Explore every episode of the podcast SPYCRAFT 101
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 171. Out of the Shadows and Into the Boardroom: Intelligence in the Private Sector with Dr. Lewis Sage-Passant | 28 Oct 2024 | 01:10:37 | |
This week's guest is Dr. Lewis Sage-Passant. Lewis is a former British military intelligence officer and holds a PhD in Intelligence Studies. He's currently the global head of intelligence for one of Europe's most valuable companies, where he helps the firm navigate geopolitical, security, and industrial espionage risks. He also teaches courses in intelligence studies as an adjunct professor at Sciences Po Paris. His work has appeared in many publications and media organizations, including BBC, France 24, CNBC, The Harvard Business Review, GQ, and more. Today, he discusses hew new book exploring how private corporations use intelligence to understand, navigate, and sometimes shape the world around them. Real. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts. History by Mail Who knew? Not me! Learn something new every month. Use code JUSTIN10 for 10% off your subscription. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 170. The Secret History of the Civil War with Patrick K. O'Donnell | 21 Oct 2024 | 01:02:41 | |
This week, Justin welcomes back Patrick K. O'Donnell. Patrick is a combat historian who has covered the war in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004, where he was armed and participated in the battle alongside the U.S. Marines. He's an expert on special operations units and irregular warfare. He's published 13 books so far on combat history, covering stories from the American Revolution, World War II, The Global War on Terror and more. He's also the author of The Brenner Assignment, which informed episode number 90 of the podcast with Jack Chappell, the son of OSS officer Howard Chappell, who was one of the primary subjects of Patrick's book. Who knew? Not me! Learn something new every month. Use code JUSTIN10 for 10% off your subscription. Tenderfoot TV Real. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 161. The Self-Proclaimed Spy Who Went Broke with Constance Huff | 19 Aug 2024 | 01:22:37 | |
Today Justin talks with Constance Huff. She retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer IV. Connie spent more than 24 years in Army Intelligence, holding three occupational specialties, Interrogator, CI Special Agent, and Case Officer. She spent the majority of her career in counterintelligence, where she specialized in counterespionage investigations and operations. Connie was a senior instructor for the U.S. Army's Advanced Foreign Counterintelligence Training course, which was a 15 week course where journeyman level special agents were taught advanced investigation skills, physical surveillance, and offensive CI operations. Connie was named as the Department of Defense's Investigator of the Year in 1992. She earned a Master's degree in education from Boston University and is currently a senior instructor with CTCI Training Partners, which provides training to public and private organizations on counterterrorism and counterintelligence matters. | |||
| 71. Tracking Down an Iraqi Bioweapons Expert with Stephen Monteiro | 21 Nov 2022 | 01:06:45 | |
This week Justin sits down with former police officer, Navy officer, and US Secret Service special agent Stephen Monteiro. Steve spent 20 years in the Secret Service, where he was a member of the Presidential Protective Division at the Clinton White House, among other assignments. | |||
| 70. Demoralize and Deceive: OSS Psychological Warfare with Ann Todd | 14 Nov 2022 | 00:57:29 | |
This week, Justin sits down with historian and author Ann Todd. From working at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, to writing and consulting for the National Geographic Society and giving presentations for the National Park Service on the history of the OSS, Ann is an expert. Use your forces to attack opponents and defend yourself in this new card game. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 69. A Scottish Civilian Up Against a Nazi Spy Ring with Dr. Andrew Jeffrey | 07 Nov 2022 | 01:33:46 | |
Today, Justin sits down with author and researcher, Dr. Andrew Jeffrey. Alongside his historical books, Andrew has made on-air contributions for British, Dutch and French documentaries and is a former Royal Navy Reservist, and a volunteer Lifeboatman with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Andrew's latest book tells the tale of a Scottish civilian Mary Curran, who spotted the suspicious activity of Nazi spy Jessie Jordan. Mary's quick wit, alertness, and instincts broke down a long established espionage network spanning both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Your new favorite fragrance is here. I'm partial to Novochoc. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 68. A CIA Traitor's Last Asset with Bryan Denson | 31 Oct 2022 | 01:27:14 | |
This week, Justin chats with investigative reporter and author Bryan Denson. Focusing on true crime, scandals, and government corruption, Bryan has spent his career reporting for publications like The House Post, Reader's Digest, Newsweek, The Los Angeles Tomes, and the Oregonian. He's also written three nonfiction book series on infamous criminals like Aldrich Ames and the Unibomber, as well as other historical nonfiction. Today, Bryan and Justin discuss the story of notorious CIA traitor Jim Nicholson--and how he trained his son Nathan from behind bars to finish his work. Your new favorite fragrance is here. I'm partial to Novochoc. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 67. TRIGON: The Hero Who Betrayed the Soviet Union with Alejandra Suárez Ogorodnik | 24 Oct 2022 | 01:10:27 | |
This week, Justin chats with Alejandra Suárez Barcala Ogorodnik. Alejandra was born in Madrid in 1975 and currently works in Spain in the medical industry as a disease area specialist. She never knew her father growing up, and her mother told her he was a German mathematician who was killed in an automobile accident when Alejandra was a baby. When she was a teenager, she slowly began to uncover and unravel the truth of her father's identity--and what happened to him. | |||
| 66. The Early Days of FBI Counterintelligence with Raymond Batvinis | 17 Oct 2022 | 01:34:46 | |
Today, Justin sits down with retired FBI special agent Raymond J. Batvinis, who served in the FBI for 25 years, from 1972 until 1997. Raymond worked primarily in counterterrorism and counterintelligence, and shortly after the 9/11 attacks, he returned to teach the Basic Counterintelligence course at the FBI Academy at Quantico. Your new favorite fragrance is here. I'm partial to Novochoc. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 65. Killing Castro: The Unlikely Alliance between the CIA and the Mob with Thomas Maier | 10 Oct 2022 | 01:03:54 | |
This week, Juston sits down with Thomas Maier. Thomas is an author and award-winning investigative journalist, having worked at NewDay since 1984. He has also written several historical books, including When Lions Roar about the Churchills and the Kennedys, and Masters of Sex, which was produced as a series on Showtime for four years. His latest book, Mafia Spies, details the inside story the inside story of the relationship between several senior figures in organized crime in the early 1960s and members of the Central Intelligence Agency who wanted Fidel Castro dead, as well as their unlikely and temporary alliance. Your new favorite fragrance is here. I'm partial to Novochoc. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 64. The OSS, Uranium in the Congo, and the Atom Bomb with Kathryn Hogue | 03 Oct 2022 | 01:41:39 | |
This week Justin sits down with Kathy Hogue, daughter of World War II OSS agent Doc Hogue. Her father's service includes one of the most important and least understood missions of WWII--the mining of the uranium that built the atomic bomb. Kathy herself is also very accomplished, having worked for the Department of Defense for over a decade, enrolled at the US Navy Postgraduate School, and worked for a private firm doing research for the Pentagon. She brings a uniquely educated inside perspective to her father's work thanks to family stories, documents, and her own experience in the national defense. | |||
| 63. Thwarting Lenin's Global Communist Plot with Giles Milton | 26 Sep 2022 | 01:11:35 | |
This week, Justin sits down with author and historian Giles Milton. A fellow of the Royal Historical Society in London, Giles has written 11 nonfiction books and three novels. Today, they focus on his book Russian Roulette to tell the story of the British MI6 spies who stopped Lenin from spreading the communism on a truly global scale after the Bolshevik Revolution. | |||
| 62. The Pinkterons: Notorious Thugs, Detectives, and Spies with Dr. Paul O'Hara | 19 Sep 2022 | 01:24:08 | |
This week, Justin chats with Dr. Paul. O'Hara. Paul is an associate professor at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, teaching a wide range of compelling history courses. Paul and Justin discuss the Pinkerton Detective Agency, the most famous and most notorious detective agency in us history. From its origins to its scandals, near downfalls, and recent activities, The Pinkertons have helped shape American history from antebellum to the modern day. Much of what's covered today take place in the mid and late 1800s, but the Pinkertons are still around. | |||
| 160. How the FBI Sabotaged Soviet Tech Spies with Zach Dorfman | 12 Aug 2024 | 00:50:11 | |
Today Justin is joined by Zach Dorfman. Zach is a national security reporter whose work has appeared in Politico, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and many other publications. He received his Bachelor's degree from Skidmore College and a Master's degree in International Relations and Affairs from the University of Chicago. Zach is a former senior fellow at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. He's also the host of the Spy Valley Podcast from Project Brazen, which debuted last year, about a Cold War era spy in the heart of Silicon Valley. This week he discusses his newest article, published on August 4th of this year. It's the story of Operation Entering, a highly successful and never before reported operation against Soviet bloc intelligence operatives targeting U.S. technology in the early 1980s. | |||
| 61. Solving the Murder of a CIA Case Officer with Michael Pullara | 12 Sep 2022 | 01:35:57 | |
This week, Justin sits down with trial lawyer Michael Pullara. Michael has faced formidable foes in the court room, from the US Department of Defense to criminals with connections to the Italian mob. But today, Michael and Justin discuss the case of CIA case officer Freddie Woodruff, who was shot and killed on assignment in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. Michael knew Freddie's family and began investigating his implausible situation on their behalf, but soon became determined to uncover the truth. In 10 years of research, ventures overseas, and deep digging, Michael uncovered deception at the hands of Georgian authorities whose reports on the incident were entirely false. He even confronted the president of Georgia himself. Finally, in 2018, Michael published a book about Freddie's unfortunate fate--and the truth. | |||
| 60. Flying for the CIA: a Continental Air Services Contractor with Toby Scott | 05 Sep 2022 | 01:43:11 | |
Spycraft 101 is back! | |||
| An Important Spycraft 101 Announcement | 22 Aug 2022 | 00:09:08 | |
This week, Justin releases a quick public service announcement to let listeners know of a short upcoming hiatus. | |||
| 59. Honey Traps: Seduction as Espionage with Henry Schlesinger | 15 Aug 2022 | 01:06:37 | |
This week, Justin talks with author Henry Schlesinger on the topic of a notorious espionage strategy: the honey traps. Honey traps utilized seduction, from male or female spies, to glean information, create scandal, or acquire money. They've been used in intelligence for centuries--perhaps even millennia. Henry shares several stories of some of the mist influential espionage seductions in history, from femme fatales to purposeful scandals designed to distract the public. | |||
| 58. Spies In the Space Race | 08 Aug 2022 | 00:50:32 | |
In this episode, Justin describes espionage activity in the decades-long race to the stars between the United States and the Soviet Union. The two superpowers devoted significant time, resources, and manpower to outshining each other in technological advancement in aerospace. So much occurred in this time period that it would be impossible to cover it all in one episode, so Justin highlights particularly riveting stories, anecdotes, and events that have piqued the interest of curious minds. He hopes to return to this topic in the future, ideally with an expert guest. | |||
| 57. The American Comandante Liberating Cuba with Michael Sallah | 01 Aug 2022 | 01:15:13 | |
This week, Justin chats with investigative editor, veteran reporter, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, and author Michael Sallah. Michael tells the story of William Morgan, an ex-paratrooper who went to Cuba in 1957 to help revolution efforts against then-dictator Fulgencio Batista. Morgan worked alongside the likes of Che Guevara, leading an entire guerilla himself. When the revolution ended and Castro's rule turned authoritarian, Morgan teamed up with Olga Rodriguez to try to liberate the country once again. | |||
| 56. The Last Cold War Mole with Robert Baer | 25 Jul 2022 | 00:48:23 | |
Today, Justin sits down with legendary CIA case officer and author Robert Baer. Robert served all over the world between the late 1970s and late 1990s, spending much of his time in the middle east. He has written several nonfiction books about his experiences, including See No Evil, the book that inspired the 2005 film Syriana, for which he helped write the screenplay. George Clooney's character Robert Barnes is directly inspired by Robert himself. Robert's latest book, The Fourth Man, tries to unravel the mystery of a suspected high-level mole in the US government, still operating after three infamous moles were uncovered. | |||
| 55. Answering Your Questions | 18 Jul 2022 | 00:42:53 | |
In this special episode of Spycraft 101, Justin answers questions listeners have submitted on Instagram. Tune in to hear stories of espionage in New Zealand, highly-successful operations, weapons and gadgets (including the fake scrotum concealment device), and more. If you submitted a question that wasn't answered, look out for our next Q & A episode. | |||
| 54. Hunting Che Guevara with Felix Rodriguez (Part Two) | 11 Jul 2022 | 01:26:28 | |
This week, Justin returns with retired CIA paramilitary operations officer, Felix Rodriguez. Felix took part in many of the pivotal events of the Cold War from covert action against Fidel Castro in Cuba to operations in the Vietnam War and Laos to supporting to the Contras in Nicaragua. Today, Felix shares Che Guevara's failures as well as stories of Felix's time spent in Vietnam and Nicaragua. He also gives details on his own testimony before Congress, as well as an unlikely friendship with a former Cuban intelligence officer. | |||
| 53. Hunting Che Guevara with Felix Rodriguez (Part One) | 04 Jul 2022 | 01:03:37 | |
In this episode, Justin sits down with retired CIA paramilitary operations officer, Felix Rodriguez. Felix took part in many of the pivotal events of the Cold War from covert action against Fidel Castro in Cuba to operations in the Vietnam War and Laos to supporting to the Contras in Nicaragua. Most famously, he was one of two Cubans that took part in the hunt for Che Guevara in Bolivia. Today, Felix shares his journey to the CIA, what it was like growing up in Cuba as the likes of Guevara and Castro took power, and more. | |||
| 159. Inside North Korea: Recovering American Remains with Bill Boik | 05 Aug 2024 | 01:31:58 | |
Today, Justin sits down with William Boik. Bill served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for more than 30 years before retiring in 2005 at the rank of colonel. Over the course of his military career, he served in various positions in the armor branch and in military intelligence in South Korea, Germany and the U.S. From 2001 to 2018, Bill was a senior civilian at the Defense POW MIA Office, later known as the Defense POW MIA Accounting Agency, first as the Director of Global Affairs and then as a Senior Plans Officer. Among his roles at the defense POW MIA Accounting Agency were serving as the POW MIA advisor to the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait and serving as the DOD representative to the Gulf war tripartite commission, which would meet in Geneva, Switzerland. | |||
| 52. Capturing a Japanese War Criminal with Chris Carola | 27 Jun 2022 | 00:50:25 | |
This week, Justin sits down with journalist Chris Carola. Chris spent many years following the story of Jack Wilpers, one of the last surviving men on a team of World War II soldiers that captured Hideki Tojo, prime minister of Japan during WWII and a convicted war criminal. Jack was difficult to get ahold of, but Chris never backed down. Hear about Jack's interesting upbringing, his journey to counterintelligence, and key details of the events that led to Tojo's capture--and Jack's CIA career to follow. | |||
| 51. The Youngest Green Beret in Vietnam with Terry McIntosh | 20 Jun 2022 | 00:55:31 | |
Today, Justin sits down with Terry McIntosh. Terry enlisted in the army at age 17, and joined special forces at age 18. He soon became one of the youngest men to wear a green beret in Vietnam. Terry was involved in the infamous Green Beret Affair, in which a Vietnamese double agent was identified and killed by his special forces team. Terry shares his journey to special forces, his experiences in the war, including serving on a special forces A-team and earning a combat badge. | |||
| 50. Espionage in Nazi-Occupied Czechoslovakia with George Bearfield | 13 Jun 2022 | 01:00:28 | |
Today, Justin chats with writer, academic, and engineer George Bearfield. George is the grandson of Jaroslav Bublík, one of the last men to parachute into Bohemia and Moravia (now Czechoslovakia) in World War II. Jaroslav and his cousin Josef conducted espionage operations in the region while it was occupied by Nazi Germany until Josef was famously killed in Prague soon after assassinating German SS officer Reinhard Heydrich. George dives into the details of their dangerous parachute missions, the legacy they left in modern Czechia, and the rest of his grandfather's life. | |||
| 49. The Life of a Cuban-Born CIA Shadow Warrior with Ric Prado | 06 Jun 2022 | 01:23:19 | |
This week, Justin chats with Enrique "Ric" Prado, a retired case officer and Paramilitary operative of the CIA. Ric is also the author of his memoir, Black Ops. Ric dives into his career, from fleeing the Peter Pan Project and his home country of Cuba to serving in Nicaragua with the Contras, including past guest Mike Lima AKA Luis Moreno. Soon after his time in Latin America and a few years in the Phillippines, Ric was contracted by the CIA to form the very task force that eventually took down Osama bin Laden. Outed by newspapers as CIA in 2009, Ric is the highest-ranking American covert operator to share his story publicly. | |||
| 48. The Halyard Mission: Rescuing American Airmen in Serbia with John Capello | 30 May 2022 | 01:06:12 | |
This week, Justin sits down with John Capello, former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and air attache and founder and president of the Halyard Mission Foundation. The mission itself involved rescuing over 500 US airmen from occupied Serbia in WWII with the help of Serbian nationals. John shares his own experiences as an air attache in Israel and Serbia. Each country posed difference challenges and attitudes due to differences in the progress of their relationships with the US. Then, John dives into the true story of the Halyard Mission--including just how important the Serbs were to the mission's success. This incredible military feat operated in secret right under the enemy's nose with no losses over a period of five months thanks to protection from brave Serbian civilians. | |||
| 47. The Story of Spycraft 101 | 23 May 2022 | 00:34:34 | |
In this episode, Justin reflects on the one-year anniversary of the Spycraft 101 Podcast. He details the history of Spycraft 101 from book ideas to the Instagram account finally the podcast, and gives shoutouts to those who have helped him along the way. Tune in for this special anniversary retrospective from your favorite espionage enthusiast. | |||
| 46. Finding Che Guevara: Clandestine in the Congo with Jim Hawes | 16 May 2022 | 00:41:47 | |
This week Justin chats with author and former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Jim Hawes. Jim served in Vietnam and worked with the CIA in the Congo to counter the spread of communist ideals and anti-western rebel activities. Today, Jim tells his story and shares details of his experiences, from becoming a SEAL and early in the life of the program to his role in the Gulf of Tonkin incident and finally locating Che Guevara, among several intelligence feats. | |||
| 45. The Women of Britain's Special Operations Executive with Dr. Kate Vigurs | 09 May 2022 | 00:58:11 | |
This week Justin sits down with author and Historian Dr. Kate Vigurs. Kate shares the story of the women hired by Britain's Special Operations Executive, a mysterious organization that operated during World War II to conduct sabotage, reconnaissance, and espionage missions in occupied Europe. These brave women had to prove themselves as strong and worthy of dangerous work to compete with their male colleagues. From members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force to women who were heard speaking excellent French at parties, female SOE personnel came from all walks of life. The work of the SOE and the women who joined it ultimately contributed to Allied victory and the fall of the Nazi regime. | |||
| 44. A Secret US Intelligence Organization: Mysteries of the Pond with Dr. Mark Stout | 02 May 2022 | 00:57:28 | |
This week, Justin sits down with author, professor, historian and former intelligence analyst for the state department and the CIA, Dr. Mark Stout. Today, Mark shares his research on a mysterious early US intelligence entity known as the Pond. The Pond was a secret organization operating between 1942 and 1955, though its existence wasn't formally acknowledged by the US government until 2001. Headed by John V. Grombach, the Pond's unique espionage style was markedly different from the OSS and the CIA, though the quality of its intel has been brought to question. In the end, Grombach was his own worst enemy as his stark world view led to personality clashes with the CIA, ultimately playing a major role in the end of the Pond. | |||
| 43. The Assassins Immortalized on Russia's Stamps with Mark Pruett | 25 Apr 2022 | 01:10:14 | |
Today, Justin sits down with business expert, university instructor, and author Mark Pruett. Mark dives into the world of Russia's stamp men--counterintelligence heroes hailed for their victories and honored for their work by having their faces immortalized on national postage. Mark tells the true stories of the heinous acts these Cheka (secret police) committed, covers their unfortunate endings, and asks why Putin chose to reinvigorate Chekist nationalism through postal propoganda. | |||
| 158. Unraveling the Octopus: Espionage, Conspiracy, and Murder with Christian Hansen | 29 Jul 2024 | 00:52:16 | |
Today Justin is joined by Christian Hansen. Christian is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and now lives in New York City, where he has worked as a photojournalist since 2007. His work has previously appeared in The New York Times. In 2013, he began to follow a thread of a story about the unexpected death of a writer pursuing his own story in West Virginia in 1991. That turned into a decade-long quest that connects the intelligence community, military, Reagan administration, private corporations, an unsolved triple homicide in 1981 near Palm Springs California, and another unsolved murder in San Francisco in 1982. His years of research culminated in a four part documentary series, which premiered on Netflix this past March, called American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders. Christian is here to discuss his 10-year-long investigation into the death of journalist Danny Casolaro and the work he was engaged in leading right up to the day of his death. | |||
| 42. A Father Lost in the Invasion of the Bay of Pigs with Janet Ray | 18 Apr 2022 | 01:21:36 | |
Today, Justin chats with Janet Ray. Janet lost her father, Pete Ray, when his plane was shot down by Cuban defenses in the invasion of the Bay of Pigs, an effort to retake Cuba from Castro. Met with lies and secrecy from the US government, Janet spent years finding answers on what happened to father as well as other men who didn't come home--including fighting to have their remains returned from Cuba. Justin hopes her story can shed light on how espionage and covert operations affect families around the world. | |||
| 41. Russia's Revenge in Ukraine's Maidan Revolution with Shane Partlow (Part II) | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:59:14 | |
Tune back in for part two of Justin's interview with former diplomat and former non-commission officer in the United States Marine Corps, Shane Partlow. In this installment, Shane gets into the nitty gritty of Ukraine's 2014 Maidan Revolution, following the Euromaidan protests against former president Viktor Yanukovych. He discusses efforts to stay hidden at protests and rallies as well as what happened when the Yanukovych regime suddenly fell and Russian troops made an opportunistic play to invade Crimea. | |||
| 40. Russia's Revenge in Ukraine's Maidan Revolution with Shane Partlow (Part I) | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:58:56 | |
This week Justin chats with former diplomat and former non-commission officer in the United States Marine Corps, Shane Partlow. Shane was an assistant defense attache in the Ukraine during their 2014 Maidan Revolution, following the Euromaidan protests against former president Viktor Yanukovych. Shane recounts the events that led to violence, corruption within the central government, and his own experiences as a Marine at the embassy. This interview is split into two parts, so be sure to tune in next week to hear more of Shane's account, including how the tables turned as revolution went on and Russia stepped into the ring. | |||
| 39. Intelligence Agencies of the Soviet Bloc: The Czechoslovakian Secret Police | 28 Mar 2022 | 00:40:38 | |
Today, Justin describes research on an intelligence agency unique to one of the countries that makes up the former Soviet Bloc: Czechoslovakia's Státní Bezpečnost, also know as the StB. Hear stories of StB success from the 1940s to the 1980s, including suppression of rebellion and scuffles with MI6 and the CIA. Brutal and shockingly effective, the StB was one of Western intelligence's most formidable but little-known adversaries of the Cold War. | |||
| 38. An 11-Year-Old Convicted and Executed as a Spy with Ian Townsend | 21 Mar 2022 | 01:08:11 | |
Today, author Ian Townsend shares the harrowing story of young Dickie Manson. Along with his mother, stepfather, uncle, and a family friend, Dickie was convicted as a spy and executed in during World War II. When the Australian government could not reinforce its troops in Rabaul, New Guinea, it left over a thousand Australian citizens behind, many of whom were tried for espionage by the Japanese. Though Americans and Australians alike forget the importance of the battle for Rabaul in the Pacific, it serves as a startling reminder that there are few real winners in war--and many more emotional casualties than we dare to think. | |||
| 37. A Hollywood Spy: The Story of Boris Morros with Jonathan Gill | 14 Mar 2022 | 01:12:38 | |
Today, Justin interviews educator and author Jonathan Gill on the riveting tale of Boris Morros. A refugee of the Bolshevik Revolution turned film producer in the Golden Age of Hollywood, Boris was a mysterious and remarkable man. While many details of his life are thought to be exaggerated and the absolute truth remains unclear, Boris led a unique and eventful life. He became a Soviet spy during the Cold War only to turn on the USSR and act as a double agent for the United States. Tune in for an episode full of twists and turns. | |||
| 36. Assassination by Poisoning: Russia & The Soviet Union | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:47:54 | |
Today, Justin shares riveting stories about the poisons and people that enabled several Soviet and Russian assassinations. From chemistry to radioactivity, learn about the way poison has captivated Russian power players since 1918. Hear of poison-coated bullets, the dangers of cyanide, and why we don't really know how many died at the hands of these methods. | |||
| 35. The Story of a Soviet Defector with Alexandra Costa | 14 Feb 2022 | 01:08:06 | |
Today, Alexandra Costa shares the story of her defection from the Soviet Union. Also known as Yelena Mitrokhina, Alexandra was wife to the first secretary of the Russian Embassy in the US. She discusses growing up in the USSR, the real dangers of defecting, and her treatment by both the FBI and the CIA. Ultimately, Alexandra chose a better future for herself and her children despite immense risk. From teaching Marxism to young communists to peacefully renouncing the Soviet Union and becoming and entrepreneur, her life story is full of twists and turns. | |||
| 34. Life as a Nicaraguan Contra with Luis Moreno | 07 Feb 2022 | 01:11:22 | |
Today, Luis Moreno gives a firsthand account of his experiences in Nicaragua. A prominent figure among The Contras, Luis survived unbearable violence and horrible tragedy. He gives insight on the practice of guerilla warfare, the reality of resistance, and the atrocities of war. | |||
| 33. The True Story of the Portland Spy Ring with Trevor Barnes | 24 Jan 2022 | 01:41:32 | |
Today, Justin chats with former BBC senior reporter and producer, and now author, Trevor Barnes on the details of the Portland Spy Ring. This rare case involves stolen identities, money-hungry traitors, and more. When MI5 first discovered evidence and documents linking a Canadian man to espionage activities, they couldn't have expected what was to come. A combination of legal agents working via the embassy and illegal dead doubles, this complex KGB tale is more twisted than fiction. | |||
| 157. How to Rebuild a Life: Burned by Spanish Intelligence in Syria with Luis Munar Duran | 22 Jul 2024 | 00:59:35 | |
Today Justin sits down with Luis Munar Duran. Luis received his law degree from the University of Valencia in Spain and was a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years beginning in 1998. He's also a certified pilot and served as a reserve officer in the Spanish Air Force. Luis also has extensive training and experience in security and human rights issues. In 2012, After traveling to Aleppo, Syria to build a refugee camp and help train guerrilla fighters there, Luis was recruited by the Spanish intelligence agency known as CNI to gather intelligence on their behalf in Syria. But despite his efforts and the risks that he took, the relationship eventually turned sour and left Luis very regretful that he'd cooperated with them at all. Today he discusses his experiences in Syria, both before and after he was recruited by the CNI, and what he did to rebuild his life and reputation in the years afterwards. | |||
| 32. Espionage in Academia and Higher Education with Daniel Golden | 11 Jan 2022 | 01:01:02 | |
Today, prolific journalist Daniel Golden dives into espionage recruitment at universities around the world. Faculty, staff, and students alike are often approached by covert operators from both sides of a conflict or interest, particularly international students. Another key group includes professors and adjuncts who, while American citizens, may be immigrants or otherwise have ties to countries of interest. Dan relates a specific story regarding a Chinese-American professor in Florida who was approached the FBI and told he could be fired for some previous transgressions, or retain his position and his tenure if he chose to be an FBI informant. | |||
| 31. The CIA Men Tortured in Fidel Castro's Cuba | 03 Jan 2022 | 00:40:21 | |
In this solo episode, Justin dives into the story of three CIA men who survived against the odds in Havana, Cuba. As service technicians, their role was to set up surveillance equipment to monitor Castro's Cuba. The situation quickly turned sour, but all three agents stood their ground for almost three years before returning home without compromising their identities or the agency. | |||
| 30. A Counterintelligence Agent Turned Romanov Heir with Tim Tate | 27 Dec 2021 | 01:46:10 | |
Today, prolific author and journalist Tim Tate shares the story of Polish Intelligence Officer Michael Goleniewski. A figure in James Angleton's complicated time with the CIA, Goleniewski was an expert counterintelligence agent who identified over a thousand Soviet Bloc spies across Europe and provided their details to the CIA and MI5. His complex story takes a rather interesting turn towards the end of his career when he claims to be the long-lost heir to Russia's final Czars, Alexei Romanov. What began as a play to claim the mythical Romanov fortune ends in true madness as Goleniewski becomes convinced that he really IS Alexei. | |||