Unstoppable Stories
Unstoppable Stories
Podcast Description
Welcome to UMGC’s "Unstoppable Stories," a podcast that showcases extraordinary journeys of individuals who turned their dreams into reality. Join hosts Lauren Cardillo and Nathan James as they sit down with inspiring people who have broken barriers, defied expectations, and achieved remarkable success in their fields.In each episode, Lauren and Nathan dive deep into the real, unvarnished stories behind their guests' accomplishments. From military veterans turned entrepreneurs to working parents who became industry leaders, these inspiring individuals share the obstacles they overcame and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths to success. They offer compelling insights for anyone looking to transform their own life and achieve their dreams."Unstoppable Stories" goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the grit, determination, and resilience it takes to achieve your goals. Whether you're a student, career changer, or simply someone seeking inspiration, these powerful narratives prove that with dedication and perseverance, there's no limit to what you can achieve.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers around themes of resilience, personal growth, and overcoming obstacles, with episodes that share diverse stories from guests ranging from military veterans to working parents. Examples include Lynnette Lamp's journey from a young mom to Maryland's Mom of the Year and Kevin Finkelstein's transition from theater enthusiast to an educator, showcasing the transformative power of education and the human experience.

Welcome to UMGC’s "Unstoppable Stories," a podcast that showcases extraordinary journeys of individuals who turned their dreams into reality. Join hosts Lauren Cardillo and Nathan James as they sit down with inspiring people who have broken barriers, defied expectations, and achieved remarkable success in their fields.
In each episode, Lauren and Nathan dive deep into the real, unvarnished stories behind their guests' accomplishments. From military veterans turned entrepreneurs to working parents who became industry leaders, these inspiring individuals share the obstacles they overcame and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths to success. They offer compelling insights for anyone looking to transform their own life and achieve their dreams.
"Unstoppable Stories" goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the grit, determination, and resilience it takes to achieve your goals. Whether you're a student, career changer, or simply someone seeking inspiration, these powerful narratives prove that with dedication and perseverance, there's no limit to what you can achieve.
Host Nathan James sits down with UMGC cybersecurity graduate, Tamila Urumbaeva, to trace a move from Uzbekistan to the United States, a seven year stretch apart from her father, and the decision to rebuild in a new language and culture. She explains the hardest early hurdle, communicating with care across cultures, and how asking good questions, listening closely, and adjusting tone in real time became a daily practice.
Tamila shares how she chose cybersecurity, earned an Excellence in Cybersecurity award at community college, transferred to UMGC for the online fit, stacked credentials like CompTIA Security Plus, and balanced four jobs with school through disciplined routines and honest burnout recovery. She also reflects on launching leadership with Women in Cybersecurity, the confidence of conference community, and a vision to secure systems and inspire more women to enter the field.
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To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable.
Host: Nathan James
Guest: Tamila Urumbaeva, Cybersecurity Specialist, UMGC alumnus
Time Stamps & Show Notes:
(00:00 – 00:50) Cybersecurity Impact
(00:50 – 02:59) Delay and move
(03:00 – 05:12) Culture shock
(05:13 – 08:10) Choosing cyber
(08:11 – 10:34) Early wins
(10:35 – 13:10) UMGC fit
(13:11 – 16:35) Four jobs
(16:36 – 19:49) Burnout reset
(19:50 – 24:15) WiCyS leadership
(24:16 – 27:08) Never give up
(27:09 – 30:59) Community and close

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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