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The Steady State Sentinel

The Steady State
National Security
Democracy
January 6th
Donald Trump
Authoritarianism
FBI
United States
Iran
Ukraine
Counter-Terrorism
CIA
Republican Party
U.S. Immigration System
Russia
Social Media
China
Five Eyes
MAGA
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
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 weeklyEpisodes33Founded6 months ago
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NewsGovernmentNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Steady State Sentinel

Latest Episodes

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

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

A former CIA chief of staff and White House Situation Room senior director warns that politicized intelligence can weaken national security by chilling truth telling, hollowing out institutions, and discouraging young talent from entering public serv... more

YouTube

The fight to repair public service, Congress, and democratic accountability

In this episode of The Steady State Sentinel, John Sipher speaks with veteran intelligence and counterterrorism official Russ Travers about the state of American democracy, ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Eric Rubin
Senior Fellow with the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA/SIPA)
CEPA/SIPA, Board of Directors at The Steady State
Episode: Saving My Life's Work: Eric Rubin on the Dismantling of American Diplomacy
Mark Zaid
Washington, D.C.-based attorney specializing in national security, First Amendment claims, and whistleblower representation
James Madison Project; Whistleblower Aid
Episode: The Fragile Glue: Mark Zaid on Whistleblowers, Retaliation, and the Rule of Law
David Korn
Political journalist covering power, corruption, disinformation, and democracy; Washington bureau chief for Mother Jones
Mother Jones
Episode: The MAGA Crack-Up: David Corn on Iran, the FBI, and a Democracy Under Siege

Host

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

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 59 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 States3 months ago
  • Excellent and informative

    Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Portland Antifasist
    United States4 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 States5 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 States5 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
#161
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#200
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#241
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#38
Ireland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#48
Denmark/Government
Apple Podcasts
#70
Mexico/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The War on the Press: How Trump Attacks the First Amendment
Q: Enough experience to answer this one. How does Trump's assault on the press come across to someone who is a member of the press as opposed to how it comes across to the rest of us?
The guest explains that Trump's actions represent an unprecedented campaign against freedom of expression and a broader war on independent journalism, challenging the legitimacy and safety of professional reporting.
The Most Powerful Intelligence Tool You’ve Never Heard Of: A Former CIA Lawyer Explains Section 702
Q: How did the rise of the internet and fiber optics change surveillance practices under FISA?
Technological evolution shifted surveillance from satellite-based 'birds' to fiber networks, prompting 702 to address incidental collection more broadly and requiring careful procedural controls, audits, and targeting lists to manage U.S. person data.
The Most Powerful Intelligence Tool You’ve Never Heard Of: A Former CIA Lawyer Explains Section 702
Q: What is the basic structure of FISA and how did it originate?
FISA originated in response to abuses and overreach exposed by the Church and Pike hearings, creating a legal framework to govern surveillance while preserving Fourth Amendment protections; it distinguishes between wire and satellite communications and established the need for warrants in certain scenarios.

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

1. Mission Implausible
2. The Lawfare Podcast
3. The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer
4. Stay Tuned with Preet
5. Shield of the Republic

How many episodes of The Steady State Sentinel are there?

The Steady State Sentinel launched 6 months ago and published 33 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. Russ Travers
2. Andy Weber
3. Stephan Hankin
4. Joel Anderson
5. Bob Drogan
6. Jim Petrilla
7. Eric Rubin
8. Mark Zaid

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