Conversations in Close Protection

Humbleness, gratitude, honest self-assessment, and a desire to learn are all things anyone starting in the security industry should keep forefront of their mindset. But what if you already have a successful career and four world MMA world championship titles? The famous martial artist Bruce Lee said, " If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. " MMA Champion-turne...

Summertime is here, and it continues to be heated in the security field. With half the team on the road, it's a caffeine-fueled deep dive into the issues. Including the NYC nuclear attack public service announcement, the late John McAfee's bodyguard's legal matters, large retailers shuttering stores over safety concerns, perceptions about risk mitigation, and more. Join the conversation and give u...

In this archive edition, the team is joined by Bryan Flannery for a special episode discussing managing the protective environment within a house of worship and religious organizations. Bryan is the President of Foresight Security Consulting and the President of the Northwest Chapter of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). He has extensive experience in both the government an...

Motorcycle showman Evil Knievel said, " I think if you have ability and talent in one way, you have it in all ways. I'm not a jack of all trades; I'm a master of many. I don't feel there is anything I can't do if I want to ."~ Being a multifaced lifelong learner is one element in many successful practitioners and leaders. Listen to the team breakdown "The Sum of Your Business" host Tim Flood's dis...

The team caught up with former US Army Ranger, Protective Security Detail Operator, and Corporate Security Specialist Brad Shepherd in Ukraine, where he is operating to deliver needed medical supplies and training resources. With connections to Chris and Chuck, he details how he came to serve in Ukraine (and many other global hotspots), what it takes to work there, and his current observations. It...

What do reporters, protectors, and intelligence analysts all have in common? The North Group's Vice President of Communications, Natasha Ryan, joins the team this week to discuss that and more. Natasha brings a unique perspective to the industry via her background as a reporter and her time in the media and communications industry. She talks about her passion for security, and situational awarenes...

In this episode of Shop Talk, the team discusses the tragic events in Uvalde, TX, among other issues affecting the protector and risk-practitioners community. Please consider helping the Uvalde community - https://saafdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list

Navy Seal,  CIA  Operative, and Author Clint Emerson recently released his newest book, "The Rugged Life." The team decided to revisit our discussion with him in honor of that. Please enjoy hearing about Clint's background as Seal, Operative, and Author. 

While not back into full gear, the world continues to find ways to open up.  Multiple practitioners have emailed and asked how to remain fluid in the current state of play in terms of opportunities and growth.  In this week's episode, the CiCP team responds to these questions from listeners and discusses what they have heard from the field.  Join the conversation at protectiontalk@outlook.com.

This week the CiCP team sat down and talked to the incredibly driven, life-long learner and security business owner, Mark Mireles. He has a background in martial arts, the military, and a highly decorated 30-year veteran of law enforcement and now runs a successful security company in Beverly Hills. This is one of those recipes for success episodes. Grab a pen and paper and take notes. Excellent t...

April's  ShopTalk is here. The team takes a break from operations to catch up and make sense of the headlines. This month they unpack emerging information about the acquittals in the plot to kidnap the Michigan Governor, Los Angeles' rise in gang directed crime, continued efforts (or not) surrounding the investigation into Haitian President Moise's assassination, Fake Homeland Security agents, the...

Spending over four decades working in the security and combatives space, Marcus Torgerson has worked and become "the nightmare for bad guys."  In this archive edition, listen in on Marcus' journey within the industry, Krav Maga, his philosophy, and how he teaches de-escalation and violence-of-action to defenders everywhere. Find out more about him at https://marcustorgerson.com. Let us know your f...

This week the CiCP team discusses a topic they don't touch on very often, but one near and dear to – well – competence and doing the job well: training. We talk to AS3 Driver Training's Co-Founder, Pablo Ortiz Monasterio, about AS3's focus on training foundations and the scientific method to learn and retain performance information. It is an excellent discussion that applies to training and learni...

This week we talk with PICCT Security Solutions' CEO Thomas Geppert. Thomas and Chuck go way(!) back, and it shows. Moreover, this week's conversation shows the evolution of the protective industry and the capabilities its practitioners bring to the table by taking opportunities and keeping an open mind. Listen in as this leader in the space shares his views on the industry from a German perspecti...

A varying viewpoint is always beneficial.  It helps us see the bigger picture, recognize trends, and gain a deeper understanding.   Optimal Risk 's (and charter security professional) Mike O'Neill gave us just that.  Join the CiCP team as they unpack a conversation with Mike in which he shares his thoughts about the industry, career pivots, hybrid threats, learning, standards, and more.  Grab your...

March 22 shop talk  is up is a big episode as the team highlights issues and articles for protectors and risk leaders to consider. The crew discusses deep fakes, the RaySecur Inc. mail security report, legal proceedings in the Denver TV station guard shooting, facility security breaches, CISAs satcom warnings, Russia/Ukraine, and more. Reach out to us at protectionTalk@outlook.com  

When someone says "yes" to opportunity, interesting things happen. Heather MacDonald said yes to helping with a new tool used to provide protective intelligence. Now she works with current and potential clients looking for intelligence tools , understanding their use cases and needs. This gives Heather a unique perspective of what the industry is trying to accomplish, how it approaches challenges...

We grabbed a few moments with George Taylor of Exlog Global to discuss the current security situation in Ukraine, supporting evacuations and other needs. George shares his operational wisdom and approach to protective operations and the complexities in the war that are much different from our most recent conflicts. George Taylor Exlog Global

Dean Baratta has had an incredible journey to managing protective intelligence and protective operations. He has worked tactical intelligence, counterdrug support, counternarcotics at the state level and then was the Chief of Intelligence for New Jersey before moving to the private sector and managing intelligence and executive protection. Oh, did we mention he is also an adjunct professor at Rutg...

It's February ShopTalk. The team discusses current events in the risk space, including Apple's Air Tags, Russia's lead-up to Ukraine, a no-fly list suggested by airlines, 5G network upgrades, NSO spyware, and how practitioners should consider bias in the work . The crew also discusses the recent story involving social media influencer Ava Majury's issue with a stalker that led to a fatal showdown...

This week an excellent smorgasborg of contributors as we share and discuss The Circuit Magazine's excellent webinar segment on executive protection's role in workplace violence. Listen in as Chris Grow, Chris Sipe, and Chris Story have a discussion with The Circuit Magazine's Master of Ceremonies Phelim Rowe about the subject. Then, Chuck and Chris further break down the topic in the various roles...

Often our listeners want to understand the business side of security as pertains to their business. Whether you're in a corporate environment, a provider, a consultant or a practitioner, there is a lot to unpack in this episode with Sage Group's Ron Worman, a business strategist and consultant who is passionate about the security industry. Ron Worman LinkedIn The Sage Group

The annual 10K report produced by publicly traded companies is valuable for security practitioners and risk leaders.  Join the team as they discuss the aspects of the 10K and why it's essential for you - whether you run a security organization or work as an independent consultant and contractor.  Give us your feedback - protectiontalk@outlook.com

This week we go a bit strategic, discussing the World Economic Forum Risk Report, tensions between Russia and the Ukraine and identifying escalation/de-escalation indicators. As well, we talk about the "SOC of the Future" video we watched. A good week of high-level discussions.

Process for process sake is not a good thing. However, process to ensure increased results and probability of success is. This week we listen in as Dr. Jeremy Weisz from the The Process Breakdown Podcast talks with Chuck about the processes used in protection and consulting to derive foundational questions and start points to deliver the appropriate results and performance on protective details an...