Episode: 00118


Release Date: August 1, 2022


Description: Fifty-five years, and counting! Our guest this week, David Cariens details how he got started in intelligence analysis with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in its earlier days, his initial assignments, and what the agency is looking for when hiring. David discusses the CIA's relationship with its sister-agencies (FBI & NSA), and the workplace culture between operations (sworn personnel) and civilians. David shares multiple stories over his career and gives advice on effective intelligence writing such as those meant for presidential briefs. An episode intelligence analysis hopefuls don't want to miss! David is currently retired, but he continues teaching in the field and writing on the topic of mass shootings, a topic to which he has a very personal connection. 


CHALLENGE: There are Easter eggs in one of the tables of the chapter that Jason wrote for the IACA textbook. First-person to email us at [email protected] about what the Easter eggs are will receive a $20 gift card from us. Happy hunting!


Name Drops: Mary Tasha (00:16:12), Bob Gates (00:37:56)


Public Service Announcements:
Brian Gray (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-brian-gray-the-remarkable-analyst/)
Dawn Reeby’s New Book (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-reeby-%F0%9F%92%AB-holistic-coach-for-service-based-leaders-3b24439b/)


Related Links: www.davecariens.com, https://www.pilotonline.com/government/virginia/vp-nw-statehouse-crime-virginia-beach-20220228-swqutqh2bnbuxggheq2yv27fim-story.html 


Association(s) Mentioned:  IALEIA


Vendor(s) Mentioned: 


Contact: [email protected] 


Transcript:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/w2e5pz/David_Cariens_Transcript2.pdf 


Podcast Writer: Mindy Duong


Podcast Researcher: 


Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.


Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners. 


Podcast Email: [email protected]  


Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com  


Podcast Twitter: @leapodcasts


YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/662LTnZ8S2g (Actual Interview!!!)


00:00:17 – Introducing David
00:13:42 – Infiltrating the CIA
00:19:13 – Consuming Bulgaria
00:25:14 – Expanding Sources
00:32:22 – Break:  Brian Gray & Dawn Reeby’s New Book
00:33:26 – Contrasting CIA Intelligence & LEA Intelligence
00:36:57 – Including Interns
00:39:43 – Writing Intelligence
00:45:52 – Testing US-Canada Relations
00:49:02 – Avoiding the Beatdown
00:55:47 – Establishing Sound Ethics
01:01:03 – Feeling the True Impact of Mass Shootings
01:28:19 – Personal Interests:  Writing Nonfiction & Fiction
01:32:51 – Words to the World