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Grey Dynamics
Former CIA Collection Management Officer on Life with Esther Atwell – Episode 55
Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics Podcast! Today we are talking to Esther Atwell, a former linguist and collection manager who spent over a decade at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Esther has had a varied career beyond intelligence, working as a tutor, realtor and court interpreter on the island of Hawaii. We discussed working in the CIA and overseas, what it takes to work in intelligence, immigrating to the US and much more. Esther is also the partner of our previous guest, CIA operations officer John Atwell.
- 1:10 - Early life, learning languages, tutoring, livining overseas and joining the CIA with her husband.
- 18:42 - Being an Operationally Certified Collection Management Officer
- 23:59 - The desired traits of someone wants to work in this field
- 28:47 - Esether's view on faith and not mourning over missed opportunity
- 33:30 - Immigrating to the US and sense of patriotic duty
- 40:05 - Esther on working in the CIA and overseas as a woman and someone with foreign heritage
- 45:50 - Advice for young people looking to work in intelligence
- 54:16 - Cultural recommendations
- Senior CIA Ops Officer John Atwell on Culture Change, Working with Five Eyes and Career Advice
- Canadian Intelligence, the ICC and Career Development with Kelly Wong
We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.
With security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to secret & top secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!
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68. Former CIA Case Officer and Station Chief Douglas London on Asset Recruitment and Tradecraft
01:00:40||Season 4, Ep. 68Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics Podcast. Today, we are hosting an episode with Douglas London, a former clandestine service case officer and station chief with over three decades of experience in downrange assignments. London career with Langley ranged from recruiting assets in hostile environments to operating under official cover.Douglas London is also a Adjunct Associate Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service where he teaches Intelligence and National Security Studies. During the episode, the author of “The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence” will share his insights on current tradecraft in human intelligence. Find DouglasLinkedIn ProfileTwitter ProfileThe Recruiter BookRelated LinksThe Spy and the State: The History of American IntelligenceFormer Paramilitary Operations Officer Ric Prado on his life in the ShadowsGrey Dynamics Intelligence Capability Development and TrainingGrey Dynamics Operational SupportGrey Dynamics Open Source Intelligence ServicesGrey Dynamics Case StudiesGrey Dynamics StoryAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastGoogle PodcastAmazon Podcast67. Grey Dynamics Presents the OpSec Podcast: A Guide By Former USIC Cyber Contractor
01:07:14||Season 4, Ep. 67Welcome back to Grey Dynamics. Today, we are thrilled to announce the OpSec Podcast, a project from our cyber intelligence and operational security expert, which will be produced and edited in-house every couple of weeks. Allen, the show host, is a seasoned intelligence and defence professional with over twenty years of experience, including military service, government contracting and the private sector. Specialising in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) collection operations. Allen holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and top-tier certifications including CISSP and CASP+. Additionally, his career spans global assignments leading multinational teams and supporting mission-critical programs for the United States military and allied partners. Currently, he serves as a GEOINT advisor for the United States government and an OPSEC specialist in Grey Dynamics team. Find AllenLinkedIn ProfileOpSec PodcastIntel ReportsRelated LinksGrey Dynamics Intelligence Capability Development and TrainingGrey Dynamics Operational SupportGrey Dynamics Open Source Intelligence ServicesGrey Dynamics Case StudiesGrey Dynamics StoryAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long-term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastGoogle PodcastAmazon Podcast66. New Intelligence Courses, OPSEC and Political Risk with Ahmed Hassan
46:50||Season 4, Ep. 66The Grey Dynamics Podcast welcomes you back. Today, we are doing another solo episode with important announcements. These include new school courses focused on Human Intelligence (HUMINT), as well as new podcasts and guides on Operational Security (OPSEC). Both of the initiatives are spearheaded by veteran intelligence officers and operators.Find Ahmed HassanLinkedInGrey Dynamics PodcastRelated LinksGrey Dynamics Intelligence Capability Development and TrainingGrey Dynamics Operational SupportGrey Dynamics Open Source Intelligence ServicesGrey Dynamics Case Studies Grey Dynamics StoryAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastGoogle PodcastAmazon Podcast65. Ahmed Hassan on Grey Dynamics Media Side, Intelligence Operations and Training
29:05||Season 4, Ep. 65Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics podcast. This week, we are doing another editor’s note with some current insights about the company. During this episode, I will be discussing how Grey Dynamics deals with -sometimes opposite- worlds of operational contracts and media publications. Furthermore, I will also provide some recommendations from the intelligence professionals looking to enter intelligence and security company management.Find Ahmed HassanLinkedInGrey Dynamics PodcastRelated LinksGrey Dynamics Intelligence Capability Development and TrainingGrey Dynamics Operational SupportGrey Dynamics Open Source Intelligence ServicesGrey Dynamics Case Studies Grey Dynamics StoryAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastGoogle PodcastAmazon Podcast64. Former CIA Intelligence Officer and Daily Briefer David Priess
01:05:03||Season 4, Ep. 64The Grey Dynamics Podcast welcomes you back. Today, we have an amazing guest: David Priess, a former intelligence officer, intelligence manager and daily briefer of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the Bill Clinton and George Bush administrations. Additionally, David Priess worked at the State Department as a desk officer in the Near East Bureau.Find David PriessLinkedInHow to Get Rid of a President: History's Guide to Removing Unpopular, Unable, or Unfit Chief Executives The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's PresidentsAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastGoogle PodcastAmazon Podcast63. Former Diplomat and Founder of Intrigue Media John Fowler
01:14:55||Season 4, Ep. 63Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics podcast. Today we are honoured to have John Fowler, founder of the global affairs start-up International Intrigue Media and former Australian Foreign Service diplomat. During his diplomatic career, he served and lived in Beijing and Shanghai after a lengthy training in Mandarin. John Fowler also holds a Master of Business Administration from the London Business School.Find John FowlerLinkedInIntrigue MediaRelated Links:Chinese Maritime Militia: Little Blue Men Fishing for TroubleChina’s Rising Military CapabilitiesThe Inner Workings of Wagner with John LechnerChinese Espionage Against the West: No Sign of Letting UpBeijing’s Security Balancing Act: The China-Myanmar Economic CorridorAIC: The Australian Intelligence CommunityGrey Dynamics Podcast Episode 35: Australian IntelligenceAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!62. Former CIA Senior Team Leader and GRS Veteran Thomas "Tom" Pecora
48:34||Season 4, Ep. 62Grey Dynamics welcomes Thomas Pecora, a former CIA/GRS Senior Security Manager with over twenty-four years of experience working in protective operations, crisis management, physical security, and counterterrorism missions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Iraq, Sudan and the Philippines.Tom was awarded both the Intelligence Star “for voluntary acts of courage performed under hazardous conditions ”and the Career Intelligence Medal for “exceptional achievements that substantially contributed to the mission of the agency”. He is also an adjunct professor at Wright State University and the author of the book, “Guardian: Life in the Crosshairs of the CIA’s War on Terror”.Find Thomas PecoraLinkedInGuardian: Life in the Crosshairs of the CIA's War on TerrorRelated Links:The Global Response Staff (GRS): CIA’s Covert Paramilitary UnitCIA Special Activities Center: The Third OptionFormer Paramilitary Operations Officer Ric Prado on his life in the ShadowsAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTube Spotify Apple Podcast Google Podcast Amazon Podcast61. The Inner Workings of Wagner with John Lechner
59:20||Season 4, Ep. 61Grey Dynamics welcomes John Lechner to the podcast. He is a journalist and researcher, focusing on security issues with a heavy approach to on-the-ground coverage. John is also an expert on Russia’s growing influence in Africa. He speaks fluent Russian; advanced French, Turkish, and Georgian; and conversational Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian (BCS), Chechen, German, and Sango.You can find his articles published in Foreign Policy, War on the Rocks, Kyiv Post, The Diplomat, Africa is a Country, African Arguments, The National Interest, and Defense One, among others. Additionally, his book on the inner workings of the Wagner Group is for sale on AmazonFind John LechnerLinkedInJohn Lechner AuthorDeath Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private WarfareRelated Links:Wagner PMC Activity in the Central African Republic: A Geospatial AnalysisPMC Wagner in Africa: ForecastAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastGoogle PodcastAmazon Podcast60. Former Naval Counter Intelligence Officer and Founder of Grey Bull Rescue Bryan Stern - Episode 60
01:10:07||Season 4, Ep. 60Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics podcast! This week we are speaking again to Bryan Stern, founder and head of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation. Bryan has 25 years of military experience, including combat tours with the US Army and Navy. His specialisms include unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, and counterterrorism. During the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, Bryan organised flights to evacuate 117 US citizens after the US military had left. Since then, Grey Bull Rescue has conducted thousands of missions and rescued over 7,100 people from crises around the world. We spoke about breaking a US citizen out of a Russian FSB prison, operating where other won’t, and much more.Find Grey Bull Rescue and Bryan Stern:greybullrescue.org LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X Bryan Stern LinkedInRelated Links:Warzone Extraction, China vs Taiwan and Project Dynamo with Bryan Stern What do Humanitarian NGOs and the Private Sector want from Intelligence? With E.Advance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!Grey Dynamics YouTube Spotify Apple Podcast Google Podcast Amazon Podcast