What do extremists, trolls, and corporate boardrooms have in common?
They're all in the business of narrative warfare.
Simon Paterson went from "smiting the Queen's enemies" in UK military intelligence to advising Fortune 100 companies on how not to get wrecked by disinfo.
Turns out: memes, lies, and smear campaigns can be just as effective as missiles. And no, "just ignore it" is not a strategy.
This episode takes you from the battlefield to the boardroom—where trust is the real target, and narrative resilience is the only shield that matters.
From UK military intel to Edelman: Simon's path into narrative warfare
Why corporate comms can't treat disinfo as "just PR"
The danger of measuring "success" by putting out fires
Prebunking: inoculating against lies before they spread
The collapse of trust in experts—and the rise of the "Bobs"
Why businesses (not governments) may be the last line of defense
"The internet was built by engineers. But it's a deeply human experience."
"Once someone believes something, correcting it doesn't undo the belief—it confirms it."
"You're all on a floodplain. It's not if, it's when."
"You don't have to engage. You can build resilience so others do it for you."
"People don't like losing money. That's how you move the conversation."
Simon Paterson on LinkedIn
InfauxTech
www.InfauxTech.comEdelman Trust Barometer 2024
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MAD Warfare™️ is hosted by narrative strategist Jocelyn Brady and cognitive neuroscientist Sean Anthony Guillory. Edited and produced by Amine el Filali. Visit our website at madwarfare.com for extra giggles. And send your wishes, weird ideas, dream guests, and (yes it bears repeating) sponsorship inquiries to madwarfarepodcast@gmail.com.
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FAIR USE: This show is MAD enough to include homages, short clips, and references that provide vital context and/or moments of joy. We DEEPLY respect every creator's work and use these moments purely for educational, artistic, and transformative purposes under Fair Use. If we are missing attributions or you would like to collaborate, please reach out—we're always happy to chat!
