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Artwork for Mission Implausible

Mission Implausible

Jon Stern
Conspiracy Theories
CIA
Donald Trump
Russia
Havana Syndrome
Disinformation
Qanon
Republican Party
Social Media
Russian Intelligence
National Security
Deep State
FBI
Tulsi Gabbard
Mkultra
Politics
Rudy Giuliani
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Covid-19
Trump Administration

Do you want to know the truth behind the world’s wildest conspiracy theories? Former CIA officers John Sipher & Jerry O’Shea try to determine where misinformation is coming from, when we’re being lied to and when a conspiracy theory is an actual real conspiracy. In the world of espionage, they were part of creating conspiracies. Now they and their circle of experts probe what’s true and when we’re... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes128Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Mission Implausible

Latest Episodes

In 2016, former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele produced a series of intelligence memos that were leaked and widely called “The Steel Dossier” containing allegations about Russia's interference in the US election and links between Tru... more

Investigative journalist and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Richard Kerbaj discusses The Defector, his book on Oleg Lyalin — the KGB officer who walked into a North London police station in 1971 and exposed over 200 Soviet spies in Britain, partly to escape... more

Now that Adam Davidson is a national expert on AI, he worries about how it will change worldwide politics, military power and international economic structures. Not just the AI itself, but all its underlying physical infrastructure. When it comes to ... more

What's been done to American intelligence and what it costs: the 35 declassified documents that don't say what the president claims they say, analysts fired for accurate assessments, clearances stripped as punishment, rumored loyalty oaths, and the q... more

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Recent Guests

Christopher Steele
Former British intelligence officer, Russia specialist, founder of Orbis Business Intelligence
Orbis Business Intelligence
Episode: ENCORE - What the Steele Dossier Got Right—and Why It Still Matters (with Christopher Steele)
Richard Kerbaj
Investigative journalist and author, Bafta-winning filmmaker
Author of The Defector and The Secret History of the Five Eyes
Episode: The Five Eyes: Can It Survive (with Richard Kerbaj)
Julia Curlee
CIA analyst with NSC experience; former presidential daily briefer
CIA; National Security Council; Lawfare (public service fellow)
Episode: The National Security Council Purge (with Julia Curlee)
Paul Kolbe
Director of Operations at CIA's Clandestine Service; 25 years in senior operational roles; later in private sector and academia
CIA; BP; Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: CIA's Best-Kept Secret: It Was Fun (with Paul Kolbe & Doug Wise)
Michael Carpenter
A Washington expert on Russia and Europe, distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council
Atlantic Council
Episode: Inside the Kremlin's Playbook: How Russia Really Works (with Michael Carpenter)
Bob Drogin
Award-winning journalist and author of Curveball, Spies, Lies and the Con Man Who Caused a War
Episode: Swinging at Curveball: When You Want It Bad, You Get It Bad (with Bob Drogin)
Gabriel Gatehouse
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster
BBC
Episode: How Everyone Else Sees America (with Gabriel Gatehouse) - ENCORE
Christine Gralow
Independent journalist and founder of Meanwhile in Hawaii
meanwhileinhawaii.org
Episode: The Hawaiian Cult that raised Tulsi Gabbard (with Christine Gralow) - ENCORE
Andy Weber
A senior American official with extensive experience in nuclear, chemical, and biological threat reduction
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense; expert in WMD threat reduction
Episode: Hunting Weapons of Mass Destruction (with Andy Weber)

Hosts

John Sipher
Host with CIA background; co-founder of the show; frequent guest expert on intelligence history and geopolitics
Jerry O'Shea
Co-host with CIA background; journalist; co-host of discussions on intelligence and media narratives

Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars from 732 ratings
  • Interesting and broad perspective

    Good to look around the corners

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    z77r
    United States2 months ago
  • Gabriel Gatehouse

    Love your show, but couldn’t quite wrap my head around the episodes with this guy. He struck me as a weasely fella. Why did you have him on?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fan of Gov Charlie Baker
    United States2 months ago
  • 7 minutes of ads? are you out of your mind? this review brought to you by ads by iheart radio

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Mundicus
    2 months ago
  • Great pod

    Great pod, but I agree with the person who asked that the background sounds and music be dropped. I don’t need to be lulled into feeling a certain way, what you guys talk about is very interesting. Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    XTardis
    United States3 months ago
  • Love the show! Dump the music.

    This is one of the best podcasts, and I can’t wait for the new episode every week. However, the background music drowns out the speakers and really detracts from the show. I know it’s being used for effect, but it’s not needed. The stories are rich enough in content and drama on their own and should be the main focus. Great hosts and great guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lolijoi
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are usually top-level experts which keeps conversations rigorous and informative.
Thoughtful, evidence-based discussions rooted in real-world intelligence experience.
High credibility and insider perspectives that enhance understanding of conspiracy talk.
Occasional policy/political stance shifts noted by listeners; some perceive bias in coverage.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#166
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#207
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#233
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#165
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#243
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#67
Austria/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Five Eyes: Can It Survive (with Richard Kerbaj)
Q: Can you explain what Five Eyes is and why it formed?
Five Eyes originated as a collaboration among the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand to share signals intelligence and counter the Soviet threat, evolving from bilateral ties to a formal alliance with broader membership and mutual trust.
The National Security Council Purge (with Julia Curlee)
Q: Julia, could you explain the difference between inner agency and the principles, and how the NSC should coordinate interagency efforts in a crisis like Iran or Hormuz?
The NSC coordinates through the National Security Advisor and deputies, ensuring that state, CIA, DOD, and other agencies work in a unified manner to plan and execute policy; during crises, the interagency process should bubble up options and consult among departments to present coherent decisions to the president.
The Corruption of American Intelligence (with Julia Curlee)
Q: If you ran into Tulsi Gabbard in public, what would you say to her about her past actions and their impact on the intelligence community?
I would tell her that history will not remember her kindly for actions perceived as undermining or politicizing intelligence, and emphasize the importance of accountability and preserving the integrity of national security institutions for future generations.
The Corruption of American Intelligence (with Julia Curlee)
Q: What lessons do you think Xi Jinping will be taking away from the war in Iran, and what does that mean for potential conflict in Taiwan?
Xi will likely assess the risks of extended conflicts and the need to avoid overcommitting in a way that risks domestic political backlash, while considering how to project power without drawing disproportionate costs; the situation suggests a cautious approach rather than a rapid, decisive victory, with Taiwan security implications tied to deterrence and resilience.
Did the CIA Poison the World’s Best Goalkeeper at the 1970 World Cup? (with Gabriel Gatehouse) - Part 2
Q: What role do sources and documentation play in sorting truth from speculation in these stories?
They underscore the distinction between evidence and proof, noting that good evidence exists and can be persuasive even if it does not constitute absolute proof, and emphasize triangulating sources to understand context.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mission Implausible

What is Mission Implausible about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Tasc of episodes skews toward deep dives into intelligence history, geopolitics, and the ethics of espionage, blending long-form interviews with veteran CIA officers and investigative journalists. Conversations routinely explore Five Eyes history, the role of defectors, conspiracy narratives, and geopolitics involving Russia, China, Iran, and the Middle East, often framed through historical cases (Curveball, Gordon Banks, WMDs) and current tech implications like AI in intelligence. Notable is the balance between insider perspectives, rigorous context, and a willingness to challenge official narratives, making it appealing to listeners who want rigorous analysis, cautionary tales, and nuanced discussion beyond sensational headlines. The show... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Mission Implausible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mission Implausible:

1. SpyTalk
2. Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
3. Stay Tuned with Preet
4. The Bulwark Daily
5. The Daily Beast Podcast

How many episodes of Mission Implausible are there?

Mission Implausible launched 3 years ago and published 128 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 Mission Implausible?

Recent guests on Mission Implausible include:

1. Christopher Steele
2. Richard Kerbaj
3. Julia Curlee
4. Paul Kolbe
5. Michael Carpenter
6. Bob Drogin
7. Gabriel Gatehouse
8. Christine Gralow

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