We’re taking a short break through October 2025 to prepare for an exciting next chapter of Common Ground. We’ll return in late October with fresh topics, expert guests, and possibly a new voice behind the mic. In the meantime, catch up on past episodes and stay subscribed so you don’t miss a beat. Thanks for being part of the Common Ground community — we’ll see you soon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com
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Fake It Till They Make It
Deepfakes aren’t just a future threat — they’re a current crisis. In this episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan unpack how deepfakes are weaponized by foreign adversaries and scammers alike, from multimillion-dollar fraud to political disinformation. Whether it's voice cloning or AI-generated faces, the tools of deception are now cheap, fast, and frighteningly effective.“You used to say, ‘If you didn’t see it, it didn’t happen.’ Now even if you see it, it still might not be real.” — LoganWhat’s in this episode:* The Hong Kong finance scam that cost $25.6 million* Voice cloning in under 5 seconds* Grandparent scams powered by AI* Deepfakes in political violence and protest footage* Why media literacy is now national securityWhat do you think?Have you seen a deepfake that fooled you? What safeguards should be in place for public trust in a post-truth age? Drop your thoughts in the comments.About Common Ground:A podcast by the Sentinel Research Society that tackles national security threats through smart, nonpartisan conversation. We find what unites us, not what divides us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com
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Top Secrets and Thumb Drives
A DIA employee assigned to the Insider Threat Division was just arrested for… espionage. You read that right. In this episode, we dig into how a cleared intelligence officer became a traitor, what it says about our national security posture, and why ideological drift and psychological burnout may be creating a perfect storm for more insider threats. We revisit the lessons from our “Pink Slips and Loose Lips” episode with Dr. Sarah Berger and ask the uncomfortable question: are we doing enough to protect national security professionals from becoming disillusioned and compromised?💣 Featuring sharp takes, harsh truths, and a very candid discussion about Snowden, thumb drives, and why we catch the dumb ones. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com
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Clear as Static
Hosts: Shane McNeil, Amandalynne Davis, LoganTopic: The Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency (FACT) ActKey Points:- What the FACT Act actually does—and why it matters.- The growing role of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea in U.S. communications infrastructure.- Real-world cases of foreign propaganda being consumed unknowingly by U.S. personnel.- Psychological insight on generational desensitization to foreign threats (Gen Z vs. Gen X/Millennials).- The public’s low perception of risk when it comes to infrastructure and espionage.- Why a 10% threat could impact millions of Americans in an emergency—and why that should matter.- The need to separate foreign citizens from state actors in conversations about China. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com
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Trust Issues
Trust in American media is collapsing. In this episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan unpack why only 31% of Americans trust the media—and why that number drops to just 8% among Republicans. But this isn’t just about partisan media bias or bad headlines. It’s about how the 24-hour news cycle turned information into entertainment, how foreign adversaries like Russia exploit our fractured media landscape, and why Americans are left unsure of who—or what—to believe.We dive into the emotional and psychological reasons people believe certain narratives over others, the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated propaganda, and how disinformation campaigns now operate across generations, not just election cycles. Most importantly, we offer listeners a path forward: how to recognize your own biases, how to assess information critically, and how to protect yourself from narrative manipulation—without giving up on the truth entirely.Topics Covered:* Gallup stats on trust in media by party and age* The profit model of 24/7 news and the shift from reporting to entertainment* First-hand stories of how media bias plays out in real time* Russian disinformation campaigns, including AI-crafted propaganda* The emotional appeal of echo chambers and “news that feels good”* How to recognize and check your personal bias* Why trust must be earned—and how to build it againWhether you're a die-hard news junkie or completely checked out, this episode will challenge how you consume information—and who’s benefiting from your trust (or lack of it).Photo by Connor Danylenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-reading-newspaper-inside-room-2538121/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sentineljournal.substack.com
Common Ground is a podcast by the Sentinel Research Society, a student-led group at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC. This podcast explores how diverse political and social ideologies in the U.S. can unite to safeguard national security and protect the American idea from foreign threats. Join us as we delve into insightful discussions and expert analyses, fostering a collaborative approach to countering challenges and ensuring a secure future for all Americans. sentineljournal.substack.com
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