The Cognitive Crucible

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Andrew Whiskeyman discusses his co-authored article: The Emergence of Cognitive Intelligence (COGINT) as a New Military Intelligence Collection Discipline. "COGINT" is the systematic mapping, safeguarding, and operational exploitation of decision-making architectures in the contemporary cognitive battle space. Topics include: understanding and protecting human decision-making processes from adversarial tactics, adversarial exploitation of technology and societal divisions to manipulate public opinion, and underscoring the vital need for critical thinking. Recording Date: 22 January 2026 Research Question: Andrew Whiskeyman suggests an interested student or researcher examine: When is a conspiracy theory no longer a theory? How does one build a culture of civil discourse and disagreement? Of mobs and men: how does individual behavior and decision relate to group dynamics? AI and human trust/decision dynamics. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #62 Jonathan Rauch on the Constitution of Knowledge #119 Katherine Carman on Truth Decay #153 Andy Whiskeyman and Mike Berger on the Importance of Dedicated Resources The Emergence of Cognitive Intelligence (COGINT) as a New Military Intelligence Collection Discipline by Jorge Conde and Andy Whiskeyman S. Rept. 119-39 - National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 dated 15 July 2025 Salt Typhoon The Everlasting Man: A Guide to G.K. Chesterton's Masterpiece by Dale Ahlquist Aristotle's Rhetoric The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn Warhead: How the brain shapes war and war shapes the brain by Nicholas Wright Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Dr. Andrew Whiskeyman, COL (ret.), is the co-founder and CEO of JASSA Professional Services, which provides consulting and subject matter expertise on strategy, technology, predictive analysis, and people. He also teaches, writes, researches, and lectures internationally on the topics of information warfare, cognitive security, emerging technology, and strategic foresight. He is a Goodpaster Scholar, a non-resident senior fellow with the Global National Security Institute (GNSI) and former board member of the Information Professionals Association (IPA). Dr. Whiskeyman adjuncts with Catholic Polytechnic University, Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and the US Air Force's Air War College. He is a former Chair of the Cyber Strategy Department at the National Defense University's College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) where he taught and researched on the nexus of information and national security. He previously served for 28 years in the US Army and deployed multiple times in support of combat operations. His final military assignment was as the Chief of the Information Operations Division (J39) within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Operations Directorate J3 located at Macdill AFB, Florida. His previous assignment was as the Chief of Strategy for the CENTCOM Joint Cyber Center (JCC). His first assignment was to Misawa AB, Japan as an enlisted military intelligence Soldier. He then went to officer candidate school (OCS) and commissioned into the basic branch of Air Defense Artillery. In 2007, he transitioned to the Information Operations functional area (FA30). He has deployed five times: Kosovo (KFOR 3B - 2001/02), Afghanistan (3 times - 2004, 2006/07, and 2012/13), and Iraq (2008/09). He also has numerous shorter trips into the Middle East theater of operations including return trips to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate (and plank owner) of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS - 2004), Air Command and Staff College (ACSC 2011 in residence), and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS XXI - 2012). He is the first Soldier with the Advanced Strategic Planning and Policy Program (ASP3) to earn his PhD (Military Strategy, Air University 2015). He is the recipient of multiple military awards including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Bronze Star, and he was awarded France's Chevalier de L'Ordre du National Mérite. He is also active in the Tampa Bay community. He is the founder of the local Tampa Bay GK Chesterton Society, leads an Exodus 90 fraternity, served as a past Grand Knight for the Servant of God Vincent Capodanno Council 14495 (Knights of Columbus), created and teaches two Apologetics Courses for Homeschool students, and is a mentor with the Tepeyac Leadership Institute. He is married (over 30 years) with four children, two grandchildren, two dogs, and a turtle. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

In this engaging discussion, Anthony Vinci, a former intelligence leader and author of The Fourth Intelligence Revolution, reveals the stark shift in warfare from physical battlefields to the human mind. He tackles China's influence through education and gaming, warns about TikTok's data collection, and highlights how social media subtly manipulates perceptions. Vinci also discusses the crisis of masculinity and urges resilience against surveillance and misinformation, offering strategies for individuals to bolster their cognitive defenses.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. John Boyd is well known to have formally written down very little of his own theories on war and conflict, making researching his concepts challenging and leading many to infer meanings based on their own interpretations—or others'—of what little easily accessible evidence of his thinking remains. In Snowmobiles and Grand Ideals, Ian Brown unpacks Boyd in his own words delivered during his lectures. Recording Date: 9 Dec 2025 Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #146 Sebastian Bae on Gaming Snowmobiles and Grand Ideals: John Boyd's Vision for Thriving in Chaos by Ian T. Brown and Frans P. B. Osinga A New Conception of War by Ian T. Brown YouTube: Steve Jobs Introducing The iPhone At MacWorld 2007 Destruction and Creation by John Boyd (1976) Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Ian Brown is a retired Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot with multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Pacific region. He has written dozens of articles, reviews, and short stories for a variety of defense-related publications, covering topics of military history, military theory, future war, and wargaming. His book A New Conception of War: John Boyd, the U.S. Marines, and Maneuver Warfare (Marine Corps University Press, 2018) was added to the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Professional Reading Program in 2019. He currently works as a wargame analyst for Group W and has designed several wargames independently. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

In this conversation, Bill Wall, CEO of Accrete AI and former Special Forces Colonel, delves into the critical intersection of AI and information operations. He highlights the U.S.'s need to rebalance military might with effective information strategies and understanding local populations in modern conflicts. Wall also discusses Accrete AI's ability to analyze vast data for critical insights. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring narratives for social media and the risks of falling behind in influence operations, advocating for a renewed focus on soft power in the digital age.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. Josh "Bugsy" Segal recaps his recent observations from the Ukraine battlefield and concerns for Western governments which don't adapt quickly. Ukraine's rapid development of sophisticated, cost-effective domestic defense technology, including advanced counter-drone systems, is positioning the nation as a key arms supplier of the future. This innovation highlights a critical national security concern for the U.S., as expensive Western weapons have proven ineffective against Russian countermeasures, and the American defense industry is failing to incorporate vital battlefield insights. To maintain its global defense sector dominance, the U.S. must accept its current competitive disadvantage and immediately prioritize collaboration with Ukraine to integrate its effective, relevant technology. Recording Date: 12 Dec 2025 Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #192 Josh "Bugsy" Segal on the American Maginot Line #219 Dr. Josh Segal on Are We Losing the War? Lethality, Deterrence, and Information Ukraine offers a roadmap for faster and cheaper battlefield innovation by Josh Segal Defense in depth Brave 1 Ukrainian Defense Innovation Fire Point Weapons Systems Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Josh Segal holds a Ph.D. in Russian Studies from George Washington University and an MA in Russian Studies from Emory University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Emory. He is a former negotiator on Chemical Weapons Convention and helped establish the OPCW, and other treaties in the 1990s, became active duty Navy Info warfare and intel officer and served 27 years, finishing as Director of the Information Warfare Program and finally at US Special Operations Command. Current;y, he is a senior advisor to a number of Department of War leaders across Policy and the Services, recently returned from 11 speaking engagements in Europe and North America on Hybrid Warfare. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Michael Lissack, founder of the Second Order Science Foundation and a cybernetics expert, dives into anticipatory agents and their role in understanding complex systems. He explores the intersection of Quantum Bayesianism and anticipatory systems, shedding light on how we interpret meaning in an overwhelming information landscape. Lissack distinguishes between human cognitive limits and large language models, emphasizing the value of dialogue with these agents. He critiques conventional approaches, advocating for a philosophical, process-driven framework to navigate uncertainty.

Colonel Robert M. Thelen, a senior U.S. Army officer with extensive experience in information operations, sheds light on the Army's new Information Warfare Branch. He discusses the U.S. lagging behind adversaries like China and Russia in information funding and highlights the need to overcome existing silos in U.S. operations. Thelen also explores the evolving role of public affairs in military planning, the impact of the Global Engagement Center, and the future tactical responsibilities of the IWAR branch in countering misinformation.

Robert Thibadeau, a pioneering computational cognitive neuroscientist from Carnegie Mellon, dives deep into the complexities of identity and privacy in the digital age. He proposes that we should manage a million identities on chips, allowing us to selectively share and protect our personal information. Thibadeau also discusses the role of the brain as a truth engine, how enforced moderated dialogue can revive societal norms, and the transition from the Internet Court of Lies to TruthCourt, aiming to create a more trustworthy online discourse.

Lt. Col. Orlandon Howard, a U.S. Army public affairs officer, shares his insights on rethinking strategic communication within military public affairs. He highlights the importance of the PESO model, emphasizing how integrated communication strategies can align military goals with audience needs. Howard discusses the challenges posed by information warfare, particularly from nation-state competitors like China, and the ethical nuances of informing versus influencing. He also poses a thought-provoking research question about the cognitive conditions that influence host nation support for military operations.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Dr. John Pennell discusses his book and Ph.D. research: Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014–2022 Implications for the Changing Character of War. Recording Date: 4 Sep 2025 Research Question: John Pennell suggests an interested student or researcher examine: How can we better inform the American public about the information space; focusing on informing the American public about threats from adversaries and discerning fact from fiction. How Russian information operations has evolved since 2022; studying the evolving Russian information operations since 2014, including the shift in approach in 2022, as well as the influence of non-state actors like criminal syndicates and drug cartels in the information space. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #151 Daniel Runde on Chinese Soft Power #230 Randy Rosin on Warfare is Informational; the Case for a New DoD Information Paradigm Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014–2022 Implications for the Changing Character of War By John A. Pennell Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Dr. Pennell is a highly accomplished, retired US senior foreign service officer (Minister-Counselor rank), with 20+ years of executive-level experience leading multidisciplinary, interagency, and joint teams to oversee US cooperation programs across Africa, Eurasia, the Indo-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. He has deep expertise in irregular warfare, strategic competition, public diplomacy, strategic communications, and countering hybrid threats including in high-threat, gray-zone, and/or active combat environments. He's currently a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies, Senior Strategic Advisor with Pax Strategies LLC, and Senior Practitioner (pro bono) with the US Department of Defense's Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) in the intelligence, operations in the information environment, and emerging tech networks. He's also a subject matter expert reviewer (pro bono) for National Defense University's Joint Forces Quarterly (JFQ) and an International Advisory Board Member of Ukraine Foundation, a Swiss-based organization focused on peace processes and conflict resolution in Ukraine. In addition to being a lifetime member of the Information Professionals Association (IPA), he's a member of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs (BCFA), Foreign Policy for America (FP4A), Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA), and National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A). He has a PhD in War & Defense Studies from King's College London and Masters degrees from the National War College and American University. His book on Russia's irregular warfare activities in Syria and Ukraine is available from Bloomsbury, Amazon, Waterstones, etc. You can also visit his website. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.