Time to Head North

Former undercover narcotics officer and Director of Intelligence at The North Group, Mike Kingsbury joins Vince Vargas on the Time to Head North Podcast to discuss the realities of undercover operations, law enforcement, intelligence gathering, organized crime, insider threats, and the evolving world of protective intelligence.   After spending more than two decades in law enforcement, including six years working undercover narcotics and surveillance operations near Detroit, Mike shares stories from major drug investigations, the mental toll of undercover work, and how modern criminals have shifted from street crime to cyber-enabled fraud and organized crime.   The conversation also explores how protective intelligence works, why CEOs and ultra-high-net-worth individuals are increasingly targeted, insider threats, cybercrime, dark web exposure, and how The North Group helps clients identify and mitigate risks before they become crises.   Topics Covered: • Undercover narcotics investigations and surveillance operations • Major drug busts and intelligence-driven policing • Mental health challenges in law enforcement • Officer safety and leadership lessons • Protective intelligence and threat assessments • Organized crime and cyber-enabled fraud • Insider threats and executive protection • How billionaires, executives, and corporations are targeted • The future of intelligence-led security   Presented by The North Group Security Refined by Intelligence   Chapters 00:00 – Undercover Life and the Mental Toll of Narcotics Work 08:45 – Major Drug Cases and Intelligence Operations 16:50 – Mental Health, Leadership, and Officer Safety 23:30 – Protective Intelligence and Modern Threats 30:15 – How The North Group Protects Executives and Corporations   #ProtectiveIntelligence #ExecutiveProtection #LawEnforcement #UndercoverCop #ThreatAssessment #CyberSecurity #TimeToHeadNorth

In this episode of the Time to Head North podcast, Vince sits down with Denny from Security Halt Media to break down what’s really happening in today’s global landscape and how everyday people should think about security, fear, and preparedness.   As conversations around Iran news, the Israel Iran war, and broader middle east war tensions continue to dominate world news, this episode shifts the focus from headlines to real-world application. Instead of reacting to fear-driven narratives, this discussion centers on practical security principles, mindset, and how families can stay grounded during uncertain times.   Denny shares insight from his military background and explains why much of today’s media environment is driven by information operations and psychological pressure rather than immediate real-world threats. The conversation also explores how veterans, families, and civilians can filter political commentary, avoid panic, and focus on what actually matters: awareness, preparedness, and community.   This episode is not about fear. It’s about control, clarity, and understanding how to navigate modern conflict narratives without losing your sense of reality.   If you are following developments around Donald Trump, military involvement, or the evolving geopolitical landscape, this episode provides a grounded perspective on what you should actually be paying attention to.   For more security insights and intelligence-driven analysis, follow The North Group.   Chapters   00:00 – Fear, Media, and How It Affects Families 02:15 – Iran Conflict and What It Means for Americans 04:30 – Real Threat vs Media Hype 07:10 – Practical Security and Everyday Preparedness 10:20 – Information Warfare and Controlling the Narrative

This survival story dives deep into the shocking kidnapping of Jayme Closs, a missing girl whose case gripped the true crime community and stunned the nation. In October 2018, 13-year-old Jayme Closs was abducted from her Wisconsin home after a violent home invasion that left both of her parents dead. What followed was an intense investigation, a nationwide search, and 88 days of captivity that became one of the most talked-about true crime cases in recent history.   This cinematic narration explores how Jayme Closs survived, how she escaped, and how the criminal justice system ultimately brought her captor to justice. From the initial investigation and missing persons alerts to the courtroom sentencing and aftermath, this episode walks through the full timeline of a case that captivated true crime junkies, true crime obsessed audiences, and true crime podcasts around the world.   Designed for true crime fans and those fascinated by law and crime, this episode highlights the psychological strength required to survive a kidnapping, the realities behind missing children cases, and the role of awareness and resilience in life-threatening situations. If you are a true crime addict, a fan of Prime Crime-style storytelling, or someone who follows unsolved mysteries and missing persons cases, this survival story delivers a powerful and emotional narrative.   This episode examines: - The kidnapping and disappearance of Jayme Closs - The investigation and nationwide search - Life in captivity and survival mindset - The court case and criminal justice system outcome   This is not just another horror-like true crime story. It is a real account of survival, resilience, and justice. For those who follow true crime books, true crime memes, true crime podcasts, and major missing children cases, this is a story that continues to resonate with the true crime community worldwide.   Subscribe for more survival stories, investigations, and true crime episodes exploring real cases and stories that deserve to be told.

In this powerful episode of Time to Head North, Vince sits down with cognitive analyst Shelley Bernard to explore the complex realities of the transition from military to civilian life, the impact of long-term trauma exposure, and the evolving conversation around veterans, mental health, psychology, and resilience.   Shelley shares how her work began by helping special operations veterans navigate the transition from military to civilian life and why accurate psychological profiling and cognitive analysis are critical for long-term success and survival after service. With rising concerns around suicide rates among veterans and the growing mental health challenges faced by law enforcement and security professionals, this conversation dives deep into trauma healing and how long-term exposure to stress impacts the mind.   Together, they explore the psychology behind how veterans process trauma, why traditional personality assessments often fail those in high-risk professions, and how society’s perception of law enforcement and military communities affects mental health outcomes. The discussion also highlights the importance of understanding how the brain processes information, how trauma shapes decision-making, and why better tools for trauma healing and mental health support are needed for veterans and security professionals.   This episode offers valuable insights into the psychological challenges that come with the transition from military to civilian life and provides a deeper look at trauma healing, cognitive profiling, and the mental health realities facing veterans, law enforcement, and those working in high-risk environments.   If you are interested in psychology, trauma healing, veterans’ mental health, or understanding how the mind adapts after years of high-alert service, this conversation is a must-listen.   Time to Head North is presented by The North Group, security refined by intelligence.   Chapters 00:00 The Reality of Transition From Military to Civilian Life 02:30 Why Veterans Face Higher Mental Health Risks After Service 07:15 Long-Term Trauma in Veterans and Law Enforcement 13:40 Psychology, Decision-Making, and Trauma Healing 20:10 Building Better Mental Health Support for Veterans

In this episode of Time to Head North, host Vince Vargas sits down with the Founder of the Wolverines, a volunteer force operating in modern conflict zones including the Ukraine war. This conversation dives deep into modern warfare, the evolution of military tactics, and how drone technology is reshaping the future of combat.   The founder explains how the Wolverines train and advise partner forces using FPV drones, UAS platforms, and real-world battlefield experience. From drone reconnaissance and kinetic drone strikes to building a next-generation drone academy inside Ukraine, this episode reveals how weapons, technology, and discipline are redefining military operations in real time.   You’ll hear firsthand insight into future warfare, including how modern weapons systems are replacing expendable manpower, why FPV drone builds have become a force multiplier, and how lessons learned overseas directly impact U.S. homeland security. This episode also explores the ethical lines of training, the threat of drone warfare spreading beyond Ukraine, and why modern warfare today feels like World War I and World War III happening at the same time.   If you’re interested in military strategy, modern warfare, drone technology, or the future of global conflict, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.   Chapters 00:00 – Modern Warfare and the Rise of Drone Combat 04:45 – From Volunteers to a Drone Academy in Ukraine 09:20 – FPV Drones, UAS, and Battlefield Innovation 15:50 – Why Drones Are Replacing Soldiers in Future Warfare 21:30 – What the Ukraine War Reveals About Global Security   #dronewarfare