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Artwork for The Cognitive Crucible
Cognitive Security
Disinformation
Information Operations
Cognitive Warfare
National Security
Cybersecurity
Russia
Cyber Warfare
Violent Conflict
Expeditionary Cyber Operations
Geopolitics
Military Strategy
Archetypes
Ukraine
Hybrid Warfare
Useful Idiots
Reflexive Control
Foreign Influence Operations
Active Measures
NATO

The Cognitive Crucible explores all aspects of our generational challenge: Cognitive Security. It is the only podcast dedicated to increasing interdisciplinary collaboration between information operations practitioners, scholars, and policy makers. Join the discussion forum each week with the Cognitive Crucible host, John Bicknell. Have a question or would like to suggest a topic go to: in... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes248Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentScience

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Artwork for The Cognitive Crucible

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

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 ... more

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 ... more

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 ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Andrew Hallman
Vice President and Strategic Account Executive for the Intelligence Community at Leidos
Leidos
Episode: #245 Pat Roberson and Andrew Hallman on Arms and Influence: How information and influence operations are evolving in the modern security environment – and how the United States can regain the advantage
Pat Roberson
Lead Advisor for Leidos, retired US Army Special Forces Officer
Leidos
Episode: #245 Pat Roberson and Andrew Hallman on Arms and Influence: How information and influence operations are evolving in the modern security environment – and how the United States can regain the advantage
Dr. Andy Whiskeyman
Co-founder and CEO of JASSA Professional Services, expert in cognitive security and information warfare.
JASSA Professional Services
Episode: #241 Andy Whiskeyman on Cognitive Intelligence
Doug Wilbur
Communication scientist specializing in propaganda, information warfare, and strategic communication.
Adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus
Episode: #242 Doug Wilbur on Propaganda
Sean Guillory
Nationally recognized expert in cognitive warfare, influence operations and behavioral strategy
BetBreakingNews (co-founder and CEO)
Episode: #244 Sean Guillory on Betting Intelligence and National Security
Doug Abdiel
Global Vice President of Customer Experience and Support at Advanced Navigation.
Advanced Navigation
Episode: #243 Doug Abdiel on the New Fog of War–Navigating Through GPS-Denied and Degraded Environments
Anthony Vinci
Author of The Fourth Intelligence Revolution and former Chief Technology Officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Episode: #240 Anthony Vinci on the Fourth Intelligence Revolution
Michael Lissack
Founder and director of the Second Order Science Foundation
Second Order Science Foundation
Episode: #236 Michael Lissack on Anticipatory Agents
Robert Thibadeau
Professor affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in cognitive science, AI, and machine learning.
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: #234 Robert Thibadeau on a Million Identities and Computational Cognitive Neuroscience

Host

John Bicknell
Host of The Cognitive Crucible

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 81 ratings
  • Thought leadership

    The thought leadership on the show is impressive! Love hearing from the guests. I always learn something new

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    José Ole Oh-yay!
    United States2 years ago
  • Great for Cyber newbies

    I’m not a tech person; this podcast’s approach to technologies extant and to come paired with geopolitical knowledge and bases for cognition help me approach a previously “unknowable” topic for me. Each episode is unique and has its own subject that is relevant to our life and times while also having an air of caution in its approach to affiliate politically in its expression of opinions and information. It’s become a daily listen for me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jjjjjjjjj but jnb
    United States2 years ago
  • Essential Listening providing of massive return for the time you invest listening!

    This podcast both current and past episodes provides a hugely valuable resource for anyone involved in Strategic Communications, Storytelling, Audience Analysis, Outreach, Stabilisation, Engagement, Capacity building and all the other aspects of Operations in the Information Environment.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PEZUK
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Super Duper!!!

    John Bicknell who hosts this podcast does a fantastic job. Well-versed in his subjects and engages the guests with integrity, respect, and a deep curiosity. Deep thoughts await you with this production. I cannot recommend this higher…it is at the top.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J.Scotty.F
    United States3 years ago
  • There is so much great information here. This is the future of humanity. listen

    Audible
    5
    netusera
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Valuable for cybersecurity and information operations perspectives.
hi rivers dad (review)
Key insight into information warfare and practitioners' tutorials.
Essential Listening for Strategic Communications and IO.
Audience notes host's integrity and curiosity; guests are well-chosen.
Thought leadership: Listeners praise the depth and guest caliber.
High-quality host and engaging conversations.
Clear and powerful, with impactful discussions.
Mix of natsec, futurism, and geopolitics is highly valued.
Necessary listening for IO professionals with broad applicability.
Helps fill a career-path gap in the information space.
Great for Cyber newbies: Accessible yet rigorous on tech topics and geopolitics.
Mind-blown by discussions on information manipulation and cognition.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#154
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#114
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#53
Ukraine/Government
Apple Podcasts
#76
Taiwan/Government
Apple Podcasts
#76
Finland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#112
Netherlands/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#243 Doug Abdiel on the New Fog of War–Navigating Through GPS-Denied and Degraded Environments
Q: What advice do you have for young enlisted service members or officers?
He emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamentals of navigation beyond GPS, including traditional techniques such as map reading and using a compass.
#243 Doug Abdiel on the New Fog of War–Navigating Through GPS-Denied and Degraded Environments
Q: What are your thoughts on how this navigational strength has become a major vulnerability?
Abdiel discusses how reliance on GPS can be easily exploited by adversaries through jamming and spoofing, making it a significant vulnerability in modern warfare.
#242 Doug Wilbur on Propaganda
Q: What are the Chinese saying in languages other than English?
There is a knowledge gap regarding what narratives the Chinese are spreading in languages like Swahili or Indonesian.
#242 Doug Wilbur on Propaganda
Q: What is your assessment of our strategic landscape?
While there is much peril, there is also much promise; with thoughtful problem-solving, society can turn the situation favorably.
#241 Andy Whiskeyman on Cognitive Intelligence
Q: Why do we need Cogint?
Cogint is essential because of the advances in technology and neuroscience that require a new intelligence discipline to understand and protect human cognition in modern conflict.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cognitive Crucible

What is The Cognitive Crucible about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on cognitive security, information operations, and the geopolitical dynamics shaping modern conflicts. Across recent episodes, guests weigh propaganda, cognitive warfare, AI's role in information ecosystems, GPS-denied navigation, and strategic communication in military and policy contexts. The host steers conversations toward practical implications for practitioners, scholars, and decision-makers, often drawing on military experience, statecraft, and technology to illuminate how information shapes outcomes in high-stakes environments. A standout pattern is the consistent emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches—bridging defense, technology, and cognitive science—to understand and counter information threats. This makes... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Cognitive Crucible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Cognitive Crucible:

1. Irregular Warfare Podcast
2. Modern War Institute
3. Net Assessment
4. The President’s Inbox
5. NatSec Matters

How many episodes of The Cognitive Crucible are there?

The Cognitive Crucible launched 6 years ago and published 248 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Cognitive Crucible?

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What guests have appeared on The Cognitive Crucible?

Recent guests on The Cognitive Crucible include:

1. Andrew Hallman
2. Pat Roberson
3. Dr. Andy Whiskeyman
4. Doug Wilbur
5. Sean Guillory
6. Doug Abdiel
7. Anthony Vinci
8. Michael Lissack

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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