The Unredacted Podcast

TSA Intelligence Operations: Inside National Security Screening

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Intelligence operations at the airport? Brian Drake and guest host Tyrome Smith explore what the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Intelligence Directorate actually does—and why it matters for U.S. national defense. Brian interviews the former Director of Intelligence for the TSA, Mary Quinn. Mary shares what this quiet, unseen intelligence operation does for the TSA and protect the public. She also goes runs through her experiences at the Defense Intelligence Agency at the National Media Exploitation Center, the Prisoner of War Recovery mission, and leadership lessons as a Senior Executive in both military and civilian intelligence services. Plus: how Iran tensions are reshaping the defense market and what new innovation models for emerging military-industrial base startups. Join us for an inside look at the Intelligence Community's most underrated work.

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.

For the President's Ears Only: An Interview with Jim Danoy

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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

Watching the Watchers: Journalism in National Security

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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

Leadership Lessons in National Security: Insights from Stacey Dixon

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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

Creating a Virtuous Insurgency: Inspiring Innovation in US National Defense

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Unredacted Podcast, Lindy and Brian explore the definition of the "warfighter" and examine the complex interplay between civilian policies and US national defense priorities. Featuring Jesse Levin, the Executive Director of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum, the discussion delves into privately funded, innovative business models and methods to advance international security and intelligence operations. Using case studies from Haiti to Ukraine, Jesse highlights how humanitarian relief efforts and private sector support can assist operations out forward in times of crisis and war. Discover how fostering a spirit of national service can contribute to rebuilding and strengthening the human arsenal within the defense market and broader national security landscape.

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

Breaking Norms in the Defense Innovation Ecosystem

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Lindy and Brian try their hand at making Federal procurement and innovation policy "un-boring." They probe the question of whether the Department of Defense/War is making the right moves to inspire innovation and competition while delivering capabilities to the field. Unredacted was lucky to snag one of the most preeminent thinkers on Defense Innovation, Tyrome "Ty" Smith, to weigh-in on this question. Brian and Ty dive deep, swap stories, and play a couple of games to answer listener questions.

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 Adventures of a CIA Inspector General

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:12:05 GMT

This week Lindy and Brian celebrate the New Year with tips to deceive your loved ones based on the miracles of time zones. They also interview Dave Buckley, the former IG of the Central Intelligence Agency. In this episode, Dave educates us on what an IG does and does not do, the challenges of inspecting an organization with people who are trained to lie for a living, and why its important to preserve the integrity of inspections for government.

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

Words as Weapons? - Free Speech and National Security

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Lindy and Brian test the limits of free speech in national security. What is the way forward when America's constitutional protections threaten to undermine the fabric of its democracy? Given that neither Brian nor Lindy are experts, they interview someone who is; Jane Kirtley. Professor Kirtley is the Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. She has written friend-of-the-court briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as two books and articles for scholarly journals and for the popular and professional press. We discuss at length her article for the American Constitution Society blog on disinformation. You can find the article here: https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/liability-for-amplification-of-disinformation-a-law-of-unintended-consequences/

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

Building Bonds of Trust with Lindy Kyzer

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Brian interviews Lindy about her new book Trust Me. Lindy shares some rare insights into how the security process actually works and what the future holds for current and aspiring clearance holders.

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

Catching an Iron Butterfly

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In their first ever podcast crossover, we interview Megan Jaffer for The Unredacted Podcast. Megan and her partner in crime, Cadie Hopkins, started the Iron Butterfly Podcast in 2020. It has since become a juggernaut of content creation for the U.S. Intelligence Community. Brian and Lindy also discuss equity issues in National Defense and Intelligence and the importance of creating space for conversations on gender issues.

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

Upholding Our Promise to America's Afghan Allies

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In the aftermath of the attack on West Virginia National Guard members, Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, Brian and Lindy talk about the fallout and policy implications for Afghan resettlement. More specifically, they explore what changes to the Special Immigrant Visa program mean for our Afghan and Iraqi allies. We also have the pleasure of speaking with Andy Sullivan and Mariah Smith about their work with the non-profit No One Left Behind.

For more information on No One Left Behind, please click here: https://www.nooneleft.org/

If you would like to make a donation to No One Left Behind, please navigate to: https://give.nooneleft.org/campaign/664214/donate

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

Thank you to Dragon Forge Consulting for sponsoring this episode.

Revolutionary Ideas from Anthony Vinci

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:00:00 GMT

This week we interview Anthony Vinci. Anthony has been a Case Officer, a Venture Capitalist, Artificial Intelligence Evangelist, and a Geospatial Intelligence Leader. Now he assumes the mantle of author. He just published a new book: The Fourth Intelligence Revolution. On this episode, Lindy and Brian share how his ideas connect with our daily lives even in the far flung corners of Venezuela and discuss Lindy's not-so-secret obsession with Riley Green.

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

Remembering Scotty - An Interview with Sandy Wirtz

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:00:00 GMT

This week on The Unredacted Podcast, we talk about the most popular rock concert you will never attend: Spookstock. In the spirit of Spookstock, Brian interviews Sandy Wirtz. Sandy is the mother of, retired Navy SEAL and Defense Intelligence Agency employee, Scotty Wirtz. Scotty was taken from us in 2019 while serving DIA in Syria. He was also the inspiration for creating the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation (DIMF). The DIMF gives scholarships to the surviving children of fallen Defense Intelligence Officers from DIA, NSA, NGA, NRO, and the Intelligence Service Centers. On this episode, Sandy shares with us her memories of Scotty, her friendship with Brian Drake, and how she hopes Scotty's story will inspire others.

Music by Gramatik from the album #Digitalfreedom

If you would like to make a donation to the DIMF, please click here: https://www.defenseintel.org/store

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

Welcome to the Unredacted Podcast

Brian Drake and Lindy Kyzer - US National Defense Experts — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:00:11 GMT

Our introductory episode discusses how Lindy and Brian think about national security, what content they will cover in the upcoming episodes, and the types of people they will interview.

Have a question or an episode idea, please reach out to us at: questions@unredactedpodcast.com

Music by Gramatik from the album #Digitalfreedom