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Outside the Secret Service Podcast

OTSecretService

Outside the Secret Service Podcast - a podcast where the former, the fired, and the retired come to share their experiences inside one of America’s most storied law enforcement agencies.

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20 episodes
Updated July 14
fortnightly
1 hr 36 min on average

Episodes 20

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#36July 14 · 1 hr 49 min
035 - Retired RAIC Hazel Cerra
Retired Resident Agent in Charge Hazel Cerra recounts her 26-year Secret Service career—from training and fieldwork in Newark and Philadelphia to the Clinton detail and leading the Atlantic City office. She discusses recruiting innovations, evolving investigations from physical skimming to network intrusions, and her transition into the digital security space at Black Cloak. The episode highlights adaptive leadership, resilience, and practical advice for new agents, showing how Secret Service methods apply to modern cyber threats and personal digital protection. You'll also hear, first hand, how the Secret Service brand and culture calls you to be accountable to those who came before you and responsible for those who come after.
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#35June 23 · 2 hr 32 min
034 - Retired ASAIC Mike Nason
Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Nason walks us through his 27-year Secret Service career, from small‑town resident agent assignments and protective details to counter surveillance operations, inspections, and media relations. He takes us behind the scenes of the infamous shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad involving Former President Bush, campaign improvisation, and explains how technology, recruitment, and agency culture shaped his service. Mike offers deep insights on the rewards and strains of the job, lessons learned about leadership, accountability, work‑life balance, and why the agency’s people and traditions still matter as he moves into retirement. #GoArmyBeatNavy
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#34May 19 · 1 hr 47 min
033 - Retired Special Agent Brad Beeler
Retired Special Agent Brad Beeler (1999–2024) discusses his new book Tell Me Everything, recounting 25 years in the US Secret Service, including many as a polygrapher. Join us as Brad shares vivid and insightful stories - from high‑profile counterfeit cases and child‑exploitation - and explains how polygraph and interviewing techniques shaped investigations and relationships. The episode also offers practical communication takeaways: how preparation, listening, and strategic empathy coax truth, why leaders should create safe settings for conversations, and how law‑enforcement lessons translate to everyday leadership, parenting, and negotiation. Brad is genuine, funny and a wildly entertaining interview. You can find him and links to awesome new book below: BradleyBeeler.com https://a.co/d/04Uo6yTq https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Tell-Me-Everything/Brad-Beeler/9781637748428
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#33May 5 · 1 hr 28 min
032 - White House Correspondence Dinner - Debrief
On April 25, 2026, during the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD) at the Washington Hilton, an armed man charged past a magnetometer checkpoint, shot a uniformed Secret Service Officer and was subsequently apprehended as he attempted to make his way to the ballroom where the President, Vice President and a host of other USSS Protectees and Cabinet Officials were seated. On this episode of Outside the Secret Service, I'm joined by retired SAIC Tom Landry (Episode 008), retired DSAIC Todd Jenkins (Episode 001), and Former Special Agent, and current CNN Law Analyst, Jon Wackrow (Episode 018). Together, our goal is to help listeners gain a better understanding of the events of the WHCD, offer insight and perspective from Special Agents who have actually walked the space, evaluate the response, dispel misinformation and conspiracy theories, and highlight what worked and what will be reviewed.
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#32April 21 · 1 hr 31 min
031 - Former Special Agent Jason Russell
Former Special Agent Jason Russell recounts his unconventional path to the Secret Service beginning with a remarkably unremarkable high school tenure. When he took his first criminal justice course in college, his life's purpose came into focus. Passionate about service and law enforcement, Jason bookended his time with the US Secret Service with a local department and another federal agency. Each uniquely preparing him for that moment when preparation met inspiration. Jason shares how the tragic murders at Sandy Hook moved him to consider how he might prevent future such tragedies. Jason left government service and founded Secure Environment Consultants helping schools, childcare centers, and numerous other organizations with security assessments, emergency planning, and training—applying Secret Service methods and principles of resourcefulness and preparedness to protect our most vulnerable communities. You can learn more about Secure Environment Consultants here: https://secprotects.com/
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#31March 24 · 1 hr 33 min
030 - Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark Youngblood
Today we site down with Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Mark Youngblood, to re-trace his 23-year Secret Service Career. Mark is a natural storyteller and this episode features vivid anecdotes - from getaway trips during training, Rwandan goodwill moments, airspace operations and the Bitcoin/Silk Road investigation fallout - as well as reflections on timing, teamwork, leadership, and the challenges that lead to retirement. Mark also discusses his transition to the private sectore with American Global Strategies and the lasting lessons he took from life in the US Secret Service.
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#30March 3 · 1 hr 42 min
029 - Former Special Agent Tate Jarrow
Former Special Agent Tate Jarrow joins the podcast to share his journey from West Point to wiretaps. We talk about his path through combat deployments to the U.S. Secret Service, where he tackled major cyber investigations like the Liberty Reserve takedown and JPMorgan intrusion, served on the Counter Assault Team, and later transitioned to tech and startups focused on online safety. This episode dives into polygraph myths, training realities, wild protection logistics (including a multi-boat extraction from the lawless tribal region of Nantucket), life-saving moments, and why personal privacy and consumer protection matter more than ever. Tate is a natural and a cutting-edge leader in online safety and personal privacy. You can find his worthwhile offerings here: https://onlinesafety.substack.com/ and here: https://trustrebound.com/
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#29February 17 · 1 hr 38 min
028 - Barry Spodak and the birth of Behavior Threat Assessment Training
They tell you not to start a show with a "show stopper", so I saved this for Episode 2 of Season 2. Barry Spodak is a mostly-retired clinical specialist, senior consultant and trainer, whose simulation-based training and collaboration with researchers shaped behavioral threat assessment and protective intelligence for the U.S. Secret Service. The episode traces Spodak’s 40-year impact on generations of agents and officers: teaching them to interview people with mental illness, recognizing the ‘‘path to violence,’’ using realistic role-play simulations, and focusing on threat assessment and management to prevent targeted violence. Here is a link to the US Secret Service's Exceptional Case Study Project that started it all: https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/preventing-assassination-secret-service-exceptional-case-study-project
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#28February 3 · 1 hr 26 min
027 - Former Special Agent Brian Lewis
Today we welcome Brian Lewis to the Outside the Secret Service Podcast. Brian is a Navy veteran and now retired Roseville, CA Police Lieutenant. On this episode we cover his fast-paced two years in the Secret Service which included a stint on a campaign advance team, and protecting a high-level foreign dignitary (Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai); and the ping-pong match that may have saved US-Afghan relations. While Brian's story is uniquely his, the pace of his career and the decision to leave represent an all-to-familiar pattern in the ranks of the Secret Service. His story is equal parts impressive, inspiring and instructive.
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#27Dec 9, 2025 · 1 hr 33 min
026 - Retired Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge Sean Quarmby
On this Season 1 finale of OTSS, we sit down with Retired ATSAIC of the US Secret Service, Sean Quarmby. We cover his 25-year career that started in New York, saw time in Washington DC, then finishing in Charlotte (which is definitely in one of the Carolinas). Sean shares great stories and unique insights of what it's like to work inside the White Houses access control section (housed in Room 23), protective details, and memorable moments like running with a President who was all gas and no break. As fascinating as his career with the USSS was, his life retirement life remains one of service and daring feats. In addition to teaching the next generation of law enforcement professionals at a local community college, Sean has found time to write an award-winning novel, 'Room 23: A Secret Service Agent's Story of Espionage and Intrigue' which readers say is "an easy read that's intellectually stimulating and action packed". You can find the link to purchase the book here: https://a.co/d/9NxlJIO . It will definitely arrive in time for Christmas!
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#26Nov 27, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
025 - Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge Charlie White
Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge Charlie White recounts his 27-year Secret Service career spanning San Francisco Field Office fraud squads, Counter Assault Team work, Presidential Protective Division, and long-term overseas liaison posts in Bonn, Germany and Moscow, Russia. Charlie's career offers a unique insight into how cultural differences can shape security operations abroad. He reflects on leadership, integrity, and relationship-building as the key lessons he took into the private sector after retirement.
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#25Nov 11, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
024 - Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert "Bobby Mac" McDonald
Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert "Bobby Mac" McDonald joins the OTSS podcast to trace his path from serving as a federal probation officer to 20+ years in the U.S. Secret Service. He generously shares behind-the-scenes stories from New Haven, D.C., both the Presidential and Vice Presidential detail and his post-USSS time with the NBA. Now an assistant professor at the University of New Haven, Bobby Mac reflects on ethics, leadership, preparing the next generation of practitioners, and practical insights about AI, accountability, and life after federal service.
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#24Oct 28, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
023 - Retired Deputy Chief of the Secret Service Uniformed Division Catrina Bonus
Retired Deputy Chief Katrina Bonus, shares her start-to-finish journey in the Secret Service Uniformed Division, tracing its history, mission, and day-to-day duties protecting the White House complex, and so much more, in the Nation's Capitol. She recalls defining moments from Oklahoma City, memorable encounters on post, the challenges of construction and security, serving as the first woman Deputy Chief, and her transition to retirement where she continues to serve the US Secret Service. #Patriotism #WhiteHouseHistory #Profession #ServiceToOthers #WonderWoman
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#23Oct 21, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min
022 - Former Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge Jerome Pickett
This week, I'm fortunate to sit down with the inestimable Jerome Pickett. Jerome started as an intern in the New York Field Office, then hired on as a Special Agent in the same office. He later served on the Counter Assault Team and the Presidential Protective Division where he always made a positive impact. As interesting as his career in the Secret Service is the road which lead him there and the path he charted afterwards. After leaving the Secret Service, Jerome served as the Chief Security Officer for the NBA, McDonalds and, now, Elevance Health. He is as kind as he is competent and the kind of leader we hope to be or work for.
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#22Oct 7, 2025 · 1 hr 46 min
021 - Retired Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge John Constantine
Retired Special Agent John Constantine joins us to discuss his 20+ year career in the US Secret Service, focusing on life after retirement, identity transition, and the mindset needed for protective operations. The episode covers counter‑assault team experiences, leadership lessons, physical and mental health challenges for retirees, diplomatic and operational demands of global protective work, and John’s post‑service plans including consulting and a forthcoming book.
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#21Sep 30, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
020 - UNGA. A special look at the role of the US Secret Service in securing New York City for the annual UN General Assembly
Join fan favorites Kevin Dye and Todd Jenkins as we unpack the Secret Service’s role in securing New York City for the annual United Nations General Assembly. We share firsthand stories about the massive logistics undertaking, long hours, cultural clashes, and unexpected moments that define UNGA in New York City. The episode is heavy on humor and hard-earned lessons, post assignments, and memorable incidents — offering you a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s largest security operations is planned and executed.
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#20Sep 23, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
019 - Retired Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge Frank Kelley
From driving limousines to lockup, Retired Special Agent Frank Kelley sits down to recount a 23-year Secret Service career - from field investigations and presidential protection to an international counterfeit takedown. Frank also discusses his move to Inspector General for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the growing drone-and-cellphone contraband problem inside prisons, and candid personal anecdotes about life on the job.
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#18Sep 16, 2025 · 1 hr 37 min
018 - Former Special Agent Jon Wackrow
On this episode of Outside the Secret Service, former Special Agent Jon Wackrow recounts his unexpected path into the Secret Service from a career in the hospitality industry. Jon's career teaches us about the power of relationships. Join us as we explore his experiences from being in the training academy during 9/11 (returning to a field office that no longer physically existed), and his years on protective and investigative details. Now as a CNN law enforcement analyst, Jon helps us understand some of the cultural challenges inside the agency and the lessons of teamwork and leadership that have shaped his post-service career.
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#19Sep 9, 2025 · 1 hr 45 min
017 - Retired Special Agent Darin Kinder
As America approaches the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our homeland, it's only fitting to hear the story of an Agent who witnessed it first hand. Now retired, Special Agent Darin Kinder recounts what brought him to the US Secret Service in 2000, what happened on 9/11 as a young agent in the New York Field Office, and what motivated him to serve an additional 24 years in the organization. Since retirement, Darin spends his time as a professional speaker with Fierce Faith and has recently published a book, 'Bury Me in a Dirty Suit'. His book chronicles his account of the events on 9/11 and the impact it had on his faith. Committed to pursuing his passion and purpose until he's called home by God, he's committed to not wasting a single day. For speaker bookings: darinkinder.com and fierce-faith.com Book link: https://a.co/d/7jMnSYm #Faith #DoTheNextThing #Resilience #Humility #USCoastGuard
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#17Sep 2, 2025 · 1 hr 42 min
016 - Retired Special Agent in Charge Cindy Marble
Retired Special Agent Cindy Marble joins the OTSS podcast to trace her Secret Service career—from being inspired by Watergate to posts in Houston, the Washington Field Office, the Intelligence Division, and the Presidential Protective Detail. She shares frontline stories and insights about threat assessment, mental health intervention, and how her protective intelligence work led to a new role in the private sector with a focus on connecting scattered open-source information and preventing threats. A generational leader, Cindy shares insights about how to lead high-achievers in a zero-fail mission.
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