ATWJE - Frank Elizondo - Critical Thinking Bug

Episode: 00221 Released on July 15, 2024 Description: If you're interested in the intelligence analysis profession, then this is the episode for you! Frank Elizondo, a retired veteran with almost four decades of experience, shares how intelligence analysis has evolved over his career and what institutional knowledge he'd like to pass on to the next generation of analysts. Frank emphasizes the need for analysts to go beyond the quantitative data and use their critical thinking skills to develop informative leads and intelligence. He makes recommendations on how aspiring (and current) analysts can develop their critical thinking skills as well as confidence and effective communication. Jason and Frank discuss how intelligence analysis has changed from pre to post-9/11 and how it may evolve moving forward. Frank worked both as an intelligence analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and instructor, something he does to this day after his retirement. Frank is currently a senior instructor for intelligence and security for Empire Protection and the head instructor, course developer, and lecturer for IAM Integrated Analytic Methodologies. 

CHALLENGE: There are Easter eggs in one of the tables of the Excel 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 $75 gift card from us. Happy hunting!

*** Episode 3 of Cocktails & Crime Analysis - https://youtu.be/wClRBaF4jos  ***

Name Drops: Randy Stickley (00:16:10), Jim Burganti (00:17:24)

Public Service Announcements: 
Fred Croft (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-freddy-croft-the-key-master-as-opposed-to-gatekeeper/)
Barry Fosberg (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-barry-fosberg-the-data-czar/)
Shannon Kail (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-shannon-kail-intercontinental-pizza-party/) 

Related Links: 
https://www.iammitigation.com/
https://bush.tamu.edu/
https://www.thectinstitute.com/ 

Association(s) Mentioned: 

Vendor(s) Mentioned: 

Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-elizondo-545975191/ 

Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/a5hd9zh7p3dpxpmh/FrankElizondo_transcript.pdf 

Podcast Writer: Mindy Duong

Podcast Researcher: 

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Podcast Email: [email protected]  

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Podcast Twitter: @leapodcasts

00:00:17 – Introducing Frank
00:05:33 – Starting in DC
00:12:50 – Military Written Reports
00:24:05 – Analysts Interrogating 
00:27:45 – Break:  Freddy Croft, Barry Fosberg, & Shannon Kail
00:29:10 – Training Not Reality & 9/11
00:46:49 – Lifelong Learner
00:53:04 – Too Much Lecture
00:54:02 – Advice
01:05:34 – Personal Interests: Motorcycles & Breweries
01:06:49 – Words to the World