In this episode of Navigating Noise, host Erol Yayboke sits down with Chrissy Newton, Founder of VOCAB Communications. They dive into the world of UFOs and UAPs through the lens of data analysis, emotional storytelling, and government transparency.
Chrissy shares how her team approaches real eyewitness accounts, the surprising psychology behind belief in the unexplained, and how the UFO community is becoming a powerful countercultural force for transparency and change.
They also explore how AI, policy, and fringe science are converging and why PR in the UFO space might be the most unforgiving in the world.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: The many hats of Chrissy Newton
01:20 – Inside Discovery’s Alien Encounters: Fact or Fiction
02:30 – Evidence, psychology, and the Simon Cowell of UFOs
04:36 – How Chrissy applies data analysis to paranormal
claims
06:34 – A UFO sighting in Toronto: How she verified it
08:40 – Telling people they’re wrong, without gaslighting them
11:00 – The UFO community as a global counterculture
13:39 – Chrissy’s communications work with Jacques Vallée & The Debrief
15:53 – How to do PR in the most skeptical space on the internet
18:53 – Why transparency is the #1 rule in the UFO world
20:36 – Why the UFO community is so passionate
23:24 – Fringe science, funding, and optimism
27:50 – Where AI meets UFO analysis and government policy
29:55 – Why shaping policy might be Chrissy’s next move
31:06 – The surprising people she meets on planes
35:54 – A Winston Churchill World War II nugget you won’t forget
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations like these
#UFOs #AlienEncounters #ChrissyNewton #DiscoveryChannel #TheDebrief #FringeScience #GovernmentTransparency #NavigatingNoise #RebelliouslyCurious #DataAnalysis #AI #UAPs #PolicyChange
A new normal? In this episode, Rorry Daniels, Managing Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, and Erol Yayboke discuss U.S. - China competition and the changing global order.
Rorry shares her surprising path from underground theater in LA to China policy leadership, and unpacks the misunderstood layers of the U.S.–China relationship, from national identity and economic anxiety to why both countries may be abandoning the rules-based global order.
Erol and Rorry explore everything from:
- Track 2 diplomacy
- AI’s impact on political instability in Asia
- How Chinese netizens are subtly pushing back
- What most Western analysts still get wrong about Beijing
Whether you're in tech, policy, or just trying to make sense of where the world is heading, this episode will give you new language and new frames, to understand the world’s most important bilateral relationship.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:00 – From screenwriting in LA to U.S.–China policy
02:00 – Producing a musical about terrorism (yes, really)
04:00 – Learning Chinese and discovering diplomacy
06:00 – What is Track 2 diplomacy, and why it matters
08:00 – How language shapes perception (and misperception)
10:00 – Building better AI with better language models
12:00 – China’s view of propaganda vs U.S. assumptions
14:00 – Are we living in “normal” geopolitical times again?
16:00 – Why China didn’t become more like the U.S.
18:00 – The two anxieties driving U.S. China policy
21:00 – The strategic geography of U.S. allies
24:00 – Why AI and chips are now central to foreign policy
26:00 – Can Asia avoid a U.S.–China “hegemony trap”?
28:00 – China’s mixed legacy with the rules-based order
30:00 – How Chinese citizens really feel about nationalism
34:00 – The code-switching and satire of Chinese netizens
36:00 – Why even top U.S. analysts misread China
39:00 – Can we model China’s future behavior?
42:00 – The push for modernity (and what may get in the way)
45:00 – What AI disruption means for Southeast Asia
48:00 – Will China adopt AI faster and at what cost?
51:00 – Why AI regulation in Asia is lagging behind
53:00 – How ASPI is convening the future of AI policy in Asia
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations like these.
#china #usforeignpolicy #geopolitics #asiapolicy #aiandethics #asiainsideout #aspi #track2diplomacy #chinanetizens #uschina #navigatingnoise
The world is changing faster than our assumptions can keep up.
In this episode of Navigating Noise, Erol Yayboke sits down with world-renowned demographer and President of the Population Reference Bureau, Dr. Jennifer Sciubba, to unpack one of the most misunderstood forces shaping our future: population change.
They dive into:
If you care about the future of work, urban planning, national security, education, or climate adaptation… this conversation is for you.
Dr. Sciubba is the author of 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World and a former advisor to the Department of Defense and U.S. intelligence community.
Listen in and rethink what the data actually tells us.
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To learn more about the Population Reference Bureau and their work, visit: https://www.prb.org
To keep up with Jen, connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensciubba
New episodes of Navigating Noise drop weekly. Search for us wherever you get your podcasts.
What happens when generative AI floods the internet with content—but journalists are the only ones who can still read between the lines?
In this episode of Navigating Noise, Jonathan Teubner sits down with Dmitry Shishkin, CEO of Ringier Media International and one of Europe’s most influential media transformation leaders, to explore how newsrooms are adapting to AI—and why most people are getting the future of media completely wrong.
They cover:
If you care about the future of information, trust, or public discourse, this is a must-listen.
🎧 Subscribe to Navigating Noise for more episodes at the intersection of AI, media, and geopolitics.
#NavigatingNoise #DmitryShishkin #FilterLabs #AIinMedia #Journalism #LLMs #NewsroomTech #MediaTransformation #NewsIndustry #ContentStrategy #DigitalMedia #AIO #AIandJournalism #JonathanTeubner #SpotifyForNews #FutureOfMedia
What happens when the tech industry is no longer built for global scale—but for geopolitical advantage?
In this episode of Navigating Noise, Jonathan Teubner sits down with Ansgar Baums, geoeconomics expert, senior advisor at Sinalytics, and author of The Tech Cold War, to unpack the massive, underreported shifts happening at the intersection of technology, national security, and global power.
From the rise of “Dark Valley” companies that profit from geopolitical friction… to the collapse of Germany’s export-driven worldview… to the slow death of open, global innovation, this episode is a wake-up call for anyone building, funding, or regulating technology today.
We cover:
This is one of our most urgent and global episodes yet.
Subscribe to Navigating Noise for more episodes at the frontier of intelligence, geopolitics, and technology.
Generative AI isn’t just changing technology—it’s rewriting the rules of information warfare, influence, and decision-making.
In this episode of Navigating Noise, Jonathan Teubner sits down with Maggie Feldman-Piltch, founder of Non-State Actress, to break down:
🔥 How generative AI is repeating the mistakes of radio propaganda in the 1930s—at lightning speed.
🔥 Why women’s social networks are a battleground for global influence ops (and why most analysts are missing it).
🔥 The real reason defense tech keeps failing—hint: it’s not bureaucracy, it’s bad design.
Maggie doesn’t hold back. From China and Russia’s disinformation strategies to the Pentagon’s obsession with “more tech” over useful tech, this episode cuts through the noise and gets to the real challenges of modern national security.
💡 Want to understand where power, trust, and influence are actually being shaped?
Listen now.
📢 Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:24 - How Maggie got into national security
5:45 - The myth of DC as just a “political city”
12:22 - AI vs. human context in information warfare
24:10 - The 1930s radio propaganda playbook is back—with AI
30:05 - Why women’s networks matter in influence operations
36:15 - The biggest problem in defense tech (it’s not what you think)
45:20 - Ukraine’s info ops vs. the U.S. government’s risk aversion
47:55 - Where to find Maggie’s work
Jonathan Teubner talks with Azeem Azhar, author of "The Exponential Age," about how to navigate the rapidly advancing world of AI, particularly large language models. They explore frameworks for understanding this technology, building trust in AI systems, and the changing relationship between technology, media, and society.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction & Azeem's Background in Technology
3:11 How to Think About Today's AI Tools
7:46 Co-Reasoning with AI Systems
11:51 Is AI a Continuation or Step Change in Technology?
16:15 Understanding AI Beyond the Media Headlines
21:24 The Challenges of Trust and Factuality
27:25 The Gap Between Technical Capability and Social Trust
31:28 Technology's Evolving Social Impact
37:42 Media, Authority, and Finding Reliable Information
40:10 The Relational Structure of Trust in the Digital Age
45:37 Staying Engaged with New Technologies
Join us for an insightful conversation with Erol Yayboke, who recently joined Filter Labs as the Chief Research Officer, after holding roles at CSIS, USAID, and the Department of Defense. From his early experiences responding to earthquakes in Turkey to collaborating on Russian propaganda analysis, Erol discusses how to understand complex global challenges through both data and local perspectives.Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction4:03 - Analysis of Russian propaganda effectiveness11:24 - Early humanitarian experiences24:00 - Foreign aid and domestic investment32:05 - Understanding local communities41:00 - Technology and human expertise46:33 - Future of US foreign policyA fascinating discussion on combining data analysis with human insight to understand global challenges.
In this conversation on Navigating Noise, Adrian Pabst explored a fundamental tension in contemporary politics: the disconnect between high-level policymaking and local realities. Drawing from his experience at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, Pabst argued that we need to move beyond the false choice between pure idealism and fatalistic realism. Instead, he suggested we focus on understanding and aligning interests that aren't currently working together - capital and labor, young and old, different regions within countries.
In this conversation on Navigating Noise, Peter Pomerantsev and I explored the shifting landscape of international relations and what it means for America's place in the world. What struck me most was how our discussion lead to a fundamental question: How do nations define friendship in an increasingly transactional world? Watch the full episode to hear how we explore this topic.
The historical evolution of American intelligence offers a lens through which to understand today’s complex national security challenges. As the information landscape becomes increasingly vast and nuanced, tracing the trajectory of intelligence—from its origins to its current form—provides insights into the interplay between secrecy, trust, and the public-private partnerships that define its practice. This conversation with Jeff Rogg, the author of the forthcoming book, The Spy, The State, examines these historical precedents. Together we uncovered lessons on navigating technological disruption, fostering trust, and balancing transparency with national security imperatives.
The world is messy. Wars rage, governments falter, and institutions scramble to find clarity in a sea of uncertainty. Jake Shapiro is skilled at making sense of theses modern conflicts. An author and Princeton professor, he deeply understands how institutional frameworks and data applications can shape global dynamics. Watch the episode to learn more about: - The Value of Local Knowledge Meeting Data - Making Complexity Understandable - Universities as Untapped Resources for Public Good - Conflict’s Human Core - Lessons for Thought Leaders
In a recent episode of Navigating Noise, I had the privilege of speaking with Ellen McCarthy, CEO of the Trust in Media Cooperative and former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research. Her diverse career journey—from journalist to intelligence officer—provides a unique perspective on trust, information, and the evolving dynamics of media and intelligence. Here are the key insights from our conversation.
What happens when national security becomes a question of data—and who wields it best? In this episode of Navigating Noise, I sat down with Martijn Rasser, Chief Strategy Officer at Datenna and a former CIA intelligence officer, to explore how emerging technologies and open-source intelligence (OSINT) are reshaping global power dynamics. Martijn draws on his deep experience in the intelligence community and private sector to reveal how countries like China are leveraging innovations in quantum computing, biotechnology, and AI—and what the U.S. must do to stay ahead in this high-stakes competition.
Why are Russia and China closer than ever—and what could eventually pull them apart? In this episode of Navigating Noise, I sat down with Sasha Gabuev, Director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, to unpack one of the most consequential relationships in global geopolitics. Gabuev, a leading expert on China-Russian relations, has spent decades analyzing the strategic, economic, and cultural forces shaping this partnership. From his time as a journalist covering Kremlin diplomacy to his current role at Carnegie, Gabuev offers a rare perspective on why this relationship works—and where it’s likely to crack. If you’re looking to understand the real drivers of the Russia-China relationship, this conversation is essential. Here are my key takeaways, but don’t miss the full episode above for the full depth of insight.
When it comes to U.S.-China relations, understanding people and attitudes on the ground can be just as critical as assessing economic and military metrics. In a world where competition often drives policy, there’s a call for a more nuanced approach—one that factors in cultural insights and public sentiment. In this episode, Ali Wyne, Senior Research and Advocacy Advisor for U.S.-China at the International Crisis Group, discusses the importance of “great power opportunity” and the role of empathy in foreign policy.
In the world of modern warfare, actions are only half the battle. Perception and information are the rest. With adversaries like Russia using advanced disinformation, NATO needs to counter these tactics without losing credibility or cohesion. For NATO, protecting allies means not only deploying troops but shaping how people understand and see those moves. On this episode of Navigating Noise, I spoke with Jay Janzen, NATO’s Strategic Communications Director. Jay has spent over 30 years in strategic communications with NATO and the Canadian Armed Forces, and today, he’s at the forefront of NATO’s efforts to counter disinformation and influence perception.
The future of technology is human. It’s about the leadership that shapes how we experience digital spaces. Bill Powers’ insights on this episode of Navigating Noise show us that successful tech companies focus on more than just the bottom line—they focus on the human element. As tech thinker, former journalist, and entrepreneur Bill Powers reminds us, this isn’t the first time humanity has faced such a monumental shift. Bill brings a unique perspective to the Navigating Noise podcast, drawing on his experience as a former journalist at The Washington Post, bestselling author of Hamlet’s BlackBerry, and a research scientist at MIT Media Lab. He’s spent years exploring the crossroads of humanity and technology, starting and leading projects like Public Mind, a nonprofit that developed AI tools to improve public discourse. We discuss what history can teach us about navigating today’s technological upheavals, the power of leadership in shaping tech’s impact on society, and why understanding the human element remains essential.
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but it’s not the magic solution many make it out to be, according to theoretical neuroscientist and entrepreneur Dr. Vivienne Ming. She tells us that AI enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them—and the true power of AI lies in how it can transform the economics of existing solutions. In this episode of Navigating Noise, Dr. Ming draws on her deep experience with AI, neuroscience, and entrepreneurial ventures to discuss how AI can support, but not surpass, human judgment in complex decision-making. Dr. Ming’s career spans founding 5 different companies, including her current venture as CEO and co-founder at Socos Labs, where she tackles real-world challenges with AI-driven solutions. She’s also created innovations in neuroprosthetics, worked in epigenetics to solve postpartum depression, and led startups focused on education and healthcare. Currently, she leads philanthropic initiatives, paying for her team’s research and giving away inventions to solve some of the world’s toughest problems.
Russia’s economy may seem resilient on the surface, but according to Sergei Guriev, Dean of the London Business School, it’s held together by a fragile system of propaganda, half-truths, and strategic maneuvering. Cracks are forming in Russia’s economic armor—cracks that could expose the country’s vulnerabilities. The question is: how long can Putin’s regime keep these hidden from view? On the first Navigating Noise episode, Sergei peeled back the layers of Russia's economy, showing that what we see isn’t always the full picture. Sergei Guriev is the ideal expert to shed light on these issues in the Russian economy. As the current dean of the London Business School, Sergei brings a wealth of experience to the table. He spent nearly 12 years as a Professor of Economics at Sciences Po, where he taught and researched political economics, labor mobility, development, and transition economics. Sergei also served as the Chief Economist of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for three years. Before fleeing to live in France, he was Professor of Economics and Rector at Moscow’s New School for economics. In today’s episode, Jonathan Teubner, Peter Pomerantsev, and Sergei Guriev review the five biggest flaws, backed by Sergei's insights into Russia’s war-driven economy: 1. Inflation Is Underreported, Masking Deeper Problems 2. The Rising Cost of Soldiers and Depleted Manpower 3. Hidden Regional Disparities Threaten Stability 4. Misleading GDP Growth Driven by Military Spending 5. Increasing Reliance on China Raises New Risks Understanding them will help you decode the challenges Russia faces as it navigates an uncertain future.
