Welcome to the premiere episode of “CANCER: The Gift That Keeps Giving,” a special series on the Is That How It Happened? podcast — where we explore the raw, real, and often life-changing journeys of cancer survivors.

In this first powerful episode, I’m joined by Tarri Kalhoefer — a Stage 4 lymphoma survivor whose story is nothing short of extraordinary. Tarri opens up about the moment of her diagnosis, the grueling treatment that followed, and what it really means to survive — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

This isn’t just about beating cancer. It’s about discovering resilience, confronting fear, and finding unexpected strength in the darkest moments.

Tune in to hear Tarri’s unfiltered story of hope, struggle, and the life that comes after chemo.

👉 Listen now at www.isthathowithappened.com

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

Welcome back to another episode of “Is That How It Happened?” — the show where we dig into the stories behind the people, the paths, and the pivotal moments that shape careers and lives.

Today, I’m excited to welcome Fadel Hamed, Senior Vice President of Customer Success at Cloudian. With decades of experience leading customer-focused teams in the tech space, Fadel brings a unique blend of strategic insight, operational excellence, and human-centered leadership.

In this conversation, we dive into the core of what customer success really means — not just in theory, but in practice. Fadel shares his journey from the early days of his career to becoming a trusted voice in enterprise technology, and the lessons he's learned about building lasting relationships, scaling global teams, and navigating the ever-evolving demands of customers in the data-driven world.

Whether you’re in tech, leadership, or just curious how great customer experiences are crafted and maintained — you’re going to want to hear this.

Let’s get into it.

Welcome back to another episode of “Is That How It Happened?” — the show where we explore the real stories behind the titles, the turning points behind the triumphs, and the paths that brought people to where they are today. I'm your host, Van Vanimal Flowers.

Today, I’m joined by someone who’s not only a leader in the world of enterprise data storage, but a strategist, mentor, and innovator — Peter Sjoberg, Vice President of Solution Architects Worldwide at Cloudian.

Peter has built a career at the intersection of technology and leadership, helping global teams design scalable, secure, and future-ready storage solutions. But what’s the story behind the title? How did Peter get here? What lessons did he learn along the way? And what’s next for the world of object storage and cloud integration?

In this conversation, we dive into Peter’s professional journey, the key moments that shaped his leadership style, and the insights he’s gained from working with organizations around the globe. Whether you’re in tech, management, or just fascinated by how careers evolve, this episode has something for you.

Let’s get into it — here’s my conversation with Peter Sjoberg.

Take a few minutes to get the tips and tricks of the "Trainers Trainer" - this is WELL WORTH your time to get ready for your next exam

How many exams do we take on a regular basis as "Technical" people - I'm sure I have taken a 100 in my career. Let's see how Bart preps and helps you prep for your next exam