The Security Circle

Hosted by Yolanda Hamblen (Yoyo)

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Episodes

202

Latest episode

Nov 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

An IFPOD production for IFPO the very first security podcast called Security Circle. IFPO is the International Foundation for Protection Officers, and is an international security membership body that supports front line security professionals with learning and development, mental Health and wellbeing initiatives.

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November 11, 2026Episode 20358 min

EP 203: He Never Asked Me for Money. I Offered. Why Police Find It Hard To Find The Scam with Beth Hylands

Send us Fan Mail Podcast Summary EP 203: He Never Asked Me for Money. I Offered. Why Police Find It Hard To Find The Scam. “If he asks me for money, I’m gonna feel really uncomfortable.” But he really never did. And so I offered. Beth Hylands was looking at houses on a lake and sending him pictures of engagement rings. Then he told her he’d been locked out of his bank account while overseas. When she offered to help, he urged her to wait. That hesitation made her trust him even more. In this episode of The Security Circle Podcast , Beth takes us through how the romance fraud unfolded, how her financial adviser helped her stop before she sent more money, and what happened when she reported it to police. She remembers being told, “You gave him money.” So what are investigators missing when they focus on who offered the money and give less weight to the deception that led to it? Beth, author of Diary of a Romance Scam: When Swiping Right Goes Wrong , also talks about what she was still trying to make sense of long after the money was gone. “Did he feel anything? Did he feel attraction at least? Did he think I was pretty?” Those questions are hard to hear. They’re also why this conversation matters. Beth had to come to terms with the fraud while grieving a future she’d already started planning. For anyone who’s ever thought, I’d see it coming , listen to what he said when she offered to help. BIO Beth Hyland was born and raised in Huntington Woods, Michigan, and currently lives in Portage, Michigan. She enjoys acting, improv, dancing, spending time with friends, and embracing new experiences. She values personal growth, self-awareness, and spirituality, and believes in finding balance and joy in everyday life. After surviving romance fraud in 2023, Beth chose to turn her experience into purpose. She is the founder of A Voice for Unrequited Love, LLC, author of Diary of a Romance Scam: When Swiping Right Goes Wrong, speaker, and advocate dedicated to raising awareness and shattering the shame surrounding romance fraud. Through her writing, speaking engagements, and advocacy, she educates others about the psychological manipulation behind these crimes and their devastating impact on victims. Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

November 4, 2026Episode 20237 min

EP 202 | Inside Intersec 2027: Big Ideas, Powerful Connections and Your Next Opportunity

Send us Fan Mail EP 202 | Inside Intersec 2027: Big Ideas, Powerful Connections and Your Next Opportunity With Nathan Waugh, Portfolio Director, and Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne, Group Managing Editor at Hand Media What if your next big opportunity starts with a conversation you hadn’t planned to have? A new connection. A better answer to a stubborn security challenge. A technology demonstration that changes your thinking. If Intersec has never been on your radar, this episode could change that. Yoyo welcomes Nathan Waugh and Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne to explore what brings the international security, fire, safety and cybersecurity communities together in Dubai—and how to make being there count. As Nathan puts it: “An event like Intersec Global is about the big conversations and the big things, but it’s also about the small moments that you have there. Those are the things that you remember.” We explore the questions behind the exhibition stands: Is AI delivering operational value? How do we preserve human judgement as automation grows? And what happens when professionals step outside their own discipline and discover how others are solving shared problems? For Rebecca, the power lies in bringing those people together: “It’s one of the places in the year where every single person that we want to talk to is in one place under one roof.” Expect infectious enthusiasm, practical advice for first-time visitors, a look at the Intersec Pulse studios, and an honest reminder that the best connections take a little planning. Come with a challenge. Bring your curiosity. Who knows what—or who—you’ll discover? 📍 Intersec Global | Dubai World Trade Centre | 12–14 January 2027 🎧 Listen here to EP 202 of the Security Circle Podcast. Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

October 28, 2026Episode 20154 min

EP 201 Her Story - Part 2 Who Protects Women from the People Paid to Protect?

Send us Fan Mail HER STORY, PART 2: Who Protects Women from the People Paid to Protect? A shorter skirt. A lower neckline. A quieter voice. Is this really the career advice women in security should be getting? In Episode 201 of the Security Circle Podcast , Yolanda and Debs share three anonymous accounts that challenge the industry to look hard at its own behaviour. One woman describes discovering a male colleague earned approximately $30,000 more despite having less experience—and being laid off two weeks after reporting a partner’s sexual remark. Another recalls being advised to “drop my knickers” to win business, then being told motherhood would end her ability to sell. A third was unanimously recognised for her leadership by her peers, yet watched every other participant secure promotion while she didn’t even get an interview. She describes waiting six years for advancement while training people for the position she had been denied. These women kept building careers, winning business and leading teams. But why should success demand surviving this much disrespect? And what happens when the people women describe as responsible continue climbing into the industry’s most influential positions? An industry built on protection has some uncomfortable questions to answer about power, silence and whose safety counts. Her Story Part 2 is raw, infuriating and fiercely hopeful—a challenge to every leader who believes a policy on paper means people are safe in practice. Listen. Recognise it. Challenge it. The silence has already cost enough. Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

October 21, 2026Episode 20046 min

EP 200 A Podcast Special Her Story- Part 1

Send us Fan Mail EP 200: HER STORY — Her Stories, Heard at Last | Part One Content advisory: This episode contains personal accounts of sexual harassment, discrimination, inappropriate workplace conduct and explicit language. Contributors' identities have been protected, and the accounts represent their personal experiences and recollections. Three extraordinary women. Stories that have waited far too long to be heard. For the landmark 200th episode of The Security Circle Podcast , we're doing something we've never done before. We're changing the format, sharing the microphone, and shining a light on experiences that have remained in the shadows for far too long. Welcome to HER STORY , a special two-part series where Yoyo is joined by her wonderful friend and co-host Debs to share anonymous, firsthand accounts from women working across the security profession. And what stories they are. From a business trip to Las Vegas where a manager took “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” far too literally, to a rising executive whose remarkable career was repeatedly interrupted by sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse of power, these accounts will leave you shocked, frustrated and, at times, completely speechless. We meet Kate , whose manager's inappropriate advances during a work conference forced her to confront the uncomfortable reality of reporting someone who held power over her career. We hear Jessica's extraordinary journey , spanning multiple organisations, promotions and leadership roles. Despite her talent, ambition and success, she repeatedly encountered men who seemed more interested in her appearance than her professional abilities. Her story is an astonishing account of persistence, institutional failure and ultimately reclaiming her voice. And then there's Gloria , whose request for a properly fitting ballistic vest was dismissed with the words: “It's not a fashion show.” A woman asking for protective equipment that could actually protect her. Think about that. Throughout the episode, Yoyo and Debs react with disbelief, compassion, occasional humour and some very candid observations about the behaviours that women have been expected to tolerate. But beneath the extraordinary incidents lies a much bigger question: Why do successful, accomplished women still feel they must remain anonymous to tell the truth about their experiences? These aren't simply stories about what happened. They're stories about careers disrupted, voices dismissed, opportunities lost, and the extraordinary determination of women who refused to let those experiences define their futures. This is not about naming and shaming. It's about listening. Reflecting. Challenging what we've normalised. And recognising that silence should never be the price of professional success. 💜 To every woman who entrusted us with her story, thank you. 🎙️ EP 200: HER STORY — Part One Real women. Real experiences. Stories that deserve to be heard. Content advisory: This episode contains personal accounts of sexual harassment, discrimination, inappropriate workplace conduct and explicit language. Contributors' identities have been protected, and the accounts represent their personal experiences and recollections. Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

October 14, 2026Episode 19952 min

EP 199: Inside the Mind of a Traitor — Former CIA Officer Bill Costanza (Author of Treason, Terrorism and Betrayal)

Send us Fan Mail What makes someone cross the line from loyalty to betrayal—and how do they justify it to themselves? This week on The Security Circle, Yoyo welcomes former CIA operations officer Bill Costanza for a fascinating journey into the psychology of treason, terrorism and betrayal. Drawing on 25 EP 199: Inside the Mind of a Traitor — Former CIA Officer Bill Costanza years in the CIA and his book Treason, Terrorism and Betrayal: Why Individuals Cross the Line , Bill explores the lives of figures including Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, challenging the idea that a single motive can explain why someone becomes a threat. “We’re trying to get into the mind of the other person and see how they think, and how they make decisions, and how they look at the world.” From his experience at Mount Weather on 9/11 to the human relationships at the heart of intelligence work, Bill takes us beyond the Hollywood version of espionage. “Being performative, being deceptive, people figure that out pretty quickly.” But the most unsettling insight comes when he describes how people can come to see betrayal as their only remaining option: “It was almost, you know, like, they had no other choice in their world to cross the line but in the way that they did.” Understanding that worldview raises a difficult question: could we recognise the path to betrayal before someone reaches the end of it? 🎙️ Join us for a conversation that will challenge how you think about trust, loyalty and the people behind the threat. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-costanza-403372b/ BILL COSTANZA retired from the Central Intelligence Agency as a Senior Operations officer after 25 years of service. He obtained a doctorate in Liberal Studies (DLS) from Georgetown University in 2012. His doctoral thesis was “A Framework to Understand the Radicalization of Youth Across Cultures. He also has a Masters degree from American University in International Relations. He has served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Forensic and Legal Psychology at Marymount University where he created the intelligence studies concentration in their Masters program. He was also Associate Adjunct professor at Georgetown in their Security Studies Program where he created the course Treason, Terrorism and on which his book is based. His book is an interdisciplinary behavioral investigation of individuals who have posed grave threats to U.S. national security. Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

October 7, 2026Episode 1981 hr 14 min

EP 198: Limbs in the Loch — The Clues That Caught a Killer, with Former Police Detective Alan Cotton

Send us Fan Mail EP 198: Limbs in the Loch — The Clues That Caught a Killer, with Former Police Detective Alan Cotton How do detectives turn fragments of evidence into a case that catches a killer? In this gripping episode of The Security Circle , Yoyo welcomes former police detective Alan Cotton , who worked on the investigation into the murder of Barry Wallace , known as the Limbs in the Loch case. Alan takes us inside the painstaking work behind the investigation: the hours spent examining footage, the courage of a key witness, and the forensic discovery that connected Barry to the killer’s home. His recollections reveal how seemingly small details can carry extraordinary weight. “That last wee piece of the jigsaw, a little nugget. It often comes from somewhere you least expect it.” This is also a candid conversation about the craft of detection, the changing role of forensic science, and why patient, persistent police work matters. “DNA was the icing on the cake… DNA has become the whole cake now.” Beyond the evidence, Alan reflects on inspirational leadership, the detectives whose difficult work rarely receives recognition, and the remarkable dignity of Barry’s family. For true crime listeners and anyone fascinated by how investigations unfold, this episode offers a firsthand account of the clues, decisions and people behind a major murder inquiry. Listener advisory: This episode discusses murder, dismemberment and distressing details of a criminal investigation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-cotton-4559bb173/ Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

September 30, 2026Episode 1971 hr 5 min

EP 197: When War Doesn’t Look Like War — Dr John Pennell, Former Senior US Diplomat, Explains Grey Zone Warfare

Send us Fan Mail What happens when war doesn’t look like war? In EP 197 of The Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda welcomes Dr John Pennell, former senior US diplomat, for a revealing conversation about grey zone warfare—and how deception, disinformation, cyber threats and sabotage shape conflict beyond the conventional battlefield. John began his Foreign Service career on 10 September 2001. His second day was 9/11. Drawing on his experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine, he shares the realities of diplomacy under pressure: adapting to dangerous environments, building resilience and delivering difficult truths to senior decision-makers. Together, they explore how states and their proxies use influence campaigns, criminal networks and threats to infrastructure to pursue their objectives while maintaining plausible deniability. From undersea cables to social media feeds, the conversation examines how these tactics reach businesses, communities and individuals. John also considers how drones, AI and deepfakes are changing the character of warfare, why fact-checking alone may fail to change deeply held beliefs, and what the conflict in Ukraine reveals about sovereignty, technology and the challenges of finding a peaceful settlement. An engaging episode connecting a diplomat’s extraordinary career with the security challenges of a world where the boundaries between peace and conflict are increasingly difficult to distinguish. BIO Dr. John A. Pennell is a contractor with the US Department of War’s (DoW) Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) as Editor-in-Chief of PRISM: The Journal of Emerging Threats | Complex Statecraft and as an Instructor, Course Developer, and Senior Scholar. He’s a Research Fellow with Arizona State University’s (ASU) Future Security Initiative and Professor of Practice with ASU’s School of Politics and Global Studies; a Non-Resident Senior Fellow with the Global & National Security Institute (GNSI) at the University of South Florida (USF); a Non-Resident Fellow with the Irregular Warfare Institute (IWI)-Europe Program; and a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies. Dr. Pennell is also an Area Studies Course Instructor (contractor) with the US State Department’s National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC), where he teaches on East Central Europe, and a guest speaker and lecturer on information operations, hybrid warfare, and new technologies with US and international universities, the US government, and US professional military education institutions. He’s a published author, including a 2024 book on Russia’s irregular activities in Syria and Ukraine. He holds a PhD from King’s College London and masters degrees from the National War College and American University. Lastly, Dr. Pennell is a retired US Senior Foreign Service Officer (Minister-Counselor rank) with 25 years of experience in all regions of the world including in active combat and/or hybrid warfare zones. John A. Pennell, PhD Research Fellow, Future Security Initiative Professor of Practice, School of Politics & Global Studies Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Global & National Security Institute (GNSI) Non-Resident Fellow - Europe Program, Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) Sr. Diplomacy Fellow, Narrative-Strategies Editor-in-Chief, PRISM: The Journal of Complex Operations Sr. Irregular Warfare Scholar, Irregular Warfare Center LinkedIn X Bluesky Book Website E-business card Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

September 23, 2026Episode 1961 hr 31 min

EP 196: Ant Examines My Phone — The Hidden Risks Inside Our Everyday Apps with Ant Davis Security Awareness, Instagram Influencer & AI Enablement Practitioner

Send us Fan Mail EP 196: Ant Examines My Phone — The Hidden Risks Inside Our Everyday Apps What do WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Waze, dating apps, QR codes and fitness trackers really know about us? In this highly engaging episode of The Security Circle, Yolanda is joined by Cyber Security Awareness and AI Enablement Practitioner Ant Davis to examine the technology we use every day—often without giving a second thought to the information we are sharing. The conversation culminates in the brilliantly revealing “Ant Examines My Phone” round, where Ant gives his immediate cyber reaction to the apps and technology sitting on Yolanda’s phone. Along the way, he reveals why free apps are rarely truly free, how Instagram monitors our behaviour without secretly tracking our eyes, and why Waze users may be sharing more with Google than they realise. Ant also exposes how easily dating profiles can be investigated using basic open-source information, why moving a conversation to WhatsApp can be an early warning sign of a scam, and how fraudulent websites can appear above legitimate businesses in sponsored search results. He explains the danger of QR-code stickers, how fitness trackers can reveal where we live and when our homes may be empty, and why even security professionals can be caught out by curiosity and misplaced trust. The episode also explores the extraordinary opportunities—and risks—created by artificial intelligence. Ant reveals how AI can now reproduce a convincing copy of a website within minutes, placing increasingly powerful tools into the hands of both legitimate creators and cybercriminals. Funny, accessible and packed with surprising revelations, this episode is not about telling people to abandon technology. It is about helping us understand the invisible exchange taking place every time we tap, scroll, scan, share or accept. After listening, you may never look at the apps on your phone in quite the same way again. “All the things that are great about us being human are also what make us vulnerable. We’re curious, inquisitive, creative and emotional—and that is what scammers exploit.” — Ant Davis“That’s the frightening part about AI: for everything we build for good, someone else can find a way to use it for harm.” — Ant Davis https://www.linkedin.com/in/antdaviscyber/ Instagram = antdaviscyber Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

September 16, 2026Episode 19549 min

EP 195: The Gentle Art of Leadership, Why Gentle Leaders Create the Greatest Impact with Brian Donovan Executive Coach

Send us Fan Mail EP 195: The Gentle Art of Leadership, Why Gentle Leaders Create the Greatest Impact What if the strongest leaders are not the loudest people in the room? In this episode of The Security Circle , Yoyo welcomes globally recognised executive coach and two-time author Brian Donovan for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, influence and the human qualities that enable people to perform at their best. Brian is the author of Leadership Is Changing the Game and The Gentle Art of Leadership , two books that challenge outdated leadership models and offer a more human-centred approach to achieving results. Together, Brian and Yoyo explore the difficult transition from tactical expert to strategic leader—particularly within security, cyber and technology, where technical ability can lead to promotion without preparing someone to inspire, influence or develop others. They discuss why gentle leadership should never be confused with weakness, how empathy and accountability can coexist, and why treating people with dignity consistently produces stronger results. Brian also explains how leaders can identify and reinvent their natural strengths, establish healthier boundaries, delegate effectively and move beyond the belief that they must carry every burden themselves. The conversation also examines toxic workplace cultures, the importance of recognising when an environment can no longer be changed, and the personal agency required to take control of your future. Brian asks listeners to consider one deceptively powerful question: What do you want to be known for? From integrity and emotional intelligence to reputation, resilience and the courage to say no, this episode invites leaders to look honestly at the impact they have on the people around them. As Brian reminds us: “Gentle is not soft. Gentle is knowing how to respect people, treat them with dignity and get the best out of them.” “The best leaders know how to get people to step up—and how to foster other great leaders.” “You don’t have to be loud, brash, arrogant or narcissistic to be a leader. That image of leadership is a myth.” This is an insightful and reassuring conversation for anyone who wants to lead with greater clarity, humanity and impact—and proof that leadership does not need a raised voice to leave a powerful impression. BIO Brian Donovan is an executive coach, speaker and author, based in Melbourne and working globally. He helps technical experts make the transition to leadership. It's the step security and technology organisations expect of the people they promote on technical credibility and rarely train them for. That transition is the subject of his first book; Leadership Is Changing the Game: The Transition from Technical Expert to Leader . It draws on both sides of his career: senior executive roles at Telstra, Australia's largest telco, and CEO of the IT Skills Hub, a not-for-profit set up to grow the supply of IT professionals. Forty years in the sector means he coaches from inside the problem rather than beside it. Brian is a self-confessed gentleman. That belief sits at the heart of The Gentle Art of Leadership , a book he co-authored with Dean Phelan to challenge the outdated notion that leaders have to be loud, brash, or domineering. The book brings together original research and interviews with more than fifty leaders worldwide. Its argument is simple: leaders who treat people with dignity and respect get the better result. The skills and practices that make that possible are learnable. Brian is also an accredited delivery partner for Influential U, facilitating programs in Transactional Intelligence®, a framework for building the influence a leader needs to reduce friction and get results. More on the framework in the book, HIGH TQ . Website: www.donovanleadership.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfdonovan1/ X: https://x.com/Briandonovan1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonovanLeadership/ Medium: https://medium.com/@brian-18714 Substack: https://substack.com/@briandonovan3 Email: brian@donovanleadership.com Phone: +61 418 552 723 Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

September 9, 2026Episode 19445 min

EP 194: Beyond Wellbeing — The Workplace’s Role in Suicide Prevention with Christine Clark Award Winning Trainer, Mental Health & Suicide First Aid BS30480

Send us Fan Mail EP 194: Beyond Wellbeing — The Workplace’s Role in Suicide Prevention Suicide prevention is not only a personal or public-health issue—it is also a workplace responsibility. In this profoundly important episode of The Security Circle , Yoyo is joined by Christine Clark to explore the vital role that employers, leaders and colleagues can play in recognising when someone may be struggling. Christine explains why changes in behaviour, performance or communication should never be dismissed—and why asking someone directly about suicide does not introduce the thought but can give them permission to speak. “Someone can appear completely functional—going to work, leading teams and meeting deadlines—while still experiencing suicidal thoughts.” Together, Yoyo and Christine confront the fear and discomfort that often prevent organisations from discussing suicide. They explore prevention, intervention, support following a death by suicide, and the practical guidance now available to help workplaces respond with greater confidence and compassion. This is a candid but deeply human conversation about noticing what may be hidden, having the courage to ask the difficult question and creating workplaces where nobody has to struggle in silence. From the host: I want to let you know that this episode contains frank and sustained discussion about suicide, suicidal thoughts, and the impact of losing someone to suicide. Although this is an important discussion about prevention and the role that workplaces can play, some listeners may find the content distressing. Please take care of yourself and feel free to pause, skip this episode, or listen another time. If anything discussed resonates with you personally, please do not face it alone. In the UK and Ireland alone, you can contact Samaritans free at any time 116 123, or if you or somebody else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department. If you are listening outside the UK, please contact your local crisis service or emergency number. Listener discretion is advised. Have a good day, folks https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-clark-31721518/ Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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