Debt Free In IT w/ Mike

Fall Down Once, Get Up Twice | Cisco Exam Safeguard

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textPreparing for an IT certification takes time, money, and consistency—and sometimes, even after doing everything right, you can still f...

Never Too Late: Starting Your IT Career at 41

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textToday’s episode comes straight from a listener question:They’re 41 years old, thinking about entering the tech field, starting a boo...

Why IT Certifications STILL Matter in 2025 (The Truth You Need to Hear)

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textToday we’re taking a real-world look at IT certifications—what they actually do for your career, why they’re still valuable, and h...

AI Certs You NEED To Know About

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn today’s episode, I’m breaking down the AI certifications you should be looking at. If you’re trying to get into IT, level up yo...

The 5 Most Common CCNA Questions

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, I answer the top five questions I get about the CCNA certification.If you’re trying to figure out the best path — C...

The 5 Habits of Every Successful IT Professional

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat separates the top IT pros from the rest? It’s not luck — it’s habits. 💡In this episode, I’m breaking down The 5 Habits o...

Certs That Move the Needle (2025)

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhen it comes to IT certifications, not all certs are created equal. Some get you interviews — others get you hired.In this video, I’...

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

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhen 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 ep...

Professionalism in Tech: What Really Matters

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of Debt Free in IT w/ Mike, we dive into a listener question that goes beyond certifications and career advice — it’...

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

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhen 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 peop...

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

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textFeeling 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...

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

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhich certification should you start with — CompTIA A+, Network+, or Cisco CCNA? 🤔In this episode, I break down the differences, th...

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

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textYour first five years in IT can make or break your career. In this video, I’m sharing my personal roadmap — the lessons I learned, t...

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

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAge 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 sta...

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

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWireless might feel like a lost art form — nobody says “I want to be a wireless engineer” — but every campus, hospital, and stad...

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

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 co...

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

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textMost of us like to stay in our comfort zones — it feels safe, predictable, and easy. But looking back on my IT career, the biggest gro...

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

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHelpdesk isn’t a dead end. It’s your launchpad.In this video:✅ Key skills you take with you✅ Top jobs to target after helpdesk✅...

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

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn 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 m...

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

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you stuck overthinking your next move in tech? Wondering if you should go to school, self-study, or which cert to start with? In thi...

WCA: WireShark Certified Analyst

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, I break down Wireshark—the powerful network protocol analyzer—and why it’s a must-have tool for IT pros, from troub...

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

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textToday’s episode is inspired by a listener question:“I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and I’m applying ...

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

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIf 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 ...

The Greatest Conference on Earth: Cisco Live 2025 Recap

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLast week, I attended Cisco Live in San Diego, and in this episode, I’m breaking down my experience — from the sessions and networki...

Cisco Certification Updates

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, yo...

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

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textSometimes 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...

Many Men: Gatekeeping in IT

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textToday’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 ...

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

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre 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 f...

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

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textToday’s episode comes straight from a listener question:“Do you have any advice on becoming a freelance network engineer — and is ...

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

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 mo...

Love Yourz: The Real-World Skills That Make You Perfect for Tech After 40

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIf you’re 40+, you’re not starting over — you’re transferring over.In this video, I break down real-world skills you already hav...

You Don’t Know… Networking vs. Cybersecurity

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThinking about starting a career in IT?Not sure if you should go the networking route… or jump into cybersecurity?In this episode, I b...

Dedication: The Best Online Labs and Simulators to Build Your Networking Skills

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text🎯 Want Hands-On IT Practice?Studying for your CCNA? Breaking into cybersecurity or the cloud? Today’s video breaks down the best on...

All the Way Up: 6 Jobs You Can Get with a CCNA

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIf you’re grinding for your CCNA or wondering what kind of jobs you can land after certification — this one’s for you.Inspired by ...

Nothing Was the Same: CASP+ to SecurityX

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textCompTIA just rebranded CASP+ to SecurityX, and in today’s episode, I break down what changed, why it matters, and whether this cert is...

The Best Things in Life Are FREE: Recertify Your CCNA with Cisco U

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIf your CCNA or any Cisco Associate-level certification is expiring soon, this video is for you!🎯 In this episode, I break down Cisco...

My Way: Choosing Python or Cloud as an Aspiring Network Engineer

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, I answer a popular listener question:“What’s more important for a new network engineer—learning Python or underst...

Seeing Green: Dice Tech Salary Report 2024

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textToday, we're diving into the key highlights from the Dice Tech Salary Report for 2024! This report reveals critical insights every ...

New Level: Breaking Down TryHackMe’s SAL1 Certification for Aspiring SOC Analysts

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, I break down the SAL1 (Security Analyst Level 1) Certification by TryHackMe! If you’re looking to get into cybersecur...

The Takeover: Freelancing vs. Full-Time in Tech

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text🚀 The IT industry is changing! More professionals are ditching traditional 9-to-5 jobs for freelancing, consulting, and contract work...

Ambition: CCNA + Job Hunting

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textYou put in the work, passed your CCNA, and now you’re wondering what’s next. The job search can feel overwhelming, especially with n...

Networking Is Dead: Why No One Wants to Be a Network Engineer—And Why That’s Your Opportunity

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIs networking really dead? In today’s episode, I break down why so many people are avoiding network engineering, the common misconcept...

Can’t Tell Me Nothing: The Unfair Advantage of Starting Tech at 40+

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Thinking about transitioning into tech at 40+? Wondering if it's too late to start a career in IT? Let me tell you straight up—...

Every Day I’m Hustlin’: Must-Have Entry-Level IT Skills for 2025

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIf you’re trying to break into IT in 2025, this video is for you! Today, I’m breaking down the must-have entry-level IT skills to he...

Grinding All My Life: Should You Study CCNA and Network+ Together?

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we tackle a popular listener question: "Can I study CCNA and Network+ together?" Spoiler alert: I advise agai...

That Thing: Help Desk or Data Center Technician

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThat Thing: Help Desk vs. Data Center Technician – Which IT Role Fits You?"Trying to decide between a career as a Help Desk Techn...

Big Brother: Cisco vs Juniper

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textJuniper Certifications vs. Cisco Certifications: Which Is Right for You?Today’s video comes from a viewer comment asking about the val...

Can’t Knock the Hustle: Goals for 2025

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text🎯 My 2025 Goals: Reflecting, Growing, and Hustling Harder 🎯As 2024 comes to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on my progre...

Everything I'm Not, Made Me Everything I AM: My 2024 Review

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text🎉 What an incredible year for DebtFreeinIT w/ Mike! Join me as I share the highlights and milestones of 2024, including:- 54 consiste...

Thinking of a Master Plan: Overcoming Analysis Paralysis

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn today’s episode, we’re tackling the one thing that holds most people back—analysis paralysis. Whether you’re trying to start ...

No Worries: 5 Least Stressful Jobs in Tech

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLooking for an IT career that won’t leave you stressed out? In today’s video, I’m breaking down 5 of the least stressful jobs in I...

The Come Up: Transitioning from Help Desk to Network Engineer

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we tackle a listener question from someone who just made a huge career leap from help desk to network engineer after ea...

IT Ain’t Hard to Tell: The 5 Best Ways to Start Your IT Career

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you ready to break into the IT industry but unsure where to start? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the 5 best traditional ...

Certified and Paid: Everyday Apps That Lead to IT Careers

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, I share 5 everyday corporate apps that could be your gateway into IT. From tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, ...

Keep On Pushin': Your Step-by-Step Guide to Starting in Tech

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn today’s episode, I respond to a listener’s question about breaking into the tech industry and learning the basics. If you're...

7 IT Commandments: Essential Tips for IT Professionals

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to the 7 IT Commandments – the essential rules every IT professional should follow to thrive in the tech industry! In this epi...

1 HOUR STUDY WITH ME | CCNP ENCORE | LO-FI | Pomodoro | 5 MIN BREAK

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textStudy with me!!!Getting back on track to prepare for the CCNP certification. If your preparing for a test or certification or just study...

What We Do: Breaking Down IT Support Roles and Responsibilities

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into the different levels of IT support! 🎉 Most jobs in IT involve some level of s...

A Change Gonna Come: Cisco CyberOps to Cisco Cybersecurity

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, I break down everything you need to know about Cisco's CyberOps certification being updated to the Cisco Cybersecu...

The Re-Education of a Cyber Pro: Transitioning from Cyber to Network Engineering

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we’re tackling a listener question: "I have a cyber background and only the Security+ certification. What direct...

Good Cloud, M.A.A.D Skills: Azure Fundamentals AZ-900

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to Good Cloud, M.A.A.D Skills – your guide to mastering Azure Fundamentals and passing the AZ-900 certification exam!In this v...

You Can Get with This or You Can Get with That: Certifications or Experience

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, I tackle one of the biggest debates in IT—Certifications vs. Experience. Which one should you focus on, and how does ...

Enter the Cloud: Cisco CCNP ENCC 300-440

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn today’s episode, we're diving into a lesser-known but highly valuable certification in the cloud landscape—Cisco’s Designi...

Certs Rule Everything Around Me: Debunking Certification Myths

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn Certs Rule Everything Around Me, we’re taking a closer look at the world of IT certifications and tackling some of the biggest myth...

Only Built 4 IT Pros: In-House vs. MSP Breakdown – Which is Better?

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, we dive deep into the In-House IT Support vs. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) debate to help you determine which path is...

IT Was Written: Answering Your Questions About IT Career Pitfalls & Success

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this special Q&A episode, I’m diving deep into your most pressing questions about navigating the world of IT! Inspired by Nas’...

ATLiens: Feeling Lonely in Remote Work - Navigating Mental Health in an Alien Environment

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWorking remotely has its perks—like saving money, enjoying greater flexibility, and getting more done without the usual office distrac...

The Blueprint: CompTIA vs. Cisco Certifications – Which Path is Right for Your IT Career?

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you trying to decide between CompTIA and Cisco certifications? In this video, we break down everything you need to know to make the ...

When It All Falls Down: What Not to Do as an IT Professional

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textI’m diving deep into the critical mistake IT professionals should avoid at all costs—burning bridges. Whether you're stuck in a...

All Eyez on the Cloud: AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to my channel! Have you been thinking about learning cloud computing? Over 90% of companies worldwide are utilizing the cloud, ...

Life After CCNA: What's Next? Maximizing Your Certification's Value

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to my channel! So you just passed your CCNA certification. What's next? In this video, we explore the value of your CCNA c...

1 HOUR STUDY WITH ME | CCNP ENCORE | OLD SCHOOL HIP HIP | Pomodoro | No Break

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textStudy with me!!!Getting back on track to prepare for the CCNP certification. If your preparing for a test or certification or just study...

CrowdStrike Global Outage: IF YOUR READING THIS ITS TOO LATE

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to my channel! In this video, we dive deep into the CrowdStrike global outage that occurred early Friday morning on July 19th. ...

CCNA Exam Update 2024 - Everything You Need to Know!

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to my channel! In this video, I break down the latest updates to the CCNA exam for 2024! Whether you're just starting your...

Why Network Engineers Excel as Security Engineers

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to my channel! Are you in networking and considering a shift to cybersecurity? In this video, we delve into the reasons why net...

CCST IT Support: Cisco's New Entry Level Certification

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome to my channel! In this video, we dive into Cisco's newest entry-level certification: the Cisco Certified Support Technicia...

Breaking into IT: Your First-Day Journey

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWelcome back!!! In this episode, I'm taking you on a detailed journey through your first day in the IT industry, and what to expect...

Network Technician vs Network Administrator

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, we'll break down the differences between a network technician and a network administrator. If you're considerin...

5 High Paying Career Paths, In the IT Industry 2024

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWant to know which IT careers will be the highest paying in 2024? Watch this video to discover the top 5 highest paying IT careers you s...

Listener Q&A 4th Edition

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, I answer questions from listeners of the show. This is the fourth edition of this type of episode. In this episode I gath...

Get This Certification Before the CCNA

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBefore pursuing your CCNA certification, consider getting this certification first. It will give you a solid foundation for success in y...

5 Investment Vehicles to Make Your Money Work for You

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLooking to make your money work for you? Check out this video on 5 investment vehicles that can help you grow your wealth and achieve yo...

3 Ways A Certification Can Benefit YOU

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDiscover the 3 ways a certification can benefit you in your career. From new job opportunities to increased earning potential, find out ...

Cisco Cyberops Associate Vs CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CYSA+)

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textConfused about the difference between Cisco Cyberops Associate and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CYSA+)? This video breaks down the ke...

Cybersecurity Pathways: A Guide to Network Security Job Titles and What They Mean

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLooking to start a career in cybersecurity? This video is your ultimate guide to network security job titles and what they mean. Find ou...

Investing 101: Achieve Financial Success

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode we discuss some basic investment strategies to benefit the young IT professional as well as anyone else. Some things we ...

Gamify the Cloud: AWS Cloud Quest

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, I share a unique resource that could be used to learn AWS Cloud. This resource is called AWS Cloud Quest which is the onl...

IT Skills to Learn 2024

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textCurious about the IT skills to learn in 2024? In this video, we'll discuss the top IT skills that will be in demand in the future j...

Mistakes to Avoid as an IT Professional

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, I share the mistakes to avoid as a new IT professional. Learn from my experience and avoid these common pitfalls!*This vi...

From Bytes to Budgets: Top Apps and Budgets for IT Professionals

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, we'll discuss the top apps and budgets that every IT professional should know about. From managing projects to track...

Job hopping: Risks and Rewards

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIs job hopping worth it? In this video, we'll discuss the risks and rewards of frequently changing jobs. Learn about the potential ...

Network Security Roadmap

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video we cover a potential roadmap to become a Network Security Engineer. Watch as we cover education and certification choices,...

Transition to Tech: Make Your Next Move, Your Best Move

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textReady to make your next move in your career? Consider transitioning to tech! This video will give you tips and resources to help you mak...

Cloud Certifications for Beginners

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this video, we'll cover the top cloud certifications for beginners, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. These certifications...

The Money Mistakes I Wish I Avoided: Advice for My Younger Self

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLearn from my mistakes and avoid these common money pitfalls! In this video, I'm sharing the money mistakes I wish I avoided and gi...

Resume Writing 101

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you struggling to write your resume? In this video, we'll cover the basics of resume writing to help you create a strong and pr...

Helpdesk is NOT a DEAD END Job

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDon't underestimate a career in helpdesk! Contrary to popular belief, it's not a dead end job. In this video, we'll discu...

CCNA Cyber Ops vs Security+

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textNot sure which cybersecurity certification is right for you? Watch our comparison video on CCNA CyberOps vs Security+ to make an informe...

1 HOUR STUDY WITH ME | CCNP ENCORE | LoFi | Pomodoro | 5 min Break

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textStudy with me!!!If you have watched or listened to any of my recent episodes, You know one of goals this year is to get my CCNP Encore, ...