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Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs

Secrets & Spies
Ukraine
Russia
CIA
Iran
Espionage
Israel
China
Hamas
Donald Trump
United States
NATO
Terrorism
Havana Syndrome
Cold War
Area 51
Syria
Disinformation
Qanon
Hezbollah
Conspiracy Theories

Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts. Tune in for balanced, critical... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes331Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage

Latest Episodes

Chris and Matt break down a packed few weeks in intelligence and geopolitics, opening with the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence — a departure framed officially around her husband's illness but widely read as an exit u... more

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. Congress hasn't formally done so since 1942. Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer and current senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, joins Matt to make sense of how... more

Charles Beaumont spent years as an MI6 officer running human sources before turning to fiction—and his second novel, A Spy at War, carries the authority of someone who has actually done the work. Set against the early days of the Ukraine War in 2022,... more

There will be no show on Saturday 9th May as we are on a production break. We will return on Saturday 16th May

Chris has some recommendations from our back catalogue.

Chris's Episode recommendations

From CIA to CEO with Rupal Patel

Audio: https://... more

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Recent Guests

Charles Beaumont
Author of A Spy at War, former MI6 officer
Author, former MI6
Episode: S10 Ep44: A Spy at War with Charles Beaumont
James Stejskal
Former CIA officer and Greene Beret
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
Episode: S10 Ep42: A Spy’s Guide to Cold War Berlin with James Stejskal
Brian J. Morra
Former US Air Force Intelligence Officer; author of The Able Archers
Author, The Able Archers
Episode: S10 Ep41: Able Archer: The Nuclear War Game That Almost Ended the World with Brian J. Morra
John Sipher
Former senior CIA officer, co-founder of Spycraft Entertainment
Spycraft Entertainment
Episode: S10 Ep40: What Hollywood Gets Wrong About the CIA with John Sipher & Jerry O’Shea
Jerry O'Shea
Former senior CIA officer, co-founder of Spycraft Entertainment
Spycraft Entertainment
Episode: S10 Ep40: What Hollywood Gets Wrong About the CIA with John Sipher & Jerry O’Shea
Sean Wiswesser
Former CIA officer, espionage expert, author of Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks
Former CIA; Author
Episode: S10 Ep39: Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks with Sean Wiswesser
Lou Florio
Pastor, New Apostolic Reformation advocate
Pastor Lou VA
Episode: S10 Ep38: Inside the New Apostolic Reformation: Faith, Power, and American Politics with Pastor Louis Florio
Trevor Barnes
Guest on the show, discussing the Bulgarian spy ring
Episode: No Show This Saturday. Please check out our interview with Trevor Barnes
David Shedd
Former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Defense Intelligence Agency
Episode: S10 Ep35: How China Steals America’s Secrets with David Shedd & Andrew Badger

Hosts

Chris Carr
Host of Secrets and Spies Podcast; filmmaker with background in espionage-themed storytelling.
Matt Fulton
Co-host and author/analyst; novelist and screenwriter drawing on spy fiction and real-world geopolitics.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 539 ratings
  • Great show!

    Chris is a professional podcast host and he cares about the content and his guests. He did an excellent job and I was honored on to be on the show… and am avid listener too! -Sean

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wissers73
    United States14 days ago
  • Best level headed show on the subject

    Presenters are well prepared. Points discussed and argued logically and as neutral as possible when covering multiple aspects and sides of current affairs and historic espionage topics. Always insightful! Keep it up!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PabzMaldini
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • False labeling

    I had subscribed to this podcast a while back but was not a regular listener. I tended to put them in the queue but somehow always pushed them back. Finally, I got to listen to a handful of them. The episode descriptions look enticing but when you get down yo listening to them they are crashingly disappointing.

    The host has a nice manner about him but then you realize he’s just a pushover. He needs to give us what’s on the tin. Take this recent episode with John Sipher, apparently ex-CIA, but ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    sidneyhart
    United States4 months ago
  • Shane Harris

    Love to see Shane Harris, formerly of Chatter, on this podcast. Shane, now with The Atlantic, is experienced and well spoken in the Intelligence sector.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pudelmom
    United States5 months ago
  • Fantastic podcast

    I’d say this is one of the best podcasts around. Insightful interviews, interesting guests and it also essentially fills a void in discussions regarding the intelligence space. It’s accessible to those who don’t work in this space, while also being interesting to those who do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Logic_Fan
    Canada6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts are viewed as balanced, thoughtful interviewers by many listeners.
Some criticism notes a perceived bias or repetitive focus in some episodes.
Guests consistently praised for depth and expertise.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S10 Ep40: What Hollywood Gets Wrong About the CIA with John Sipher & Jerry O’Shea
Q: What formats have worked best for your stories—films, streaming series, or something else?
They've found success across formats, with a current emphasis on feature films and longer-form streaming projects, while continuing to develop longer-running series and leveraging IP across books, podcasts, and other media to expand their storytelling.
S10 Ep40: What Hollywood Gets Wrong About the CIA with John Sipher & Jerry O’Shea
Q: What was the gap you saw in the market that made you think there needed to be a company rather than a consulting gig?
They identified a lack of emotionally accessible, character-driven espionage in Hollywood and aimed to bring real-world ethics and relationships into stories, while building a platform (Spycraft Entertainment) to guide writers and producers toward more authentic depictions.
S10 Ep41: Able Archer: The Nuclear War Game That Almost Ended the World with Brian J. Morra
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your background in intelligence and national security?
I started out in the business as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force, I trained across multiple agencies, served in Tokyo for several years, and later worked in Washington in the Directorate of Soviet Affairs, focusing on the Able Archer crisis and Soviet perspectives. My experience spans field intelligence, analysis, and the liaison between military and intelligence communities, which informed my understanding of how close we came to nuclear catastrophe in 1983.
S10 Ep38: Inside the New Apostolic Reformation: Faith, Power, and American Politics with Pastor Louis Florio
Q: How has NAR interacted with politics in recent years, especially around the Trump era?
The guest describes a convergence where NAR-influenced leaders and supporters helped shape political discourse, including the establishment of a White House Faith Office under Trump and alignment with Christian nationalist rhetoric, while also noting internal debates and concerns about civil liberties and church-state separation.
S10 Ep38: Inside the New Apostolic Reformation: Faith, Power, and American Politics with Pastor Louis Florio
Q: What exactly is the core belief of the New Apostolic Reformation and how does it differ from mainstream Christianity?
Florio explains that NAR is not a single denomination but a network with a focus on restorationism and five-fold ministry, along with dominionist theology. He notes that it emphasizes modern revelations and governance structures that can diverge from traditional church polity, leading some to view it as a distinct movement rather than mainstream evangelicalism.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage

What is Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two thoughtful hosts digest global events through intelligence, geopolitics, and security analysis, frequently hosting former spies, analysts, and authors. Episodes span Cold War history, modern espionage tradecraft, disinformation campaigns, and contemporary crises, often weaving practical lessons for policy, media, and business audiences. Notable strengths include a balanced, detail-oriented interviewing style, a knack for translating complex topics into accessible stories, and regular deep dives into niche topics like spycraft, space considerations, and the ethics of covert work. A few standout formats include guest-led discussions with distinguished operators and analysts, plus accessible expository episodes that translate current event... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage:

1. SpyCast
2. SPYCRAFT 101
3. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
4. Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times
5. SpyTalk

How many episodes of Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage are there?

Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage launched 10 years ago and published 331 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage?

Recent guests on Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage include:

1. Charles Beaumont
2. James Stejskal
3. Brian J. Morra
4. John Sipher
5. Jerry O'Shea
6. Sean Wiswesser
7. Lou Florio
8. Trevor Barnes

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