In the Interest of National Security
In the Interest of National Security is hosted by Ryan Vogel and Jonathan Rudd from the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University. The podcast features conversations with professionals, practitioners, analysts, authors, students, and scholars from around the world. Episodes examine top national security issues, analyze US policy options, and consider threats affecting national and global security. It also highlights guests' career paths and provides insight into job opportunities in the national security field.
Episodes
Intelligence and the Evolution of National Security Threats: With Jason Speck
Jason Speck, recently retired FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst and professor with UVU’s Center for National Security Studies, joins the podcast to discuss his career and experiences in intelligence and counterterrorism. He shares insights from his work around the world, explores how terrorism and national security threats continue to evolve, and offers advice for students interested in careers
Peace through Strength, with Congressman Blake Moore
Congressman Blake Moore joins Ryan Vogel and Sam Fletcher to talk about what's actually driving national security decisions on Capitol Hill. His central argument: the national debt, not any foreign adversary, is now America's biggest security threat, since interest payments have already outpaced the entire defense budget. Moore also breaks down the bipartisan work behind keeping bases like
Reflecting on 10 Years of National Security Studies at UVU
As Utah Valley University celebrates the 10th anniversary of its National Security Studies program, Professor Jonathan Rudd sits down with the program's founder and director, Professor Ryan Vogel, to reflect on its beginnings, growth, and impact. Ryan shares how an idea inspired by his experience at the Pentagon grew from a single class with four students into one of the country’s largest and
Nuclear Strategy: Energy Security and Global Influence with Ted Jones
Our guest for this episode is Ted Jones, Senior Director for National Security and International Programs at the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, D.C., the premier policy organization driving the nuclear industry forward. With a background spanning policy, law, and international energy markets, Jones has built a career at the intersection of national security and nuclear strategy.He holds a
OSINT Tradecraft: Credibility and Collection in Online Spaces with Nico Dekens
Our guest for this episode is Nico Dekens, a veteran practitioner of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), cyber intelligence, and online investigations with 20+ years in Dutch law enforcement as an all-source intelligence analyst. Now the owner of Dutch OSINT Guy Intelligence Services and Director of Intelligence & Collection Innovation at ShadowDragon, Dekens is widely known in the OSINT commun
The Role of Semiconductors in U.S. Military Power and Technological Leadership with Grant Amacher
Our guest today is Grant Amacher, a distinguished graduate of Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah. With over 30 years of executive leadership at Intel Corporation, Mr. Amacher brings a wealth of expertise in the advanced semiconductor and chip industry. Before his tenure at Intel, he served as a lead engineer at EDO Corporation (now part of L3 Harris), where he contributed to the de
The Cutting Edge of Cybersecurity: Evolving Threats and Evolving Tools with Mathew Toussain
Our guest today is Matthew Toussain, a recognized leader in offensive security, penetration testing, and cybersecurity training. Mr. Toussain is the founder of Open Security, a firm dedicated to real-world adversarial testing, red teaming, and advanced security education. As a former U.S. Air Force cyber warfare leader, he has spent over a decade at the cutting edge of cybersecurity, specializing
Mediating Modern Conflict: Third Party Influence and Hybrid Warfare with Dr. Rebecca Dudley
Our guest today is Dr. Rebecca Dudley. Dr. Dudley is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University, where she teaches courses on civil wars and American foreign policy. She received her PhD in Political Science from Duke University. Her research focuses on conflict resolution and foreign policy, emphasizing the role that third parties play in the dynamics of conflict and
Emerging Technology and National Security with Jacques Sabrie
Our guest today is Jacques Sabrie, a Principal at MITRE, a non-profit organization that operates federally funded research and development centers, which power advances in national defense and security. Mr. Sabrie has been instrumental in coordinating efforts with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), leveraging his extensive experience in systems engineering and global intelligence,
Intersections between Private Sector Industries and U.S. National Security with Andy Pierucci
Our guest today is Andy Pierucci, the Head of Government Affairs for Savage Services Corporation, a global provider of supply chain solutions. Mr. Pierucci also serves as a city council member in Riverton, Utah, and teaches as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University's Center for National Security Studies.
Listen as Mr. Pierucci discusses private industry and national security, the role
International Intelligence Relations with Dr. Diana Bolsinger
Our guest today is Dr. Diana Bolsinger. Dr. Bolsinger currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. Bolsinger’s career includes experience with the US Department of State, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Listen as Dr. Bolsinger conveys the n
From the U.S. Air Force to 47G with retired Brigadier General Max Stitzer
Our guest today is retired U.S. Airforce Brigadier General Max Stitzer. General Stitzer served worldwide deployments, including a combined seven years at The Pentagon
and two tours with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He currently works with 47G—an aerospace and defense organization located in Utah.
Listen as General Stitzer recounts his experiences in the US Air Force. From his days as an enlist
FBI/CIA: Interagency Collaboration with Retired Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn
Our guest this week is retired Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn. Mr. Quinn began his career with the FBI in the New York Field Office where he investigated counterintelligence and international terrorism cases and would eventually serve in senior leadership positions in Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington DC, and at the Central Intelligence Agency.
Listen as Mr. Quinn recounts his
Putin's Russia: Insights with Area Specialist Dr. Frederick White
Our guest this week is Dr. Frederick White. Dr. White is a professor of Russian and Integrated Studies at Utah Valley University, and a specialist in Russian literature, film, and culture. Listen as Professor White discusses how Vladimir Putin cemented his authority as Russian President, how Alexei Navalny challenged Putin’s authority in Russia, and how Russian territorial ambitions pose a threat
Life as an Intelligence Analyst with John McClure
Our guest this week is John McClure, Deputy Director of the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University. John worked at the county, state, and federal levels as an Intelligence Analyst specializing in counterterrorism investigations in the State of Utah.
Listen as Deputy Director McClure discusses his education in Terrorism Studies at St. Andrews University in Scotland, and h
Nuclear Strategy and Arms Control: An Overview with Kerry Kartchner
Our guest this week is Dr. Kerry Kartchner, nuclear weapons policy expert, former US Department of State representative, and adjunct professor at Utah Valley University’s Center for National Security Studies.
Listen as Dr. Kartchner recounts his career beginning as an instructor at the Naval postgraduate school, his participation in the implementation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (STA
CIA/PDB/SDL: Careers in Intelligence with Matt Berrett
Our guest this week is Matt Berrett, cofounder of the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence (CAI) at Utah State University, Director of Analytics at Space Dynamics Lab (SDL), and retired Assistant Director with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Listen as Director Berrett describes his early career with the CIA, his time directing the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), and the relationship betwee
DOS: Insights on the Foreign Service, Diplomacy, and the Foreign Service Institute with Dr Jared Pendleton
Our guest this week is Dr. Jared Pendleton, a Civil Service officer with the U.S. Department of State and an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University’s Center for National Security Studies. Listen as Dr. Pendleton discusses graduate school in Southern California, his time as a political officer in the foreign service, and language training at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
What is the
Israel and Hamas: Historical context with Dr. Greg Jackson
Listen as Professor Greg Jackson, Senior Fellow at the Center for National Security Studies and host of the podcast, History that Doesn’t Suck, discusses the historical context behind the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
How did European colonialism set the stage for decades of violence in the region? How does the conflict reflect wider international tensions? Will the U.S. response and suppo
Chinese Government/Politics: Examining Foreign Relations with Dr Eric Hyer
Listen as Dr. Eric Hyer, retired professor of political science and Coordinator of Asian Studies at the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies at Brigham Young University, discusses his time studying in Taiwan, experience with the foreign service, research regarding Chinese border disputes, and thoughts on political leadership in China.
How does the One China Policy maintain peace on
W0LV3R1NES: Competing in the Atlantic Council’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge with Maggie Hutchens and Ethan Morse.
Listen as Maggie Hutchens and Ethan Morse, seniors in the National Security Studies Program at Utah Valley University (UVU), share their experiences studying national security at UVU and competing in the Atlantic Council’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge.
How does the Center for National Security Studies (CNSS) prepare students to apply practical skills in the professional field? What is the makeup
Perth USAsia Centre: Analyzing Indo-Pacific partnerships with Professor Gordon Flake.
Listen as Professor Gordon Flake, CEO of the Perth USAsia Centre, shares experiences from his career working with think tanks, attending global diplomatic conferences, and establishing a center for studying relations between Australia, Asia, and the U.S.
How does Australia act as a fulcrum for U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy? Which global partners does Australia rely on for national security? Which A
Nuclear Energy, National Security, and the Law: Bridging Professional Fields with Deputy Director Rachael Hutchings
Listen as Rachael Hutchings, Deputy Director of the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University (UVU), walks us through her career path–from law school in Tennessee to the Japan Energy Law Institute in Tokyo to the Center for National Security Studies at UVU–and discusses nuclear energy in a national security context.
How can a legal education equip students to succeed in natio
CIA/DOS/CAI: Exploring Anticipatory Intelligence and Strategic Culture with Dr. Jeannie Johnson
Listen as Dr. Jeannie Johnson, Founding Director of the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence (CAI) at Utah State University (USU), draws from her experience at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Department of State (DOS) to explain and illustrate the concepts of Anticipatory Intelligence and Strategic Culture.
What is "Anticipatory Intelligence" and how does it complement traditional forms
Chief Information Officer: The Evolving Role of Technology with Utah’s CIO Alan Fuller and Chief Information Security Officer Phil Bates
Listen as Alan Fuller, Chief Information Officer for the State of Utah, and Phil Bates, Chief Information Security Officer with the Utah Department of Technology Services, discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by advancing technology.
How have advances in technology both positively and negatively impacted Utah and its citizens? How does the Utah state government combat cybercrime targetin
Army Intelligence/DIA: Afghanistan, Analysis, and Academia with Professor Rob Flores
Listen as Professor Rob Flores shares insights from his military intelligence work in Afghanistan, lessons learned from his time as a liaison officer and all-source analyst at the DIA, and the importance of academia in national security.
How did U.S. military intelligence evolve in Afghanistan after 9/11? Why does the DIA engage in defense diplomacy and strategic analysis? And how does the unique
FBI/CIA/Private Sector: Discussing National Security Careers in the Public and Private Sectors with Tyson Woodruff
Listen as Tyson Woodruff – Managing Director at PwC, former CIA operations officer, and former FBI special agent – draws from his unique career in both the federal government and the private sector to share valuable perspectives on different areas of national security work.
How do the missions, methods, and people of the FBI and CIA differ, and in what ways are they the same? Why is integrity an
EMTECH: An Overview of the Emerging Tech Policy Lab with Director Brandon Amacher
Listen as Brandon Amacher, Director of the Emerging Tech Policy Lab, discusses his background and role in leading EMTECH as part of Utah’s Intermountain Intelligence, Industry, and Security Consortium (I3SC).
What necessary services do I3SC and the EMTECH lab provide to Utah’s public and private sectors? How do people of all backgrounds, both technical and not, contribute to cyber security?
OSINT: Exploring Open-Source Intelligence Work with OSIC Director Mary Kent
Listen as Mary Kent, Director of UVU's own Open-Source Intelligence Center, explains how she uses open-source intelligence in support of law enforcement and national security.
What is unique about open-source intelligence and how it is collected? In what ways has open-source changed the national security playbook? And how does open-source empower analysts to use criminals' own methods against them
Cyber: International Law and Cyber Conflicts with Professor of Law Eric Talbot Jensen
Listen as Professor Eric Talbot Jensen discusses how international law applies to cyber conflicts and cyber warfare, speaking from his experience writing international cyber policy.
What role does law play in the world of cyber warfare? How do nations regulate cyber warfare and cyber crime? And does international law hold cyber actors accountable for their actions? Learn all th
JAG: A Look at Life as a Military Lawyer with Retired Judge Advocate Mike Smidt
Listen as Professor Mike Smidt shares his experience serving as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.
What kind of work do military attorneys do, both in the courtroom and on the battlefield? From what source does the United States Armed Forces derive legal authority to conduct war? What makes the U.S. military unique in how it is constructed and how it operates within
NSS Program: Exploring Careers and National Security Studies with Hosts Ryan Vogel and Jonathan Rudd
Listen as our hosts, Director Ryan Vogel and Professor Jonathan Rudd, discuss their careers in national security and the National Security Studies (NSS) program at Utah Valley University (UVU). How did a Pentagon Policy Analyst end up starting the NSS program at UVU after his time in Washington D.C.? What is the FBI’s Hogan's Alley and what lessons can it teach UVU students in the classroom? And h
CIA: Perspectives and Insights from Retired Intelligence Analyst Scott DeAngelo
Listen as Scott DeAngelo shares insights and experiences from his career as a CIA Intelligence Analyst. What role does leadership analysis play in assisting policymakers when dealing with their foreign counterparts? What forecasts can be made about the future of Afghanistan, especially now that the US has withdrawn? And how did a self-described "vagabond undergraduate" end up at the CIA, and how c
Russia: Perspectives of an Area Specialist with Dr. Frederick White
Listen as Dr. Frederick White draws upon his experience as a Russia Area Specialist to share his insights into Russian language and culture. What does the word "democracy" mean to Russia? What is the shared history between Russia and Ukraine? And why did the Soviet Union like Ernest Hemingway so much? Learn all this and more in this episode of In the Interest of National Security.
Intro: In the Interest of National Security
A brief introduction to In the Interest of National Security from our hosts Professor Ryan Vogel, Director of the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University, and Professor Jonathan Rudd, Associate Director of the Center.
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