The Ontic Connected Intelligence Podcast

After more than two decades in the FBI, including leading its global intelligence program, Josh Skule has seen firsthand how intelligence shapes national security and business risk. In this conversation, he shares lessons from the Bureau, the challenges of transitioning into the private sector, and why collaboration across government and industry is more critical than ever. The discussion explores how organizations can better balance tactical demands with long-term strategy, navigate evolving threats, and build smarter, intelligence-led security programs. It’s a candid look at what it takes to lead in today’s complex risk environment.

You'll learn:

How to balance immediate threats with long-term intelligence strategy

Why information sharing between government and private sector remains challenging

How to build a modern, intelligence-led corporate security program

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What does it take to lead security operations at the highest levels—from protecting U.S. diplomats overseas to safeguarding a global financial institution?

In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with Jim Bacigalupo, former Diplomatic Security Service leader and current corporate security executive, to discuss the transition from government security operations to the private sector. Jim shares lessons from managing large-scale embassy security programs, building modern GSOCs, and navigating the evolving risk landscape inside global financial institutions. The conversation explores the role of intelligence, technology, and leadership in proactive security programs—and why the human factor still matters most.

You'll learn: 

• How government security experience translates into corporate security leadership 

• What “good” looks like in a modern GSOC and intelligence program 

• Why effective security programs combine technology with strong human analysis

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In this episode, Manish sits down with Raju Bhatia, Chief Security Officer at Regions Bank. With more than 25 years of experience — including two decades with the FBI and senior corporate security leadership at Bank of America — Raj shares how his career evolved from federal investigations to leading intelligence-driven security programs in the private sector. He unpacks what it takes to move from reactive response to proactive prevention, how to break down silos in large organizations, and why duty of care must be embedded into business strategy — not treated as a standalone function.

You’ll learn:

How to transition from reactive security to an intelligence-led, proactive model that mitigates incidents before they escalate

What it takes to influence up, across, and down — and speak the language of the business as a modern CSO

How to build a culture of safety and duty of care that protects people, brand, and enterprise value in today’s dynamic threat environment

Similar episodes:

Strengthening Financial Services Against Evolving Threats: Insights from Bert Oliveira

Positioning Security as a Business Enabler: Strategies for Success with Jeremy Baumann

Inside the Adversary Mindset: Building Smarter Protection in a Connected World

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Fred Burton sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor to discuss his latest thriller, Cold Zero. Centered on a CIA extraction gone wrong in the Arctic Circle, the novel explores the realities of modern intelligence operations, global competition, and high-stakes decision-making under extreme pressure. Thor shares the real-world inspiration behind the book, his collaboration with former fighter pilot Ward Larson to ensure operational accuracy, and how today’s fragmented threat environment shaped the story’s geopolitical tensions. The conversation also examines the human element of intelligence work — from trust between allies to making critical calls without complete information.
You'll learn:
How real-world intelligence tradecraft and CIA extraction operations inspired Cold Zero
What happens when intelligence operations go wrong — and how leaders make decisions with incomplete information
Why trust between partners is the foundation of effective connected intelligence in today’s threat landscape
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Manish Mehta sits down with Wayman Cummings, Chief Information Security Officer at Ochsner Health, to explore what cyber-physical security convergence really looks like in practice. Wayman shares how his unconventional path into cybersecurity shaped his leadership style and his perspective on risk in high-stakes environments like healthcare. The conversation dives into insider risk, the role of AI as augmented intelligence, and why most physical threats today begin with digital reconnaissance. Wayman also challenges the idea that convergence is a myth, offering real-world examples of how teams, technology, and trust must come together to make it work. 
You'll learn: 
Why convergence fails without people and process alignment 
Why AI should augment human judgment, not replace it, in security operations 
How leaders can build credibility, break down silos, and scale security impact in high-risk environments 
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