Summary Avi Loeb (Harvard Biography, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in outer space. He is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy at Harvard University. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The Galileo Project & its goals The Intelligence Community and Outer Space Government positions on the existence of extraterrestrial life Connections between intelligence and astrophysics Reflections The enormity of our universe Evidence over opinion or speculation And much, mu...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 631
Summary Angie Gad (LinkedIn, Website) joined Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss her career in intelligence analysis. Angie is a first-generation Egyptian-American. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The role of state fusion centers to national intelligence How counterterrorism analysis evolved after 9/11 The connections between ISIS and Far Right Extremists The mental health implications of counterterrorism Reflections The importance of diversity of thought and experience Personal identity in professio...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 630
Summary Mark Stout (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book, World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence. Mark Stout is a former intelligence analyst and former SPY Historian. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The first American intelligence “agencies” Codebreaking during WWI The American Protective League and spy paranoia WWI’s effect on American culture and politics Reflections Challenging common historical thought Studying the “forgotten” wars And much, much ...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 629
Summary Andrew Hampton joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in New Zealand. Andrew is the Director General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The New Zealand Intelligence Community How geography effects national security The lasting impact of the Christchurch Mosque attacks New Zealand’s relationship with China Reflections The power of community organization The nuanced nature of global politics And much, much more … Quotes of the Week ...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 628
Summary David Oranchak (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his work helping to solve the 340 Zodiac cipher. Dave is a software developer and avid puzzle solver. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The difference between codes and ciphers The cryptological methods used by the Zodiac killer The history of cryptography and its importance to intelligence How Dave and his team cracked the 340 Cipher Reflections Persistence and dedication Average citizens as avid participants And much, much...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Summary Mark Edlitz (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss how James Bond lived on in literature after the death of Ian Fleming. Mark is an author and pop culture expert. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The original Fleming novels Intellectual property and author’s rights to iconic characters The evolution of Bond as a literary character The relationship between the Bond books and the Bond movies Reflections Can icons ever truly die? Just how malleable are our favorite characters? An...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 626
Summary Mark Zaid (X, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss American intelligence and the law. You’ve heard of a “lawyer to the stars,” Mark is the “lawyer to the spies” What You’ll Learn Intelligence The quirks of being a lawyer in this space How the Espionage Act works in practice The trial of the Rosenbergs The origins of FOIA and its purpose The Legal foundations underpinning espionage and intelligence Reflections Challenging authority The delicate balance of secrecy And much, much...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 625
Summary Dr. Sara Castro (LinkedIn, Bio) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the history of US-China diplomacy. Sara is an Associate Professor of History at the United States Air Force Academy. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The Dixie Mission The history of US-China relations dating back to the Opium Wars China’s involvement with the OSS during WWII How Mao Zedong & Chiang Kai-shek built modern China Reflections Understanding and empathy Knowledge is power And much, much more … Resources SU...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 624
Summary Mike VanBlaricum (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his journey as a James Bond fanatic and collector. Mike is the President of the Ian Fleming Foundation. What You’ll Learn Intelligence How Mike became an obsessive James Bond collector with 10,000 artifacts Mike’s favorite Bond cars, movies, and books How From Russia with Love was one of John F Kennedy’s favorite books Mike’s tips on the best place to start if you want to read the Bond novels Reflections The passion of ...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 623
Summary Dr. Ursula Wilder (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the intersections between psychology and intelligence. Ursula is a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience working at the Central Intelligence Agency. What You’ll Learn Intelligence How psychology can be useful to national security Historical examples of leadership analysis Leadership personality assessments & the Cuban Missile Crisis Psychoanalytic theory and espionage Reflections Human nature throu...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 622
Summary Dr. Ursula Wilder (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the intersections between psychology and intelligence. Ursula is a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience working at the Central Intelligence Agency. What You’ll Learn Intelligence How psychology can be useful to national security Historical examples of leadership analysis Leadership personality assessments & the Cuban Missile Crisis Psychoanalytic theory and espionage Reflections Human nature throu...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 621
Summary Leon Panetta (Panetta Institute) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) 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 Intelligence Directing the Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence & the Abbottabad Raid Working within the Clinton Administration A life’s dedication to the safety of the American public Reflections The power of patience and the ability to listen Handing immense pressure and resp...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 620
Summary Rory Cormac (X) and Richard Aldrich join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) 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. What You’ll Learn Intelligence Prince William’s internship with British Intelligence How Elizabeth II knew perhaps more secrets that anyone else in history King Charles' love of intelligence Queen Victoria as Spymaster MI5, MI6, and the Diana conspiracies Reflections Secrets within...
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 619
Summary Curators Alexis (LinkedIn) and Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) use James Bond artifacts in SPY’s collection to discuss all things 007. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first Ian Fleming novel, Casino Royale. What You’ll Learn Intelligence Bond vs. Real Life Spies The birth of James Bond Ian Fleming’s intelligence past Bond and MI6 Reflections What makes a character timeless? Pop culture mirroring real life And much, much more … *FULL SHOWNOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE* Episode No...
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 587
Summary John Blaxland (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss intelligence in Australia and Oceania. John is a widely recognized as a leading expert in this area. What You’ll Learn Intelligence -Australia’s Intelligence Community -SIGINT in Australia during WWII -Australia’s relationship with South Asia -The Pine Gap facility Reflections -The implications of geography -The power of collaboration And much, much more … Quotes of the Week “The shift from the analog to the di...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 618
Summary James Crossland (Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the origins of modern terrorism. James is an expert on terrorism, intelligence, and propaganda. What You’ll Learn Intelligence -The origins of modern terrorism -19th century spymasters -Covert action and assassinations -Intelligence as a weapon Reflections -Philosophy and ideology’s effect on history -The power of fear And much, much more … Quotes of the Week “These waves of repression that feed into discontent and cre...
Jan 16, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 617
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 up at night -Thinking like an ethical hacker (aka a “penetration tester) -Protecting your information (i.e., “Hardening the attack surface”) -Plain English explanations of key cyber concepts like “Kill Chains” and “Zero Days” Reflections -Having a cool job -The information revoluti...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 559
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 You’ll Learn Intelligence -Counterintelligence vs. Counterespionage -How the FBI recruit’s foreign agents -Ideological motivations behind spying -Effect of technology on counterintelligence Reflections -Staying grounded under pressure -The value of creativity Notes Alan Kohler ...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 574
Summary Shane Harris (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the role of intelligence in the Ukraine conflict one year after it began. Shane reports on intelligence for the Washington Post and is the author of two books. What You’ll Learn Intelligence -Where we are with the war in Ukraine -The role intelligence agencies are playing in the conflict -The leadership of Zelensky and Putin -What it’s like to report on spies -Dealing with sources inside the intelligence agencie...
Dec 26, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 576
Summary Bonny Lin (Biography) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the current state of China and intelligence. Bonny is the Director of the ChinaPower Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. What You’ll Learn Intelligence -China’s economic power and status -The current landscape of Chinese intelligence -China’s relationship with Taiwan -The ChinaPower Project Reflections -Power and prominence -The global community as a complicated ecosystem And much, much more … Qu...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 616
Summary Barry Zulauf (Twitter; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his extensive experience working across the American intelligence community. Barry is the President of the International Association for Intelligence Education. What You’ll Learn Intelligence What is the “Intelligence Community?” The organizational structure of American intelligence The establishment of the ODNI The intelligence components of the DEA Reflections A life of service Passion to serve the people And ...
Dec 12, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 615
Summary Robert Wittman (Website; Twitter) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his career and the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Bob recovered over $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property over the course of his career. What You’ll Learn Intelligence How the FBI’s Art Crime Team (ACT) was formed The intelligence angle when investigating provenance Living and working undercover abroad Museums & Intelligence Reflections The importance of cultural property Questions of ownership and...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 614
Summary Dina Rezk (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Egyptian intelligence. Dina is an Associate Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of Reading. What You’ll Learn Intelligence Egyptian leadership & intelligence The intelligence landscape of Egypt Egypt’s relationship with neighboring countries Ashraf Marwan’s story from the Egyptian perspective Reflections Leadership, power, and opposition International perspectives and changing views And much, mu...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 613
Summary Rear Admiral Tim Woods (Biography) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss his role as Britain’s Defence Attaché to the United States. Tim previously served as the British Defence Attaché in Kyiv, Ukraine. What You’ll Learn Intelligence What does a Defense Attaché do How intelligence impacts military strategy Admiral Woods’ experience of the 2021 Russian invasion of Ukraine What it’s like to constantly be surveilled Reflections The power of relationships and connections Sacrificing p...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 612
Summary Laura Tohe (Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the stories of the WWII Navajo Code Talkers. Laura is a Diné author and the Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation. What You’ll Learn Intelligence How the Code Talking units were formed How the Navajo people used their language as a weapon Laura’s father, Benson Tohe’s story Did the Japanese ever break the code? Reflections The relationship between language and the state Storytelling and the power of oral history And much, much...
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 611
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 collaboration with CBS/Paramount on their new podcast “Agent of Betrayal" What You’ll Learn Intelligence The story of Robert Hanssen How his colleagues reacted to his betrayal A psychological analysis of Hanssen How the Hanssen case has impacted the FBI and U.S. intelligence Reflections Disillusionment and betrayal “The child is father of the man” ...
Nov 07, 2023•59 min•Ep. 610
Summary Col. (Ret.) Shlomo Mofaz (LinkedIn) and Col (Ret.) Zohar Palti (Wikipedia) join Andrew to discuss their respective careers in the Israeli Defense Forces and the Mossad. What You’ll Learn Intelligence Israel’s relationships with neighboring countries The role of intelligence within the Intifadas Israel and the Lebanon War Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups that pose threats to Israeli security Reflections Pressure and power Dealing with constant threats And much, much more … Episode Notes...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 609
Summary Lt. Col. (ret.) Aviram Halevi (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss Israel’s top secret commando unit, Sayeret Matkal. Aviram formerly served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sayeret Matkal. What You’ll Learn Intelligence The origins of Sayeret Matkal Collaboration across Israeli intelligence Operation Spring of Youth & the Entebbe Raid Intelligence & hostage retrieval Reflections The value of teamwork No room for fear And much, much more … Episode Notes This week...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 608
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 live panel discussion in collaboration with our friends at Goat Rodeo who produced the new podcast, Spy Valley: An Engineer’s Nuclear Betrayal, a series by Project Brazen and PRX. The riveting series tells the true story of James Harper, a Silicon Valley engineer turned spy who sold nuclear secrets to the Soviet Bloc. The series takes listeners on a j...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 33 min
Summary Uri Bar-Joseph (LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss the intelligence failure of the Yom Kippur War. Uri is an author and professor emeritus at Haifa University. What You’ll Learn Intelligence How Israel failed to predict the Yom Kippur War Egyptian spy Ashraf Marwan’s role in the War How Israeli intelligence evolved post-War Israeli leadership’s accountability for the failure Reflections Learning and adapting from mistakes Catastrophe and national trauma And much, much ...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 607
