Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Builder Series, a show where we sit down with the founders, CEOs, and investors building the future of risk and resilience. Part of The Business of Intelligence podcast and brought to you by INTELAB Ventures, our first guest is Rachael Spanton, founder + CEO of Victoria Intelligence. Tune in as we discuss her efforts to build an anticipatory intelligence platform, as well as a deep dive into her jump from in-house intelligence practitioner to entrepreneur.

AI is changing how intelligence work gets done, but many analysts are being asked to adapt without a clear framework. In this episode, we move beyond tools and prompts to explain how analysts can future-proof their careers by repositioning their value around judgment, trust, workflow design, and decision impact. We break down why many frustrations with AI stem from misaligned expectations, and how analysts can separate signal from noise while redesigning how their work gets done responsibly. This conversation is for intelligence, security, and risk professionals who want to remain relevant, trusted, and influential as the profession evolves.

Episode 32 serves as a practical public service announcement for executive protection, protective intelligence, and corporate security practitioners on how AI and emerging technologies are being weaponized to target executives. Grounded in real examples, it explains why digital activity now shapes the physical threat environment, and what protection teams must do to stay ahead.

In this episode of The Business of Intelligence, we’re joined by protective intelligence pioneers Fred Burton and Scott Stewart to discuss their new book, The Protective Intelligence Advantage. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, the conversation explores why protective intelligence has reached a critical inflection point and what recent tragedies revealed about how protection is practiced. We examine the modern threat landscape, emerging risks, and the future of protective intelligence, from digital exposure and lone-actor threats, to technology’s evolving role. This is a must-listen for anyone responsible for protecting people in today’s complex and unforgiving environment.

In this episode we challenge the traditional, government-inspired structure of corporate intelligence and argue for a shift toward a modern business partnering model. Instead of focusing solely on regional or domain expertise, intelligence teams can create greater impact by embedding closer to the business and operating as trusted advisors. We explore what an “Intelligence Business Partner” could look like, why this evolution matters, and how teams can begin taking practical steps toward it.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked truths inside corporate intelligence: even the most talented intelligence teams will fail without empowered leadership. We explore why the Chief Security Officer, or whoever owns the function, ultimately determines whether intelligence becomes a strategic asset or remains a marginalized reporting shop.

If you’ve ever wondered why some intelligence programs thrive while others struggle to get a seat at the table, this episode breaks down the difference. It’s not just about tradecraft, it’s about leadership, access, and the courage to empower.

Ryan breaks down why the most effective intelligence leaders aren’t just great analysts; they’re skilled political operators who know how to navigate power, build influence, and earn a seat at the decision-making table. Drawing on lessons from real-world events like COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, this episode reveals how credibility, timing, and relationships often matter more than analytic accuracy alone.

If you’ve ever wondered why some intelligence teams shape decisions while others stay on the sidelines, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the inaugural SCIF Summit, an exclusive, high-impact gathering where founders of security, cyber, and intelligence companies meet the investors and enterprise leaders shaping the future. Hear from the organizers about why this "deal summit" matters, what to expect, and why getting in the room might just change your trajectory.

Ryan sits down with Clock & Cloud CEO and Co-Founder Riku Hellgren for a wide-ranging conversation that includes the current state of geopolitical risk intelligence/management, questions around leadership and entrepreneurship, and what problem Clock & Cloud is trying to solve.

In this solo episode, Ryan recounts his presentation to a group of executives last December on the value proposition of Executive Protection programs, common misconceptions about the function, and how organizations can take practical, scalable steps to get a program started today.