Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon

Sue Gordon & Eric Koepp
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week,  Eric — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe now.

  1. 18H AGO

    Ep. 10: Ghost Shark AI, Police-State Tech, and the Leadership Gap

    In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric dive into autonomous defense at sea, surveillance tech exported by U.S. firms, and the leadership needed when crises hit. After a quick scan of the geopolitical hotspots.  They unpack Australia’s Ghost Shark program and what undersea autonomy means for allied procurement and deterrence, then ask who is responsible when American technology enables a surveillance state abroad. Finally, they turn to personnel and accountability inside the US government, using a recent high-profile manhunt and cabinet-level missteps to show how leadership experience (or the lack of it) can limit U.S. statecraft. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 04:32 Russia-Ukraine Conflict Analysis 08:49 Middle East Tensions and US Leadership 11:16 Brazil's Political Landscape 13:34 Venezuela and US Military Actions 17:17 Ghost Shark: Australia's Defense Innovations 23:39 US Tech and China's Surveillance 26:13 Government Responsibility in Tech Control 29:11 The Rule of Law and Technology Use 36:52 Leadership in Crisis Management 39:29 The Role of Vision in Leadership 40:25 Effective Leadership and Organizational Success 41:44 The Importance of Trust in Leadership 48:26 Conclusion and Future Outlook About the show: Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon is the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Website and Feedback: Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    54 min
  2. Ep. 09 Congressional Oversight Limited, Caribbean Motives, & City Security

    SEP 10

    Ep. 09 Congressional Oversight Limited, Caribbean Motives, & City Security

    Congressional oversight under pressure. Stablecoins meet statecraft. Caribbean motives, city security, and the homefront of national resilience. In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric draw a through-line on oversight: from the Trump family’s WLFI stablecoin push, to a U.S. buildup and lethal strike off Venezuela—and whether “counter-narcotics” masks regime pressure—to an NGA visit by Sen. Mark Warner derailed by online agitation, raising real costs for mission and workforce trust. Finally, continuing last week’s agriculture theme, they analyze how security is felt first in cities—where talent pipelines and civic trust turn resilience into national security at home. Finally, continuing last week’s agriculture theme, they argue that security is felt first in cities, where talent pipelines and civic trust turn local resilience into national security at home. The Role Of Cities In National Security by Lauren Buitta Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 01:03 Spotlight on UTEP and Diversity in Education 04:53 Crypto and National Security 09:35 US Forces in the Southern Caribbean 17:28 Congressional Oversight and Social Media Influence 23:41 Diluting National Security 28:32 The Importance of University Research 36:42 Diversity of Opinion in Higher Education 41:14 Gender Safety and Civic Participation 51:12 What We’re Watching About the show: Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon is the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Website and Feedback: Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    52 min

  3. SEP 2

    Ep. 08 Cyber to Cornfields: Community and Trust in the Heartland

    In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric connect three fronts of resilience: cybersecurity on the home front, the governance of biometrics, and the future of American agriculture. They unpack the reduced capacity of coordinated cyber communication, what policy looks like for biometric data and the claims of disinformation in Greenland. Then they head to the Heartland: shrinking farm counts, tighter margins, and how ownership—foreign buyers, institutional capital, and co-ops—shapes food security as national security.   Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 01:46 Labor Day Reflections  03:37 Cybersecurity Threats and State Responsibilities 10:16 Biometric Data and Privacy Concerns 16:56 Greenland Influence and Arctic Gray Zone 19:17 Agriculture and Food Security as National Security 23:29 Foreign Investment in US Farmland 34:05 Private Equity and Community Impact 39:52 Technological Innovations in Agriculture 47:04 Conclusion and Future Outlook About the show: Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon is the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Website and Feedback: Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    48 min

  4. AUG 26

    Ep. 07 IC Integrity, Intel Equity & Ukraine’s Stolen Children

    In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric highlight the national security issues of intelligence community downsizing, state equity in critical chips, and the return of Ukraine’s abducted children. Along the way, they explore whether proposed changes to the ODNI threaten its value, the risks inherent in  aligning industrial policy and market forces, and why the return of Ukraine’s children must be a non-negotiable in any endgame.  Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 01:28 Metaphysical Question: Law and Order 03:25 ODNI 2.0 Downsizing 05:14 Background on ODNI 17:20 US Government's Stake in Intel 27:09 Treasury's Miscellaneous Fund and Transparency Concerns 31:06 Human Trafficking and Ukraine's Children 40:14 US National Security and Human Trafficking 49:08 Federal Workforce  53:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About the show: Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon is the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Website and Feedback:  Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    54 min

  5. AUG 19

    Ep. 06 Precision Influence, Precision Maps: Trump–Putin Theater, China’s AI Ops, & Texas Resistance

    In this episode, Sue and Eric tackle three issues with profound implications for our republic and, ultimately, for our geopolitical standing: the open question of how the US sees its responsibility to Ukraine and its prior commitments; the commoditization of influence operations by an adversary and erstwhile competitor; and whether partisan power can be placed above constitutional constraints. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 01:41 Navigating News and USA Facts 02:37 Headlines: Trump Meets Putin 04:33 Analyzing Trump's Negotiation Tactics 14:14 China's AI Influence Operations 26:58 The Role of Big Tech in National Security 28:30 Historical Context of Information Warfare 29:58 The Battle for Information Control 32:23 Texas Redistricting and National Resilience 48:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About: Website and Feedback: Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    49 min

  6. AUG 12

    Ep. 05: Splashy Action, Long Term Effect

    In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric jump into two Administration announcements—the GENUIS Act, the Nation’s first cryptocurrency policy focusing on stable coins; the second the elimination of more than $500M in mRNA research funding  As always, they break down the details of the announcements and put them in more strategic context  in other words, what they portend.  To begin and end, they revisit some previous topics and presage emerging events. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 03:35 Be curious, not judgmental 05:40 GENIUS Act and stablecoins 13:20 China's stablecoin hesitation 18:35  mRNA research cuts 24:44 Government's role in research 32:21 National security and technological advancements 35:46 Geopolitical tensions and What We're Watching 46:21 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections About: Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Website and Feedback:  Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    47 min

  7. AUG 7

    Ep. 04 Bonus: China’s Commercial Space Collision Course

    In this bonus episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric delve into the rapid expansion of China's commercial space industry and its implications for U.S. dominance in low Earth orbit. They discuss the need for responsible use of space, the role of market forces versus government regulations, and the potential executive order that could reshape how space launches and orbital safety are managed in the U.S.  Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 00:32 China's Booming Commercial Space Industry 02:06 US Regulatory Challenges in Space 07:44 Draft Executive Order on Space Management 15:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About: Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Website and Feedback:  Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    16 min

  8. AUG 6

    Ep. 04 Threats abroad AND at home

    In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric discuss the geopolitical threats that intersect America’s interests, continue to focus on the intersection of China, cyber, and AI, this time with a more human dimension, and finish up with a look at the recent efforts to at best undermine and at worst destroy America’s institutions that underpin our security. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights 01:13 Back-to-School Memories 03:02 Geopolitical Romp Around the World: Russia and Ukraine 06:58 Geopolitical Romp Around the World:  Israel and Gaza 10:46 Geopolitical Romp Around the World:  Taiwan and China 16:03 China's Cyber Hacking and Zero Trust 29:36 The Impact of Political Decisions on Civil Service 41:04 Predictions and Scoreboard Links:  CFR: U.S.-Taiwan Relations in a New Era About: Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. Website and Feedback:  Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

    45 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be. Each week,  Eric — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions. From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe now.

Information

You Might Also Like