The Watchers

Sentinel Blue

The Watchers is a profile in the people who are looking out for the rest of us. From national security to cybersecurity, regulators to military operators, these are the people who are on the wall for us.

  1. 4d ago

    Phyllis Lee On Reasonable Cybersecurity, Compliance Overload, And Software Risk | Ep 45

    After 25 years at the NSA, Phyllis Lee now helps shape the CIS Critical Security Controls used by organizations around the world. In this episode of Sentinel Blue’s The Watchers, she explains why fear-based cybersecurity messaging fails, why compliance frameworks overwhelm defenders, and why software vendors must take more responsibility for security. The conversation also explores MSP culture, secure-by-design thinking, AI optimism, and the widening gap between cybersecurity policy and operational reality. MORE FROM PHYLLIS LEEPhyllis Lee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-lee-21b58a1a4/  FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinSentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linkedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/ #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #CISControls #CenterForInternetSecurity #NSA #MSP #securebydesign #cyberpolicy #infosec

    1h 33m

  2. Jun 9

    Laura Galante On AI Competition, Strategic Infrastructure, And The Future Of Cyber Defense | Ep 44

    What happens when cyber risk becomes a question of national power, infrastructure, and resilience? Laura Galante joins Andy Sauer to explore how cyber intelligence evolved, why critical infrastructure is becoming strategic terrain, how AI is reshaping both defense and offense, and what leaders should do when uncertainty becomes permanent. From boardrooms to geopolitics, this episode examines the systems shaping the next decade. MORE FROM LAURA GALANTELinkedIn: Laura Galante LinkedIn FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinSentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linkedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/ #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #AI #CriticalInfrastructure #ThreatIntelligence #CyberPolicy #NationalSecurity

    1h 28m

  3. May 20

    Vicky Pillitteri on risk management, AI security, and the future of cybersecurity standards

    Andy Sauer sits down with Vicky Pillitteri from National Institute of Standards and Technology to discuss the intent behind NIST cybersecurity standards, the evolution of CMMC, continuous monitoring, and why compliance alone does not equal security. They also explore how NIST is approaching AI security, machine-readable cybersecurity documentation, and the growing challenge of managing cyber risk in an increasingly connected world. MORE FROM VICKY PILLITTERIhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriayanpillitteri/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: The Watchers WebsiteLinkedIn: The Watchers LinkedInSentinel Blue: Sentinel Blue LinkedInInstagram: The Watchers Instagram JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDThe Watchers Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: The Watchers RSS FeedEpisodes: The Watchers Episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: Andy Sauer LinkedIn PRODUCED BYSentinel Blue PRODUCTION TEAMBrand Ready Media #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #CMMC #NIST #RiskManagement #AISecurity #Compliance #CyberRisk

    1h 7m

  4. May 7

    Jen Sovada on OT complexity, human-centered cybersecurity, and the global skills gap

    Jen Sovada joins Andy Sauer to explore the hidden complexity of operational technology and why securing it requires more than technical expertise. They discuss the global nature of OT systems, the role of language and culture in cybersecurity, and how technology is reshaping human capability. The conversation also dives into workforce challenges and why the biggest risks today sit at the intersection of people, process, and technology. MORE FROM JEN SOVADAhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jensovada/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinSentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linkedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/ Hashtags #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #OTsecurity #criticalinfrastructure #cyberworkforce #infosec

    1h 28m

  5. Apr 28

    Mary Brooks on Cyber Assistance, Supply Chains, and the Fracturing of Digital Trust

    Cybersecurity isn’t just technical — it’s geopolitical. In this episode, Mary Brooks joins Andy to examine how U.S. cyber assistance, digital trust, and supply chain security are evolving. They unpack shifting government structures, leadership gaps, unpredictability in policy, and what it means for allies. From sovereign AI to interdependent infrastructure, this conversation explores where cyber strategy meets global power — and why stability matters more than ever. MORE FROM MARY BROOKShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-b-7978497b/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinSentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linkedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAM https://www.brandready.com/ #nationalsecurity #cyberpolicy #supplychainsecurity #digitalsovereignty #AIpolicy#cybersecurity #cyberdefense #cyberwarfare #criticalinfrastructure #foreignpolicy#TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #marybrooks #andysauer

    1h 27m

  6. Apr 21

    Matt Lee on the cybersecurity poverty line, insurance risk shifts, and systemic failure

    Matt Lee breaks down a hard truth: much of the market is operating below a viable cybersecurity baseline. He explains the concept of the “cybersecurity poverty line,” how managed service agreements often mask unmitigated risk, and why insurers are shifting responsibility downstream. This conversation explores the economic realities behind cyber risk and what it means for resilience across SMBs, MSPs, and the broader ecosystem. MORE FROM MATT LEEhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cybermattlee/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinSentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linkedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/ #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #cyberrisk #infosec #MSP #cyberinsurance #SMBsecurity

    1h 41m

  7. Mar 24

    Anna Wheeler on breaking barriers, leadership under fire, and cyber's evolution

    Episode Description (75 words)From helicopter gunner to cybersecurity strategist, Anna Wheeler’s career bridges the kinetic and digital battlefields. Andy and Anna explore her journey through the military, the lessons of leadership under pressure, and the evolving frontlines of cyber defense. She shares insight into breaking barriers, mentoring the next generation, and why optimism still drives her in a field defined by constant threats. MORE FROM ANNA WHEELERhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-wheeler-ssaw/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinSentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linkedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/Hashtags:#veteransintech #cyberstrategy #womenincyber #militaryleadership #defenseinnovation #futureofwarfare #operationaltechnology #cyberresilience #thewatcherspodcast #sentinelblue #andysauer #annawheeler

    1h 39m

  8. Mar 11

    Teresa Shea on NSA Leadership, Trust, and the Future of Cyber Intelligence | The Watchers Episode 37

    Teresa Shea shares an insider’s perspective on national security, leadership, and trust after a 34-year career at the NSA. From surviving the intelligence failures of 9/11 to navigating the fallout of the Snowden disclosures, Teresa explains how institutions learn, adapt, and protect democratic values. The conversation also explores AI, cybersecurity, and why investing in people—through mentorship and mission-driven leadership—remains America’s greatest strategic advantage. MORE FROM TERESA SHEAhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-shea-244594113/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinSentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linkedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/Hashtags#nationalsecurity #cybersecurity #intelligencecommunity #NSA#AIandethics #cyberdefense #futureofwarfare #leadership#trustininstitutions #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #andysauer #teresashea

    1h 21m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Watchers is a profile in the people who are looking out for the rest of us. From national security to cybersecurity, regulators to military operators, these are the people who are on the wall for us.

Information

  • Creator
    Sentinel Blue
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sentinel Blue
  • Show Website
    The Watchers

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