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Artwork for John Kiriakou's Dead Drop

John Kiriakou's Dead Drop

John Kiriakou & Alan Katz
CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
Espionage
Abu Zubaydah
Sofia
Al Qaeda
Counterterrorism
Pakistan
Iraq
Saddam Hussein
Bulgaria
Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Soviet Union
Loretto Prison
Bahrain
Prison
George H.W. Bush
Aldrich Ames
Intelligence Operations
Kuwait

Join ex-CIA officer John Kiriakou on a very personal deep dive into what makes a spy tick. One of the most famous spies in the whole world, John - a spy with a conscience - blew the whistle on the CIA's torture program after the war on terror and spent 23 months in federal prison for it. As John explains, no spy is ever an "ex-spy". Why is that so? Listen to the podcast and you'll understand why. more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes46Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureHistory

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for John Kiriakou's Dead Drop

Latest Episodes

IN THIS EPISODE When he first arrived at Loretto Federal Prison to start serving his 30 month term, John expected to serve that term where the judge and prosecutor both advocated that John be in the minimum security camp. But someone at the Federal B... more

IN THIS EPISODE With his out date - the end of his prison sentence - now starting to come into view (albeit still in the distance), John would have been best served by keeping his head down. But there remained unfinished business - with sevveral fell... more

IN THIS EPISODE, meet Joey Casolo. These days, Joey owns a great pizzaria in South Carolina. But, back in the day, Joey was one of the greatest prison chefs ever at Loretto. If you remember from the movie Goodfellas, the Italians weren't interested i... more

IN THIS EPISODE: How do you fight corruption when most of the corrupt deck is stacked against you? In John's case, he used his words - and the fact that becoming a federal prisoner does not mean you surrender your rights - like the one to free speech... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Joey Casello
Former prison inmate and chef, later pizza restaurant owner
Former inmate at FCI Loretto; involved in prison cooking operations
Episode: S2E10 Food, Glorious Food!
Marty Gottesfeld
Activist connected to Anonymous, involved in CMU discussions
Unspecified in episode
Episode: S1E27 Prisoner Ex
Adonis Reynolds
Donnie Reynolds Jr.'s son
Family of Donnie Reynolds
Episode: S1E27 Prisoner Ex
Donald Ray Reynolds, Sr.
Donnie Reynolds Sr.
Reynolds family
Episode: S1E27 Prisoner Ex
Janice Reynolds
Donnie Reynolds Sr.'s wife
Reynolds family
Episode: S1E27 Prisoner Ex
Donnie Reynolds, Jr.
Donnie Reynolds Jr.
Individual prisoner
Episode: S1E27 Prisoner Ex
Barry Eisler
Espionage thriller author and former CIA DO
Self-published/author
Episode: S1E26 Did John Le Carre Invent The Modern Spy?
Glenn Carle
Former CIA officer, author
Self/Former CIA officer
Episode: S1E26 Did John Le Carre Invent The Modern Spy?
Alan Katz
Co-writer and producer of Dead Drop
Costart and Touchstone
Episode: S1E26 Did John Le Carre Invent The Modern Spy?

Host

John Kiriakou
Host of Dead Drop; associated with Costard & Touchstone Productions; central narrator and interviewee in many episodes.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.4k ratings
  • Such a good podcast, really well done!

    I highly recommend this podcast! John really knows how to tell his story in such an engaging way, I feel like I’m there when I listen. It’s so interesting to hear about all these different places, how he managed tough situations and insights about the CIA. Highly recommend listening to this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NinakiFM
    Netherlands18 days ago
  • Morons

    Only a complete moron would rate this less than five stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bravo504
    United States20 days ago
  • True Gem

    Best podcast I have ever listened to, hands down. So insightful and thrilling and funny and real.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yessenia R.
    United States20 days ago
  • Perfect!

    Gave this a try and I’m not disappointed. Recommend, recommend, recommend 🙌🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SheriffNik
    United States21 days ago
  • John kiriakou

    Amazing person! Amazing AGENT! Never tire listening to him!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ROMDOG7
    United States21 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the storytelling quality and depth of discussion.
Some critics mention production or pacing quirks but applaud the content and guest quality.
Fans note the host's candid, transparent approach and compelling interviews.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#20
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#32
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#39
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#55
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#105
Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S2E10 Food, Glorious Food!
Q: How did you know what to make and what to do if you were halfway through and you lacked ingredients?
The guest explains they always had supplies and access through a network, relying on a pipeline of real food and cannily using available ingredients to improvise meals.
S1E26 Did John Le Carre Invent The Modern Spy?
Q: May I ask both of you a question about that?
The guests discuss whether Le Carré's portrayal of spies and his character Smiley redefined the modern spy, highlighting the balance between realism and narrative craft as key to his influence.
S1E24 Moment Of Truth
Q: Have you seen waterboarding firsthand, and what was your experience?
Yes, I experienced waterboarding, found it to be a harrowing and inhumane process, and I later concluded it should not be used.
S1E24 Moment Of Truth
Q: So you did not go through the torture training, correct?
Correct, I did not go through the training and ultimately declined to participate in it.
S1E11 Have Human Spies Become Obsolete?
Q: Do you believe that there's still a role for human intelligence?
Eisler argues that while human intelligence may seem less relevant with advancements in technology, there is still a vital role it plays in understanding cultural nuances and human behavior.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About John Kiriakou's Dead Drop

What is John Kiriakou's Dead Drop about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program presents intimate, first-person accounts from intelligence professionals, whistleblowers, and authors who have lived through high-stakes government power and secrecy. Episodes often center on imprisonment, torture policy, whistleblowing, and the human impact of national security decisions, with a strong emphasis on ethical questions, accountability, and personal resilience. A standout aspect is the storytelling craft: narrated memoir-style episodes combine granular detail, historical context, and candid reflections, making complex topics accessible and emotionally resonant for listeners who crave deep, character-driven perspectives in espionage and public-interest cases.

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Which podcasts are similar to John Kiriakou's Dead Drop?

These podcasts share a similar audience with John Kiriakou's Dead Drop:

1. DeProgram with Ted Rall and Jamarl Thomas
2. Julian Dorey Podcast
3. The Jason Jones Show
4. Danny Jones Podcast
5. Julian Dorey Daily

How many episodes of John Kiriakou's Dead Drop are there?

John Kiriakou's Dead Drop launched 10 months ago and published 46 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 John Kiriakou's Dead Drop?

Recent guests on John Kiriakou's Dead Drop include:

1. Joey Casello
2. Marty Gottesfeld
3. Adonis Reynolds
4. Donald Ray Reynolds, Sr.
5. Janice Reynolds
6. Donnie Reynolds, Jr.
7. Barry Eisler
8. Glenn Carle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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