On this episode of The Intelligence Report, Dylan Welch sits down with Chris Stakich, CEO of Summit, the organization behind some of the most influential curated gatherings in the world, including Summit at Sea.

Chris shares his unconventional path to leadership, from playing college football at Harvard University to working as an expedition guide and eventually stepping into the role of CEO at one of the most respected platforms for high-level community building and networking.

The conversation explores the intersection of travel, leadership, and intentional community design, with Chris reflecting on how formative experiences in the outdoors and on the field shaped his approach to business and team dynamics. He also shares candid insights into the power of curated environments, the role of trust in elite networks, and real-world stories where relationships built through Summit directly impacted careers and opportunities.

With Summit’s next flagship event on the horizon, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s premier networking ecosystems operates, and why the future of leadership increasingly depends on who you build with, not just what you build.

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In this episode of The Intelligence Report Podcast, host Dylan Welch, founder of The Intelligence Report, sits down with Adam Dungan, former U.S. Marine, former CIA officer, and current candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 8th District.

Adam shares the story of his journey from military service to intelligence work and now into the world of politics. The conversation explores how his experiences in national security have shaped his perspective on today’s challenges facing the United States.

Dylan and Adam discuss major international developments, the evolving global landscape, and how geopolitical events influence decisions at home. They also dive into the local issues impacting communities across the country and the kinds of practical solutions that leaders should be focusing on.

This episode offers a candid look at leadership, public service, and the intersection of intelligence, geopolitics, and domestic policy.

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In this episode of Intelligence Report, host Dylan Welch sits down with marine conservation biologist and global ocean advocate Callie Veelenturf for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges field science and international policy.

As Executive Director of The Leatherback Project, a National Geographic Explorer, Explorers Club Fellow, and advisor to both the United Nations Harmony with Nature Programme and United Nations Development Programme, Veelenturf operates at the intersection of conservation biology, Indigenous partnership, and the emerging global movement to recognize the Rights of Nature in law.

Dylan and Callie explore what it’s like to conduct hands-on marine research in some of the most remote ecosystems on Earth, tracking endangered leatherback sea turtles, working alongside coastal communities, and confronting the realities of habitat collapse. But the conversation goes beyond the beach and the boat.

Callie shares how scientific data becomes legal leverage, detailing her work helping governments and local leaders draft and pass laws that grant ecosystems legal rights and personhood. The discussion dives into how courtroom victories, constitutional reforms, and international advocacy are becoming essential tools in the fight to protect biodiversity.

This episode is both a field report and a policy briefing—revealing how modern conservationists must be equal parts scientist, diplomat, and strategist in a rapidly changing world.

A conversation about saving species, and rewriting the rules that govern how humanity relates to the natural world.

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