Ep. 14 Quantum Is Closing In, Data Everywhere, & Peace in Sight

In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric put quantum computing on the table—what quantum computers are, why “harvest-now, decrypt-later” raises the stakes for your data, and what a post-quantum cryptography (PQC) world will look like. Plus: China’s threats to restrict rare-earth exports, partnership opportunities in AI-enabled open-source intelligence (OSINT), and the implications of the well deserved Nobel Peace Prize recognition for María Corina Machado of Venezuela.Programming note: After a two-week break following Sue’s surgery, catch the next UI Podcast release on October 28, 2025.Timestamps: 01:20 Halloween Candy Choices04:30 China's Rare Earth Restriction08:37 The Rise of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)13:28 Counterintelligence in the Modern Era21:19 Nobel Peace Prize 26:31 Quantum Computing Basics29:24 Quantum Computing and Cryptography39:38 Quantum Computing in Finance and Medicine41:26 Future of Quantum Computing44:07 What We’re WatchingArticle Links: OSINT OpED:Kahn Academy Quantum: Federal Reserve HNDL Paper:About the show:Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon is the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be.Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions.From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear.Website and Feedback:Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: FeedbackSend us Fan MailJoin us on Youtube, Instagram, and wherever you enjoy your podcasts. New episodes every Tuesday.  Follow or subscribe today.