The Entropy Podcast
Podcast Description
Welcome to The Entropy Podcast—hosted by principal security architect Francis Gorman. The Entropy Podcast centers on cybersecurity, technology, and business, featuring conversations with accomplished professionals who share real-world knowledge and experience. Our goal is simple: to leave you better informed and inspired after every episode.We chose the name “Entropy” because it symbolizes the constant flux and unpredictability in cybersecurity, technology, and business. By understanding the forces that drive change and “disorder,” we can create better strategies to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving technology and geo political landscape.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers around cybersecurity, technology, and business, with episodes exploring specific topics such as the intersection of safety and security in engineering, illustrated by Dr. Bob Oates' insights on the world’s first commercial remotely operated ship project, and discussions on post-quantum cryptography, addressing evolving threats in a digital landscape.
Hosted by Francis Gorman, The Entropy Podcast brings together intelligence community veterans, post-quantum cryptography pioneers, CISOs, business leaders, and frontline practitioners for unfiltered conversations on the threats, complexity, and geopolitics shaping our world.
Past guests include former senior CIA officers, leading cryptographers, digital forensics experts, and security and technology leaders from across financial services, critical infrastructure, and government, voices rarely heard together in one place.
Each episode goes beyond headlines to explore how cyber risk, emerging technology, and geopolitical instability are reshaping the way organisations operate, compete, and defend themselves. Expect candid insight on quantum risk, nation-state threats, AI, espionage, financial crime, business resilience, and the human dimensions of leadership.
Designed for CISOs, board members, founders, technologists, policy thinkers, and the professionally curious, Entropy sits at the intersection of business, technology, and cybersecurity a space for genuine conversations with unique minds, the kind that don’t fit neatly into a press release.
The name Entropy reflects the growing complexity and unpredictability of the systems we depend on, and the discipline required to lead through them.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on The Entropy Podcast are those of the host and guests in their personal capacity and do not represent the views, positions, or policies of their respective employers, affiliated organisations, or any government body. Guest appearances do not constitute endorsement by the host, and the host’s commentary does not constitute endorsement of guests’ views. Content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, financial, or security advice.
One of the topics I cover a lot on this show is post quantum readiness, I believe awareness of this emerging technology is key for a safer world into the future. To support this awareness I have built a free resource to help you explore the world of quantum and learn as you go. You can find it here: www.postquantumreadiness.com
Buy Our Swag:
We now have some slick new swag you can purchase through our Esty store.
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Watch and Subscribe
You can also watch full episodes and exclusive content on our YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/@TheEntropyPodcast
Achievements
The Entropy Podcast delivered strong chart performance throughout 2025, demonstrating consistent international reach and listener engagement.
- Regularly ranked within the Top 20 Technology podcasts in Ireland.
- Achieved a Top 25 placement in the United States Technology charts, holding the position for one week.
- Charted internationally across multiple markets, including Israel, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
This performance reflects sustained global interest and growing recognition across key podcast markets.
Audio Quality Notice
Some episodes may feature minor variations in audio quality due to remote recording environments and external factors. We continuously strive to deliver the highest possible audio standards and appreciate your understanding.
Geopolitical forecaster and strategist David Murrin joins Francis Gorman to argue that the world isn't experiencing ordinary volatility it's in the middle of a deep, structural transition between great powers. Drawing on his ”Five Stages of Empire” framework, David lays out why he believes America's decline began after 9/11, why China is rising into the vacuum, and why he sees the next decade as a period of unavoidable escalation. The conversation ranges across the war in Ukraine, the Iran nuclear question, the battle for the Pacific, the hollowing-out of Western military capability, and the subtler war being fought through economics, infiltration, and influence. It closes on Ireland's exposure as a neutral state and David's blunt verdict that there is ”nowhere to hide.”
Key Takeaways
- David's ”Five Stages of Empire” model frames how nations regionalise, fight a civil war, expand, peak, and decline and where he places the West today.
- His view that American power entered structural decline after 9/11, with China rising to fill the vacuum.
- The concept of ”strategic compression” why rising powers are forced to act not when they choose, but when the window around them starts to close.
- Why he sees Ukraine and Iran as conflicts enabled and shaped by China, used as testing grounds for systems and tactics.
- His argument that Western societies are being degraded from within through long-running influence operations targeting domestic politics.
- A stark assessment of UK military readiness, and why he believes adaptability not hardware alone decides who survives modern conflict.
- What all of this means for a small, neutral, strategically significant state like Ireland.
Soundbites
- ”Nature absolutely abhors a vacuum. It hates it.”
- ”It's as if we're playing draughts and the Chinese are playing three-dimensional chess.”
- ”The timing of hegemonic conflicts is never at the choosing of the hegemon.”
- ”There are no neutral countries in its story, so there are no places to hide.”
- ”Stand up and be counted.”
Note: This episode contains forecasting and personal analysis that is, by nature, speculative and at times contested. These are David Murrin's own views, shared to open debate rather than to state fact.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.