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CIA
Russia
Donald Trump
Ukraine
Iran
FBI
Trump Administration
National Security
Venezuela
China
United States
Espionage
Syria
Antifa
Tulsi Gabbard
NATO
Israel
Domestic Terrorism
Counterterrorism
Vladimir Putin

SpyTalk lives at the intersection of intelligence operations, foreign policy, homeland security, and military strategy. Hosted by veteran national security journalists Jeff Stein, Michael Isikoff and Karen J. Greenberg, the podcast features exclusives by SpyTalk’s roster of longtime reporters, news and profiles of US and foreign spymasters, and interviews with policymakers and expert authors. Ther... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes216Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for SpyTalk

Latest Episodes

Tom LoBianco answered an ad for a writer and then things went south.

Tom LoBianco is a veteran national politics reporter and editor of 24sight News, the independent news site on Substack.

24sight's scoops have been featured in The New York Times,... more

Seeing-eye bombs were supposed to limit civilian casualties. Jeffrey Stern, author of “The Warhead,” explains why they didn’t. 

Jeffrey Stern

The Warhead

www.jeffreyestern.com/books

Follow Michael Isikoff | x.com/isikoff   

Follo... more

New York Times Intelligence Reporter Julian Barnes on the Rise of Bill Pulte.

More from Julian

Julian E. Barnes 

Writes about the American intelligence community, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National In... more

Former senior CIA analyst David Kanin on the crises in US intelligence.

David Kanin is a retired CIA senior analyst and member of the Senior Intelligence Service.

commonsensecoalition.net/about-csc/

Follow Michael Isikoff | x.com/i... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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

Jeffrey Stern
Award-winning journalist and author
Author of The Warhead
Episode: War-Ender Weapons
Julian Barnes
Intelligence reporter for the New York Times
New York Times
Episode: Trump's Hatchet Man Atop US Intelligence
David Kanin
Former CIA officer, founding Red Cell member
Common Sense Coalition; Johns Hopkins SAIS (adjunct)
Episode: How Trump Broke the ODNI
Michael Lebowitz
Former terrorism prosecutor at Guantanamo
Self (author)
Episode: How a Terror Case Fizzled
Tommy Vietor
Former White House National Security spokesperson; co-founder of Crooked Media; author
Crooked Media / Pod Save America
Episode: Pod Save Our National Security with Tommy Vietor
Jerry Watson
Former CIA covert operative and analyst
CIA (retired)
Episode: The Ultimate Intelligence Fiasco
Bob Drogin
Former Los Angeles Times reporter and Curveball author
Los Angeles Times
Episode: The Ultimate Intelligence Fiasco
Sean Wiswesser
Career CIA clandestine services officer; Russia expert
Central Intelligence Agency
Episode: Putin in Peril?
Jack Cheevers
Veteran journalist and author of Kennedy's Coup, A White House plot, a Saigon murder and America's descent into Vietnam
Author, Kennedy's Coup
Episode: JFK’s Fatal Mistake

Hosts

Michael Isikoff
Co-host; long-time national security journalist with deep sources in intelligence and policy circles
Jeff Stein
Host; veteran journalist with a focus on intelligence, espionage, and policy
Karen J. Greenberg
Host; expert on law, civil liberties, and security policy

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 316 ratings
  • Where is the UN?

    Good interview but why isn’t anyone talking about the IN?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Democracy is my Religion
    United States2 months ago
  • Isikoff needs to chill

    Isikoff’s voice is shrill, he laughs at inappropriate times and talks too fast.I would much rather listen to Jeff whose ego doesn’t dominate the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Theodora30
    United States7 months ago
  • House of dynamite? Really?

    Pretty much follows “Failsafe” too much to be called “ original”. Suicide, glitch in the system, sacrificing a family member”, general is trying to talk president to attack. At the end of the credits, “Failsafe” used a dial tone. In Dynamite” at the end of the credits, they used explosions. It just can’t be coincidental. I think it’s called plagiarism. Even a happily ever after would’ve changed things! Lol.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J Clam
    United States8 months ago
  • Establishment drivel

    The host and the majority of guests are shills, to the bone, for the establishment intelligence point of view with very little objective analysis or reality. If that is what you are looking for then, you have found it. Enjoy.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MikeJeezy
    United Statesa year ago
  • Edward Snowden

    If the host of a podcast on intelligence cannot recall Edward Snowden’s name while talking to a former CIA officer perhaps he should retire. The fact that you did not even try to edit out the blank memory moment tells me this is not a very tight ship operation.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nora Gregor
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans highlight actionable insights and strong host interchanges as a hallmark of the show.
Listeners praise the depth and guest quality, calling it a go-to for adult education in security and intelligence.
Some critiques mention perceived political bias or heavy focus on certain viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

War-Ender Weapons
Q: How do the stories of individuals like Luis Rueda and Salman illustrate the broader themes of the book?
Their stories demonstrate how a single tactical decision or intelligence failure can ripple across generations and borders, turning local actions into global consequences, such as inspiring or facilitating extremist activities, while showing the human cost of high-tech warfare.
War-Ender Weapons
Q: What is the central thesis of The Warhead, and why does it matter now?
The book argues that modern warfare increasingly relies on precision weapons that enable conflict without formal declarations or large-scale troop deployments, but this shift does not eliminate political and moral costs; instead, it shifts them onto civilians and decision-makers who must weigh strategic gains against unpredictable consequences.
Trump's Hatchet Man Atop US Intelligence
Q: How is Iran's situation affecting US intelligence reporting?
Barnes notes that the Iran situation dominates intelligence tradecraft discussions, with the MOU creating ambiguity and influence on what is pursued in negotiations, and the CIA continuing to produce cautioned assessments even as political messaging diverges.
Trump's Hatchet Man Atop US Intelligence
Q: What's the core issue with the acting DNI and the Bill Pulte nomination?
The guest explains that the acting DNI position is mired in legal and political friction, with questions about qualifications, the role's authority, and whether it should be filled quickly or restructured, reflecting a broader debate about how ODNI should operate under a dynamic political environment.
How Trump Broke the ODNI
Q: What is it like inside the intelligence community today with the current administration's approach to policy and public statements?
Kanin describes intelligence as a service that adapts to policymakers' needs, but warns that when leaders prioritize politics over process, the system struggles to provide reliable, objective analyses.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About SpyTalk

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

A high-profile, policy-forward show at the intersection of intelligence, foreign affairs, homeland security, and military strategy. Episodes frequently feature veteran journalists and former or current intelligence officials who dissect historical and contemporary security episodes, from Iran and Russia to domestic surveillance and strategic diplomacy. The conversations tend to blend meticulous reporting with insider perspectives, often centering on policy implications, legal questions, and strategic tradeoffs. A notable strength is its access to long-tenured spymasters and policymakers, offering both historical context and forward-looking analysis that appeals to listeners seeking deep, expert-level discussion rather than surface-level ana... more

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How many listeners does SpyTalk get?

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How many subscribers and views does SpyTalk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers SpyTalk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of SpyTalk are there?

SpyTalk launched 5 years ago and published 216 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact SpyTalk?

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What guests have appeared on SpyTalk?

Recent guests on SpyTalk include:

1. Jeffrey Stern
2. Julian Barnes
3. David Kanin
4. Michael Lebowitz
5. Tommy Vietor
6. Jerry Watson
7. Bob Drogin
8. Sean Wiswesser

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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