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Spies Like Us

PHIL
Canada
Terrorism
Foreign Interference
National Security
ISIS
CSIS
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
China
Hamas
Russia
Israel
Chinese Interference
Artificial Intelligence
Palestine
FBI
Counterterrorism
India
Iran
Al-Qaeda
Public Safety

Conversations about all things national security in Canada and globally hosted by three retired Canadian intelligence practitioners with almost a century of experience in SIGINT, HUMINT and other forms of intelligence.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes84Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Latest Episodes

To prove that three old guys - ok, in Neil's case old-ish - are with it and hip with technology we go video this week! You can actually hear AND see us - how cool is that? Phil learns that the Shanghai sweetheart on LinkedIn may not be who she claims... more

As Phil sips on a "Lumbersexual" IPA - whatever that means - and jet-lagged Al is barely comatose (and Neil is, well, Neil) - the lads weigh in on why should NOT bring ISIS terrorists home, including those who go to a firing range on their wedding da... more

With Al's triumphant return from wherever he was - don't ask, don't tell! - the lads weigh in on Canada's joke of a citizenship removal system despite obvious fraud and terrorism links, the US counter-terrorism ?strategy? that somehow missed all the ... more

After a short hiatus the Al-less boys - does this make us a duet? - are back and it's all about China. Neil and Phil talk with Canada's top Sinologist (that means China watcher for you non-China watchers) Charles Burton about why exactly the Canadian... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Charles Burton
Expert on Canada-China relations; originally invited guest
Beaver and Dragon author (implied)
Episode: Season 3 Episode 22 - Say it ain't so Ma!
Andrew Kirsch
Former CSIS officer and founder of the Kirsch Group
Kirsch Group
Episode: Season 3 Episode 15: We were never here, but now we are!
Lauren Anderson
Former FBI agent with 29 years of service, specializing in national security and counterterrorism.
Former FBI
Episode: For the sake of the FBI and the US, Patel should 'kash' out
Eric von Stackelburg
A fan who has been listening to the podcast since it began, interested in national security issues.
Episode: Fans Like Spies
Mubin Shaikh
Former intelligence asset and RCMP agent involved in the Toronto 18 case
Episode: Spies Like Us: Season 2 Episode 30: Spies Move 'N Shake
David Gioe
Global Professor of Intelligence and International Security at King's College, London, and a former CIA analyst.
King's College, London
Episode: Spies Like Us - Season 2 Episode 27: CIA tells SLU "NO foreign intel collection for Canada? No way!"
Andy Ellis
Former CSIS officer, CEO of Profound Corporation, and president of Ellis Global Risk Assessment
Profound Corporation
Episode: Why Canada says sorry a lot, even when it comes to intelligence
Sam Cooper
Journalist and author of 'Willful Blindness', focusing on Chinese interference in Canada.
Bureau
Episode: Hogus Pocus...Bogus
Ryan Zorn
Former intelligence officer for CSIS with a background in OSINT and cyber investigations
Cyber Analysis Center
Episode: AIAI-oh!

Hosts

Phil Gursky
Host with a long-running presence on the show; frequently discussed as a lead voice in national security analysis.
Neil Bissot
Co-host and veteran security practitioner offering经验 in intelligence and policy insights.
Al Grizzly Bear Tridentic
Co-host known for seasoned commentary and bar-table banter on national security topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • đź©·

    I just learned about your podcast ! I’m an American and I like your poetry

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zxz12321zxz
    United States3 months ago
  • Good content

    I think the latest episode someone actually disagreed with Phil….. wow.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric or Darla
    Canada9 months ago
  • Good content

    Thanks guys. I’m learning a lot. No need to apologize for being negative, these are facts of current political evolving world. There were a few spots I couldn’t hear due to audio issues.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Eric or Darla
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Disagreement with the host adds dynamic conversation.
I like the candid security analysis and practical takeaways.
The bar-room vibe keeps heavy topics approachable for a knowledgeable audience.
Learning a lot; occasional audio issues mentioned but content remains strong.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

For the sake of the FBI and the US, Patel should 'kash' out
Q: How do you see things changing? What do you think needs to change within the FBI in order for this to write the ship?
Anderson believes new principled leadership is crucial to restore focus and morale within the FBI, emphasizing that political neutrality is essential for the agency's integrity.
For the sake of the FBI and the US, Patel should 'kash' out
Q: How do you think this is affecting the FBI's ability to deal with national security threats effectively?
Anderson notes that while there are still agents focused on national security, the diversion of resources is undermining effective threat response and creating vulnerabilities.
For the sake of the FBI and the US, Patel should 'kash' out
Q: What are your greatest concerns right now when it comes to the Bureau, its ability to fulfill its mandate, its ability to attract good people?
Anderson expresses several concerns including the reallocation of agents from national security to ICE enforcement, the dismissal of senior leaders, and the demoralizing environment caused by political pressures.
Canadian politicians SITEless on national security
Q: Have you guys heard anything about national security from any of the leaders of the parties running for office?
Not enough attention has been paid to national security issues during the elections, despite their significance.
Fans Like Spies
Q: How can we improve public understanding of national security issues?
By educating the population and forcing the government to catch up on national security and intelligence issues, making it a ballot issue for upcoming elections.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Spies Like Us

What is Spies Like Us about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show offers in-depth, often brisk conversations about national security with a distinctly Canadian lens, blending policy analysis, current events, and practical insights from seasoned insiders. Topics frequently center on terrorism, surveillance, foreign interference, immigration policy, encryption, and the workings of CSIS and other security agencies, all discussed in a candid, bar-table style that pairs expert critique with practical takeaways. A recurring strength is turning complex security issues into accessible, real-world discussions, sometimes with humorous banter that keeps heavy topics engaging. Listeners may appreciate the mix of historical experience, current events context, and a willingness to challenge official narratives... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Spies Like Us?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Spies Like Us:

1. Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap up
2. Borderlines
3. World Report
4. SpyTalk
5. The Bureau Podcast

How many episodes of Spies Like Us are there?

Spies Like Us launched 2 years ago and published 84 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 Spies Like Us?

Recent guests on Spies Like Us include:

1. Charles Burton
2. Andrew Kirsch
3. Lauren Anderson
4. Eric von Stackelburg
5. Mubin Shaikh
6. David Gioe
7. Andy Ellis
8. Sam Cooper

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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