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

True Spies: Classic - The Spycatcher | FBI

In this True Spies Classic episode, spy catcher Robert Booth recounts a mission to capture a Cuban agent who had infiltrated the State Department. Robert managed to identify the traitor, but proving Kendall Myers' treachery was another matter entirely. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Producer David Waters. Series producer Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 10, 20241 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 229

True Spies: Debriefs - Robert Booth on underestimating Cuba's spies

Does the U.S continue to underestimate the threat the Cuban intelligence services carry? Robert Booth an ex-State Department counterintelligence officer and self described spycatcher, details how penetrative modern Cuban agents are within the United States' highest echelons of power. What information are they looking for? And what do they do with it? From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Learn more about your ad choi...

Sep 03, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 228

Fringe Diplomacy | Investigation

How does Mickey Bergman, expert political prisoner and hostage advocate, navigate the increasingly difficult waters of global engagements? Also a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, the CEO of Global Reach and the Vice President of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, Mickey takes us on a deep dive into the complex hostage situation still unfolding between the United States, and Russia. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan C...

Aug 26, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 227

True Spies: Classic - Fair Game | CIA

Revisit this timely episode of True Spies, as we dive into the deadly conflict between espionage and politics with former CIA agent Valerie Plame. Valerie was outed in the press as an undercover agent when someone close to her challenged the government's line on Weapons Of Mass Destruction, placing her family and contacts in grave danger. From SPYSCAPE. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 20, 202453 minSeason 1Ep. 226

True Spies: Debriefs - Valerie Plame on the future of nuclear Non-Proliferation

On this week's Debrief, catch up with the famously outed ex-CIA officer Valerie Plame. Hear from Valerie how her career has evolved since then, and the state of the Doomsday Clock, what might happen after the expiry of the New Start treaty, and what steps the world can take to ease nuclear tensions... From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 13, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 225

Operation Red Sox | CIA

Writer, analyst and investigative journalist Casey Michel explores one of the early CIA's darkest moments. At the dawn of the Cold War, the USA sent anti-communist agents into Ukraine, tasked with resisting the Soviets. But Stalin's secret intelligence service had experience on their side - and maybe more. The results? Disastrous. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Matthew Nelson. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad cho...

Aug 06, 202438 minSeason 1Ep. 224

True Spies: Classic - The Illegal | KGB

Revisit the story of a KGB agent embedded deeply, too deeply, in US life, with Jack Barsky, a.k.a. Albrecht Dittrich. After many years undercover in New York, Barsky got the signal that he was compromised, yet by then he had an American wife and children. From SPYSCAPE, the headquarters of all things spy. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Producer: David Waters. Series producer: Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 30, 202458 minSeason 1Ep. 224

True Spies: Debriefs - Jack Barsky on a career after the KGB

In this True Spies: Debrief, ex-KGB agent Jack Barsky reveals the lessons his espionage career taught him, which have proved fundamental to his later life. Plus, hear details of life beyond the Iron Curtain, in East Germany, and how Jack came to love being an American From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 23, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 222

The Gathering | FBI

Hear how the fantastic FBI undercover agent Dana Ridenour went from not knowing what a vegan was, to infiltrating the most dangerous domestic eco-terrorists the US had ever seen. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 202444 minSeason 1Ep. 221

True Spies: Classic - Team Alpha

Welcome back to October 17, 2001. The dust of 9/11 has barely settled. America and the world are reeling. In this True Spies Classic, hear the story of 8 CIA officers - a crack team of linguists, tribal experts and paramilitaries, and 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. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan...

Jul 09, 20241 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 220

True Spies: Debriefs - David Tyson on life for Afghans after The Taliban won

New from SPYSCAPE Studios - True Spies: Debriefs. In each of these new episodes, we'll dive back behind the scenes with some of our favourite True Spies, from episodes past. This week, ex-CIA officer David Tyson gives an update on how the return of The Taliban in Afghanistan, and the changing politics of the Middle East more broadly, has affected his work with Badger Six; a charity he runs to help Afghan allies. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe ...

Jul 02, 202453 minSeason 1Ep. 219

Codename Tinsel Tyrant | FBI

How does a San Francisco born Silicon Valley entrepreneur, "as American as apple-pie", become a vital intelligence asset for the Soviet Bloc? Hear the chilling tale of one James Harper, from national security reporter and the host of Spy Valley: Zach Dorfman. (Hear more from Zach here: https://brazen.fm/podcasts/spy-valley/) From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Justin Trefgarne. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices...

Jun 25, 202451 minSeason 1Ep. 218

True Spies: Classic - Allied with Al-Qaeda

Venture into the True Spies vaults, as we take a look back at the extraordinary story of CIA Operations Officer: Doug London. Doug only has one shot to recruit one of Al-Qaeda's key facilitators. He must find common ground with a man with a vastly different background and belief system. Lives hang in the balance. He has to succeed. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Jun 18, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 217

True Spies: Debriefs - Douglas London on empathy

Brand new from SPYSCAPE Studios - True Spies: Debriefs. In each of these new episodes, we'll dive back behind the scenes with some of our favourite True Spies, from episodes past. This week, ex-CIA operations officer Douglas London discusses how empathy, an undervalued tool in the spy's arsenal, played a crucial role in bringing in active Al Qaeda members. And, how he believes leaders embroiled in the current conflicts in the middle east, could seek to use empathy to bring an end to hostilities....

Jun 11, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 216

PO Box 1142 | WW2

Join chief historian of the National Parks: Robert K Sutton, as he tells the story of Nazis on the Potomac, and those sworn to secrecy at Fort Hunt... From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Music by Nick Ryan. Robert K Sutton is the author of Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win World War II Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 03, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 215

Operation Kronstadt | Historical

Former MI6 Officer Harry Ferguson tells the nail-biting story of an unlikely British spy in Bolshevik Russia - and the daring naval mission to bring him home. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Louise Sinnerton. Music by Nick Ryan. Harry Ferguson is the author of Operation Kronstadt, and makes content on TikTok as The English Spy (https://www.tiktok.com/@theenglishspy) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

May 28, 202451 minSeason 1Ep. 214

The Woman Who Rescued Orwell | Historical

It's 1937. The Spanish Civil War is raging, and author George Orwell is fighting on the Socialist front. But as Orwell lives out his anti-Fascist adventure, his wife, Eileen O'Shaughnessy, is embroiled in a subtler conflict. At the headquarters of the Workers' Party of Marxist Unification in Barcelona, she's dealing with a brutal police force, Stalinist spies, and an atmosphere of political terror. And on top of all that, it's up to her to stop her husband falling into enemy hands... From SPYSCA...

May 21, 202446 minSeason 1Ep. 213

The War on Terror, Part Two - From Khost to Compounds | CIA

Former CIA Operations Officer Aaron Brown joins Rhiannon Neads to discuss his role in two defining moments in the CIA's War on Terror. In Part 2, the aftermath of Khost informs the most dramatic operation in the history of the modern CIA. And Aaron has a seat at the table. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Music by Nick Ryan. Aaron Brown is the host of the UnderSimplified Podcast, and a keynote speaker: https://www.u...

May 14, 202444 minSeason 1Ep. 212

The War on Terror, Part One - From Cairo to Khost | CIA

Former CIA Operations Officer Aaron Brown joins Rhiannon Neads to discuss his role in two defining moments in the CIA's War on Terror. In Part 1, we follow Aaron's journey into the Agency's inner sanctum - and its' darkest hour. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Music by Nick Ryan. Aaron Brown is the host of the UnderSimplified Podcast, and a keynote speaker: https://www.undersimplified.org/ Learn more about your ad ...

May 07, 202438 minSeason 1Ep. 211

Disinformation Warfare, Part Two - America | Investigation

Just how influential is the 'white noise' of information, and disinformation, emanating from Russia? In this second and final episode on the phenomenon of modern disinformation, hear from author and former Executive Director of the US Disinformation Governance Board: Nina Jankowicz. She shines a light on how small acts of manipulation, made on the other side of the world, can pit fellow Americans against themselves... From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer...

Apr 30, 202457 minSeason 1Ep. 210

Disinformation Warfare, Part One - The Troll Farm | Investigation

Just how influential is the 'white noise' of information, and disinformation, emanating from Russia? In this first of two special episodes on the phenomenon of modern disinformation, Ukrainian-British journalist and author Peter Pomerantsev, reveals the evolution of the dark tactics the modern Russian state uses to cripple both neighbouring countries, and dissenters within its own borders. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Ashl...

Apr 23, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 209

Kim Philby, Super Spy: Part Two, The Third Man

Born to the British upper-crust - devoted to the Revolution. Harold 'Kim' Philby was the ultimate Soviet superspy. For decades, Philby sold secrets to the Russians from inside the upper echelons of MI6. Inspired by an unpublished memoir recently acquired by Spyscape, we bring his fascinating story to life. In Part 2, Rhiannon Neads follows the trail of booze, bad luck and betrayal that brought Philby down. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley....

Apr 16, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 208

Kim Philby, Super Spy: Part One, Codename Sonny

Born to the British upper-crust - devoted to the Revolution. Harold 'Kim' Philby was the ultimate Soviet superspy. For decades, Philby sold secrets to the Russians from inside the upper echelons of MI6. Inspired by an unpublished memoir recently acquired by Spyscape, we bring his fascinating story to life. In Part 1, Rhiannon Neads details Philby's rise to the top - and the fateful decisions that will lead to his undoing. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series prod...

Apr 09, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 207

Narcotopia, Part Two - Thy Will Be Done | Investigation

Nestled in the mountains of Myanmar, there's a nation that you won't find on the map. The mysterious, controversial Wa State is what journalist Patrick Winn calls a 'Narcotopia' - a country whose main source of income is the international drugs trade. In Part 2, we learn more about Saw Lu's dangerous entanglement with the US Government. Listener discretion is advised. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Ni...

Apr 02, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 206

Narcotopia, Part One - Agent Superstar | Investigation

Nestled in the mountains of Myanmar, there's a nation that you won't find on the map. The mysterious, controversial Wa State is what journalist Patrick Winn calls a 'Narcotopia' - a country whose main source of income is the international drugs trade. In Part 1, Patrick tells the story of his journey to Wa State, and his chance meeting with one of the most powerful figures in its history, Saw Lu - a man whose vision for the isolated nation led him to the door of the US Government. From SPYSCAPE,...

Mar 26, 202451 minSeason 1Ep. 205

Agent Sniper | CIA

Bigamist. Fantasist. Betrayer. Betrayed. Known only as Agent Sniper, Polish double-agent Michal Goleniewski sold secrets to the USA from behind the Iron Curtain. But this complex, ambitious man was no match for his American handlers. In this episode of True Spies, author Tim Tate reveals a life full of romance, tragedy and Cold War intrigue. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about y...

Mar 19, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 204

The Strike on Saddam | CIA

It's 2003, and the USA is on the brink of war. Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been issued a deadline - leave the country, or face a full American invasion. In the event of his refusal, the CIA has a plan to strike Saddam's Dora Farms compound - potentially stopping the war in its tracks. The operation is overseen by the head of the Agency's Iraq Operations Group - Luis Rueda. In this episode of True Spies, the former CIA heavyweight shares candid insights into the fevered hours and days ahead...

Mar 12, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 203

The King's Secret | Historical

The Chevalièr d'Éon, was an 18th century war-hero, an indispensable spy and a famous diplomat. But today, they're best known for their pioneering approach to gender boundaries. Historian Gary Kates pulls back the curtains on this fascinating True Spy. Hear the groundbreaking story of d'Éon's life - from undercover geopolitical manipulation in the Russian court, and plotting Louis XV's French invasion of England, to being recognized by both French and English courts as having the right to live as...

Mar 04, 202444 minSeason 1Ep. 202

The Last Honest Man | Historical

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist James Risen, details the life and work of Frank Church - the man who forever changed the US intelligence community. From humble Idaho beginnings, through to his lofty Presidential ambitions, we delve into who Church really was, and his tireless devotion to serving American ideals of transparency and accountability - culminating in the Church Committee. However, Church learnt that you can't shine a light on the darkest corners of the FBI, the CIA and the...

Feb 26, 202443 minSeason 1Ep. 201

The Disappeared, Part Two - Mother's Day | Investigation

No one takes on the cartel and comes away unscathed. Miriam Rodriguez understood that from the start. In the second and final part of this extraordinary True Spies story, The New York Times’ Azam Ahmed picks up the story of the housekeeper who sought revenge on Mexico’s notorious Zetas. Having discovered the grim truth of what happened to her kidnapped daughter, Miriam Rodriguez makes it her life’s mission to bring down the criminals responsible for her murder – becoming increasingly adept at hi...

Feb 19, 202449 minSeason 1Ep. 200