Danny Jones Podcast

chevron_right

#332 - CIA Psychologist: DARPA's Most Bizarre New Tech Should NOT Exist | Charles Morgan

whatshot 17 snips

Sep 15, 2025

Guest

Charles Morgan

Dr. Charles Morgan, a forensic psychiatrist and former CIA psychologist, dives into the captivating world of intelligence and memory during his insightful conversation. He unveils why torture is ineffective for intelligence gathering and discusses innovative lie detection technologies. Morgan also explores the CIA's memory-altering tech, including implanting false memories. Exciting concepts like brain-to-brain interfacing and the fascinating intersection of science fiction and real-world technology are touched upon, making for a riveting and thought-provoking discussion.

03:08:50

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Recruitment From Stress Research

Charles Morgan described being recruited after PTSD and stress research led him to brief special-ops at Fort Bragg.
That exposure opened doors to CIA work profiling world leaders and advising policymakers.

insights

INSIGHT

Forensic Analysis Helps Diplomacy

CIA forensic work focuses on explaining behavior to diplomats and leaders, not espionage glamour.
Medical context can reframe odd behavior as illness rather than hostile intent.

insights

INSIGHT

What Makes A Recruit Useful

Effective intelligence recruits are willing to take risks or break laws, not necessarily sociopaths.
Recruit suitability depends on stress tolerance and reliability, not a single personality ideal.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Understanding Stress Responses in Intelligence Work

04:14 • 10min

chevron_right

Exploring the Ethics of Torture and Natural Anxiolytics

14:11 • 3min

chevron_right

Rethinking Interrogation: Ethics and Effectiveness

16:45 • 15min

chevron_right

Navigating the Intrigue of Government Technology Funding

31:42 • 2min

chevron_right

Judgment, Bias, and Futuristic Technologies

33:19 • 9min

chevron_right

The Fallibility of Eyewitness Memory

42:08 • 17min

chevron_right

Exploring the Intricacies of Memory and Visualization

58:46 • 3min

chevron_right

Memory Mastery and Modern Learning

01:01:26 • 21min

chevron_right

DARPA's Innovations and Ethical Dilemmas

01:22:44 • 14min

chevron_right

Exploring Brain Connectivity and Communication

01:36:33 • 10min

chevron_right

The Creative Collision of Science Fiction and Technology

01:46:54 • 5min

chevron_right

Heartbeat Detection and Government Secrets

01:51:35 • 13min

chevron_right

Exploring the Mysteries of Telepathy and Creativity

02:04:06 • 29min

chevron_right

Creativity and Deception in Intelligence

02:33:14 • 4min

chevron_right

DNA: The Future of Information Storage and Security

02:37:30 • 21min

chevron_right

Nanobiology, Espionage, and Global Competition

3001: The Final Odyssey concludes the Space Odyssey series, continuing the exploration of humanity's destiny and encounters with advanced intelligence in the far future.

#50677

Flying Saucers

This book provides a description

Carl Jung

This book provides a description

#19820

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The official CIA manual of trickery and deception

Robert Wallace

H. Keith Melton

#1270

• Mentioned in 20 episodes

The Princess Bride

William Goldman

The Princess Bride is a modern fantasy classic that tells the story of Buttercup, one of the world's most beautiful women, and her farm boy lover Westley. The narrative is presented as an 'abridgment' of a nonexistent work by 'S. Morgenstern', allowing Goldman to interject his own commentary and personal anecdotes. The story involves quests for riches, revenge, power, and true love, featuring memorable characters such as the criminal mastermind Vizzini, the giant Fezzik, and the swordsman Inigo Montoya. The tale is filled with swashbuckling adventures, daring feats, and a deep exploration of true love and its challenges.

#137

• Mentioned in 100 episodes

The Hobbit

or There and Back Again

J.R.R Tolkien

Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible. The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.

#1009

• Mentioned in 24 episodes

Contact

Carl Sagan

In 'Contact', Carl Sagan explores the theme of extraterrestrial contact through the story of Dr. Eleanor 'Ellie' Arroway, an astronomer who detects a signal from the star Vega. The signal, a series of prime numbers, leads to the discovery of a complex message containing a blueprint for an advanced space-traveling machine. The novel delves into the scientific, philosophical, and societal implications of this discovery, including the intersection of science and faith, international cooperation, and the human condition. The story follows Ellie and a multinational team as they navigate the construction and activation of the machine, leading to a profound encounter with extraterrestrial life.

#2009

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Area 51

An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base

Annie Jacobsen

This book provides a comprehensive and gripping narrative of the activities at Area 51, based on interviews with eyewitnesses and formerly classified information. It covers the base's history from its creation at the end of World War II to modern-day operations, including nuclear testing, the development of secret aircraft, and the involvement of various government agencies. Jacobsen's research uncovers the intricate and often secretive operations of the base, making it a seminal work on the subject.

Watch every episode ad-free & uncensored on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones

Dr. Charles Morgan is a Forensic Psychiatrist, former intelligence officer, and Neuroscientist. Dr. Morgan also worked on DARPA projects related to fear extinction, cognitive resilience, and neuromodulation.