The Cyber Cowgirl™ Blog

Welcome to The Cyber Cowgirl™ Blog - Hannah’s archived collection of early morning thoughts related to cyber, defense, entrepreneurship, and professional development.

Join Hannah on this journey of discovery and discussion as we navigate the Digital Wild West together!

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Top 5 Cyberwarfare Threats for 2025
Cyberwarfare, Mis/Disinformation, Technology Hannah Becker Cyberwarfare, Mis/Disinformation, Technology Hannah Becker

Top 5 Cyberwarfare Threats for 2025

Cyberwarfare is the new frontier of conflict, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As we move into 2025, it’s clear that the lines between defense and offense are blurring. To protect our future, we must adapt—not just to the threats we face but to the opportunities we have to innovate and lead. The lessons of the past wars remind us that preparation and expertise are everything. Let’s make sure we’re ready—not just to defend the ball, but to take the shot when it matters most.

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Entrepreneurship: I Did It “My Way”

Entrepreneurship: I Did It “My Way”

Entrepreneurship is a tough, rewarding journey. For me, it wasn’t a dream—it was survival. After the war, no one would hire me or my veteran spouse, so we started a business with no capital, no connections, and no guarantees. The first years were grueling, filled with failures and hard lessons. But I stuck to my values, learned government contracting from scratch, and did things my way. Now, the company no one believed in holds multi-year contracts, with big firms seeking our partnership. It’s not easy, but forging your own path can lead to incredible rewards. Are you ready?

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“Going Beyond Fake News: Disinformation & Misinformation” Podcast
Media, Mis/Disinformation, Cyberwarfare Hannah Becker Media, Mis/Disinformation, Cyberwarfare Hannah Becker

“Going Beyond Fake News: Disinformation & Misinformation” Podcast

SIGNAL Media's Disruptive by Design Podcast: Going Beyond Fake News: Disinformation & Misinformation - Part 1 of 3 sessions. In this episode, we learn more about the rapidly evolving cyber threats related to misinformation and disinformation, and how artificial intelligence, deep fake technology and machine learning have the potential to greatly expand the capabilities and reach of the phenomenon. Tune in as experts suggest how best to counter and not fall victim to these emerging threats.

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Finding Meaning in Life After War
Military/Veteran Hannah Becker Military/Veteran Hannah Becker

Finding Meaning in Life After War

At a Gold Star Memorial in my hometown, I reflect on what we’ve lost to the war—and how to honor his memory and the future he will never see. It’s a solemn reminder that, despite the weight of our pain, we are called to respond with responsibility, courage, and a commitment to one another. Twenty years of war, thousands of lives lost, and a chaotic withdrawal beg the question: where do we go from here?

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Artificial Intelligence (AI): Is it the Nuclear Warhead of the Digital Age?

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Is it the Nuclear Warhead of the Digital Age?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been likened to nuclear weapons as a revolutionary technology with immense potential for both positive advancements and catastrophic harm. This comparison underscores the need to approach AI with caution, ethics, and regulation. Unlike nuclear weapons, AI is widely accessible, inexpensive to develop, and lacks robust global oversight, making it vulnerable to misuse. From cyberattacks and deepfake videos to autonomous weaponry and economic manipulation, AI's potential for harm is both insidious and far-reaching.

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Episode 47 - Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, III - Combat, Counterinsurgency, Leadership, and the Future of War
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 47 - Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, III - Combat, Counterinsurgency, Leadership, and the Future of War

Lieutenant General H. Stacy Clardy III reflects on a career spanning infantry and reconnaissance command, combat in Iraq, and senior leadership across the Indo-Pacific. As Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, he prepared 25,000 Marines and Sailors for competition and potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China. He discusses how combat experience shaped his warfighting ethos and approach to leadership. The conversation explores decision-making under pressure, the future of warfare, and the enduring relevance of ground combat.

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Episode 46 - General Gary Brito, USA (Ret): Innovation, Leadership, Modernization, and a Life of Service
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 46 - General Gary Brito, USA (Ret): Innovation, Leadership, Modernization, and a Life of Service

General Gary Brito joins Tipping Spears for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, modernization, and institutional change. As a four-star Army leader, General Brito reflects on leading complex, mission-driven organizations responsible for developing and sustaining the force. We discuss how data, innovation, and emerging technologies are reshaping training, readiness, and talent management. He shares hard-earned lessons on driving change while maintaining trust, discipline, and organizational coherence. The conversation offers practical insights for senior leaders navigating scale, complexity, and strategic uncertainty.

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Episode 45 - LTG Karen Gibson, USA (Ret.)- Cyber, Intelligence, Leadership, and National Security
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 45 - LTG Karen Gibson, USA (Ret.)- Cyber, Intelligence, Leadership, and National Security

In this episode of Tipping Spears, I sit down with Lieutenant General Karen Gibson, a senior Army intelligence leader with deep experience at the operational and strategic levels. We focus on how the intelligence enterprise has evolved alongside cyber operations, information warfare, and rapidly advancing technology. LTG Gibson discusses decision-making in contested, data-saturated environments and the leadership demands of modern intelligence organizations. She also shares insights on integrating cyber, intelligence, and operational perspectives to support combat outcomes.

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Episode 43 - Anthony Vinci, PhD - Author of “The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future ofEspionage and the Battle to Save America”
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 43 - Anthony Vinci, PhD - Author of “The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future ofEspionage and the Battle to Save America”

Dr. Anthony Vinci joins Tipping Spears to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping espionage, modern warfare, and human judgment. We explore cognitive influence, China’s tech strategy, and lessons from his book, “The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America”, for the next generation of intelligence professionals.

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An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey: Bootstrapping a Small Business in Government Contracting

An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey: Bootstrapping a Small Business in Government Contracting

Bootstrapping a small business in government contracting is challenging, especially as a veteran-owned company with limited resources. Through perseverance and learning from failures, I’ve navigated the bureaucracy, built a solid foundation, and secured prime contracts. This blog shares key lessons learned, insights into the industry, and tips for those pursuing success in government contracting.

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Episode 42 - LTG Ed Cardon, USA (Ret): Leading Transformation in a Complex World
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 42 - LTG Ed Cardon, USA (Ret): Leading Transformation in a Complex World

In this episode of “Tipping Spears”, LTG (Ret.) Ed Cardon shares hard-earned leadership lessons from building and scaling Army Cyber Command during a period of rapid change and uncertainty. Drawing on decades of experience across cyber, modernization, and institutional transformation, he offers practical insights on leading through complexity, integrating emerging technologies like AI, and preparing organizations for future conflict.

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Episode 41 - LTG Milford Beagle, USA (Ret): Leading With Clarity When the Map Runs Out
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 41 - LTG Milford Beagle, USA (Ret): Leading With Clarity When the Map Runs Out

In this episode of “Tipping Spears”, I sit down with LTG (Ret.) Milford H. “Beags” Beagle, Jr., a distinguished Army leader whose 35-year career took him from humble beginnings in South Carolina to commanding soldiers around the world and shaping the professional development of more than 1.5 million personnel. LTG Beagle shares a deeply personal leadership journey defined by resilience, purpose, and an unwavering belief in human potential.

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Episode 40 - Raleigh Smith Duttweiler - Chief Impact Officer at the National Military Family Association
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 40 - Raleigh Smith Duttweiler - Chief Impact Officer at the National Military Family Association

Raleigh Smith Duttweiler, Chief Impact Officer at the National Military Family Association, joins Tipping Spears to discuss today’s top challenges facing military families, including financial stress, mental health, suicide prevention, childcare, healthcare access, and TRICARE. She shares insights on effective advocacy, evolving family needs, and how communities, schools, and employers can better support military families across the country.

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Episode 39 - Nate Boaz - U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Author, and CEO of Prometheus Intelligence
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 39 - Nate Boaz - U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Author, and CEO of Prometheus Intelligence

This episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker features an in-depth conversation with Nate Boaz, Marine Corps veteran, author of Running Toward Fire, and CEO of Prometheus Intelligence. Nate discusses his journey from combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to Harvard Business School and senior roles at McKinsey, Accenture, and Microsoft. He explains the development of Prometheus Intelligence and its voice-AI technology designed to elevate investigative interviewing across industries. The episode explores military leadership, veterans’ transition challenges, entrepreneurship, and the practical implications of artificial intelligence for organizations and the workforce. Nate offers actionable guidance for veterans, emerging leaders, and professionals navigating an AI-driven world. This interview provides insights into purpose, identity, innovation, and building impactful technology in a rapidly evolving national security landscape.


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Episode 38 - Dr. Jeffrey Rogg - Author of “The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence”
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 38 - Dr. Jeffrey Rogg - Author of “The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence”

Dr. Jeffrey Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at USF’s Global and National Security Institute and author of “The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence”, joins “Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker” for a deep dive into the evolution of U.S. intelligence, emerging national-security challenges, and how technology is reshaping modern intelligence work. We discuss what sparked his career, key themes from his new book, common public misconceptions about intelligence, the threats that concern him most, and his advice for the next generation pursuing careers in intelligence and national security.

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What Everyone Needs to Know About Cyberwarfare

What Everyone Needs to Know About Cyberwarfare

Unfortunately, large-scale cyberwarfare is a likely reality of our connected future. It’s a downside to having the convenience of instant information and communication via the Internet. This is our soft underbelly - hyperconnectivity that’s permeated all aspects of our organizations, society, and lives. I wish the threats and realities of cyberwarfare were as far-fetched as my grandma’s paranoia regarding alien abduction; however, the connectivity we’ve all become accustomed to is enabling the evolution of a whole new battlefield - cyber.

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Episode 37 - Joanna Guldin-Noll – Social Media, Disinformation, and the Military Community
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 37 - Joanna Guldin-Noll – Social Media, Disinformation, and the Military Community

Writer and military spouse advocate Joanna Guldin-Noll joins Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker to talk about the digital frontlines of the military community. From the rise of Jo, My Gosh! to the challenges of disinformation, AI, and deepfakes, Joanna shares insights on media literacy, online connection, and the future of military family storytelling in the digital age.

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Dividing a United Nation Through Weaponized Information

Dividing a United Nation Through Weaponized Information

My Grandmama’s kitchen table was big - she kept three leaves in it year-round so it could seat over 20 people at a moment's notice. “Feeding folks” as she called it, was one of her deepest sources of joy. She was the human embodiment of the Crowded Table song by The Highwomen. From the time I stumbled out of my bedroom at 5 AM, to when I finally turned in for the night at 11 PM, there seemed to always be someone sitting and visiting at that mahogany masterpiece. She cooked “big” - always three to four times what was necessary for a meal - so there was always cold fried chicken, a cast iron skillet of biscuits, and an extra chocolate meringue pie or two ready to distribute to the neighbors, relatives, and random new friend she’d made when they plopped down at the table.

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Episode 36 - LtCol Tom Schueman – Author, Marine, and Founder of Patrol Base Abbate
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 36 - LtCol Tom Schueman – Author, Marine, and Founder of Patrol Base Abbate

Marine infantry officer LtCol Tom Schueman joins Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker to discuss moral injury, leadership, and the legacy of Afghanistan. From the battlefields of Sangin to the withdrawal from Kabul, Schueman shares powerful reflections on service, sacrifice, and purpose beyond the uniform. We talk about the founding of Patrol Base Abbate, veteran suicide prevention, and the enduring bonds between Marines and their Afghan interpreters.

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Episode 35 - J.D. Maddox – Influence Operations, Emerging Technology, and the Battle for Trust
Podcast Hannah Becker Podcast Hannah Becker

Episode 35 - J.D. Maddox – Influence Operations, Emerging Technology, and the Battle for Trust

J.D. Maddox joins Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker to unpack how technology, influence operations, and trust intersect in today’s national security landscape. A former CIA analytic manager, diplomat, and Special Operations soldier, J.D. shares insights from his leadership of AI-enabled influence campaigns at the State Department and his work advising the Department of Defense on information operations. He discusses how societal trust has eroded, why that matters for national resilience, and how emerging technologies can both defend and endanger democratic institutions. This episode explores the evolving nature of cognitive warfare and the urgent need to rebuild confidence in truth, leadership, and technology.

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