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The Steady State Sentinel

The Steady State
National Security
Democracy
January 6th
Donald Trump
Authoritarianism
FBI
United States
Iran
Ukraine
CIA
Counter-Terrorism
Republican Party
U.S. Immigration System
Russia
Bob Mueller
Social Media
China
Five Eyes
MAGA
United States Foreign Policy

The Steady State Sentinel is produced by The Steady State, a community of former national security professionals who spent their careers safeguarding the United States at home and abroad. Today, we continue that mission by staying true to our oaths to defend the Constitution, uphold democracy, and protect national security. Each episode features expert hosts in conversation with accomplished guest... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes35Founded6 months ago
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News CommentaryGovernmentNews

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Artwork for The Steady State Sentinel

Latest Episodes

The acclaimed military historian explains why conflict in Iran, Ukraine and the erosion of alliances point to a deeper crisis in American strategy and details the critical nature of the 2026 midterm elections.

In the latest episode of the Steady Sta... more

Service, gut checks, the power of humanity in law enforcement, and why she said “yes” to The Steady State.

In a format shift, host Peter Mina turns the microphone over to co-host Lauren C. Anderson to explore her origin story — from a childhood visi... more

YouTube

A former U.S. Army officer, diplomat, and ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe on oath, duty, service beyond party, the collapse of institutional guardrails, and why rebuilding trust will take decades.

Host Jim Lawler, a former senior CIA operations ... more

YouTube

Two former federal prosecutors on what the job is supposed to represent at its best, why Bob Mueller was the model, and the prosecutor’s unique duty to serve and protect the system itself.

What does it mean to be a federal prosecutor when the client... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Charles A. Ray
Former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe; first U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City; author; affiliated with Foreign Policy Research Institute
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Episode: The Uncrowned King: Ambassador Charles A. Ray on America’s Authoritarian Turn
Guy Middleton
Homicide lieutenant, Metropolitan Police Department (DC)
Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC
Episode: The Bob Mueller Standard: Justice, Integrity, and Public Service
Larry Pfeiffer
Former senior director of the White House Situation Room; former chief of staff to CIA director Michael Hayden; director of the Michael Hayden Center for Intelligence Policy and International Security
George Mason University / Hayden Center
Episode: Inside the Situation Room: Larry Pfeiffer on the Politicization of Intelligence, Professional Integrity, and the Cost of Truth
Russ Travers
Former acting director of the NCTC and deputy homeland security advisor; author
The Steady State Sentinel interview guest
Episode: Common Sense for a Democracy in Crisis
Andy Weber
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs
U.S. Department of Defense
Episode: Hunting Weapons of Mass Destruction (with Andy Weber)
Stephan Hankin
CEO of Lincoln Park Strategies; founder of Lincoln Park Strategies and Trendancy Research
Lincoln Park Strategies; Trendancy Research
Episode: Afraid to Speak, Afraid for Democracy: New Poll Finds Widespread Concern About Authoritarianism
Joel Anderson
Senior staff writer at The Ringer; multimedia journalist and podcaster
The Ringer; Slate
Episode: Afraid to Speak, Afraid for Democracy: New Poll Finds Widespread Concern About Authoritarianism
Bob Drogan
Reporter with 38 years at the Los Angeles Times, former national/foreign/Washington correspondent
Los Angeles Times
Episode: The War on the Press: How Trump Attacks the First Amendment
Jim Petrilla
Former CIA General Counsel; long-time advisor on legal issues in the intelligence community
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Episode: The Most Powerful Intelligence Tool You’ve Never Heard Of: A Former CIA Lawyer Explains Section 702

Host

Jim Lawler
Host of The Steady State Sentinel; Former senior CIA operations officer

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 62 ratings
  • Refreshing

    It is refreshing to hear a nonpartisan discussion regarding the dangers facing our country in this moment. I learn something new from each episode and this has deepened my respect for those who have served and who still are serving our country in a professional manner despite challenges.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nick likes brains
    United States4 months ago
  • Excellent and informative

    Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Portland Antifasist
    United States5 months ago
  • What a privilege

    What a privilege to listen to conversations between utmost professionals who have spent their lives giving their best to the country and want to continue being a resource for those who are fighting for our democracy. Really a balm to the soul, not to mention the excellent perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amalia Sancha
    United States5 months ago
  • Intelligent Politics

    Refreshing to hear from real experts with unselfish motivations. Even better, party affiliation does not deter from the truth!! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FunJeanne
    United States6 months ago
  • Important, Must Listen To

    This is a fabulous, well researched, thoughtful, and non-partisan podcast about the danger the United States faces due to the erosion of the rule of law. It’s a must listen for any US citizen. Easily understandable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NicholeJCny
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality guests from government, military, and journalism that deepen understanding
Nonpartisan, expert-led discussions focused on democracy and national security
Calm, context-rich analysis that avoids partisan provocation

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#208
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#66
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#31
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#83
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#220
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#236
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside the Situation Room: Larry Pfeiffer on the Politicization of Intelligence, Professional Integrity, and the Cost of Truth
Q: If a duty officer faces pressure to shape intelligence, what would you tell them to do?
Stand with their values, seek correction with superiors, and protect the integrity of the intelligence product, even if it risks their job.
Inside the Situation Room: Larry Pfeiffer on the Politicization of Intelligence, Professional Integrity, and the Cost of Truth
Q: Have you personally faced moments where telling the truth created professional risk, and how did you handle that?
Pfeiffer describes decisions around edgy counterterrorism programs and maintaining professional integrity by standing behind the facts and the law, even when political scrutiny was high, including informing and briefing key leaders to secure support when needed.
Inside the Situation Room: Larry Pfeiffer on the Politicization of Intelligence, Professional Integrity, and the Cost of Truth
Q: What does it mean for the intelligence community to remain apolitical, and have you seen that norm tested in ways the public didn't see?
The norm is that analysts present unvarnished facts and science to policymakers, free of political predilections, so decision-makers can base choices on ground truth rather than political bias.
Afraid to Speak, Afraid for Democracy: New Poll Finds Widespread Concern About Authoritarianism
Q: What prompted you to conduct this poll?
To compare public sentiment about democracy with the views of professionals in the space, and to see how these align or diverge across gender, race, and generations.
The War on the Press: How Trump Attacks the First Amendment
Q: Tell me what that does to when you start suppressing the press. Give me the list of, I realize it's an ABC, of how that damages democracy, how that damages freedom, how that damages the country.
The guest outlines concrete consequences—from restricted access to government information to legal and financial pressure on media outlets—that undermine accountability and trust in democracy.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Steady State Sentinel

What is The Steady State Sentinel about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, security-focused program that centers on the balance between national security and civil liberties, diplomacy, and democratic norms. Across episodes, guests range from former intelligence and military professionals to seasoned journalists and policymakers, discussing topics like surveillance, alliance security, foreign policy, and the resilience of democratic institutions. The show tends to feature nonpartisan, expert perspectives and aims to provide context and practical insights for policymakers, professionals in national security, and informed observers who want to understand how complex global and domestic security challenges unfold while upholding constitutional values. A notable strength is its roster of experienced gues... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Steady State Sentinel?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Steady State Sentinel:

1. Mission Implausible
2. Stay Tuned with Preet
3. Radio Atlantic
4. Main Justice
5. The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer

How many episodes of The Steady State Sentinel are there?

The Steady State Sentinel launched 6 months ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Steady State Sentinel?

Recent guests on The Steady State Sentinel include:

1. Charles A. Ray
2. Guy Middleton
3. Larry Pfeiffer
4. Russ Travers
5. Andy Weber
6. Stephan Hankin
7. Joel Anderson
8. Bob Drogan

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