Podcast Episodes

Coming (May/June 2026)

Welcome to The Frontier Security Brief PODCAST, where national and regional security converge to explore the latest insights and solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the American Frontier. Here, you’ll find thought-provoking episodes that delve into pressing issues, innovative strategies, and real-world experiences from the forefront. Join us as we navigate the complexities of today’s challenges, empowering you with knowledge and inspiration to lead and protect your communities effectively. Tune in and stay informed!

Welcome to the Frontier

Welcome to the very first episode of The Frontier Security Brief Podcast! Join us and meet our host, Matt Zacharias, as we dive into what you can expect from our exciting lineup of guests and topics. Get ready for insightful discussions and expert perspectives on the latest in security. Tune in embark on this journey with us!

China’s Economic Reality vs. Strategic Perception

In this episode of The Frontier Security Brief, we sit down with Dexter Tiff Roberts - award-winning journalist, longtime China correspondent, and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council - to unpack the realities behind China’s economic rise.

Drawing on more than two decades reporting from Beijing and across every region of China, Roberts challenges conventional narratives about “unstoppable” Chinese growth. We explore the structural weaknesses inside China’s system, the role of state control under Xi Jinping, and what it all means for U.S. policymakers, businesses, and national security professionals navigating strategic competition with Beijing.

Mind Games: AI, Cyberpsychology, Intel & the Future of Influence Ops

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Elena Taube Bailey - a scholar and practitioner who has spent two decades at the intersection of intelligence, technology, and human behavior. Dr. Bailey has served as an intelligence analyst at CIA working on counterterrorism operations, a senior counterintelligence specialist at ODNI and DTRA, and more. Today she teaches at Georgetown University and National Defense University shaping the next generation of intelligence professionals. She isn't just teaching about the future - she's building it as the CEO of Glocal and President of The Academy.

Strategic Rivalry in a Transforming World

Join us as we link up with retired Rear Admiral Mike Studeman - one of our nation's leading national security professionals and internationally recognized expert on Asian affairs with deep expertise on China. Admiral Studeman served as the Commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) and Director of the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office, and spent three years as the Director of Intelligence (J2) for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the nation's largest Combatant Command, where his intelligence responsibilities covered half the globe.

History's Long Shadow: How the Middle East's Past Shapes America's Present Threats

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mehrdad Kia, Professor of History and Director of the University of Montana's Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center. Born and raised in Iran, Dr. Kia brings both scholarly expertise and personal perspective to understanding how centuries of Middle Eastern and Central Asian history continue to shape the national security threats facing the U.S. today - including right here in the Pacific Northwest.

From Desert Ops to Mountain Watch

Join us as we discuss how lessons learned by a law enforcement professional in the American Southwest can provide insights to security operations in other U.S. regional frontiers. Our guest is a Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement officer whose experience includes patrol, counternarcotics, explosive ordinance disposal (EOD), and more.