The Live Drop

Venture into the elusive world of intelligence collection and espionage to spot, assess and debrief: spies, handlers, catchers, analysts, cut-outs, dangles, diplomats, security experts and the storytellers who bring them all to life. Check your electronics and subscribe, do a thorough surveillance detection route, secure your Live Drop location, and after a mad-minute introduction, listen in on conversations with our fascinating guests who help to illuminate a complex universe. A HUMINT experiment with host Mark Valley.

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Episodes

Mr Fish aka Dwayne Booth Reveals Purpose of Satirical Imagery

You’ve seen his thought provoking and shocking political cartoons in LA Times, Harpers, McSweeneys and now all over social media. Mr Fish himself describes how positive advertising has conditioned us to reject uncomfortable and subversive messages and images at our own peril. He is the subject of a documentary by director Pablo Bryant “Cartooning From the Deep End” on iTunes December 18th. You can find and support his work at clowncrack.com & mrfishmovie.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted o...

Nov 30, 2018•50 min•Ep. 12

Author Michael Brady Reveals his Non Official Cover as Intelligence Professor at The Citadel

Episode 11 - Michael Brady is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, career intelligence professional and author of several spy novels. He teaches at the Citadel, patiently asking his students to support their choices with solid intelligence. Find his work at michaelbradybooks.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Nov 23, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 11

Former NSA & CIA Director Michael Hayden Finds Objective Reality

Gen Michael Hayden goes back to Intel 101 to give context on the shape and purpose of information gathering, then shares his experiences at the top agencies during the must tumultuous years for the Intelligence Community. And right now, he says might be the most dangerous development he’s seen yet, the rejection of ‘objective reality.’ Accurate, verifiable intelligence is more important now than ever. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 12, 2018•50 min•Ep. 10

Former KGB Jack Barsky Comes Clean About Life Undercover

Jack Barsky spied on the US for the KGB from 1978-1988 as part of the Russian Illegals Program. He speaks about the initial sense of adventure that lured him into a career in espionage. Jack reveals the emotional costs of a double life in service to a cause for which he eventually became disillusioned. Recorded earlier this year, Jack reveals what ultimately led him out of the spy life, and the strategies and rationalizations he used to keep a sense of personal authenticity. Get bonus content on...

Aug 10, 2018•48 min•Ep. 9

James Vancel of the Busara Center talks Behavioral Economics in Kenya, and East Africa.

Mark caught up with James Vancel, CEO of the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, at his office in Nairobi. Busara is a Swahili word meaning Intelligence, and the Busara Center is one of the most sought after behavioral economics consultants in the region, with expertise that is growing in demand. James talked with Mark about the company's cultural and analytical assessments and the value these research and analysis efforts have to Intelligence Communities. If you've enjoyed this ep...

Aug 06, 2018•48 min•Ep. 8

Assembling the Spy Trade's Most Valuable Weapon - The Code Of Trust with Author and FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke

Robin Dreeke is a former senior FBI agent with over 28 years of government service. He was until recently the head of the FBI’ Counterintelligence Behavior Analysis Program whose primary mission is to thwart the effort of foreign spies and recruit American spies... Robin is the author of The Code Of Trust, based on the system Dreeke devised, tested, and implemented during years of field work at the highest levels of national security. Code of Trust: Suspend Your Ego Be Nonjudgmental Honor Reason...

Jul 27, 2018•54 min•Ep. 7

Former ASA Analyst Tim Hall Talks in Dots and Dashes of His Time in Teufelsberg and Thailand,

Mark’s old friend Tim Hall was a #Morse communicator for the #ASA. He talks about launching a #LOB from remote #SIGINT sites to duty in #Berlin at #Teuflelsberg tracking the #Spetznaz. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 20, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 6

Russia Expert Kevin Ryan of the Belfer Center Demystifies the Elbe Group and a New Role of Retired Military and Intelligence Professionals

The Elbe Group consists of retired Military and Intelligence generals from the US and Russia. It’s an unprecedented International collection of acronyms who meet to maintain a continuous channel of communication on sensitive issues facing US-Russian relations. While some create conflict, the group’s founder and director BG (ret) Kevin Ryan has had a career of productive cooperation with the Russians. He shares his experience and suggestions before heading to Moscow for the proposed summit. Get b...

Jul 13, 2018•58 min•Ep. 5

Russian Actress Evgenia Brik of THE AMERICANS-inspired TV Show ADAPTATSIYA Explains the Elusive Russian soul.

EPISODE 4: Adaptatsiya is a runaway hit show in Russia - their answer to “The Americans” - Mark drops in with Russian actress Evgenia Brik to talk about playing a spy in Siberia, and living the dream in Los Angeles. If any of you espionage nerds were wondering - she's no relation to Yevgeni Brik KGB Illegal and RCMP double agent in the 1950s. Interesting story, he was the subject of Shattered Illusions by Donald Mahar (2017) Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

Jul 06, 2018•43 min•Ep. 4

Pulling Back The Curtain on Carnegie Center's Dr. Dmitri Trenin In Moscow

EPISODE 3 Mark meets with Carnegie Moscow Center Director and Russian policy expert Dr. Dmitri Trenin to talk authoritarian tendencies, Soviet and Russian History , US-Russia relations, and hey, what was Soviet Plan anyway ? Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 29, 2018•39 min•Ep. 3

BSTU Communications Director Dagmar Hovestädt Crosschecks STASI and Privacy

Communications Director for the Stasi Records Archive (BStU), Dagmar Hovestaedt joins The Live Drop in a former Cold War bunker at the Wende Museum (or, The Change Back Museum) -- the perfect place for a chat about privacy. Dagmar also reveals the incredible number of record requests the Stasi Archives has received - and not always for the reasons you'd think. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 22, 2018•51 min•Ep. 2

Andrew Bustamante talks Everyday Espionage From CIA Case Officer to Everyday Espionage

Air Force Academy, nuclear missiles, and career CIA, Andrew talks about a life in Intelligence: The ‘703’ cold call, what prepared him, and why he’s moved on from government service to spread the word of #EveryDayEspionage as a sought after speaker and consultant. Find him at AndrewBustamente.org He’s the FIRST episode of #TheLiveDrop ! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 15, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 1

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