True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics - podcast cover

True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics

SPYSCAPEspyscape.com
True Spies takes you inside the world's greatest espionage and detective operations. Our hosts Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Sophia Di Martino, Daisy Ridley and Rhiannon Neads talk to the real spies behind the missions. What do they know? What are their skills? And what would you do in their position? We explore and investigate real life thrillers, mysteries and crimes - stories that prove truth is stranger than fiction! These stories cover lies, murder, theft, sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. You’ll meet experts from the top intelligence agencies including FBI, CIA, MI5, MI6 (SIS), KGB, GRU, Mossad and many others. You’ll discover characters who spied because of money, ideology, coercion or just plain old ego. And, if you’d like to dig deeper into the world of secrets, and test your own secret intelligence skills, head over to spyscape.com for articles, games, experiences, puzzles and videos. For episodes first and ad-free, subscribe to Spyscape+ at: plus.Spyscape.com A Cup & Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Music: Nick Ryan.

Episodes

Hunting The Wolverine | CIA

In the desert of Southern Afghanistan, CIA Case Officer Douglas Laux is on the hunt. He's traced a number of deadly IED attacks to a shadowy figure with ties to the Taliban. Now, his mission is to bring him down before more US personnel are killed. To do so, he'll have to push himself - and his assets - to the limit. How long could YOU take the heat? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. ...

Jan 25, 202253 minSeason 1Ep. 92

The Consultants | Special Forces

Jeff Miller and Nick Brockhausen are two ex-Green Berets who share a brotherhood forged in battle. Their philosophy? Where there's war, there's money to be made. And if you can do a little good at the same time, all the better. In the 1990s, Jeff and Nick decided to open a commando training school for Bosnian forces in the besieged capital of Sarajevo. But first, they needed funding. Vanessa Kirby follows them on a gonzo adventure replete with political intrigue and deadly near-misses in the hea...

Jan 18, 202243 minSeason 1Ep. 91

Undercover With The Nipsters | Investigation

Writer and researcher Julia Ebner makes a living out of infiltrating extremist groups. In the divided political landscape of the 21st century, some of those groups are making a play for the mainstream. Enter Generation Identity - a European far-right organisation putting a millennial gloss on old and dangerous ideas. Vanessa Kirby follows Julia as she goes undercover with the Nazi Hipsters - Nipsters, for short. Could YOU blend in? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. S...

Jan 11, 202245 minSeason 1Ep. 90

Tradecraft, Part 4

The tools in a spy's arsenal are more varied than you might think. But they all come under one name: Tradecraft. In our fourth round of insights from the world of espionage, Vanessa Kirby meets brave investigators, wily whistleblowers and whip-smart spycatchers in the ultimate digest of the series so far. Could YOU master the craft? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Alex Burnard. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more abou...

Jan 04, 202244 minSeason 1Ep. 89

Tradecraft, Part 3

The tools in a spy's arsenal are more varied than you might think. But they all come under one name: Tradecraft. In our third round of insights from the world of espionage, Vanessa Kirby meets daring undercovers, sweet-talking case officers and spies who shaped history in the ultimate digest of the series so far. Could YOU master the craft? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Alex Burnard. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn m...

Dec 28, 202147 minSeason 1Ep. 88

Stalin's Romeo Spy | Historical

In the fall of 1973, journalist Emil Draitser met an ageing Soviet super-spy. His name was Dmitri Brystrolyotov, and for him, sex and secrets went hand-in-hand. At the time, Emil could scarcely believe what he heard - much less publish it. 30 years later, long after the collapse of the USSR, Brystrolyotov's story could finally be told. Vanessa Kirby enters a world of seduction, secrets and lies between the wars. Could YOU mix business and pleasure? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And N...

Dec 21, 202150 minSeason 1Ep. 87

White Traitor | ANC

To her colleagues, South African journalist Sue Dobson appeared to be a pro-Apartheid conservative. Nothing could have been further from the truth. In fact, she was a trained paramilitary and secret agent, infiltrating the government's propaganda wing on behalf of the African National Congress. Vanessa Kirby relates an incredible story of bravery in the face of bigotry. How hard would YOU fight for a better future? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers...

Dec 14, 202154 minSeason 1Ep. 86

Asset Terminated | CIA

Today, veteran CIA operative Doug Patteson is an expert in his field. But as a rookie Case Officer in South-East Asia, he still had a lot to learn. When the Agency put him in an awkward position, Doug was forced to find the middle-ground between his personal code and the life he chose. Could YOU always put the job first? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Emma Roberts. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad...

Dec 07, 202139 minSeason 1Ep. 85

Moonlight Maze | DoD

It's 1999, and DoD intelligence officer Bob Gourley is at the vanguard of the US Government's defence against cyber-espionage. He's joined a taskforce charged with uncovering the shadowy hackers who have been siphoning America's scientific secrets for 3 years. If he wants answers, Bob needs to navigate cutting-edge tech, inter-agency backbiting and the machinations of an old enemy. Could YOU stop a hacker in their tracks? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series pr...

Nov 30, 202149 minSeason 1Ep. 84

Monkey Business | Historical

Spy. Counterspy. Mercenary. Informant. Ricardo 'Monkey' Morales was all these things and more. Rising from humble beginnings in Cuba, he served within various intelligence agencies before becoming notorious in the criminal underworld of 1980s Miami. But when the FBI came knocking, he mounted a daring wire-tap operation against the city's powerful drug lords - Operation Tick Talks. Which side would YOU choose? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Ricardo 'Monkey' Moral...

Nov 23, 202150 minSeason 1Ep. 83

Me and the Mullah | DIA

It's 2011, and the hunt for Osama Bin Laden is intensifying. Shawnee Delaney, a case officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency, is determined to be the one to bring him in. But her source on the ground - an Islamic scholar with ties to Al Qaeda - proves to be a difficult man to recruit. To succeed, she needs to figure out what motivates him - and fast. Could YOU make the killer pitch? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Pro...

Nov 16, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 82

The War Driver | Investigation

When it comes to cyber-espionage, white-hat hacker Matt Devost is someone you want on your side. When a corporate client reported extortionate emails from an unknown aggressor, Matt was determined to unmask them. To do so, he'd need to test the limits of his considerable skills - and step out from behind the keyboard. Could YOU become a hacker for hire? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Diane Hope. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn...

Nov 09, 202149 minSeason 1Ep. 81

Allied with Al-Qaeda | CIA

CIA Operations Officer Doug London had one shot to recruit one of Al-Qaeda's key facilitators. Doug has to find common ground with a man with a vastly different background and belief system. Lives hang in the balance. He has to succeed. Vanessa Kirby tells the story of how Doug did it. How would YOU do it? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Nov 02, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 80

The Reluctant Narco | DEA

When banker Keith Bulfin went to prison, he entered a waking nightmare. When he got out, things only got worse. As a reluctant agent of the DEA, he was tasked with infiltrating the brutal world of the Cartels. If he was successful, he'd be given a chance to return to his old life. If not, living wouldn't be an issue. Could YOU take the strain? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about...

Oct 26, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 79

The Digital Silk Road | Investigation

Linguist and intelligence analyst Charity Wright has spent her career monitoring China. But as the country expands its influence around the globe, she's worried that the balance of global power could be shifting. Vanessa Kirby reveals the ways in which Chinese espionage could shape the future of the planet. What could YOU discover? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more a...

Oct 19, 202146 minSeason 1Ep. 78

The Real Sopranos | FBI

FBI agent Giovanni Rocco grew up playing in the back yards of New Jersey's criminal class. As an adult, he went undercover to take them down. Vanessa Kirby follows Giovanni's descent into the violent world that inspired HBO's hit series, The Sopranos. Could YOU meet the Family - and live? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Leo Hornak. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Oct 12, 202139 minSeason 1Ep. 77

The Code Clerk | FBI

In Atlanta, a woman is found murdered. The suspect? An employee of a hostile Embassy, responsible for monitoring secret communications. He's also a spy, recruited by the FBI. Now he's on the run, and the pressure is on for the Bureau to bring him in - before his own side take him out. Vanessa Kirby joins former Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi on a manhunt with international implications. Could YOU beat the clock? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle pro...

Oct 05, 202142 minSeason 1Ep. 76

The Philadelphia Wire | FBI

Northern Philadelphia, 1989. FBI agent Judy Tyler is on the hunt. Her target? A local entrepreneur with a lucrative side-line as a cocaine kingpin. From wiretaps to polygraphs to secret cameras, Judy has the Bureau's full arsenal of tradecraft tricks at her disposal - but can she get her man before someone gets hurt? Vanessa Kirby joins Judy on the mean streets of Philly. Could YOU clean them up? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe ...

Sep 28, 202144 minSeason 1Ep. 75

The Gadget Master | MI6 | WW2

Missionary. Agent. Inventor. Charles Fraser-Smith fought his war from a workshop, creating the real-life equipment that would inspire one of Ian Flemings' most beloved creations - Q, the MI6 quartermaster. During WW2, Fraser-Smith was the mind behind some of the British spy's most essential kit in the fight against the Nazis. Vanessa Kirby meets the man behind the gadgets. Could YOU bring it back in one piece? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Charles Fraser-Smith ...

Sep 21, 202152 minSeason 1Ep. 74

A Spy Amongst Skinheads | FBI

It's the early-90's, and the USA is still reeling from the LA Race Riots. A paranoid Far Right are preparing for all-out war. With his blonde hair and blue eyes, Mike German is the picture-perfect neo-Nazi. But in reality, he's working undercover, infiltrating a cell of violent white supremacists for the FBI. Vanessa Kirby joins Mike in the belly of the beast. Could YOU survive to tell the tale? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe F...

Sep 14, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 73

The Armageddon Papers | FBI

What secrets do you give away with the twitch of an eyelid - the tap of a finger? Joe Navarro knows. As an FBI agent, he developed an innate gift for reading body language. But when Joe came up against hyper-intelligent US traitor Rod Ramsay, those skills were put to the test. The consequences of failure? Nuclear. Vanessa Kirby enters a world of lies and misdirection. Could YOU look beneath the mask? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, ...

Sep 07, 20211 hrSeason 1Ep. 72

Rise and Kill First | Mossad

Ronen Bergman is comfortable in the company of spies. As one of Israel's foremost investigative journalists, he's been privy to the inner workings of the country's legendary intelligence community. But when he was tasked with writing a definitive history of the Mossad's targeted assassinations, he came up against serious resistance from inside the organisation. Vanessa Kirby gets the inside scoop on a unique and secretive institution. How far would YOU go for the truth? From SPYSCAPE, the home o...

Aug 31, 202155 minSeason 1Ep. 71

Operation: Bullwinkle | FBI

Robert Wittman was a special kind of Special Agent. During his long career with the FBI, he went undercover to retrieve millions of dollars worth of stolen art. When a priceless Rembrandt was stolen from Sweden's National Gallery, Robert descended into Europe's criminal underworld to get it back. Vanessa Kirby narrates a high-stakes hunt for a truly unique prize. Would YOU accept the price of failure? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby,...

Aug 24, 202142 minSeason 1Ep. 70

Psychic Spies | DoD

As head of the STARGATE programme, sponsored by the US Department of Defense, his job was to prove the existence of psychic phenomena - and then use them against America's enemies. Vanessa Kirby enters a world of remote viewing, daring rescues and Cold War intrigue. Could YOU explain the inexplicable? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Aug 17, 202145 minSeason 1Ep. 69

The Ritchie Boys | WW2

It's 1944 - 3 days after D-Day. 22-year old Guy Stern lands in Normandy. Unlike many of his comrades in the US Army, it's not his first time in Europe. Forced to leave Germany in 1937, he returns as part of an elite Military Intelligence unit charged with interrogating German POWs in their native tongue. Now 99 years old, Guy tells Vanessa Kirby a story of wit and courage in the face of unimaginable pressure. Could YOUR words win a war? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle produc...

Aug 10, 202153 minSeason 1Ep. 68

You Me, Same Same | CIA

Ryan Hillsberg can be whoever you want him to be. As a CIA case officer, he recruited assets for the Agency by transforming himself into their ideal companion - a confidante par excellence. But maintaining a degree of professional detachment isn't always easy. Vanessa Kirby follows Ryan on one of his most memorable recruitments. Could YOU make friends and influence people? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Morgan Childs. Mu...

Aug 03, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 67

Mission in the Dog Meat Valley | Investigation

CW: Animal cruelty. In South Korea, dog meat is a controversial delicacy. The farming of dogs for meat is largely unregulated, and animals are kept in horrendous conditions. Activists Nami Kim and Nina Jackel are on a personal mission to stop the slaughter. But to expose their enemies, they'll need to gather the right intelligence - and put their own safety on the line. Vanessa Kirby tells a story of courage in the face of cruelty. Could YOU defend the defenceless? From SPYSCAPE, the home of sec...

Jul 27, 202141 minSeason 1Ep. 66

The ATHAR Project | Investigation

Across the ravaged towns and cities of Syria, looters are trafficking the country's rich reserves of priceless antiquities. Amr Al-Azm and Katie A. Paul, two US-based academics, became unlikely spymasters on a mission to hold the looters to account. Standing in their way are ISIS militants, a hostile regime and the world's largest social network. Vanessa Kirby tells a powerful story of preservation in the face of destruction. What's YOUR cause? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzl...

Jul 20, 202148 minSeason 1Ep. 65

CIA? More Like CON | Investigation

Wayne Simmons was the toast of cable news. A former CIA officer with a storied operational history, he was called upon to comment on matters concerning the Agency. The only problem? He'd never served at all. Vanessa Kirby meets Kent Clizbe, the genuine ex-CIA operations officer who revealed Simmons' fraud to the world at large. Could YOU sniff out a liar? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Claire Crofton. Music by Nick Ryan....

Jul 13, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 64

Catch Me If You Can | BRIXMIS

In the divided Germany of the 1980s, spying was a way of life. Dave Butler knows - he was there. As part of BRIXMIS, a British military liaison unit with an unofficial sideline in espionage, he ran missions deep inside Communist territory. But they didn't always go to plan. Vanessa Kirby tells a story of danger and disaster behind enemy lines. Could YOU go up against the Stasi? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by ...

Jul 06, 202144 minSeason 1Ep. 63
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