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Mission Implausible

iHeartPodcasts
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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Latest Episodes

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

Stephen Miller runs National Security now. Julia Curlee spent over 20 years as a CIA analyst, rising to being Acting Senior Director for Intelligence Programs at the NSC. When Trump 2 began, she stayed on, as is custom, to help transition. Her team w... more

Two of John & Jerry’s old friends and agency colleagues swap war stories and tall tales, starting with their training at The Farm and including their time in Moscow. Some of the characters in their anecdotes: Nazi Bob, Steven Seagal and the CIA merma... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Gabriel Gatehouse
Award-winning journalist and author, creator of The Coming Storm
BBC / journalist
Episode: Did the CIA Poison the World’s Best Goalkeeper at the 1970 World Cup? (with Gabriel Gatehouse) - Part 1
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)
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)
Jim Petrila
Former CIA colleague and lawyer in intelligence community
Former CIA, NSA, NSC legal work
Episode: How the CIA Decides What’s Legal (with James Petrila)
Ilana Berry
Award-winning writer, former CIA operations officer; debut novel Peacock and the Sparrow
Author
Episode: Serving in the Middle East, then Writing About It (with Ilana Berry)

Hosts

John Sipher
Former CIA officer and co-host of Mission Implausible; frequently described as host with deep experience in intelligence work and espionage storytelling; has affiliations with production entities and various media projects.
Jerry O'Shea
Co-host of Mission Implausible; former CIA officer with extensive experience in intelligence and media production; frequently described as producer/host and longtime collaborator with John Sipher.

Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars from 736 ratings
  • Interesting and broad perspective

    Good to look around the corners

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    z77r
    United Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 States2 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 States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive reception around informed, insider perspectives and sharp analysis from former intelligence professionals.
Some listeners feel episodes lean heavily into politics and conspiracies, with mixed reactions to interview pacing and ad breaks.
Listeners appreciate guest diversity (journalists, analysts, and insiders) and thorough context on complex topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#208
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#199
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#148
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#166
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#195
Norway/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#197
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Did the CIA Poison the World’s Best Goalkeeper at the 1970 World Cup? (with Gabriel Gatehouse) - Part 2
Q: How should listeners respond when confronted with conspiracy theories tied to the CIA or other agencies?
The hosts advocate listening with curiosity, acknowledging questions without ridiculing, and using measured fact-checking while recognizing that denials can sometimes paradoxically reinforce belief systems.

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?

Former CIA officers host a deep, data-informed exploration of conspiracy theories, intelligence history, and current geopolitics. Episodes blend investigative reporting, strategic analysis, and guests with hands-on experience in national security, espionage, and governance. Listeners are likely interested in how misinformation propagates, the realities behind sensational claims, and the ethical and legal boundaries of intelligence work. Notable strengths include a practical, experience-driven lens on complex topics and a willingness to challenge narratives with firsthand knowledge. The show tends to feature academics, journalists, and practitioners who illuminate how disinformation intersects with politics, technology, and global events, ma... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Mission Implausible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mission Implausible:

1. Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
2. SpyTalk
3. SpyCast
4. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
5. The Lawfare 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. Julia Curlee
2. Paul Kolbe
3. Gabriel Gatehouse
4. Michael Carpenter
5. Bob Drogin
6. Christine Gralow
7. Andy Weber
8. Jim Petrila

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