NeedleStack

There are OSINT tools that mirror or provide workarounds for hidden social media posts. Join us as we talk with an investigator who really knows his way around the internet, dark web, social platforms and more.

AJ and Robert explore the shadowy side of AI — how some users are becoming addicted, confiding in it like a personal therapist and then gaining confidence to take risky actions in their lives and at work. They discuss what this could mean for insider threats and the broader impact on security.

Anna discusses her career trajectory from corporate security and financial crimes to becoming the CEO of Pine Risk Management. She shares her experiences in conducting complex risk assessments, fraud detection, and crisis communications, particularly highlighting her role at Meta where she led Silicon Valley's largest physical red team.

An OSINT Arabic instructor and geopolitical risk expert joins the show to discuss what can get lost in translation when performing OSINT investigations. Plus learn how cultural knowledge can unlock key insights.

About Paolo Walcher

Paolo Walcher is a leading OSINT trainer and security consultant, recognized for his expertise in Arabic-language investigations, geopolitical risk, and strategic intelligence. With a background in counterterrorism and crisis management, Paolo delivers advanced OSINT training to law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies on both national and international levels.

At i-intelligence GmbH, he equips private and governmental organizations with the tools to navigate complex security environments, specializing in Arabic OSINT and Middle East-focused research. Formerly a Security Business Intelligence Analyst at BMW Group, he provided strategic insights on global threats, including the war in Ukraine, supporting corporate decision-making and conflict monitoring.

Paolo holds a B.A. in Safety and Security Management and an M.Sc. in Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University, with a specialization in the Governance of Radicalism, Extremism, and Terrorism. His work spans illicit networks, military conflict analysis, and supply chain security. As a Bellingcat volunteer, he has contributed to civilian harm verification and human rights investigations—and continues to explore the full potential of OSINT as a force for accountability and justice in the human rights space.

Fluent in English, German, and Italian, Paolo brings a cultural lens to OSINT, advocating for the ethical use of AI in intelligence gathering while emphasizing the enduring value of human-led analysis. His passion for maritime OSINT, regional dynamics, and investigative training makes him a key voice in the future of open-source intelligence.

Ransomware groups continue to generate significant profits, frequently relying on recycled or leaked code—leading researchers to describe them as “lazy.” OSINT analysts follow cryptocurrency transactions to trace financial trails, while effective defense depends on early detection, system-level visibility, and staying alert to shifts in attacker techniques.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing OSINT, from speeding up data collection to generating comprehensive reports, while also addressing the challenges and ethical considerations. Hosts AJ and Robert dive deep with Lance James, discussing real-world insights and the potential for misuse.

A librarian and an OSINT analyst may have more in common than you realize. That’s how Tracy Maleeff found her way into cyber and made a name as InfoSec Sherpa.

From government to private enterprise, counterintelligence can unlock big benefits in cybersecurity. We sit down with a counterintelligence professional to define the practice, and how everyone can benefit by employing it.

Meet the new hosts of NeedleStack. Robert Vamosi is a CISSP and award-winning journalist. AJ Nash has two decades of experience in the Intelligence community. Together they will host new episodes of NeedleStack, with an array of amazing guests.

Jacob Lloyd, head of investigations at Animal Welfare Investigations Project, has been putting OSINT skills to use to stop organized animal crime — dogfights, puppy mills, badger baiting and more. Jacob discusses how these crimes are often neglected by law enforcement due to lack of training and are thus dealt with reactively. He explains how to leverage pedigree sites, social media and other online sources to proactively investigate animal crime and save animals from this horrible fate. 

Key takeaways

• What pedigree sites can tell you about fighting dogs and their owners
• How prevalent information on organized animal crime is on the surface web
• How to get involved with Animal Welfare Investigations Project