The Unknown Knowns

Sibylline Podcasts
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Management

Each episode of  The Unknown Knowns  explores what happens when intuition meets tradecraft — when the data ends and genuine insight begins. This series dives into how intelligence professionals, leaders, and decision-makers sharpen judgment, confront bias, and elevate their craft. From cognitive blind spots to the art of influence, it’s a space for people who think for a living — and want to think better, lead smarter, and communicate with impact.

  1. 18 hrs ago

    The Power of Asking Why | Lessons from the CIA with Darrell Blocker PART 2

    In Part 2 of their conversation, Dr Angela Lewis is joined once again by former CIA officer Darrell Blocker to explore the habits and mindsets that underpin effective judgment. Building on their earlier discussion about intuition and expertise, Angela and Darrell examine the role of curiosity, observation and critical questioning in intelligence work and everyday decision-making. Drawing on stories from nearly three decades in the CIA, Darrell explains why the simple question "why?" remains one of the most powerful tools available to analysts, leaders and anyone seeking to understand people more deeply. The conversation explores pattern recognition, human behaviour, non-verbal communication and the importance of developing systems that help us think more clearly under pressure. Angela and Darrell also discuss the relationship between experience and instinct, the value of self-awareness and why expertise is often the result of disciplined curiosity rather than natural talent. Join the Sibylline Media mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review. You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website: www.sibylline.co.uk #Leadership #DecisionMaking #IntelligenceAnalysis #ProfessionalDevelopment

    31 min

  2. Jun 17

    Trusting Your Instincts | Lessons from the CIA with Darrell Blocker PART 1

    In this two-part series, Dr Angela Lewis is joined by Darrell Blocker, a former CIA officer with 28 years of experience in intelligence operations and leadership. In part 1, they will explore one of the most misunderstood concepts in professional decision-making: intuition. Is it simply a gut feeling, or is it something built through years of experience, observation and training? Drawing on stories from intelligence work, Angela and Darrell discuss how professionals develop pattern recognition, why expertise often feels instinctive and how trusted mental frameworks help people make effective decisions in uncertain environments. They examine the relationship between experience and judgment, the importance of learning what "normal" looks like and why some of the best decisions happen before we can fully explain them. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone interested in leadership, intelligence, decision-making and the development of professional expertise. Join the Sibylline Media mailing list https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review. You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website www.sibylline.co.uk #Leadership #DecisionMaking #CriticalThinking #IntelligenceAnalysis #ProfessionalDevelopment

    37 min

  3. Jun 10

    17% Processing Power

    In this episode of The Unknown Knowns, Dr Angela Lewis explores a deceptively simple question: why do some messages land while others fail? Drawing on intelligence tradecraft and organisational psychology, Angela examines how audience, context, and professional culture shape the reception of information. From briefing senior executives to building credibility in new environments, she explores why effective communication is about more than transmitting information. It is about creating understanding. Join the Sibylline Media mailing list https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review. You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website www.sibylline.co.uk #Communication #Leadership #IntelligenceAnalysis #ProfessionalDevelopment

    19 min

  4. Jun 3

    Thinking in Systems

    In this episode of The Unknown Knowns, Dr Angela Lewis explores why some of the most persistent problems resist simple solutions. Rather than focusing on individual events or decisions, Angela examines how systems shape behaviour, outcomes and risk. From organisational challenges to geopolitical crises, she explains how feedback loops, incentives and interconnected relationships can create patterns that are difficult to see when we focus only on immediate causes. The episode explores why well-intentioned interventions can produce unexpected consequences and how adopting a systems perspective can help leaders, analysts and decision-makers better understand complexity. By stepping back from individual events and examining the broader environment, we can often identify the forces truly driving change. Join the Sibylline Podcast mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/podcastsignup If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review. You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website www.sibylline.co.uk #SystemsThinking #Leadership #DecisionMaking

    19 min

  5. May 27

    Tiny Orange Paws

    In this episode of The Unknown Knowns, Dr Angela Lewis examines how assumptions shape interpretation and why slowing down the decision-making process can often reveal what people initially miss. The episode draws on concepts to explain how analysts can structure information to improve understanding rather than simply delivering facts. Angela also explores the growing role of AI in analytical environments and why context, sequencing and understanding the consumer remain essential human skills in intelligence work. Join the Sibylline Media mailing list https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/sibyllinemedia If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website www.sibylline.co.uk #Leadership #CriticalThinking #DecisionMaking #IntelligenceAnalysis #AI

    11 min

  6. May 15

    Intellectual Humility vs. Imposter Syndrome

    In this episode of The Unknown Knowns, Dr Angela Lewis explores the difference between imposter syndrome and intellectual humility and why the distinction matters in intelligence, leadership and decision-making environments. Drawing on psychology research, intelligence tradecraft and personal experience, Angela examines why high performers often question themselves most and why uncertainty is not always a sign of weakness. The episode explores rigor, judgment and the challenge of making decisions without perfect information. Join the Sibylline Media mailing list https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/sibyllinemedia If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website www.sibylline.co.uk #Leadership #DecisionMaking #CriticalThinking #IntelligenceAnalysis #ProfessionalDevelopment

    14 min

  7. May 13

    The Mint Strategy: Staying Resilient When Your Brain Wants to Tap Out

    In this episode of The Unknown Knowns, Dr Angela Lewis explores what happens to judgment and decision-making under sustained pressure and how resilience can be built before cognitive overload takes hold. Using the “mint strategy” as a framework, Angela examines how small interventions can interrupt stress spirals and improve analytical thinking in high-pressure environments. The episode explores cognitive resilience, premature closure, team dynamics and the systems that help people think more clearly when the stakes are high. This is a practical discussion about stress, judgment and the importance of building structures that support better thinking before pressure starts to narrow it. Join the Sibylline Media mailing list https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/sibyllinemedia If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing or leaving a review You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website www.sibylline.co.uk #Leadership #DecisionMaking #CriticalThinking #Resilience #IntelligenceAnalysis

    29 min

  8. May 7

    The Sound of Silence

    In this episode of The Unknown Knowns, Dr Angela Lewis explores the role silence plays in leadership, analysis and decision-making. From uncomfortable meetings to high-pressure intelligence environments, Angela examines why silence is often misunderstood and how it can reveal uncertainty and hidden assumptions. The episode explores when silence creates space for better thinking and when it becomes avoidance that damages teams and decision-making. This is a short reflection on communication, judgment and the signals people miss when nobody speaks. Join the Sibylline Media mailing list https://mailchi.mp/sibylline.co.uk/sibyllinemedia If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by liking, subscribing, or leaving a review You can also contact us with any questions or feedback at info@sibylline.co.uk Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibyllineltd/?hl=en Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sibylline-ltd/ Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sibyllineTV For more information, visit our website www.sibylline.co.uk #Leadership #DecisionMaking #CriticalThinking #Communication #IntelligenceAnalysis

    18 min
See All (13)

About

Each episode of  The Unknown Knowns  explores what happens when intuition meets tradecraft — when the data ends and genuine insight begins. This series dives into how intelligence professionals, leaders, and decision-makers sharpen judgment, confront bias, and elevate their craft. From cognitive blind spots to the art of influence, it’s a space for people who think for a living — and want to think better, lead smarter, and communicate with impact.

Information

More From Sibylline Podcasts

You Might Also Like