The Intelligence Jumpstart with Jane DOE

Jane DOE speaks with Dr. Deborah Pfaff, Associate Professor of Research in NIU’s Office of Research, about the privatization of space. Noting that space-related activities make up 25 percent of the U.S. economy, Dr. Pfaff highlights existing space policy and the current practice of commercializing space exploration—providing the private industry with government contracts but no oversight. The article mentioned in this episode: Spacing Out: Will we allow the privatization of space to eclipse NASA and NRO? (originally published in The Hill)

Manolis Priniotakis, NIU’s Vice President of Research and Infrastructure, discusses the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis and its role within the department with Assistant Secretary Shannon Corless. They also explore the intersection of economics and national security and what that convergence looks like in practice.

Jane DOE speaks with Dr. Neil Johnson from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and NIU faculty member in the Anthony G. Oettinger School of Science and Technology Intelligence. Examining deepfake technologies, Dr. Johnson discusses multimedia forensics and the ongoing efforts of the IC, U.S. Government, and global organizations to provide users and viewers with education and resources to combat the malicious use of deepfake technologies.

Jane DOE speaks with Dr. Jennifer Sciubba, an internationally recognized expert in the field of demographic security and a Wilson Center fellow, about her book, 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World, and the security predictions we can make by examining existing global populations.

Jane DOE speaks with Dr. Rod Schoonover, a former Senior Scientist and Senior Analyst in the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research and founder of the Ecological Futures Group, about the science behind climate change and how it affects U.S. security. Dr. Schoonover also addresses the implications of politicizing a national security issue steeped in science.

Jane DOE speaks with the IC’s Chief of DEIA Stephanie La Rue and NIU’s Chief Diversity Officer Lawrence Pace about ongoing efforts to promote DEIA values across the IC. From security clearance reform to recruitment practices and community education, our guests discuss how to promote DEIA principles and develop a “see something/say something” culture. Harvard Implicit Bias Test

Jane DOE speaks to Josh Kerbel, NIU Professor of Practice in the Office of Research about the power of language. The metaphors we use in the IC and the way we describe U.S. national security threats determine how we approach those threats. In a post-Cold War environment, the mechanistic language that makes up the analytic lexicon does not address the complex threats of the modern world. Find Josh Kerbel's writing on NIU's website under the Caracristi Institute and Research Shorts and Notes.

Manolis Priniotakis speaks with Anna Puglisi about China, S&T, innovation, and education. Previously recorded and released on a separate platform.

Manolis Priniotakis spoke to the former coordinator for counterterrorism and the senior official performing the duties of the undersecretary for intelligence and analysis for the United States Department of Homeland Security, John Cohen, about the domestic-terrorism threat landscape in the US today. Previously recorded and released on a separate platform.

Jane DOE spoke with Dr. Mikey Biddlestone about conspiracy beliefs and stereotypes, misinformation, and potential interventions. Previously recorded and released on a separate platform.

Jane DOE speaks with Thom Shanker about the media's role in national security. Previously recorded and released on a separate platform.

Jake Sotiriadas, Ph.D. talk about the future of the metaverse and national security with the Godmother of the metaverse, Cathy Hackl. Previously recorded and released on a different platform.

Dr. Deb Pfaff and Dr. Bo discuss truth, trust, and transparency, what they mean for the Intelligence Community, their impact and value for democracy, and the challenges these three pillars of our society are facing especially today. Previously recorded and released on a separate platform.

Former NIU Research Fellow, Amy S., spoke with Colonel (ret.) Chris Costa, the Executive Director of the International Spy Museum, about how Hollywood depicts the U.S. Intelligence Community. They discuss the truth and fiction of popular movies. Previously recorded and released on a separate platform.

Welcome to the Intelligence Jumpstart, the new podcast from the Intelligence Community’s (IC) university. I am your host Jane DOE. You know, since 1962, the National Intelligence University has educated some of the IC’s most notable leaders, and now we want to give you an Intelligence Jumpstart. This is not your average podcast. It's our mission to jumpstart your intelligence education to build a transparent and truthful source of information ... Previously recorded and released on a separate platform.