The Team House

Max Lesser breaks down how Chinese intelligence services are using fake consulting firms, job listings, LinkedIn, and other online platforms to target former government employees and collect sensitive information at scale. We also discuss AI-enabled espionage, covert influence operations, TikTok and data privacy, and why awareness may be the best defense against increasingly sophisticated virtual recruitment.
Find Max here: https://www.fdd.org/team/max-lesser/
Support the show on Patreon:⬇️
https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
Jack's news outlet:⬇️
https://thehighside.substack.com/
Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️
Jon's Twitter:
https://x.com/jonathanhackett
Jon's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett
Jon's books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett
Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett
Check out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQ
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong 
Find Mick Mulroy here: 
Fogbow ⬇️
https://fogbow.com/
Lobo Institute ⬇️
https://www.loboinstitute.org/
Twitter ⬇️
https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCA
LinkedIn ⬇️
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/
Whitefish security summit ⬇️
https://whitefishsecuritysummit.com
Find Marc P here:
https://x.com/Mpolymer
Find Andy Milburn here: 
Twitter ⬇️
https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8
LinkedIn ⬇️
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023
Substack ⬇️
https://amilburn.substack.com/
Andy’s book ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-Operations
"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
00:00 – Start
00:59 – China’s New Virtual Espionage Model
02:28 – How Max Discovered a Fake Chinese Consulting Network
06:18 – Why China Targets Former Government Employees
10:09 – What Intelligence Is China Actually Trying to Collect?
15:35 – How Elicitation Works & When You Realize You’ve Gone Too Far
19:42 – Catfishing, Dating Apps & Espionage Online
20:50 – Chinese Intelligence Operations Inside World of Warcraft
22:03 – Are Russian & Chinese Influencers Manipulating Social Media Feeds?
26:47 – China’s Online Influence Operations & TikTok
30:25 – Why Americans Should Care About Chinese Data Collection
36:45 – AI, Fake Websites & the Massive Scale of Chinese Espionage
40:59 – Why Taking Down Spy Websites Won’t Solve the Problem
46:13 – Is China Deliberately Flooding U.S. Counterintelligence?
47:34 – Russia’s “Operation Overload” & Overwhelming Investigators
52:23 – North Korea’s Remote Workers & the New Intelligence Economy
53:00 – Iran, China, Russia & Fake Accounts During the Iran War
57:03 – Where to Find Max Lesser’s Research
58:34 – How Foreign Propaganda Hooks Smart People
1:01:27 – How to Protect Yourself From Virtual Recruitment
1:03:08 – Closing Thoughts

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Retired Sergeant Major Will Hudson reflects on a 21-year Army career that took him from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 2003 invasion of Iraq to years of combat deployments with 3rd Ranger Battalion, eventually becoming a RASP instructor, LRS company first sergeant, and operations sergeant major. He also opens up about the toll that years of war, injuries, alcohol, and retirement took on his mental health, and how faith and personal loss ultimately reshaped his life.
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Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️
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___________________________________________________
GRAB JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" 
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/
Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured
Jack Murphy's book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/
Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️
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Jack’s Twitter:
 https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21
Team House Discord: ⬇️
https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6
"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
00:00 – Start
00:58 – Will Hudson’s Childhood & Joining the Army
05:20 – 9/11, the 173rd & the Road to War
07:15 – Combat Jump Into Northern Iraq
15:44 – Leaving the 173rd & Trying Out for Ranger Regiment
21:35 – ROP, Selection & Earning a Spot in 3rd Ranger Battalion
27:08 – Life in 3rd Ranger Battalion’s Mortar Platoon
32:57 – Ramadi: Nonstop Ranger Raids & Heavy Combat
38:17 – Balad, IEDs & Losing Jimmy Regan
42:04 – Rangers and SEALs Fighting Together in Sadr City
48:21 – The War Shifts From Iraq to Afghanistan
54:35 – Mortars in Afghanistan & Supporting Tier One Units
57:28 – Swimming Mortars Into Targets With SEALs
1:06:23 – Becoming a Ranger Mortar Platoon Sergeant
1:11:52 – Running RASP & Changing Ranger Selection
1:23:24 – Leaving Regiment & Taking Over an LRS Company
1:33:35 – Airborne School, Pathfinder & Sergeant Major Academy
1:38:22 – The 101st Airborne, COVID & Losing the Passion for the Army
1:41:34 – Retirement, Injuries & Hitting Rock Bottom
1:47:47 – Alcohol, Mental Health & Searching for a Way Forward
1:51:22 – Plant Medicine & a Life-Changing Experience
2:04:25 – Refined by Fire, Losing His Son & Finding Faith
2:15:21 – Closing Thoughts

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In this episode, we break down CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s surprise trip to Moscow, what it may signal about U.S. concerns over Russian escalation, and Estonia’s warning that Putin is increasingly boxed into “only bad options.” We also look at the growing economic pressure inside Iran, divisions within the regime, and whether the U.S. has a coherent strategy for turning military, economic, intelligence, and covert pressure into actual political results.
Support the show on Patreon:⬇️
https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
Jack's news outlet:⬇️
https://thehighside.substack.com/
Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️
Jon's Twitter:
https://x.com/jonathanhackett
Jon's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett
Jon's books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett
Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett
Check out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQ
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong 
Find Mick Mulroy here: 
Fogbow ⬇️
https://fogbow.com/
Lobo Institute ⬇️
https://www.loboinstitute.org/
Twitter ⬇️
https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCA
LinkedIn ⬇️
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/
Whitefish security summit ⬇️
https://whitefishsecuritysummit.com
Find Marc P here:
https://x.com/Mpolymer
Find Andy Milburn here: 
Twitter ⬇️
https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8
LinkedIn ⬇️
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023
Substack ⬇️
https://amilburn.substack.com/
Andy’s book ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-Operations
"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
00:00 – Start
01:59 – Why Did CIA Director John Ratcliffe Go to Moscow?
05:17 – Was Ratcliffe Warning Russia About NATO?
08:33 – U.S. Intelligence, Strategic Surprise & Defending Europe
11:04 – Can the U.S. Defend NATO While Fighting Iran?
14:00 – Russian Sabotage Operations Across Europe
16:19 – Ratcliffe’s Meetings With the FSB & SVR Chiefs
22:23 – GRU Operations, Assassinations & Sabotage in Europe
26:07 – Estonia’s Intel Chief Warns Putin Has “Only Bad Options”
29:59 – Could Russia Face an Elite Revolt Against Putin?
34:11 – Russia’s Casualties, Oligarchs & the Risk of Mobilization
38:31 – Is Estonia Sending a Message to Russia’s Elite?
41:44 – Six Months Into the Iran War & “Economic D-Day”
44:46 – Divisions Inside Iran Over Ending the War
48:03 – How Long Can Iran Survive the Economic Pressure?
49:03 – Should the U.S. Be Arming Opposition Groups Inside Iran?
53:36 – Why the U.S. Iran Strategy Still Lacks a Coherent Campaign
56:51 – Andy Milburn’s Upcoming Gaza War Book
58:18 – Jonathan Hackett’s Books & Upcoming Audiobook
59:27 – Upcoming Fiction Book & Closing Remarks

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Eduardo Garduno recounts his path from a turbulent childhood in Southern California to the 75th Ranger Regiment, with deployments to Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq and combat against ISIS. He also opens up about his difficult transition out of the military, becoming a police officer, struggles with PTSD and alcohol, and the long road toward recovery and writing his memoir.
Follow Eduardo here:
https://www.instagram.com/eduardo__garduno/
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For ad free video and audio and access to live streams...JOIN OUR PATREON! 
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To help support the show and for all bonus content including:
-live shows and asking guest questions 
-ad free audio and video
-early access to shows
-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests
Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️
https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse
___________________________________________________
GRAB JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" 
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/
Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured
Jack Murphy's book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/
Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️
https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse
Social Media: ⬇️
The Team House Instagram:
https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link
The Team House Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod
Jack’s Instagram:
https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link
Jack’s Twitter:
 https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21
Team House Discord: ⬇️
https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6
"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"
00:00 – Start
01:13 – Growing Up Poor in Southern California
09:10 – Early Hatred of Police & Growing Up Around Crime
16:44 – Fighting, Anger & Becoming a Troublemaker
28:02 – Getting Arrested for Shoplifting
37:17 – High School, Rebellion & His Brother’s Drug Business
51:18 – His Brother Gets Busted & Police Raid the Family Home
1:00:20 – Deciding to Join the Military
1:06:20 – Accidentally Signing an Option 40 Contract
1:10:54 – Basic Training, a Dear John Letter & Finding Motivation
1:15:33 – Surviving RASP
1:19:34 – Arriving at 2nd Ranger Battalion
1:27:22 – First Deployment to Afghanistan
1:34:33 – Going to Ranger School
1:41:48 – Recycles, Peer Evaluations & Eight Months at Ranger School
1:53:28 – Finally Earning the Ranger Tab
1:57:29 – Deploying to Syria as a Ranger Team Leader
2:01:22 – Dropping Mortars on ISIS
2:03:14 – When the War Suddenly Became Real
2:07:10 – Javelins, Close Calls & Nearly Getting Shot
2:10:29 – Taking Incoming Mortar Fire in Syria
2:19:09 – Returning Home & Considering Delta Force
2:21:05 – Deployment to Iraq With Delta Force
2:25:36 – Ranger Shenanigans & Getting in Trouble Overseas
2:34:14 – Leaving the Army & Struggling With Alcohol
2:38:15 – Becoming a Police Officer
2:48:05 – PTSD, Police Culture & Trying to Change the System
2:54:37 – Refusing to Give Cops Special Treatment
3:01:18 – His First Police Chase Ends in a Rollover
3:09:09 – Leaving the Police Department
3:11:09 – Recovery, PTSD & Hitting Rock Bottom
3:15:18 – Checking Himself Into a VA Psychiatric Ward
3:20:19 – Intensive Therapy & Searching for Something That Worked
3:21:46 – TMS Treatment & Beginning to Heal
3:23:35 – Writing His Memoir as a Way to Understand His Life
3:24:15 – Marijuana-Induced Psychosis & Another Psychiatric Hospitalization
3:31:41 – Finding a Treatment That Finally Helped
3:32:28 – The Demons Within & Looking Forward
3:33:28 – Closing Thoughts

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Brent Tucker, a 20-year Army Special Operations veteran, takes us through his path from the National Guard and 20th Special Forces Group to Delta Force, including combat in Afghanistan and Syria, getting shot on a mission, and fighting ISIS. He also discusses Delta selection and training, working alongside the SAS, the physical toll of two decades at war, and his life after the military.

Grab some FRCC here: https://frccoffee.com/

To help support the show and for all bonus content including:
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-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests
Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️
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00:00 – Start
02:28 – Growing Up & Joining the Army After 9/11
09:48 – Fighting to Get Into 20th Special Forces Group
16:28 – Becoming an 18 Echo Green Beret
23:22 – Bolivia & Getting Sent to Combat Diver School
29:25 – Surviving the Hardest Military School of His Career
36:32 – Afghanistan With the Commandos
43:57 – Operation Bulldog Bite & Rescuing Pinned-Down U.S. Soldiers
1:02:29 – A Desperate Call for Help From an Isolated Combat Outpost
1:09:14 – Operation Rockstar & Clearing an Enemy-Held Valley
1:19:12 – Trying Out for Delta Force & Failing Selection
1:26:58 – Making Delta & Going Through OTC
1:35:43 – Delta Force Deployments & Getting Shot
1:39:53 – Fighting ISIS in Syria
1:46:56 – Extreme Long-Range Sniping Against ISIS
1:52:36 – The Battle for Raqqa & Returning to HVT Raids
1:58:00 – The Deaths of John Dunbar & SAS Operator Matt Tonroe
2:04:04 – Injuries, Memory Problems & Knowing It Was Time to Retire
2:08:21 – Delta Force Q&A: Selection, Squadron Culture, DEVGRU & SAS
2:17:03 – Life After Delta & Training SWAT Teams
2:21:02 – Starting First Responder Coffee Company
2:24:33 – The Anti-Hero Podcast
2:26:26 – The Rob O’Neill / Bin Laden Controversy
2:29:41 – Giving First Responders a Platform
2:32:55 – Closing Thoughts

original air date 9/22/23

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.