Episodes

  • Internet Infrastructure & Disconnecting Dissent

    Internet Infrastructure & Disconnecting Dissent
    Mar 4 2026
    A few months ago, when the Iranian government faced major nationwide protests, they turned off the internet for most of the population. Could that happen in the United States? This week, we chat with Dr. Karpoor Shashidhar and Dr. Cihan Varol of the computer science department at Sam Houston State about internet infrastructure at home and abroad. We also talk with Scott McHugh, program executive for the private sector at the Institute for Homeland Security, about the geopolitics of internet disconnection and access.
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    47 mins
  • Resilient Planning & The El Paso Airport Shutdown

    Resilient Planning & The El Paso Airport Shutdown
    Feb 16 2026
    Let's imagine your company relies on a major transportation hub or port of entry. You get a call in the middle of the night - that hub is shut down for ten days. Do you know who to call? Do you have a plan?

    Those aren't hypothetical questions for anyone in El Paso, where the airport was suddenly closed last week. It reopened after a few hours but it's a good example of the need for diversification and trust in your supply chain and professional relationships. We're joined by Dr. Pam Zelbst, a professor of supply chain management, and Dr. Ryan Randa, the research director for the Institute for Homeland Security and an associate professor of criminal justice and criminology. Also, here are some links to news articles about the closure from The El Paso Times, Wall Street Journal and NBC News.
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    51 mins
  • AM Radio & Communication Resiliency with Oscar Rodriguez

    AM Radio & Communication Resiliency with Oscar Rodriguez
    Feb 4 2026
    In a crisis, reliable and direct communication strategies are key - and sometimes old technology is the most robust. This week, we chat with Texas Association of Broadcasters President Oscar Rodriguez about AM radio's resiliency during disasters, and why Congress is interested in preserving car radios.
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    31 mins
  • Bridging the Gap Between IT & OT with Joe Weiss

    Bridging the Gap Between IT & OT with Joe Weiss
    Jan 29 2026
    How secure are your physical devices? Are they engineered to be cyber-secure overall, or is the focus on protecting data? This week, we chat with Joe Weiss, a managing partner at Applied Control Solutions, about building inroads and translations between the different worlds of IT, OT and engineering.
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    51 mins
  • Risk-Based Wildfire Preparation with Joel Hambright

    Risk-Based Wildfire Preparation with Joel Hambright
    Jan 21 2026
    Fighting wildfires is all about risk management - weather patterns, wind strength, fuel conditions and equipment locations all play a role in planning and prevention. AI and emerging technology could make a big difference, too. This week, we chat with Joel Hambright, the longtime Regional Operations Chief for region four of the Texas A&M Forest service, about forestry management and risk mitigation.
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    45 mins
  • Sovereign AI & Emerging Critical Infrastructure with Dr. Jason Davis

    Sovereign AI & Emerging Critical Infrastructure with Dr. Jason Davis
    Jan 7 2026
    We're accustomed to prioritizing energy independence as a national security concern. Is the infrastructure for artificial intelligence also becoming critical? This week, we chat with Jason Davis, a research professor and co-director of the Emerging Insights Lab at Syracuse University, about sovereign AI and the broad infrastructure it requires. We also touch on articles about data centers and related power plants and water concerns in Texas.
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    47 mins
  • Communication & Critical Storytelling with Kirsten Meskill

    Communication & Critical Storytelling with Kirsten Meskill
    Dec 3 2025
    Exemplary corporate security begins with effective communication - knowing your audience, knowing when to be direct and when to tell a compelling story. This week, we chat with Kirsten Meskill, the Chief Security Officer at Solventum and the second in our Hall of Fame Speaker Series following our Thought Leaders Conference in October.
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    44 mins
  • Considering the Ceasefire in Gaza with Dr. Nadav Morag

    Considering the Ceasefire in Gaza with Dr. Nadav Morag
    Nov 26 2025
    How has the war between Israel and Hamas affected the Middle East and the United States? What's next for Gaza, and what can the conflict teach us about intelligence and critical infrastructure? This week, we chat with Dr. Nadav Morag, a professor and chair of the Security Studies department at Sam Houston State as well as a former senior director for Israel's National Security Council, about the war and what might come next.
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    52 mins