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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 weeklyEpisodes335Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage

Latest Episodes

Chris and Matt dig into the fine print of the U.S.-Iran memorandum signed this week by President Trump in Versailles, separating what Tehran banks immediately — sanctions relief, frozen funds, an open Strait of Hormuz — from what's still contingent o... more

Ahana Datta Fasel began as an ethical hacker for the British government before becoming cyber chief at the Financial Times, where nation-state actors targeting journalists became a daily reality. Her PhD on the political economy of digital espionage ... more

YouTube

Ahmed Aboudouh — associate fellow at Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme and head of the China Studies Unit at the Emirates Policy Center — joins Chris to assess the shifting architecture of power in the Middle East. He argues that... more

YouTube

Julian Fisher spent his career as a British intelligence operative before distilling what he learned into the Think Like a Spy: Strategic Relations Workshop—and his central argument is counterintuitive: the most transferable lessons from intelligence... more

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Recent Guests

Brian Finucane
Senior Advisor, International Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
Episode: America’s War Powers Crisis | Brian Finucane
Charles Beaumont
Author of A Spy at War, former MI6 officer
Author, former MI6
Episode: A Spy at War | Charles Beaumont
Brian J. Morra
Former US Air Force Intelligence Officer; author of The Able Archers
Author, The Able Archers
Episode: Able Archer: The Nuclear War Game That Almost Ended the World | Brian J. Morra
Sean Wiswesser
Former CIA officer, espionage expert, author of Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks
Former CIA; Author
Episode: Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks | Sean Wiswesser
Lou Florio
Pastor, New Apostolic Reformation advocate
Pastor Lou VA
Episode: Inside the New Apostolic Reformation: Faith, Power, and American Politics | 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: How China Steals America’s Secrets | David Shedd & Andrew Badger
Andrew Badger
Former DIA case officer, lecturer on state-sponsored espionage at Oxford
Oxford University (lecturer)
Episode: How China Steals America’s Secrets | David Shedd & Andrew Badger
Lizzie Dearden
British journalist discussing terrorism cases and author of Plotters
The New York Times (London)
Episode: Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed | Lizzie Dearden

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 543 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 Statesa month 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 Kingdom2 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 States5 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
    Canada7 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.

America’s War Powers Crisis | Brian Finucane
Q: Why has the executive branch developed a broad legal doctrine allowing unilateral use of force without Congress?
The guest explains that after World War II, there was an ongoing drift where presidents could justify military actions through a series of legal opinions and interpretations, effectively creating permission slips that empower the president to engage overseas without explicit authorization. This has been reinforced by broad interpretations of hostilities and the use of tools like the 2001 AUMF.
What Hollywood Gets Wrong About the CIA | 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.
What Hollywood Gets Wrong About the CIA | 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.
Able Archer: The Nuclear War Game That Almost Ended the World | 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.
Inside the New Apostolic Reformation: Faith, Power, and American Politics | 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.

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

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Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage launched 10 years ago and published 335 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. Brian Finucane
2. Charles Beaumont
3. Brian J. Morra
4. Sean Wiswesser
5. Lou Florio
6. Trevor Barnes
7. David Shedd
8. Andrew Badger

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