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“Applying Intelligence to Business Strategy” with Jonathan B. Smith
Summary
Jonathan B. Smith (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the application of intelligence to entrepreneurship. Jonathan is an entrepreneur, author, and business strategist.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
Building high-performance teams
Case officers vs. entrepreneurs
Networking and overcoming operational challenges
Curiosity as a key trait for success
Reflections
The will to succeed
The power of listening and empathy
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“I often switch languages …I'll speak from a medical CEO's perspective versus a financial services CEO perspective. And people, when you use their language, they tend to lean in. They're like, “Oh, you understand me.” It's fascinating – People don't want to know how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Jonathan B. Smith.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
The Cyber Behavioral Profiler with Cameron Malin (2024)
The FBI Hostage Negotiator with Chris Voss (2024)
Spying and Start-Ups with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen (2022)
From the CIA to Strategic Cyber with Hans Holmer (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do? Foundation for Economic Education, YouTube (2019) [3 min. video]
What is EOS? Entrepreneurial Operating System (n.d.) [Fact sheet]
Case Officer, Central Intelligence Agency (n.d.) [Job description]
DEEPER DIVE
Books
Sell Like A Spy: The Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage, J. Hurewitz (Diversion Books, 2024)
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)
Optimize for Growth: How to Scale Up Your Business, Your Network and You, J. B. Smith (Chief Optimizer, 2015)
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1:01:42
“The Skinny on Cuban Intelligence” – with Counterintelligence expert Ean Forsythe
Summary
Ean Forsythe joins Andrew to discuss the history of Cuban intelligence. Ean is the Counterintelligence and Security Center Chair at the National Intelligence University.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
The history and evolution of Cuban intelligence
Case studies, including Ana Montes, Kendall Meyers, and the Cuban Five
Counterintelligence strategies and challenges
The role of Cuban intelligence during the Cold War
Reflections
Ideology and the power of ideas
Offensive vs. defensive play
And much, much more …
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes with Jim Popkin (2023)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
Dealing with Russia – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)
DEEPER DIVE
Books
Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed, J. Popkin (Hanover, 2023)
To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. M. Olson (Georgetown University Press, 2021)
United States-Cuban Relations: A Critical History, E. M. Dominguez (Lexington, 2008)
Primary Sources
Report on the Convictions and Disproportionate Sentences Imposed on the Cuban Five (2014)
USA: The Case of the Cuban Five (2010)
Inspector General Review of Ana Montes Investigation (2005)
US vs. Marta Rita Velazquez (2004)
Ana Montes Statement During Trial (2001)
FBI Arrests DIA Employee (2001)
Selection and Training of Cuban Intelligence Agents Abroad (1964)
Cuban Intelligence Information Report (1964)
*Wildcard Resource*
Watch Erin bake Ana Montes’ famous cheesecake recipe and dive deeper into Ana’s story in SPY's Declassified Desserts video!
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1:10:02
Bellingcat: An Intelligence Agency for the People with Eliot Higgins
Summary
Eliot Higgins (X; Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the work of Bellingcat. Eliot founded the open-source investigative website in 2014.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
Bellingcat’s approach to “investigative journalism”
The rise of OSINT as a tool of journalism
Bellingcat’s relationship with intelligence agencies
Case studies from Bellingcat’s past, including the Skripal Case and the MH17 flight investigation
Reflections
Leading by example
Accessibility and accountability
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“When I first started doing this work ... I would present geolocation and stuff on stage. The reaction was like I was doing magic tricks, but my point was that. This isn't magic – This is something that you can do and recreate and understand.” - Eliot Higgins.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
Digital Innovation and the Next Frontier of Intelligence with Jennifer Ewbank (2024)
The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett (2024)
U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius (2024)
Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)
DEEPER DIVE
Books
OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023)
Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023)
We Are Bellingcat: The Online Sleuths Solving Global Crimes, E. Higgins (Bloomsbury, 2022)
Primary Sources
Map of Civilian Harm in Ukraine (2024)
Death of Sinwar Report (2024)
The IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024)
DoS Open Source Intelligence Strategy (2024)
MH17 Investigation (2019)
Skripal Report (2018)
*Wildcard Resource*
The fable of Belling the Cat
The inspiration behind Bellingcat’s name, the moral of this story is simple – It’s one thing to suggest a solution or idea, but it’s a whole other beast to actually take action.
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1:07:27
The Cyber Behavioral Profiler with Cameron Malin
Summary
Cameron Malin (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss cyber and behavioral profiling. Cameron was the creator and founder of the FBI’s Cyber Behavioral Analysis Center.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
The historical origins of behavioral profiling
Applying behavioral profiling to counterintelligence and cyber threats
Nature vs. Nurture in criminal behavior
The future of deception and cyberwarfare
Reflections
The complexity of the human mind
Threat evolution
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“We need to think about cybersecurity as not just hacking and malware and the obvious tangible or known weapons that are used, it includes mental malware … Deep fakes and disinformation, things that can cause erroneous decision making that are just as powerful.” – Cameron Malin
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
The FBI Hostage Negotiator with Chris Voss (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 1 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
“How Spies Think” – 10 Lessons in Intelligence with Sir David Omand (2020)
DEEPER DIVE
Books
Deception in the Digital Age: Exploiting and Defending Human Targets through Computer-Mediated Communications, C. Malin et. al. (Academic Press, 2017)
Incendiary: The Psychiatrist, the Mad Bomber, and the Invention of Criminal Profiling, M. Cannell (Minotaur Books, 2017)
Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, J. Douglas & M. Olshaker (1995)
Primary Sources
Lone Offender Terrorism Report (2019)
A Study of Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the United States Between 2000 and 2013 (2018)
FBI Jack the Ripper Profile (1988)
Criminal Investigation: A Practical Handbook (1907 translation)
UK Parliamentary Debates (1888)
*Wildcard Resource*
Mindhunter (2017-2019)
While not perfectly accurate, this TV show (heavily inspired by the book of the same name, listed above) is a truly excellent watch.
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1:08:30
The FBI Hostage Negotiator - with Chris Voss
Summary
Chris Voss (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the art of negotiation. Chris formerly served as the FBI lead international hostage negotiator.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
The very basics of negotiation, including the phrase “Never split the difference”
The art of Tactical Empathy
Case studies from Chris’ career, including the Dos Palmas kidnappings
Techniques in ethical interrogation
Reflections
Pressure makes diamonds
Human nature & understanding “the other side”
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“Never take advice from somebody that you wouldn’t trade places with. Never take directions from somebody who hasn’t been where you’re going … I’m coachable, but I know who to be coached by.” – Chris Voss.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son with His Mother Diane Foley (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 1 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder (2024)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
The FBI Way - Counterintelligence Spy Chief Frank Figliuzzi (2021)
DEEPER DIVE
Books
American Mother, C. McCann and D. Foley (Etruscan Press, 2024)
The Siege, B. Macintyre (Crown, 2024)
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)
Primary Sources
A Proclamation on U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day (2024)
Executive Order on Bolstering Efforts to Bring Hostages and Wrongfully Detained United States Nationals Home (2022)
FBI Hostage Rescue Team Policy Guide (2019)
DOS Foreign Affairs Manual: Hostage Taking and Kidnappings (2018)
5 Leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group Indicted (2002)
Hostage Negotiation: A Matter of Life and Death (1983)
Current Status of the Hostage Crisis and the Implications of US Policy Options (1980)
*Wildcard Resource*
Want to learn even more? Check out Chris’ MasterClass on the Art of Negotiation.
And while you’re there, tune in to MasterClass’ other intelligence and espionage-related courses featuring insights from John Douglas, Michael Morrell & more, and Condoleezza Rice.
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TOP SECRET
Personal Attention, SpyCast Listeners
Known to be the podcast real spies listen to -(STOP)- eavesdrop on conversations with high level sources from around the world -(STOP)- spychiefs molehunters defectors covert operators analysts cyberwarriors and researchers debriefed by SPY Historian Hammond -(STOP) stories secrets tradecraft and technology discussed -(STOP)- HUMINT SIGINT OSINT IMINT GEOINT and more -(STOP)- rumored to be professional education internal communication and public information -(STOP)- entire back catalog available online for free -(STOP)- please investigate this claim with all possible haste -(STOP)- SPY Historian Hammond said to have a Scottish accent -(STOP)- is this a countermeasure or a hearts-and-minds campaign?
(END TELEGRAM)