Podcast Summary: CyberWire Daily

Episode: Charity Wright: Pursue what you love. [Threat intelligence] [Career Notes]
Host: N2K Networks
Date: December 28, 2025

Overview

This episode features Charity Wright, a Threat Intelligence Analyst at Recorded Future, sharing her journey from aspiring Olympic figure skater, to US Army linguist, to cyber threat intelligence expert. Charity discusses her educational and professional path, her role in cybersecurity, insights from her military and intelligence experience, and the importance of pursuing one’s passions within the field. The episode is motivational and encouraging, especially for those who might feel siloed by their past experiences or background.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. Early Aspirations and Education

• Charity initially aspired to be an Olympic figure skater.
• Her interest shifted in late high school to international relations, leading to a degree in international studies at the University of North Texas.
  (Timestamp: 01:19)
• Quote:
  "When I was young I wanted to be an Olympic figure skater, which did not happen, but it was something to strive after."
  — Charity Wright, 01:20

2. Unexpected Military Recruitment and Linguist Path

• Charity was recruited into the US Army for the linguist program during college, enticed by the opportunity to learn a foreign language, travel, and continue her education with Army support.
• She was assigned to learn Mandarin Chinese, despite her initial doubts about learning such a difficult language.
• Memorable Moment:
  "I really didn't have confidence that I could learn Chinese, but I thought hey, I'm being paid to learn it so may as well try. And it was a really wonderful experience..."
  — Charity Wright, 03:22
• Charity’s first duty assignment as a linguist was at the NSA in Hawaii, which she found highly motivating and rewarding.

3. Service, Family, and Transition to Civilian Work

• Charity balanced her career with family when her husband, also in the military, received orders for Maryland. She transitioned from active duty to the National Guard to support her family.
• The move to the DC area presented challenges despite her skills and security clearance, due to a saturated market of veterans post-2012.
• Quote:
  "I thought for sure I'd be able to get a contract job... but it was 2012 and the economy was not great and the job market was flooded with veterans that were cleared."
  — Charity Wright, 05:39

4. Entry Into Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence

• Charity pivoted into cybersecurity in the private sector, describing it as one of the most exciting points in her career.
• She joined a rapidly evolving field, leveraging her background in languages and global analysis.

5. Daily Life as a Threat Intelligence Analyst

• Charity describes her work as fast-paced and continuously engaging, especially monitoring global events, with a special focus on Chinese influence operations in recent months.
• She works on the global issues team, contributing to strategic intelligence and leading junior analysts.
• Quote:
  "My day to day, I wake up in the morning pretty early and I have to admit I'm a little addicted to my job. So I jump straight into what happened while I was sleeping. Is there anything breaking that I need to report on?"
  — Charity Wright, 07:15

6. Teamwork, Learning, and Bias in Intelligence Analysis

• Emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in threat intelligence work, particularly balancing and acknowledging biases from a military background.
• Values collaboration and learning from junior analysts.
• Quote:
  "These younger junior analysts are amazing. Their perspectives that they bring to our analysis and how we can check each other's bias, which is really important as an analyst..."
  — Charity Wright, 07:55

7. Career Advice: Don’t Let Others Silo You

• Charity advises resisting being “siloed” into roles based solely on your background, instead pursuing interests and areas that spark passion.
• She credits confidence, honesty about skills and gaps, and a willingness to learn as key to her successful pivot into cybersecurity.
• Quote:
  "One of the most important things I've learned in my career is to not let anyone silo you into a role or a place that you are not happy in. A lot of times, people will label you based on your past experiences."
  — Charity Wright, 08:19

8. Advocacy for Representation and Following Your Passions

• Shares her drive to improve gender representation in cybersecurity, highlighting the need for more women on stage, on camera, and as public voices in the field.
• Quote:
  "There’s not enough women in this industry on stage or on camera or on the mic, speaking about their experiences, speaking about their knowledge and sharing that with the world. And we need more representation."
  — Charity Wright, 08:51
• Stresses the importance of working on what you love for both personal fulfillment and professional impact.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "When I was young I wanted to be an Olympic figure skater, which did not happen..."
  — 01:20
• "I really didn't have confidence that I could learn Chinese, but I thought hey, I'm being paid to learn it so may as well try."
  — 03:22
• "I thought for sure I'd be able to get a contract job... but it was 2012 and the economy was not great and the job market was flooded with veterans that were cleared."
  — 05:39
• "My day to day, I wake up in the morning pretty early and I have to admit I'm a little addicted to my job."
  — 07:15
• "These younger junior analysts are amazing. Their perspectives that they bring to our analysis and how we can check each other's bias..."
  — 07:55
• "One of the most important things I've learned in my career is to not let anyone silo you into a role or a place that you are not happy in."
  — 08:19
• "There’s not enough women in this industry on stage or on camera or on the mic... and we need more representation."
  — 08:51

Key Moments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Charity's introduction & early aspirations | 01:19 | | Reflections on Army linguist recruitment | 02:10 | | Learning Mandarin and first duty station | 03:22 | | Supporting family, National Guard transition | 04:20 | | Entering cybersecurity private sector | 06:00 | | Daily life as a threat intelligence analyst | 07:15 | | On team dynamics and analyst bias | 07:55 | | Career advice and challenges | 08:19 | | Women’s representation in cybersecurity | 08:51 |

Tone and Style

Charity’s tone is candid, energetic, and passionate, with a mix of humility and encouragement. She frames her personal journey as both instructive and inspirational, especially for listeners considering a non-linear career path or striving for greater representation in tech and cyber fields.

Summary Takeaway:
Charity Wright’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of adaptability, lifelong learning, and aligning work with personal passions. Her advice to pursue what you love and to defy being limited by one’s background is significant for anyone considering a shift within cybersecurity or technology. The episode is especially motivational for women and underrepresented groups seeking their place and voice in the industry.