What started as a commission for 12 episodes about Australia’s least qualified spy has morphed into over 150 eps exploring the shadowy world of espionage, terrorism and international intrigue. It has been a thrilling ride but David and Michelle are bringing the journey to a close. David has a house to repair, Michelle has a career to cultivate, and both need time to recharge their podcasting batteries. I Spied will be back in an updated form, but for now, we’d like to extend our sincerest thanks...
Mar 17, 2024•41 min•Ep 167•Transcript available on Metacast With ASIO on the cusp of its 75th anniversary, DG Mike Burgess used the Annual Threat Assessment to drop a bombshell on the nation: a former MP had been working as part of a foreign interference team he called the "A-Team". Who are the A-team? Who might the MP be? And what other threats is the country facing from enemies both foreign and domestic? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 10, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tay Tay stormed across Australia in a wave of friendship bracelets and sequinned bonhomie but there are some who believe we’ve all been had as she’s a deep-fake psyop being run by the DoD to destroy Donald Trump. So what are PsyOps? How are they being used to change our minds and attitudes? And who uses them and why? Believe everything and trust nothing this ep! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 03, 2024•25 min•Ep 165•Transcript available on Metacast This week we conclude our interview with former DGSE clandestine operative and author, Jack Beaumont. How did our cliffhanger resolve itself? What made Jack leave French intelligence, and what inspired him to create his character Alec de Payns? And how are the children of John Le Carre involved? You'll definitely want to read the books after this! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 25, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week David meets his match when we are joined in the studio by author, former fighter pilot and ex-DGSE clandestine ops officer Jack Beaumont. What is life really like working undercover for France's most feared intelligence organisation? How does the life of a spy effect your family? And why has David been banned from ever speaking French when in France? Wet weather gear required for this ep (David goes the full gush!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 18, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast With the Middle East once again heating up, we take a look at one of the least talked about players: the Houthis. From Yemen they have launched missiles at Israel, brought international shipping through the Suez Canal to a virtual stand still, and all while fighting a bitter civil war. So who are the Houthis? What is Iran's role in their activities? And what options does the US have in solving this intractable problem? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 11, 2024•30 min•Ep 162•Transcript available on Metacast We're back and it seems the intelligence world went crazy over our extended break! Israel and Gaza, Houthis on the high seas, the US getting mired in the Middle East again, Ukraine grinding on, China and Taiwan, even Australia Day, Woollies and Artarmon Nazis. And who had Taylor Swift and an NFL tight end being the next big political conspiracy?! Strap yourselves in. 2024 is starting at full speed! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 04, 2024•35 min•Ep 161•Transcript available on Metacast In 2023 we saw the intelligence world drop the ball on more than one occasion. Before we get back into the swing in 2024, we thought you might like to know how mistakes with such consequences can be made. From groupthink to policy priorities, we have a brief look at how spies can get it so wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 07, 2024•6 min•Ep 160•Transcript available on Metacast What do you get when you combine a Norwegian spy, a Xmas tree a slap up meal at the Savoy and a bottle of Aquavit? If your answer is a long standing Xmas tradition between two nations, you'd be pretty close. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 31, 2023•7 min•Ep 159•Transcript available on Metacast Is Santa just an insidious plot to turn the biggest annual retail festival into a mass intelligence sweep? And what to Czech glass decorations have to do with industrial espionage, Soviet communism and a love story involving a milk maid? And why shouldn't David drink whiskey made in Mullumbimby while writing up episode ideas? After this ep, you'll never look at your Xmas decorations the same! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 24, 2023•8 min•Ep 158•Transcript available on Metacast It's the holidays and what better way to avoid the summer heat than hunkering down in front of the TV. We've got you covered with our recommendations for what the informed espio-philes are watching and what they are avoiding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 17, 2023•11 min•Ep 157•Transcript available on Metacast 2023 started with the continued war in Ukraine and ended with the growing crisis in Israel, and in between we brought you all the news fit to be placed on microfilm and stashed in a dead drop. This ep we look at how 2023 unfolded and what we might expect in 2024. And stick around for some halfheartedly delivered but genuinely heartfelt thanks to our listeners. Glad you could join us in 2023! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 10, 2023•28 min•Ep 156•Transcript available on Metacast With the Opposition demanding the PM reveal any conversations he had with Xi Jinping regarding the HMAS Toowoomba incident this week we look at just what Australians can expect to be told by our intelligence services. Just how secretive are our spies? How much do we need to know about what they do? And who watches our watchmen? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 03, 2023•30 min•Ep 155•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Harry P Russell, former intelligence and law-enforcement operative, historian and author of a series of uniquely accurate and very enjoyable Australian spy fiction. We talk about his career in intelligence, his leap to fiction writing, and the terrible sense of betrayal he felt when he discovered he had been working with a Soviet mole. And just how did Harry wind up giving David his first job outside of ASIO? Book mark this ep! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...
Nov 26, 2023•48 min•Ep 154•Transcript available on Metacast With revelations that the Pine Gap facility may be instrumental in Israel's operations in Gaza, we've decided to have a look at one of then most controversial military installations in Australia. What exactly does Pine Gap do? Who runs it and who has access to what it produces? Why is Australia so wedded to having it on our soil? And just what can a spy satellite see when it peeks into your backyard? Putting your phone into Privacy mode won't protect you from this week's ep! See omnystudio.com/l...
Nov 19, 2023•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast The recent Optus crash left 10 million Australian left struggling to stay in touch, we have a look at what happened. Was it a cyber attack or an errant piece of code? What vulnerabilities did it reveal in Australia's electronic infrastructure? How vulnerable are we to this kind of disaster? And is there anything that could be even more devastating? Have your bug out bag ready by the door with this week's ep! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 12, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast With a sudden surge in activity in the intelligence world, this week we are doing a sitrep on the current state of play. How did Netanyahu get his intelligence mavens offside? What effect is the ongoing crisis in Israel going to have on terrorist and cyber threats globally? What is going on in Danish intelligence? What's happening in the Australian intelligence world? And how long before Michelle can't take any more of David's terrible accents and becomes a disgruntled employee of this podcast? ...
Nov 05, 2023•32 min•Ep 151•Transcript available on Metacast The horrendous attack on Israel on October 7 by Hamas has seen the Levant plunge into crisis once more and the world hold its breath. Where did Israeli intelligence go wrong and how did Hamas keep such a large operation under wraps? How and why do intelligence failures occur, and why does it seem that intelligence organisations keep repeating these mistakes? And will David and Michelle managed to get through this episode without offending one side or the other? Hard times require hard conversati...
Oct 29, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our sincere apologies but due to a family crisis we are not able to bring you a new episode this week. So, why not go back to the ep where it all began... Twitter: @ISpiedpodcast A DM Podcast www.diamantina.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 22, 2023•29 min•Ep 149•Transcript available on Metacast This week we conclude our interview with author, lawyer, soldier and whistleblower David McBride. What does he see as being the true crisis in the Australian Defence Department? What outcomes can he expect from his pending appointment with the courts? And does he have regrets for the action he took to expose systemic problems he saw with out military? Don't miss this ep! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 15, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're joined by whistle-blower David McBride to talk the release of his new book "The Nature of Honour", his upcoming court appearance on espionage charges, and the state of the Department of Defence. From Afghanistan and war crimes, to the Brereton Report and the nature of the modern Australian military, this is so good we need two episodes to unwrap it. And is David as good a spy as he thinks? Take a deep breath and blow... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 08, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast With Canada and India at arms over an alleged hit on a Sikh dissident and it literally raining generals in Russia, this week we take a look at assassinations, in particular the more idiotic and ineffective ones. From axe-wielding bears to poisoned umbrellas, there is no end to the inventive ways people have tried to off each other. Make sure your powder is dry and that pistol your packing is primed for this ep! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 01, 2023•30 min•Ep 146•Transcript available on Metacast With world leaders currently gathering in New York for the UN General Assembly, we are joined this week by renowned journalist and host of the podcast "Take Me to Your Leader" Hamish MacDonald, for a good hard look at who is running the world these days. What is it that drives someone to lead a nation? With authoritarianism on the rise, what's next for democracy? What's the deal with the spat between India and Canada? And Kings in crops tops!? Make sure your abs are tight for this ep! See omnyst...
Sep 24, 2023•44 min•Ep 145•Transcript available on Metacast With ASIO in the headlines for a botched attempt to recruit a Chinese academic to spy for Australia, we take a look at the ins and outs of agent handling. How is it done? How has recruiting agents changed? What is better: MICE or RASCLS? And where did ASIO and the AFP get it so wrong in a Brisbane cafe? Get your alphabets ready as all the acronyms are coming out in this weeks ep! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 17, 2023•29 min•Ep 144•Transcript available on Metacast After a well-earned rest David and Michelle are back, somewhat injured, but ready to take a look at what happened while we were away. What's the story behind the death of Wagner chief Prigozhin? Who is the 21 year old terrorist double agent who managed to escape the nick in the UK? Why are Chinese tourists booking holidays on US military bases? And why is it that every time we go on holidays, the intelligence world goes into overdrive?! Produced by DM Podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...
Sep 10, 2023•26 min•Ep 143•Transcript available on Metacast Sweden's terrorist threat level has soared to unprecedented levels and Australia's travel advice is to exercise a high degree of caution. So what's going on in the land of vikings and Volvo? What do books and bacon have to do with it? And is this a signal that Islamic extremism is on the rise, or is it the handy work of one very disturbed individual? And David & Michelle are taking a well-earned holiday so there's a thank you to all those listeners that have kept this show on the road. See y...
Aug 20, 2023•27 min•Ep 142•Transcript available on Metacast With the Ukrainian counter-offensive grinding on, it seems the real battle is taking place in the intelligence sphere. From foiled assassination attempts to drone strikes on shipping to seemingly impossible explosions in Russian factories and a cyber battlefield that is roiling, both sides of this conflict are claiming victories. This week we look at how, even when war goes kinetic, you can never underestimate the importance of an effective intelligence service. Produced by DM Podcasts See omnys...
Aug 13, 2023•27 min•Ep 141•Transcript available on Metacast With the news that Australia's DIO will soon have US intelligence officers embedded within its ranks, we have a look at the relationship between Australia and the US. Are we the trusted and much loved spouse that America can't do without? Or are we just a country of convenience, one of many mistresses the US strings along? And what about all the stuff the US is storing at our place? Make sure your pre-nup is up to date for this ep! Produced by DM Podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
Aug 06, 2023•26 min•Ep 140•Transcript available on Metacast With authoritarian governments on the rise, it seems they are being emboldened in exporting their tyranny. Transnational Repression is growing, with despotic governments harassing, abducting and even killing critiques, dissidents and migrant communities far beyond their own borders. How bad is the problem? Who are the main players? Is Australia immune from such sinister attacks? And what is David's problem with the Canadian accent? Expect to be "oot in a boot" this week! Produced by DM Podcasts ...
Jul 30, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast We all know just how bad a spy David was but he pales in comparison with some of these guys. From German spies in WWI treating espionage missions to the US as fully paid vacations, to the British virtually insisting the US let a Russian spy work on the Manhattan Project, this episode features some of the dumbest moments in intelligence. There’s even the story of a swinging Czechoslovakian comedian who led the CIA by the nose. Suddenly, David doesn’t look so bad. Produced by DM Podcasts. See omny...
Jul 23, 2023•28 min•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast 
