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PODCAST

Cleared For Discussion

Pepper Holdings LLC Productions

Cleared for Discussion is the premier national security podcast providing educational content for Facility Security Officers, cleared U.S. citizens, owners of cleared government contractors, and security professionals. Our mission is to enhance the security posture of the United States by elevating the knowledge, capabilities, and effectiveness of security professionals through accessible, actionable, and expertly-curated content. Our dual-tier format delivers both free weekly episodes (10-15

government management

All Episodes

20:36

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 61 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/10/07

In this episode, Tabetha Baume explores the critical role American women play in protecting their families, communities, and country, connecting the security of the American home to the broader security of the nation. She examines foreign influence operations, local government involvement, threats targeting families, online exploitation, civic education, and historical examples of women recognizing risks and taking action when traditional institutions could not. Her key message is that an informed

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19:14

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 60 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/09/30

In this episode, Tabetha Baume provides a practical roadmap for breaking into the industrial security field, including for people without a degree, security clearance, or previous security experience. She explores entry points such as guard force, administrative support, document control, HR, military experience, skilled trades, and commercial compliance, while explaining how clearances are sponsored, what hiring managers actually look for, and how free government training can help candidates build

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24:13

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 59 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/09/23

In this episode, Tabetha Baume explores why AI model weights, training data, and supporting infrastructure are becoming some of the most valuable assets organizations must protect and why cybersecurity alone cannot secure them. She examines physical security vulnerabilities, insider threats, access control, supply chain risks, model tampering, data poisoning, and the importance of applying proven security practices such as vetting, escorts, two-person integrity, chain of custody, and continuous

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21:19

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 58 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/09/16

In this episode, Tabetha Baume explains why security compliance is not a one-time assessment or certification, but an ongoing responsibility that requires continuous maintenance, judgment, and accountability. She explores the roles of FSOs, ITPSOs, and ISSMs, the limits of automation, the value of technical and real-world experience, and how organizations can effectively use assessors, consultants, and vendors while keeping ownership of their security programs in-house. Her key message is that

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36:04

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 57 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/09/09

In this episode, Tabetha Baume explores why cleared security professionals may be among the most AI-resistant roles in today’s workforce and why human accountability remains essential to national security. She examines how federal regulations, physical security requirements, insider threat programs, and classified environments require cleared, accountable people, not just technology, while showing how AI and automation will increasingly handle administrative tasks without replacing human judgment,

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24:13

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 56 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/09/02

In this episode, Tabetha Baume provides a practical guide for recognizing and responding to suspicious contacts that may be attempts to gain unauthorized access to sensitive or classified information.She explores warning signs, appropriate responses, documentation, reporting requirements, and follow-up actions to help cleared professionals handle suspicious interactions across in-person, electronic, and social media environments.Her key message is that timely recognition, documentation, and

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22:09

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 55 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/08/26

In this episode, Tabetha Baume examines how foreign adversaries are exploiting hiring processes, personnel, business partnerships, and AI to gain access to sensitive organizations and government systems. She explores North Korean remote IT workers, insider recruitment near military installations, foreign-linked partnerships, and AI-assisted cyberattacks to demonstrate how seemingly routine interactions can become intelligence collection and security threats. Her key message is that organizations

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24:49

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 54 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/08/19

In this episode, Tabetha Baume examines how mergers and acquisitions involving cleared companies can create significant national security and business risks because a facility clearance does not automatically transfer when ownership changes. She explores DCSA reporting requirements, facility clearance eligibility, key management personnel changes, contract novation, FOCI considerations, and CFIUS review to demonstrate how failing to address security requirements early can delay transactions, freeze

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25:12

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 53 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/08/12

In this episode, Tabetha Baume explains what it actually takes to operate a cleared company under a Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation agreement and how these agreements reshape security, governance, and day-to-day business operations. She explores government security committees, technology control and communications plans, annual compliance reporting, National Interest Determinations, and the operational restrictions created by foreign ownership to demonstrate how FOCI

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27:22

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 52 | Who...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/08/05

In this episode, Tabetha Baume examines how foreign ownership, private equity investments, and beneficial ownership structures are becoming critical national security concerns as new regulations expand Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) requirements beyond the traditional cleared contractor community. She explores Section 847, proposed DFARS rules, SF-328 reporting requirements, venture capital and private equity investments, beneficial ownership disclosures, and FOCI mitigation

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24:00

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 51 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/07/29

In this episode, Tabetha Baume explains how the greatest security risks facing cleared contractors often exist outside classified systems, highlighting the overlooked vulnerabilities within unclassified networks, physical security systems, and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) environments. She explores NISPOM requirements, CUI assessment provisions, CMMC readiness, insider threat integration, and the cybersecurity risks posed by access control systems, badge readers, surveillance

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28:21

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 50 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/07/22

Episode 50 Summary – The Off SwitchIn this episode, Tabetha Baume examines how AI adoption, shadow AI, and long-standing cybersecurity failures are creating systemic risks that traditional security and compliance models can no longer address. She explores the Salt Typhoon cyber campaign, shadow AI, AI governance gaps, China's long-term data collection strategy, and the emerging threat of "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" quantum attacks to demonstrate how ungoverned AI use, outdated security practices,

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18:28

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 49 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/07/15

Episode 49 Summary – The Secret's Out Book LaunchIn this episode, Tabetha Baume introduces her new book, The Secrets Out: The Death of National Security in the AI Age, explaining how AI, evolving cyber threats, and outdated security frameworks are reshaping the national security landscape.She explores the impact of the Salt Typhoon cyber campaign, shadow AI, deepfakes, and policy gaps to demonstrate how modern threats are exposing weaknesses in traditional classification systems, insider threat

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28:39

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 48 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/07/08

Episode 48 Summary – The Insider You Didn't HireIn this episode, Tabetha Baume explains how artificial intelligence has transformed the insider threat landscape by introducing AI agents that operate inside trusted environments with legitimate access to sensitive systems, data, and organizational workflows.She examines emerging risks including agentic AI, prompt injection, shadow AI, deepfake impersonation, and fraudulent remote workers to demonstrate how organizations can unknowingly expose

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28:39

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 47 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/07/01

Episode 47 Summary – The Recruiter Who Wasn'tIn this episode, Tabetha Baume explains how artificial intelligence has become a new type of insider threat, with AI assistants and autonomous agents operating inside trusted environments with legitimate access to sensitive systems and data.She examines the risks posed by agentic AI, prompt injection attacks, shadow AI, deepfakes, and fraudulent remote workers to demonstrate how organizations can unknowingly introduce new vulnerabilities without a

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20:58

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 46 | The...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/06/24

Episode 46 Summary – The Academic FrontIn this episode, Tabetha Baume explains how foreign adversaries exploit U.S. universities and academic research environments to acquire sensitive technologies, recruit future intelligence assets, and gain access to defense-related research.She examines the cases of Charles Lieber, Zheng Xiaoqing, and Ji Chaoqun to demonstrate how foreign talent programs, technology theft, undisclosed foreign affiliations, and long-term recruitment efforts target both

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20:09

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 45 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/06/17

Episode 45 Summary – Elicitation Without Direct QuestionsIn this episode, Tabetha Baume explains how foreign intelligence services use elicitation techniques to gather sensitive information through seemingly harmless conversations rather than direct questions.She examines the cases of Glenn Duffie Shriver, James Fondren, and Kevin Mallory to show how social interactions, professional networking, and online engagement can gradually evolve into intelligence collection and espionage.Her key message is

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22:32

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 44 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/06/10

Episode 44 Summary – Don't Sleep on These TwoIn this episode, Tabetha Baume explains how Iran and North Korea pose significant but often overlooked threats to cleared contractors through cyber operations, insider access, and unconventional intelligence tactics.She highlights Iran’s cyber campaigns targeting critical infrastructure and defense contractors, as well as North Korea’s scheme of placing intelligence operatives inside U.S. companies through fraudulent remote IT jobs and laptop farm

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18:41

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 43 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/06/03

Episode 43 Summary – Gold Bars and Ghost DegreesIn this episode, Tabetha Baume examines the case of former CIA official David Rush, who allegedly used falsified credentials and abused his position of trust to steal millions of dollars in government assets, highlighting how insider threats extend far beyond traditional espionage.She explains how failures in credential verification, continuous vetting, and organizational oversight allowed warning signs to go undetected for years, while emphasizing the

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25:04

Cleared for Discussion Podcast | Episode 42 | ...

Cleared For Discussion ·

2026/05/27

Episode 42 Summary – Foreign Influence in American ContractingIn this episode, Tabetha Baume explains how foreign-owned entities can access unclassified government contracts with limited ownership scrutiny, exposing major gaps in current contracting systems.She highlights weaknesses in SAM.gov registration, recent fraud cases involving foreign-controlled companies, and the Department of Defense’s proposed DFARS rule aimed at expanding foreign ownership disclosures.Her key message is that contractors

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