocked — from meaningful cases to financial independence to the ability to give back.

Whether you’re thinking about a career in law or just curious about what it really takes to succeed at the highest level, this is a raw, honest, and motivating conversation you won’t want to miss.”

Welcome back to another episode of Is That How It Happened? — the podcast where we uncover the real stories behind technology, transformation, and the people driving innovation forward.

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dave Russell, Vice President of Enterprise Strategies at Veeam Software. With decades of experience shaping the data protection industry, Dave brings a wealth of insight from both the analyst and engineering sides of enterprise IT.

From backup and recovery to modern ransomware defense, Dave has been at the forefront of helping organizations keep their data resilient in a world full of threats. In this episode, we dig into what businesses are doing right — and wrong — when it comes to securing their digital assets, the evolving role of cloud and hybrid environments, and where the future of enterprise data strategy is headed.

Whether you're a tech leader, a backup admin, or just curious about the critical systems that keep the digital world running — you’re going to want to hear what Dave has to say.

🔗 Check out more episodes at www.isthathowithappened.com

Let’s get into it.

Welcome back to Is That How It Happened? — the podcast where we uncover the real stories behind the people shaping tech.

Today’s guest is Melissa Palmer — a powerhouse technologist, content creator, and VMware Certified Design Expert. With a career that’s spanned engineering, technical marketing, product strategy, and even the Office of the CTO, Melissa has helped tackle some of the toughest problems in modern IT — from ransomware threats to cloud and data center design.

But today, we’re zooming in on a different kind of challenge: certification prep. Melissa breaks down how she approaches high-stakes certs like the VCDX, how she stays focused under pressure, and what anyone pursuing advanced IT credentials needs to know.

Whether you’re an aspiring architect, security pro, or just someone who loves a good tech origin story — this one’s for you.

Let’s dive in with Melissa Palmer.

🎧 Listen now at www.isthathowithappened.com