Time to Head North

Former undercover narcotics officer and Director of Intelligence at The North Group, Mike Kingsbury joins Vince Vargas on the Time to Head North Podcast to discuss the realities of undercover operations, law enforcement, intelligence gathering, organized crime, insider threats, and the evolving world of protective intelligence.   After spending more than two decades in law enforcement, including s...

In this episode of the Time to Head North podcast, Vince sits down with Denny from Security Halt Media to break down what’s really happening in today’s global landscape and how everyday people should think about security, fear, and preparedness.   As conversations around Iran news, the Israel Iran war, and broader middle east war tensions continue to dominate world news, this episode shifts the fo...

This survival story dives deep into the shocking kidnapping of Jayme Closs, a missing girl whose case gripped the true crime community and stunned the nation. In October 2018, 13-year-old Jayme Closs was abducted from her Wisconsin home after a violent home invasion that left both of her parents dead. What followed was an intense investigation, a nationwide search, and 88 days of captivity that be...

In this powerful episode of Time to Head North, Vince sits down with cognitive analyst Shelley Bernard to explore the complex realities of the transition from military to civilian life, the impact of long-term trauma exposure, and the evolving conversation around veterans, mental health, psychology, and resilience.   Shelley shares how her work began by helping special operations veterans navigate...

In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vince Vargas sits down with the Founder of the Wolverines, a volunteer force operating in modern conflict zones including the Ukraine war. This conversation dives deep into modern warfare, the evolution of military tactics, and how drone technology is reshaping the future of combat.   The founder explains how the Wolverines train and advise partner force...

When people think about security, they often imagine guards, weapons, or executive protection. But inside hospitals, the real threat is far more complex — workplace aggression and violence in the workplace directed at nurses, doctors, and healthcare staff who are simply trying to help people.   In this episode of Time to Head North, presented by The North Group, Vincent “Rocco” Vargas sits down wi...

As the holiday season approaches, crowded malls, package deliveries, and busy public spaces create new risks for families. In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vincent “Rocco” Vargas sits down with Johnny “JC”, a former Marine, law enforcement officer, SWAT team member, and high-threat protection instructor, to break down practical, real-world strategies for staying safe during the holidays...

Raising kids in today’s world is harder than ever: social media, school pressures, bullying, isolation, and rising mental health challenges. In this episode of Time to Head North, hosted by Vincent “Rocco” Vargas, we sit down with David Morantes, a social worker and substance abuse counselor, to talk about how parents can better support their kids before things reach a crisis point. David shares h...

In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vince Vargas sits down with Steven Hernandez (CEO, The North Group) and Dr. Treston Wheat (security analyst and researcher) for a blunt conversation on the rise of targeted political violence, how disinformation and social media algorithms accelerate polarization, and what actually works to reduce risk at home, at work, and at events.   We cover: * Why l...

AI is rewriting the security playbook — from deepfakes and “deep-live” video calls to bot farms, quantum-powered hacking, cartel drones, and fast-moving disinformation. In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vince Vargas sits down with Steve Hernandez (CEO, The North Group) to break down what’s real, what’s hype, and how families, schools, and enterprises can harden their defenses right now....

On this episode of Time to Head North, Vince sits down with personal safety expert and author Kelly Sayre (Sharp Woman, Diamond Arrow Group) to break down practical, real-world strategies women and parents can use today. They unpack the viral train attack clip and translate shock into action: how to choose safer seating on public transit, create space, read baselines, use your voice without apolog...

In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vincent Vargas sits down with John Ramsey, Senior R&D Manager at Diversified Botanics, to expose the alarming rise of 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine)—a synthetic compound that is up to 40x stronger than morphine and sold openly in smoke shops, vape stores, and even gas stations. Often marketed as “stronger kratom,” 7-OH is not only unregulated but also h...

In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vincent Vargas sits down with security expert Denny Caballero, host of the Security Hope Podcast, to unpack the recent tragic New York City office shooting. Together, they explore the systemic issues behind corporate security failures, the mental health crisis stemming from traumatic brain injuries (CTE, TBI, RHI) in veterans and athletes, and the growin...

In this update episode of the Time to Head North Podcast, host Vincent "Rocco" Vargas returns after a brief hiatus to share major life updates—relocating from Texas to Utah and stepping away from the Border Patrol to pursue new leadership roles in the private sector. Vargas also breaks down the Top 5 cybersecurity threats currently making headlines, offering critical insight for professionals in s...

This episode of Time to Head North spotlights the real-life story of Kelli Herron, a runner who survived a violent attack in a public bathroom during a training run in Seattle. Her fight wasn't just physical—it was mental, strategic, and courageous. She turned her worst nightmare into a message of empowerment for runners, women, and survivors everywhere.   In March 2017, four miles into a half-mar...

Welcome to the first episode of Overwatch, a new roundtable series from the Time to Head North podcast, presented by The North Group — security refined by intelligence.   In this episode, host Vincent "Rocco" Vargas is joined by three experienced professionals in the worlds of military, law enforcement, and security to discuss The Four Fronts of modern safety: - School Security - Family Security -...

In this episode of Real Stories of Survival by Time to Head North, hear Kara Robinson Chamberlain’s gripping true account. At 15, Kara was abducted at gunpoint from a friend’s front yard in West Columbia, South Carolina, by serial killer Richard Evonitz. Held captive for 18 hours, Kara used observation, mental clarity, and bravery to escape — a decision that not only saved her life but ended Evoni...

In this episode of the Time to Head North podcast, host Vincent Vargas sits down with Warsaw DelRosario (@warsaw.delrosario), a former Green Beret and Special Forces Master Sergeant. Together, they dive into real-world conversations about personal security, situational awareness, and the mindset shift required when transitioning from military to civilian life. Warsaw shares his experience serving...

Welcome to Time to Head North, hosted by Vince Vargas and brought to you by The North Group – Security Refined by Intelligence. In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Autry, a man who turned his life around after years of addiction, crime, and incarceration. From growing up in Los Angeles to struggling with substance abuse and facing time in federal prison, Anthony shares his powerful story of...

Welcome to Time to Head North, hosted by Vince Vargas and brought to you by The North Group – Security Refined by Intelligence. In this episode, we take a real-world approach to self-defense, personal safety, and situational awareness by analyzing viral security incidents caught on camera. From road rage shootings to street fights and public altercations, we break down what went wrong, what could...

Welcome back to The Time to Head North Podcast, brought to you by TNG Defense—Security Refined by Intelligence. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Brunner, a seasoned expert with nearly three decades of experience in national security, law enforcement, and counterterrorism. Dan’s career spans nine years in the U.S. Navy, followed by 20 years with the FBI, where he specialized in international...

Welcome to another episode of the Time to Head North Podcast, brought to you by The North Group, where security is refined by intelligence. In this episode, host Vincent Vargas sits down with longtime friend and former colleague Ben Jacklin. Together, they revisit their days in the Del Rio sector as Border Patrol agents and dive into Ben’s extensive career in tactical security. From his beginnings...

Dive into an engaging conversation with Byron Rogers and the Time to Head North podcast, brought to you by TNG Defense – Security Refined by Intelligence. In this episode, Byron shares his incredible journey from the Marine Corps to becoming a leader in executive protection and private security. Learn how he built his career, launched Bravo Research Group, and became a Knight of Malta, all while d...

Welcome to another episode of Time to Head North, the podcast where we explore critical topics in security and intelligence, brought to you by The North Group — security refined by intelligence. In today’s episode, host Vincent Vargas sits down with Ricoh Danielson, a U.S. Army combat veteran, former private military contractor, and cybersecurity expert. With extensive experience ranging from comb...

In this powerful episode of the Time to Head North Podcast, host Vince Vargas sits down with Rob, a military veteran and the founder of a groundbreaking security company that is transforming how communities approach safety. Unlike traditional security firms that focus solely on contracts and guard posts, Rob’s company embraces a community-first mindset, creating real, measurable change in neighbor...