S4 - Episode 007 – Reality Distortion is so Freakin’ Real! (w/ Winn Schwartau)
Release Date: 07/01/2025
S4 - Episode 013 – The Cyber Crystal Ball: Predictions & Pitfalls (w/ Paul Furtado from Gartner)
Cyber Distortion Podcast
In this episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, hosts Jason Popillion and Kevin Pentecost sit down with Paul Furtado, Vice President and Analyst at Gartner, for a deep, insightful conversation that cuts through industry noise and gets to the heart of what’s shaping cybersecurity and enterprise technology today. Paul brings a dynamic blend of executive leadership and real-world operational expertise, with a career marked by driving bottom-line impact, navigating mergers and acquisitions, optimizing performance, and reshaping strategic technology programs. Known for his visionary...
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S4 - Episode 012 – Zero Trust, Zero Confusion (w/ Rob Allen)
Cyber Distortion Podcast
In this eye-opening episode of Cyber Distortion, hosts Kevin Pentecost and Jason Popillion sit down with Rob Allen from ThreatLocker to break down one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — concepts in cybersecurity today: Zero Trust. With a deep well of technical expertise and real-world business acumen, Rob brings clarity to the chaos, cutting through the jargon to explain what Zero Trust really means, why it matters, and how organizations of all sizes can adopt it effectively. Whether you're a seasoned security pro or just starting to wrap your head around Zero Trust...
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S4 - Episode 011 – Faith, Fire, and Frameworks (w/ Gaelle Koanda)
Cyber Distortion Podcast
Today’s guest is a true force in cybersecurity, governance, and leadership. She’s a global voice for resilience, inclusion, and innovation — and her story is as inspiring as it is impactful. In this episode, we were thrilled to be joined by Gaelle Koanda — a Cybersecurity and GRC powerhouse, ISACA Board Member, AI Ethics Advocate, Entrepreneur, and Nonprofit Leader. From IT audits to executive boardrooms, Gaelle has carved a path defined by grit, grace, and growth. She’s the Founder and President of the very first WiCyS chapters in Francophone Africa, and currently serves as the...
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S4 - Episode 010 – The Making of I AM MACHINE – w/Chris Glanden & Len Noe
Cyber Distortion Podcast
Description: In this compelling episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, hosts Jason sits down with the extraordinary trio behind the groundbreaking documentary I AM MACHINE — a deep dive into the life and mission of transhuman white hat hacker, Len Noe. Known for merging biology with embedded technology, Len’s journey into transhumanism is as provocative as it is visionary. He uses his cybernetic implants not only to push the boundaries of human capability but also as a powerful tool to demonstrate vulnerabilities in both physical and digital security systems. From real-world pen tests to...
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S4 - Episode 009 – Codewaves Rising – Surfing Latin Americas Talent Tide (w/ Roger Einstoss)
Cyber Distortion Podcast
Description: 🎙️ New Episode Alert – Cyber Distortion Podcast 🚨 Welcome back! In this episode we're diving deep into one of the most pressing challenges in cybersecurity: finding the right talent. Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Roger Einstoss, co-founder of , a company revolutionizing how organizations source cybersecurity professionals from across Latin America. With decades of experience and a sharp eye for global tech talent, Roger shares insider knowledge on tapping into thriving hubs like Argentina, Brazil, and beyond. We explore how Latin America is rapidly...
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S4 - Episode 008 – Unleashing Your Inner Hacker (w/ Ted Harrington)
Cyber Distortion Podcast
This episode welcomes Ted Harrington, a celebrated ethical hacker, TED‑X keynote speaker, and executive partner at Independent Security Evaluators (ISE). With decades of real‑world experience hacking everything from iPhones and cars to medical devices, cryptocurrency platforms, and password managers, Ted brings unmatched expertise to our conversation. He’s built a reputation for uncovering hidden vulnerabilities, helping clients such as Google, Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft, Disney, and Adobe to fix tens of thousands of security flaws—demonstrating why no system is truly unhackable....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 virtual and real.
But it wouldn't be Cyber Distortion without a twist. We wrap the episode with our own chaotic spin on Cyber Distortion Jeopardy, putting Winn — the Godfather of DEFCON Jeopardy himself — back in the hot seat. Expect sharp insights, dark humor, and plenty of digital distortion as we challenge Winn’s wit and memory.
Whether you're a cybersecurity veteran or just starting to question what's real in your feed, this episode will leave you thinking twice about the information you trust.
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.
🔹 Winn Schwartau – Official & Contact
- Personal website & contact – Connect directly: “Wanna prove me wrong?” rsaconference.com+10winnschwartau.com+10infoworld.com+10
- Biography & writings – Details on his books, timeline, awards: thesecurityawarenesscompany.com
- LinkedIn-like presence via KnowBe4 – Founder & CVO of The Security Awareness Company (now part of KnowBe4): iwc-3.com+2thesecurityawarenesscompany.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2
🔹 Essential Articles & Background on Winn
- Wired (1996) – Classic article Information Warrior describes his perspective on national cyber threats and “magnetic bombs”: wired.com
- InfoWorld & Network World – Opinion pieces by Winn on global info‑war and cyber defense: infoworld.com+1networkworld.com+1
🔹 Books by Winn Schwartau
- Information Warfare: Chaos on the Electronic Superhighway – seminal work on cyberterror thesecurityawarenesscompany.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5dynamicspeakers.com+5
- Cybershock, Time Based Security, Terminal Compromise, Analogue Network Security, The Art & Science of Metawar – full catalog available via ThriftBooks rsaconference.com+6thriftbooks.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6
Here’s a direct link where you can purchase Winn Schwartau’s newest book The Art & Science of Metawar, available in paperback:
- The Art & Science of Metawar (paperback) – listed around $25 used/new‑low via eBay/AbeBooks.
- You can also purchase or preview it through these official sources:
- Amazon Paperback & Kindle — Paperback
- AbeBooks — Used paperback editions, ISBN 0996401946, published August 30, 2024 by Winn Schwartau LLC thriftbooks.com+2abebooks.com+2
🔹 Broader Reading on Misinformation & Disinformation
- Technology‑Enabled Disinformation (arXiv, 2018) – a rich survey of digital disinformation mechanics and defense strategies: arxiv.org
- Cambridge Handbook (Chapter: Misinformation, Disinformation & Online Propaganda) – analysis of spread dynamics and trust erosion: cambridge.org+1reddit.com+1
- Political Behavior (2020) – study on how misinformation‑warnings can backfire (the “tainted truth” effect): link.springer.com
- Love Letter to America (PDF) – Read it here.
- Severance (2022) – The show revolves around employees of the mysterious biotechnology corporation Lumon Industries, who have undergone a surgical procedure called "severance" that separates their work memories from their personal life. This means their "innie" (work self) has no knowledge of their "outie" (personal life) and vice versa.