Your favorite security leadership podcasts

For a pretty tight-lipped bunch, security professionals have found a place where they can open up: podcasts.

Interesting and relevant podcasts are everywhere. They are devoted to cybersecurity, risk and tactics. They cover executive protection, threat intelligence and loss prevention. They talk about hacking, secure coding and insider risk. They explore the intricacies of guarding, access control and surveillance.

How do you choose out of the thousands of possibilities?

To narrow it down, I went to social media to solicit security professionals’ favorite podcasts specific to leadership and management. I listed about a dozen and asked for more suggestions, including details on what made them so valuable.

Here are their — your — choices, in alphabetical order, with a description taken from the show notes plus your comments. (Note: for the purposes of this article, I’m excluding the several excellent podcasts that are produced by the editorial staffs of professional publications, focusing instead on more DYI efforts.)

The Fearless Mindset Podcast (Hosted by Mark Ledlow)

Blurb: “Interviews with the Security Industry’s best and brightest to learn about the tactics and strategies they use to protect the world’s wealthiest families.”

Comments: “I can describe his style in one word: courageous. When I watch him on his podcast, I can see him living his journey.” “Compelling.”

The Great Conversation (The Sage Group; hosted by Ron Worman)

Blurb: “Each conversation seeks to illuminate an idea, a practice, or a movement.”

Comments: “Ron is a master interviewer who facilitates deep and interesting conversations and likes to focus on the business of security rather than the tactical implementation that most others talk about.” “You won’t hear the same old conversations on this podcast.”

Next Level (Hosted by Jon Harris)

Blurb: “We focus on professionals in the security industry and empowering you to reach your next level — personally and professionally.”

Comments: “I appreciate his willingness to highlight the next, lesser-known generations of thinkers and contributors to the security industry.” “He blends general personal improvement, mental health, and self-help genre influences into his multimedia content approach.”

The Security Circle (International Foundation of Protection Officers; hosted by Yolanda Hamblen)

Blurb: “We can highlight the work of heroes in our industry, promote leadership best practice, and provide an opportunity … to access some of the most successful Security Professionals.”

Comments: “Yolanda Hamblen is great at what she does. Asks the right questions at the right time, can sense what to say and what not to say. She also knows if you’re leaving something out, and she has the ability to pull that out of you.”

The Security Student Podcast (Hosted by Travis Lishok)

Blurb: “My goal is to educate security practitioners (myself included) about the range of security sub-fields and roles across the security risk management spectrum.”

Comments: “Travis is humble, and his podcast is about continuous learning … He puts information out for those to consume with his only goal to foster his relationships and network.”

Security Theater (Hosted by Carlos Francisco and Scot Walker)

Blurb: “Debunks the myths and misconceptions that surround the security industry.”

Comments: “I like what they are doing with the mildly satirical spin on Security Theater to make serious security discussion a bit more entertaining and engaging.” “I like their willingness to tackle some of the well-known yet seldomly discussed in public absurdities that impede industry progress.”

Security Thought Leadership: In Conversation with Martin Gill (hosted by Martin Gill)

Blurb: “Panel discussions and interviews.”

Comments: “Martin is erudite while still being down to earth.” “One of the only podcasts that truly has a global outlook and seeks guests from all over the world.” “The best.”

Several professionals stressed the importance of listening to podcasts that are, as risk consultant Christopher Stitt put it, “outside our echo chamber.” The following podcasts, recommended by security professionals, either address leadership and management generally or embed these themes in fields adjacent to security.

5 Minutes to Chaos (Emergency management; hosted by Steven Kuhr)

Harder Not Smarter (Entrepreneurship and career transitions; hosted by former Green Beret Greg VanDyne and former Navy SEAL Kevin Seiff)

Harvard Business Review (Multiple podcasts cover leadership, strategy, coaching, etc.)

Last 8% Morning Podcast (Mindfulness and self-care; hosted by JP Pawliw-Fry)

Leadership Tea (General leadership; hosted by Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier)

RIMScast (Risk management; hosted by Justin Smulison of the Risk and Insurance Management Society)

The WiLD Conversation Podcast (“Where human being and human doing converge — reshaping the world of leadership, culture, and performance”; hosted by Rob McKenna)