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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
Qanon
Hezbollah
Conspiracy Theories
Russian Intelligence

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 weeklyEpisodes325Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage

Latest Episodes

In the fall of 1983, NATO's annual nuclear war exercise, Able Archer 83, brought the United States and the Soviet Union closer to catastrophe than almost anyone in Washington understood at the time. Brian J. Morra—decorated former Air Force intellige... more

John Sipher and Jerry O'Shea, former senior CIA officers and co-founders of Spycraft Entertainment, return to the show for a conversation with Matt and Chris about what Hollywood gets wrong about espionage—and what they're trying to do about it. They... more

Sean Wiswesser spent three decades in the U.S. intelligence community, much of it running operations against Russia for the CIA. His new book, Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks, dissects of how the FSB, SVR, and GRU actually do their work: dead d... more

Pastor Louis Florio—Lutheran pastor, former military intelligence officer, and police chaplain in Virginia—joins Chris to explain the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR): what it actually is, where it came from, and why it matters beyond the pews. Florio... more

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Recent Guests

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
Journalist and intelligence historian
Episode: S10 Ep36: Inside the Bulgarian Spy Ring Trial 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
Andrew Badger
Former DIA case officer, lecturer on state-sponsored espionage at Oxford
Oxford University (lecturer)
Episode: S10 Ep35: How China Steals America’s Secrets with David Shedd & Andrew Badger
Lizzie Dearden
British journalist discussing terrorism cases and author of Plotters
The New York Times (London)
Episode: S10 Ep33: Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed with Lizzie Dearden
Ben Wittes
Editor-in-Chief of Lawfare and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Lawfare
Episode: S10 Ep32: Ukraine’s Struggle, Four Years On with Ben Wittes
Manuel Bewarder
German journalist reporting on intelligence and security
WDR, NDR
Episode: S10 Ep31: Jan Marsalek’s Spy Ring and a Telegram Trail to Moscow with Manuel Bewarder
Rupal Patel
Former CIA analyst and author
Episode: S10 Ep24: From CIA to CEO with Rupal Patel

Hosts

Chris Carr
Co-host with a background in filmmaking and deep interest in intelligence narratives. Chris brings a unique perspective on espionage influenced by encounters with former intelligence officials.
Matt Fulton
Co-host and writer with a keen focus on geopolitical narratives, inspired by classic spy literature. His storytelling and analytical skills provide depth to the discussions.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 539 ratings
  • 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 States3 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 States3 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
    Canada5 months ago
  • Great ‘cast, Recommed

    Great show with class A insight, amazing guests and wonderful sound design. Also Chris is a talented interviewer and also cute as a button ☺️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tech.Turtle
    Canada5 months ago
  • Compelling spy cast

    Appreciate the effort and backgrounding that goes into this podcast. Especially enjoy the Espresso Martini - thoughtful and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steph22*
    Australia6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the insightful and well-researched interviews that delve into complex global issues with a unique espionage twist.
Many enjoy the hosts' engaging dialogues and the diverse range of expert guests that contribute valuable insights into espionage and intelligence topics.
There are mixed opinions regarding the bias of the discussions, with some listeners feeling the content leans towards specific viewpoints rather than providing balanced perspectives.

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 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.
S10 Ep39: Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks with Sean Wiswesser
Q: Can you give us a quick primer on how the Russian services differ operationally from one another?
The SVR typically assigns one case officer to one agent, focusing on compartmentation and minimizing risk through tight control, while the GRU involves more officers in a single operation with broader counter-surveillance and support roles, reflecting different organizational cultures and risk profiles.
S10 Ep33: Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed with Lizzie Dearden
Q: What was the atmosphere like in a terrorism case and what makes these trials different from other criminal courts?
She describes the distressing but sometimes dry atmosphere, the graphic testimony when charges involve murder, and how trials reveal the lives and online/offline behaviors of would-be plotters, contrasting them with actual attacks.
S10 Ep33: Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed with Lizzie Dearden
Q: Could you talk to us a bit about why you decided to write that book and how you went about researching it?
Lizzie explains she focused on the patterns of failed and foiled plots to reveal how Britain's modern terrorism landscape evolved post-2017, emphasizing the transition from organized, international networks to self-starters and how trials and available evidence illuminate the attackers' profiles.

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?

A blend of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs characterizes this podcast, as it explores the intricacies of espionage and covert actions within global conflicts. Each episode features discussions led by experienced hosts, Chris Carr and Matt Fulton, who provide insights from experts, including former spies and analysts. By unpacking significant global events through an espionage lens, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the political and social forces at play, making it accessible to a broad audience. The podcast offers critical perspectives on the covert operations that shape our world, discussing not only the action but also the implications these actions have on international relations and societal dynamics. Its unique m... 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 325 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. Sean Wiswesser
2. Lou Florio
3. Trevor Barnes
4. David Shedd
5. Andrew Badger
6. Lizzie Dearden
7. Ben Wittes
8. Manuel Bewarder

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