Top Secrets and Thumb Drives

We’re taking a short break through October 2025 to prepare for an exciting next chapter of Common Ground. We’ll return in late October with fresh topics, expert guests, and possibly a new voice behind the mic. In the meantime, catch up on past episodes and stay subscribed so you don’t miss a beat. Thanks for being part of the Common Ground community — we’ll see you soon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

Deepfakes aren’t just a future threat — they’re a current crisis. In this episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan unpack how deepfakes are weaponized by foreign adversaries and scammers alike, from multimillion-dollar fraud to political disinformation. Whether it's voice cloning or AI-generated faces, the tools of deception are now cheap, fast, and frighteningly effective.“You used to say, ‘If you didn’t see it, it didn’t happen.’ Now even if you see it, it still might not be real.” — LoganWhat’s in this episode:* The Hong Kong finance scam that cost $25.6 million* Voice cloning in under 5 seconds* Grandparent scams powered by AI* Deepfakes in political violence and protest footage* Why media literacy is now national securityWhat do you think?Have you seen a deepfake that fooled you? What safeguards should be in place for public trust in a post-truth age? Drop your thoughts in the comments.About Common Ground:A podcast by the Sentinel Research Society that tackles national security threats through smart, nonpartisan conversation. We find what unites us, not what divides us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

A DIA employee assigned to the Insider Threat Division was just arrested for… espionage. You read that right. In this episode, we dig into how a cleared intelligence officer became a traitor, what it says about our national security posture, and why ideological drift and psychological burnout may be creating a perfect storm for more insider threats. We revisit the lessons from our “Pink Slips and Loose Lips” episode with Dr. Sarah Berger and ask the uncomfortable question: are we doing enough to protect national security professionals from becoming disillusioned and compromised?💣 Featuring sharp takes, harsh truths, and a very candid discussion about Snowden, thumb drives, and why we catch the dumb ones. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

Hosts: Shane McNeil, Amandalynne Davis, LoganTopic: The Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency (FACT) ActKey Points:- What the FACT Act actually does—and why it matters.- The growing role of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea in U.S. communications infrastructure.- Real-world cases of foreign propaganda being consumed unknowingly by U.S. personnel.- Psychological insight on generational desensitization to foreign threats (Gen Z vs. Gen X/Millennials).- The public’s low perception of risk when it comes to infrastructure and espionage.- Why a 10% threat could impact millions of Americans in an emergency—and why that should matter.- The need to separate foreign citizens from state actors in conversations about China. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

Trust in American media is collapsing. In this episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan unpack why only 31% of Americans trust the media—and why that number drops to just 8% among Republicans. But this isn’t just about partisan media bias or bad headlines. It’s about how the 24-hour news cycle turned information into entertainment, how foreign adversaries like Russia exploit our fractured media landscape, and why Americans are left unsure of who—or what—to believe.We dive into the emotional and psychological reasons people believe certain narratives over others, the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated propaganda, and how disinformation campaigns now operate across generations, not just election cycles. Most importantly, we offer listeners a path forward: how to recognize your own biases, how to assess information critically, and how to protect yourself from narrative manipulation—without giving up on the truth entirely.Topics Covered:* Gallup stats on trust in media by party and age* The profit model of 24/7 news and the shift from reporting to entertainment* First-hand stories of how media bias plays out in real time* Russian disinformation campaigns, including AI-crafted propaganda* The emotional appeal of echo chambers and “news that feels good”* How to recognize and check your personal bias* Why trust must be earned—and how to build it againWhether you're a die-hard news junkie or completely checked out, this episode will challenge how you consume information—and who’s benefiting from your trust (or lack of it).Photo by Connor Danylenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-reading-newspaper-inside-room-2538121/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

Planning a trip this summer? Before you grab your passport, listen to this episode of Common Ground where Logan, Shane, and Amandalynne break down what national security professionals know (that you probably don’t) about traveling smart in the digital age. From VPNs and travel routers to the safest way to use your credit card abroad, we’ll show you how to protect your data, devices, and digital footprint—without packing like a secret agent. Think of this as your travel security pre-flight checklist, with a few laughs and a lot of practical advice.Check out our recommended travel routers at gl-inet (note: this is not sponsored content - we just like this brand)Logan’s Travel KitShane’s Travel Kit This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

In today’s digital world, your scroll isn’t just entertainment—it’s a battlefield.In this episode of Common Ground, we examine how China and Russia are leveraging social media and digital technology to manipulate perception, amplify division, and undermine American national security from the inside out.From coordinated disinformation campaigns and deepfakes to hijacked narratives and weaponized algorithms, foreign adversaries have learned that you don’t need bombs to destabilize a country—you just need control of the conversation.We break down:🔍 The difference between misinformation and disinformation🕵️‍♂️ Real-world case studies of foreign influence operations📱 How adversaries are using your feed to shape your beliefs🧠 The psychological impact of digital propaganda💡 What individuals, institutions, and the U.S. government can do to push backWith insight and humor, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan explore how Americans—left, right, and center—are being played by hostile regimes online, and what it means for the future of our democracy.📲 Listen to Like, Share, Subvert now and make sure you’re not just a user—you’re an informed one.#CommonGroundPodcast #DigitalWarfare #NarrativeControl #Disinformation #CyberThreats #NationalSecurity #China #Russia #MediaLiteracy #LikeShareSubvert This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

In this episode of Common Ground, we’re diving into a serious national security concern: the theft of American intellectual property and research by foreign adversaries. From advanced technology to cutting-edge academic discoveries, the Chinese Communist Party has been actively targeting U.S. universities and research labs to steal valuable intellectual property.Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan break down the Thousand Talents Program, a Chinese initiative that recruits top U.S. researchers and professors to funnel sensitive information to China, often without them even realizing it. We explore real-world examples of intellectual property theft and discuss how foreign espionage is not just an issue for the government, but a threat to the entire American innovation ecosystem.In a world where universities and businesses share ideas openly, this episode highlights the growing vulnerability of the U.S. to foreign exploitation and why securing our research and technology is more important than ever.🔁 Share this episode to spread awareness on how foreign adversaries are targeting U.S. innovation.#NationalSecurity #IntellectualProperty #ThousandTalentsProgram #Espionage #CommonGroundPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

In this special episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan dive into the counterintelligence concerns surrounding the massive federal layoffs mandated by the current administration. With thousands of federal employees being let go across agencies, including the IRS, VA, and NASA, the hosts explore how these layoffs are creating a vulnerable pool of former employees—many of whom have access to sensitive information or classified programs.These layoffs don’t just impact the individuals losing their jobs; they create a potential national security crisis as adversaries like China and Russia watch, ready to exploit the fear, uncertainty, and financial distress these former employees are experiencing. The hosts break down how these employees, already targets for foreign recruitment, may now be even more susceptible to espionage efforts.To provide insight into the psychological toll of this situation, the hosts welcome Dr. Sarah Berger, a licensed counselor and expert in occupational stress, to discuss coping strategies for laid-off federal employees and how they can maintain their mental well-being during this period of uncertainty.This episode sheds light on the intersection of economic stress, national security risks, and psychological resilience, showing why this is not just a workplace issue—it’s a matter of national importance.🎧 Subscribe & follow for more timely and critical discussions on the national security threats affecting us all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com

TikTok isn’t just another social media app—it’s a national security threat, a psychological manipulation tool, and a digital addiction machine wrapped in one highly curated, highly addictive package. In this episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan break down why both the left and the right should be able to agree that TikTok is a serious problem, even if they see the risks from different angles.From China’s National Security Law forcing ByteDance to hand over data, to TikTok’s AI-driven algorithm rewiring our brains for short-term gratification, the hosts expose how this platform is far more than just viral dances and funny cat videos. And to dig deeper into the psychological impact, they bring in Dr. Sarah Berger, a licensed professional counselor and expert in digital addiction, to explain exactly what TikTok is doing to our attention spans, impulse control, and mental health.It’s not about banning apps—it’s about understanding how foreign adversaries, big tech, and AI-driven social engineering are shaping the way we think, act, and perceive the world. Tune in, and let’s find some Common Ground. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com