How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates bi-weekly.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Cyber Distortion Podcast Series

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by Jason Popillion and Kevin Pentecost

4.7(13 reviews)

62 episodes

Updated Bi-weekly

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Podcast Authority

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GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality79

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Engagement82

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Podcast Overview

Jason and Kevin, seasoned Cyber Security professionals, explain cyber security concepts that everyone needs to know in simple terms. They will leave you with practical takeaways you can use to keep yourself and your organizations safe. 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 a Information Security Manager for a Manufacturing company.

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1/14/2022

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Quality79

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Engagement82

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Episode Length

1h 27m

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Recent Episodes

June 6, 2026

S5 - Episode 005 – The Cambridge Analytica Scandal

The Cambridge Analytica scandal wasn't just a data breach—it was a glimpse into a hidden system designed to study, predict, and influence human behavior at scale. What began as a seemingly harmless Facebook personality quiz quietly harvested data from tens of millions of people, building detailed psychological profiles without their knowledge or consent. But this wasn't about selling products. It was about understanding people deeply enough to change how they think, what they believe, and ultimately… how they vote. In this episode of Cyber Distortion Podcast, we break down how that data became a weapon. From psychographic targeting and behavioral modeling to precision-crafted messaging designed to exploit fear, anger, and bias—this is the story of how modern influence campaigns operate beneath the surface. When two people can see completely different versions of reality, shaped entirely by algorithms, the line between persuasion and manipulation begins to disappear. More importantly, this isn't just history—it's a warning. Because the systems exposed by Cambridge Analytica didn't vanish… they evolved. Today's platforms are more advanced, more personalized, and more capable than ever before. The question is no longer whether your data is being used to influence you—it's how, and to what end. Join Kevin and Jason as they break it all down with you. Resources <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 📚 MUST-READ BOOKS 1. Mindfck: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America* — Christopher Wylie The insider account from the whistleblower himself. A firsthand look at how the data operation was built—and how it spiraled into one of the biggest scandals in tech and political history. 🔗 <a href= "https://books.google.com/books/about/Mindf_ck.html?id=qj6REAAAQBAJ"> https://books.google.com/books/about/Mindf_ck.html?id=qj6REAAAQBAJ</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 2. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism — Shoshana Zuboff A deep, powerful breakdown of how companies collect, predict, and monetize human behavior. This puts Cambridge Analytica into a much bigger—and more unsettling—context. 🔗 <a href= "https://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/shoshana-zuboff/the-age-of-surveillance-capitalism/9781610395694/"> https://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/shoshana-zuboff/the-age-of-surveillance-capitalism/9781610395694/</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 3. Weapons of Math Destruction — Cathy O'Neil Explores how algorithms influence major aspects of society—from politics to finance—often in hidden and dangerous ways. 🔗 <a href= "https://weaponsofmathdestructionbook.com/">https://weaponsofmathdestructionbook.com/</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 4. The Facebook Effect — David Kirkpatrick A foundational look at how Facebook was built and how its data-driven ecosystem evolved—setting the stage for everything that followed. 🔗 <a href= "https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Facebook-Effect/David-Kirkpatrick/9781439102114"> https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Facebook-Effect/David-Kirkpatrick/9781439102114</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 🎬 DOCUMENTARY 🎥 The Great Hack (Netflix) A gripping, cinematic breakdown of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, featuring key players and whistleblowers. 🔗 <a href= "https://www.netflix.com/title/80117542">https://www.netflix.com/title/80117542</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 🧠 ADDITIONAL RESEARCH & CONTEXT Cambridge Analytica Resource Hub (Case Studies & Analysis) 🔗 <a href= "https://cambridgeanalytica.org/case-studies/bibliography-and-key-resources-understanding-the-cambridge-analytica-scandal-3510/"> https://cambridgeanalytica.org/case-studies/bibliography-and-key-resources-understanding-the-cambridge-analytica-scandal-3510/</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Teen Vogue Breakdown (Surprisingly Solid Overview) 🔗 <a href= "https://www.teenvogue.com/story/facebook-trump-campaign-cambridge-analytica-scandal"> https://www.teenvogue.com/story/facebook-trump-campaign-cambridge-analytica-scandal</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Christopher Wylie Interview & Background 🔗 <a href= "https://cambridgeanalytica.org/news/christopher-wylie-the-whistleblower-who-exposed-cambridge-analytica-1558/"> https://cambridgeanalytica.org/news/christopher-wylie-the-whistleblower-who-exposed-cambridge-analytica-1558/</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Audio - Mystic Awakening Trailers - Searching - Silent Shadows – AI Music - Information Audio Tracks Provided by one of the following: - Filmora - Audiostock - Universal Music for Creators 🎧 Epidemic Sound Song Info: Title: Ostinato Composer: Vieveri

May 1, 2026

S5 - Episode 004 – Ashley Madison: Infidelity Unmasked

In 2015, a shadowy group calling themselves "The Impact Team" detonated one of the most explosive data breaches in history—targeting Ashley Madison, a platform built on secrecy with a promise that "Life is short. Have an affair." What they exposed wasn't just a user database—it was a global ledger of private desires, hidden identities, and intimate conversations. Names, emails, locations, financial records… all spilled into the open. Careers unraveled. Relationships collapsed. And for some, the fallout was far more permanent. In this episode of Cyber Distortion, we break down how the breach happened, what the attackers were really after, and why the platform's own design—data retention, weak protections, and misleading "delete" features—made millions of people vulnerable. From credential stuffing and poor hashing practices to the ethics of publishing stolen data, this is a story about what happens when privacy is treated as a product rather than a right. But the real impact goes deeper. The Ashley Madison hack exposed a harsh truth about the modern internet: your most personal data isn't just stored—it's commoditized, retained, and often far less secure than you're led to believe. In a world driven by data, what happens when the things you thought were private become permanent? Join Kevin and Jason as they discuss the event in full detail! Resources MUST-READ BOOKS & DEEP DIVES 1. The Ashley Madison Affair — Brian Krebs A detailed investigative look from one of the most respected voices in cybersecurity. 🔗 <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/tag/ashley-madison/" target= "_new">https://krebsonsecurity.com/tag/ashley-madison/</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 2. Data and Goliath — Bruce Schneier Not specific to Ashley Madison, but essential for understanding how personal data is collected, stored, and exposed at scale. 🔗 <a href="https://www.schneier.com/books/data-and-goliath/" target= "_new">https://www.schneier.com/books/data-and-goliath/</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> 3. Future Crimes — Marc Goodman Explores how cybercrime evolves and why breaches like Ashley Madison are becoming more common—and more damaging. 🔗 https://www.futurecrimesbook.com/ <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> DOCUMENTARY Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Cyber Attacks A direct, narrative-driven look at the breach, the victims, and the aftermath. 🔗 <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6104804/" target= "_new">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6104804/</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> ADDITIONAL RESEARCH & REPORTING Krebs on Security — Original Coverage 🔗 https://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/07/online-cheating-site-ashley-madison-hacked/ <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> WIRED — Deep Technical & Cultural Analysis 🔗 https://www.wired.com/story/ashley-madison-hack/ <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> The Guardian — Timeline & Fallout 🔗 <a href= "https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ashley-madison" target= "_new">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ashley-madison</a> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Audio <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">Criminal</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Electronic Vortex</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Atmospheric Intense Teaser 0_56</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Phonk Powerful Dope</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Dark Day-AI Music</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Enigma</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Suspicious Atmosphere</li> </ul> Provided by: Filmora, Audiostock and Universal Music for Creators

April 15, 2026

S5 - Episode 003 – Stuxnet: Zero-Day Cataclysmic Warfare

Cyber Distortion Podcast – Hosted by Kevin Pentecost & Jason Popillion In this episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, Kevin and Jason discuss one of the most chilling and groundbreaking cyberattacks in history: Stuxnet. What started as a mysterious series of system failures inside Iran's nuclear facilities quickly unraveled into something far more dangerous—a precision-engineered digital weapon designed not just to spy, but to destroy. We break down how Stuxnet infiltrated highly secure, air-gapped systems, silently manipulated industrial controls, and physically sabotaged centrifuges—all while reporting normal operations back to engineers. This wasn't just malware. It was a turning point. From its suspected origins to its global implications, we explore how Stuxnet redefined modern warfare, blurred the lines between cyber and kinetic attacks, and opened the door to a new era where code can cause real-world devastation. If cyberwarfare once sounded like science fiction… this is the moment it became reality. Tune in as we unpack the virus that changed everything. Resources Books (Best Deep Dives) <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Countdown to Zero Day – Kim Zetter Probably the definitive Stuxnet book. It reads like a thriller but is deeply researched—covering the discovery, the zero-days, and the geopolitical backstory.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Sandworm – Andy Greenberg Broader than Stuxnet, but essential for understanding what came after. Shows how Stuxnet inspired a new wave of cyberwarfare (especially from Russia).</li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Articles & Investigative Reporting <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Wired (Kim Zetter's reporting) Some of the earliest and most detailed public reporting on Stuxnet came from Wired—great for narrative storytelling angles.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">The New York Times – "Olympic Games" coverage Explores the alleged U.S. and Israeli involvement in the operation behind Stuxnet.</li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Podcasts (For Tone & Inspiration) <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Darknet Diaries – Episode: "Stuxnet" One of the best audio retellings—excellent pacing and storytelling that could inspire your own delivery style.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Malicious Life Goes deeper into the technical mechanics and broader cyberwar implications.</li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Documentaries & Video <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Zero Days A must-watch. Blends interviews, dramatization, and investigative journalism to explore both the technical and political sides.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">YouTube channels like Kurzgesagt or Real Engineering occasionally touch on cyberwarfare concepts that help contextualize attacks like Stuxnet.</li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Technical & Cybersecurity Analysis <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;">Symantec (now part of Broadcom) Their original breakdown of Stuxnet is legendary—deep dive into how it actually worked.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;">Kaspersky Lab Offers detailed technical analysis and timelines of the worm's evolution.</li> </ul> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div> Audio - Suspicious Atmosphere - Trauma - Enigma - Dark Day AI Music - The Crisis of Islam 228S - The Crisis of Islam 230S - Cyberpunk Hacker Loop - True Crime Investigation - The Truth is Here Provided by Filmora - Splatter Horror Silence 01 - Social Crisis Provided by: Audiostock   - A Sinister Plot 1285 Provided by: Universal Music for Creators

62 total episodes available

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Len Noe

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Chris Glanden

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Roger Einstoss

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Ted Harrington

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Winn Schwartau

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Hector Monsegur

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Dr Gregory Carpenter

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What is Cyber Distortion Podcast Series?: Jason and Kevin, seasoned Cyber Security professionals, explain cyber security concepts that everyone needs to know in simple terms. They will leave you with practical takeaways you can use to keep yourself and your organizations safe. 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 a Information Security Manager for a Manufacturing company.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates bi-weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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