What does the President actually need to know? This week Lindy Kyzer and Brian Drake explore this topic, catch-up after their respective Spring Breaks and discuss developments in the Iran conflict, specifically the cognitive warfare environment. They also exchange ideas about what constitutes a secret and how you maintain trust in critical conversations. The high-wire test of those skills is no better embodied than as a briefer for the President's Daily Briefing. The Unredacted Podcast was lucky to snag the one and only Jim Danoy; retired Defense Intelligence Agency senior executive and former intelligence briefer to President Obama. Jim gives us an in-depth look at what it takes to produce intelligence for the President, how it is is delivered, and what some of the challenges are in communicating the most complex topics to the most powerful leader in the Free World.

Music by Gramatik from the album #Digitalfreedom

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, please email us at: questions@unredactedpodcast.com

The Unredacted Podcast is a production of Dragon Forge Consulting. With the exception of the content provided under license or with the permission of the creator, all content, including but not limited to, audio recordings, transcripts, show notes, graphics, and any associated materials of The Unredacted Podcast are the exclusive property of DRAGON FORGE and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. DRAGON FORGE is the sole and exclusive owner of all rights, title, and interest in and to this Intellectual Property.

In this episode of The Unredacted Podcast, we delve into the critical role of journalism in the domain of US national defense and intelligence. Hosts Lindy Kyzer and Brian Drake explore the challenges faced by government communicators in balancing transparency with secrecy, especially in today’s complex new media landscape. Lindy shares her experiences as a Public Affairs Officer amid shifting public trust, while both hosts reflect on insights from the recent Trust in Media Cooperative conference.

Our special guest, Sasha Ingber, is a career journalist and Founder of the HUMINT Substack. She is also the first female host of the Spy Museum's SpyCast. During this interview, she shares her insights on what is uniquely challenging in reporting on intelligence and national security beat. Sasha drills deep into the topics of counterintelligence threats in the midst of Federal layoffs, anonymous health incidents (otherwise known as Havana Syndrome), and gaining the trust of intelligence insiders.

Join us as we uncover the challenges and imperatives of intelligence journalism, offering unique perspectives on national security that go beyond the headlines.

Music by Gramatik from the album #Digitalfreedom

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, please email us at: questions@unredactedpodcast.com

The Unredacted Podcast is a production of Dragon Forge Consulting. With the exception of the content provided under license or with the permission of the creator, all content, including but not limited to, audio recordings, transcripts, show notes, graphics, and any associated materials of The Unredacted Podcast are the exclusive property of DRAGON FORGE and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. DRAGON FORGE is the sole and exclusive owner of all rights, title, and interest in and to this Intellectual Property.

This week on The Unredacted Podcast, Brian and Lindy wax poetic about mentors and the leadership lessons they have learned. They explore what leadership means when you are responsible for the security of the nation. And who better to school us about what to expect when you're in the "big chair" than Stacey Dixon, the former Principal Deputy Director for National Intelligence. On this episode, Stacey tells her story from the humble beginnings of Bell Labs, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the halls of Congress, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and then to the DNI. She shares some of the most intimate stories about the tough challenges of the Afghanistan withdrawal, navigating the COVID pandemic, and advocating for the Intelligence Community on The Hill. She also shares her joys in leading people, inspiring life-changing research, and how to build coalitions of the willing in a sprawling bureaucracy. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, intelligence operations, and the inner workings of the national security apparatus.

Music by Gramatik from the album #Digitalfreedom

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, please email us at: questions@unredactedpodcast.com

The Unredacted Podcast is a production of Dragon Forge Consulting. With the exception of the content provided under license or with the permission of the creator, all content, including but not limited to, audio recordings, transcripts, show notes, graphics, and any associated materials of The Unredacted Podcast are the exclusive property of DRAGON FORGE and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. DRAGON FORGE is the sole and exclusive owner of all rights, title, and interest in and to this Intellectual Property.