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Most teams that struggle with AI in intelligence work aren't actually struggling with the technology — they're struggling with expectations, mental models, and habits. In this solo, practitioner-focused episode, we walk through the five most common stumbling blocks encountered over two years of teaching, advising, and experimenting with AI across corporate intelligence and security teams.

Most people in risk and resilience earn their read of the world the slow way: a career inside the problem, then a decision to go solve it. Noah Warren is doing it in the other order. He's the Founder and CEO of Hegemon Global, a geopolitical and supply chain intelligence company serving governments and enterprises. And he's building it between classes at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. We talk about the problem he's solving, whether being an outsider is an advantage or a liability, and what he needs from the people listening.

In this episode of The Builder Series, we sit down with a two-time founder behind Ontic and now CenterSeat.ai to unpack what it takes to build in a complex, misunderstood market. From early mistakes and hard lessons to navigating fundraising, co-founder dynamics, and product-market fit, this conversation is a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship in the risk and resilience space. If you’re building, or thinking about it, this is a grounded perspective on what it takes to go from operator to founder and build something that actually works.

What makes a senior intelligence leader leave big tech to help build an international startup? In this episode, Colin Reed, Chief Intelligence Officer of Clock&Cloud, shares why he made the move, and what he saw inside large organizations that convinced him a new model for geopolitical intelligence is needed. We unpack the problem Clock&Cloud is trying to solve, why the current approach falls short, and why he’s betting on a fundamentally different way to turn intelligence into real business impact.

In Episode 34, we sit down with leading recruiters in the field to unpack how hiring actually works in the world of corporate security and intelligence. Our guests share candid insights on what separates top candidates, the mistakes that quietly derail opportunities, and how to stand out in a highly competitive, relationship-driven market. If you’re navigating your next move, this is a tactical guide to getting hired.

Transitioning from the Intelligence Community to the private sector is not just a career change. It’s a complete shift in how power, influence, and value actually work. In this episode of The Builder Series, Ryan sits down with two former Intelligence Community professionals who spent years inside Big Tech before building a course designed to help public sector professionals successfully navigate the move into corporate life. Drawing on more than two decades of combined private sector experience, they share the hard lessons many professionals only learn after they make the leap. From the psychological shift of leaving mission-driven work to understanding how influence, incentives, and impact actually work inside companies, they unpack the realities behind the move from national security to profit-driven organizations.

Welcome to The Builder Series, a show where we sit down with the founders, CEOs, and investors building the future of risk and resilience. Part of The Business of Intelligence podcast and brought to you by INTELAB Ventures, our guest today is Adam Safir, partner at Trust Street Advisors and the Co-Founder of SWORN. Tune in as we discuss the first AI-powered health and wellness platform for public safety professionals, along with the importance and idea of human-centered resilience.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Builder Series, a show where we sit down with the founders, CEOs, and investors building the future of risk and resilience. Part of The Business of Intelligence podcast and brought to you by INTELAB Ventures, our first guest is Rachael Spanton, founder + CEO of Victoria Intelligence. Tune in as we discuss her efforts to build an anticipatory intelligence platform, as well as a deep dive into her jump from in-house intelligence practitioner to entrepreneur.

AI is changing how intelligence work gets done, but many analysts are being asked to adapt without a clear framework. In this episode, we move beyond tools and prompts to explain how analysts can future-proof their careers by repositioning their value around judgment, trust, workflow design, and decision impact. We break down why many frustrations with AI stem from misaligned expectations, and how analysts can separate signal from noise while redesigning how their work gets done responsibly. This conversation is for intelligence, security, and risk professionals who want to remain relevant, trusted, and influential as the profession evolves.

Episode 32 serves as a practical public service announcement for executive protection, protective intelligence, and corporate security practitioners on how AI and emerging technologies are being weaponized to target executives. Grounded in real examples, it explains why digital activity now shapes the physical threat environment, and what protection teams must do to stay ahead.

In this episode of The Business of Intelligence, we’re joined by protective intelligence pioneers Fred Burton and Scott Stewart to discuss their new book, The Protective Intelligence Advantage. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, the conversation explores why protective intelligence has reached a critical inflection point and what recent tragedies revealed about how protection is practiced. We examine the modern threat landscape, emerging risks, and the future of protective intelligence, from digital exposure and lone-actor threats, to technology’s evolving role. This is a must-listen for anyone responsible for protecting people in today’s complex and unforgiving environment.

In this episode we challenge the traditional, government-inspired structure of corporate intelligence and argue for a shift toward a modern business partnering model. Instead of focusing solely on regional or domain expertise, intelligence teams can create greater impact by embedding closer to the business and operating as trusted advisors. We explore what an “Intelligence Business Partner” could look like, why this evolution matters, and how teams can begin taking practical steps toward it.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked truths inside corporate intelligence: even the most talented intelligence teams will fail without empowered leadership. We explore why the Chief Security Officer, or whoever owns the function, ultimately determines whether intelligence becomes a strategic asset or remains a marginalized reporting shop. If you’ve ever wondered why some intelligence programs thrive while others struggle to get a seat at the table, this episode breaks down the difference. It’s not just about tradecraft, it’s about leadership, access, and the courage to empower.

Ryan breaks down why the most effective intelligence leaders aren’t just great analysts; they’re skilled political operators who know how to navigate power, build influence, and earn a seat at the decision-making table. Drawing on lessons from real-world events like COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, this episode reveals how credibility, timing, and relationships often matter more than analytic accuracy alone. If you’ve ever wondered why some intelligence teams shape decisions while others stay on the sidelines, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the inaugural SCIF Summit, an exclusive, high-impact gathering where founders of security, cyber, and intelligence companies meet the investors and enterprise leaders shaping the future. Hear from the organizers about why this "deal summit" matters, what to expect, and why getting in the room might just change your trajectory.