Intelligence Career Conversations

Hosted by INSA

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

This podcast explores the people, paths, and policies shaping today’s intelligence community. Each episode features candid discussions with professionals from across the field—covering career journeys, skill-building advice, and the real-world impact of policy decisions on the IC workforce.

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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 6927 min

John Doyon: Go Where the Action Is

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly is joined by INSA Executive Vice President John Doyon. John reflects on the moments that defined his decades of service at NSA, from supporting treaty negotiations in Geneva to briefing the President in the Oval Office. He shares how mentors encouraged him to pursue unfamiliar opportunities, why interagency assignments broadened his perspective on national security, and the framework he still uses today when evaluating career decisions. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Booz Allen.

May 28, 20261 min

Coming Soon: The Career Playbook

An exclusive preview of INSA’s upcoming nine-episode podcast series, The Career Playbook, explores the mentorship, setbacks, leadership lessons, and career pivots that shape success across the intelligence and national security community.

May 14, 2026Episode 6827 min

Dr. Linda Bixby: Turning Career Pivots into Opportunity

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly is joined by Dr. Linda Bixby, Chief Research and Partnerships Officer at the University of Arizona. Dr. Bixby reflects on her nonlinear career spanning government, academia, industry, and the nonprofit sector, sharing insights on continuous learning, mentorship, leadership, and navigating career pivots across the national security ecosystem. She also discusses the importance of communication skills, embracing discomfort, adapting to emerging technologies like AI, and building the interdisciplinary mindset needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Booz Allen.

April 30, 2026Episode 6723 min

Robert Goodson: Networking, Networking, Networking

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly sits down with Robert Goodson, Senior Vice President at Booz Allen. Mr. Goodson reflects on his path from Army intelligence officer to private-sector leader, sharing insights on career growth, mentorship, networking, and leading teams in the national security space. He also offers practical advice on continuous learning, adapting to emerging technologies, and building the communication skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Booz Allen.

April 16, 2026Episode 6625 min

Meisha Lutsey: Leading at Scale in National Security

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly sits down with Meisha Lutsey, Executive VP, Mission and Engineering Support, CACI International. Meisha shares how she built her career in the intelligence and national security community, along with insights on developing skills through on-the-job experience, navigating career growth, and leading a large, globally deployed workforce. She also offers practical advice on continuous learning and adapting to rapidly evolving technology fields.Thank you to our episode sponsor, Booz Allen.

April 2, 2026Episode 6528 min

David Marlowe: Think Clearly, Act Decisively

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly sits down with David Marlowe, SVP, Operations, Intelligence & Cyber, Amentum. Marlowe reflects on his 30-year career in human intelligence, from early field assignments in the Middle East to leading global operations. He shares candid insights on critical thinking, leadership, and the transition from public to private, emphasizing the importance of clarity, trust, and mission focus. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Booz Allen.

March 19, 2026Episode 6428 min

Stephen Iwicki: From Desert Strom to AI

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly sits down with Stephen Iwicki, Senior VP and GM, Intelligence Solutions Business Unit, SOSi, and a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer. Mr. Iwicki reflects on his career from Desert Storm to leading Army Intelligence Transformation. He discusses the evolution of intelligence tradecraft, the growing role of AI and open-source intelligence, and why critical thinking and mentorship remain essential for the next generation of analysts. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Booz Allen.

March 5, 2026Episode 6329 min

Dr. Deborah Wituski: From Analyst to Academic in the AI Era

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly sits down with Dr. Deborah Wituski, Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced and International Studies. Dr. Wituski reflects on her path from academic research to the CIA, her leadership roles at Google, and her return to higher education. She discusses the value of mentorship, lifelong learning, and adapting analytic tradecraft in an era shaped by artificial intelligence. The conversation offers an inside look at the challenges, transitions, and rewards of building a career across government, industry, and the university classroom.

February 19, 2026Episode 6228 min

LTG Scott Berrier, USA (Ret.): Adapting to Strategic Competition

On this episode of Intelligence Career Conversations, host Jim Donnelly is joined by LTG Scott Berrier, USA (Ret.), former Director of DIA and Senior Vice President at Booz Allen. He shares hard-won lessons on leadership, the power of mentorship, and the shifts in intelligence across his 40-year career! General Berrier also offers advice for young professionals on building analytical, communication, and critical-thinking skills necessary to meet today's challenges.

February 5, 2026Episode 6118 min

Dr. Yevgeniy Sirotin: Trust, Technology, and Decision-Making

On this episode of the Intelligence Career Conversations podcast, Dr. Yevgeniy Sirotin, Scientist Director, SAIC, shares his journey from neuroscience to national security. He discusses the challenges and misconceptions in his field, offers advice for STEM students, and highlights the significance of mentorship and soft skills in bridging innovation and intelligence. Dr. Sirotin also addresses the impact of emerging technologies on national security and the need for trust in an era of rapid technological transformation.