In this special historical episode of the Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re joined by researcher and storyteller Andrea Wallis Aven, whose lifelong passion for genealogy and history has illuminated generations of her family’s extraordinary service. Through meticulous research, Andrea has traced the lives of her Wallis and Stewart ancestors, uncovering a remarkable lineage of veterans who served their country across centuries.

Among these stories is that of her aunt, Jane Wallis Burrell—a trailblazing intelligence officer who served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, later joining the Strategic Services Unit (SSU) and the Central Intelligence Group (CIG), all predecessors to the CIA. Jane’s groundbreaking career was tragically cut short on January 6, 1948, when she died in a plane crash—just months after the CIA’s official formation.

Join us as Andrea shares incredible pictures and artifacts from Jane’s time in service, the discoveries, the human stories behind the records, and how uncovering her family’s past deepened her understanding of history, service, and legacy.

You can also learn more about Jane through the following article: https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-mystery-of-jane-wallis-burrell-the-first-cia-officer-to-die-in-the-agencys-service/

In the powerful Season 8 finale, we sit down with Celia "CC" Durall—CEO of CD Possibilities, leadership coach, and a former force within the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. With a career rooted in human capital and workforce strategy, CC brings a wealth of experience and insight to this closing chapter.

She shares her story of growing up as a third culture kid, the daughter of diplomats, navigating multiple languages and cultures from a young age. This upbringing shaped her ability to become a natural translator—not just of language, but of people and systems.

We dive into her journey through the world of workforce development, her collaborations with academia, and the critical shifts in strategic workforce planning following 9/11. Through it all, CC speaks candidly about the art of self-reinvention, and how embracing uncertainty led her to a series of fulfilling and impactful roles.

Don’t miss this inspiring close to Season 8—packed with lessons on leadership, identity, and following the wave where it takes you.

In this special FVEY episode, we’re joined by Lucy Ferguson, Minister Counsellor for Foreign, Security and Development Policy at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. With a career spanning pivotal global roles—including working directly with the British Foreign Secretary and representing the UK at the G20 (yes, she was the UK’s “yak”)—Lucy brings a unique and candid perspective on diplomacy behind the scenes.

Lucy opens up about her educational journey, including her unexpected path to studying theology, and how that potentially shaped her worldview. She shares what it’s like to be in the room during high-stakes negotiations, listening as history unfolds in real time. 

With her joyful spirit, collaborative mindset, and a great sense of humor, Lucy offers both wisdom and warmth in this conversation that ranges from policy to parenting, and everything in between.

Today’s episode features the remarkable Yolanda, an Associate Partner in Cybersecurity whose career spans everything from scaling antenna towers to exploring the quantum computing horizon. Yolanda takes us through her one-of-a-kind journey—beginning as a high school intern at the NSA, rising through the ranks to become a full-time intelligence professional, and now leading organizations through the complexities of emerging tech threats.

We delve into her early days collecting RF signals (yes, complete with rappelling from dizzying heights), her transition from offensive to defensive cybersecurity work, and her current focus on preparing the digital world for the impact of quantum computing. Along the way, Yolanda opens up about her battle with cancer, the strength she drew from her community, and how that experience reshaped her approach to life and leadership.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, intelligence, and humanity. Don’t miss Yolanda’s powerful story—you’ll walk away inspired, informed, and maybe a little braver.

In this episode, we sit down with Rupal Patel, Founder and CEO of The Global Leadership Lab, who’s on a mission to redefine what leadership means in today’s complex, fast-changing world. Her journey to the C-suite is anything but conventional—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

From starting her career as a young hustler in PR at an indie hip-hop label to unexpectedly serving as a CIA analyst, Rupal has moved through vastly different spaces with the same signature blend of curiosity, courage, and creativity. She’s the kind of leader who can unpack global geopolitics in one breath and dive into her favorite book in the next—all over a strong cup of coffee.

Relatable, nerdy, thoughtful, and fiercely creative, Rupal shares how embracing the unexpected shaped her leadership philosophy, why real conversations with the right people matter and what inspired her to write not one but multiple books.

This isn’t just a story about success—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and leading with both intensity and heart.

In this very exciting episode—our first-ever Five Eyes (FVEY) feature—we're thrilled to welcome a true changemaker in the world of cybersecurity. Our guest is none other than Michelle Mosey, Founder of Valkyrie Cyber, whose impressive career spans military service, high-level intelligence liaison roles, and impactful leadership in the tech sector. She details her time in the Australian Navy and how she transitioned into the intelligence sector and ultimately worked alongside former USDI James Clapper. Additionally she details how she later helped veterans transition into cyber roles at With You With Me. Michelle brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation.

But there's more to her than just her resume. Michelle is an adventurer at heart—whether she's camping under the stars, exploring new corners of the world, or creating magic in the kitchen. A true risk-taker with a powerful story, she shares her journey, lessons learned, and her bold vision for the future of cybersecurity.

Don’t miss this one—we're just getting started with FVEY, and this episode sets the bar high.

Season 8, Episode 3 | In this episode, we’re joined by the remarkable Suzanne Spaulding, a Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where she founded the Defending Democratic Institutions Project. With a career that spans critical roles across the intelligence and national security landscape—including Legal Advisor at the CIA’s Nonproliferation Center, Chief Counsel to both the Senate and House Intelligence Committees, Executive Director of major Congressional Commissions, and member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission—Suzanne brings a wealth of insight, wit, and candid reflection.

She shares stories from a life spent at the intersection of law, policy, and global security, including unforgettable moments like meeting Gaddafi, leading bipartisan efforts in Congress, and, yes, doing the hokey pokey and singing kumbaya with the KGB. 

Importantly, we talk about the next generation—how efforts like Girl Security are helping to inspire and prepare young women to lead in national security and public service. It’s a conversation that’s as thought-provoking as it is delightfully unexpected.

Tune in for an episode filled with wisdom, stories, and a few good laughs.

We’re back with part two of our conversation with Elizabeth Grimm, and trust us—you’re going to want to lean in for this one. After an already epic career in national security, Liz somehow “accidentally” became a professor (are we sensing a theme here?). She shares how teaching became her calling, even as she tried to resist it, and how she sees it as helping students navigate what to believe in an increasingly chaotic world.

We also zoom out to tackle the big stuff: how to hold onto hope in 2025, why kindness can be an act of resistance, and what it looks like to stay civically active while honoring the apolitical demands of a national security career.

If part one was the origin story, this is the heart of Liz's story. Thoughtful, funny, and quietly powerful—you'll just want to lean in.

Hold onto your hats because episode two is one wild ride! We’re joined by Elizabeth Grimm, a powerhouse in both national security and academia. Currently a Professor of Teaching in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Elizabeth’s career path can best be described as “unexpectedly epic.”

In part one of this episode, we dive into how Elizabeth accidentally became a lawyer in France (yes, you read that right), and how her first job out of college had her rubbing shoulders with top brass at the Department of Defense. From there, we talk about her trailblazing role at the brand-new National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), all while juggling the demands of her PhD. But that’s not all—we also tackle the big questions, like how to compartmentalize traumatic research topics. And we include a seriously important debate about the best types of bubbly water—because hey, national security and sparkling water are intertwined, right?

Tune in for a conversation that’s equal parts deep, inspiring, entertaining, and refreshingly bubbly!

Iron Butterfly Podcast is back for part two of our season premiere with Katrina Mulligan!  Part two is just as fun as the first with Katrina diving back into her extraordinary career. 

Currently the National Security Lead at Open AI, Katrina shares her experiences as Barack Obama's paralegal before he even ran for the Senate, working on GTMO policy at the ODNI, and being Chief of Staff to the first female Secretary of the Army. Along the way, she shares some unforgettable moments and reflections. She even talks about attending Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour and making friendship bracelets with her boss!