The Business Of Intelligence

In this episode of The Builder Series, we sit down with a two-time founder behind Ontic and now CenterSeat.ai to unpack what it takes to build in a complex, misunderstood market. From early mistakes and hard lessons to navigating fundraising, co-founder dynamics, and product-market fit, this conversation is a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship in the risk and resilience space. If you’re building, or thinking about it, this is a grounded perspective on what it takes to go from operator to founder and build something that actually works.

In Episode 34, we sit down with leading recruiters in the field to unpack how hiring actually works in the world of corporate security and intelligence. Our guests share candid insights on what separates top candidates, the mistakes that quietly derail opportunities, and how to stand out in a highly competitive, relationship-driven market. If you’re navigating your next move, this is a tactical guide to getting hired.

Welcome to The Builder Series, a show where we sit down with the founders, CEOs, and investors building the future of risk and resilience. Part of The Business of Intelligence podcast and brought to you by INTELAB Ventures, our guest today is Adam Safir, partner at Trust Street Advisors and the Co-Founder of SWORN. Tune in as we discuss the first AI-powered health and wellness platform for public safety professionals, along with the importance and idea of human-centered resilience.

AI is changing how intelligence work gets done, but many analysts are being asked to adapt without a clear framework. In this episode, we move beyond tools and prompts to explain how analysts can future-proof their careers by repositioning their value around judgment, trust, workflow design, and decision impact. We break down why many frustrations with AI stem from misaligned expectations, and how analysts can separate signal from noise while redesigning how their work gets done responsibly. This conversation is for intelligence, security, and risk professionals who want to remain relevant, trusted, and influential as the profession evolves.

In this episode of The Business of Intelligence, we’re joined by protective intelligence pioneers Fred Burton and Scott Stewart to discuss their new book, The Protective Intelligence Advantage. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, the conversation explores why protective intelligence has reached a critical inflection point and what recent tragedies revealed about how protection is practiced. We examine the modern threat landscape, emerging risks, and the future of protective intelligence, from digital exposure and lone-actor threats, to technology’s evolving role. This is a must-listen for anyone responsible for protecting people in today’s complex and unforgiving environment.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked truths inside corporate intelligence: even the most talented intelligence teams will fail without empowered leadership. We explore why the Chief Security Officer, or whoever owns the function, ultimately determines whether intelligence becomes a strategic asset or remains a marginalized reporting shop. If you’ve ever wondered why some intelligence programs thrive while others struggle to get a seat at the table, this episode breaks down the difference. It’s not just about tradecraft, it’s about leadership, access, and the courage to empower.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the inaugural SCIF Summit, an exclusive, high-impact gathering where founders of security, cyber, and intelligence companies meet the investors and enterprise leaders shaping the future. Hear from the organizers about why this "deal summit" matters, what to expect, and why getting in the room might just change your trajectory.

In this solo episode, Ryan recounts his presentation to a group of executives last December on the value proposition of Executive Protection programs, common misconceptions about the function, and how organizations can take practical, scalable steps to get a program started today.

In this episode we have a wide-ranging conversation with scholar practitioners Dr. Angie Lewis, Dr. Lewis Sage-Passant, and Dr. Maria Robson-Morrow. We explore multiple topics ranging from what happens when academic rigor meets the dynamic world of private sector intelligence to the current state of the field.

Ryan sits down with Ontic Chief Security Officer and industry leader Chuck Randolph to explore the theme of leadership and service. Tune in as these long-time friends and collaborators cover everything from practical advice on how to get involved in the industry, to the impact of professional identity, to suffering from Impostor Syndrome.

For episode 20 (Part 1), we had the privilege of speaking with the leadership team at Insight Forward, a Geopolitical Risk Intelligence advisory service specializing in Corporate intelligence. Tune in as we discuss the firm's Top 10 Geopolitical Risks in 2025 Report to uncover the risks that could disrupt industries, challenge leadership, and redefine global markets.

Tune in to Episode 18 where Ryan talks Geopolitical Risk Intelligence with Insight Forward Founder and CEO Ross Hill. They dive into Insight Forward's “Geopolitical Risk Intelligence: An Executive Handbook," discuss innovation in the field of corporate intelligence and much, much more.

In this episode, Ryan hosts a wide-ranging conversation with Maria Robson-Morrow, Katie Tucker and Judit Gaspar from the Intelligence Project at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Tune is as they discuss the recently published Harvard Business Review article "How To Vet A Corporate Intelligence Vendor," as well as numerous other insights from their research on the field of private sector intelligence.