Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Cognitive Crucible
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #236 Michael Lissack on Anticipatory Agents | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:59:35 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Michael Lissack discusses Anticipatory Agents in Causal Bubbles–a unified theoretical framework that reconciles Quantum Bayesianism (QBism), Robert Rosen's theory of Anticipatory Systems, the causal bubbles interpretation of quantum mechanics, and pragmatic constructivism through Hans Vaihinger's philosophy of 'as if.' Recording Date: 2 Dec 2025 Research Question: Michael Lissack suggests an interested student or researcher examine how can the continuous process of asking "what gives this symbol, sign, or phrase meaning?" (synecdoche) against the background of the "information abyss" lead to a developed sense of understanding? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Michael Lissack, the founder and director of the Second Order Science Foundation, has dedicated his academic career to understanding how individuals and organizations can learn and adapt in a rapidly changing world. Lissack's work focuses on the intersection of cognition, communication, and technology, and he has developed innovative approaches to knowledge management, organizational learning, and leadership development. Lissack was the president of American Society for Cybernetics, founder of the Institute for the Study of Coherence and Emergence, and founding editor of the journal Emergence. He has taught at several universities throughout the world, including Erasmus in the Netherlands and Tongji in Shanghai. He holds a D.B.A. in complex systems from Brunel University and Henley Management College. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #235 Rob Thelen on the US Army IWAR Initiative | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:53:41 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, COL Rob Thelan discusses the US Army's Information Warfare (IWAR) Branch. IWAR aims to integrate the IO (Information Operations) and PSYOP (Psychological Operations) communities into a unified, conventional force branch. Other topics include: U.S. lagging behind adversaries like China and Russia in IO funding and the need to break down "stovepiping" within the U.S. information operations community; the State Department's Global Engagement Center and filling the void with respect to mis/dis-information; and military public affairs evolution. Recording Date: 19 Nov 2025 Research Question: Rob Thelan suggests an interested student or researcher examine: Where else are we falling behind our adversaries and how do we make up ground – especially with respect to operations in the information environment? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Colonel Robert M. Thelen is currently the chief of staff of the Department of the Army Strategic Operations Directorate (DAMO SO). Previously, he was the Department of State Senior Military Advisor to the Bureau of Public Diplomacy and Global Public Affairs office of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/FIMI). Colonel Thelen completed a War College Fellowship at the Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Center at National Defense University. Prior to War College he was assigned to the Joint Staff J39 (Deputy Director for Global Operations DDGO) as Chief Special Activities Division (SAD). He was also assigned to the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) J39 Information Operations (IO) Division as the Chief of Special Activities. He also served at the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) J39 Information Operations (IO) Division after earning a Master Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He previously served as the G7 Information Operations Officer for the Second Infantry Division, stationed at Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea. He was also assigned to Fort Hood's III Armored Corps as a G35 Future Operations IO Planner and deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 where he lead an international team of IO planners for the Future Operations G35 of the ISAF Joint Command (IJC). Before joining III Armored Corps, COL Thelen served with the U.S. Army Forces Command's Operations Division Watch team where he was instrumental in establishing the IO section within the G-3/5/7. Colonel Thelen has had a long and diverse military career, bringing a plethora of military experience to the Department of State. While still a junior in high school, he enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard as a photo journalist. Four years later, he attended Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after graduating from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations. He then relocated to Washington, D.C., where he pursued a career with the federal government while continuing to serve in the Virginia Army National Guard's 29th Infantry Division as the Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, as well as an aide-de-camp to the Commanding General. COL Thelen was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia where he joined the Georgia Army National Guard and the 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. In 1997 he was mobilized, deployed and attached to the 1st Infantry Division 2-2 Infantry in Bosnia-Herzegovina, serving as the Task Force 2-2 Public Affairs Officer. He remained on active duty through the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) program where he served in Stuttgart, Germany with the European Command J37 NATO Exercise Branch and performed Operations Center duties during the Kosovo Campaign. Following this assignment, he returned to Atlanta and served in the G-3/5/7 Training Division at the U.S. Army Forces Command and the Executive Officer to the 2-star senior Army National Guard Advisor. He was then selected to serve as the Battalion S3, Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) ROTC program, and then as the Coordinator for the Georgia National Guard's State Partnership Program with the Former Soviet Republic of Georgia. During this time he also commanded the 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. After command, he attended Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and was then assigned as the Brigade S3 Plans officer at the 48th Infantry Brigade. COL Thelen was then assessed to active duty as an Information Operations officer and continues to serve. COL Thelen is married to Alexis (Layton-Moore) and has three children, Jake, Rachel and Robert, Jr. He has owned and operated a real estate investment firm and is an active member of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post | |||
| #226 James Giordano on Neurotechnology and Future Warfare | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:50:20 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. James Giordano discusses a broad range of topics related to national security from biopsychology to complexity to neurotechnology to enactivism. Recording Date: 25 Jun 2025 Research Question: James Giordano suggests an interested student or researcher examine: "How might the convergence of neurotech, big data, and AI lead to improved human and multinational relations, and in these ways, contribute to avoiding conflict and warfare?" Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Dr. James Giordano is the Director of the Center for Disruptive Technologies and Future Warfare of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University. He is Professor Emeritus in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry, and Senior Scholar Emeritus of the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics of Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC. Dr. Giordano has served as Senior Scientific Advisory Fellow of the Strategic Multilayer Assessment Branch of the Joint Staff, Pentagon; Senior Bioethicist of the Defense Medical Ethics Center; Distinguished Fellow in Science, Technology and Ethics of the Stockdale Center for Ethics at the United States Naval Academy; and as an appointed member of the Neuroethics, Legal and Social Advisory Panel of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), and an appointed member of the Department of Health and Human Services' Secretary's Advisory Committee for Human Research Protections. Dr Giordano is internationally recognized for his research on the use – and ethical guidance and governance - of neurocognitive sciences and technology in military, intelligence and global security operations A widely published author of over 350 peer-reviewed papers in the international scientific literature, 25 governmental reports, 37 book chapters, and 10 books - which most recently include Bioethics and Brains; Neuroscience, Neuroculture and Neuroethics; and Neurotechnology in National Security and Defense: Technical Considerations, Neuroethical Concerns. Dr. Giordano is a former Fulbright Fellow; an elected Fellow of the Hastings Center for Ethics; the European Academy of Science and Arts; and the Royal Society of Medicine (UK); and frequently lectures in German and Italian. A former United States Naval officer, he was winged as a Naval Aerospace Physiologist, co-designated as a Research Physiologist and Psychologist, and served with US Navy and US Marine Corps. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #137 Vic Garcia and Mike Berger on Information Operations and Intelligence | 28 Feb 2023 | 01:11:37 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Vic Garcia and Mike Berger of Peraton give a deep dive into IO-related challenges facing the United States and allied nations, plus dynamics between the intelligence and the operations communities, and the importance and current state of IO assessments. Research Question:
Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-137 Guest Bio: Colonel (Ret) Vic Garcia culminated his 30-year Army career after having served as the J39 Information Operations Division Chief at two separate combatant commands: U.S. Special Operations Command (2016-20) and U.S. Central Command (2013-16). During his tenure at SOCOM he oversaw the creation of the Joint MISO Web-operations Center (JMWC), and helped lead organizational change for the PSYOP, Civil Affairs, Cyber and Space communities within the SOF enterprise. Prior to this, while at CENTCOM, Vic led the command's IO efforts against ISIS/Daesh propaganda, leading to improved web operations including development of a team directly supporting JSOC. Vic served in a variety of infantry and PSYOP assignments, including command of information warfare task forces in Iraq for Multi-National Forces -Iraq, and in Qatar for Special Operations Command – Central. He also saw service in Kandahar, Afghanistan as an infantry deputy Brigade commander; and as a MIST Team leader supporting Joint Task Force Liberia, created to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in that country. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Expert Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and others. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point; a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University; and a Master's of Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. Vic currently works for Peraton supporting information warfighting capability development. Dr. Mike Berger is Chief of Research for the Information Warfare organizational unit (OU) in Peraton's Cyber Mission Sector. In this capacity, he serves as the lead for analysis and assessments for the Operational Planning, Implementation, and Assessment Services (OPIAS) contract—the largest information warfare support contract in the US Government (USG). Dr. Berger oversees primary source research, personnel, and operational assessments supporting information operations (IO) / irregular warfare (IW) activities across OPIAS's supported Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) and USG agencies. Through the course of his work, Dr. Berger has established and successfully managed the most expansive foreign audience opinion research portfolio in the Department of Defense, including over 700,000 survey interviews, 600 focus groups, and 2,000 elite interviews in a variety of sensitive locations across the globe. A central focus of his research includes illuminating the current challenges faced by America and its partners in the information environment. Dr. Berger holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland, United Kingdom). He enjoys establishing new research projects, leveraging new technologies to enhance data analysis, and developing operational assessment teams in support of forward deployed warfighters. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. | |||
| #136 Victoria Nash on Internet governance and Regulation Related to Children | 21 Feb 2023 | 00:32:20 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr Vicki Nash discusses the Oxford Internet Institute, Internet governance, and regulation related to children. Research Question: What are the benefits of technology use in children or young people; for example: benefits related to forming one's own identity, one's own sense personality, self-efficacy? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-136 Guest Bio: Victoria Nash is Director of the Oxford Internet Institute (OII). Her research interests draw on her background as a political theorist, and concern the normative policy implications of evidence characterising children's use of Internet technologies. Recent research has included an analysis of age verification policies as a tool for balancing the interests of children and adults online, and an examination of the data risks posed to children by connected toys and the Internet of Things. She holds several digital policy advisory roles, including membership of the UK Government's multi-stakeholder UK Council on Internet Safety (UKCIS) Evidence Group, and serves on the Advisory Board of Internet Matters. She is frequently called on to give expert evidence in UK and EU policy consultations on broader issues such as platform governance and Internet regulation. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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| #135 Dave Maxwell on North Korea and Influence Operations | 14 Feb 2023 | 00:51:55 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dave Maxwell discusses the importance of human rights upfront, influence campaigns, the pursuit of a free and unified Korea, resting on a foundation of deterrence and defense in the context of countering North Korea. Research Questions: Dave suggests technologies be developed which help Western governments access and penetrate North Korea. Also, he believes the potential succession in North Korea is an important research area, as well as mapping out the entire human terrain of key personalities and communicators. He also asks: how can we use defectors and escapees to help with the above research projects and bridge the North and the South. Finally, Dave thinks these "big 5" questions related to North Korea are important:
Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-135 Guest Bio: David Maxwell is a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel and has spent more than 30 years in Asia as a practitioner and specializes in North Korea and East Asia Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is the Editor of Small Wars Journal. He is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation (where he focuses on a free and unified Korea), and a Senior Advisor to the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #134 Daniel (Plato) Morabito on a Comprehensive Theory of Information Warfare | 07 Feb 2023 | 00:36:56 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Air Force LtCol Dan "Plato" Morabito discusses his theory of information warfare. Plato takes what may be considered a first principles approach by defining objectively information, knowledge, and problems with knowing. Then, he assembles a novel taxonomy of information warfare which combines trust, access, and cognition–all of which are required for knowledge creation. After discussing "problems of knowing," he defines information warfare and a theory for victory. Research Question: What is the role of the US Government to counter malign influence when the enemy is fighting for a strategic advantage directly with America's center of gravity, the American people, and can this be accomplished while preserving freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and other democratic principles? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-134 Guest Bio: Lieutenant Colonel Daniel "Plato" Morabito, commander of the 834th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 67th Cyberspace Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, holds a master of science in leadership and information technology from Duquesne University, a master of science in cyberspace operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a master of military operational art and science from the USAF Air Command and Staff College, and a master of arts in military operations from the US Army Command and General Staff College. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #133 Joe Littell on Cyber-Enabled Influence Operations | 31 Jan 2023 | 00:47:48 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Army MAJ Joe Littell discusses his recent article: the Future of Cyber-Enabled Influence Operations–including emergent technologies, disinformation, and implications for democracy. Joe also presents some of the things we can do to protect ourselves. Research Question: How did China use social media to control the COVID narrative within China? How was Chinese state media messaging oriented, both in frequency and content, prior to their invasion of COVID19 Lockdown Protests?
Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-133 Guest Bio: Joe Littell enlisted in the Army in 2003 as an infantryman and attained the rank of Sergeant before commissioning in 2010. Upon commission, Major Littell has served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Logistics Officer while assigned to the 83rd Chemical Battalion. As a 1LT, MAJ Littell applied for, assessed, and completed the Psychological Operations Qualification Course and served within the ARSOF community as a Tactical Detachment Commander and Company Commander with 9th PSYOP Battalion (Airborne). MAJ Littell currently serves as a research scientist at the Army Cyber Institute at West Point on the Information Warfare team working on computational propaganda, narrative warfare, radicalization, and microtargeting through publicly and commercially available data. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of South Florida and a MS in Data Science from Duke University. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #132 Brian Russell on OIE Truths | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:43:23 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Brian Russell returns to the Cognitive Crucible to discuss what he calls: "OIE Truths." Based on his extensive information operations experience, these truths represent the best advice he can give to commanders and service members on how to embrace and exploit emerging OIE doctrine and capabilities. Research Question: Brian asks: How do we establish a model for conditions-based command and control? Can we have a construct where a force is trained and certified to a certain standard which can quickly chop to a command with the authority to implement that capability? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-132 Guest Bio: Brian Russell is a recently retired colonel in the United States Marine Corps. After commissioning from North Carolina State University, he served the earliest parts of his 27 year career as an artillery officer with multiple combat deployments including service as a Military Transition Team Leader in Habbaniyah, Iraq, the executive officer of Brigade Headquarters Group in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and Plans Director in Bagram, Afghanistan for a combined joint special operations task force. After giving up command of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company in Camp Pendleton CA, he was selected to attend the College of Information and Cyberspace at National Defense University as the sole Marine student in the inaugural resident cyberspace strategy war college program. This educational opportunity earned him a set of orders to US Cyber Command where he served in Fires and Effects division and subsequently served as the J5 Plans Director of Joint Task Force ARES. Most recently he commanded II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (II MIG) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he provided joint all domain effects for the MEF commander, 2d and 6th Fleets and multiple key allies and partners. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #131 Brian Burbank on the Ghost Team, Transparent Battlefield Concepts and Multi-Domain Operations | 17 Jan 2023 | 00:47:05 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Army LTC Brian Burbank discusses the Ghost Team's immersive information operations training capability at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. The Ghost Team challenges brigade-sized units with multi-domain dynamics so that we can win the first battle of the next war. Research Question: Brian Burbank observes that everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence and how it's going to change modern warfare. The real question is how, and how do we make it useful to help a Commander win? Lots of value to automate the science of Leadership, so Commanders can apply the Art to enhance our information dominance (Our OODA loop is faster than our adversaries). But if it doesn't help Commanders win, then it won't be of value. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-131 Guest Bio: LTC Brian Burbank is a lifelong Maniac (born and raised in Maine) and enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in September 1998. He served in the 94th Military Police Company until 2003 and deployed to Bosnia in 2000-2001. He also briefly served in the Maine Army National Guard prior to commissioning. LTC Burbank commissioned from the University of Maine Army ROTC program in 2003 and was branched Aviation and became a qualified UH-60 pilot. He mostly flew a desk, despite a deployment to Afghanistan (2006-2007) and to Iraq (2008-2009), which led him to transfer into Information Operations (Functional Area 30) in 2013. As an Information Operations Officer, LTC Burbank served on the I Corps staff, participating in exercises in Thailand, Japan, and Australia, and numerous CONUS locations. In 2016, LTC Burbank was assigned to 1st Information Operations Battalion, 1st Information Operations Command at Fort Belvoir, VA where he served as a Field Support Team Leader during a deployment in support of a JTF in Afghanistan (2017), Battalion Executive Officer, Force Management Officer, and Social Media Detachment Chief. He then was assigned to III Corps and immediately deployed to Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve in Kuwait (2020-2021). LTC Burbank is currently assigned as the Ghost Team Chief within the Operations group at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. Ghost Team is comprised of key enablers to support Information Advantage, specifically Civil Affairs, Cyber Electromagnetic Activities, Public Affairs, Psychological Operations, and Space Operations. Ghost Team is responsible for simultaneously coaching rotational training units and adjusting the scenario to provide a controlled, realistic, and contested training operational environment for the Army. Ghost Team derives its heritage from the World War Two famed unit, the 23rd Headquarters, Special Troops, better known as "Patton's Ghost Army". LTC Brian Burbank has been married to the lovely Olivia Burbank for almost 20 years and they share two children, Abby (16) and Evan (12). They collectively enjoy shenanigans wherever they go. Brian enjoys working on his 1969 Volkswagen Beetle (Herbie), brewing beer, gardening, terrorizing children and the neighborhood in his inflatable T-Rex costume, and most recently, dabbling with his wood pellet smoker. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #130 Teasel Muir-Harmony on Spaceflight, Foreign Policy, and Soft Power | 10 Jan 2023 | 00:48:38 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Teasel Muir-Harmony of the Smithsonian discusses her book, Operation Moonglow. She argues that its primary purpose wasn't advancing science; rather, it was part of a political strategy to build a global coalition. Operation Moonglow paints a riveting picture of the intersection of spaceflight, geopolitics, propaganda, and diplomacy during the Cold War. Research Question: Dr. Muir Harmony believes more work is needed for evaluating the impact of information dissemination in a public diplomacy context. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-130 Guest Bio: Dr. Teasel Muir-Harmony is a historian of science and technology and the curator of the Apollo Collection. Before coming to the Smithsonian, she earned a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She has held positions as a visiting scholar at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden (KTH), an Associate Historian at the American Institute of Physics, and as a curator at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in Chicago. Muir-Harmony researches and writes on the history of exploring the Moon, from debates about lunar governance to the use of spaceflight as soft power, the topic of her award-winning book, Operation Moonglow: A Political History of Project Apollo (Basic Books, 2020). She is the author of Apollo to the Moon: A History in 50 Objects (National Geographic, 2018) and an advisor to the television series Apollo's Moon Shot. Her scholarship has been featured by CBS, the New York Times, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and numerous other media outlets. Muir-Harmony's research and writing have been supported by the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation, the Consortium for the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, the MIT Presidential Fellowship, the Smithsonian Institution Graduate Research Fellowship, NASA's Science Mission Directorate, and the National Science Foundation. At the Air and Space Museum, she is the lead curator for the One World Connected gallery and serves on exhibit teams for Destination Moon and the Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery. Her collection comprises over 2,000 artifacts related to the Apollo program, the Skylab program, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Muir-Harmony co-organizes the Space Policy & History Forum, serves on the Executive Council of the Society for the History of Technology, is a member of the American Astronautical Society History Committee, and participates in the US State Department's Speakers Program. In addition, she teaches in Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #129 Eliot Jardines on Open Source Intelligence | 03 Jan 2023 | 00:45:55 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Eliot Jardines describes the world of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), publicly available information (PAI), and why it matters to national security. Research Questions: Eliot suggests interested students and researchers take a look at the following questions:
Resources: Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-129 Guest Bio: Eliot Jardines is the founder of the OSINT Foundation and serves as the Director of Operations and Treasurer. He is President of Gnosis Solutions, Incorporated, a veteran and minority owned small business focused on training and intelligence consultancy. Prior to Gnosis, he was a Senior Consulting Director at Oracle, and Chief Knowledge Officer of CENTRA Technology, Incorporated. In late 2005, Dr. Jardines was appointed as the inaugural Assistant Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Open Source. As the senior open-source intelligence official, he was responsible for developing a strategic direction, establishing policy, and oversight of fiscal resources for social media monitoring efforts across all 17 intelligence agencies. In addition, he served as the Intelligence Community's senior document and media exploitation (DOMEX) officer, as well as provided oversight to the Open Source Center, the National Media Exploitation Center and the National Virtual Translation Center. From 1996 to 2005, he was founder and President of Open Source Publishing, Incorporated. The firm provided open-source intelligence support to the military, law enforcement and intelligence communities. The company was the 2002 runner-up for the George C. Marshall Award, and subsequently acquired in 2005. Dr. Jardines served eleven years in the US Army (Reserves and on active duty), including assignments at the US Army Intelligence Center and School, US Central Command, the National Ground Intelligence Center and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was deployed to the 66th Military Intelligence Group in Augsburg, Germany in support of Operation Joint Guard during the late 1990s, where he served as the unit's first OSINT coordinator. He has testified before the US Congress on intelligence and homeland security issues. He has been published or featured in a number of professional journals, national newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and the Washington Post. He has done numerous media appearances to include C-SPAN and the CBS Evening News. Dr. Jardines graduated from the University of New Mexico with a dual degree in political science and Latin American studies. He received a Master of Arts in international studies from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University, where he was recognized with the NCOA award for excellence in leadership and academics. He holds a doctorate in human and organizational learning from the George Washington University. Heavily involved in the community, Dr. Jardines is head coach of a USA Shooting club which trains athletes in the 25-meter air and sport pistol Olympic events, and coordinator of the Clarke County Sheriff's Office reserve deputy program. He was recently appointed to the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation board of directors. He resides in Loudoun County, Virginia with his wife Teresa and their three sons. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #128 Matt Armstrong and Chris Paul on the U.S. Information Agency and Foreign Policy | 27 Dec 2022 | 00:54:48 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, previous podcast guests, Dr. Chris Paul and Mr. Matt Armstrong discuss their recent article: The Irony Of Misinformation: USIA Myths Block Enduring Solutions. There was productive dialogue related to Cold War-era USG structure and how today's policy makers can develop foreign policy, public diplomacy, and a talent pipeline relevant for today's continual competition. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-128 Guest Bios: Matt Armstrong is a former Governor of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, now the US Agency for Global Media, a former executive director of the US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, was made an Honorary Member of the PSYOP Regiment, and is working on a PhD at King's College London writing on US views of political warfare in the early cold war. Christopher Paul is a senior social scientist at the RAND Corporation and professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Prior to joining RAND full-time in July 2002, Paul worked as an adjunct at RAND for six years and was on the statistics faculty at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Paul has written over a dozen monographs related to operations in the information environment. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #225 Austin Branch, Dave Pitts, and Joe Miller on Cognitive Warfare and the Gray Zone | 27 May 2025 | 00:57:12 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Austin Branch, Dave Pitts, and Joe Miller discuss cognitive warfare, the gray zone, and intensifying great power competition. The ultimate goal is to compete by gaining and maintaining information advantage without kinetic fighting. Recording Date: 28 Apr 2025 Research Question: Has Russian cognitive warfare, including the use of reflexive control, red lines and nuclear threats, influenced US policy decisions regarding weapon deliveries and restrictions to Ukraine? Similarly, has Chinese cognitive warfare impacted US policy and strategic outcomes concerning Taiwan and the Philippines? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Austin Branch founded Crescent Bridge to help serve the Information technical and cognitive needs of the Federal Government. Additionally, Austin joined ARLIS to help support the evolution of the Defense and U.S. Government Operations in the Information Environment (OIE) enterprise. Previously, Austin served as OIE Technology & Strategy at Secretary of the Air Force Directorate for Concepts, Development and Management (Exec IPA) after several years in the private sector at COLSA Corporation as the Executive Director for Information Strategies and Programs (2015-2021) after serving 30 years in Federal service as an Army Officer and Senior Civilian. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1986 from The Citadel, Charleston S.C. and went on to serve in multiple Command and Staff positions in conflict and in peace becoming the Army's first Information Operations Officer. Austin pioneered military operations in the information environment in key leadership positions in the Army, Joint Special Operations Command, Joint Staff, EUCOM, and deployed Joint and multinational Task Force Organizations across the globe. Upon retirement from the Army, Austin joined the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence as the Deputy Director and Chief of Operations for the Defense Policy Analysis Office with oversight of National special plans and technical operations. In 2008 was selected as a Defense Intelligence Senior Leader as Senior Advisor for Defense Information Operations focused on oversight, policy and support for Service and Joint Information Operations, and associated Special Access programs. In 2010, Austin was selected by the Secretary of Defense to lead the Information Operations and Military Information Support Defense Enterprise as the first Senior Director for this mission area in the Office of Policy and Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. In this capacity, Austin was DOD's senior representative for IO, MISO, EW and special program oversight, policy and assessments. In 2013, Austin was selected by the Director for the National Counter-Terrorism Center and the DNI to establish and lead a new organization to address Domestic Counter Terrorism, Counter Violent Extremism, and Counter Terrorism Cyber Strategy and Policy in support of the National Security Council. In this capacity, he also served as the National Co-lead for countering ISIS propaganda and influence and associated IPC lead strategist for National Security Council. Austin is also one of the founder's of a Non-profit, Information Professionals Association (IPA). IPA is a professional organization established to serve the interests of the broader Information community worldwide and for issues related to Cognitive Security. Austin also served on the Defense Science Board summer 2019 study focused on great power competition in the Information Environment and was recently was selected to join the University of Maryland Advanced Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) to help lead development of their Cognitive Security & Information Portfolio. He also serves on various Advisory Board(s) and professional associations. Austin and his wife, Carol live in Bluffton SC and have three children. They have two serving in active duty in the Army and one in Medical School at Icahn School of Medicine, Mt Sinai, NY. Dave Pitts is a senior national security professional, former CIA executive, and veteran with over four decades of experience in challenging and critical missions, ranging from intelligence operations, counterterrorism and special operations to great power competition. Dave served as the Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia, Chief of National Resources Division, senior leadership positions in the Counterterrorism Center—including in the strategic communications space—and led CIA's two largest Field Stations. Dave has a proven track record of leading large and diverse teams, building lasting partnerships, integrating innovative technologies, and delivering results in high-stakes and high-pressure situations. Dave is a thought leader, Cipher Brief Expert and a frequent writer and commentator on terrorism, great power competition, the gray zone, cognitive warfare and emerging global issues. Dave is a co-founder of The Cipher Briefs Gray Zone Group. Joe Miller, Senior Executive Service, is currently the Deputy Commander for Support at the US Army Special Operations Command, headquartered at Ft Bragg, N.C. Prior to his assignment to Ft Bragg, Joe was the J7 Director of Joint Training and Innovation at US NORAD/NORTHCOM at Peterson, AFB, Co and first SES assignment was the J5 Director, Policy, Strategy, Plans and Futures at US Special Operations Command at Mac Dill AFB, Fl. Joe is a retired US Army Colonel. He has led and Commanded platoons, troops, detachments, a Battalion task force and a Brigade. He has served and operated in western Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, SW Asia and throughout the Americas. He is a graduate of the University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Honors, US Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies (Master of Military Arts and Sciences), an Army War College Fellowship. He earned a Master's Degree in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is a life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Joe is married with one son. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #127 Robert Redfield on Biological Viruses | 20 Dec 2022 | 01:08:20 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Robert Redfield discusses the health of the United States public health institution, which he believes is grossly underfunded and damaged in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Moreover, Dr. Redfield believes that the biggest societal risk we face is an avian influenza, which is likely to have a much higher mortality rate than the COVID pandemic. Our conversation also touches on ways to prepare societies for the next pandemic, as well as Dr. Redfield's perspective on damage to public trust. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-127 Guest Bio: Dr. Robert Redfield has had a distinguished career in service to the United States. Most recently, Dr. Redfield was the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2018 - 2021. He also served in the Army medical service as a physician and medical researcher before retiring as a Colonel in 1996. Dr. Redfield is currently the senior medical advisor to AM LLC. AM empowers leaders and communities with innovative solutions and insights to deliver mission critical services to address a variety of global and local public health challenges. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #126 Edgar Hollandsworth on Talent Development and Intelligence Support for OIE | 13 Dec 2022 | 00:49:43 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Ed Hollandsworth of the Joint Forces Staff College shares his observations related to career-level US military officer education and the recently released joint doctrine: JP 3-04 Information in Joint Operations. Research Question: Ed suggests that researchers consider a cluster of inter-related questions that could be considered as a research agenda. This means each question by itself could be the focus of a separate research effort. Building on the podcasts of Major Cassandra Brooker (#81) and John DeRosa and Alex DelCastillo (#82), Ed challenges scholars to ask "How can the US Government validly, accurately, and rapidly measure the effectiveness of its operations in the information environment in time to influence leader decisions about future plans and operations? What social science methods and performance measurement models are well-suited to this complex task? How should the Intelligence Community posture itself to support OIE performance measurement? Downstream, what are the implications of integrated OIE strategies, and the measurement of their effectiveness, for future changes in intelligence collection, predictive analysis, and training and education curriculum development?" Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-126 Guest Bio: Dr. Edgar "Ed" Hollandsworth reported to the Joint Forces Staff College in September of 2021 as the DIA Academic Chair, a 3-year rotational assignment. In September 2022, National Defense University appointed him as an Assistant Professor. He teaches lessons on intelligence studies, information warfare, space and cyberspace operations, and national defense organization in all three JFSC colleges. Ed joined DIA in 2007. His positions included Director of National Intelligence Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholar, 2020-2021; Deputy Career Field Manager and Lead Career Development Officer, Mission Management (MM) Career Field, Joint Staff J2M (MM Workforce Development Division), 2015-2020; Deputy Chief, Mission Integration Division, National Measurement and Signature Intelligence Office (NMO), Directorate for Science and Technology (ST), 2014-2015; Chief, Enterprise Integration Division, DoD Special Communications Enterprise Office, ST, 2012-2014; Space Policy Analyst, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, 2011-2012; Chief, Functional Management Division, Office for Collection Management Enterprise, Defense Intelligence Operations Coordination Center (DIOCC), 2009-2010; Senior Intelligence Officer (Policy and Strategy) and Acting Chief, Policy and Strategy Division, DIOCC, 2007-2009. Prior to his DIA career, Ed served for 20 years as an Air Force intelligence officer, retiring in 2006 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His Air Force assignments included Assistant Director of Operations, Air Force Technical Applications Center, 2004-2006; Assistant Air Attaché to Germany, DIA, 2001-2004; Intelligence Requirements Certification Officer, Joint Staff J2P, 1999-2001; Joint Warfighting Capabilities Assessment Studies Lead, Joint Staff J2P, 1997-1999; Chief, Multi-Force Assessment Division, Chief, Joint Analysis and Reporting Division, and Section Chief, Misawa Cryptologic Operations Center, Air Intelligence Agency, 1994-1997; Chief, National Systems Collection Management, OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT C2, 1996; Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC Det. 520, Cornell University, 1991-1994; Arms Control Analyst, Soviet Politico-Military Affairs Officer and Watch Officer, Headquarters Air Force Intelligence Agency, 1988-1991; Student, Naval Postgraduate School National Security Affairs program, Air Force Institute of Technology, 1986-1987. He also served as a desk editor for the Foreign Broadcast Information Service and as a security escort at the Central Intelligence Agency, 1984-1986. Ed is a graduate of the Defense Senior Leader Development Program, 2012; Army War College, 2011; Armed Forces Staff College, 2000; Air Command and Staff College, 1998; and Air Force Academic Instructor School, 1991. He holds a B.S. in Foreign Service majoring in International Politics from Georgetown University, a masters in East European Area Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MBA from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, a masters in strategic studies from the Army War College, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration/Public Affairs from Virginia Tech. Ed co-taught Cornell University and Ithaca College undergraduates as an Air Force ROTC instructor; adult undergraduates in business administration at Columbia College, Patrick Air Force Base, as an adjunct faculty member; and graduate students in the Joint Forces Staff College as a full-time faculty member. His research interests include government reform, public management theory and practice, intelligence studies, and challenges of governing the global commons. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #125 Journey from conception through JP 3-04 | 06 Dec 2022 | 00:54:01 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, three key players in the establishment of JP 3-04 (Information in Joint Operations)–Eric Wallace, Derek Elliott, and Ron Walters–give the Cognitive Crucible audience a behind-the-scenes tour into the process of creating new joint doctrine. For part of the conversation, the audience may want to refer to this Doctrinal Logic: Information in Joint Operations 1-page summary. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-125 Guest Bio: Eric Wallace is currently an Information Warfare/Electronic Warfare Subject Matter Expert with COLSA Corporation February 2022. In this capacity he utilizes his expert knowledge to influence best practices within IW discipline, leads work teams or other SMEs to ensure customer satisfaction relating to technical contract performance, is a recognized expert in the information warfare field, and advises and consults on information warfare with high-level customers and stakeholders. Prior to his joining COLSA, Mr. Wallace was the Chief of the Information Proponent Division, Joint Information Operations Warfare Center (JIOWC) in San Antonio, TX. JIOWC is Chairman's Controlled Activity subordinate to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr. Wallace led the JIOWC's effort to operationalize and institutionalize the information joint function and operations in the information environment across the Department of Defense. Outcomes associated with this role included publishing the Joint Concept for Operating in the Information Environment (JCOIE); the designation of Information as a joint function; leading the Operations in the Information Environment Capabilities-Based Assessment DOTMLPF-P Change Recommendation and associated Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum 068-19; and the development of the information joint function doctrinal publication JP 3-04 Information in Joint Operations. Mr. Wallace entered Civil Service in 1995 and has worked in numerous assignments supporting operations in the information environment. He has served in various national level forums including Electronic Intelligence, 2003 Information Operations Road Map, 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review, and was Project Director for an OSD-directed study on intelligence support to IO planning and operational requirements. Mr. Wallace's other noteworthy contributions include the 2010 Joint Information Operations Force Optimization Study; 2016 Department of Defense Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment; Capstone Concept for Joint Operations 2030 (CCJO). For more than 19 years, Mr. Wallace has provided direct information operations support to combatant commanders and has over 20 years of experience in intelligence at the tactical, theater/joint, and national levels, including Operations DENY FLIGHT/PROVIDE PROMISE and ENDURING FREEDOM. Mr. Wallace enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1980 and has served in a variety of intelligence assignments in the United States and overseas. Derek Elliott retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2014 after serving as an Information Operations Officer and conducting tactical- through strategic-level Information Operations. Mr. Elliott is a subject matter expert on the use of information in joint operations with MeriTec Services, Incorporated. While assigned as a doctrine writer in the Information Operations Proponent Division of the Joint Information Operations Warfare Center, Derek led the writing team that incorporated the information joint function into Joint Doctrine and that created Joint Publication 3-04, Information in Joint Operations. Ron Walters retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel of Psychological Operations in 2011. Ron's PSYOP experience ranges from PSYOP Detachment to the Joint Staff. Joining MeriTec Services after a lengthy stint with MISTF-A, Ron participated in the drafting of the Joint Concept for Operating in the Information Environment and the following Operations in the Information Environment Capabilities Based Assessment. He was a primary contributor behind Information the Joint Function. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #124 Dean Cheng on China, Space, and Information Operations | 29 Nov 2022 | 00:48:22 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dean Cheng of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies has a wide ranging discussion which centers around Chinese technology initiatives related to information operations, space operations, engagement with the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (or ITU), and even the Arctic. Dean also comments on areas where the Chinese has relative advantage and disadvantage compared to The West. Research Question: How china is using various tools to influence third party populations in Africa, South America, and the Middle East; how many foreign students educated in Chinese institutions are now in influential positions within their home countries and how is this affecting policies in these regions? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-124 Guest Bio: Dean Cheng is a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. He retired as the Senior Research Fellow for Chinese Political and Military Affairs at the Heritage Foundation after 13 years. He is fluent in Chinese, and uses Chinese language materials regularly in his work. Prior to joining the Heritage Foundation, he worked with the China Studies Division (previously, Project Asia) at the Center for Naval Analysis, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, where he specialized in Chinese military issues, with a focus on Chinese military doctrine and Chinese space capabilities. Before that, he worked for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and as an analyst with the US Congress' Office of Technology Assessment in the International Security and Space Division. He is the author of the volume Cyber Dragon: Inside China's Information Warfare and Cyber Operations (Praeger Publishing, 2016). He has testified before Congress, and spoken at the National Space Symposium, the US National Defense University, the USSTRATCOM Deterrence Symposium, Harvard, and MIT. He has appeared frequently in print and broadcast media to discuss Chinese space and military activities. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #123 Jonathan Roginski on Insider Threats | 22 Nov 2022 | 00:37:07 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Jon Roginski discusses insider threats. Jon asserts that insider threat detection and mitigation is an inherently complex human problem, and describes two broad risk activities: trait-based and state-based. His colleagues at the West Point Insider Threat Program connect insider threats with the medical community and examine the problem as a living, breathing, and growing dynamic. Research Question: How do we lead the development and/or maintenance of organizational culture so that the workforce is connected to and invested in the organization and believes that connection and investiture is reciprocated. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-123 Guest Bio: Jon Roginski is the Program Manager for the West Point Insider Threat Program, which serves as the "research arm" for the Pentagon-administered Army Insider Threat Program. The program considers threat research from a variety of different vectors from the traditional (fraud, espionage, spillage) to contemporary...a holistic approach of creating an organizational ecosystem that is incompatible with threat. What does that really mean? A couple things. First, we consider many factors that erode our enterprises efficiency and readiness from the inside out to be insider risks or threats. We want to build a better place to live and work so people feel connected to and invested in their organization and environment so we can build up, rather than tear down. Second, if you have a research topic that you feel doesn't fit anywhere, come talk to me. You may be surprised at the connections that may be made to current projects or the appetite for a new approach! LTC(ret) Roginski was a class of '96 mathlete and rugby player, basic branch Military Policeman, functional area Operations Research analyst, and (is) an enthusiastic Network Scientist. As him about being a Platoon Leader and Commander in the 10th Mountain Division, Commander and Provost Marshal in Okinawa Japan, member of a think tank reporting directly to the Chief of Naval Operations, ORSA leader at Fort Drum and Kandahar Afghanistan, or invited Network Science Professor at Singapore's premier defense (they call it defence) institute. Come ask a question about the power and relevance of network science in today's operating environments...or about how you can support the Army Men's Rugby team in climbing the mountain to their second National Championship! About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #122 Josh Nespodzany on Narrative in Enterprise Environments | 15 Nov 2022 | 00:35:09 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Josh Nespodzany discusses Comcast's Narrative Design team and how they improve the communication of new ideas or initiatives within the enterprise. Our discussion touches upon market research, target audience analysis, red teaming ideas, and measures of effectiveness. Research Question: Josh suggests that researchers get outside their comfort zones in order to get different perspectives which can then, in turn, inform future research efforts. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-122 Guest Bio: Josh Nespodzany has over 25 years of experience working in both advertising and product, and currently serves as the Director of Narrative Design at Comcast. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #121 Koichiro Takagi on East Asia Security | 08 Nov 2022 | 00:23:42 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Colonel Koichiro Takagi discusses his recent article: The Future of China's Cognitive Warfare and East Asia security. He notes that China's concept of cognitive warfare and intelligentized warfare have merged in recent years. Koichiro is currently a fellow at the Hudson Institute. Note: There is a transcript available on the IPA website here. Research Question: Koichiro believes that interested students should develop innovative operational concepts which employ cutting edge technologies which are currently being developed. What is important is not the superiority of the technology itself, but the superiority of the operational concept. Resources:
Link to full show notes, transcript, and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-121 Guest Bio: Koichiro Takagi is a Colonel in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He is also a visiting fellow of the Hudson Institute. He is a former Deputy Chief, Defense Operation Section, 1st Operations Division, J-3, Joint Staff Japan, and has designed joint operation plans and orders in the severe security environment of East Asia. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #120 Bill Bray on Navy IW Road to Serfdom | 01 Nov 2022 | 00:49:18 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Bill Bray discusses his recent article: The Navy Information Warfare Community's Road to Serfdom. Bill offers a constructive critique of the United States Navy's information warfare community manpower management policies. He asserts that information warfare officers are crowded out of senior leadership positions which, in turn, is having adverse effects on morale within the community. Research Question: Bill suggests students and the information professionals community in general figure out a way to measure the effectiveness of influence campaigns. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-120 Guest Bio: From Natick, Massachusetts, Captain Bray graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988. He served as a surface warfare officer in San Diego, California, until 1992 before transitioning to naval intelligence. In naval intelligence, he served in a variety of operational and joint intelligence billets in both the Pacific and Europe and completed two Middle East deployments and one East Africa deployment. From 2010 to 2012 he commanded the Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland, and from 2012 to 2014 he served as the Naval Forces Europe/Naval Forces Africa/Sixth Fleet Director for Intelligence in Naples, Italy. In 2014–2015 he was a CNO Strategic Studies Fellow in Newport, Rhode Island. Following retirement in 2016, Captain Bray was a managing director at Ankura Consulting before being hired in August 2018 as deputy editor-in-chief of Proceedings magazine at the U.S. Naval Institute in Annapolis, Maryland. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #119 Katherine Carman on Truth Decay | 25 Oct 2022 | 00:35:32 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Katie Carman discusses the most recent installment in RAND's Truth Decay project: Individual Differences in Resistance to Truth Decay: Exploring the Role of Reasoning and Cognitive Biases. We discuss cognitive biases and how they affect decision making. The most consistent finding from her co-authored report was that greater numerical and scientific reasoning and lower magical reasoning were associated with greater resistance to Truth Decay. Research Question: Creative, young minds should explore how to solve the Truth Decay problem? How can we experiment with new ideas in order to use information better? Can we come up with a new way of presenting information that will make it easier for people to identify facts? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-119 Guest Bio: Katherine Carman is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation, director of RAND's Center for Financial and Economic Decision Making, and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Her research focuses on behavioral economics, health economics, and public economics. Carman is particularly interested in how individuals' beliefs, perceptions, and decision making processes affect their choices. Currently she is studying health behaviors, health insurance decisions, and retirement decisions. She has a number of projects studying the impacts of COVID-19. She is also interested in the effects of peer behavior and characteristics on individual choices. Previously, Carman was an assistant professor at Tilburg University and affiliated with CentER and Netspar. She was a Robert Wood Johnson Scholar in health policy research at Harvard University. She received a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #118 Joe Kirschbaum on the GAO's Information Environment Themes | 18 Oct 2022 | 00:51:33 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Joe Kirschbaum discusses the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) September 2022 report entitled: Information Environment: Opportunities and Threats to DOD's National Security Mission. This report describes DOD's use and protection of the information environment and describes DOD actions taken and planned to use and protect the information environment. Joe Kirschbaum describes several themes which characterize DOD's progress related to information-related capabilities including what he calls the "strategy implementation mismatch." Research Questions:
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Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-118 Guest Bio: Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum is a Director in GAO's Defense Capabilities and Management team. He leads GAO's work on the Department of Defense's ability to respond to unconventional threats. As part of his portfolio, he oversees evaluations on the Department of Defense's preparations for homeland defense; plans to respond to emerging threats and irregular warfare; protection of critical infrastructure; and development and management of cyber, nuclear, and intelligence capabilities. Over his 20-plus-year career with GAO, Dr. Kirschbaum conducted and led audits throughout the range of defense and national security programs, focusing mostly on the Defense Department. Dr. Kirschbaum comes from a Navy family and served briefly on active duty in the U.S. Navy's nuclear propulsion program. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science and a master's degree in national security studies, both from California State University, San Bernardino, and a doctoral degree in military history from George Washington University. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #224 Jake Bebber on Cognitive Warfare | 20 May 2025 | 00:46:35 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Jake Bebber discusses his work related to the concept, challenges, and potential responses to cognitive warfare. Jake explains how cognitive warfare uses technology to manipulate cognition and behavior, emphasizing its distinction from traditional information warfare and its potential impact across various domains. The conversation covers the need for a structured ontology to understand and address cognitive warfare, as well as the importance of maintaining American values while developing strategies to combat these threats. Recording Date: 5 May 2025 Research Question: Jake Bebber suggests an interested student or researcher examine several topics, such as:
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Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Robert "Jake" Bebber is an officer in the United States Navy. He has served at various locations throughout his career, including Fort Meade, US 7th Fleet, Carrier Strike Group 12, Information Warfare Training Command-Corry Station, and US Special Operations Command. He holds a PhD in public policy from the University of Central Florida. His writings have appeared in Proceedings, Orbis, Journal of Information Warfare, Journal of Political Risk, Comparative Strategy, and elsewhere. He is supported by his wife, Dana, and their two boys, Vincent and Zachary. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #117 Sam Woolley on Journalism, Propaganda, and Ethics | 11 Oct 2022 | 00:35:41 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Sam Wooley of the University of Texas School of Journalism discusses journalism, propaganda, and ethics. Our conversations unpacks the definition of propaganda and how today's technology fuels propaganda and influence. Research Question: Encrypted messaging apps (like WhatApp, Signal, Discord, etc) are becoming more popular, and incubation of disinformation campaigns happens in those spaces. How does disinformation and propaganda spread in encrypted spaces? How will we study propaganda in transport-layer encrypted spaces? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-117 Guest Bio: Samuel C. Woolley is an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and an assistant professor, by courtesy, in the School of Information--both at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also the project director for propaganda research at the Center for Media Engagement (CME) at UT. Woolley is currently a research associate at the Project for Democracy and the Internet at Stanford University. He has held past research affiliations at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) at the University of California at Berkeley. Woolley's research is focused on how emergent technologies are used in and around global political communication. His work on computational propaganda—the use of social media in attempts to manipulate public opinion—has revealed the ways in which a wide variety of political groups in the United States and abroad have leveraged tools such as bots and trending algorithms and tactics of disinformation and trolling in efforts to control information flows online. His research on digital politics, automation/AI, social media, and political polarization is currently supported by grants from by Omidyar Network (ON), the Miami Foundation, and the Knight Foundation. His past research has been funded by the Ford Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the New Venture Fund for Communications, and others. His latest book, The Reality Game: How the Next Wave of Technology Will Break the Truth, was released in January 2020 by PublicAffairs (US) and Octopus/Endeavour (UK). It explores the ways in which emergent technologies--from deep fakes to virtual reality--are already being leveraged to manipulate public opinion, and how they are likely to be used in the future. He proposes strategic responses to these threats with the ultimate goal of empowering activists and pushing technology builders to design for democracy and human rights. He is currently working on two other books. Manufacturing Consensus (Yale University Press) explores the ways in which social media, and automated tools such as bots, have become global mechanisms for creating illusions of political support or popularity. He discusses the power of these tools for amplification and suppression of particular modes of digital communication, building on Herman and Chomsky's (1988) integral work on propaganda. His other book, co-authored with Nicholas Monaco, is titled Bots (Polity) and is a primer on the ways these automated tools have become integral to the flow of all manner of information online. Woolley is the co-editor, with Philip N. Howard (Oxford) of Computational Propaganda: Political Parties, Politicians, and Political Manipulation on Social Media, released in 2018 by the Oxford Studies in Digital Politics series at Oxford University Press. This volume of country specific case studies explores the rise of social media--and tools like algorithms and automation--as mechanisms for political manipulation around the world. He has published several peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and white papers on emergent technology, the Internet and public life in publications such as the Journal of Information Technology and Politics, the International Journal of Communication, A Networked Self: Platforms, Stories, Connections, The Political Economy of Robots: Prospects for Prosperity and Peace in an Automated 21st Century, The Handbook of Media, Conflict and Security, and Can Public Diplomacy Survive the Internet? Bots, Echo Chambers and Disinformation. Woolley is the founding director of the Digital Intelligence Lab, a research and policy oriented project at the Institute for the Future—a 50-year-old think-tank located in Palo Alto, CA. Before this he served as the director of research at the National Science Foundation and European Research Council supported Computational Propaganda Project at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford. He is a former resident fellow at the German Marshall Fund's Digital Innovation Democracy Initiative and a former Belfer Fellow at the Anti-Defamation League's Center for Science and technology. He is a former research fellow at Jigsaw, Google's think-tank and technology incubator, at the Center Tech Policy Lab at the University of Washington's Schools of Law and Information, and at the Center for Media, Data and Society at Central European University. His public work on computational propaganda and social media bots has appeared in venues including Wired, the Guardian,TechCrunch, Motherboard, Slate, and The Atlantic. For his research, Woolley has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Guardian and on PBS' Frontline, BBC's News at Ten, and ABC's Today. His work on computational propaganda and bots has been presented to members of the U.S. Congress, the U.K. Parliament, NATO, and others. His Ph.D. is in Communication from the University of Washington. His website is samwoolley.org and he tweets from @samuelwoolley. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #116 Matt Jackson on Social Learning and Game Theory | 04 Oct 2022 | 00:36:57 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Prof Matt Jackson of Stanford University discusses social learning, game theory, and an optimization methodology for minimizing the spread of disinformation. Research Question:
Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-116 Guest Bio: Matthew O. Jackson is the William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University and an external faculty member of the Santa Fe Institute. He was at Northwestern University and Caltech before joining Stanford, and received his BA from Princeton University in 1984 and PhD from Stanford in 1988. Jackson's research interests include game theory, microeconomic theory, and the study of social and economic networks, on which he has published many articles and the books `The Human Network' and `Social and Economic Networks'. He also teaches an online course on networks and co-teaches two others on game theory. Jackson is a Member of the National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Econometric Society, a Game Theory Society Fellow, and an Economic Theory Fellow, and his other honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Social Choice and Welfare Prize, the von Neumann Award from Rajk Laszlo College, an honorary doctorate from Aix-Marseille University, the Jean-Jacques Laffont Prize from the Toulouse School of Economics, the B.E.Press Arrow Prize for Senior Economists, the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Economics, Finance, and Management, and teaching awards. He has served on the editorial boards of Econometrica, Games and Economic Behavior, PNAS, the Review of Economic Design, and as the President of the Game Theory Society. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #115 Russ Burgos on Information Supply, Demand, and Effect | 27 Sep 2022 | 00:59:04 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Russ Burgos discusses the importance of defining terms–like information itself. He offers a way of thinking about information in supply/demand and behavioral economics terminology. Russ recaps his "Seven A's of Information Success" and then projects these concepts into global influence efficacy. Research Questions: Russ offers several questions worthy of additional research:
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Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-115 Guest Bio: Russell Burgos is an Associate Professor in the Joint Special Operations Master of Arts program at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He joined NDU after more than 12 years as a professor at UCLA, the University of Southern California, Claremont McKenna College, and Pepperdine University. In addition to extensive experience teaching core courses in American and international politics, globalization, Great Power competition, and political theory, Dr. Burgos has designed and taught seminar courses on U.S. national security, homeland security, globalization and international security, American foreign relations, the economics of globalization, the Iraq War, Middle East politics, and US foreign and military policy in the Persian Gulf. At UCLA, Dr. Burgos was also employed as a research assistant to the late political scientist James Q. Wilson and to former UCLA Chancellor Al Carnesale, for whom he conducted research on arms control and weapons and technology proliferation. In addition to his classroom experience, Dr. Burgos directed a Department of Defense-funded Track II military diplomacy program for senior Middle East military and government agency officials, designing and executing two multi-day conferences each year to encourage dialog, share perspectives on current and emerging security challenges, and support U.S. confidence-building measures. With access to a wide network of think-tank subject matter experts and senior active duty and retired officers from the US and NATO allies, the program included presentations, small-group discussions, and tabletop exercises focusing on issues of regional concern, including the military balance, emerging technology and warfare, the effects of political changes on regional stability and security, border control, lawfare, military operations in urban terrain, anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations, and pandemic disease response. Dr. Burgos has written articles and book chapters on national security policy, US Middle East policy, strategy and policy in the Persian Gulf, the effects of Special Operations Forces on regional and global stability, the teaching of international politics, and academic techniques and best practices for Professional Military Education students. He is a former Signal and Psychological Operations officer, an active wargamer, presents frequently at professional conferences, has appeared on radio, television, and podcasts and before community and service organizations in the U.S. and abroad to offer expert commentary on U.S. national security policy and strategy, and has served as a military technology and military history consultant for television and film productions. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #114 Rubens Portugal on Brazilian Information Operations | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:41:34 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Brazilian Army Capt Rubens Portugal discusses governmental structure and various information operations policies including operational integration and talent management. Research Question: How dangerous to a country like Brazil or any country for that matter is it to build an information warfare and political warfare capability? For some countries, this is very dangerous. What kind of informational structure is most ideal for countries where the state (permanent, non-political) and government (temporary politics) are not separate in practice? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-114 Guest Bio: After receiving a Bachelors of Military Science, in the Military Academy (Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras), Captain Rubens Portugal was commissioned an Aspirant Officer in November 2013. Upon completion of initial training, he reported to 6th Signal Battalion, 6th Army Division. His assignments included Radio Platoon Commander and Command Center Officer. As a signal officer, in 2014, he worked in the Brazilian World Cup Regional Security Operation, as a Command and Control officer In 2016, as a lieutenant, he graduated in the Brazilian Army Psychological Operations Course and reported to the Brazilian Battalion (MINUSTAH, UN Peacekeeping Mission) for training and deployment. In 2017, he was a PsyOp Officer in the PsyOp Detachment, Brazilian Battalion, in UN Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti - Mission des Nations Unies pour la Stabilization en Haïti (MINUSTAH). After MINUSTAH, in 2018, Captain Rubens Portugal worked in the PsyOp Company, 1st PsyOps Battalion, on missions all over the Brazilian territory, specially in border operations and Rio de Janeiro Federal Intervention. In 2019 he was selected to be instructor in the PsyOp course, and remained there for 3 years. In 2022, he current function is Operation Center Officer, in the 1st PsyOp Battalion, Special Operations Command. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #113 Jeff Engstrom on Chinese Systems Warfare | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:31:44 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Jeff Engstrom discusses in detail how the Chinese People's Liberation Army seeks to wage modern warfare. China favors a system of systems approach to warfare. They recognize that war is no longer a contest between particular units, arms, services, or even specific weapons platforms of competing adversaries, but rather a contest among numerous adversarial operational systems. Systems confrontation is waged not only in the traditional physical domains of land, sea, and air, but also in outer space, nonphysical cyberspace, electromagnetic, and even psychological domains. Research Question: Jeff believes that students should help assess the lessons which the PLA is learning from Ukraine and elsewhere, and how these lessons are shaping China's understanding of systems and systems warfare. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-113 Guest Bio: Jeffrey Engstrom is a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. His research focuses on Asia-Pacific security and foreign policy issues; China's warfighting concepts and capabilities; coercion theory and use of coercive military force; and military intervention and security cooperation. Before joining RAND, Engstrom was a defense policy analyst at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in McLean, Virginia, where, in addition to researching East Asian military capabilities, he also developed expertise in war gaming. Prior to his work at SAIC, Engstrom served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Engstrom received his B.A. in political science and international studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a M.P.P. from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in public policy from George Mason University. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #112 Jake Sotiriadis on the Value Proposition of Future Studies | 06 Sep 2022 | 00:44:43 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Jake Sotiriadis discusses how future studies can identify weak signals and emerging trends in order to develop anticipatory thinking which leads to better decisions. Research Question: Jake believes that we need to spend more time learning about and learning from the robust future studies literature and different methodological approaches like: back casting, causal layered analysis, traditional scenario development, the futures wheel, plus others. He encourages students to first master a narrow area of expertise and then question the status quo. Ask the question: Where are there opportunities? How do we capture emergent phenomena? How do we anticipate? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-112 Guest Bio: Dr. Jake Sotiriadis is a global futurist and expert in geopolitical risk intelligence. He is Director of The Center for Futures Intelligence at National Intelligence University (NIU), where he also serves on the research faculty. Dr. Sotiriadis previously served as the US Air Force's senior futurist at the Pentagon in Washington and founded the service's Strategic Foresight and Futures Team. At NIU, his research assists senior leaders in the intelligence and national security communities develop anticipatory thinking and strategic planning. He has served nearly two decades as an Air Force intelligence officer and holds a Ph.D. in political science and geopolitical futures from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He also serves as an advisor to the State Department and teaches courses at the Foreign Service Institute. His forthcoming book, "The Invisible Regime: How Ideology Will Shape 21st Century Geopolitical Competition" will be published in 2023 by The National Intelligence Press. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #111 Victoria Coleman on Science, Technology, and Innovation | 30 Aug 2022 | 00:42:11 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Victoria Coleman discusses her priorities, as the Chief Scientist for the the United States Air Force. Dr. Coleman cites that China is especially good at military-civilian fusion, and the United States needs improvement in that area. She also asserts that commercial market feedback mechanisms help explain why the government tends to lag commercial innovation. The Air Force's enterprise-wide Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept was created recently to speed capability delivery. Dr. Coleman recently helped unveil a new competitive initiative which will create a University Affiliated Research Center at one of the United States Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Resources:
Research Question: In a democracy, there is tension between protecting individual freedoms while simultaneously ensuring that collective freedoms are not impacted. Digital human rights must be studied, understood, and co-evolved as containing both technology and policy components in order to protect group and individual outcomes. Promulgating digital human rights globally is a problem worthy of study. Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-111 Guest Bio: Dr. Victoria Coleman is the Chief Scientist of the United States Air Force, Arlington, Virginia. She serves as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Secretary of the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Chief of Space Operations. She provides assessments on a wide range of scientific and technical issues affecting the department's mission. In this role, she identifies and analyzes technical issues, bringing them to the attention of department leaders. She interacts with other principals, operational commanders, combatant commands, acquisition, and science and technology communities to address cross-organizational issues and provide solutions. Dr. Coleman also interacts with other services and the Office of the Secretary of Defense on issues affecting the Department of the Air Force's technical enterprise. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and is the Principal Science and Technology Representative of the Air Force to the civilian scientific and engineering community and to the public at large. Dr. Coleman is on leave from University of California, Berkeley. Since 2016, Dr. Coleman has held an academic research appointment at the Berkeley Center for Information Technology in the Interest of Society where she leads science and technology policy on microelectronics and efforts to develop tools for countering digital authoritarianism. Dr. Coleman has more than 35 years of experience in computer science and technology, including as both an academic leader and industry executive. Before DARPA, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of Atlas AI P.B.C, a Silicon Valley start-up that brings world-class artificial intelligence solutions to sustainable development. By combining satellite data with other data sets, Atlas AI's proprietary deep-learning models create actionable insights for governments, non-governmental organizations and commercial companies. Dr. Coleman began her academic career in 1988 as a lecturer in computer science at Royal Holloway College, University of London, United Kingdom. She subsequently joined Queen Mary College, University of London, as a reader in computer science. There, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in computer science, created a Master of Science program in Dependable Computer Systems and supervised Doctor of Philosophy students. In 1998, Dr. Coleman became the founding director of the System Design Laboratory at SRI International. The lab conducted research in trustworthy systems and cyber security. The programs she directed won support from DARPA. She also participated in the creation of the technologies leading to the spinout of Siri prior to its acquisition by Apple. She worked alongside the newly-formed Department of Homeland Security, creating the department's cyber security agenda and becoming the founding Director of the DHS Cyber Security Research and Development Center. In 2004, Dr. Coleman became the Director of the Trust and Manageability Lab in the Corporate Technology Group of Intel and began serving as a member of Santa Clara University's Computer Science and Engineering Department's Advisory Board. In 2006, she became the Vice President of the Computer Science Laboratory at Samsung. In 2010, she took the position of Vice President of Software Engineering at Hewlett-Packard. In 2011, she became Nokia's Vice President of Emerging Platforms. Dr. Coleman served as the Vice President of Engineering for Multi-Device UX Platforms for Yahoo in 2013, and then took the position of Senior Vice President of Research and Design at Harman International Industries Infotainment Business Unit. She then served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Connected Home Business for Technicolor. Beginning in 2016, Dr. Coleman served as the Chief Technology Officer of Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that supports Wikipedia, the world's fifth most visited website. During this time, Dr. Coleman also served as a member of the Defense Science Board, where she provided independent advice to the Secretary of Defense, USD(R&E), and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She was a member of Lockheed Martin's Technology Advisory Group, the Airbus Star Program and continued her work on the Santa Clara University Computer Science and Engineering Advisory Board. She served on the Board of Directors of the Public Library of Science. Prior to accepting the role of Chief Scientist, Dr. Coleman served as the 22nd Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency where she oversaw a large suite of disruptive and innovative programs. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #110 Sean McFate on The New Rules of War | 23 Aug 2022 | 01:01:17 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Sean McFate discusses his influential book, The New Rules of War. Sean describes how the Westphalian state system is changing, consequences for conventional war, the rise of mercenaries and international mega-corporations, and information operations. Plus, the Cognitive Crucible gets not only one–but two–Monty Python references. Research Question: Sean asks several questions worthy of examination. First, how can a democracy fight secretive wars without losing its democratic soul? Second, strategic culture can eclipse strategic IQ; so, how can a strong strategic culture be broken? Finally, what is strategic thinking, and how are good strategic thinkers created? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-110 Guest Bio: Dr. Sean McFate is a foreign policy expert, author and novelist. He is a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Washington DC think tank, and a professor of strategy at the National Defense University and Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Additionally, he serves as an Advisor to Oxford University's Centre for Technology and Global Affairs. McFate's career began as a paratrooper and officer in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. He served under Stan McChrystal and David Petraeus, and graduated from elite training programs, such as Jungle Warfare School in Panama. He was also a Jump Master. McFate then became a private military contractor and paramilitary. Among his many experiences, he dealt with African warlords, raised armies for U.S. interest, rode with armed groups in the Sahara, conducted strategic reconnaissance for the extractive industry, transacted arms deals in Eastern Europe, and helped prevent an impending genocide in the Rwanda region. In the world of international business, McFate was a Vice President at TD International, a boutique political risk consulting firm with offices in Washington, Houston, Singapore and Zurich. Additionally, he was a program manager at DynCorp International, a consultant at BearingPoint (now Deloitte Consulting), and an associate at Booz Allen Hamilton. McFate writes novels based on his own military experiences. His latest thriller is High Treason, and #1 New York Timesbestselling author James Patterson said: "Sean McFate just might be the next Tom Clancy, only I think he's even better...The action is non-stop." James Rollins said: "It had me breathless—it's not to be missed!" McFate also writes serious non-fiction. The New Rules of War: How America Can Win—Against Russia, China, and Other Threats (Morrow) has been called "The Freakonomics of modern warfare." It was named a "Book of the Year" by The Economist, The Times [UK], and The Evening Standard, and is included on West Point's "Commandant's Reading List." Admiral Jim Stavridis, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, said: "Stunning. Sean McFate is a new Sun Tzu." Max Hastings wrote in The Sunday Times: "[This] iconoclastic book is being hailed by radicals as a wake-up call to governments and armed forces everywhere." It has been translated into six languages and the British edition is titled Goliath: Why the West Isn't Winning. And What We Must Do About It (Penguin). McFate also authored The Modern Mercenary: Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order (Oxford Univ Press). The Economist called it a "fascinating and disturbing book." McFate is a consultant to the U.S. military, U.S. intelligence community, United Nations, and Hollywood. His has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New Republic, Foreign Policy, Politico, Daily Beast, Vice Magazine, War on the Rocks, Military Review and African Affairs. He has appeared on CNN's Amanpour, Morning Joe, Fox and Friends, MSNBC, Fox, Sky News, NPR, BBC, WSJ, FT, Economist, Vice/HBO, The Discovery Channel, and American Heroes Channel. As a scholar, he has authored eight book chapters in edited academic volumes, and two monographs on modern war for the U.S. Department of Defense. McFate holds a BA from Brown University, MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a Ph.D. in international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He was also a Fellow at Oxford. McFate lives in Washington, DC. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #109 Howard Bloom on Truth and Soul | 16 Aug 2022 | 01:01:40 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Howard Bloom asserts that truth and soul are the best ways to influence. Howard should know. He played an important role in the careers of legendary musicians like Michael Jackson, Prince, John Cougar Mellencamp, plus many, many others. His method for promoting artists included finding the gods within, secular shamanism, soul spelunking, and exploring the caves of your emotions. More recently, Howard founded the Howard Bloom Institute where he and his colleagues pursue an agenda of "omnology" (the aspiration to omniscience; an academic base for the promiscuously curious, a discipline that concentrates on seeing the patterns that emerge when one views all the sciences and the arts at once) and collaborate to continue the Western agenda into space. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-109 Guest Bio: Howard Bloom has been called the Einstein, Newton, and Freud of the 21st century by Britain's Channel 4 TV. One of his seven books--Global Brain---was the subject of a symposium thrown by the Office of the Secretary of Defense including representatives from the State Department, the Energy Department, DARPA, IBM, and MIT. His work has been published in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Wired, Psychology Today, and the Scientific American. He has been published on Information Science in World Scientific's The Future Information Society, edited by Wolfgang Hofkirchner and Mark Bergin. He has spoken at Nellis Air Force Base and Colorado's Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies. He does news commentary at 1:06 am ET every Wednesday night on 545 radio stations on Coast to Coast AM. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #108 Jocelyn Brady on Brain Play | 08 Aug 2022 | 00:39:19 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Jocelyn Brady discusses the importance of brain play. She creates engaging, educational "tiny tip" videos which teach ways for people to live healthier and happier lives while simultaneously teaching cognitive subjects. Research Question: Jocelyn wants researchers to figure out how we get kids to understand better fundamental concepts about their own brains–especially neuroplasticity, which can be viewed as a general umbrella term that refers to the brain's ability to modify, change, and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-108 Guest Bio: Jocelyn Brady is a writer, edutainer and professional brain coach & behavior designer who thrives at the intersection of comedy, storytelling and unraveling the mysteries of the human brain. When she's not being the Bill Nye of the brain (as the creator and host of Tiny Tips, the Internet's favorite way to Brain), Jocelyn applies her certified NeuroLeadership and Tiny Habits coaching chops to help creative visionaries play to their brains' greatest potential. In her past life—as an award-winning copywriter, Creative Director and agency CEO—Jocelyn led narrative strategy and international storytelling training for some of the world's biggest brands. She also produced and co-hosted Party Time, a standup comedy and storytelling show featuring talent who went on to write or perform for Conan, Colbert and Comedy Central. All while managing to keep her two cats and houseplants alive. Jocelyn's first book, tentatively titled Your Brain is a Magical Asshat, is slated for publication next year… Probably. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #223 Paul Buvarp on the Demand-side of Disinformation | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:53:41 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Paul Buvarp contrasts disinformation as a human demand-side problem with the typical supply-side perspective. Additional discussion threads include thinking about online and real-world environments as differently as forests and tropical environments are different, how young people view TikTok and news consumption, bypassing traditional information filters, and Ashby's Law of Requisite Variety. Recording Date: 1 Apr 2025 Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Bio: Paul M. H. Buvarp, Ph.D., is a senior researcher at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (ffi.no/en), specialising in disinformation and foreign interference in digital media. His work explores the phenomenon through the lenses of media theory, sociology, and philosophy. He is also part of the research team monitoring and analysing attempts to interfere with Norwegian elections. Paul holds a doctorate degree in International Relations from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He has published numerous academic articles, reports, and essays, and regularly gives lectures and talks in Norway and internationally. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #107 Vanessa Otero on News Ecosystem Health | 02 Aug 2022 | 00:45:14 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Vanessa Otero discusses news ecosystem health and how she created The Media Bias Chart®. Our wide ranging conversation covers her methodology for grading media content, the Overton window, information nutritional labels, societal implications of unhealthy news consumption patterns. Research Topic: Vanessa suggests that researchers examine ways to get people out of conspiracy theory rabbit holes or extreme polarization rabbit holes. She also asserts that media trust is over studied and that researchers should focus less on that problem. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-107 Guest Bio: Vanessa Otero is the creator of the Media Bias Chart, and the Founder and CEO of Ad Fontes Media. A licensed patent attorney in the Denver, Colorado area, Vanessa holds a B.A. in English from UCLA and a J.D. from the University of Denver. Vanessa's formal education and professional career has centered on analytical reading, writing and reasoning, creating an ideal background for her to create a content analysis Alarmed by the unhealthy state of the media ecosystem, Vanessa used her expertise in content analysis to create the original Media Bias Chart in 2016. Then in 2018, she founded Ad Fontes Media to fulfill the need revealed by the popularity of the chart–namely, to meet the demand for a map to help people navigate the complex media landscape, and for comprehensive content analysis of media sources themselves. Today, Ad Fontes Media uses a systematic approach to content analysis in which a team of politically-balanced professional analysts examine and categorize news content creating data that is useful to news consumers, educators, marketers, and even publishers themselves. Ad Fontes also offers training in its content analysis methodology through products and services for educational institutions and for individuals. Vanessa is on the Board of Directors of Community Radio for Northern Colorado and is on the Advisory Council of Media Literacy Now. Vanessa and Ad Fontes Media have also been published or featured in articles and blogs on news literacy, news bias and free speech, social media, and conspiracy theories. These sources have included the Poynter Institute, Cornell Policy Review MarketWatch, The Economist, Morning Brew, and more. She is a much sought-after speaker at national news literacy workshops and webinars. Vanessa is committed to making the world a better place with her passion and belief in decreasing the polarization in our news and our society, as well as educating students, teachers, and the public on the true value of media literacy and the importance of a healthy news ecosystem. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #106 Mike Taylor on the Global Engagement Center | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:31:51 | |
During this episode, COL Mike Taylor discusses the US State Department's Global Engagement Center's (GEC) hub & spoke model for directing, leading, synchronizing, integrating, and coordinating the efforts of the Federal Government to recognize, understand, expose, and counter foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining or influencing the policies, security, or stability of the United States, its allies, and partner nations. Our wide ranging conversation covers the major components of the GEC, its data-driven approaches, and the importance of coordination within the US government and with allies and partners. Links:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-106 Guest Bio: Colonel Mike Taylor, U.S. Army, is the Director for Counter-terrorism at the Global Engagement Center (GEC), U.S. Department of State, in Washington, D.C. He serves as the principal advisor to the GEC's Special Envoy and Coordinator on countering foreign Violent Extremist Organization's (VEO) propaganda and disinformation (CPD) activities. In this role he is responsible for overseeing GEC CT operations and planning to include interagency and international coordination such as with the Communications Working Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Prior to the assumption of this assignment, Mike served as the Director, CJ39 Information Operations (IO), Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Operation Resolute Support (RS) and US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A). In previous assignments, Taylor served as the U.S. Army's Integrated Joint Special Technical Operations (IJSTO) Force Modernization Proponent Chief and as the U.S. Army Service IJSTO Chief, Operations and Technology Division, Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Washington, D.C.; Branch Chief, Deputy Director for Global Operations (DDGO), J-39, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; Information Operations Field Support Team Chief, 1st Battalion, 1st IO Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and J39 IO Chief, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula (CJSOTF-AP), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Balad, Iraq. Earlier in his career, Taylor served in multiple tactical command and staff assignments to include as military advisor to the G-3, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, OIF, Tikrit, Iraq; Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 24th Infantry Division and the United States Army Garrison, Fort Riley, Kansas; Commander, HHC, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) "Devil Brigade," 1st Infantry Division (ID), Fort Riley, Kansas and OIF, Khalidiyah, Iraq; Commander, Cobra Company, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st BCT, 1st ID, OIF, Iraq; Plans Chief, 1st BCT, 1st ID, Ft. Riley, Kansas; Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), 3d Squadron, 16th Cavalry (CAV) Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Executive Officer and Tank Platoon Leader with 2d Battalion, 72d Armor, Camp Casey, Korea. Taylor enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and served as Wheeled Heavy Equipment Operator, 892d Transportation Company, Belleville, Illinois and Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Saudi Arabia. Taylor's awards include the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, and was also awarded the U.S. Armor Association's Bronze Medallion of the Order of St. George. Colonel Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Operations Management from Eastern Illinois University, a Master's in International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Washington D.C., and is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff Officer's Course and the U.S. Army Information Operations Qualification Course. Colonel Taylor was born in Biloxi, Mississippi and is the eldest of three children of a retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. Taylor resides in Lake Ridge, VA, married to the former Constance (Connie) Lorraine Bremer, has two daughters Madison (Maddie) and Elizabeth (Ella), and enjoys cheering on the Green Bay Packers. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #105 Tom Kent on Persuasion in the Developing World | 19 Jul 2022 | 00:30:31 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Tom Kent returns to discuss the developing world. After reviewing Russia's influence efforts in the early portion of the Ukraine War, Tom provides a rather sober assessment of information operations being directed at the developing world. Additionally, Tom believes that developing countries view Western nations with skepticism due to hypocrisy. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-105 Guest Bio: Tom Kent teaches about Russian affairs and disinformation at Columbia University. He was president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty until 2018. Previously, he was Moscow bureau chief, international editor and standards editor of The Associated Press. He consults on disinformation, journalism and ethics for government, non-governmental organizations, media, and corporate clients. He is also the author of: Striking Back: Overt and Covert Options to Combat Russian Disinformation, which was published in September 2020. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #104 Glen Edwards on Integrating Information Warfare and Information Power | 12 Jul 2022 | 00:43:55 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Glen Edwards presents a robust framework and overarching theory for information warfare that is grounded in the Australian Defence Force's core concepts of maneuver warfare and multi domain operations. Our wide ranging conversation covers the definition of information, Clauzewicz, breaking down stovepipes, Boyd and the OODA loop, and information theory and entropy. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-104 Guest Bio: Glen is an Australian national security consultant located in Canberra. He specializes in information warfare and information power and has a particular interest in integrating military information activities with national efforts. Glen has over 15 years experience in the sector, first as an Australian Defence Force officer, and then in a number of public service and consulting roles within Australia's National Intelligence Community. Most recently, Glen has been working on information warfare theory and concepts with the support of Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group. Glen has a Masters of Special Operations and Irregular Warfare (University of New South Wales), a Masters of Strategic Studies (Australian National University), a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity (Edith Cowan University), a Graduate Certificate in Terrorism, Safety, and Security (Charles Sturt University), and a Bachelor of Human Resources (University of New England). About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #103 Jon Roozenbeek on Ukraine and Disinformation | 05 Jul 2022 | 00:42:44 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Jon Roozenbeek discusses his upcoming book project, Information, Influence and War in Ukraine--including analyses related to media and identity in Wartime Donbas. He discusses inoculation theory as a method for countering misinformation and the Harmony Square Game project, as well. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-103 Guest Bio: Jon Roozenbeek is the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab. His research focuses on misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, online extremism and inoculation theory. As part of his research, he co-developed the award-winning fake news games Bad News, Harmony Square and Go Viral. Jon is also interested in social media research, agent-based modeling and natural language processing. His doctoral dissertation (University of Cambridge, 2020) examined media discourse in conflict zones, primarily the "People's Republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #102 Brian Schweers on the All Domain Effects Team Concept | 28 Jun 2022 | 00:49:12 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, LtCol Brian Schweers discusses the US Marine Corps' All Domain Effects Team (ADET) concept, which is considered to still be in the prototype phase. After describing the historical mission of the Marine Corps' Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), Brian unpacks the ADET rationale and composition. ADETs are task-organized forces that integrate information capabilities with lethal fires to achieve effects in the forward operating environment across the competition continuum in support of joint, allied, and coalition forces. These teams are intended to provide a scalable, mobile, and lethal force capable of operating across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains simultaneously. The first ADET employed in support of joint operations was in September of 2021, during Joint Warrior in Durness, Scotland. 2d ANGLICO and II MIG continue to refine the ADET concept in support of the Commandant's Stand-in-Force Concept. Brian's research opportunity or question to the IPA Community: How do we know that we're achieving effects? How do we measure effects in the cognitive realm and tie it to decision making? Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-102 Guest Bio: After receiving a Bachelors of Arts from Miami University, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Schweers was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 2002. Upon completion of initial training, he reported to Battery L, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines. His assignments included Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer (FDO), and Platoon Commander. He completed two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2006 Lieutenant Colonel Schweers reported to 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 1st Marine Headquarters Group. His billets were Firepower Control Team Leader and Supporting Arms Liaison Team Leader. He completed two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Lieutenant Colonel Schweers attended the Field Artillery Captains Career Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in the summer of 2010. Upon graduation, he reported to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. His assignments included Battery C Commanding Officer, Battalion Operations Officer, and Battalion Assistant Fire Support Officer. In 2014 Lieutenant Colonel Schweers reported to Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) where he served as a Faculty Advisor and Curriculum Developer. Following EWS, he reported to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines where he served as the Battalion Logistics Officer and Battalion Executive Officer. In 2018 Lieutenant Colonel Schweers reported to Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as the Assistant Program Development Officer and Program Development Officer. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #101 Heather Gregg on Identity and Myths | 21 Jun 2022 | 00:40:27 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Heather Gregg of the US Army War College explores how collective identity building and myths--stories designed to tell a group of people who they are, where they came from and how they should behave--shape violent conflict. Heather contrasts the way identity is used by insurgencies and counterinsurgency efforts and sketches lessons learned from recent operations against Al Qaeda and ISIS in Iraq, as well as the role that identity is playing in the Ukrainian war. Our wide-ranging conversation also covers implications of horizontal and vertical cultural transmission of information, myths as a form of storytelling, and mixing up myth and history. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-101 Guest Bio: Dr. Gregg's opinions are her own & do not represent the opinions of the US Army War College or the Department of Defense Heather S. Gregg is a professor at the U.S. Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute (SSI). From 2006-2019, she was an associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School's Department of Defense Analysis, where she worked primarily with Special Operations Forces. Prior to joining NPS, she was an associate political scientist at the RAND Corporation. In addition to her academic experience, she has spent time in several regions of conflict including Palestine/West Bank and the former Yugoslavia. Dr. Gregg earned her Ph.D. in Political Science in 2003 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her dissertation work was on historic and contemporary causes of religiously motivated violence. Dr. Gregg also holds a Master's degree from Harvard Divinity School, where she studied Islam, and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Gregg is the author of The Path to Salvation: Religious Violence from the Crusades to Jihad (Potomac, 2014) and Building the Nation: Missed Opportunities in Iraq & Afghanistan (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). She also has published articles and book chapters on Al Qaeda, including "Fighting the Jihad of the Pen: Countering Al Qaeda's Ideology" (Terrorism and Political Violence, 2010) and "Crafting a Better Grand Strategy to Fight the Global War on Terror: Lessons from the Early Years of the Cold War" (Foreign Policy Analysis, 2010), in addition to co-editing and contributing to The Three Circles of War: Understanding the Dynamics of Modern War in Iraq (Potomac, 2010). About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #100 Rand Waltzman on the Metaverse and Immersive Virtual Reality | 14 Jun 2022 | 00:49:25 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, IPA founding board member, Dr. Rand Waltzman, returns to the Cognitive Crucible to discuss the Metaverse and his popular Disinformation 101 series. Our wide ranging discussion covers cognitive challenges related to immersive virtual reality environments, sensor technology, emerging influence methods, cognitive behavioral therapy, affective computing, and kayfabe. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-100 Guest Bio: Dr. Waltzman has 35 years of experience performing and managing research in Artificial Intelligence applied to domains including social media and cognitive security in the information environment. He is formerly Deputy Chief Technology Officer and a Senior Information Scientist at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA. Prior to joining RAND, he was the acting Chief Technology Officer of the Software Engineering Institute (Washington, DC) of Carnegie Mellon University. Before that he did a five-year tour as a Program Manager in the Information Innovation Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) where he created and managed the Social Media in Strategic Communications (SMISC) program and the Anomaly Detection at Multiple Scales (ADAMS) insider threat detection program. Dr. Waltzman joined DARPA from Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories (LM-ATL), where he served as Chief Scientist for the Applied Sciences Laboratory that specializes in advanced software techniques and the computational physics of materials. Prior to LM-ATL he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, where he taught and performed research in applications of Artificial Intelligence technology to a variety of problem areas including digital entertainment, automated reasoning and decision support and cyber threat detection. He has also held research positions at the University of Maryland, Teknowledge Corporation (the first commercial Artificial Intelligence company in the world where he started in 1983), and the Applied Physics Laboratory of the University of Washington. Dr. Waltzman serves as Advisory Board Member of GLOBSEC HADES initiative. He is also a founding board member of the Information Professionals Association. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| Bonus Episode: Gladiator School | 10 Jun 2022 | 00:06:55 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this bonus episode, Col. Brian Russell discusses Gladiator School, which is the official podcast of II MEF Information Group. Gladiator School places you and the experts into the arena. Whether you're a Marine, member of the DoD or a civilian, Gladiator School has something for you. Resources:
Guest Bio: Colonel Brian Russell is the commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (II MIG) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He commissioned as a Marine Corps Officer in December 1995 from North Carolina State University. Upon completion of basic officer training he went on to become a field artillery officer. His combat deployments include serving as the Military Transition Team Leader in Habbaniyah, Iraq, the executive officer of Brigade Headquarters Group in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and Plans Director in Bagram, Afghanistan. Some of his notable staff assignments include: Operations Directorate at Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Operations Directorate at United States Cyber Command, and U.S. Plans Directorate at Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #99 Roger Carstens on Hostage Negotiations & Diplomacy | 07 Jun 2022 | 00:41:03 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Amb. Roger Carstens discusses the United States hostage recovery enterprise and how his office helps bring U.S. citizens home. After explaining the legislative landscape, Roger explains the differences between kidnapping, wrongful detention, and hostage scenario, as well as engagement with state compared to non-state actors. Roger also discusses today's media landscape, weaponization of the international rules-based system, geopolitical dynamics, maneuver warfare, and a tech research agenda. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-99 Guest Bio: Roger D. Carstens is the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) at the U.S. Department of State. Mr. Carstens was the former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. Department of State, where he oversaw the Bureau's work in Near Eastern Affairs, Western Hemisphere Affairs, and the Office of Security and Human Rights. Previously, he served in Amman, Jordan, as the Country Director for a U.S.-based INGO that provided humanitarian assistance and stability support to Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons. Prior positions include Senior Civilian Advisor on the Commander's Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT) in Afghanistan; Project Director for an INGO based in Somalia; Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security; and Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Mr. Carstens is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who served in Special Forces and the 1st Ranger Battalion. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds master's degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and St. John's College. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #222 JD Maddox on Emerging IO Opportunities | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:46:01 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, JD Maddox discusses new influence opportunities borne out of necessity. JD suggests that listeners consider radical-sounding concepts for, such as letters of marque, indemnification, task-based organization, public-private operations, and new authorities as viable influence pathways for today's strategic landscape. Recording Date: 31 Mar 2025 Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: J.D. Maddox is an expert in political warfare, and an academic, writer and former political candidate. He has served as a Central Intelligence Agency branch chief, deputy coordinator of the U.S. Global Engagement Center, advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and as a U.S. Army Psychological Operations team leader. He is the founder of Inventive Insights LLC, and the Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Deft9 Solutions, and currently consults on Operations in the Information Environment to government organizations, and consults to commercial and political organizations on strategic communications. He's an adjunct professor of national security studies at George Mason University's Schar School, teaching Disinformation and Policy Responses, and he's an adjunct professor at Tulane University, where he teaches Open Source Information Analysis. He also recently initiated "Tab D," a biweekly report highlighting U.S. adversaries' narrative vulnerabilities. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #98 Arun Seraphin on the SASC and Emerging Technology | 31 May 2022 | 00:47:05 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr Arun Seraphin discusses his 20+ years as a Professional Staff Member on the staff of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. He describes differences between the US Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the way Congress thinks about and evaluates national security emerging tech. Arun shares he communicates as a "connector" between emerging technology thought leaders in industry and academia and Congressional leaders. Finally, he describes NDIA's Emerging Technologies Institute and how he continues connecting people and technology. Resources: Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-98 Guest Bio: Dr. Arun Seraphin is the Deputy Director of Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI) at National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). Before joining the ETI team, a Professional Staff Member on the staff of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. His areas of responsibility include acquisition policy, Pentagon management issues, Department of Defense's science and technology programs, information technology systems, technology transition issues, defense laboratories, Small Business Innovation Research program, manufacturing programs, and test and evaluation programs. As such he assists Senators in their oversight of DOD policies and programs, including in the authorization of budgets, civilian nominations, legislative initiatives, and hearings. He rejoined the committee staff in 2014, after previously serving there between 2001 and 2010. In 2009, he was named one of ten Defense "Staffers to Know" by Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper. From 2010 to 2014, Dr. Seraphin served as the Principal Assistant Director for National Security and International Affairs at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). During this time, he both led (in an Acting capacity) and served as the deputy director of the OSTP National Security and International Affairs division. His areas of responsibility included developing and implementing White House initiatives and policies in areas including defense research and engineering; weapons of mass destruction; defense manufacturing and industrial base; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; cybersecurity; and promoting innovation in government research and engineering organizations. He also led interagency groups on small business programs and on improving the quality of the Federal STEM workforce. He was on detail to OSTP from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) where he was the Special Assistant for Policy Initiatives to the Director of DARPA. Dr. Seraphin has also worked on the United States House of Representatives Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Research as a professional staff member. He began his work in Congress in the Office of Senator Joseph Lieberman as the 1999-2000 Materials Research Society – Optical Society of America Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. In these positions, he covered both civilian and defense research and development programs. Between 1996 and 2000, Dr. Seraphin worked in the Science and Technology Division of the Institute for Defense Analyses, where his research included work on defense technology transition, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), export controls, technology forecasting, and international research cooperation. His work included detailed technical analyses supporting the DARPA MEMS program, the Army Science and Technology Master Plan, and the Military Critical Technologies Program. In 1996, Dr. Seraphin earned a Ph.D. in Electronic Materials from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he performed research on silicon nanotechnology. His research focused on the development of novel silicon nanostructures and tailoring their optical properties. He also holds bachelor's degrees in Political Science with a concentration in American Government and Engineering Science with a concentration in Materials Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #97 Christina Nemr on Counter-Extremism | 24 May 2022 | 00:33:41 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Christina Nemr discusses counter-extremism, counter-disinformation, instability, and conflict. After reviewing why so many interventions for both extremism and disinformation tend to fall short, Christina mentions some tactics or approaches that show promise. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-97 Guest Bio: Christina Nemr is a consultant and entrepreneur addressing challenges in the information environment that yield instability and conflict. She has worked on counter-extremism policy and programming for the past decade in collaboration with governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector, with increasing focus on mitigating the psychological and social factors that facilitate susceptibility to extremism and disinformation. She started her career as an advisor with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism, where she was a founding member of the countering violent extremism program. She has degrees in International Relations and Forensic Psychology. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||
| #96 Emma Briant on Computational Propaganda and Public Trust | 17 May 2022 | 00:51:02 | |
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Emma Briant discusses computational propaganda and her ongoing efforts to illuminate the magnitude of the problem. She reviews the findings of her recent research and gives examples with current events. Resources:
Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-96 Guest Bio: Dr. Emma L Briant is a scholar in political communication who researches contemporary propaganda and information warfare, its governance in an age of mass-surveillance and its implications for democracy, security, inequality and human rights. She is presently an Associate at the Centre for Financial Reporting & Accountability at University of Cambridge and a Fellow at Central European University Center for Media, Data and Society. Dr Briant has a particular research focus on the actors behind influence operations and analyzed the coordination and increasing impacts of the digitalization of defense propaganda for her recent book Propaganda and Counter-Terrorism: Strategies for Global Change (Manchester University Press, 2015). Dr Briant's testimony was central in exposing Cambridge Analytica and its parent company SCL and continues to inform international inquiries and policymaking including the US Congress, UK Parliament, Canadian Parliament and European Parliament. She has advised politicians, NGO's and Big Tech companies on threats posed by the opaque digital influence industry, disinformation and contemporary influence operations. Dr Briant's first book was Bad News for Refugees, (Pluto Press, 2013, co-authored with Greg Philo and Pauline Donald), examined UK political and media discourse on migration prior to 'Brexit'. She served as advisor for a film for 'People You May Know', a recent Emmy-nominated documentary on Amazon Prime and previously, as Senior Researcher for Oscar-shortlisted Netflix film 'The Great Hack'. She is now finalizing her third book Propaganda Machine: Inside Cambridge Analytica and the Digital Influence Industry and working on a fourth the co-edited Routledge Handbook on the Influence Industry with Vian Bakir, Bangor University, UK. Dr Briant also contributes journalism and op-eds to major outlets and is owner of Maven of Persuasion LLC a consultancy that advises and trains on disinformation threats and ethics in influence. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post. | |||