In this episode...

Open-source intelligence goes beyond tools and techniques—it’s about making ethical decisions and understanding the real-world impact of information. In this episode, Olivia Pirie-Griffiths, Non-Executive Director at the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom and former Director of Impact and Engagement at the Centre for Information Resilience, explores how OSINT intersects with journalism to strengthen truth, trust and democracy.

Olivia makes the case for OSINT as a vital tool in the quest for truth, the need to back journalism with real protections, and why working together – not alone – is key to fixing what’s broken in our information systems.   

This conversation challenges us to rethink not just what we uncover with OSINT, but how we present it—and the ethical implications that come with that responsibility.

What You’ll Learn

• OSINT in Journalism: How open-source methods are becoming essential for verifying information and combating disinformation.
• The Ethics of Information: The challenges OSINT practitioners and journalists face when using publicly available information, and how they can uphold integrity in their work.
• Shaping Public Trust: The importance of defining journalism’s role in democracy and how OSINT can be used to reinforce credibility and transparency in the media.

Resources

Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom: https://www.journalistsfreedom.com/

Centre for Information Resilience: https://www.info-res.org/

Afghan Witness, Centre for Information Resilience: https://www.info-res.org/afghan-witness/

Missing Perspectives - a social impact newsroom dedicated to challenging the underrepresentation of young women in news and media worldwide: https://missingperspectives.com/

The Centre for Information Resilience’s Afghan Witness partnered with numerous Afghan-run organizations who work towards accountability and telling the stories of Afghanistan, including: 

·        Zan Times, a women-led investigative newsroom that covers human rights violations in Afghanistan: https://zantimes.com/

·        8am Media, an organisation which comprises an online newspaper, research, events, awards, music and publications: https://8am.media/

·        Alive in Afghanistan, the Afghanistan arm of Alive-in, an award-winning movement of grassroots journalists working to change the way people in developing or conflict-affected places are seen through human-centered, public-interest journalism: https://www.alive-in.org/tag/alive-in-afghanistan/

·        Etilaatroz, a newspaper committed to reflecting the voice of all Afghan citizens: https://www.etilaatroz.com/

What’s the Point of Reading Writing by Humans?, Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, February 2023: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/whats-the-point-of-reading-writing-by-humans

Want to dig deeper?

Press Freedom in Australia White Paper, Alliance of Journalists’ Freedom, November 2024: https://www.journalistsfreedom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AJF-White-Paper-2024.pdf

Bridging the gap: Using OSINT to report on women and girls in Afghanistan, Centre for Information Resilience, 7 March 2025: https://www.info-res.org/afghan-witness/articles/bridging-the-gap-using-osint-to-report-on-women-and-girls-in-afghanistan/

How OSINT shaped reporting on the war in Ukraine, Centre for Information Resilience, 4 March 2025: https://www.info-res.org/eyes-on-russia/articles/how-osint-shaped-reporting-on-the-war-in-ukraine/ 

The Ethics Centre: https://ethics.org.au/

In this episode...

Inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential for OSINT teams to thrive. In this episode, Jane and special guest host Kat Caudrelier explore how embracing diversity can transform intelligence work. They delve into how diverse thinking, communication styles and life experiences enrich analysis, improve decision-making and drive better outcomes.

Joining the conversation are Micah Hoffman, co-owner of My OSINT Training and Deputy Chief of Investigations for the National Child Protection Taskforce, and Tony (AKA Ginger T), founder of CQ Core Solutions and creator of The OSINT Toolbox. With decades of OSINT experience, Micah and Tony share their insights on neurodiversity, implicit biases, and how OSINT teams can better recognise, support and benefit from diversity in their work.

This episode challenges conventional norms, encouraging you to rethink how OSINT teams are structured. From confronting unconscious biases to imagining a more inclusive future, we explore how diversity doesn’t just improve culture—it enhances intelligence analysis and problem-solving.

What You’ll Learn

• Diverse Perspectives, Sharper Intelligence: How embracing neurodiversity and inclusivity strengthens OSINT analysis and decision-making.
• Unpacking Bias: Recognising and overcoming biases that limit team potential and insights.
• Building Inclusive OSINT Teams: What an inclusive OSINT environment looks like and how to foster it for better outcomes.

Resources

·        WebBreacher – Micah’s personal blog - https://webbreacher.com/

·        We are Not the Same: Generating Accessible Intelligence Reports, a blog by Micah Hoffman - https://webbreacher.com/2022/03/16/report-accessibility/

·        My OSINT Training - https://www.myosint.training

·        National Child Protection Task Force - https://ncptf.org

·        The OSINT Curious Project https://osintcurio.us

·        CqCore UK website – Privacy, OPSEC, Obfuscation, Infosec, Digital Profiling and The-OSINT-Toolbox https://www.cqcore.uk/

·        Investigative Mindset, a blog by Ginger T - https://www.cqcore.uk/investigate-mindset/

Want to go deeper?

·        Todt, K., & Kant, P. (2024, January 30). In a world dominated by AI, neurodiversity matters more than ever. Center for Strategic and International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/world-dominated-ai-neurodiversity-matters-more-ever

·        Weinbaum, C., Khan, O., Thomas, T. D., & Stein, B. D. (2023). Why national security needs neurodiversity: Drawing on a wider range of cognitive talents to tackle national security challenges (RB-A1875-1). RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA1875-1.html

·        Austin, R. D., & Pisano, G. P. (2017). Neurodiversity as a competitive advantage. Harvard Business Review, 95(3), 96–103. https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=52624

·        Intel_Inquirer. (2024, May 28). The benefits of diversity in OSINT teams. OSINT Team. https://osintteam.blog/the-benefits-of-diversity-in-osint-teams-484cbf252ec8

In this episode...

OSINT’s true strength lies in the people who drive it. Built on collaboration, curiosity and innovation, the OSINT community thrives as a global network where practitioners continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Ritu Gill is at the heart of this community. As a leading OSINT analyst, educator, and President of the OSMOSIS Association, Ritu fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the global OSINT community.

Join us as Ritu discusses the power of community, the importance of building and maintaining trust, and what leadership looks like in a field that’s both demanding and transformative. This episode celebrates the people behind the platforms.

What You’ll Learn

·        The Power of Collaboration: How a global, connected community drives OSINT forward.

• Building and Protecting Trust: Understand the crucial role of trust in a decentralised intelligence community and how to protect it.
• Continuous Professional Growth: Practical steps to build your OSINT career, from Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges to analytical training.

Resources

·        Forensic OSINT: https://www.forensicosint.com/

·        OSMOSIS Association: https://osmosisinstitute.org/

·        Royal Canadian Mountain Police: https://rcmp.ca/en

·        Don’t F**K With cats: Hunting an Internet Killer, directed by Mark Lewis, 2019: https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81031373

·        The OSINT Curious Project. Although the project is now closed, website content and YouTube videos remain available for use. https://www.osintcurio.us/

·        Building Mental Health Resilience in the OSINT Community, Ashleigh Brady and Colm Phillips, OSINT Combine, 9 Oct 2024: https://www.osintcombine.com/post/mental-health-resilience-in-osint

·        How to Get into OSINT, Ritu Gill, 31 Aug 2023: https://www.sans.org/blog/how-to-get-into-osint/

·        OSINT is a State of Mind, Nico Dekens (Dutch_OSINTguy), 28 Sep 2023: 

https://www.dutchosintguy.com/post/osint-is-a-state-of-mind

·        Doxxing: to publicly identify or publish private information about (someone) especially as a form of punishment or revenge. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dox

·        Ritu mentioned LinkedIn as a great resource for OSINTers. Give us a follow!

https://www.linkedin.com/company/30690958

Want to go deeper?

·        Sign up to Ritu’s weekly newsletter: https://www.forensicosint.com/newsletter

·        Australian OSINT Symposium 2025. Tickets now on sale! 18-19 September, Sydney Australia. In-person and virtual tickets available. https://www.osintsymposium.com/

·        Want to stay up to date with OSINT Combine’s blog posts, free resources and more? Sign up to OSINT In Brief, OSINT Combine’s monthly newsletter.

https://www.osintcombine.com/subscribe

In this episode...

When it comes to leadership in intelligence, adaptability is key—and Brigadier General (Ret.) Terry Bullard has seen this firsthand throughout his career. From commanding the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations to now helping national security leaders harness the power of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in the private sector, Terry has witnessed the profound shift in how intelligence is gathered, analysed and used.

In this episode, Terry discusses the cultural shift from closed-source intelligence to OSINT, and how it’s reshaping leadership in national security. He shares his insights on adapting to change, leveraging new technologies, and maintaining resilience in an increasingly dynamic and high-pressure environment.

Listen to hear Terry’s perspective on the evolution of OSINT and how it empowers leaders to make better, more transparent decisions while fostering a culture of adaptability and curiosity.

What You’ll Learn

• Leadership Insights: How adaptability, mentorship and collaboration shape effective leadership in intelligence.
• Crafting Expertise: The importance of continuous learning and historical understanding in shaping career success.
• The OSINT Shift: How OSINT is transforming intelligence practices and enabling more informed, transparent decision-making.

Resources

·        Airforce Office Of Special Investigations: https://www.osi.af.mil/

·        The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina: https://www.citadel.edu/

·        3Gimbals: https://3gimbals.com/

·        OSI Commander's military career comes full circle, Wayne Amann, 10 May 2023: https://www.osi.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3391458/osi-commanders-military-career-comes-full-circle/

·        Spy vs. AI - How Artificial Intelligence Will Remake Espionage, Anne Neuberger, 15 January 2025 https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/spy-vs-ai

Want to go deeper?

·        US Department of Defense OSINT Strategy 2024-2028, Defense Intelligence Agency, 23 October 2023 https://www.dia.mil/Portals/110/Documents/OSINT-Strategy.pdf

Open Secret is an OSINT Combine podcast, produced by TributePod.  

Open Secret is recorded on the lands of the Kabi Kabi people. OSINT Combine acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn. 

In this episode...

Art crime isn’t just the stuff of Hollywood thrillers—it’s a real-world problem where stolen masterpieces and looted antiquities are being trafficked across the far-reaches of the globe with devastating consequences. Tim Carpenter, a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and former head of the FBI’s Art Crime Team, has spent his career recovering stolen treasures, investigating fraud and forgery, and combatting art crimes across continents.

Now the founder of Argus Cultural Property Consultants, Tim discusses the evolving landscape of art crime, focusing on how OSINT is playing an increasingly crucial role in identifying and recovering stolen art. He also shares how technology is enabling better visibility into illicit markets, and how public crowdsourcing is enhancing efforts to trace looted cultural property.

Listen to hear Tim's insights into how the art world operates behind the scenes and how we can all play a part in safeguarding our shared cultural legacy.

What You’ll Learn

The Art of Investigation: How art crime investigations go beyond the classic heist to target forgeries, antiquities trafficking and money laundering.

Tech Meets Tradition: The growing role of OSINT and digital tools in recovering stolen art and tracking the illicit cultural property trade.

Cultural Heritage Protection: Why safeguarding art and cultural heritage is more than just a legal responsibility—it’s a key part of preserving our global identity.

Resources

·        Argus Cultural Property Consultants: https://arguscpc.com/

·        The Archaeological Institute of America 2025 Outstanding Public Service Award to the FBI's Art Crime Team and Dr. Holly Cusack-McVeigh Associate Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies, Indiana University Indianapolis, and her students: https://arguscpc.com/aia2025-award/

·        FBI Seeks to Identify Rightful Owners in Cultural Artifacts Case, FBI, 27 February 2019: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-seeks-owners-of-recovered-cultural-artifacts-022719

·        Iraq: The Rehabilitation of the Mosul Cultural Museum, Smithsonian Institution: https://culturalrescue.si.edu/why-it-matters/our-impact/iraq-rehabilitation-mosul-cultural-museum

·        Missing Mona Lisa: the story behind the 1911 theft of Leonardo's masterpiece, Gareth Harris, 6 February 2024: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/02/06/missing-mona-lisa-the-story-behind-the-1911-theft

·        ‘These are terrible crimes’: A Ukrainian museum director’s fight to recover art, Sophia Kishkovsky, 16 July 2024: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/07/16/these-are-terrible-crimes-a-ukrainian-museum-directors-fight-to-recover-art

Want to dig deeper?

·        Look out for Tim's forthcoming book, The Grave Robber: The biggest stolen artifacts case in FBI history and the Bureau's quest to set things right, Coming in October 2025: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-grave-robber-tim-carpenter/

·        Inside the FBI: The Art Crime Program, 1 November 2023: https://www.fbi.gov/news/podcasts/inside-the-fbi-podcast-the-art-crime-program

Open Secret is an OSINT Combine podcast, produced by TributePod.  

Open Secret is recorded on the lands of the Kabi Kabi people. OSINT Combine acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn. 

The secret's out—and it's only getting better. Open Secret is back with a brand-new season, packed with bold conversations, unexpected angles, and powerful stories that explore the evolving role of open-source intelligence in our world. 

From leadership and art crime to social impacts and curating history in real time, Season 2 brings you fresh perspectives and practical insights from some of the most thoughtful voices in the field. 

Hit play on our Season 2 trailer for a sneak peek—and subscribe wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

This season we’ve explored open-source intelligence across a broad spectrum – we’ve heard how it’s applied in banking, pharmaceutical companies, journalism and more. We’ve delved into the importance of creativity, communication and tradecraft in OSINT.

While interviewing leading OSINT minds Cameron Mitchell, Alisa Gbiorczyk, Gordon Farrer, Nikki Rutman and Gus Kangas, hosts Jane and Kylie have solidified something that they both already believed – the power and possibility of OSINT is infinite.

Listen to our season finale to hear Jane and Kylie's favourite bits from the season, and reflections on the importance of OSINT.

Content Warning. This episode of Open Secret contains references to themes of human trafficking, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of children, abuse, and violence which some individuals may find distressing.

Show notes

Open Secret is an OSINT Combine podcast, produced by TributePod.

Open Secret is recorded on the lands of the Kabi Kabi people. OSINT Combine acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.

Gus Kangas has an innovative approach to getting the most out of intelligence teams – pairing them with creative types. With experience as a child actor, on Broadway, and then as an intelligence officer, Gus recognises the strength that comes from both groups of people. 

Listen to find out why Gus wants more divergent thinkers in the room, how it affects intelligence teams’ outputs, and why national security needs a little more showbiz sometimes. 

Gus recently retired from almost three decades of federal service, including with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). 

Show notes 

RL Leaders: https://www.rlleaders.com/ 

RL Leaders on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rl-leaders/ 

Open Secret is an OSINT Combine podcast, produced by TributePod. 

Open Secret is recorded on the lands of the Kabi Kabi people. OSINT Combine acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn. 

In this episode of Open Secret, we speak to Nikki Rutman. Nikki honed her intelligence skills in government over two decades, including with the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI), then turned her sights to the pharmaceutical industry. But it isn't easy building an intelligence capability from scratch! 

Her secret weapon? Good OSINT analysts. Nikki says the ideal intelligence professional is innately curious, versatile, and comfortable with a bit of discomfort because no two days are ever the same. 

Listen to find out how you can build intelligence capability in your organisation and communicate with impact (fast!). And how to turn corporate speak into tangible, actionable research problems for your team. 

Show notes 

Open Secret is an OSINT Combine podcast, produced by TributePod. 

 Open Secret is recorded on the lands of the Kabi Kabi people. OSINT Combine acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn. 

Gordon Farrer had an interesting introduction to open-source intelligence. As a career journalist and checker of facts, he believes whole-heartedly in producing content that is credible, truthful and backed by rigorous methodology. 

Luckily for Australia’s young journalistic minds, Gordon is also passionate about education, and teaches a subject on fact checking and verification at RMIT. He was recently awarded the “Outstanding Teaching Award in a Journalism Program” by the Journalism, Education and Research Association of Australia for his work on designing and teaching the subject. 

Gordon has He found open-source collection methods helped him build on existing journalistic investigation skills, allowing him to search deeper, find information faster, and uncover things that might otherwise have stayed hidden. 

At a time when mis and disinformation spread with ease, and AI-generated content presents more of a challenge than ever, Gordon says his OSINT skills help him to investigate some of the narratives intended to undermine society. 

Listen to find out why you should seek out information to challenge your world view, why journalists should learn OSINT skills, and why we often think with our heart (not our head) when we see misinformation. 

Show notes 

RMIT ABC Fact Check: https://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck 

Truth mass index: https://theconversation.com/when-1-1-1-journalism-and-the-trouble-with-facts-17781 

Open Secret is an OSINT Combine podcast, produced by TributePod. 

Open Secret is recorded on the lands of the Kabi Kabi people. OSINT Combine acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.