The CI-Press Podcast

Why do trusted insiders betray their organizations? In this episode, Joe Sheridan, Scott Sparks, Dave Turner, and Jeremy Clark break down the MICE framework (Money, Ideology, Compromise/Coercion, and Ego) and examine how counterintelligence professionals use it to understand insider motivations.
Through classic and recent case studies, we explore how these motivations can develop, how they manifest through behavior, and how insider threat tradecraft plays out in the real world.
We also discuss the strengths and limitations of MICE, alternative frameworks such as RASCALS, behavioral indicators that may warrant attention, and the critical role of reporting vulnerabilities under SEAD-3. Most importantly, we examine how awareness, training, and a strong reporting culture can help organizations identify and mitigate insider threats before they become a serious problem.
Listen now and join the conversation on one of the most enduring questions in counterintelligence: What makes someone betray trust?

In this episode, hosts Joe Sheridan and Jeremy Clark take a closer look at the 21 July 2026, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) open hearing titled “25 Years After 9/11: Confronting the Next Generation of Threats.” Using the hearing as the foundation for the discussion, they examine the evolving counterintelligence threat landscape and what it means for the United States.
The conversation explores warnings from national security leaders about state-backed threats from China and Russia, the rapid advancement of emerging technologies, and the growing threat of economic and industrial espionage. The hosts discuss how these challenges are increasingly converging across government, industry, academia, and the broader economy.
We also examine what a modern, effective counterintelligence strategy should look like, from developing a true whole-of-government CI campaign and strengthening public-private coordination to expanding local and state-level training and protecting critical AI, research, development, and intellectual property.
The episode ultimately focuses on a central question: Are we adequately organized, resourced, and synchronized to prevent the next major counterintelligence incident, or are we waiting for another incident to expose the gaps?
Drawing directly from the themes raised during the 21 July HPSCI hearing, this conversation explores the need to move beyond awareness and toward a coordinated, properly resourced counterintelligence enterprise capable of addressing the threats facing the United States today.

In this episode, Jeremy Clark and Shawn Michaud sit down with Hollie Noveletsky, a second-generation owner of Novel Ironworks, former U.S. Army Reserve nurse, and congressional candidate, for a wide-ranging conversation about the intersection of American manufacturing, national security, and economic statecraft.
Hollie shares her firsthand experience navigating federal trade cases and confronting the challenges facing America’s steel fabrication industry. She explains how China’s industrial policies, economic statecraft, and transshipment practices have contributed to the erosion of domestic manufacturing capacity and why the consequences extend far beyond the steel industry.
The conversation explores why a strong domestic steel and fabrication base is a national security imperative, particularly when it comes to critical infrastructure, defense, and resilient supply chains. Hollie discusses the importance of Buy American policies, reshoring manufacturing, and building supply chains that are less vulnerable to foreign influence and disruption.
This episode offers a firsthand perspective on what is at stake when America loses the ability to make critical products at home and what it will take to rebuild a resilient, competitive, and secure industrial base.

Hosts Jeremy Clark and Ryan Rambo break down the espionage case of Nathan Vilas LAATSCH, a DIA Insider Threat specialist who tried to pass top-secret intelligence to a foreign country because of ideological opposition to the administration. The episode follows the FBI sting, the insider’s methods (handwritten notes, thumb drive, dead drop), and the arrest.
The hosts highlight implications for insider threat detection, security clearance oversight, and lessons for counterintelligence professionals and coworkers to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior.
Originally aired in August 2025

In this episode, join the IXN Team for a fireside discussion on the vital role of the counterintelligence covering agent program. Tune in as they share gripping stories, insider insights, and expert perspectives on how these programs protect equities, outsmart adversaries, and strengthen security in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
This episode originally aired in March 2025.

In this episode, Jeremy Clark is joined by special guest Mike Shannon to examine the security and oversight challenges facing U.S. biomedical research. They discuss vulnerabilities within the NIH and affiliated BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories, review recent laboratory safety incidents, and explore the increasing risks posed by insider threats and foreign intelligence targeting of the U.S. research enterprise.
The conversation also focuses on practical strategies for strengthening research security while supporting scientific innovation. Jeremy and Mike share recommendations for improving enterprise governance, enhancing the vetting of foreign visitors, conducting coordinated inspections and multidisciplinary risk assessments, and developing effective insider-threat and research-security programs. The episode offers valuable insights for researchers, security professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in protecting taxpayer-funded science and public safety.

In this episode, Dave Turner and Jeremy Clark sit down with Dave Hammond to explore a counterintelligence (CI) career spanning decades of global operations. From his start in the artillery to becoming a seasoned CI professional, Dave reflects on learning Dutch, conducting surveillance operations, and leading complex investigations across Europe.
Along the way, he shares memorable field stories, hard-earned tradecraft lessons, and practical career advice on embracing new challenges, building diverse skills, and making calculated decisions. It's an honest conversation about mentorship, leadership, and what it really takes to succeed in the evolving world of counterintelligence.
Whether you're an intelligence professional, military veteran, or simply interested in the craft of counterintelligence, this episode offers an authentic look at the experiences and lessons that shape a successful career.

In this episode, Joe Sheridan and Dave Turner welcome Ted Stanich, former EPA Special Agent and current Director of Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst University, for an in-depth conversation on the evolving role of intelligence in today's complex threat environment. Drawing on decades of experience in federal law enforcement, counterintelligence, and academia, Ted shares how intelligence capabilities can be built within organizations that have not traditionally viewed themselves as part of the intelligence community; from regulatory agencies and research institutions to private companies and critical infrastructure organizations.
The discussion explores the growing importance of defensive counterintelligence, operational security for researchers and academic institutions, and the expanding role of cyber threat intelligence in protecting people, information, and innovation. Ted also explains how organizations can better identify emerging risks, develop intelligence-driven decision-making processes, and foster a culture of security without sacrificing collaboration or innovation.
Beyond organizational strategy, the conversation examines how universities can prepare the next generation of intelligence professionals. Ted discusses Mercyhurst University's hands-on approach to intelligence education, emphasizing real-world analytical experience, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and partnerships that equip students for careers across government, law enforcement, the private sector, cybersecurity, and research environments.
Throughout the episode, listeners will gain practical insights into recognizing potential threats, responding effectively, and knowing when and how to report concerns. Whether you're a security professional, researcher, student, or organizational leader, this episode offers actionable guidance on applying intelligence principles to modern challenges while building resilience against an increasingly diverse range of threats.

In this episode, hosts Jeremy Clark and Mike Parrott explore the evolving world of economic espionage and the growing role nation-states play in targeting intellectual property, innovation, and strategic industries. We examine how foreign intelligence entities and state-backed actors systematically pursue trade secrets, research and development, and emerging technologies by exploiting vulnerabilities across universities, corporations, research institutions, and global supply chains.
Through an analysis of high-profile espionage cases, the discussion explains the tactics used by nation-state adversaries, including cyber intrusions, insider recruitment, supply chain compromises, and academic collaboration used as a means of technology transfer. The episode also looks at historical intelligence successes such as the Farewell Dossier, illustrating how counterintelligence operations have influenced geopolitical competition and technological advantage.
Beyond the history and case studies, the conversation explores the significant economic and national security consequences of state-sponsors intellectual property theft, from billions of dollars in commercial losses to the erosion of technological leadership and military competitiveness. The hosts explain how government respond through export control, foreign investment reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), counterintelligence investigations, and public-private partnerships designed to protect critical technologies and sensitive research.
Whether you’re interested in intelligence, cybersecurity, national security, or the global competition for technological dominance, this episode provides a practical overview of how economic espionage shapes today’s strategic landscape and why protecting innovation has become a central challenge for governments and industry alike.

In this episode, hosts Joseph Sheridan and Jeremy Clark sit down with retired intelligence professional Celia Hanley to explore the growing challenge of ubiquitous technical surveillance (UTS), the expanding role of biometrics, and the implications of emerging technologies for operational security.
Drawing on decades of experience in the intelligence community, Celia reflects on her career and explains how today’s interconnected digital ecosystem has transformed the surveillance landscape. From commercial data aggregation and artificial intelligence to ambient RF sensing and the future impact of quantum computing, she examines how persistent digital and physical signatures can expose intelligence personnel, corporate travelers, and other high-risk individuals.
The discussion also highlights practical strategies for mitigating exposure, strengthening operational security, and adapting to a world where anonymity is increasingly difficult to maintain. Celia concludes with a call for counterintelligence-driven defenses, updated training and doctrine, and a comprehensive legislative framework to address the challenges posed by UTS across both government and industry.