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SpyCast

637 EpisodesProduced by SpyCastWebsite

TOP SECRETPersonal Attention, SpyCast ListenersKnown to be the podcast real spies listen to -(STOP)- eavesdrop on conversations with high level sources from around the world -(STOP)- spychiefs molehunters defectors covert operators analysts cyberwarriors and researchers debriefed by SPY Historian Ha… read more

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Farewell

February 22nd, 2024

0:39

An important message from RadioPublic

“Bond After Fleming, the Continuation of an Icon” – with Mark Edlitz

March 26th, 2024

1:12:11
Summary

Mark Edlitz (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss how James Bond lived on in literature after the death of Ian Fleming. Mark is …

“The Skinny on American Intelligence & the Law” – with D.C. “Super Lawyer” Mark Zaid

March 19th, 2024

1:13:35
Summary

Mark Zaid (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss American intelligence and the law. You’ve heard of a “lawyer to the stars,” Mark …

Telling Americans About China (and Intelligence) – with Sara Castro

March 12th, 2024

1:13:38
Summary

Dr. Sara Castro (LinkedIn, Bio) joins Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss the history of US-China diplomacy. Sara is an Associate Professor of …

The James Bond Collector - with Mike VanBlaricum

March 5th, 2024

1:14:13
Summary

Mike VanBlaricum (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss his journey as a James Bond fanatic and collector. Mike is the President …

A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 2 with Dr. Ursula Wilder

February 27th, 2024

1:09:34
Summary

Dr. Ursula Wilder (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss the intersections between psychology and intelligence. Ursula is a clinical …

A CIA Psychologist on the Minds of World Leaders, Pt. 1 with Dr. Ursula Wilder

February 20th, 2024

1:13:33
Summary

Dr. Ursula Wilder (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss the intersections between psychology and intelligence. Ursula is a clinical …

CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta

February 13th, 2024

1:19:57
Summary

Leon Panetta (Panetta Institute) joins Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss his lifetime of American public service. Secretary Panetta was the 2023 recipient of SPY’s William H. Webster Award. 


What You’ll Learn

“The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence” with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich

February 6th, 2024

1:12:26
Summary

Rory Cormac (X) and Richard Aldrich join Andrew (XLinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and the British Monarchy. The links between the royals and espionage prove the Crown to be far more than just a figurehead.  


From the Vault: 70th Anniversary of James Bond - with Alexis Albion

January 30th, 2024

1:02:50
Summary

Curators Alexis (LinkedIn) and Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) use James Bond artifacts in SPY’s collection to discuss all things 007. This year …

Australian National Day Special: “Intelligence Down Under with John Blaxland”

January 23rd, 2024

1:08:34
Summary

John Blaxland (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in Australia and Oceania. John is a widely recognized as a leading expert in this area. 

What You’ll LearnIntelligence

Rise of Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland

January 16th, 2024

1:16:47
Summary

James Crossland (Twitter) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the origins of modern terrorism. James is an expert on terrorism, intelligence, and propaganda.


What You’ll LearnIntelligence

-The origins of …

From the Vault: The Professional Hacker with Eric Escobar (Pt 1.)

January 9th, 2024

1:06:45
Summary  

Eric Escobar (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss compromising networks and information security. He has a coveted DEFCON Black Badge. 

 

What You’ll Learn Intelligence 

-What keeps Eric …

From the Vault: “The Counterintelligence Chief” – with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler

January 2nd, 2024

1:20:13
Summary

Alan Kohler joins Andrew to discuss the FBI’s counterintelligence division. He is a recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation. 

***FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE***


What …

From the Vault: Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year on – with Shane Harris

December 26th, 2023

1:15:11
Summary

Shane Harris (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the role of intelligence in the Ukraine conflict one year after …

“Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America” – Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin

December 19th, 2023

1:06:54
Summary

Bonny Lin (Biography) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the current state of China and intelligence. Bonny is the Director of the ChinaPower Project at the Center for Strategic and International …

“My Life in American Intelligence” – with Barry Zulauf

December 12th, 2023

1:08:35
Summary

Barry Zulauf (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss his extensive experience working across the American intelligence …

“The Most Famous Art Detective in the World” – with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman

December 5th, 2023

1:11:47
Summary

Robert Wittman (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss his career and the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Bob recovered over $300 …

“The Eye of Horus: Egyptian Intelligence” – with Dina Rezk

November 28th, 2023

1:02:57
Summary

Dina Rezk (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss Egyptian intelligence. Dina is an Associate Professor of Modern Middle …

“British Defence Attaché, U.S.A.” – with Rear Admiral Tim Woods

November 21st, 2023

1:05:05
Summary

Rear Admiral Tim Woods (Biography) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss his role as Britain’s Defence Attaché to the United States. Tim …

“My Father the Navajo Code-Talker” – with Laura Tohe

November 14th, 2023

1:03:44
Summary

Laura Tohe (Website) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the stories of the WWII Navajo Code Talkers. Laura is a Diné author and the …

“Agent of Betrayal, FBI Spy Robert Hanssen” – with CBS’ Major Garrett and Friends

November 7th, 2023

58:40
Summary

Andrew leads a SPY Museum panel discussion between four experts on the most damaging mole in FBI history, Robert Hanssen. This program was in …

“Sayeret Matkal: Israel’s Top-Secret Elite Commando Unit” – with Aviram Halevi

October 24th, 2023

1:12:56
Summary

Lt. Col. (ret.) Aviram Halevi (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss Israel’s top secret commando unit, Sayeret Matkal. Aviram …

BONUS Episode: Spy Valley – An Engineer’s Nuclear Betrayal: Panel Discussion

October 20th, 2023

1:32:30

Welcome to a very special bonus episode of SpyCast, coming to you directly from the stage of the International Spy Museum. Last month, we hosted a …

“The Intelligence Legacy of the Yom Kippur War” – with Uri Bar-Joseph

October 17th, 2023

1:13:56
Summary

Uri Bar-Joseph (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the intelligence failure of the Yom Kippur War. Uri is an author and …

“Former Israeli National Security Advisor” – with Uzi Arad

October 10th, 2023

1:22:19
Summary

Uzi Arad (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and policy at the highest level. Uzi was also a former foreign …

“A Crash Course in Israeli Intelligence” – with Erez David Maisel

October 3rd, 2023

1:29:50
Summary

Brig. Gen. (res.) Erez David Maisel (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to provide a crash-course in Israeli Intelligence history. Erez is a researcher and former head of the IDF’s International …

“First of Many…America’s First Female Intelligence Agency Chief” – with former NGA Director Letitia “Tish” Long

September 26th, 2023

1:02:47
Summary

Letitia “Tish” Long (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss her time as the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Tish was the first woman to be appointed director of an American …

“Former Senior Indian Intelligence Officer” – R&AW Special Secretary Vappala Balachandran

September 19th, 2023

1:04:54
Summary

Vappala Balachandran (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss his career and the ancient roots of espionage in India. Bala formerly served as Special Secretary for India’s Cabinet Secretariat. 


What …

“Irish Garda Intelligence Chief” – with Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn

September 12th, 2023

1:01:32
Summary

Michael McElgunn (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in the Republic of Ireland. Michael is the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána’s Crime and Security Intelligence …

“Kenya, East Africa, and America” – with African Intelligence Chief Wilson Boinett

September 5th, 2023

1:08:42

Summary

Brigadier General (Ret.) Wilson Boinett joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss Kenyan intelligence. Wilson is the former Director of …

“David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence” – with the former CIA Director & 4* General 

August 29th, 2023

1:22:50
Summary

David Petraeus (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss his strategic analysis of the war in Ukraine. General Petraeus is a …

“America 3.0” – with Bill Britton of the California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI)

August 22nd, 2023

1:01:52
Summary

Bill Britton (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) in a discussion about cybersecurity and cyber awareness. Bill is the Director of the

"The Gambling Capital of the World: Intelligence, Las Vegas Style!" – with James Lockhart and Keith Michaels

August 15th, 2023

1:03:16
Summary

Keith Michaels (LinkedIn) and James Lockhart (LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence in an unlikely place: Casinos! James and Keith …

“China’s Corporate Spy War” – with CNBC’s Eamon Javers 

August 8th, 2023

1:09:35
Summary

Eamon Javers (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss China’s Corporate Spy War. Eamon is the Senior Washington …

“The 18-Year-Old Soviet Spy on the Manhattan Project: Ted Hall” – with Director Steve James

August 1st, 2023

59:37
Summary

Steve James (IMDb) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss his new film, A Compassionate Spy. 18-year-old Ted Hall was the youngest …

"Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy" – with Michael Vickers

July 25th, 2023

1:13:29
Summary

Michael Vickers (Website) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss his remarkable career and memoir. He was formerly the Undersecretary of …

“Leader, Lecturer, Analyzer, Nerd” – with Jorhena Thomas

July 18th, 2023

1:13:04
Summary

Jorhena Thomas (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss her career as an analyst and passion for intelligence education. Jorhena spent 8 years in the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst. 


What You’ll Learn

“The Kneeling Man” – with Leta McCollough Seletsky

July 11th, 2023

1:13:08
Summary

Leta McCollough Seletsky (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to share the story of her father, the famous “Kneeling Man” – The …

From the Vault: “Baseball & Espionage” –with World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman & Marc Polymeropoulos (Part 1 of 2)

July 4th, 2023

1:05:16
Summary

Ryan Zimmerman (MLB Stats; Wikipedia) and Marc Polymeropoulos (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence and America’s pastime. …

"Venice’s Secret Service" – with Ioanna Iordanou

June 27th, 2023

59:34
Summary

Ioanna Iordanou (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss Venice’s Secret Service. Her research on “centralized intelligence” during the Italian Renaissance has secured her two entries in …

"The North Korean Defector" – with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo

June 20th, 2023

1:04:29
Summary 

This week on SpyCast, Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) is joined by former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo. This is the first time Dr. Kim has stepped out from the shadows to speak. 


*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL …

“Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West” – with Calder Walton

June 13th, 2023

1:09:06
Summary

Calder Walton (Website, Twitter) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the 100-year intelligence war between the United States and Russia. Calder is the author of the new book, SPIES

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES …

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: “The D-Day Deception” – with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff

June 6th, 2023

1:09:49
Summary

Cory Graff (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the D-Day deception operation to mask the landings at Normandy. Cory is a Curator at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, …

From the Vault: “El Chapo, the War on Drugs & Intelligence” – with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz

May 30th, 2023

59:16
Summary

Noah Hurowitz (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss infamous drug kingpin El Chapo. A weak link in his cybersecurity …

“70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special” - with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 2 of 2)

May 23rd, 2023

47:05
Summary

Curators Alexis (LinkedIn) and Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) use James Bond artifacts in SPY’s collection to discuss all things 007. This year …

“70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special” - with Alexis Albion on 007 (Part 1 of 2)

May 16th, 2023

53:53
Summary

Curators Alexis (LinkedIn) and Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) use James Bond artifacts in SPY’s collection to discuss all things 007. This year …

“St. Ermin’s Hotel, London” – The History of a Legendary Spy Site, with Stephen Duffy

May 9th, 2023

54:53
Summary

Stephen Duffy (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the spy stories of St. Ermin’s Hotel in London. It includes links to SOE, …

Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler

May 2nd, 2023

1:12:13
Summary

David Cattler (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss NATO’s intelligence response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. David currently serves as NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for …

Espionage and the Two Queens with Kent Tiernan

April 25th, 2023

51:48
Summary

R. Kent Tiernan joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the seven-year covert operation to execute Mary Queen of Scots. Kent is the author …

“Irregular Warfare & Intelligence” - with IWC Director Dennis Walters

April 18th, 2023

1:09:59
Summary

Dr. Dennis Walters (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the Irregular Warfare Center and its ties to intelligence. …

“Havana Syndrome” – A Panel featuring Nicky Woolf, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Mark Zaid

April 11th, 2023

56:54
Summary

This week’s episode is the result of a collaboration with The Sound, a recent limited series podcast exploring the so-called Havana Syndrome. …

“Indian Intelligence & Cyber” – A Conversation with Sameer Patil, ORF Mumbai

April 4th, 2023

1:02:51
Summary

Sameer Patil (Twitter; Website) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss intelligence and cybersecurity in the world’s most populous …

“Secrets Revealed” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit

March 28th, 2023

1:05:06

Summary

Dr. Alexis Albion (LinkedIn, Twitter) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss amazing artifacts with amazing stories from SPY’s newest pop-up exhibit: “Secrets Revealed: Highlights from the Grant Verstandig …

"Israeli Military Intelligence" – with IDF Brig. General (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser

March 21st, 2023

1:07:03
Summary

Yossi Kuperwasser (Twitter; Website) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the Israeli intelligence community. Yossi is the former head of the Research Division of IDF Military Intelligence.


*FULL SHOWNOTES …

"Hitler’s Trojan Horse” – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West

March 14th, 2023

1:10:04
Summary

Nigel West (Wikipedia) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss Germany’s military intelligence service during WWII, the Abwehr. Nigel is known as the expert’s expert on spy history.


What You’ll Learn

“Espionage and the Metaverse” – with Cathy Hackl

March 7th, 2023

1:01:55
Summary

Cathy Hackl (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the potential implications of the metaverse on intelligence. Cathy has been called the “Godmother of the Metaverse.”


What You’ll Learn

Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year on – with Shane Harris

February 28th, 2023

1:06:56
Summary

Shane Harris (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss the role of intelligence in the Ukraine conflict one year after …

“The Espionage News Cycle” – A Conversation with SPY’s Aliza Bran

February 21st, 2023

1:04:12
Summary

Aliza Bran (LinkedIn, Twitter) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss her role as Media Relations Manager at the International Spy …

“The Counterintelligence Chief” – with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler

February 14th, 2023

1:11:58
Summary

Alan Kohler joins Andrew to discuss the FBI’s counterintelligence division. He is a recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation. 

***FULL SHOWNOTES AVAILABLE HERE***


What …

"How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game" – with Mike Susong

February 7th, 2023

1:03:31
Summary

Mike Susong joins Andrew to discuss the impact and potential of AI on the intelligence field. Mike is a former CIA case officer who now oversees global intelligence for a risk management company.

***FULL SHOW …

"The Lion and the Fox – Civil War Spy vs. Spy" – with Alexander Rose

January 31st, 2023

1:05:23
Summary

Alexander Rose (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss a gripping spy-vs-spy true story from the U.S. Civil War. He wrote the book that was the inspiration behind the hit TV-series TURN.


“Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes” - with Jim Popkin

January 24th, 2023

1:19:45
Summary

Jim Popkin (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss America’s most damaging female spy, Ana Montes. Jim is a four-time recipient of the national Emmy Award for outstanding journalism.


What …

From the Vault: “The Birth of American Propaganda” – A Conversation on Manipulating the Masses with John Hamilton

January 17th, 2023

1:03:53
Summary

John Hamilton (LinkedIn, Website) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss Woodrow Wilson and the birth of American propaganda during WWI. …

From the Vault: "The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence" – with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy

January 10th, 2023

1:05:33
Summary

Thomas Leahy (Website; LinkedIn) and Eleanor Williams (Website; Twitter) join Andrew to discuss the intelligence war during “the Troubles.” Thomas lives in Cardiff and Eleanor lives in Belfast. 


What You’ll Learn

From the Vault: "Black Ops: The Life of a Legendary CIA Shadow Warrior" - with Ric Prado

January 3rd, 2023

1:10:02
Summary

Enrique “Ric” Prado (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his new memoir “Black Ops.” One of the most renowned CIA officers of his generation tells his story.


Book

You can buy Ric’s book, Black Ops

“The Third Option” – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson (Part 2 of 2)

December 27th, 2022

50:01
Summary

Loch Johnson (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss covert action aka “The Third Option.” He is the author of over 30 …

“The Third Option” – US Covert Action with Loch Johnson (Part 1 of 2)

December 20th, 2022

51:40
Summary

Loch Johnson (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss covert action aka “The Third Option.” He is the author of over 30 …

“Spying and Start-Ups” – with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen

December 13th, 2022

1:01:42
Summary

John Mullen (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his life and career. He was awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.  


“Honey Trapped: Sex, Betrayal & Love” – with Henry Schlesinger

December 6th, 2022

1:02:48
Summary

Henry Schlesinger (Rare Bird Books) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss two of the most mysterious and alluring forces in human history: sex and spying. He is a journalist and author proudly based out of …

“The FBI & Cyber” – with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 2 of 2)

November 29th, 2022

40:18
Summary

Bryan Vorndran (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss how the FBI has adapted to the digital age. As Bryan says, “We …

“The FBI & Cyber” – with Cyber Division Chief Bryan Vorndran (Part 1 of 2)

November 22nd, 2022

50:33
Summary

Brian Vorndran (Website, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (TwitterLinkedIn) to discuss how the FBI has adapted to the digital age. As Brian says, “We …

"Trafficking Data: The Digital Struggle – with China" with Aynne Kokas

November 15th, 2022

1:05:32
Summary

Aynne Kokas (LinkedIn; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her book "Trafficking Data: How China is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty."

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“Nazis on the Potomac” – with former National Park Service Chief Historian Bob Sutton

November 8th, 2022

1:11:00
Summary

Bob Sutton (LinkedIn; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the mysterious intelligence site P.O. Box 1142. High-value Nazis …

“Baseball & Espionage” –with World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman & Marc Polymeropoulos (Part 2 of 2)

November 1st, 2022

1:10:51
Summary

Ryan Zimmerman (MLB Stats; Wikipedia) and Marc Polymeropoulos (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence and America’s pastime. …

“Baseball & Espionage” –with World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman & Marc Polymeropoulos (Part 1 of 2)

October 25th, 2022

1:02:53
Summary

Ryan Zimmerman (MLB Stats; Wikipedia) and Marc Polymeropoulos (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss intelligence and America’s pastime. …

From the Vault: “On the Streets, Location Unknown” - CIA Operator Karen Schaefer (Part I)

October 18th, 2022

1:00:54

Andrew Hammond shares an encore episode From the Vault. From counternarcotics to counterterrorism, from Latin America to the Middle East, and from …

“Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization” – with Eric Escobar (Part 2 of 2)

October 11th, 2022

47:56
Summary  

Eric Escobar (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss compromising networks and information security. He has a …

“Sure, I Can Hack Your Organization” – with Eric Escobar (Part 1 of 2)

October 5th, 2022

58:30
Summary  

Eric Escobar (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss compromising networks and information security. He has a …

“The Past 75 Years” – with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones

September 27th, 2022

1:04:39
Summary

Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (Website; Wikipedia) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his book. He has studied American intelligence for 50 …

“The 75th Anniversary of the CIA” – with former Director Robert Gates

September 20th, 2022

1:04:40
Summary

Robert Gates (Website; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to reflect on the 75th Anniversary of the CIA. He served 8 U.S. presidents. 


"CIA Reports Officer, Russian Yacht Watcher, Satirist” – with Alex Finley

September 13th, 2022

1:06:11
Summary

Alex Finley (Twitter; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss life as a CIA Reports Officer turned author. She lives in Barcelona.

"The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist" – with Dexter Ingram.

September 6th, 2022

58:14
Summary

Dexter Ingram (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his varied career. He has a very cool private collection of spy …

“POW’s, Vietnam and Intelligence” – with Pritzker Curator James Brundage

August 30th, 2022

1:02:54
Summary

James Brundage (LinkedIn; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss prisoners-of-war and intelligence. He is the Curator at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago. 


What You’ll Learn

“The Beverly Hills Spy” – with The Hollywood Reporter’s Seth Abramovitch

August 23rd, 2022

54:30

Summary

 

Seth Abramovitch (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the British war-hero who spied on behalf of the Japanese …

“The Information Battlespace” – Foreign Denial and Deception with Bill Parquette

August 16th, 2022

56:23
Summary

Bill Parquette (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Denial and Deception. They discuss examples such as D-Day, the …

“CIA Officers Turned Authors” – with David McCloskey & James Stejskal

August 9th, 2022

1:05:30
Summary

David McCloskey (Twitter; Website) and James Stejskal (Twitter; LinkedIn) join Andrew to discuss writing about espionage. They are both former …

“Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer” – with Janosh Neumann

August 2nd, 2022

1:08:26
Summary

Janosh Neumann (LinkedIn; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss life in the FSB. He was born in the Soviet Union to parents in …

SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby

July 19th, 2022

1:15:52
Summary

Alexis Albion (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Kim Philby using some of his personal belongings as prompts. This episode …

“Dealing with Russia” – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson

July 12th, 2022

1:09:20
Summary

Jim Olson (Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Putin and Russia. He had a 31-year career with the CIA including a tour in …

4th of July Special: “The Wall of Spies Experience” – Espionage, Sabotage and Betrayal in America with John Gise

July 5th, 2022

1:08:23
Summary

John Gise joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the Wall of Spies Experience. It features over 200 stories of espionage and sabotage in …

“Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy” – Former Indian Intelligence Director Vikram Sood [from the vault]

June 28th, 2022

1:00:12
Summary

Vikram Sood (Twitter, Blog) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in the world’s largest democracy. He was the chief of India’s Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW). 


What You’ll Learn

SPY CHIEFS: “From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief” – Ellen McCarthy’s Journey (Part 2 of 2)

June 21st, 2022

34:36
Summary

Ellen McCarthy (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her career and time as head of the State Department’s intelligence agency. INR is one of the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.


What …

SPY CHIEFS: “From Navy Analyst to State Dept. Intelligence Chief” – Ellen McCarthy’s Journey (Part 1 of 2)

June 14th, 2022

54:39
Summary

Ellen McCarthy (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss her career and time as head of the State Department’s intelligence agency. INR is one of the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.


What …

SPY CHIEFS: Director-General of Security Mike Burgess - ASIO, Australia & America

June 7th, 2022

1:02:53

 Summary

Mike Burgess (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his agency and the enduring strength of Australia’s alliances. ASIO is the second intelligence agency he has directed.


What You’ll Learn

“My Life Looking at Spies & the Media” – with Paul Lashmar

May 31st, 2022

1:04:03
Summary

Paul Lashmar (Twitter, Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss investigative journalism and intelligence. He is a former UK …

“Amazon to Darien, Atlantic to Pacific” – Intelligence in Colombia with former Head of its Navy Admiral Hernando Wills

May 24th, 2022

1:08:22
Summary

Admiral Hernando Wills Velez (Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in Colombia. He is the former professional …

“Peter Earnest Memorial: Spook, CIA Spokesman, Spy Museum Director – [from the vault]

May 17th, 2022

54:12
Summary

Peter Earnest spent 35 years in the CIA as a case officer and retired as its chief spokesman. He was the founding Executive Director of the …

“America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, FBI Agent Robert Hanssen" – with Lis Wiehl

May 10th, 2022

54:51
Summary

Lis Wiehl (Twitter, Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the FBI Agent Robert Hanssen. His espionage for the Russians was described as the “worst intelligence disaster in U.S. history.” 


What …

“CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer” – with Mike Susong (Part 2 of 2)

May 3rd, 2022

40:07
Summary

Mike Susong (Website; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss CIA, cyber and corporate intelligence. He won the Intelligence …

“CIA Case Officer, Cyber Entrepreneur, Burning Man Volunteer” – with Mike Susong (Part 1 of 2)

April 26th, 2022

48:32
Summary

Mike Susong (Website; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss CIA, cyber and corporate intelligence. He won the Intelligence …

“El Chapo, the Sinaloa Cartel & Intelligence” – with Trial Reporter Noah Hurowitz

April 19th, 2022

58:01
Summary

Noah Hurowitz (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss infamous drug kingpin El Chapo. A weak link in his cybersecurity …

"ISIS Leader al-Mawla: Caliph. Scholar. Canary. Snitch." – with Daniel Milton, West Point CTC Director (Part 2 of 2)

April 12th, 2022

39:34
Summary

Daniel Milton (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the former Caliph of the Islamic State. Al Mawla was killed in a …

"ISIS Leader al-Mawla: Caliph. Scholar. Canary. Snitch." – with Daniel Milton, West Point CTC Director (Part 1 of 2)

April 5th, 2022

48:32
Summary

Daniel Milton (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Tactical Interrogation Reports of the former Caliph of the Islamic State. Al-Mawla was killed in a U.S. raid in February 2022. 


What …

"The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence" – with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy

March 29th, 2022

1:04:33
Summary

Thomas Leahy (Website; LinkedIn) and Eleanor Williams (Website; Twitter) join Andrew to discuss the intelligence war during “the Troubles.” Thomas lives in Cardiff and Eleanor lives in Belfast. 


What You’ll Learn

“The Nuclear Doomsday Machine” – with Sean Maloney on Cold War Emergency Plans

March 22nd, 2022

1:00:37
Summary

Sean Maloney (Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the secret history of emergency war plans and the nuclear doomsday machine. He was the first Canadian civilian historian to go into combat since …

"So, I Design Board Games for the CIA..." - with Volko Ruhnke

March 15th, 2022

1:02:22
Summary

Volko Ruhnke (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his life and career in the CIA as an analyst and designer of board …

"From the CIA to Strategic Cyber" - with Hans Holmer

March 8th, 2022

1:02:53
Summary

Hans Holmer (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his time as a CIA operations officer and his transition to a cyber …

"Black Ops: The Life of a Legendary CIA Shadow Warrior" - with Ric Prado

February 28th, 2022

1:06:44
Summary

Enrique “Ric” Prado (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his new memoir “Black Ops.” One of the most renowned CIA officers of his generation tells his story.


Book

You can buy Ric’s book, Black Ops

“The National Intelligence University” – with its President Scott Cameron

February 22nd, 2022

1:09:56

Summary

J. Scott Cameron (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the National Intelligence University (NIU). He is the President of this unique “skiffed” institution.


What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

o  The NIU …

“Keeping Secrets/Disclosing Secrets” – with Spy Chief turned DG of Australia’s National Archives David Fricker

February 15th, 2022

1:05:05

Summary

David Fricker (Website; LinkedIn) had the No.2 job at Australia’s security and intelligence agency ASIO. He sat down with Andrew (Twitter;

“Russia Upside Down” – with Creator of The Americans Joe Weisberg

February 8th, 2022

1:02:02

Summary

Joe Weisberg (Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book on Russia. Joe is the creator of award-winning TV drama The Americans and a former CIA officer.


What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

o  His …

“NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence & Security” – with David Cattler

February 1st, 2022

1:02:48

Summary

David Cattler (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss how intelligence functions at NATO. He is the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security.


What You’ll Learn

o  What …

“The Predator Drone Program & the Robotic Revolution” – with Alec Bierbauer and Mark Cooter

January 25th, 2022

1:01:15

"The Wright Brothers of the U.S. Drone Warfare Program." That is how some people have referred to this week's guests, Alec Bierbauer and Mark Cooter. Andrew sat down with them to dig into drones and their intelligence …

“How Spies Think” – 10 Lessons in Intelligence with Sir David Omand [FROM THE ARCHIVE]

January 18th, 2022

1:02:27

This was the most popular episode of 2020. Apparently, people are interested in the views of former GCHQ Director, Joint Intelligence Committee …

“Al Qaeda, DOD & the 9/11 Commission” – with Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Undersecretary for Arms Control & International Security

January 11th, 2022

55:06

Alexis Albion – star of our 500th episode anniversary special – is a very good friend of the current Undersecretary for Arms Control & …

“Snake-Eaters, Detachment A, CIA” – A Conversation with James Stejskal

January 4th, 2022

52:15

Spook. Warrior. Author. This week’s guest is one helluva interesting guy. He was in a clandestine Special Forces unit in Berlin during the Cold War, …

“American Traitor” – with ex-Delta Force Author Brad Taylor

December 28th, 2021

51:56

Project Prometheus. In the words of ex-Delta Force author Brad Taylor, “Super Double Daddy Bad Classified.” If you’re looking to find a podcast that …

The Journey of Two Extraordinary Women in Intel. & Security” – with Lisa Kaplan (Alethea, CEO) and Avril Eklund (GitHub, CSO)

December 22nd, 2021

1:03:09

I was really good at buying drugs, which is how I got recruited into narcotics. Apparently, I make a really good crackhead.” “Frankly, fact-checking …

“Special Operations & Intelligence” – A Conversation with the President of SOF’s “Think-Do Tank”

December 14th, 2021

1:16:12

Post 9/11, special operations and intelligence worked together side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder and hand-in-glove (or any other heavily-hyphenated …

My Global Career as a Female FBI Agent” – with Kathy Stearman

December 7th, 2021

1:05:27

Beijing. New Delhi. Kathmandu. “Hang on, I thought the title said FBI, not CIA?” Well, it did. Kathy Stearman was an FBI Legat who lived and worked in all of those capital cities. “Well, I’ve heard of the Ambassador and …

“The Birth of American Propaganda” – A Conversation on Manipulating the Masses with John Hamilton

November 30th, 2021

58:40

The Committee on Public Information (CPI) is the first and only Ministry of Propaganda the United States has ever had. It started one week after the United States entered World War I in April of 1917; in fact, there …

“The Recruiter: Part 2 of 2” – Modern Spycraft with Doug London (Part 2)

November 23rd, 2021

1:00:48

Doug London is thoughtful and reflective – but he doesn’t pull his punches and he candidly shares his analysis of the contemporary intelligence …

“The Recruiter: Part 1 of 2” – Modern SpyCraft with Doug London

November 16th, 2021

59:53

This week’s guest believes that espionage is about the “human soul…[it’s] a very intimate profession…the relationship between a case officer and an …

“The Happy Traitor” – A Conversation on George Blake with Biographer Simon Kuper

November 9th, 2021

53:53

He was a Soviet agent who was “turned” by Karl Marx after reading Das Kapital – which led him to give up the important operations, a host of MI6 agents and a treasure trove of secret intelligence…

“Soviet Defectors: Revelations of Renegade Intelligence Officers” - with World Leading Expert Kevin Riehle

November 9th, 2021

1:17:00

He has worked as a counterintelligence analyst at the FBI and the DIA. He speaks Russian. He was personally supervised by Robert Hanssen. He has an obsession with Soviet Defectors…

“So, I’m a Spy & I’d like to Write a Book…”

November 2nd, 2021

1:46:28

Nada Bakos is a former CIA analyst and Chief Targeting Officer, Mark Fallon was an NCIS Special Agent and Director of the Criminal Investigative Task Force at Guantanamo, Frank Snepp is a former chief analyst of North …

Introducing Shadow of Truth Podcast

October 28th, 2021

8:50
Description: It’s one of the most haunting murder cases you’ll ever hear about, and it takes place in a small town in Israel. Tair Rada was only …

World Series Special: Espionage & Baseball – A Conversation with Marc Polymeropoulos

October 26th, 2021

58:27

From the SpyCast Field of Dreams: to coincide with the first game of the 117th World Series, a special episode on the links – yes, there are many – between espionage and America’s Pastime with baseball fanatic and …

“First Casualty” – Inside the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11

October 19th, 2021

2:26:32

On October 17, 2001, Team Alpha were dropped into the mountains of northern Afghanistan. Two of the eight appear in this week’s episode alongside the author of a new book telling the story of the first Americans behind …

*15th ANNIVERSARY/500th EPISODE SPECIAL* - “The CIA and the 9/11 Commission Report” – A Conversation with Alexis Albion

October 12th, 2021

1:20:30

This is a big one, a very big one: our 500th episode & 15th anniversary

We have come a long way since we began back in 2006 – it’s quite fitting then, that in this week’s episode I speak to our very first historian …

Cyberattacks, Espionage & Ransomware – “Inside Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC)”

October 5th, 2021

1:10:33

From your Visa card to your Outlook account, and from the gas you pump into your Ford to your Windows operating system, a cyber struggle is taking place all around us. In this episode Andrew spoke to founder of …

“Leningrad, Molehunts, and Life After the CIA” - A Conversation with Christopher Burgess

September 28th, 2021

48:24

He is the Horatio Alger of the CIA. His first job was punching paper. He went on to be a Station Chief. He worked for every directorate. He lived in several continents. He was in the Soviet Union for six years. He was …

“One of CIA’s Most Decorated Field Officers” – A Conversation with Marc Polymeropoulos

September 21st, 2021

54:58

What do you get if you cross a Greek Orthodox guy from Athens and a Jewish girl from Long Island; and then mix in two Ivy League degrees and a 26-year career in the Central Intelligence Agency? If you haven’t worked out …

Curator’s Corner: Osama bin Laden with Peter Bergen

September 14th, 2021

1:02:04

As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approached Peter Bergen sought to reevaluate the man responsible for precipitating America’s long wars with al-Qaeda and its descendants. Bergen produced the first television interview …

“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – Dave Terry & Vice President Cheney

September 11th, 2021

1:29:29

Dave Terry was with Vice President Cheney on the morning of 9/11. He started work as a PDB briefer the same day as Mike. He went on to be Chief of the PDB. He started out working on grain production at the CIA in 1979. …

“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – Kristin Wood & Scooter Libby, With Special Guest Phil Mudd, Director of Gulf Affairs at the NSC

September 11th, 2021

1:31:18

Kristin Wood was at CIA HQ on the morning of 9/11. Phil Mudd was at the National Security Council. Kristin was a PDB briefer for the VP’s National …

“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – Mike Morell & President Bush

September 11th, 2021

57:58

Mike Morell was with President Bush on the morning of 9/11. He saw the President several times that day. Ten years later he was with President Obama for the bin Laden raid. He was former Acting and Deputy Director of …

“Afghanistan, the Mujahedeen, Al Qaeda” – My Time at CIA & State with Diana Bolsinger

September 8th, 2021

1:25:16

It was the 1980’s. “I don't think they'll ever have the fun I had that year, at 23 years old, going to the White House and the NSC, briefing cabinet …

CYBER AUGUST: “National Cryptologic Museum” – With Vince Houghton

August 31st, 2021

1:02:53

Turning the tide in the Pacific at the Battle of Midway, establishing secure communications on the beaches during D-Day, staving off nuclear …

CYBER AUGUST: “So, You Want to Be a Codebreaker?” – Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh

August 24th, 2021

1:04:08

Codes. Ciphers. Mysteries. This week’s guests are fascinated by codebreaking and cryptography: as well they should be! The Voynich Manuscript, the …

CYBER AUGUST: “Snowden & Surveillance” – Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Barton Gellman

August 17th, 2021

1:00:25

Is Edward Snowden a traitor a hero? Does the surveillance state threaten freedom or secure it? Andrew sat down with investigative reporter Barton Gellman, author of Dark Mirror: Edward Snowden and the American …

CYBER AUGUST: “The Cyber Zeitgeist” – Cyberwire Host Dave Bittner

August 10th, 2021

59:22

Have you ever felt like “cyber” is changing so quickly, it is difficult to keep up? This week’s guest has seen Cyber-beams glitter in the dark near …

CYBER AUGUST: “Threats to America” – Top U.S. Official Michael Orlando on Foreign Espionage & Cyber Citizenry

August 3rd, 2021

58:36

Counterintelligence. Security. Two words that have serious pull in Washington D.C. The problem is, how do you ensure the strings, woodwind, brass and …

"Red Widow" - Alma Katsu on Writing Bestsellers & 30+ Years in Intelligence

July 27th, 2021

59:00

"Deeply, deeply, disturbing." This is how Alma's Katsu's book, The Hunger, was described by Stephen King. Ok, I'll repeat that, that's how her book was described by Stephen King, author of Carrie, The Shining and Misery

“Special Operations, FBI, NSC, et al” – Serial Collaborator Karen Schaefer (Part 2)

July 20th, 2021

1:06:01

Last week’s episode focused on “Karen Schaefer, CIA Operator,” while this week’s episode looks at her time as a “Serial Collaborator.” Karen …

“On the Streets, Location Unknown” - CIA Operator Karen Schaefer (Part I)

July 13th, 2021

55:35

From counternarcotics to counterterrorism, from Latin America to the Middle East, and from the back streets of a warzone to the center of events in …

4th July Special: “Birthplace of American Espionage” - Spy Sites of Philadelphia

July 4th, 2021

1:08:16

Cheesesteaks. Baseball. Rocky. Espionage? Hear about the Philly you never knew – as the birthplace of American espionage. From the Committee on Spies …

"One Arm, Twice the Punch”: Legendary CIA Operator Rick Diaz

June 29th, 2021

34:57

Quit. Fail. Give-up. Rick Diaz refused to acknowledge the meaning of these terms. The result? Well, you’ll need to listen to find out.

Learn more …

Spy Satellites, Outer Space & the NRO - “Beyond the Kármán Line”

June 22nd, 2021

1:11:51

Spy satellites are fascinating! Man-made objects up there – sometimes way up there – looking down to see what other humans are up to. I believe it’s called a God’s eye view. You may not be as unfamiliar with satellites …

Juneteenth Special: African American Spies - As Chosen By a Spy, A Diplomat and a Magazine Editor

June 19th, 2021

52:58

A superstar line-up chooses an African American spy from American history. Harriet Tubman, Ralph Bunche and Willie Merkerson Jr. are introduced, before we have a discussion about African Americans and the American …

“Risk Taker, Spy Maker” – CIA Operator Barry Broman

June 15th, 2021

1:06:14

Barry Broman spent most of his life in South-east Asia as a photographer, an infantry officer, and as a “diplomat” (although not really!). It is not that he wasn’t a diplomat - it’s just that he did something else

“The Spymaster’s Prism” – CIA Legend Jack Devine on Countering Russian Aggression

June 8th, 2021

1:18:16

What do Afghan Mujahedeen, the KGB, Pablo Escobar, Iran-Contra, and Chilean Elections have in common? Two words: Jack Devine. This CIA legend is the Forrest Gump of the intelligence world, in that he always finds …

“Do You Have a Plan for the Worst 15 Seconds of Your Life?” – Life Saving Lessons from CIA Operator Rob Montgomery

June 1st, 2021

1:01:53

Rob Montgomery had a real scare on deployment in Afghanistan…the scare was back in Virginia though; he had a motion detect on his phone that showed …

“A Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany” – 101-Year-Old Marthe Cohn’s Incredible True Story

May 25th, 2021

1:03:02

Hear an incredible true story. Marthe Cohn was a young Jewish woman who went behind enemy lines into Nazi Germany with a pair of walking shoes, a …

“Intelligence & the World’s Largest Democracy” - Indian Spy Chief Vikram Sood

May 18th, 2021

59:39

In a first for the show, this week’s guest is a former spy chief from the world’s largest democracy. Vikram Sood was the Director of India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Andrew and Vikram talk Pakistan, China, …

“The Greatest Analyst We Ever Had” – CIA Spy Chief Marty Petersen

May 11th, 2021

1:20:48

Where to begin. Marty was described to me as, “the greatest analyst we ever had (truthfully),” would I be interested in speaking to him? Guess the …

"The FBI Way" - Counterintelligence Spy Chief Frank Figliuzzi

May 4th, 2021

53:59

This week’s guest is Frank Figliuzzi, former assistant director of Counterintelligence at the FBI, who oversaw all espionage investigations across the US govt. He served for 25 years as a Special Agent, which included …

US Air Force – Office of Special Investigations: Part 2

April 27th, 2021

50:37

Infosec. Cybersec. Techsec.


In the second part of our double-header on the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations, we round out our previous discussion with two former Directors of Counterintelligence for the US …

The Courier (2021) – The Director’s Take with Dominic Cooke

April 20th, 2021

56:32

Andrew and Director Dominic Cooke sit down to talk about his new movie The Courier (2021), starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Brosnahan and Merab Ninidze, which tells the story of Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovsky. A …

Russian Spy, American Defector – Meet Jan Neumann

April 13th, 2021

1:08:54

If you think that all the best spy stories happened during the Cold War – we have a doozy for you. 


In 2008 FSB officer Alexy Yurievich Artmonov was …

Intelligence and the Presidency - WIth John Hedley

April 6th, 2021

28:24

Continuing our journey through SpyCast’s greatest hits enroute to our relaunch, we arrive on a topic of perennial interest and great importance: intelligence and the US presidency.


Just how is information from the …

“Crossfire Hurricane”: Trump, Russia & the FBI – A Conversation with Josh Campbell

March 30th, 2021

1:00:48

Josh Campbell lit his cigar and extinguished the match. It was Inauguration Day 2017, and he was on the roof of his Washington D.C. apartment building. As the outgoing Obama’s made their way overhead on a helicopter, he …

The Cambridge Five – From the Vault

March 23rd, 2021

28:36

As we continue ramping up for SpyCast 2.0, featuring a content overhaul and improved audio, we release a real gem on a perennial favorite of the …

British Intelligence — Spy Chief Stella Rimington

March 16th, 2021

26:05

As we gear up for an exciting new Spring program – which will feature a number of changes including a content overhaul and improved audio – we are …

Son of Hamas, Spy for Israel – "The Green Prince" (From the Vault)

March 9th, 2021

49:23

ONE OF THE GREAT SPY STORIES OF MODERN TIMES

Palestinian & Israeli. Agent & Handler. Mosab & Gonen.


One became involved with Hamas almost …

Drug Cartels, Sleeper Cells, the Waco Siege & the Mob – The Life & Times of Dennis Franks

March 2nd, 2021

39:17

Former FBI Special Agent Dennis Franks is nothing if not interesting. He has faced off against the Columbian Cali Cartel – yes, the Cali Cartel from …

Stuxnet, Jiu Jitsu & Michelle Obama – A Conversation With Nicole Perloth (Part 2)

February 23rd, 2021

36:49

Nicole Perloth descended into the cyber netherworld and emerged to share her wisdom. This is the second of a double-header with the New York Times

So, A KGB Spy & A Navy Intel Guy Walk Into a Bar…Jack Barsky & Keith Mahoney

February 16th, 2021

55:40

The door to the walk-in cooler slammed shut behind Jack Barsky. This is it, he thought, this is how it all ends – in a restaurant in the Deep South …

“The Cyber Arms Race” – Spies, Hackers & Nicole Perloth of the NY Times (Part 1)

February 9th, 2021

45:58

Have you seen that episode of The Crown where an intruder gets in one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the world via an unlocked window? …

U.S. Air Force Counterintelligence – Office of Special Investigations (Part 1 of 2)

February 2nd, 2021

38:17

Counterintelligence. Counterespionage. Criminal Investigations. The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) have a fascinating remit around the world and across the country – one that also includes cyber, infosec and …

“Desperately, Madly in Love” – Brett Peppler and the Australian IC

January 26th, 2021

1:05:02

What better way to start developing an Antipodean flavor to SpyCast than to release an episode with Brett Peppler. Aussie Army. Spec Ops. Deputy Director Military Intelligence. AIPIO President. Professor. He’s been …

“American Spy” – A Conversation with Lauren Wilkinson

January 19th, 2021

54:34

Marie Mitchell is an FBI agent sent by the CIA to spy on the “African Che Guevara,” leftist president of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara. Inspired by real events, he became president in 1983 at the age of 33, this week’s …

“Insurrection” – The Intelligence Implications: A SpyCast Special

January 7th, 2021

1:09:55

January 6, 2021. What to say. Former president George W. Bush, 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell all used the term “insurrection.” As these momentous events …

Chinese. Communist. Espionage. (Part 2 of 2) - Dr. Matthew Brazil

January 5th, 2021

48:51

This is the second in our two-parter with Dr. Matthew Brazil, a historian of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence operations. Andrew and Matt …

Pardon Me, Mr. President - From the Vault

December 29th, 2020

47:11

Edward Snowden is back in the news. I know what you are thinking: shocker! As we move into the new year from the annus horribilis that was 2020, however, one of the main intelligence stories is will Snowden receive a …

The Future of the Intelligence Community

December 22nd, 2020

1:02:28

Nothing makes me happier than a conversation with whip smart people on the past, present or future of intelligence: enter Heather Williams, a senior …

Soviets, Gangbangers, Terrorists, Taliban – Lessons From a Life in Intelligence, With Dean Barrata

December 15th, 2020

1:06:14

Bet you are wondering which adversary caused him the most sleepless nights, right? From the Red Army to New Jersey street gangs, from terrorists to the Taliban – Dean Barrata has analyzed them all. During a 30+ year …

“Shadow Wars, 2020” – Israel, Iran & America

December 8th, 2020

1:00:21

The second in a double-header on Israeli intelligence. This week we walk the story up to the present day – including the election of Joe Biden and the recent assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen …

“Israeli Intelligence” – From the Vault

December 1st, 2020

1:04:39

Mossad. Shin Bet. Aman. Legendary names from the world of secret intelligence. Adolf Eichmann. Wrath of God. Stuxnet. Israel’s intelligence agencies …

“How Spies Think” – Spy Chief David Omand

November 24th, 2020

1:02:28

Ever thought you were the smartest person in the room? You’ve never been in a room with Sir David Omand. My former professor – no slouch himself – described Sir David as “the brightest person I have ever met.” It is …

From the Vault: Intelligence & Analysis in the National Football League

November 17th, 2020

26:51

If 1985 was “The Year of the Spy,” was 2019 its equivalent in the sporting world? The Patriots were accused of spying on the Bengals, Leeds Utd. of surveilling Derby County, and the Houston Astros of stealing-signs …

Moxie + Brains = America’s First Female Foreign Intelligence Agent

November 10th, 2020

58:07

Join Andrew and former Baltimore Sun reporter Liz Atwood as they dig into the fascinating life of multi-lingual Baltimore socialite Marguerite …

Dis.information: Russia, China & the Specter of Democracy

November 3rd, 2020

48:53

Fact vs. Fake. Truth vs. Lies. Information vs. Disinformation. For voters trying to choose between competing parties and candidates the distinction …

An Ode to Sean Connery’s ‘Bond’ | WTOP

November 2nd, 2020

5:54

For Andrew Hammond, a Scotsman and the historian and curator of the International Spy Museum, the loss of iconic actor Sean Connery this week at the …

2020 Election Special: Electoral Interference & Intelligence

October 27th, 2020

1:13:14

What do you get if you cross a Harvard historian with a UCLA trained political scientist and an award winning doctoral researcher? One word: context. …

Personal Attention, SpyCast Listeners - The Authorised History of GCHQ

October 20th, 2020

53:36

Authorized History of a Secret Intelligence Agency –(STOP)­– author debriefed by Spy Historian Hammond –(STOP)– WW1 WW2 Cold War –(STOP)– …

Agent Sonya: Moscow's Most Daring Wartime Spy

September 29th, 2020

1:07:57

SPY Curator Alexis Albion asks author Ben Macintyre “Can women spies have it all?”, as they discuss his latest book on the extraordinary Ursula …

A New SpyCast Chapter: A Farewell Conversation with Vince Houghton

September 22nd, 2020

52:43

In the second of our “changing of the guard” episodes, the new SpyCast host Andrew Hammond sits down with Vince. It’s Been Emotional.

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The Spymasters: A Conversation with Chris Whipple

September 15th, 2020

1:18:17

Author Chris Whipple discusses his new book, The Spymasters:How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future with SPY Executive Director Chris Costa.

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Meet the New Guy: A Conversation with Andrew Hammond

September 8th, 2020

48:09

Dr. Vince Houghton sat down for a conversation with the new International Spy Museum historian, Dr. Andrew Hammond.

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Spy Chat with Kristin Wood

September 1st, 2020

1:02:20

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Kristin Wood who spent more than two decades with CIA in a number of roles.

Learn more about your ad …

State Department Intelligence: Inside the INR

August 25th, 2020

1:00:09

SPY Historian sat down with some of the leadership of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research for a candid conversation

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The SpyCast Conversation with Alison Bouwmeester

August 18th, 2020

57:07

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer Alison Bouwmeester to discuss her career, and how she’s been helping people transition from government service to the private sector.

Learn more …

Taken Hostage by the Taliban: A Conversation with Kevin King

August 11th, 2020

47:24

Executive Director Chris Costa sits down with Professor Kevin King to learn more about his career traveling the world, and how that led to him being held by the Taliban for over three years.

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Hollywood Spies

August 4th, 2020

1:06:09

On July 23rd, we had a great conversation with Jonna Mendez about spies in Hollywood.

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Operation Lemon Aid: A Conversation with Art Lindberg

July 28th, 2020

1:01:05

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former US Navy officer and double agent Art Lindberg to discuss his career and the sting operation that …

Near Dark: A Conversation with Brad Thor

July 21st, 2020

52:11

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling thriller author Brad Thor to discuss his writing career, his process, book research, and how …

Race and Intelligence: A Conversation with Darrell Blocker, Cassi Chandler, Mel Gamble, and Malcolm Nance

July 14th, 2020

1:11:43

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with an extraordinary panel to have a candid discussion about racial issues in the intelligence community.

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Spy Chat with Keith Masback

July 7th, 2020

1:06:06

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with GEOINT pioneer Keith Masback to discuss all things geospatial.

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Fiction Author Roundtable

June 30th, 2020

1:04:34

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with 4 of your favorite spy fiction authors to discuss how they entertain and educate.

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Atomic Spy: A Conversation with Nancy Greenspan

June 23rd, 2020

46:23

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Nancy Greenspan to discuss the life of notorious Soviet spy Klaus Fuchs, the fascinating subject of her new book, Atomic Spy: The Dark Lives of Klaus Fuchs

Learn more …

Wondery presents Murder in Hollywoodland

June 17th, 2020

7:32
It's February 2nd 1922, and all of Hollywood is about to wake up and learn that William Desmond Taylor, the most famous film director in town, was …

Spy Sites of New York City: A Conversation with Keith Melton & Bob Wallace

June 16th, 2020

58:08

Executive Director Chris Costa talks to Keith Melton and Bob Wallace about their newest book, Spy Sites of New York City: A Guide to the Region’s Secret History.

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Introducing Truth vs Hollywood

June 12th, 2020

15:51
Introducing the newest Audioboom original podcast, Truth vs Hollywood. Join Film lovers David Chen and Joanna Robinson as they do a deep dive into …

What’s Next? A Conversation with Jonna Mendez, Tracy Walder, and Joe Weisberg

June 9th, 2020

1:06:03

SPY Historian Vince Houghton had a virtual conversation with three former intelligence professionals to discuss their choices of careers following …

Curator’s Corner with Francis Gary Powers, Jr.

June 2nd, 2020

1:11:12

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down for a virtual conversation about the 60th anniversary of one of the most historic events of the Cold War. 

Shedding Light on the Elite GSG9: A Conversation with Colonel Jerome Fuchs

May 19th, 2020

33:32

Executive Director Chris Costa talks with GSG9 Commander Jerome Fuchs about the history and evolution of GSG9, as well as his career with the …

How Intelligence Analysts See the Corona Pandemic

May 12th, 2020

1:04:42

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former intelligence analysts Mark Stout and Cindy Storer to discuss how intel analysts in the US and around the world are viewing the coronavirus situation. 

Learn more about …

Reflections on the Middle East and Afghanistan: A Conversation with General Joseph Votel

May 5th, 2020

49:13

Executive Director Chris Costa is joined by former Commander of U.S. Central Command General Joseph Votel to discuss his insights into current events in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and the fight against ISIS.

Learn …

The SpyCast Conversation with Harvey Klehr

April 28th, 2020

57:42

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author and historian Harvey Klehr to discuss Soviet espionage and his newest book, The …

Active Measures: A Conversation with Thomas Rid

April 21st, 2020

1:05:08

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with professor Thomas Rid to discuss the history of disinformation, and his new book, Active …

The CIA War in Kurdistan: A Conversation with Sam Faddis

April 14th, 2020

1:05:04

Executive Director, Chris Costa is joined by former CIA Officer and author, Sam Faddis to discuss his book The CIA War in Kurdistan: The Untold Story …

Current Affairs in the Middle East: A Conversation with Kirsten Fontenrose

April 7th, 2020

1:09:25

Executive Director, Chris Costa talks with Kirsten Fontenrose, current Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, about current events in the Middle East and her twenty years of …

Talking to a Former Hostage: A Conversation with Jason Rezaian

March 31st, 2020

1:03:31

Executive Director Chris Costa sits down with Washington Post journalist, Jason Rezaian to talk about his book and experiences being taken hostage in Iran.

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From the Vault: Remember When Computer Viruses Were The Scary Viruses?

March 24th, 2020

50:39

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Rick Holland, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Vice President of Strategy for Digital …

From the Vault: Quarantine Edition

March 17th, 2020

42:27

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bioterrorism expert Hank Parker to discuss current threats and Parker's new book Containment.

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Spy Chat with Chris Costa

March 10th, 2020

1:05:03

Having trouble getting a handle on world events? Join Spy Museum Executive Director Chris Costa and Former CIA/ Spy Museum Advisory Board Member Karen M. Schaefer for a discussion of the latest intelligence, national …

The Unexpected Spy: A Conversation with Tracy Walder

March 3rd, 2020

51:16

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA officer and FBI special agent Tracy Walder to discuss her career in intelligence, and her new book, The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life …

SpyCast Special Preview: Life's Little Mysteries

March 2nd, 2020

14:07
SpyCast has teamed up with Live Science to bring you this special preview clip of the new podcast, Life's Little Mysteries.

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Russians Among Us: A Conversation with Gordon Corera

February 25th, 2020

57:09

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera to discuss the Russian “illegals” program and his new book, Russians Among Us: Sleeper Cells, Ghost Stories, and the Hunt for Putin's …

The SpyCast Conversation with Darrell Blocker

February 18th, 2020

1:00:59

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA officer Darrell Blocker to discuss his career and work throughout Africa.

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Chinese Corn Caper: A Conversation with Mara Hvistendahl

February 11th, 2020

49:44

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with writer, speaker, commentator, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Mara Hvistendahl to discuss the rise of economic …

The SpyCast Conversation with Sue Gordon

February 4th, 2020

1:05:53

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Sue Gordon to discuss her career and many important topics in intelligence

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From the Vault: The SpyCast conversation with Gen. David Petraeus

January 28th, 2020

47:55

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with retired 4-star general David Petraeus, former Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq; Commander, …

Spy Chat with Chris Costa

January 21st, 2020

1:18:51

Having trouble getting a handle on world events? Join Spy Museum Executive Director Chris Costa for a discussion of the latest intelligence, national security, and terrorism issues in the news.

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Avoiding the Terrorist Trap: A Conversation with Tom Parker

January 14th, 2020

1:06:22

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with counterterrorism expert and former MI5 officer Tom Parker to discuss the role of human rights in the fight …

How Haven’t I Heard of This??: A Conversation with William Rosenau

January 7th, 2020

1:10:58

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with terrorism expert William Rosenau to discuss a most improbable true story: America’s first female terrorist group and their attacks, which included the Washington Navy Yard, an …

2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with DIA Director LTG Robert Ashley

December 31st, 2019

52:26

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the 21st Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to discuss his career, the mission of the DIA, and …

2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with David Kennedy, David Turk, and Howard Safir

December 31st, 2019

1:04:00

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with representatives of the United States Marshals Service to discuss the decades-long manhunt for Nazi war criminal Dr. Joseph Mengele.

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2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with Adm. Mike Rogers

December 31st, 2019

1:15:25

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA Director and CYBERCOM commander Admiral Mike Rogers

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2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with Jack Doyle

December 31st, 2019

58:43

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jack Doyle, former field director for NEST, the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Emergency Search Team.

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2019 Staff Picks: A Conversation with Jim Gant and Ann Scott Tyson

December 31st, 2019

1:32:41

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret Major Jim Gant and his wife, former war correspondent Ann Scott Tyson, who is the author of the book, American Spartan: The Promise, the Mission, and the …

Protected Voices: A Conversation with FBI ASAC Jason Fickett

December 24th, 2019

49:16

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jason Fickett, the Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, Intelligence Division, FBI’s Washington Field Office, to discuss his career and the government’s new program to combat …

Out of the Shadows: A Conversation with Marc Polymeropoulos

December 17th, 2019

56:41

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with recently retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss a career that …

Trump and His Generals: A Conversation with Peter Bergen

December 10th, 2019

1:01:31

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Peter Bergen to discuss his new book, Trump and His Generals: The Cost of Chaos.

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The SpyCast Conversation with Nayyera Haq

December 3rd, 2019

1:01:33

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with a former senior advisor to both the White House and the Secretary of State to discuss the difficulties in …

From the Vault: SpyCast, the Giving Thanks Edition

November 26th, 2019

25:11

In November, 2006, SpyCast was born. After 13 years, 397 episodes, and millions of worldwide listeners, we are still going strong. This is because of …

Agents of Influence: A Conversation with Henry Hemming

November 19th, 2019

57:13

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling author Henry Hemming to discuss information operations, fake news, British and German espionage, and his new book, Agents of Influence: A British Campaign, a …

From the Vault: The SpyCast conversation with Gen. Michael Hayden

November 12th, 2019

1:15:03

Last week, Gen. Michael Hayden was honored by the International Spy Museum with the 2019 William H. Webster Distinguished Service Award. In 2016, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Gen. Hayden to discuss his …

Walking Away from the Kurds: A Conversation with LTG Michael K. Nagata

November 5th, 2019

1:24:59

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with the Former Director, Directorate of Strategic and Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center, to discuss recent events in counterterrorism, and the …

SpooooookyCast: DIA Investigates the Paranormal

October 29th, 2019

1:05:02

In this special Halloween SpyCast, SPY Historian Vince Houghton spoke to DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder about the DIA’s investigation into telekinesis, telepathy, remote viewing, and other spooky stuff. 

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Return to the Reich: A Conversation with Eric Lichtblau

October 22nd, 2019

1:07:42

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author, investigative reporter, and two-time Pulitzer- winner, Eric Lichtblau, to discuss OSS operations …

Gitmo Law: A Conversation with Alka Pradhan and Ben Farley

October 15th, 2019

59:15

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Guantanamo defense attorneys Alka Pradhan and Ben Farley, who represent one of the 9/11 defendants, Ammar al-Baluchi. 

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From the Vault: Whistleblower Aid, An Interview with John Tye and Mark Zaid

October 8th, 2019

55:54

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorneys John Tye and Mark Zaid to discuss their project Whistleblower Aid, which is a non-profit organization designed to protect whistleblowers – and to prevent them from …

Operation Gold: A Conversation with Steve Vogel and Bernd von Kostka

October 1st, 2019

54:19

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Washington Post reporter and author Steve Vogel, and the curator of Berlin’s Allied Museum, Bernd …

The Life of John André: A Conversation with Douglas Ronald

September 24th, 2019

1:01:23

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with academic and author Dr. Doug Ronald to discuss one of the most fascinating personalities of the American …

The SpyCast Conversation with…wait…Vince, Again??

September 17th, 2019

1:09:38

Former SPY Historian Alexis Albion sat down with current SPY Historian Vince Houghton to discuss WWII and early Cold War nuclear intelligence, and …

The SpyCast Conversation with David Rolph

September 10th, 2019

1:11:36

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Chief of East Berlin and Moscow stations David Rolph, who also served as the handler for one of …

Moscow Rules: A Conversation with Jonna Mendez

September 3rd, 2019

1:08:38

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez to talk about operating in VERY denied areas, and her newest …

The SpyCast Conversation with Matt Korda of the Federation of American Scientists

August 20th, 2019

1:01:26

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Matt Korda of the FAS Nuclear Information Project, and co-author of the Nuclear Notebook, to discuss …

The SpyCast Conversation with Emily Crose

August 13th, 2019

58:16

At a live event at the International Spy Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA, NSA, and INSCOM infosec specialist Emily Crose to talk the past, present, and future of cyber

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George Sharpe and the BMI: A Conversation with Peter Tsouras

August 6th, 2019

1:09:34

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former military intelligence officer and prolific author Peter Tsouras to discuss the role of George …

Bringing Americans Home: A Conversation with Diane Foley and Cynthia Loertscher

July 30th, 2019

57:36

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with the founder of the James W. Foley Foundation, Diane Foley, and Cynthia Loertscher, the lead …

The Dark Side of Paradise: A Conversation with Richard Kerr

July 23rd, 2019

1:20:25

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Deputy Director of CIA, former Acting Director, and former Deputy Director for Intelligence Richard Kerr, to discuss his career and his new book, The Dark Side of …

Mosul: A Conversation with Daniel Gabriel

July 16th, 2019

48:01

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA counterterrorism officer Dan Gabriel, who is now filmmaker Dan Gabriel, the writer and director …

Strategic Warning: A Conversation with John Gentry and Joseph Gordon

July 9th, 2019

1:04:01

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former intelligence analysts John Gentry and Joe Gordon to discuss one of the most misunderstood aspects of the intelligence business: strategic warning. Gentry and Gordon are …

The Threat: A Conversation with Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe

July 2nd, 2019

1:00:45

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to discuss the current threat environment.

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Spies of No Country: A Conversation with Matti Friedman

June 25th, 2019

48:35

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with journalist and author Matti Friedman for a fascinating look at early Israeli intelligence, and his book, Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel

Learn more …

NEST: A Conversation with Jack Doyle

June 18th, 2019

58:43

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jack Doyle, former field director for NEST, the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Emergency Search Team.

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American Spartan: A Conversation with Jim Gant and Ann Scott Tyson

June 11th, 2019

1:32:42

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret Major Jim Gant and his wife, former war correspondent Ann Scott Tyson, who is the author of the book, American Spartan: The Promise, the Mission, and the …

Mata Hari, The Spy: An Interview with Dr. Julie Wheelwright

June 4th, 2019

1:07:22

SPY Adult Education Director Amanda Ohlke sat down with Dr. Julie Wheelwright, the author of The Fatal Lover: Mata Hari and the Myth of Women in …

Freedom’s Laboratory: A Conversation with Audra Wolfe

May 28th, 2019

59:36

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with writer, editor, and historian Audra Wolfe to discuss Cold War propaganda and psychological operations, and …

Area 51 Special Projects: A Conversation with TD Barnes

May 21st, 2019

57:38

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with TD Barnes, who served as a field engineer at the NASA High Range in Nevada for the X-15, XB-70, lifting bodies and lunar landing vehicles; worked on the NERVA project at …

The SpyCast Conversation with Adm. Mike Rogers

May 14th, 2019

1:15:25

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA Director and CYBERCOM commander Admiral Mike Rogers

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The SpyCast Conversation with…Vince Houghton?

May 7th, 2019

1:01:30

Guest host David Priess sat down with SPY historian and curator Vince Houghton to discuss Houghton’s new book, Nuking the Moon: And Other Intelligence Schemes And Military Plots Left On The Drawing Board.

Learn more …

The SpyCast Conversation with Dr. John Browne

April 30th, 2019

1:00:23

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with John Browne, former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, who was there for – among other things – the Wen Ho Lee spy investigation. IARPA/ARL link:

Leadership and Counterterrorism: A Conversation with General Stanley McChrystal

April 23rd, 2019

55:57

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with the former Commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan …

Nukes and North Korea: A Conversation with Jeffrey Lewis

April 16th, 2019

59:59

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis to discuss nuclear threats from around the world, and his fascinating …

The SpyCast Conversation with Dr. Gary Weir, Chief Historian, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

April 9th, 2019

47:36

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Gary Weir to discuss some of the history of NGA, and their vital role in the mission to find and …

The SpyCast Conversation with FBI Special Agent Peter Lapp

April 2nd, 2019

59:14

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Peter Lapp, whose two decade career at the FBI included extensive work in counterintelligence.

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Gray Day: A Conversation with Eric O’Neill

March 26th, 2019

58:49

SPY Historian Vince Houghton say down with cybersecurity expert and former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill to discuss the investigation into, and arrest of, Soviet/Russian spy Robert …

Rethinking CT: A Conversation with Jason Blazakis

March 19th, 2019

48:47

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the Director of the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at Monterey to discuss terrorism financing, state-sponsorship, and the rise of domestic terrorism.

Dezinformatsiya Revisited: A Conversation with Liz Wahl

March 12th, 2019

52:04

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down for a second time with journalist, and now congressional candidate, Liz Wahl to discuss Russian disinformation operations and more.

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Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell: A Conversation with Former Director Rob Saale

March 5th, 2019

39:46

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Rob Saale, the former director of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell.

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CIA vs DOD: A Conversation with David Oakley

February 26th, 2019

47:18

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Army officer and former CIA intelligence officer David Oakley to discuss the tensions between the military and the CIA, and his new book, Subordinating Intelligence: The …

The New Rules of War: A Conversation with Sean McFate

February 19th, 2019

47:59

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with National Defense University professor Sean McFate to discuss his new book, The New Rules of War: Victory …

Hunting Mengele: A Conversation with David Kennedy, David Turk, and Howard Safir

February 12th, 2019

1:04:04

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with representatives of the United States Marshals Service to discuss the decades-long manhunt for Nazi war criminal Dr. Joseph Mengele.

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Code Name Lise: A Conversation with Larry Loftis

February 5th, 2019

35:42

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling author Larry Loftis to discuss the extraordinary WWII British agent Odette Sansom, and Loftis’s new book, Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became …

Counterterrorism Strategy: A Conversation with Peter Bergen & Chris Costa

January 29th, 2019

1:09:48

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with terrorism expert Peter Bergen and SPY Executive Director Chris Costa to discuss the details and highlights of the most recent national counterterrorism strategy

Learn more …

The First Conspiracy: A Conversation with Brad Meltzer

January 22nd, 2019

44:20

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author Brad Meltzer to discuss his newest book, The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill …

The SpyCast Interview with DIA Director LTG Robert Ashley

January 15th, 2019

52:28

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the 21st Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to discuss his career, the mission of the DIA, and …

Disrupt and Deny: A Conversation with Rory Cormac

January 8th, 2019

58:43

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with University of Nottingham professor Rory Cormac to discuss the history of British covert action and his newest book, Disrupt and Deny: Spies, Special Forces, and the Secret …

Korean Security Issues: A Conversation with former Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert

January 1st, 2019

59:06

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sits down with the former Ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert to discuss his career and insights on the U.S. relationship with South Korea, as well as current issues surrounding …

Moscow at Midnight: A Conversation with Sally McGrane

December 25th, 2018

41:03

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with journalist and writer Sally McGrane to discuss modern-day Russia, living in Germany, and her novel Moscow at Midnight.

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Masters of Mayhem: A Conversation with James Stejskal

December 18th, 2018

50:00

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret and CIA Operations Officer James Stejskal to discuss the legacy of TE Lawrence and Stejskal’s newest book, Masters of Mayhem: Lawrence of Arabia and the …

Into the Shadows: A Conversation with Michael Brady

December 11th, 2018

49:54

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with ret US Army LTC and former career intelligence officer Michael Brady to discuss his career, the status of intelligence education, and his latest book, Into the Shadows, …

The Spy Who Was Left Behind: A Conversation with Michael Pullara

December 4th, 2018

54:38

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorney Michael Pullara to discuss the case of slain CIA officer Freddie Woodruff and Pullara’s new book, …

The SpyCast Conversation with Ambassador Joe Wilson

November 27th, 2018

1:06:19

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ambassador Joe Wilson to discuss his career, the politicization of intelligence, and uranium from Niger

The SpyCast Interview with Jeremy Bash

November 20th, 2018

47:47

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jeremy Bash and discussed his career at CIA, DOD, the House Intelligence Committee, and other topics.

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Hostage US: A Conversation with Rachel Briggs & Joshua Geltzer

November 13th, 2018

41:30

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Rachel Briggs and Joshua Geltzer from Hostage US, a non-profit organization that supports families of Americans taken hostage abroad

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From FBI to CNN: A Conversation with Josh Campbell

November 6th, 2018

1:09:35

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Josh Campbell, former Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI, and now Law Enforcement Analyst for CNN

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Inside the DIA – The Hunt for UBL: A Conversation with DIA Historian Greg Elder

October 30th, 2018

57:00

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder to discuss the DIA’s role in the hunt for Usama bin Laden.

Learn more about …

The Secrets of the Bridge of Spies: A Conversation with Francis Gary Powers, Jr., Mary Ellen Fuller, and Vin Arthey

October 23rd, 2018

56:12

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down for a discussion of the most famous spy trade in history: Soviet spy Rudolf Abel for American U-2 pilot Francis …

Active Measures: A Conversation with Jack Bryan

October 16th, 2018

45:00

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with filmmaker Jack Bryan to discuss his newly released film on Russian active measures and the 2016 presidential election.

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An American’s Path to Al-Qa’ida: A Conversation with Bryant Neal Viñas

October 9th, 2018

34:35

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down with Bryant Neal Viñas to discuss the story of his ideological journey from New York to Pakistan and …

The Wounded Muse: A Conversation with Robert Delaney

October 2nd, 2018

52:09

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with award winning author and journalist Robert Delaney, who has been covering China as a journalist for more than 20 years. His debut novel, The Wounded Muse, is out now.

Learn …

Man of War: A Conversation with Sean Parnell

September 25th, 2018

48:07

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Retired Army Infantry Captain, veteran’s advocate, and author Sean Parnell to talk about his new book Man of War, his wartime experiences, and key issues facing veterans today.

The Spy and the Traitor: A Conversation with Ben MacIntyre

September 18th, 2018

56:54

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author Ben MacIntyre to discuss the Oleg Gordievsky case and MacIntyre’s new book, The Spy and …

From the Vault, 9/11 Edition: A Conversation with Cofer Black

September 11th, 2018

1:05:24

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Cofer Black, the former Director of CIA’s Counterterrorism Center (CTC), to discuss the role of the CTC …

From the Vault (But Never Heard Before): A Conversation with William Webster

September 4th, 2018

48:14

Former SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down in 2013 with former CIA and FBI Director, Judge William Webster. Hear it now for the first time.

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NatSec and the Law: A Conversation with Mark Zaid

August 28th, 2018

1:16:15

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorney Mark Zaid to discuss the revocation of security clearances, non-disclosure agreements, pre-publication review, and recent national security leaks.

Learn more about …

Reflections on Counterterrorism: A Conversation with Nicholas Rasmussen

August 21st, 2018

1:21:22

SPY Executive Director Chris Costa sat down for a special conversation with the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), …

US Intel in WWI: A Conversation with Mark Stout

August 14th, 2018

1:08:07

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former SPY Historian Mark Stout to discuss all things American Intelligence in WWI.

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Busy Days: A Conversation with Shane Harris

August 7th, 2018

1:07:01

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Washington Post intelligence and national security reporters to discuss…well, everything.

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The SpyCast Conversation with former HPSCI Chair Mike Rogers

July 31st, 2018

1:09:40

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former FBI agent and chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Mike Rogers to discuss his career and how he feels about the current state of the …

“The Cyber”: A Conversation with Rick Holland

July 24th, 2018

50:32

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Rick Holland, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Vice President of Strategy for Digital …

The Other Woman: A Conversation with Daniel Silva

July 17th, 2018

45:35

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bestselling novelist Daniel Silva to discuss his career, his writing philosophy, and his new book, The Other Woman.

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Operation Black Mail: A Conversation with Ann Todd

July 3rd, 2018

50:02

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Ann Todd to discuss WWII propaganda efforts and her book, OSS Operation Black Mail: One Woman’s Covert War Against the Imperial Japanese Army

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Wisdom of the Crowd: A Conversation with Dr. Steven Rieber

June 26th, 2018

46:56

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Steven Rieber, IARPA program manager, to discuss CREATE, which seeks to develop, and experimentally test, systems that use crowdsourcing and structured analytic techniques …

Nine Lives: A Conversation with Aimen Dean

June 19th, 2018

1:12:36

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Aimen Dean, former member of Al Qaeda, agent for MI-6, and author of the new book, Nine Lives: My Time as the West's Top Spy Inside al-Qaeda.

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Overkill: A Conversation with Ted Bell

June 12th, 2018

36:45

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with spy novelist Ted Bell, author of 10 consecutive New York Times Bestsellers, including the Alex Hawke series of spy thrillers. The newest is Overkill.

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Spy Chiefs: A Conversation with Mark Stout and Chris Moran

June 5th, 2018

57:02

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with intelligence experts Drs. Mark Stout and Chris Moran to discuss the 2nd volume of their new book, Spy …

Space and National Security: A Conversation with Chirag Parikh

May 30th, 2018

1:07:09

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Chirag Parikh, the Deputy Director for Counterproliferation at the National Geospatial Intelligence …

The SpyCast Conversation with John Brennan

May 22nd, 2018

56:30

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Director John Brennan to discuss his career and key moments during his time as Director .

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The Targeter: A Conversation with Nada Bakos

May 15th, 2018

57:31

SPY historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA analyst and targeting officer Nada Bakos to discuss her career, the CIA, and the current state of intelligence in America

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A Brotherhood of Spies: A Conversation with Monte Reel

May 8th, 2018

59:12

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and journalist Monte Reel, whose new book on the development and impact of the U-2 program is A Brotherhood of Spies: The U-2 and the CIA's Secret War. For more …

The National Security Strategy: A Conversation with Fmr Dep National Security Advisor Nadia Schadlow

May 1st, 2018

56:55

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Nadia Schadlow, the former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, to discuss the recently released National Security Strategy for the Trump Administration.

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Cold War Navy SEAL: A Conversation with James Hawes

April 24th, 2018

1:06:00

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Navy SEAL and CIA operator James Hawes to discuss his time in Vietnam and the Congo in the 1960s. …

Last Night of the World: A Conversation with Joyce Wayne

April 17th, 2018

50:07

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with award-winning literary journalist and author Joyce Wayne to discuss her new historical novel Last Night of the World, which centers on an infamous Soviet spy ring operating in …

The Mad Scientists: A Conversation with Lee Grubbs

April 10th, 2018

59:06

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Lee Grubbs, director of the Mad Scientist initiative, a US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) …

Meet the New Guy, Part 2: An Interview with Chris Costa

April 3rd, 2018

58:42

SPY Historian Vince Houghton continues his conversation with the new Executive Director of the International Spy Museum to discuss his career in …

Meet the New Guy, Part 1: An Interview with Chris Costa

March 27th, 2018

53:27

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with the new Executive Director of the International Spy Museum to discuss his career in intelligence, special …

In the Enemy’s House: An Interview with Howard Blum

March 20th, 2018

46:21

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with NYT bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize nominee Howard Blum to discuss his newest book In the Enemy's …

Breaking Cover: An Interview with Michele Rigby Assad

March 13th, 2018

54:03

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer Michele Rigby Assad to discuss her career in intelligence, and her new book Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about …

Operation Chaos: An Interview with Matthew Sweet

March 6th, 2018

58:54

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Matthew Sweet, who has written on one of the most…extraordinary topics of the Cold War. His book, …

The Peter Earnest “Exit Interview”

February 27th, 2018

56:50

SPY Historian sat down with recently retired International Spy Museum Executive Director Peter Earnest to discuss his career in intelligence, his time with the Museum, and his thoughts on life moving forward .

Learn …

The Doomsday Machine: An Interview with Daniel Ellsberg

February 20th, 2018

1:19:30

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with Daniel Ellsberg, who is best known for his release of the Pentagon Papers to the public in 1971. He is also the author of The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a …

Technology and Human Intelligence: An Interview with Paula Doyle

February 13th, 2018

1:05:49

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paula Doyle, former Associate Deputy Director of Operations at CIA, where she oversaw worldwide HUMINT …

Spy Watching: An Interview with Loch Johnson

February 6th, 2018

1:04:26

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with political scientist and professor Loch Johnson, whose decade-long career in and out of the intelligence …

The Saboteur: An Interview with Paul Kix

January 30th, 2018

56:23

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paul Kix, deputy editor at ESPN the Magazine, and author of the book The Saboteur: The Aristocrat Who …

Destination Casablanca: An Interview with Meredith Hindley

January 23rd, 2018

49:17

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with writer and historian Meredith Hindley to discuss her new book Destination Casablanca: Exile, Espionage, and the Battle for North Africa in World War II

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The Red Web: An Interview with Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan

January 16th, 2018

1:00:08

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan to discuss Russian intelligence, their …

American Radical: An Interview with Kevin Maurer

January 9th, 2018

1:02:12

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Kevin Maurer, coauthor of the bestseller No Easy Day, and now coauthor of the new book, American Radical: Inside the World of an Undercover Muslim FBI Agent, which he cowrote …

A Rebel at the CIA: An Interview with former DDI Carmen Medina

January 2nd, 2018

1:05:43

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Carmen Medina, the CIA’s former Deputy Director of Intelligence and Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence. She is also the author of Rebels at Work: A Handbook …

The Psychology of Espionage: An Interview with Dr. Ursula Wilder

December 26th, 2017

1:23:39

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with CIA clinical psychologist Dr. Ursula Wilder, who in her over two decades at CIA has worked within the …

Inside Naval Intelligence: An Interview with Deputy Director B Lynn Wright

December 19th, 2017

56:15

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Lynn Wright, the current Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence and the Head of the Naval Intelligence Activity.

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A Little Bit of Everything: An Interview with Kristin Wood

December 12th, 2017

1:16:04

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Kristin Wood, who spent more than two decades with CIA in a number of roles – from the briefer to the Vice …

View from the Top: An Interview with Michael Morell

December 5th, 2017

1:30:43

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Deputy Director and Acting Director Michael Morell to discuss his career at the Agency, and his …

Follow the Money: An Interview with Nitsana Darshan-Leitner

November 28th, 2017

1:05:35

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Israeli activist and attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner to discuss the ongoing campaign to disrupt terrorist finance, and her new book Harpoon: Inside the Covert War Against …

Speaking Truth to Power: An Interview with Ned Price

November 21st, 2017

1:10:22
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ned Price, former CIA analyst and Special Assistant to President Obama on the National Security Council staff, where he also was the Spokesperson and Senior Director for …

Everything You Wanted to Know About GEOINT but Were Afraid to Ask: An Interview with Keith Masback

November 14th, 2017

1:04:40
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Keith Masback, the CEO of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, to talk all things GEOINT.

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The Woman Who Smashed Codes: An Interview with Jason Fagone

November 7th, 2017

1:03:05
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Jason Fagone to discuss the history of American codebreaking and his book, The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who …

Chief of Station: An Interview with John Sipher

October 31st, 2017

1:18:45
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with CIA veteran John Sipher, who served multiple overseas tours as Chief of Station and Deputy Chief of …

Dinner at the Center of the Earth: An Interview with Nathan Englander

October 24th, 2017

52:59
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Nathan Englander to discuss his new novel, Middle East politics, the Mossad, the …

Our First Bond Villain: An Interview with Robert Davi

October 17th, 2017

1:13:13
In late July, SPY Historian Vince Houghton traveled to Pasadena, CA to take part in Politicon, the “Unconventional Political Convention” (think Comic …

Spy Schools: An Interview with Dan Golden

October 10th, 2017

59:03
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Dan Golden to discuss his new book, focused on the exploitation of …

Preserving Cold War Berlin: An Interview with Bernd von Kostka

October 3rd, 2017

57:06
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Bernd von Kostka, the Acting Director of the Allied Museum in Berlin, to discuss some of the key stories …

Whistleblower Aid: An Interview with John Tye and Mark Zaid

September 26th, 2017

57:00
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with attorneys John Tye and Mark Zaid to discuss their new project Whistleblower Aid, which is a non-profit organization designed to protect whistleblowers – and to prevent them …

Foxtrot in Kandahar: An Interview with Duane Evans

September 19th, 2017

1:13:19
Recorded in front of a live audience at the Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer Duane Evans, who led a …

Patton’s Way: An Interview with James Kelly Morningstar

September 12th, 2017

1:01:51
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Army officer and historian James Kelly Morningstar to discuss the use of intelligence by legendary General George Patton, highlighted in Morningstar’s new book Patton’s …

The Taking of K-129: An Interview with Josh Dean

September 5th, 2017

1:12:39
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and journalist Josh Dean to discuss Project Azorian, the Glomar Explorer, and one of the most …

Inside the DIA, Episode 2: An Interview with DIA Historian Greg Elder

August 29th, 2017

1:17:07
In the second installment of our recurring series, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder to discuss the DIA’s …

From the Vault: Civil War Overhead Recon, An Interview with Dr. Jim Green

August 22nd, 2017

57:36
Because everyone else is going eclipse crazy, we thought we would re-post SPY Historian Vince Houghton’s interview with one of the tops guys at NASA, …

Deep Black: An Interview with Sean McFate

August 15th, 2017

50:53
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sean McFate, a former paratrooper, private military contractor, and now author, novelist, and expert in …

China's Cyber Wars: An Interview with TL Williams

August 8th, 2017

56:55
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA operations officer and Deputy Division Chief for Counterintelligence TL Williams to discuss his career and his new novel, Zero Day: China's Cyber Wars.

Learn more …

Whistleblower at the CIA: An Interview with Melvin Goodman

August 1st, 2017

1:12:58
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA analyst Melvin Goodman to discuss his life in government, and his book “A Whistleblower at the …

Special Forces Berlin: An Interview with James Stejskal

July 25th, 2017

58:33
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Green Beret James Stejskal to discuss the role of US Army Special Forces, and their actions against …

Dezinformatsiya: An Interview with Liz Wahl

July 18th, 2017

1:05:31
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Newsy reporter Liz Wahl to discuss Russian efforts to propagate disinformation to the American public – …

Angola, Clausewitz, and the American Way of War: An Interview with Jack McCain

July 11th, 2017

1:11:12
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with US Naval Officer and helicopter pilot Jack McCain to discuss the potential lessons learned from his …

From the Vault, 4th of July Edition: Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War

July 4th, 2017

56:29
Hear from former CIA officer Kenneth Daigler, as he closely examines American intelligence activities during the era of the Revolutionary War from …

Predicting President Trump: An Interview with the Authors of High Hand

June 27th, 2017

56:30
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with James Rosen (McClatchy), James Ellenberger (formerly of AFL-CIO), and Curt Harris (NIH National Cancer …

The Death of Expertise: An Interview with Tom Nichols

June 20th, 2017

1:15:42
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Tom Nichols, professor at the U.S. Naval War College and at the Harvard Extension School, and the author …

Inside the DIA, Episode 1: An Interview with DIA Historian Greg Elder

June 13th, 2017

1:08:21
In the first installment of what will become a recurring series, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with DIA Chief Historian Greg Elder to discuss …

Our Latest Longest War: An Interview with Ben Jones

June 6th, 2017

1:08:59
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ben Jones, the former Transition Coordinator for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, where he coordinated the transfer of Afghanistan's security from …

Agent M: An Interview with Henry Hemming

May 30th, 2017

55:19
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with British author Henry Hemming to discuss his newest book Agent M: The Lives and Spies of MI5’s Maxwell Knight.

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The Black Hand: An Interview with Stephan Talty

May 23rd, 2017

50:40
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Stephan Talty, author of two previous books on intelligence, Agent Garbo and The Secret Agent: In Search of America’s Greatest World War II Spy. They discuss his newest book, …

The Power of Words: An Interview with Sven Hughes

May 16th, 2017

54:45
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sven Hughes, a former reserve soldier within British Military Intelligence, Psychological Operations, and …

Spies in the Family: An Interview with Eva Dillon

May 9th, 2017

1:26:23
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Eva Dillon, whose father Paul was a career CIA officer who ran one of the most prolific Soviet spies of …

CIA Spy Girl: An Interview with Emily Brandwin

May 2nd, 2017

1:03:32
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former improv comedienne and CIA operations officer Emily Brandwin to discuss her career(s) and views on many things intel-related.

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The Spy Who Couldn’t Spell: An Interview with Yudhijit Bhattacharjee

April 25th, 2017

1:08:36
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and journalist Yudhijit Bhattacharjee to discuss the fascinating case of wannabee spy Brian Regan, …

The Imagineers of War: An Interview with Sharon Weinberger

April 18th, 2017

1:00:42
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sharon Weinberger, national security journalist and author of the book The Imagineers of War: The Untold …

Spy Sites of DC: An Interview with Keith Melton and Bob Wallace

April 11th, 2017

59:27
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with intelligence historian Keith Melton, and former chief of the CIA’s Office of Technical Services, Bob …

Deep Undercover: An Interview with Former KGB Illegal Jack Barsky

April 4th, 2017

1:13:17

SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jack Barsky, the longest-surviving known member of the KGB illegals program that operated during the Cold …

SpyCast Roundtable: The Women of NatSec Journalism

March 28th, 2017

1:11:16
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with six extraordinary journalists to discuss the challenges associated with reporting on intelligence and national security. They include: Ali Watkins (BuzzFeed), Mary Louise Kelly …

Allen Dulles, the OSS, and the German Resistance: An Interview with Scott Miller

March 21st, 2017

49:50
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Scott Miller, author of Agent 110: An American Spymaster and the German Resistance in WWII, to discuss the …

Climate and Security: An Interview with Brig. Gen Gerry Galloway and Rear Adm. Dave Titley

March 14th, 2017

1:04:41
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with retired US Army Brigadier General Gerry Galloway and retired US Navy Rear Admiral Dave Titley to discuss the intelligence and national security implication of climate change. …

Author Debriefing - Finks: How the CIA Tricked the World’s Best Writers

March 7th, 2017

1:09:06
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with Joel Whitney, the cofounder and editor at large of Guernica: A Magazine of Art & Politics, …

Author Debriefing - Beware the Predator: The American’s Guide to Personal Security

February 28th, 2017

53:50
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA Technical Operations Officer Warren Holston and former Air Force intel specialist Dave White to …

How Much Should We Know: An Interview with Alex Howard of the Sunlight Foundation

February 21st, 2017

1:11:19
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Alex Howard, the Deputy Director of the Sunlight Foundation, to discuss the public’s right to know what the government is doing in its name.

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From the Vault: The SpyCast Interview with Michael Flynn

February 21st, 2017

1:05:45
A year ago, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former DIA Director and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Here is their conversation.

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Spooks and Nukes: An Interview with Dr. James Acton

February 14th, 2017

59:02
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for …

CIA’s Secret War in Laos: An Interview with Josh Kurlantzick

February 7th, 2017

1:03:38
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Josh Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations to discuss his new book A Great Place to Have a War: The Secret War in Laos and the Birth of a Military CIA.

Learn more …

“Historian” Roundtable: 2016 Revisited

January 31st, 2017

1:21:16
SPY Historians Vince Houghton sat down to rehash the year that was 2016. He was joined by former SPY Historian Mark Stout, former CIA briefer David Priess, and BuzzFeed intelligence and national security reporter Ali …

John Nixon - Debriefing the President

January 24th, 2017

1:03:57
SPY Historian Vince Houghton is joined by John Nixon, who shares what he learned as the first man to conduct a prolonged interrogation of the …

Bioweapons Containment: An Interview with Dr. Hank Parker

January 17th, 2017

46:04
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with bioterrorism expert Hank Parker to discuss current threats and Parker's new book Containment.

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Cyber Special Forces: An Interview with Dmitri Alperovitch

January 10th, 2017

47:42
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dmitri Alperovitch, the CTO and co-founder of CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm that detected the hack of the DNC, and traced the breach back to Russian intelligence.

Learn …

From the Vault: The Tony and Jonna Mendez Edition, Part 3

January 3rd, 2017

32:32

The Iranian Hostage Crisis (September 1, 2008) In November 1979, radical Iranian students overran the U.S. embassy in Tehran, capturing most of the embassy staff—except for six diplomats who found refuge with the …

From the Vault: The Tony and Jonna Mendez Edition, Part 1

January 3rd, 2017

25:14

The Secret History of Disguises (November 1, 2006) Peter talks with Tony Mendez, former Chief of Disguise for the CIA. Peter and Tony discuss the intricacies of developing disguises for use in hostile environments, the …

From the Vault: The Tony and Jonna Mendez Edition, Part 2

January 3rd, 2017

28:04

Woman in Disguise - Jonna Mendez (November 18, 2008) Jonna Hiestand Mendez began her CIA career as a secretary and ended it as head of the agency’s Office of Technical Services, overseeing the development of gadgets, …

From the Vault: Russians Behaving Badly Edition, Part 2

December 27th, 2016

33:17

Leon Trotsky — Murder in Mexico (September 1, 2007) Peter’s guest today is H. Keith Melton, renowned intelligence historian and owner of the largest …

From the Vault: Russians Behaving Badly Edition, Part 3

December 27th, 2016

32:19

An Army of Illegals: Assessing the Russian Spy Case (July 12, 2010) Two weeks ago on 27 June, the FBI arrested a network of 10 Russian "deep cover" …

From the Vault: Russians Behaving Badly Edition, Part 1

December 27th, 2016

53:47

The Litvinenko Murder and Other Riddles from Moscow (December 4, 2006) Peter sits down with former CIA officer Bob Rayle and Oleg Kalugin to talk Russia past and present. The three discuss their perspectives on the …

The Last Diplomat: An Interview with Devlin Barrett of the WSJ and Adam Entous of the Washington Post

December 20th, 2016

1:16:30
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Devlin Barrett and Adam Entous, co-authors of an exceptional long-form article, written for the Wall Street Journal, which highlights the tension between traditional diplomacy …

High Risk, High Reward: An Interview with IARPA Dep. Director Dr. Stacey Dixon

December 13th, 2016

44:05
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Stacey Dixon, the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. Drs. …

Pearl Harbor at 75: An Interview with Steve Twomey

December 6th, 2016

1:29:36
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Twomey to discuss his new book about the attacks of December 7, …

CIA’s Man in Havana: An Interview with Canadian Diplomat John Graham

November 29th, 2016

52:01
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Canadian diplomat John Graham to discuss his role as the eyes and ears of Western intelligence …

Author Debriefing – 100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Survival Guide

November 22nd, 2016

45:53
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with former SEAL Team 6 member Clint Emerson to discuss his new book, 100 Deadly Skills: Survival …

Able Archer 83: An Interview with Nate Jones

November 15th, 2016

58:00
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Nate Jones, the Director of the Freedom of Information Act Project for the National Security Archive, and the author of the new book Able Archer 83: The Secret History of the …

From the Vault: Election Spectacular, Part III - Why Mark Felt became Deep Throat

November 8th, 2016

39:40

Intelligence officers and investigative journalists both depend on clandestine sources to divulge secrets. But why do people betray a trust? Peter …

From the Vault: Election Spectacular, Part II - An Interview with Ken Vogel of POLITICO

November 8th, 2016

39:56
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ken Vogel, Chief Investigative Reporter for POLITICO and author of the article, “The Koch Intelligence Agency.” Houghton and Vogel (who tracks the confluence of money, …

From the Vault: Election Spectacular, Part I - An Interview with NBC Chief Political Correspondent Chuck Todd

November 8th, 2016

33:11

SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with NBC News Political Director and Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd to discuss the growing role …

Stalin’s Englishman: An Interview with Andrew Lownie

November 1st, 2016

39:24
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author and literary agent Andrew Lownie, who has been researching Guy Burgess and the Cambridge 5 for over …

Rise of the Machines: An Interview with Dr. Thomas Rid

October 25th, 2016

51:43
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Thomas Rid, professor in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, and the author of Rise of …

Countering Radicalism and Extremism: An Interview with Dr. Lorenzo Vidino and Jesse Morton

October 18th, 2016

56:18
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Lorenzo Vidino and Jesse Morton from the Program on Extremism at the George Washington University’s Center for Cyber & Homeland Security. Dr. Vidino, and expert on …

Author Debriefing - True Believer: Stalin’s Last American Spy

October 11th, 2016

1:04:56
At a live event at the International Spy Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with journalist Kati Marton to discuss Soviet spy Noel Field, the subject of Marton’s new book True Believer: Stalin’s Last American …

From MI to UPI: An Interview with Newsweek’s Jeff Stein

October 4th, 2016

1:00:33
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Jeff Stein, who covers the spy agencies and foreign policy for Newsweek in Washington. An Army …

15 Years Later, Part 3: An Interview with Mark Zaid and Bradley Moss

September 27th, 2016

1:37:04
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with national security attorneys Mark Zaid and Brad Moss to discuss the impact of the attacks of 9/11 on the US …

15 Years Later, Part 2: An Interview with Ambassador Cofer Black

September 20th, 2016

1:09:38
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Cofer Black, the former Director of CIA’s Counterterrorism Center (CTC), to discuss the role of the CTC …

15 Years Later, Part 1: An Interview with Dr. Barbara Sude

September 13th, 2016

1:02:27
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA analyst Barbara Sude to discuss the intelligence analysis leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Dr. Sude was one of a team of analysts at CIA who focused on …

Securing Cyberspace: An Interview with Charlie Mitchell

September 6th, 2016

56:25
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Charlie Mitchell, editor and co-founder of Inside Cybersecurity, and the author of Hacked: The Inside Story of America's Struggle to Secure Cyberspace. Houghton and Mitchell …

When COIN Works: An Interview with Tom Ordeman

August 30th, 2016

41:34
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with antiterrorism advisor and risk management specialist Tom Ordeman to discuss the little-know case of the Dhofar Rebellion. Often called the “Secret War” (because so few people …

The Corrupted State: An interview with Ilya Zaslavskiy

August 23rd, 2016

57:25
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ilya Zaslavskiy, who was falsely accused of espionage by Russian security services (the FSB). Unwilling to sit back and allow others to be victimized by a corrupt system, Ilya …

GPS Declassified: An Interview with Richard Easton

August 16th, 2016

53:44
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Richard Easton, author of GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to Smartphones, to discuss the development of …

Blurred Lines: An Interview with Georgetown International Law Professor Rosa Brooks

August 9th, 2016

58:18
Blurred Lines: An Interview with Georgetown International Law Professor Rosa Brooks SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Rosa Brooks, professor of national security law, Senior Fellow at the New America …

Author Debriefing: NSA’s Codebreakers and the Secret Intelligence War Against the Soviet Union

August 2nd, 2016

1:09:46
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Stephen Budiansky, the author of seventeen books about military history, intelligence and espionage, science, the natural world, and other subjects, to discuss the history of …

A Lifetime in Intelligence: An Interview with ex-CIA Officer Stephen Slick

July 26th, 2016

57:35
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former CIA officer Steve Slick, who spent more than three decades at the Agency as a case officer, chief of station, and senior executive. He is now the inaugural Director of …

Goat Staring and Other Oddities: An Interview with Jon Ronson

July 19th, 2016

1:00:18
SPY Historian Vince Houghton traveled to Politicon in Pasadena, CA and sat down (before a live audience) with Jon Ronson, author of The Men Who Stare …

The Secret History of WWII: An Interview with Sir Max Hastings

July 12th, 2016

49:57
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with prolific author Sir Max Hastings, whose 20+ books have set the standard for historical writing over the …

Intel at Leyte: An Interview with John Prados

July 5th, 2016

44:46
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. John Prados, author of the new book Storm Over Leyte: The Philippine Invasion and the Destruction of …

Author Debriefing: Executing the Rosenbergs: Death and Diplomacy in a Cold War World

June 28th, 2016

43:44
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Lori Clune, Associate Professor of History at California State University, Fresno, to discuss her new book on how the Rosenberg spy case affected American relations with …

Combating Extremism: An Interview with Dr. Tara Maller

June 21st, 2016

51:09
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Tara Maller, the Spokesperson and a Senior Policy Advisor for the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), to …

The Missing Man: An Interview with the NYT’s Barry Meier

June 14th, 2016

48:02
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Barry Meier of the New York Times to discuss the story of Bob Levinson, former FBI agent and CIA contract worker, who disappeared in Iran in 2007. Meier’s book, Missing Man: …

From the SpyCast Vault: D-Day Anniversary Edition

June 7th, 2016

45:39
Juan Pujol was the Walter Mitty of World War II, a nobody who at one doomed venture after another while dreaming of doing something interesting with …

The Blonde Bond: An Interview with Vanity Fair’s Howard Blum

May 31st, 2016

50:27
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Howard Blum, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and the author of The Last Goodnight: A World War II Story of Espionage, Adventure, and Betrayal, a book about one of the …

The Commander: An Interview with Gen. David Petraeus

May 24th, 2016

47:05
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with retired 4-star general David Petraeus, former Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq; Commander, …

Author Debriefing: Eisenhower's Guerrillas: The Jedburghs, the Maquis, and the Liberation of France

May 17th, 2016

1:04:53
SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down with Ben Jones, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of History, Dakota State University. Dr. Jones also served as an advisor to the National Military Academy …

Corporate Espionage: An Interview with CNBC’s Eamon Javers

May 10th, 2016

37:43
SPY Historian Vince Houghton discusses corporate espionage with CNBC’s Washington Reporter Eamon Javers, who is also the author of the book Broker, Trader, Lawyer, Spy: The Secret World of Corporate Espionage. Get the …

Playing to the Edge: An Interview with Gen. Michael Hayden

May 3rd, 2016

1:14:40
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA and CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden to discuss his role as the only person to head both of …

Historian Roundtable, Part II: A Conversation with the SPY Historians

April 26th, 2016

59:57
Current SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with all of his former colleagues to discuss listener questions. To submit your own questions, send …

Victor in the Rubble: An Interview with Alex Finley

April 19th, 2016

31:52
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Alex Finley, author of the new satirical novel about CIA and the War on Terror, Victor in the Rubble. Finley, herself a former officer in CIA’s Directorate of Operations, …

The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents from Kennedy to Obama

April 12th, 2016

53:41
SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down with former CIA intelligence officer, manager, and daily intelligence briefer David Priess to discuss his new book centered on the President’s Daily Brief (PDB). Every …

Sold Out? Iraq, the CIA, and the Kurds: An Interview with Dr. Bryan Gibson

April 5th, 2016

49:58
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Bryan Gibson to discuss the tumultuous history of US foreign policy in Iraq. From the end of the …

Author Debriefing: Queen of Spies: Daphne Park, Britain's Cold War Spy Master

March 29th, 2016

35:04
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paddy Hayes to discuss his book Queen of Spies: Daphne Park, Britain's Cold War Spy Master. Hayes recounts …

Defeating ISIS: An Interview with Malcolm Nance

March 22nd, 2016

49:18
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former Arabic speaking naval intelligence counter-terrorism and intelligence officer Malcolm Nance. After …

Special Breed of Warrior: An Interview with Former SEAL Clinton Emerson

March 22nd, 2016

27:46
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former SEAL Team 6 member Clinton Emerson to discuss the role of special operations forces in modern …

Intelligence Analysis in the 21st Century: An Interview with Dr. Mark Lowenthal

March 15th, 2016

48:19
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Mark Lowenthal, former Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Analysis and Production and Vice Chairman for Evaluation on the National Intelligence Council – and the …

Army Intelligence: A View from the Top. An Interview with the Chief of Army Intel, LTG Mary Legere

March 7th, 2016

42:36
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with current Army G-2 LTG Mary Legere to discuss the current role and mission of Army Intelligence. LTG Legere, …

Author Debriefing: United States of Jihad. An Interview with Peter Bergen

March 3rd, 2016

43:58
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Peter Bergen to discuss his newest book, United States of Jihad: Investigating America's Homegrown Terrorists. Paced like a detective story, the book tells the entwined …

History Roundtable: A Conversation with Drs. Alexis Albion, Thomas Boghardt, Mark Stout, and Vince Houghton

February 23rd, 2016

1:12:37
In what will hopefully become a series of conversations here at the Spy Museum, all of the past and present SPY historians sat down to discuss a key …

The CI Professional: An Interview with Dr. John Schindler

February 16th, 2016

50:58
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with former NSA counterintelligence officer John Schindler to discuss his experiences in the Balkans, and his views on the current intelligence war against Russia. Houghton and …

Defense Intelligence in the 21st Century: An Interview with Former DIA Director Michael Flynn

February 9th, 2016

1:05:45
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with LTG (Ret) Michael Flynn, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2012-2014. Houghton and Flynn discuss the challenges DIA has faced in the last several decades, …

The Real Story of the U-2 Incident: An Interview with Francis Gary Powers, Jr.

February 2nd, 2016

54:24
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Gary Powers, Jr., the son of the legendary U-2 pilot who was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960. Vince and Gary discuss his father’s legacy, the incorrect assumptions …

Higher, Faster, Stealthier: An Interview with SR-71 Pilot Buz Carpenter

January 26th, 2016

50:01
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with USAF Colonel (Ret.) Buz Carpenter, who flew some of the most incredible aircraft ever developed. As an …

The Radicalization of Women in Islam: An Interview with Farhana Qazi

January 19th, 2016

47:12
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Farhana Qazi, a scholar and speaker on conflicts in the Islamic world, and the first American Muslim woman …

Author Debriefing: JFK's Forgotten Crisis: Tibet, the CIA, and Sino-Indian War

January 12th, 2016

1:02:18
During a public program at the Museum, SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Bruce Riedel, author of JFK's Forgotten Crisis: Tibet, the CIA, and Sino-Indian War. Riedel, who is a senior fellow and director of the …

Political Espionage: An Interview with Ken Vogel of POLITICO

January 5th, 2016

39:56
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Ken Vogel, Chief Investigative Reporter for POLITICO and author of the article, “The Koch Intelligence Agency.” Houghton and Vogel (who tracks the confluence of money, …

Author Debriefing: Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War

December 29th, 2015

43:29
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with PW Singer, co-author of Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War (which he wrote with August Cole). In …

The Whistleblower: An Interview with Thomas Drake

December 22nd, 2015

1:05:00
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Thomas Drake, former senior executive of the NSA – and whistleblower – who in 2010 was indicted on 10 …

Coast Guard Intelligence: An Interview with Captain Erich Telfer

December 15th, 2015

41:57
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Captain Erich Telfer, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center …

Author Debriefing: Spies, Scouts, and Secrets in the Gettysburg Campaign

December 8th, 2015

53:49
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Tom Ryan, former intelligence professional for the Department of Defense and author of Spies, Scouts, and Secrets in the Gettysburg Campaign. The first book to offer a unique …

The World of Global Jihad: A Conversation with Morten Storm

December 1st, 2015

20:49
SPY Historian Vince Houghton talked to Morten Storm, who, after a decade of jihadi life, not only repudiated extremism but, in a quest for atonement, became a double agent for the CIA and British and Danish …

The Public’s Right to Know: An Interview with Sheryl Shenberger, the Director of the National Declassification Center

November 24th, 2015

36:23
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Sheryl Shenberger, the Director of the National Declassification Center at the National Archives. President Obama pledged to preside over the most transparent government ever — …

The Real Story of Rudolph Abel: An Interview with Vin Arthey

November 17th, 2015

43:13
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Vin Arthey, who has spent most of his adult life researching the life of KGB Colonel William Fisher – …

Author Debriefing: Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan

November 10th, 2015

52:43
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with author Doug Waller to discuss his new book Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan. The author of the critically acclaimed …

Hitler in Los Angeles: An Interview with Professor Steve Ross

November 3rd, 2015

1:04:13
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with University of Southern California history professor Steve Ross to discuss the ongoing research for his upcoming book Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews and their Spies Foiled Nazi …

From the Vault: The Cuban Missile Crisis - Blind Over Cuba

October 20th, 2015

38:23
Professor David Barrett discusses his book Blind over Cuba: The Photo Gap and the Missile Crisis which he wrote with Max Holland. He describes to …

From the Vault: The Cuban Missile Crisis - Russian Intelligence – Past and Present

October 20th, 2015

22:51
SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest and former KGB General Oleg Kalugin discuss the current espionage conflict between Russia and Georgia, reminisce …

Author Debriefing: Church of Spies: The Pope’s Secret War Against Hitler

October 13th, 2015

39:38
SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest sat down with author Mark Riebling to discuss his new book on the wartime espionage of the Catholic Church. The …

Author Debriefing: Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety and Survival Techniques to Keep You and Your Family Protected

October 6th, 2015

39:45
When Jason Hanson joined the CIA in 2003, he never imagined that the same tactics he used as a CIA officer for counter intelligence, surveillance, …

Author Debriefing: The Pentagon’s Brain: An Uncensored History of DARPA, America’s Top-Secret Military Research Agency

September 29th, 2015

1:03:07
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the radical force behind the nation’s most revolutionary, high-tech military initiatives …

Covering Intelligence, Part 2: An Interview with Ali Watkins of the Huffington Post

September 15th, 2015

47:07
In Part 2 of this three-part series, SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Ali Watkins, who covers intelligence and national security for …

Covering Intelligence, Part 3: An Interview with Greg Miller of the Washington Post

September 15th, 2015

40:53

In Part 3 of this three-part series, SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Greg Miller, who covers …

Covering Intelligence, Part 1: An Interview with Mark Mazzetti of the New York Times

September 8th, 2015

47:52
In Part 1 of this three-part series, SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mark Mazzetti, who covers …

Author Debriefing: Climate Change and Conflict Prevention

September 1st, 2015

24:34
SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with career US Foreign Service Officer J. Andrew Plowman to discuss his book, Climate Change and Conflict Prevention. Plowman uses the Darfur conflict as a case study to examine …

Cuba Libre: An Interview with Intelligence Legend Felix Rodriguez (Part III)

August 25th, 2015

1:10:02
SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Cuban-exile-turned-CIA-officer Felix Rodriguez to discuss his extraordinary intelligence career. As a teenager, Rodriguez joined the effort to overthrow (and kill) Fidel …

Cuba Libre: An Interview with Intelligence Legend Felix Rodriguez (Part II)

August 18th, 2015

39:35
SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Cuban-exile-turned-CIA-officer Felix Rodriguez to discuss his extraordinary intelligence career. As a teenager, Rodriguez joined the effort to overthrow (and kill) Fidel …

Cuba Libre: An Interview with Intelligence Legend Felix Rodriguez (Part I)

August 11th, 2015

40:42
SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with Cuban-exile-turned-CIA-officer Felix Rodriguez to discuss his extraordinary intelligence career. As a teenager, Rodriguez joined the effort to overthrow (and kill) Fidel …

Author Debriefing: The Billion Dollar Spy

July 16th, 2015

1:07:03
While getting into his car on the evening of February 16, 1978, the chief of the CIA's Moscow station was handed an envelope by an unknown Russian. Its contents stunned the Americans: details of top secret Soviet …

From the CIA to the Classroom: An Interview with Joe Wippl

June 30th, 2015

39:56
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Joe Wippl, the Director of Graduate Studies and Professor of the Practice of International Relations, …

Author Debriefing: How to Catch a Russian Spy

June 26th, 2015

51:27
For three nerve-wracking years, Naveed Jamali spied on the United States for the Russians – or so the Russians believed. Hear Naveed bring his unbelievable, yet true, story to life. By trading thumb drives of sensitive …

Author Debriefing: Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy: The Story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the Cross-Dressing Spy Who Commanded Her Own Army

June 16th, 2015

28:47
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with biographer Phyllis Birnbaum to discuss her newest book, based on the life of Kawashima Yoshiko, who supported the puppet Manchu state established by the Japanese in …

Author Debriefing: When Should State Secrets Stay Secret?: Accountability, Democratic Governance, and Intelligence

May 19th, 2015

55:59
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Dr. Gen Lester to discuss her new book, When Should State Secrets Stay Secret. Lester’s book examines the …

From CIA to Congress: An Interview with US Congressman Will Hurd

May 12th, 2015

37:39
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Representative Will Hurd, a Republican from Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, to discuss his unique background as a former CIA officer who is now a Member of the US House of …

The Rosenbergs: The Definitive Debate

April 30th, 2015

1:28:31
More than sixty years after their execution in June 1953 for conspiring to steal atomic secrets for the Soviet Union, debate still rages about the …

Intelligence and Arms Control: An Interview with Kelsey Davenport

April 28th, 2015

47:57
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Kelsey Davenport, the Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, where she …

Washington’s Spies: An Interview with Alexander Rose

April 14th, 2015

41:55
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian and author Alex Rose, whose book Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring, is the source material for AMC Network’s series TURN. Drs. Houghton and …

From the SpyCast Vault: An Interview with Major General Michael Ennis

March 31st, 2015

39:10
Former SPY Historian Mark Stout sat down with Marine Maj. Gen. (ret.) Mike Ennis to discuss human intelligence (HUMINT) within the Defense Department and the CIA. In 1998, Ennis commanded the Joint Intelligence Center …

Author Debriefing | Operation Chowhound: The Most Risky, Most Glorious US Bomber Mission of WWII

March 19th, 2015

36:46
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down (remotely) with Australian author Stephen Dando-Collins to discuss his new book, Operation Chowhound. Beginning …

Intelligence in the Early Republic: An Interview with Ken Daigler

February 17th, 2015

32:03
The history of American intelligence in the Revolution and Civil War has been extensively covered by both professional and amateur historians. But …

Author Debriefing: The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower

February 3rd, 2015

45:24
For more than forty years, the United States has played an indispensable role helping the Chinese government build a booming economy, develop its …

Defending a Spy: An Interview with Espionage Attorney Plato Cacheris

January 27th, 2015

31:32
What do Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanssen, and Ana Montes have in common? Two things: they all spied against the United States, and they all had Plato Cacheris as their lawyer. SPY Historian Vince Houghton and Executive …

Author Debriefing | Iran-Contra: Reagan’s Scandal and the Unchecked Abuse of Presidential Power

January 13th, 2015

1:10:38
Through exhaustive use of declassified documents, previously unavailable investigative materials, and wide-ranging interviews, Malcolm Byrne explores …

Drones: Past, Present, and Future: An Interview with Dr. Trevor McCrisken

December 16th, 2014

41:19
Guest host Dr. Chris Moran of Warwick University (UK) sat down with his colleague, Dr. Trevor McCrisken, for a SpyCast on the role of drones in …

Inside the Stasi Archives: An Interview with Dr. Doug Selvage

December 2nd, 2014

42:13
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Doug Selvage to discuss the archives of the East German Ministry of State Security, the Stasi. Dr. Selvage, Project Director in the Office of the Federal Commissioner …

Spies, Policymakers, and Nuclear Weapons: An Interview with Gregg Herken (Part 1)

November 25th, 2014

29:04
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with historian Gregg Herken to discuss his new book The Georgetown Set: Friends and Rivals in Cold War …

Spies, Policymakers, and Nuclear Weapons: An Interview with Gregg Herken (Part 2)

November 25th, 2014

33:59
SPY Historian Vince Houghton continues his conversation with historian Gregg Herken, focusing on his previous four books on US nuclear policy. …

Can a Drone Read Your Email? : An Interview with Mike Tassey and Rich Perkins

November 17th, 2014

30:37
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Mike Tassey and Rich Perkins, creators of the Wireless Aerial Surveillance Platform, a state-of-the-art cyber drone. Mike and Rich built their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in …

From Bletchley to Bond: An Interview with Journalist and Author Sinclair McKay (Part 1)

November 12th, 2014

32:36
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with British author and journalist Sinclair McKay for a two-part SpyCast. In Part 1, Vince and Sinclair discuss …

From Bletchley to Bond: An Interview with Journalist and Author Sinclair McKay (Part 2)

November 12th, 2014

32:35
Half of the world’s population has seen a James Bond movie. The historical and cultural impact of this franchise’s 23 (and counting) films is …

Author Debriefing: The Catcher Was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg

November 11th, 2014

1:01:44
Moe Berg—the major league baseball player, OSS operative and legendary linguist—was one of the most remarkable secret agents ever deployed by the US. Whether authorized by the government as an atomic spy or choosing to …

Author Debriefing: Good Hunting, An American Spymaster’s Story

November 11th, 2014

1:10:26
Jack Devine is one of the legendary spymasters of our time. He was in Chile when Allende fell; he ran Charlie Wilson’s war in Afghanistan; he had too much to do with Iran-Contra for his own taste, though he tried to …

Author Debriefing: Double Agent, The First Hero of World War II and How the FBI Outwitted and Destroyed a Nazi Spy Ring

November 10th, 2014

50:45
Leading up to the US entry into WWII, Germany set up a sophisticated and productive espionage ring, which effectively utilized well-placed German Americans in the States. They were able to infiltrate key military and …

Tinker, Tailor, Shortstop, Spy: An Interview with Former CIA Analyst Bryan Soderholm-Difatte Part 1

October 28th, 2014

28:16
Baseball has been played in the United States since the mid-19th Century, and from the very beginning teams were trying to gain a competitive edge …

Terrorists, Double Agents, and European Domination (Part 2)

September 11th, 2014

32:22
Join SPY Historian Vince Houghton as he continues his conversation with Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister of CNN. Both men share their expertise on …

Terrorists, Double Agents, and European Domination (Part 1)

September 11th, 2014

26:13
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sat down with Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister of CNN to discuss their new book Agent Storm: My Life Inside Al Qaeda and …

Author Debriefing: Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War

September 4th, 2014

56:14
Nathan Hale and Benedict Arnold may be the most famous spies of the American Revolution, but they were hardly alone. George Washington’s use of spy …

Election Espionage: An Interview with NBC Chief Political Correspondent Chuck Todd

August 11th, 2014

32:19
SPY Historian Dr. Vince Houghton sat down with NBC News Political Director and Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd to discuss the growing role …

The Birth of British Intelligence Coordination: The Joint Intelligence Committee

July 1st, 2014

50:55
SPY Historian Vince Houghton in joined by Dr. Michael Goodman of King’s College in London. Dr. Goodman is the official historian for the British …

Author Debriefing: The Zhivago Affair: The Kremlin, the CIA, and the Battle Over a Forbidden Book

June 25th, 2014

50:25
Travel back to a time when literature had the power to influence the world. Washington Post national security correspondent and former bureau chief in Moscow, Peter Finn tells the dramatic first account of how a …

Author Debriefing: The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames

June 25th, 2014

59:48
Pulitzer Prize- winning biographer Kai Bird gives the inside story of his compelling portrait of the remarkable life and death of one of the most …

The Beginnings of US Overhead Reconnaissance

June 23rd, 2014

53:15
The development of overhead reconnaissance technology is one of the most important – if not the most important – advances in the history of …

Spy in the Sky - The KH-9 Hexagon

June 10th, 2014

43:29
SPY Historian Vince Houghton sits down with engineer Phil Pressel to discuss his role in developing the KH-9 Hexagon spy satellite. The Hexagon, …

Peter Earnest: My Life in the CIA

May 5th, 2014

37:27
Former SPY Historian Mark Stout sat down with SPY Executive Director Peter Earnest to discuss Peter’s CIA career. After his recruitment and espionage training at the Farm, Peter’s entry into the world of spying came at …

The Future of Intelligence

April 24th, 2014

33:18
The world sends 3 million emails every second. How do Western intelligence agencies cope with such massive amounts of data? The Spy Museum's Executive Director Peter Earnest sits down to discuss the future of …

Putin’s End Game in Ukraine

March 20th, 2014

28:45
Peter and SPY Historian Vince Houghton are joined by retired KGB Major General Oleg Kalugin. They discuss the current confrontation between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea, Crimea’s strategic place in Russian history, …

America's Great Game: The CIA's Secret Arabists and the Shaping of the Modern Middle East

March 4th, 2014

53:25
Intelligence historian Hugh Wilford reveals the surprising history of the CIA’s pro-Arab operations in the 1940s and 50s by tracing the work of the …

Author Debriefing: Cyber War Will Not Take Place

December 5th, 2013

59:28
Is cyber war really coming? Renowned scholar Thomas Rid of the Department of War Studies at Kings College London argues that the focus on war …

Enemies Within: Inside the NYPD's Secret Spying Unit and bin Laden’s Final Plot Against America

December 5th, 2013

53:40
Six months after the 9/11 attacks, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly initiated a straightforward, yet audacious, antiterrorist plan to be …

Shadow Warrior: William Egan Colby and the CIA

November 19th, 2013

54:05
Historian Randall B. Woods of the University of Arkansas discusses his new biography of one of the most fascinating and controversial figures of the …

The Life of a Military Attaché: Moscow, Almaty, and Warsaw in the 1990s (Part 2)

October 27th, 2013

19:20
In this continuation of the discussion with US Army Colonel James Cox, we hear about the day-to-day work of US military attachés: being military …

The Secret Rescue: An Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines

October 27th, 2013

38:52
When 26 Army nurses and medics boarded a transport plane in November, 1943, they never anticipated the crash landing in Nazi-occupied Albania that …

The CIA Analyst and the Polish Colonel

September 16th, 2013

53:24
During the 1970s, Colonel Ryszard Kuklinski was a rising star in the Polish General Staff during the Cold War. He was also a spy for the CIA. …

The Life of a Military Attaché: Moscow During the Coup (Part 1)

September 3rd, 2013

46:03
In the summer of 1991, US Army Colonel James Cox arrived in Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union, to serve as Assistant Army Attaché. Little did …

Espionage in Traditional China

August 5th, 2013

30:41
Sun Tzu’s 2500 year old book The Art of War contains a famous chapter on spies. However, Master Sun was not the only Chinese author to address this …

The OSS in Burma: Jungle War Against the Japanese

July 11th, 2013

52:38
“One could not choose a worse place for fighting the Japanese,” said Winston Churchill of northern Burma, but it was there that the fledgling Office …

Deceiving the Iraqis in Operation Desert Storm

June 26th, 2013

39:02
Military deception was an important part of Operation Desert Storm, the 1991 coalition effort to eject the Iraqi Army from Kuwait. The man in charge of that U.S. Marine Corp’s part of that deception was Brigadier …

A Legal Perspective on the Snowden Case

June 24th, 2013

44:46
Mark Zaid is one of the nation’s top national security lawyers and has defended many alleged whistleblowers and leakers. SPY Historian, Mark Stout, …

A Western Spy among Terrorists in Yemen

May 26th, 2013

59:26
Morten Storm was a Danish convert to Islam who became a close associate of Anwar al-Awlaki, the American imam who was a senior member of Al Qaeda in …

The Rice Paddy Navy: U.S. Sailors Undercover in China

May 3rd, 2013

44:33
After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the US Navy knew it would need vital information from the Pacific. Captain Milton …

Spying in America: Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War

May 3rd, 2013

57:04
Can you keep a secret? Maybe you can, but the United States government can’t. Since the birth of our country, nations from Russia and China to Ghana …

The United States Military Liaison Mission in East Germany

April 19th, 2013

41:10
Major General Michael Ennis was one of the rare Marine officers admitted to the Foreign Area Officer program where he became a specialist on the Soviet Union. This led to an assignment as a translator on the …

American Communism and Soviet Espionage: A Look Back with John Earl Haynes

April 1st, 2013

47:52
In the 1970s, historian John Earl Haynes was researching the American labor movement when he discovered interesting connections to the Communist party. Fast forward 20 years to the 1990s, when that ongoing research on …

Intelligence in Support of UN Peacekeeping in Bosnia during the 1990s

February 11th, 2013

45:35
The United Nations thinks “intelligence” is a dirty word but it still needs intelligence to conduct peacekeeping operations. The result is a …

Born Under an Assumed Name

February 11th, 2013

29:04
Looking back on her childhood, Sarah Taber remembers that “my identity was problematic because of moving from country to country and the overall …

From Nazi Germany to the OSS to the CIA (Part 2)

January 22nd, 2013

29:30
In this Spycast Peter finishes his conversation with Peter Sichel. Listen to this insider talking about CIA operations in Germany after World War II, the futile support for anti-communist guerrillas in Ukraine and China …

Canada’s Security Intelligence Service in the Post-Cold War World

January 10th, 2013

44:31
Canada’s Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) operates on a very different model from the American CIA, being neither strictly a foreign intelligence agency nor a domestic intelligence agency. Today SPY Historian Mark …

The Zimmermann Telegram: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and America's Entry into World War I

December 31st, 2012

41:48
In January 1917, British naval intelligence intercepted what became the most important telegram in all of American history. It was a daring proposition from Germany's foreign secretary, Arthur Zimmermann, offering …

From Nazi Germany to the OSS to the CIA (Part 1)

December 21st, 2012

24:54
Today Peter begins a conversation with the remarkable Peter Sichel, OSS veteran, senior CIA official of the 1950s, and onetime head of Blue Nun wines. After fleeing Nazi Germany with his family in the 1930s and …

The Evolution of Spy Fiction: Bond and His Brethren

November 14th, 2012

45:53
The modern spy novel was born in early twentieth century Britain with writers such as Erskine Childers and William LeQueux whose one-dimensional …

Author Debriefing: The Twilight War: The Secret History of America’s Thirty-Year Conflict with Iran

November 8th, 2012

49:56
The United States and Iran have been at daggers drawn for more than thirty years. While this rivalry has never erupted into open war, it has been an enduring “twilight war” in which spies and terrorists often play the …

Author Debrief: Castro's Secrets: The CIA and Cuba's Intelligence Machine

November 6th, 2012

1:02:54
In Castro’s Secrets, Brian Latell, former National Intelligence Officer for Latin America and long-time Cuba analyst, offers a strikingly original image of Fidel Castro as Cuba's supreme spymaster. Latell exposes many …

Author Debriefing: The Art of Intelligence: Lessons from a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service

September 25th, 2012

1:00:43
In the days after 9/11, the CIA directed Henry Crumpton to organize and lead its covert action campaign in Afghanistan. In less than 90 days Al Qaeda and the Taliban were routed. The Art of Intelligence draws from the …

The Red Cell: Fact and Fiction

August 23rd, 2012

37:47
The surprise of September 11 2001 was, in part, a failure of imagination and CIA Director George Tenet did not want that to happen again. On September 13 he created the Red Cell and staffed it with “people who were …

Agent Garbo: How a Brilliant & Eccentric Double Agent Tricked the Nazis & Saved D-Day

August 21st, 2012

45:39
Juan Pujol was the Walter Mitty of World War II, a nobody who at one doomed venture after another while dreaming of doing something interesting with …

Our Man in the Middle East (Part 3)

August 6th, 2012

15:08
Peter concludes his conversation with longtime CIA officer George Cave with a brief discussion of some of the funny and unusual events that took place in the course of his career in the Clandestine Service.

Learn more …

Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars

July 26th, 2012

1:03:44
The history of Israel’s intelligence community—led by the feared and famous Mossad—includes stunning successes and embarrassing failures with important implications for war and peace today. CBS journalist Dan Raviv …

Spies and Commissars: The Early Years of the Russian Revolution

July 13th, 2012

58:59
Russia was a chaotic hotspot after the Revolution of 1917 and an extraordinary collection of spies, adventurers, and opportunists poured into the …

Our Man in the Middle East (Part 2)

July 9th, 2012

32:26
Peter continues his discussion with career CIA officer George Cave. They cover Cave’s time in Saudi Arabia—from which he was expelled when a candid …

Our Man in the Middle East (Part 1)

June 21st, 2012

43:14

George Cave is a legend in the CIA’s Clandestine Service. He was recruited into the CIA in 1956 as a fluent Farsi speaker and was pulled out of his …

Dick Holm: the Perils and Rewards of a Life in the CIA, Part 2

June 1st, 2012

33:40
Peter continues his discussion with legendary case officer Dick Holm, the author of The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA. Holm discusses several …

Author Debriefing: Alger Hiss - Why He Chose Treason

May 25th, 2012

59:01
In 1948, when Whittaker Chambers accused Ivy League-educated senior diplomat Alger Hiss of spying for the Soviets, few Americans were willing to believe him. In fact, Hiss went to his grave protesting his innocence, …

The Hunt for KSM: Inside the Pursuit and Takedown of the Real 9/11 Mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

May 18th, 2012

29:42
Josh Meyer, co-author with Terry McDermott of The Hunt for KSM, visits the International Spy Museum to talk about the decade-long FBI and CIA effort to capture Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Meyer discusses the repeated …

Dick Holm: the Perils and Rewards of a Life in the CIA, Part 1

May 11th, 2012

20:03
Today Peter starts a conversation with Dick Holm, a legendary CIA operations officer, who has served all over the world. Dick, the author of The …

Leak: Why Mark Felt became Deep Throat

April 26th, 2012

38:48
Intelligence officers and investigative journalists both depend on clandestine sources to divulge secrets. But why do people betray a trust? Peter …

Author Debriefing: Shadow Commander: The Epic Story of Donald D. Blackburn-Guerrilla Leader and Special Forces Hero

April 2nd, 2012

36:48
During the Vietnam War, perhaps the US Army’s most secretive unit was the Studies and Observations Group (SOG). This unit conducted reconnaissance missions, captured enemy prisoners for interrogation and rescued …

Eavesdropping in Vietnam: One Man’s Experience

March 28th, 2012

38:26
SPY Historian Mark Stout explores the importance of signals intelligence (SIGINT) to the Vietnam War with retired National Security Agency cryptanalyst Tom Glenn. Glenn served more time in country than any other …

The Power of Open Source Intelligence

March 21st, 2012

33:03
With the ever increasing global connectivity, more and more information is available merely for the asking. This has led to a flourishing of the …

Author Debriefing: Smersh: Stalin's Secret Weapon: Soviet Military Counterintelligence in WWII

February 17th, 2012

1:04:33
In the early James Bond novels, the hero battled the villainous forces of Smersh, a shadowy Soviet intelligence organization. Bond was fictional, but Smersh really existed. Drawing its name from smert shpionam Russian …

Investigating Historical Spies

February 8th, 2012

31:59
Researching spy history is a difficult business. Spies carefully cover their tracks and intelligence agencies classify everything and release their …

The Intelligence War Against Terrorism

January 18th, 2012

38:14
Since 9/11, the United States Intelligence Community has expanded into an $80 billion behemoth and taken on many new tasks, for instance spying on terrorists in cyberspace and even becoming a combat organization in its …

Intelligence and Espionage in the U.S. Civil War

January 13th, 2012

32:53
Spies, cavalry, and telescopes were the traditional intelligence tools available during the Civil War, but there was also cutting edge high tech: the …

Author Debriefing: MH/CHAOS: The CIA’s Campaign against the Radical New Left and the Black Panthers

December 19th, 2011

47:00
Operation MHCHAOS was the code name for a secret domestic spying program conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency in the late 1960s and early 1970s charged with unmasking any foreign influences on left wing …

The Silent Listener: British Eavesdropping in the Falklands War

December 16th, 2011

46:39
D. J. Thorp, a signals intelligence officer in the British Army, spent many years eavesdropping on the hot spots of the Cold War in Europe and the …

J. Edgar Hoover: Fact vs. Fiction

December 6th, 2011

37:17
Clint Eastwood’s movie, J. Edgar, gives a Hollywood take on the controversial Director of the FBI. However, many people have criticized the movie …

Uncompromised: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of an Arab American Patriot in the CIA

November 17th, 2011

56:14
After a childhood in war-torn Lebanon with an abusive father, Nada Prouty jumped at the chance to forge her own path in America, a path that led to undercover work in the FBI, then the CIA. Her work earned her great …

Identity, Espionage, and Social Media

October 9th, 2011

23:06
Who are your friends on Facebook? Are you sure? Thomas Ryan, co-founder of Provide Security, knows that you can’t always be certain. Why? Because he created the fictional Robin Sage, a cyber femme fatale, who …

Interrogating a High Value Detainee: A Morality Tale

September 23rd, 2011

36:12
What would you do if you were told to do whatever was necessary to get a prisoner to talk? This is the situation that career CIA officer Glenn Carle …

In the Counterterrorism Center on 9/11: One Analyst’s Story

September 9th, 2011

31:05
The war with Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda did not begin on September 11th. CIA analyst Cindy Storer was there from the beginning in the early 1990s, a member of a small band of mostly female analysts who worked on Al …

The Triple Agent: The al-Qaeda Mole Who Infiltrated the CIA

August 16th, 2011

38:04
In 2009, the CIA’s partners in the Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate had a source named Humam Khalil al-Balawi working inside Al Qaeda and he knew where Ayman al-Zawahiri, the number two man in al Qaeda was…or …

The Aftermath of Bin Laden’s Death: The Lessons of Strategic Manhunting

August 2nd, 2011

29:53
The 13-year search for Osama Bin Laden may have seemed unprecedented, but actually such events have not been uncommon in American history. Since the days of Geronimo, the United States has embarked on at least eleven …

Mastermind: The Many Faces of the 9/11 Architect, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed

August 1st, 2011

1:07:16
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was behind many of the most heinous terrorist plots of the past twenty years, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Millenium Plots, and 9/11 itself. He even claims to have …

Author Debriefing: "Wild Bill" Donovan

July 13th, 2011

1:07:23
“Wild Bill” Donovan was a World War I hero with a Medal of Honor to prove it, a millionaire Wall Street lawyer, and a prominent Republican. Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt chose this brilliant yet disorganized …

Modern Intelligence Analysis: From Art to Science?

July 1st, 2011

29:04
A great deal of public attention goes to the CIA’s case officers who recruit and run agents and steal secrets. However, few people pay attention to …

The Aftermath of Bin Laden’s Death: Inside al Qaeda’s Hard Drive

June 16th, 2011

31:32
After killing Osama bin Laden, the SEALs reportedly took hundreds of drives, disks, and computers from the house in Abbottabad, Pakistan. What challenges will American intelligence agencies face in exploiting bin …

The Aftermath of bin Laden’s Death: Winning the War While Staying in the Right

May 20th, 2011

34:30
What are the implications of Osama bin Laden’s death for the al Qaeda movement? What role did waterboarding and “enhanced interrogation techniques” …

Spy versus Spy in East Germany

May 9th, 2011

35:26
The East German security service, the Stasi, was infamous for surveilling and oppressing the East German population. However, it also hunted Western …

Stalking Terrorists Online

April 21st, 2011

32:56
Montana resident Shannen Rossmiller is proof that things are not as they seem online. Before September 11, she was a judge, a wife, and a mother but not an expert on terrorism or an Arabic speaker. After September 11, …

Dropping Spies from the Sky during the Korean War

March 16th, 2011

32:31
During the Korean War, US military intelligence worked with anti-communist Korean agents and partisans to collect information from behind North …

Social Media: Tools of Liberation or Repression?

February 1st, 2011

31:04
Social media—Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others—are held up as powerful tools for peoples trying to overthrow police states. Iran’s “Twitter …

Intelligence and Analysis in the National Football League

January 26th, 2011

24:47
In 2007, the New England Patriots were caught videotaping the New York Jet’s sideline defensive signals. That was illegal, but it’s remarkable what is allowed, even routine. From surveillance films, to secure …

Spying on the Soviet Army in East Germany

January 5th, 2011

38:26
During the Cold War, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France each had a “military liaison mission” authorized to roam East Germany. While …

A Young Woman on the Front Lines of the Cold War

December 17th, 2010

26:16
Shirley Perry was recruited to join the CIA in 1951, a time when applications were handed out “under the counter” at the university job office, and when the CIA lived in rodent-infested temporary buildings on the …

David Kahn on Codebreaking from Ancient Times to the Internet Era

December 6th, 2010

23:26
David Kahn is the author of the classic book The Codebreakers. When it was first published in 1967, the National Security Agency was concerned that the book might reveal sensitive secrets. Over the years, however, NSA …

The Real History of MI6

November 1st, 2010

33:43
Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, better known as MI6, is James Bond’s home agency and one of the world’s most secretive organizations. The British government did not even admit that it existed until the 1990s. …

Escape from Tehran, 1979: Part II

October 14th, 2010

27:33
American diplomats Mark and Cora Lijek were hiding at the home of a Canadian diplomat as the Iranian Revolution swirled around them. Peter continues …

Escape from Tehran, 1979: Part I

September 28th, 2010

29:00
When Iranian militants stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, Mark and Cora Lijek and four other American diplomats slipped out a side exit and found themselves on the run in a hostile country. Before long, Canadian …

From the Vault: The Cuban Missile Crisis - Peering Over the Iron Curtain: Overhead Photography and the Cold War

August 16th, 2010

39:14
Today Peter converses with Dino Brugioni, a pioneer of the art of photo interpretation and a living legend of the US Intelligence Community. Dino shares his personal experiences briefing Presidents and describes the …

A Spy in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard

July 21st, 2010

32:36
A young student in the US when the Iranian Revolution happened in 1979, Reza Kahlili rejoiced and hurried back to his native country, but he soon …

An Army of Illegals: Assessing the Russian Spy Case

July 12th, 2010

31:28
Two weeks ago on 27 June, the FBI arrested a network of 10 Russian "deep cover" spies. Peter sits down with former KGB Major General Oleg Kalugin to discuss this remarkable case and the historic spy swap which took …

Son of Hamas, Spy for Israel

July 2nd, 2010

50:49
Mosab Hassan Yousef was the nearest thing to royalty in the terrorist group Hamas: the son of one of its founding members. He was also a spy for Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, which dubbed him the "Green …

Caught by the KGB

June 4th, 2010

34:36
Martha Peterson, a 32 year CIA veteran, was the first female case officer assigned to Moscow. Today she talks with Peter about her sudden capture by the Soviet KGB while executing a covert operation in Moscow.

Learn …

Military Intelligence from the Cold War to Cyber War

May 7th, 2010

25:43
In 1973 Captain Gail Harris became the first woman to hold a combat intelligence job in the U.S. Navy. Her 28 year career included hands-on …

Evolution of Government Surveillance Programs

April 19th, 2010

28:44
Shane Harris is a staff correspondent for National Journal and the former technology editor of Government Executive magazine. In his new book, The …

Tales from the OSS, part II

March 1st, 2010

25:52
Elizabeth Macintosh continues to offer her insights into OSS. This time, she talks about the many fascinating and colorful people she met at OSS, …

Cyber Security and Covert Action

February 17th, 2010

26:53
Dr. Herbert Lin is chief scientist at the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, National Research Council of the National Academies. An expert on cyber security, Herb discusses various aspects of cyber attacks, …

Intelligence in a War Zone (Melissa Mahle)

January 20th, 2010

31:15
Melissa Mahle served from 1988-2002 at the CIA, much of the time as a case officer dealing with terrorist issues in the Middle East, running agents and gathering intelligence. Today, she discusses with Peter her …

The Terrorist Challenge

January 8th, 2010

20:24
The U.S. authorities' failure to prevent a Nigerian suicide bomber from boarding a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas Day, and the suicide bombing at a CIA base in Afghanistan have roiled the intelligence community. …

Tales from the OSS, Part I

January 1st, 2010

25:52
Elizabeth Macintosh served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. Today, she discusses her personal experience working for …

The MI5 Centenary

December 1st, 2009

29:16
This year, Britain’s domestic security service, MI5, celebrates its 100th anniversary. Cambridge University professor Christopher Andrew, the author of MI5’s official history, Defend the Realm, reveals the agency’s …

Cyber Threats: Challenges and Solutions

November 1st, 2009

31:58
Melissa Hathaway served as acting senior director for cyberspace for the National Security Council, heading a 60-Day Cyberspace Policy Review for …

The Changing Face of Al Qaeda

October 1st, 2009

28:27
How has the sustained U.S. effort to destroy Al Qaeda affected the terrorist organization, and how important is the current struggle against the Taliban in Afghanistan for the future of Al Qaeda? A former Deputy …

Intelligence and 9/11 with Amy Zegart

September 11th, 2009

25:44
Could intelligence have prevented the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and has the Intelligence Community been sufficiently reformed to deal with current …

Sexpionage

September 1st, 2009

26:44
Since biblical times, spies and intelligence services have used sexual entrapment and emotional blackmail to recruit agents and gather secret information. International Spy Museum advisory board member and espionage …

The Cambridge Five

August 15th, 2009

27:29
In the 1930s, five young Cambridge University students were recruited by Soviet intelligence to penetrate the British intelligence community. In the course of their decade-long espionage career, the Five did enormous …

Cold War Radio

August 1st, 2009

29:28
Richard H. Cummings served for fifteen years as Director of Security for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). He reviews the propaganda …

Intelligence on Pakistan

July 1st, 2009

29:18
"Pakistan is the most dangerous country in the world today," asserts Bruce Riedel, a 30-year CIA veteran and currently a senior fellow at the Saban …

Intelligence in Cyberspace

June 15th, 2009

28:38
Cyber threats, information warfare, and internet espionage are growing challenges for business companies, private individuals, and the intelligence community alike. A former CIA operations officer and current president …

Inside the National Security Agency

June 1st, 2009

22:58
The National Security Agency (NSA), America’s premier cryptanalytic organization, is the largest and most secretive member of the American intelligence community. Discussing NSA’s mission, capabilities, and past …

U.S. Military Intelligence—Past and Present

May 1st, 2009

27:57
A West Point graduate, Brian G. Shellum was U.S. Army attaché in Germany, served in the armed forces during the first Gulf War, and worked for over a …

U.S. Naval Intelligence in World War II

April 14th, 2009

31:51
Rear-Admiral Donald Mac Showers joined the U.S. Navy’s codebreakers at Pearl Harbor in 1942 and went on to serve three decades in the American intelligence community. Today, he talks about the contribution of …

Intelligence and Conspiracy Theories II

April 1st, 2009

31:56
During the Cold War, Soviet intelligence used disinformation to malign the United States, for example, by spreading the rumor that AIDS resulted from …

Intelligence and Conspiracy Theories I

March 4th, 2009

27:54
What makes conspiracy theories so appealing, and why have they become so prevalent in this day and age? Do some of them contain a grain of truth? And who stands to gain from spreading these ideas? To answer these …

Intelligence Lessons from Vietnam

February 19th, 2009

28:04
Working for the Saigon Military Mission and the CIA, Rufus Phillips spent ten years in South East Asia during the Vietnam War. Drawing on this …

Robert De Niro on Intelligence

February 2nd, 2009

19:33
Today, Peter chats with actor and film producer Robert De Niro. De Niro talks about his long-standing interest in the world of intelligence and discusses his latest espionage movie The Good Shepherd about the early …

U.S. Intelligence in Decline?

January 2nd, 2009

29:16
A senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, Melvin A. Goodman served many years as an analyst at the CIA and the State Department’s …

The CIA and the End of the Cold War

December 5th, 2008

29:32
As CIA station chief in Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Germany in the 1980s and early ‘90s, Milt Bearden observed—and influenced—the end of the Cold …

Woman in Disguise - Jonna Mendez

November 18th, 2008

27:12
Jonna Hiestand Mendez began her CIA career as a secretary and ended it as head of the agency’s Office of Technical Services, overseeing the development of gadgets, disguises, and high-tech devices in support of …

Intelligence and the Presidential Elections II

November 1st, 2008

27:41
Judge William H. Webster, the only person who directed both the FBI (1978-87) and the CIA (1987-91), taps into his vast expertise to discuss with …

Inspecting the CIA

October 20th, 2008

26:29
Peter’s guest today is Frederick Hitz, the CIA’s first inspector general subject to U.S. Senate Confirmation (1990-98) and now a lecturer on intelligence at the University of Virginia. In a wide-ranging discussion, Fred …

Intelligence and the Presidential Elections I

October 1st, 2008

26:46
A former station chief in Moscow and head of the CIA’s Soviet/East Europe division, Burton Gerber now lectures on intelligence and national security at Georgetown University. Today, Peter interviews him about the post …

The Iranian Hostage Crisis

September 1st, 2008

31:40
In November 1979, radical Iranian students overran the U.S. embassy in Tehran, capturing most of the embassy staff—except for six diplomats who found refuge with the Canadian embassy. Today, Peter talks with retired CIA …

Intelligence and the Presidency

August 1st, 2008

27:12
How is information from the intelligence community (IC) conveyed to the president, and how have different administrations incorporated intelligence …

Gizmos and Gadgets—the World of Spycraft

July 1st, 2008

26:55
Peter interviews Robert Wallace, director of the CIA’s Office of Technical Services (OTS, the department in charge of “gadgetry”) from 1998 to 2002. Bob explains some of his favorite devices, such as the T-100 …

Predicting Terrorism

June 1st, 2008

30:15
Peter’s guest today is Malcolm W. Nance. A 20 year veteran of the US intelligence community, Malcolm has participated in numerous counter-terrorism …

Congressional Perspectives on U.S. Intelligence

May 1st, 2008

25:39
Peter’s guest today is former Democratic Congressman Louis Stokes from Ohio, who chaired the House Intelligence Committee in the 1980s and the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the 1970s. Congressman Stokes …

Comrade J and Russian Espionage in the U.S.

April 1st, 2008

28:11
Today, Peter interviews espionage writer Pete Earley about one of the most senior Russian intelligence defectors ever, Col. Sergei Tretyakov or …

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco - Part II

March 5th, 2008

27:09
Looking further into the U.S. intelligence community’s faulty assessment of Iraq’s WMD program, Peter interviews Bob Drogin, author of Curveball: …

Intelligence and the WMD Fiasco

February 1st, 2008

26:31
Today, Peter interviews Tyler Drumheller, the former chief of CIA covert operations in Europe. In the run-up to the Iraq war, Tyler consistently questioned affirmative intelligence on the existence of Saddam’s WMD …

Valerie Plame Speaks

January 2nd, 2008

24:47
Peter’s guest today is Valerie Plame, a covert CIA officer who recently left the Agency after her name was leaked to the press. Valerie discusses her time at the CIA, the controversy surrounding her case, and the …

On Assignment to Congo

December 3rd, 2007

29:03
Today, Peter chats with Larry Devlin, the CIA’s legendary station chief in Congo during the 1960s. Larry reflects on his reasons for joining the CIA, …

Intelligence and the Middle East with Robert Baer

November 1st, 2007

27:40
Peter’s guest today is Robert Baer who served for many years as a CIA operative in the Middle East. Among other things, Bob talks about his tour of …

The Polygraph — Science or Art?

October 1st, 2007

31:46
Peter interviews John Sullivan, the CIA’s longest serving polygrapher. The lie detector has supporters and detractors, and John confronts the …

Leon Trotsky — Murder in Mexico

September 1st, 2007

32:25
Peter’s guest today is H. Keith Melton, renowned intelligence historian and owner of the largest collection of espionage artifacts. Keith sheds new …

Cuban Intelligence and the Ana Montes Spy Case

August 1st, 2007

29:07
Peter’s guest this month is Scott Carmichael of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). As the DIA’s senior counterintelligence investigator, Scott identified one of the most damaging spies in recent U.S. history, the …

From the Secret Files of the CIA

July 2nd, 2007

30:46

Peter interviews Tom Blanton of the National Security Archive about a recently declassified set of documents regarding illegal CIA activities in the …

British Intelligence—Past and Present

June 1st, 2007

25:50

Peter interviews Dame Stella Rimington, former Director-General of MI5, the British domestic security service. Dame Stella compares American and British approaches to intelligence and offers her view on the terrorist …

Counterterrorism, Intelligence, and the Iraq War

May 1st, 2007

33:23

After responding to inquiries from listeners, Peter interviews Melissa Mahle who served for over a decade in the CIA’s clandestine service in the Middle East. Melissa provides a unique intelligence perspective on 9/11, …

FBI Counterintelligence and the Robert Hanssen Spy Case

April 2nd, 2007

28:32

Peter discusses the Robert Hanssen spy case with retired Senior FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Major who knew Hanssen for over 20 years and was one of his supervisors. Dave shares his thoughts on Hanssen’s …

The Movie Breach and Hollywood’s Take on Espionage

March 1st, 2007

37:41

Peter interviews Eric O’Neill, the FBI investigator who went undercover as Robert Hanssen’s clerk during the final months before Hanssen was arrested for espionage. O’Neill is the model for Ryan Phillippe’s character in …

Israeli Intelligence and the Jonathan Pollard Spy Case

February 1st, 2007

35:41

Peter sits down with Ron Olive, former special agent in charge of counterintelligence for the Naval Investigative Service, to discuss Olive’s role in …

Reviewing Robert De Niro’s The Good Shepherd

January 6th, 2007

32:27

Peter discusses the film The Good Shepherd with former CIA officer Jack Platt and AFIO (Association for Intelligence Officers) Director Elizabeth Bancroft, comparing fact and fiction in the OSS and CIA. Enjoy a bonus …

The Litvinenko Murder and Other Riddles from Moscow

December 4th, 2006

53:47

Peter sits down with former CIA officer Bob Rayle and Oleg Kalugin to talk Russia past and present. The three discuss their perspectives on the recent poisoning of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko. Then, they turn to …

The Secret History of Disguises

November 1st, 2006

25:15

Peter talks with Tony Mendez, former Chief of Disguise for the CIA. Peter and Tony discuss the intricacies of developing disguises for use in hostile environments, the advantages of selective aging, and the secret …

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