Libsyn Directory

S4 - Episode 003 – Hackers Love You...And Your Overshared Instagram Posts! (w/ Wes Kussmaul)

Release Date: 04/10/2025

S4 - Episode 007 – Reality Distortion is so Freakin’ Real! (w/ Winn Schwartau)

Cyber Distortion Podcast

In this riveting episode of Cyber Distortion, hosts Kevin Pentecost and Jason Popillion sit down with none other than Winn Schwartau — the legendary cybersecurity pioneer and provocateur known for pulling no punches when it comes to the truth. A trailblazer in information warfare and the original mind behind DEFCON Jeopardy, Winn dives deep into the murky waters of misinformation, disinformation, and the global implications of distorted digital realities. From nation-state psyops to corporate manipulation campaigns, we explore how the war over truth is being waged on battlefields both...

S4 - Episode 006 – LULZSEC Mastermind Unmasked: The Sabu Story (w/ Hector Monsegur)

Cyber Distortion Podcast

Welcome back to Cyber Distortion, the show where the shadows of the digital world come into focus. Today’s episode dives deep into the mind of someone who once sat at the center of the internet’s most notorious hacktivist movements. Our guest is Hector Monsegur—better known to some as Sabu—a former leading figure in both Anonymous and LULZSEC, who orchestrated some of the most high-profile cyber-attacks of the early 2010s. From penetrating government networks to being at the heart of a global FBI takedown, Hector’s story is part cautionary tale, part cyber-thriller. In this...

S4 - Episode 005 – The Art of the HVCK! (w/ Ryan Williams)

Cyber Distortion Podcast

In this electrifying episode, we dive deep into the world of hacking, privacy, and offensive security with Ryan Williams, Editor of HVCK Magazine and Director of Smart Cyber Solutions Pty Ltd. Ryan is more than just a cybersecurity consultant—he's a red team enthusiast, blue team strategist, and relentless innovator in the cyber arena. We explore Ryan's journey from pen tester to publisher, and uncover the vision behind HVCK Magazine—an online publication dedicated to all things hacking, from OSINT and threat intelligence to offensive tooling and real-world exploits. Learn about his...

S4 - Episode 004 – Human IOT: Sub-Molecular DNA Cybersecurity (w/ Dr. Gregory Carpenter)

Cyber Distortion Podcast

In this electrifying episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, hosts Kevin Pentecost and Jason Popillion dive into the fascinating crossroads of cybersecurity, health, and molecular science with a very special guest — Dr. Gregory Carpenter. Known worldwide for his pioneering research and groundbreaking work at the intersection of biotechnology and cybersecurity, Dr. Carpenter brings a unique and urgent perspective on the growing risks and innovations tied to DNA hacking and cybersecurity at the molecular level. Together, they explore how advances in genetics, bioinformatics, and synthetic...

S4 - Episode 003 – Hackers Love You...And Your Overshared Instagram Posts! (w/ Wes Kussmaul)

Cyber Distortion Podcast

In this thought-provoking episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, we’re joined by Wes Kussmaul, a visionary in the realm of secure online identities and the founder of Delphi Internet Services Corporation—the company behind the Kussmaul Encyclopedia, the world’s first computerized encyclopedia and one of the earliest forms of hypertext. With over three decades of experience building secure online spaces, Wes brings a unique blend of historical perspective and forward-thinking innovation to the conversation around privacy, authentication, and identity protection. As digital...

S4 - Episode 002 - Staring Down the Barrel of a Loaded Gun (w/ Ricoh Danielson)

Cyber Distortion Podcast

In this gripping episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, we sit down with Ricoh Danielson — a former U.S. Army Combat Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, national security expert, and digital forensics specialist. With a career that bridges the battlefield and the digital frontlines, Ricoh brings a rare and powerful perspective on the evolving threats to our national security and critical infrastructure. From his firsthand experiences in war zones to his current role as a VCISO and digital forensic expert, Ricoh shares stories that are as eye-opening as they are inspiring. We dive into the...

S4 – Episode 001 – [CTRL-ALT-GEN] Resetting the Generational Tech Divide

Cyber Distortion Podcast

Welcome to this episode of Cyber Distortion, where we explore the cutting edge of technology, security, and the future of humanity itself. In this episode, we look into how differing generational outlooks—from the Silent Generation, to Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—shape the ways teams solve problems and interact within today’s corporate landscape. We explore how historical events, technological exposure, and shifting cultural norms have impacted each generation’s communication style, work ethic, and appetite for risk. Through candid anecdotes and real-world...

S3 – Episode 014 – Navigating the Storm: Mastering Incident Response and Disaster Recovery

Cyber Distortion Podcast

In this season finale of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, hosts Kevin Pentecost and Jason Popillion, tackle one of the most critical topics in modern cybersecurity—incident response and disaster recovery. When a cyber incident strikes, every second counts. Organizations need to be ready with well-orchestrated plans to respond effectively and recover swiftly. This episode delves deep into the strategies, tools, and best practices that every cybersecurity professional and organization should know to minimize damage and ensure resilience. Kevin and Jason guide listeners through the intricacies of...

S3 – Episode 013 – Bridging the Cyber Skills Gap w/Jessie Bolton

Cyber Distortion Podcast

Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. In this eye-opening episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, we’re joined by Jessie Bolton, CEO of Bolt Resources and former Vice President of North Texas ISSA, to tackle one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: the human side of the cybersecurity skills gap. Jessie brings a wealth of experience from her collaborations with ISC2, WiCyS, NICE, Infosec Institute, and higher education institutions. She’s at the forefront of redefining how organizations identify, nurture, and retain talent in an industry facing a...

S3 – Episode 012 – Slaying the Surveillance Capitalist Pigs w/Mark Weinstein

Cyber Distortion Podcast

Protecting Your Privacy Online with Mark Weinstein 🎙️ In this must-listen episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, we dive deep into the critical topic of online privacy with our special guest, Mark Weinstein. As a world-renowned author, TedX speaker, tech visionary, and privacy advocate, Mark brings unparalleled insight into the digital privacy landscape. We explore strategies to safeguard your online presence, regain control over your personal data, and thrive in an increasingly connected world. Mark also shares groundbreaking ideas from his award-winning book, "Restoring Our...

More Episodes

In this thought-provoking episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, we’re joined by Wes Kussmaul, a visionary in the realm of secure online identities and the founder of Delphi Internet Services Corporation—the company behind the Kussmaul Encyclopedia, the world’s first computerized encyclopedia and one of the earliest forms of hypertext. With over three decades of experience building secure online spaces, Wes brings a unique blend of historical perspective and forward-thinking innovation to the conversation around privacy, authentication, and identity protection.

As digital threats evolve, so must our understanding of how we prove who we are online. Wes breaks down the role of public and private key cryptography in securing not just our communications, but our very identities and intellectual property. Through vivid analogies and real-world examples, he illustrates how Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) can serve as the backbone of a more trustworthy internet—one where authenticity and privacy aren’t afterthoughts, but foundations.

We also explore his groundbreaking work with Reliable Identities, an initiative focused on reestablishing digital trust in an age of phishing, spoofing, and identity theft. Wes shares why the current system of usernames and passwords is fundamentally flawed—and how we can replace it with something far more secure and future-proof.

Whether you're a cybersecurity expert, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of online trust, this episode will reshape how you view identity in the digital world. Tune in to hear from one of the internet’s earliest innovators on how we can protect who we are—and what we create—online.

Wes is the author of several books about privacy and authenticity, including Quiet Enjoyment (2004), Own Your Privacy (2007), The Future Needs You (2007), and Don’t Get Norteled (2014). He is also an individual adherent of the International Union of Latin Notaries and has been appointed a Notary Ambassador by the National Notary Association.

Wes received his BS in Physics from the University of Central Missouri in 1971 while serving in the US Air Force at Whiteman Air Force Base (SAC).

Jason Popillion is a CISSP and serves as a CIO/CTO of a SaaS company and Kevin Pentecost is a CISSP, CISM, CEH, CPT, MPCS, MCSE, CCA, ITIL-F and serves as the Information Security Director for a Manufacturing company.

CITATIONS:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weskussmaul/

Wes’ Personal Website: https://weskussmaul.com/about-wes/

Authentiverse: https://authentiverse.net

Authenticity Alliance:

https://www.whatisauthenticity.com/

City of Osmio:

https://www.osmio.ch/our-name.html

Buy Wes’ Books:

https://www.pkipress.com/

The Authenticity Institute:

https://www.authenticityinstitute.com/index.html