October 17, 2001. The dust of 9/11 has barely settled. America and the world are reeling. In Afghanistan, 8 CIA officers - a crack team of linguists, tribal experts and paramilitaries - are the first Americans to infiltrate Taliban territory after the attacks. Their mission is to ensure that Al Qaeda does not strike again. They are Team Alpha. In Part 1, Vanessa Kirby joins CIA linguist David Tyson and author Toby Harnden to tell the true story of Team Alpha's first foray in to a dangerous and u...
Jun 27, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Throughout history, spies have used sex, seduction and emotional manipulation to achieve their shadowy aims. In this 3-part anthology, Vanessa Kirby joins espionage authors Henry Schlesinger and Michael Smith to uncover the real stories behind some of history's most explosive honeytrap operations. In Part 3, Michael and Henry tell the real spy story behind one of history's most famous murders. When Ramón Mercader attacked Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky at his home in Mexico, the evidence sug...
Jun 20, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Throughout history, spies have used sex, seduction and emotional manipulation to achieve their shadowy aims. In this 3-part anthology, Vanessa Kirby joins espionage authors Henry Schlesinger and Michael Smith to uncover the real stories behind some of history's most explosive honeytrap operations. In Part 2, Henry Schlesinger reveals the unlikely life and times of a celebrity spy. In 2010, Russian property entrepreneur Anna Chapman was exposed as one of 10 deep-cover agents working on US soil. A...
Jun 13, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Throughout history, spies have used sex, seduction and emotional manipulation to achieve their shadowy aims. In this 3-part anthology, Vanessa Kirby joins espionage authors Henry Schlesinger and Michael Smith to uncover the real stories behind some of history's most explosive honeytrap operations. In Part 1, Michael Smith relates an audacious plot by the Israeli Mossad in the turbulent 1960s. Mossad officers targeted Iraqi pilots, hoping to seduce them into defecting with a MiG-21 - the next-gen...
Jun 06, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 111
When he was arrested in 1996, Jim Nicholson - nicknamed 'Batman' - was the highest-ranking CIA officer to be convicted of espionage for the Russian Federation. 10 years later, he did it again. Join Vanessa Kirby for the first ever True Spies duology - a tale of spy-craft, treachery, and a toxic father-son relationship. In Part 2, DoJ Attorney Ethan Knight shines the spotlight on Nicholson's son, Nathan, who was manipulated by his incarcerated father into continuing his espionage work. But before...
May 30, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 110
The Spying Game is a new series from the Spyscape Podcast Network in which real spies and storytellers dissect your favourite tales of espionage. Your host Rory Bremner sits down with Hollywood filmmakers, international authors and TV stars, along with real spies to separate the facts of true espionage from the fiction we see on screen and on the page. The Spying Game is available now wherever you get your podcasts, or you can listen to episodes a week early and ad-free by subscribing to Spyscap...
May 25, 2022•4 min
When he was arrested in 1996, Jim Nicholson - nicknamed 'Batman' - was the highest-ranking CIA officer to be convicted of espionage for the Russian Federation. 10 years later, he did it again. Join Vanessa Kirby for the first ever True Spies duology - a tale of spy-craft, treachery, and a toxic father-son relationship. In Part 1, veteran CIA case officer John Maguire tells the story of his strangest mission - an operation on American soil to bring down one of his own colleagues. Could YOU befrie...
May 24, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 109
LinkedIn - the social network for professionals - is a part of working life for millions of people around the world. But do you really know who you're connecting with? Vanessa Kirby joins former DIA officer J.T Mendoza on a cross-agency collaboration to take down Kevin Patrick Mallory - an American traitor recruited online by a hostile foreign power. Do YOU think before you click? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced ...
May 17, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 108
True Spies work in all sorts of far-flung locales - but some assignments are closer to home. For Andrew Kirsch, a Special Operations officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the suburbs of Toronto hold as much intrigue as Moscow or Baghdad. Vanessa Kirby joins Andrew on a nail-biting infiltration mission to unmask a home-grown terrorist, right in his back yard. Could YOU spy in suburbia? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newb...
May 10, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Deep in the jungles of Central America, right-wing 'Contra' guerrillas face off against government forces. Major Alex, a Honduran army officer, trains and supplies the Contras on the ground. Except Major Alex isn't a Major at all - he's Ric Prado, CIA. Vanessa Kirby joins Ric as he recalls the most nail-biting moments from his time undercover. Could YOU survive the jungle? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Leo H...
May 03, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 106
In the Old West, money talks and six-guns shout. All too often, it's not a world that rewards subtlety. Enter Charlie Siringo - a detective with the world-famous Pinkerton Agency. Vanessa Kirby joins Charlie to outwit outlaws, bust fraudulent prospectors and bring the hammer down on union toughs. Could YOU survive the Frontier? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Charlie Siringo is voiced by Mike Capozzola. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Leo Ho...
Apr 26, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Some stories are too fascinating to go untold. Author and journalist Yudhijit Bhattacharjee tells them. When he heard about a dyslexic spy who came close to selling some of America's most dangerous secrets, he had to know more. With the help of the FBI agent who brought the traitor to justice, he spent years researching this incredible tale. Could YOU put the pieces together? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Em...
Apr 19, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 104
It's 2003, and coalition forces have taken Baghdad. A conference is held to portion out the contracts that will sustain the occupation. The United Kingdom sends a minister to negotiate their share - but the war-torn city is too dangerous for him to travel alone. Enter Carlton King - a senior protection officer with the Metropolitan Police Special Branch. With no time, 3 handguns and a broken sat-phone, Carlton and his tight-knit team must prepare the ground for the Minister's visit. Could YOU gu...
Apr 11, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 103
In 1992, the Cold War is all but over. But for Special Agent John Whiteside, the counter-espionage case of a lifetime is about to begin. An anonymous source reports a traitor within the NSA, active during the height of the Vietnam War. He thinks he's gotten away with it - but the crimes of the past call for modern justice. Could YOU turn the heat up on a cold case? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Frank Palmer....
Apr 05, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 102
In the remote mountains of Northern Idaho, there's no shortage of places to hide. Fortunately, Deputy US Marshal Marc Cameron is an expert seeker. It's 1996, and a dangerous fugitive has taken refuge in the dense forests of Bonner County. Vanessa Kirby joins Marc on an audacious operation to lure the outlaw into the open. Could YOU hunt the deadliest game of all? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Musi...
Mar 29, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 101
It's World War One, and German submarine technology terrorises the British Navy. Fortunately, Captain Gordon Campbell is anything but traditional. He's at the helm of the first 'Q-boats' - heavily armed sub-busters, ingeniously disguised as civilian ships. Vanessa Kirby sets sail with Captain Campbell on a secretive mission to take back the oceans. Could YOU stare down a torpedo? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Captain Gordon Campbell is voiced by Justin Avoth. S...
Mar 22, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 100
It's 1989, and the USA has invaded Panama. The country's corrupt leader, General Manuel Noriega, goes in to hiding. Martha Duncan of the Defense Intelligence Agency is tasked with tracking him down - and she'll do whatever it takes to bring him out in to the open. Vanessa Kirby joins the hunt for Panama's most wanted. Could YOU catch a dictator? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. . Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Louise Clarke-Rowbotham. Music ...
Mar 15, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Uruzgan Province, Southern Afghanistan. An Army convoy rumbles in on the dangerous highway from Kandahar, bringing vital supplies to American troops. This is facilitated by Matiullah Khan, a local warlord with connections in the Afghan government. When two US soldiers are assassinated by an Afghan ally, Naval intelligence officer Matt Cricchio suspects that Khan might be behind the attack. Vanessa Kirby joins Matt on a mission to bring him down. Could YOU tell friend from foe? From SPYSCAPE, the...
Mar 08, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 98
2 years after the USA resumed diplomatic relations with Cuba, American intelligence officers on the island began experiencing strange and debilitating neurological symptoms. Before long, the phenomenon began affecting US officials around the world. Veteran CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos was first afflicted during a trip to Russia in 2017 - and he's been fighting ever since. Vanessa Kirby joins Marc, Russia expert John Sipher and Dr. James Giordano to analyse the personal, political and medical ...
Mar 01, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 97
Who was Britain's Ace of Spies? The truth is, nobody really knows. But the name he used was Sidney Reilly - and nobody did it better. Vanessa Kirby follows Sidney on his dark and bloody path through the early 20th century, reckoning with oil barons, personal pride, and the rise of Communism. Could YOU survive decades on the edge? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Sidney Reilly is voiced by Thomas Delacourt. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Leo ...
Feb 22, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Undercover ATF Agent Jay Dobyns was shot during his first week of work. He went on to spend 27 years in the field. That should tell you something about a man who risked his personal health and happiness to infiltrate one of America's toughest biker gangs, the Hell's Angels. Jay had to prove himself worthy of membership - and the price of admission was murder. Could YOU earn your patch? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produce...
Feb 15, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 95
When health issues ended Ulrich Larsen's career in the kitchen, the Danish chef embarked on an altogether more dangerous livelihood - spying on North Korea. After gaining the trust of the Korean Friendship Association in Denmark, he was sent to the isolated dictatorship as an envoy, where he gathered evidence of sanction-busting deals in arms and narcotics. Could YOU become the Mole? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced ...
Feb 08, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 94
During the 1980s, a rash of hostage situations in the Middle East threatened American lives. in response, President Reagan authorised new legislation which empowered the FBI to hunt the hostage takers down - any time, any place. Former Assistant Director Oliver 'Buck' Revell led the first operation of this kind - a daring plot to capture a Lebanese hijacker off the coast of Cyprus. Vanessa Kirby joins Buck for a make-or-break mission in the Med. Could YOU make history? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of s...
Feb 01, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 93
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, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 92
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, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 91
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, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 90
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, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 89
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, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 88
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, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 87
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, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 86
