Codename Pale Horse: Lessons from an FBI Undercover Agent

Join Fred Burton as he interviews bestselling author Brad Thor to discuss his latest thriller, Edge of Honor. Brad shares the inspiration behind the book, blending patriotism, traditional spycraft, and modern geopolitical tensions, and dives into the challenges of crafting realistic fiction while staying grounded in current events. He also explores the evolving landscape of corporate security, insights into intelligence operations, and the delicate balance of loyalty versus duty.You'll LearnThe real-world events and personal stories that shaped Brad's gripping new novelThe parallels between Scott Harvath’s high-stakes adventures and today’s corporate protection challengesInsight into how Brad balances authenticity with storytelling in his renowned thrillersPre-order Edge of Honor here: https://bit.ly/4694A7JIf you’re enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate and review.Sign up for our monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/45EpaN7

Join Fred Burton as he sits down with retired FBI special agent Scott Payne to explore his 28-year career, including daring undercover missions within extremist groups and insights into modern-day radicalization. Scott shares gripping stories from his book, Codename Pale Horse, offering an up-close look at how extremist tactics have evolved and the impact of his infiltration work. Listeners will gain valuable advice on corporate security, threat monitoring, and staying resilient in high-stress environments.You'll learn:How extremist groups operate and recruit, and learn why understanding their tactics is key to effective threat managementActionable insights for corporate security teams, including ways to identify and mitigate internal and external risksScott’s firsthand experiences of living undercover and his strategies for managing the psychological toll of high-stakes workSign up for our monthly newsletter here.

This episode of the Ontic Connected Intelligence Podcast continues to honor Mental Health Awareness Month with a compelling conversation about mental health in the corporate security field. Hosted by Manish Mehta, this episode features John Rodriguez, founder of Empathic Security Cultures LLC, and Allison Macalik, Director of Solutions at Ontic. Together, they explore the critical need for fostering psychologically safe workplaces, break down the stigma surrounding mental health, and discuss how personal and organizational change can create lasting impact. John shares his 43 years of corporate security experience and unique insights into the intersection of security leadership and mental wellness. Tune in for actionable strategies to prioritize mental health at work and beyond.You'll learn:How leaders can break down mental health stigma and foster a culture of psychological safety in corporate securityThe impact of mental health on security professionals and actionable steps individuals and companies can take to support well-beingInsights into balancing technology and human connection for effective security leadershipSimilar episodes: Empowering Teams Through Mental Health Awareness with Elda BaezFighting Imposter Syndrome and Leading with VulnerabilityWhy We Should Be Concerned About the Mental Health of ProtectorsShields Down: Addressing Mental Health in the Security Industry

How can organizations prioritize mental well-being while enhancing workplace safety? Join Manish Mehta, Ontic’s Chief Product Officer, and Allison Macalik as they sit down with Elda Baez, Senior Safety and Security Specialist at Hub International.Elda shares her inspiring journey of creating and launching a Mental Health First Aid program that’s impacting thousands of employees across 600 offices in North America. From certifying 75 HR professionals to fostering a culture of care, Elda provides a practical roadmap for organizations to integrate mental health resources with workplace security.You'll learn:What Mental Health First Aid is and why it matters in the workplaceSteps to implement programs that unite mental health awareness and organizational securitySuccess stories from Hub International’s certified mental health first aidersSimilar episodes:Fighting Imposter Syndrome and Leading with VulnerabilityWhy We Should Be Concerned About the Mental Health of Protectors

On this episode of the Ontic Connected Intelligence Podcast, Ryan Schonfeld explores his transition from law enforcement to founding Hivew\Watch, sharing insights into modernizing corporate security operations and integrating cutting-edge technology like AI. His conversation with host Manish Mehta uncovers the challenges of transitioning from public to private sectors and the evolving role of GSOCs in leveraging automation to reduce manual inefficiencies. Schonfeld also sheds light on balancing human expertise with technology to create smarter, scalable solutions that enhance security without compromising safety.You'll learnHow Schonfeld transitioned from a law enforcement career to revolutionizing corporate security operations with innovative, tech-driven approaches at HiveWatchAdvice for navigating the shift from public to private sector roles, including the importance of mentorship, adapting to corporate culture, and effectively translating skills and experiencesHow AI and automation are reshaping GSOCs, merging technology and human oversight to optimize operations and tackle inefficiencies in the security spaceLearn more in Ontic Resources.

On this episode, host Fred Burton interviews Dr. Jeff Moore, a globally recognized hotel threat analyst and creator of the Secure Hotel Threat Portal. Dr. Moore shares insights into global trends in hotel violence, key safety strategies for travelers, and the strategic importance of understanding threat patterns to enhance security measures. From analyzing data on incidents to providing practical advice for corporate security and travelers, Dr. Moore offers a comprehensive exploration of safety in the hotel industry.You'll Learn:The surprising trends and patterns in hotel violence worldwide, including the most affected regions and types of incidentsActionable advice on how to stay safe in hotels, with strategies for choosing rooms, securing doors, and avoiding potential threatsHow the Secure Hotel Threat Portal collects and analyzes thousands of cases to uncover critical insights for creating safer environments in the hotel industrySign up for our newsletter here.

This episode features an engaging conversation with Karna McGarry, a seasoned intelligence and security professional with extensive experience in both government and private sectors. The discussion explores the challenges and nuances of transitioning intelligence practices from government agencies to corporate environments, with a focus on the importance of feedback loops, the intelligence cycle, and actionable analysis for decision-makers. Tune in for practical tips and thought-provoking lessons are shared to help corporate intelligence teams elevate their impact and refine their strategies. You'll Learn: Why incorporating clear feedback loops is vital to aligning intelligence analysis with organizational objectives Transferable lessons from intelligence roles in government, such as prioritizing actionable insights and managing threats effectively Insight into growing global security concerns, such as counterintelligence in enterprises and enhancing online security practices Learn more about our partnership with Red5 Security by contacting our team at [email protected].

This episode George Randle, a seasoned talent executive and co-author of The Talent War, shares his insights on leadership development and building high-performing teams. Drawing on his extensive military and corporate experience, George discusses the critical importance of attributes over technical skills, fostering ownership in teams, and effectively assimilating military veterans into corporate roles. Listen in to explore actionable strategies that empower leaders to cultivate resilient, adaptable teams while navigating the complexities of recruitment and leadership.You'll learn: Why attributes like humility, curiosity, and drive often outweigh technical skills when building resilient and adaptable teamsHow empowering team members with ownership creates a culture of accountability and trust, allowing leaders to focus on strategic impactCommon pitfalls organizations face when hiring veterans and actionable guidance on how to successfully integrate them into corporate rolesLearn more in Ontic Resources.Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review!

The Ontic Summit has grown from a 50-person gathering to hosting over 600 security professionals, and with it, the discussions have evolved exponentially. Join Chuck Randolph, Cindy Marble, and Fred Burton as they reflect on the key takeaways from the 2025 Ontic Summit. Topics include the prioritization of executive protection, the critical need for workplace violence prevention programs, and fostering collaboration across silos in corporate security. Listen in for key takeaways from this year's event.You'll learn:Why executive protection is the backbone of modern corporate security programsThe connection between workplace violence prevention and organizational risk mitigationHow better collaboration between public and private sectors can drive industry-wide progressSave the date and learn more about Ontic Summit 2026 here.Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Fred Burton sits down with Frank Cannon, a seasoned security professional and renowned academic, to explore the importance of fostering a culture of behavioral-based security awareness. Frank shares actionable insights on how to move beyond the "tick-the-box" approach to create a security-first mindset that aligns with both physical and digital safety. Tune in to hear why security isn’t just a task, but a behavior embedded in every aspect of organizational life.You'll learn:How to embed a proactive security culture across physical and digital domainsPractical steps to shift from compliance-focused security to meaningful employee engagementUniversal principles for behavioral-based security in corporate and personal settingsSign up for our monthly newsletter here.