Is that how it happened?

Welcome back to Is That How It Happened? — I’m your host, Van Flowers.

Today’s episode is a special re-broadcast of a conversation that many of you have asked me to bring back — and for good reason. My guest is Rick Vanover, one of the most recognizable voices in the world of data protection and IT resilience, and a long-time leader at Veeam.

Rick’s passion for technology, his ability to make complex ideas accessible, and his deep understanding of how data drives business continuity make this a con...

Welcome back to Is That How It Happened? — I’m your host, Van Flowers.
Today’s episode is a special re-broadcast of a fascinating conversation that so many of you have asked me to bring back.

My guest is Jeff Lanza — a former FBI Special Agent and one of the nation’s leading cyber-crime and security experts. Jeff spent over two decades with the Bureau investigating everything from organized crime to identity theft and computer intrusions. His insight into how criminals exploit technology — and how we can protect ourselves —...

Welcome back to Is That How It Happened? — today we’re revisiting an incredible conversation from a few months back that absolutely deserved a place on our new platform. My guest is none other than Michael Stafford, a true Veeam Guru and one of the most insightful minds in the world of data protection, backup, and recovery.

Michael brings not only deep technical expertise but also genuine authenticity, humility, and passion for what he does. He’s the kind of guest who reminds us that technology isn’t just about systems and storage — it’s about...

Welcome to today’s episode of Is that how it Happened,  where we dive into the ideas, innovations, and leaders shaping the future. Our guest today is Paul J. Scaini, a driving force at Lenovo, where he plays a pivotal role in bringing cutting-edge technology solutions to businesses and industries around the world. With years of expertise in strategy, leadership, and transformative tech, Paul brings unique insight into how Lenovo is reimagining what’s possible in today’s digital-first landscape. From AI to enterprise innovation, he’s here to share not only Lenovo’s vision but also his perspective on where te...

We’re honored to welcome Kyoshi Roger Dabney — a 9th Degree Black Belt in American Open Style Karate and a 7th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. With decades of dedication, discipline, and teaching experience, Kyoshi Dabney has shaped countless students through his martial arts journey.

From philosophy to physical mastery, this episode dives into what it really means to live the way of the martial artist — and why the lessons go far beyond the dojo.

Stay tuned… this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!

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Welcome back to another episode of "Is That How That Happened" with your host, Van "The Vanimal" Flowers! I'm fired up for today's conversation because we're diving deep with some folks who are absolutely crushing it in the ISP and data center world.

Today I've got the incredible team from C3 Complete joining us—and when I say "complete," I mean these guys are like the Swiss Army knife of internet service providers. But calling them just an ISP is like calling a Ferrari just a car. These are ISPs on steroids with legitimate superpowers.

We...

Welcome back to another episode in our series, Cancer: The Gift That Keeps Giving. Today, I’m honored to introduce a truly inspiring guest: Mindy Fast. Mindy is not only a survivor of Multiple Myeloma, but also a powerful voice of resilience, courage, and hope. Her story shines a light on the realities of facing cancer head-on, while also celebrating the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

In this conversation, Mindy opens up about her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and the ways she’s found purpose through adversity. Whether you’re a patient...

What does it take to redefine how modern teams work with data?

In this episode of Is That How It Happened?, we sit down with Joe Dabrowski of dbt Labs, the company behind the modern standard for data transformation. With a mission to empower analytics engineers and streamline data workflows, dbt Labs is leading a revolution in how businesses transform raw data into actionable insights.

Joe brings his expertise and passion to the mic as we explore the rise of the modern data stack, the cultural shift in data teams, and...

Welcome to Cancer: The Gift That Keeps Giving — a series where we explore the raw truth, resilience, and revelation found in the cancer journey.

Today’s guest is... me.

I’m Van Flowers, also known as The Vanimal, and in this special episode, I’m stepping out from behind the mic to share my own story — a story of survival, surrender, and surprising gifts that came from facing one of life’s toughest battles.

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitt’s Lymphoma, an aggressive and fast-moving cancer that brought m...

🎙️ Podcast Intro – "Is That How It Happened?"
Guest: Mike Tso, Co-Founder & CEO, Cloudian
Episode Release: July 10th

Welcome to Is That How It Happened? — the podcast where we sit down with the innovators, disruptors, and leaders shaping our world.

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the most transformative shift in modern technology: Artificial Intelligence — and the data infrastructure fueling it.

My guest today is Mike Tso, Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudian — a company that’s not just responding to AI’...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Emily Ragland, BSN/RN, a critical care oncology nurse at the Massey Cancer Center, who shares what it’s like to serve on the front lines of cancer care.

Emily opens up about the emotional and physical toll of caring for patients battling some of the most aggressive blood cancers, and the profound responsibility that comes with walking beside individuals and families in their most vulnerable moments. With compassion, clarity, and courage, Emily offers listeners a raw and heartfelt look into a caregiver's world—where life...

Welcome back to Is That How It Happened? — the show where passion meets purpose and stories are told from the heart.

Today’s guest is someone who lives and breathes music — Dee J Nelson, a gifted guitarist and rising producer who’s chasing his dream of becoming an unforgettable force in the world of rock, rhythm, and creativity.

From the first time he picked up a guitar to the long hours grinding in the studio, DJ’s journey is all about commitment, craft, and carving your own path in a tough industry. We talk about...

Welcome back to Cancer: The Gift That Keeps Giving, a series that shines a light on the raw, real, and resilient journeys of those touched by cancer — survivors, caregivers, and the incredible professionals who walk beside them.

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Pastor Owen Taylor, a faith leader and grief counselor who has spent years supporting cancer patients and their families through some of life’s darkest and most sacred moments.

Pastor Taylor shares with us the emotional and spiritual weight that comes with a cancer diagnosis — not just for patients...

Podcast Episode Intro:

Welcome to another episode of “Is That How It Happened?” — the podcast where we explore the stories and technologies shaping our digital world.

Today, I’m joined by Josh Turnbull from Loadbalancer.org, a company that’s made it their mission to keep critical systems online, fast, and resilient. Whether you're in healthcare, finance, education, or cloud infrastructure, chances are your apps depend on reliable traffic distribution — and that’s where load balancing becomes the silent hero.

In this episode, Josh unpacks the real-world challenges of...

Welcome to another episode of Cancer: The Gift That Keeps Giving, where we share the raw, real, and inspiring journeys of those who face cancer every single day—patients, survivors, and the healthcare heroes who walk beside them.

Today, we’re honored to be joined by Dr. Kevin Brigle, a PhD-prepared Adult Nurse Practitioner who has dedicated his career to oncology care. With years of clinical experience, research expertise, and a compassionate heart, Kevin offers a rare and powerful perspective into what it means to care for cancer patients—not just treat them.

I...

Welcome back to Is That How It Happened? — the series where real stories shape deeper conversations.

Today’s episode is part of our special series, Cancer: The Gift That Keeps Giving, and it features an extraordinary guest: David Evelyn, a Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor whose journey through cancer is as courageous as it is inspiring.

David takes us through the brutal honesty of a life-altering diagnosis, the emotional and physical battles that followed, and what it means to find hope — and purpose — on the other side. This conversation isn’t just about survival; it...

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...

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 fr...

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 resi...

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 h...

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 pra...

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...

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

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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

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What a wonderful conversation with a true family man. As dedicated to his wife and boys, as he is to his work at Cloudian. With an IT career spaning over 25 years, I'm sure you will find some great take aways for your role, and your personal relationships.

Grab a cup, and sit a bit as I talk with John

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Doug Marks is a musician, guitarist and guitar instructor. He is the founder and owner of Metal Method Video guitar lessons. Marks founded Metal Method in 1982. Metal Method is both one of the longest established and world's most popular video guitar lessons having taught well over 100,000 guitarists to date.

https://www.youtube.com/@DougMarks

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With an amazing career that has brought Skip to over 5 decades of playing the guitar, we discuss his early years, his love of the Blues, his guitars and where he is now as a member of the Blues Guitar Hall of Fame

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