CIA PDB Briefer to President Trump | Senior Intel Analyst | Beth Sanner

In this episode of Combat Story, we hear from Beth Sanner, a former senior CIA analyst and President's Daily Brief (PDB) briefer to President Trump. Beth previously served as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration, the Director of the PDB and as Vice Chair of the National Intelligence Council.  

Beth also held several senior leadership positions in the CIA’s Directorate of Analysis, including leading the analytic effort on South Asia and serving as the deputy for analysis for Russian and European affairs. In this episode, we cover her time as a briefer to Trump, her stint with the NSC, her position at CIA covering Russia and Eurasia shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, and leading the Career Analyst Program (the training program for all CIA analysts). 

The PDB Briefer is a prestigious position and not a political appointee. We also interviewed former military analyst and PDB Briefer to President Obama Michelle DiGruttolo if you’re interested in hearing her perspective as well.

With that, I hope you enjoy this fascinating inside look at the upper echelons of the analytic side of the CIA as much as I did.

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:
00:00 Intro
00:57 Guest Introduction: Beth Sanner
02:18 Beth's Career and Analytical Process
05:49 Consultancy and Expertise
09:41 Early Life and Influences
13:51 Career Path and Key Positions
32:15 Mentorship and Leadership
38:05 Logistics and Program Growth Challenges
39:13 The Role of Note Takers in High-Stakes Calls
41:17 Experiences Aboard Air Force One
43:04 Becoming a Presidential Daily Briefer
53:36 Building Trust with the President
55:47 Handling Personal and Professional Challenges
01:00:01 The Human Side of Intelligence Work
01:11:36 Reflections and Final Thoughts

[walabok]

Thanks a lot Ryan for another jewel. You represent the highest level of journalism, reporting, podcasting or whatever this new genre is called.
The fact that you interview PDBs from both sides of the aisle proves your integrity.
I particularly like the fact that you never begin 2 interviews with the same question.
Merci beaucoup! Keep it up!!!

[shannon]

You definitely NEED TO HAVE HER BACK 4 more, she's absolutely fascinating!!!! Such a great episode, and we need more from her specifically, and others like her. Learned a lot of info and from different perspectives.

[chrisUSA]

Wow, Mrs. Sanner is incredibly GREAT!

[douglasmoore]

A most incredible individual, always yours

[DavidJones-smiley]

This lady holds a wealth of knowledge ! She is a
super computer !

[ForeverBijou]

Beth was very very lucky to not only have mentors but good mentors. My career was in the same fields but at a sister agency with close ties to CIA (joint) and there were no mentors to speak of for women. There were so few of us that to have your name associated with someone for anything you can bet it was viewed suspiciously. The young women today have a lot to thank Beth for as a trailblazer. Mentorships have a program and are encouraged and expected today. During my time you had to fight to be taken seriously.

[Jason-D]

Another great interview, keep up the great interviews.

[sharonhearne]

Former President Trump; please set this record straight. Always interesting commentary.

[johnconover]

Most of her mentors are people who have done great harm to the agency and the IC writ large.

[carlfischer]

👍liked this, can only imagine what her life has been like. Thanks

[jacobsilver-shutupandserve]

I Have One Question
Where Did She Get The Fish
That's a Killer Fish
So Many Questions About The Fish

Supper cool Interview
Best Dam YouTube channel In The World

[FPIZZA]

Elgato Stream Deck Pedal. It has 3 “buttons” that are fer yer feeties. There are cheap versions of it but Elgato is the best. Those buttons are programmable to do anything you want. Might be handy (lmao) to have in your studio for things like muting the mic. But literally anything your computer does, multi-stepped if needed, and durable. I appreciate you, Ryan. I can’t give back outside of sending people towards your show or drop little tidbits of random knowledge. TBI kinda amplifies my ADHD 😂

[randalsiggson]

Tell TRUMP swim in District of his own admission “I should have hidden my documents better…..
Well

In my wife parents vacation home in Belgium?….