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.
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14 Jul 2025
Fake It Till They Make It
The hosts Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan discuss the current crisis of deepfakes and how they are weaponized for fraud and disinformation, highlighting the importance of media literacy.
24 Jun 2025
Top Secrets and Thumb Drives
Industry experts analyze the arrest of a DIA employee for espionage, exploring the vulnerabilities within national security and the potential impact of disillusionment, in an interview.
12 Jun 2025
Clear as Static
Hosts Shane McNeil, Amandalynne Davis, and Logan discuss the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act, exploring its implications for U.S. communications infrastructure and the psychological impact of foreign propaganda on different generations in this episode.
19 May 2025
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 again
Whether 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 (https://sentineljournal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
5 May 2025
Catch Flights, Not Malware
Planning a trip this summer? Before you grab your passport, listen to this episode of Common Ground where Logan, Shane, and Amandalynne break down what national security professionals know (that you probably don’t) about traveling smart in the digital age. From VPNs and travel routers to the safest way to use your credit card abroad, we’ll show you how to protect your data, devices, and digital footprint—without packing like a secret agent. Think of this as your travel security pre-flight checklist, with a few laughs and a lot of practical advice.
Check out our recommended travel routers at gl-inet (https://www.gl-inet.com) (note: this is not sponsored content - we just like this brand)
Logan’s Travel Kit
Shane’s Travel Kit
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 (https://sentineljournal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
9 Apr 2025
Like, Share, Subvert
In today’s digital world, your scroll isn’t just entertainment—it’s a battlefield.
In this episode of Common Ground, we examine how China and Russia are leveraging social media and digital technology to manipulate perception, amplify division, and undermine American national security from the inside out.
From coordinated disinformation campaigns and deepfakes to hijacked narratives and weaponized algorithms, foreign adversaries have learned that you don’t need bombs to destabilize a country—you just need control of the conversation.
We break down:🔍 The difference between misinformation and disinformation🕵️♂️ Real-world case studies of foreign influence operations📱 How adversaries are using your feed to shape your beliefs🧠 The psychological impact of digital propaganda💡 What individuals, institutions, and the U.S. government can do to push back
With insight and humor, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan explore how Americans—left, right, and center—are being played by hostile regimes online, and what it means for the future of our democracy.
📲 Listen to Like, Share, Subvert now and make sure you’re not just a user—you’re an informed one.#CommonGroundPodcast #DigitalWarfare #NarrativeControl #Disinformation #CyberThreats #NationalSecurity #China #Russia #MediaLiteracy #LikeShareSubvert
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 (https://sentineljournal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
24 Mar 2025
The Great Brain Robbery
In this episode of Common Ground, we’re diving into a serious national security concern: the theft of American intellectual property and research by foreign adversaries. From advanced technology to cutting-edge academic discoveries, the Chinese Communist Party has been actively targeting U.S. universities and research labs to steal valuable intellectual property.
Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan break down the Thousand Talents Program, a Chinese initiative that recruits top U.S. researchers and professors to funnel sensitive information to China, often without them even realizing it. We explore real-world examples of intellectual property theft and discuss how foreign espionage is not just an issue for the government, but a threat to the entire American innovation ecosystem.
In a world where universities and businesses share ideas openly, this episode highlights the growing vulnerability of the U.S. to foreign exploitation and why securing our research and technology is more important than ever.
🔁 Share this episode to spread awareness on how foreign adversaries are targeting U.S. innovation.
#NationalSecurity #IntellectualProperty #ThousandTalentsProgram #Espionage #CommonGroundPodcast
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 (https://sentineljournal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
11 Mar 2025
Special Episode: "Pink Slips and Loose Lips"
In this special episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan dive into the counterintelligence concerns surrounding the massive federal layoffs mandated by the current administration. With thousands of federal employees being let go across agencies, including the IRS, VA, and NASA, the hosts explore how these layoffs are creating a vulnerable pool of former employees—many of whom have access to sensitive information or classified programs.
These layoffs don’t just impact the individuals losing their jobs; they create a potential national security crisis as adversaries like China and Russia watch, ready to exploit the fear, uncertainty, and financial distress these former employees are experiencing. The hosts break down how these employees, already targets for foreign recruitment, may now be even more susceptible to espionage efforts.
To provide insight into the psychological toll of this situation, the hosts welcome Dr. Sarah Berger, a licensed counselor and expert in occupational stress, to discuss coping strategies for laid-off federal employees and how they can maintain their mental well-being during this period of uncertainty.
This episode sheds light on the intersection of economic stress, national security risks, and psychological resilience, showing why this is not just a workplace issue—it’s a matter of national importance.
🎧 Subscribe & follow for more timely and critical discussions on the national security threats affecting us all.
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 (https://sentineljournal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
10 Mar 2025
TikTok... And We Won't Stop!
TikTok isn’t just another social media app—it’s a national security threat, a psychological manipulation tool, and a digital addiction machine wrapped in one highly curated, highly addictive package. In this episode of Common Ground, Shane, Amandalynne, and Logan break down why both the left and the right should be able to agree that TikTok is a serious problem, even if they see the risks from different angles.
From China’s National Security Law forcing ByteDance to hand over data, to TikTok’s AI-driven algorithm rewiring our brains for short-term gratification, the hosts expose how this platform is far more than just viral dances and funny cat videos. And to dig deeper into the psychological impact, they bring in Dr. Sarah Berger, a licensed professional counselor and expert in digital addiction, to explain exactly what TikTok is doing to our attention spans, impulse control, and mental health.
It’s not about banning apps—it’s about understanding how foreign adversaries, big tech, and AI-driven social engineering are shaping the way we think, act, and perceive the world. Tune in, and let’s find some Common Ground.
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 (https://sentineljournal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
21 Feb 2025
Welcome to Common Ground: Why This Podcast Matters
Episode Notes – Common Ground Teaser Episode
Title: Welcome to Common Ground: Why This Podcast Matters
Description:
Welcome to Common Ground, the podcast where we push past political divides to focus on what truly matters—protecting America from foreign threats. In this teaser episode, hosts Shane McNeil and Amandalynne Davis introduce the podcast, discuss why national security is a unifying issue, and share what listeners can expect from future episodes.
From the influence of China and Russia to the hidden risks of social media platforms like TikTok, we’ll be tackling the big issues in short, insightful conversations with expert guests. If you care about national security, U.S. influence, and how to stay informed in an era of information warfare, this podcast is for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Common Ground is about finding unity in national security issues that impact all Americans.
- Adversaries like China and Russia exploit U.S. political and social divides to weaken the country from within.
- Future episodes will explore topics like China’s human rights abuses and their impact on U.S. security, the true risks of TikTok, and why intelligence agencies need disagreement to function properly.
- Expect bi-weekly, 10-15 minute episodes featuring expert guests and engaging discussions.
Why Listen?
✔️ Get clear, non-partisan insights on major national security issues.
✔️ Understand how foreign threats impact your daily life.
✔️ Learn from experts in intelligence, policy, and diplomacy.
🔔 Subscribe now to Common Ground on your favorite podcast platform and follow The Sentinel Institute for updates!
🎙️ Hosts:
- Shane McNeil – Doctoral student at IWP & Counterintelligence Policy Advisor at the Pentagon
- Amandalynne Davis – Graduate student at IWP specializing in Public Diplomacy & Strategic Influence
📢 Follow The Sentinel Institute for More Updates!
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 (https://sentineljournal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
50
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