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

Secrets & Spies
Russia
Ukraine
CIA
Iran
Espionage
China
Israel
Hamas
United States
Donald Trump
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

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Artwork for Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage

Latest Episodes

Journalist Gil Durán spent years in political consulting before returning to reporting, and eventually, to the beat that became the subject of his book, The Nerd Reich. He joins Chris to lay out his case that a corner of Silicon Valley has turned aga... more

Chris and Matt open season eleven, and Secrets & Spies’ tenth anniversary, with three stories from a busy August. First, CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s trip to Moscow, a rare visit by an agency chief since Bill Burns went in 2021, reportedly carrying ... more

YouTube

Before Bletchley Park, there was Reginald "Blinker" Hall, the Admiralty’s mercurial intelligence chief whose codebreakers read Germany’s wireless traffic during World War I, giving Britain a front-row seat to the plot behind the 1916 Easter Rising. H... more

YouTube

Peter J. Ortiz was the most battle-decorated member of the OSS, America’s wartime forerunner to the CIA, and one of the most decorated Marines of the Second World War. In 1944, the former French Foreign Legionnaire twice parachuted into occupied Fran... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rory Carroll
Journalist and author
Guardian Foreign Correspondent (as referenced in the episode)
Episode: A Rebel, a Traitor, and the Birth of the IRA | Rory Carroll
Katie S. Sanders
Author and journalist
Author of Ortiz's War
Episode: Ortiz’s War: The Most Decorated Marine in the OSS | Nicholas Reynolds & Katie S. Sanders
Nicholas Reynolds
Author and historian
Author of Ortiz's War
Episode: Ortiz’s War: The Most Decorated Marine in the OSS | Nicholas Reynolds & Katie S. Sanders
Katherine Dunn
Author and journalist
Author of Little Blue Dot
Episode: How GPS Became a Weapon | Katherine Dunn
Samuel M. Katz
Intelligence expert and author, subject of the interview
Episode: Meir Dagan, Mossad, and the Art of Intelligence | Samuel M. Katz
Amanda Mason
Lead curator at the Imperial War Museum for Spies, Lies and Deception
Imperial War Museum
Episode: Inside the Imperial War Museums’ Spies, Lies and Deception Exhibition | Amanda Mason
Ahana Datta Fasel
Author of Full Stack Spies
Author, Full Stack Spies
Episode: Full Stack Spies: Cyber Espionage in the Age of US China Competition | Ahana Datta Fasel
Ahmed Aboudouh
Senior fellow with the Chatham House Middle Eastern North Africa Program
Chatham House
Episode: Iran, China, and the New Middle East | Ahmed Aboudouh from Chatham House
Stephen Long
Author and scholar on US foreign policy and intelligence history
Author of A Harvest of Bitter Fruit
Episode: A Rich Harvest of Bitter Fruit: CIA, MI6, and Covert Action in Cold War Albania | Stephen Long

Hosts

Chris Carr
Host of Secrets and Spies; filmmaker with espionage-focused interests; producer/host and long-time presenter.
Matt Fulton
Co-host; novelist and screenwriter; author of the Active Measures geopolitical thrillers.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 550 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 States4 months 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 Kingdom4 months 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 States7 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 States8 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
    Canada9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Show quality and guest caliber are highly appreciated
Guests are consistently strong and discussions are nuanced
Intelligent hosts who stay balanced and well-prepared
Listeners praise accessibility without sacrificing depth

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How GPS Became a Weapon | Katherine Dunn
Q: Why did you choose to anchor your book with the Tomorrow Never Dies GPS plot, and what real-world lessons does that reveal?
The story provides a dramatic entry point to explain that GPS isn't just a car nav system; it's a pivotal infrastructure whose fallibility can trigger geopolitical crises, and the anecdote helps readers grasp the seriousness of safeguarding such systems.
Meir Dagan, Mossad, and the Art of Intelligence | Samuel M. Katz
Q: Looking back over his career, what do you think Meir Dagan's greatest contribution to Israeli intelligence actually was?
The shift of Mossad from a reactive/analytical force to a direct-action, result-driven organization, and the strengthening of alliances with the United States and Arab partners to create a more integrated intelligence diplomacy.
Meir Dagan, Mossad, and the Art of Intelligence | Samuel M. Katz
Q: Can you talk to us a little bit about his path from intelligence officer to becoming the director of Mossad?
Sam discusses Meir Dagan's ascent from early counterterrorism work, through armored and liaison roles, to head of Mossad, highlighting political connections, personal grit, and a shift from reactive to proactive leadership.
Germany Rewrites the Rules for its Spies | Florian Flade
Q: What is the significance of describing the BND as both civilian and military intelligence, and why are this raised as concerns within Germany's defense establishment?
Florian notes that the BND is unique in Germany as not being part of the armed forces, with debates about integrating military intelligence more closely into the army, while the current law separates control, supervision, and operational duties, leading to tensions and discussions about future structure.
Germany Rewrites the Rules for its Spies | Florian Flade
Q: So for listeners who are not necessarily familiar with the BND, could you tell us a little bit about how the German intelligence community works and how the BND differs from domestic intelligence?
Florian explains that Germany has three federal-level services—the BND for foreign intelligence, BFV for domestic concerns, and the MAD for military counterintelligence—emphasizing the BND's foreign focus, its lack of a separate military service, and the separation principle that keeps police and intelligence powers distinct.

Audience Metrics

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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 thoughtful, globally focused program that unpackes current events through the lens of intelligence, geopolitics, and covert action. Episodes frequently feature former spies, authors, and security analysts who unpack leadership decisions, statecraft, and ethical tradeoffs with a balanced, analytical eye. The show often ties historical cases to contemporary dilemmas, from great-power competition to regional flashpoints, while remaining accessible to non-experts. A standout angle is the blend of narrative storytelling with practical takeaways for professionals, policymakers, and curious listeners who want deeper context beyond headlines.

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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. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
3. SPYCRAFT 101
4. Cold War Conversations
5. SpyTalk

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

Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage launched 10 years ago and published 347 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. Rory Carroll
2. Katie S. Sanders
3. Nicholas Reynolds
4. Katherine Dunn
5. Samuel M. Katz
6. Amanda Mason
7. Ahana Datta Fasel
8. Ahmed Aboudouh

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