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EP.82 – JOHN KIRIAKOU: CHOOSING TRUTH OVER CAREER—WOULD YOU? | COURAGE | FAITH UNDER FIRE | WHISTLEBLOWER | CATHOLIC VALUES

Virtuous Leaders with Dr. Johann D'Souza

John Kiriakou is a former CIA officer and renowned whistleblower who stood up for truth and human dignity, even when it put his freedom and family life on the line. He’s committed to helping conscience-driven citizens, leaders, and families who feel overwhelmed by institutional pressures—and who wrestle with the cost of living out their deepest values—find the courage to act with integrity, no matter the consequences. Top 5 Insights from John Kiriakou • True leadership sometimes requires sacrificing your reputation, career, and comfort to stand for what’s right—even when no one stands with you.  • Speaking up against injustice comes at a high cost: John shares how moral courage can isolate you from friends, colleagues, and even family, but reveals who your “true people” really are.  • Surviving adversity (including federal prison) demands not just resilience, but wisdom—John’s CIA background taught him skills of observation, discretion, and the importance of relying on character over brute force.  • The foundations of virtue, for John, were laid by his immigrant family’s gratitude to America and lasting principles of right and wrong—proof that strong families forge strong leaders willing to do the hard things.  • Forgiveness and faith enable healing after profound betrayal and suffering. John’s story is a living example of how enduring spiritual and moral values sustain people even when the system fails them. Timestamps00:00 Meet John Kiriakou: Whistleblower Standing Up for Truth and Ethics 00:32 The Decision to Speak Out 02:33 Facing the Consequences 07:33 Life in Prison 10:59 Surviving with CIA Training 18:11 The Dark Realities of Prison 20:00 Restoring Voting Rights: A Personal Journey 23:03 The Dilemma of Pleading Guilty 24:49 Injustice and Sacrifice: The Story of Pat Winter 27:01 Family Values and the American Dream 29:48 Faith and Forgiveness: Lessons from Saint Nick33:33 Friendship with Tucker Carlson 35:38 Final Thoughts and Hopes for a Pardon John Kiriakou  CIA Whistleblower, Author, Advocate  https://johnkiriakou.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kiriakou-aba6711/ https://twitter.com/JohnKiriakou Books by John Kiriakou: Surveillance and Surveillance Detection: A CIA Insider's Guide Doing Time Like A Spy: How the CIA Taught Me to Survive and Thrive in Prison Lying and Lie Detection: A CIA Insider's Guide Dr. Johann D'Souza  Clinical Psychologist at Values First Therapy  https://www.valuesfirsttherapy.com/ https://www.valuesfirstcollective.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanndsouza/ https://x.com/drjohanndsouza