Episode 260 - Trust, Terror & Transition: Life After Intelligence Work

In this episode, Mark Ledlow and Benjamin Whitfield, a seasoned security professional with a military and agency background and a former CIA, delve into the journeys of various figures transitioning from government roles to entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on Mike and Chris's post-CIA careers in the security industry and bourbon production. The conversation touches on the unique skill sets developed within the CIA, the importance of trust and networking among former agents, and the experiences that shaped their professional lives. Benjamin also shares personal anecdotes from his time with the CIA, including his harrowing experience during the terrorist attack on the American Consulate in Jetta, Saudi Arabia. The discussion provides insights into the evolving business and cultural landscape in the Middle East and how these changes impact personal and professional security.Learn about all this and more in this episode of The Fearless Mindset Podcast.KEY TAKEAWAYSReinvention is possible at any stage—skills from one career can fuel success in another. Trust and relationships are central in security and intelligence work. Bureaucratic responses can drive talented people to seek impact elsewhere. Cultural adaptation and respect are vital for success in international business. Generational shifts are changing norms in places like Saudi Arabia.QUOTES“Trust is super important in that space.” “I really have found this home in the private sector for 20 plus years now, where I can protect our people, our facilities, our operations in that appropriate way.” “It’s all heavily relationship based.” “Reinvention is a skillset that both he and Chris and others have developed over a long career.”Get to know more about Benjamin Whitfield through the links below.https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwhitfield/To hear more episodes of The Fearless Mindset podcast, you can go to https://the-fearless-mindset.simplecast.com/ or listen to major podcasting platforms such as Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc. You can also subscribe to the Fearless Mindset YouTube Channel to watch episodes on video.