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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes200Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Ex-CIA op sees no end in sight for Iran conflict. 

"What you're now looking at is perpetual war," says Reuel Gerecht, former Iran target officer in SpyTalk interview.

Advertising Inquiries: redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: r... more

Former top intel operative David Shedd says it's now "50-50" Xi will invade next year.

David Shedd

The Great Heist China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets

Follow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:

twitter.com/isikoff

Follow Karen Green... more

Trump, Iran at fateful crossroads, top Middle East expert Jon Alterman says on the SpyTalk podcast.

Jon Alterman — www.csis.org/people/jon-b-alterman

Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:

twitter.com/SpyTalker

Follow Karen Greenberg on Tw... more

Congressmember Mary Gay Scanlon speaks with SpyTalk's Michael Isikoff about the secretive government list of “domestic terrorist groups” Attorney General all but confirmed the existence of in her recent trip to The Hill.

Then Karen Greenberg and Mic... 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.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Reuel Mark Gerecht
Former CIA Middle East operative, Iran targets officer; author
Former CIA, Author
Episode: Ballistic Diplomacy in Iran
David Shedd
Former Deputy Director of the ODNI; former director of the DIA; co-author of The Great Heist
The Great Heist; Spy Talk guest
Episode: Trump's Wars Raise Stakes For Taiwan
Jon Alterman
Former State Department Middle East expert; advisor to Chief of Naval Operations
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Episode: War Fever
Mary Gay Scanlon
Congresswoman representing the 5th District of Pennsylvania
United States Congress
Episode: Who Is on the DOJ's Secret "Domestic Terror" List
Mike German
Former FBI counter-terrorism agent and policy expert
Brennan Center for Liberty and National Security Policy
Episode: Who Is on the DOJ's Secret "Domestic Terror" List
Aaron Brown
Former CIA officer with extensive experience in clandestine operations and expert on espionage technology.
Founder of Lumbra
Episode: The New Wizards of Espionage
Colin Clarke
Executive Director of the Soufan Center and expert on domestic and transnational terrorism
The Soufan Center
Episode: Terror’s Comeback
Jacob Kaarsbo
Former senior Danish intelligence officer and expert on national security issues.
Danish Intelligence Service
Episode: Battlefield Greenland
Jason Rezaian
Former Washington Post reporter and author, imprisoned by the Iranian regime for a year
The Washington Post
Episode: Will the Iranian Regime Survive?

Hosts

Michael Isikoff
Host of Spy Talk, focusing on intelligence operations and national security affairs.
Jeff Stein
Host of Spy Talk, known for discussions on military strategy and intelligence.
Karen Greenberg
Host of Spy Talk, an expert on national security and civil liberties.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 301 ratings
  • 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 States3 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 States4 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 States8 months 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 States8 months ago
  • I’ll be on lookout for podcast where interviewers actually allow Steve Cash to speak

    Please keep at it Steve. Non-steady staters feel the threat too and want to hear what you have to say.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Fan of Gov Charlie Baker
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are criticisms related to perceived political biases, particularly with some reviewers feeling the show leans too far left.
Many praise the informative blend of investigative journalism and expert commentary, highlighting its educational value.
Listeners appreciate the informative nature of the discussions and the depth of expertise from hosts and guests.
Listeners note that episodes often feature timely analysis and insights into current geopolitical events.

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 Fever
Q: What challenges exist in transitioning from escalating tensions to a negotiated peace?
Key challenges include Iran's insistence on maintaining a nuclear option, the leadership's distrust of Western intentions, regional rivalries, and the difficulty of organizing a credible domestic opposition within Iran that could sustain any post-regime transition.
War Fever
Q: Is a military strike a viable path to resolving the Iran issue according to the guest?
No; he warns that air-based strategies alone are unlikely to topple the regime and could trigger broader conflict, suggesting that a combination of pressure and long-term isolation with calibrated diplomacy may be more effective.
War Fever
Q: What does Alterman think success would look like for Iran in these negotiations?
He argues that success would involve reducing hostility and maintaining strategic agency for Iran, rather than forcing complete capitulation, and that success would be measured by a more manageable relationship rather than annihilation or outright regime change.
What’s Going on with Tulsi Gabbard?
Q: What are your thoughts on Gabbard's recent actions in Fulton County?
Pfeiffer indicates that her participation raises significant concerns about the misuse of intelligence for domestic issues and hints at her motivations to curry favor with political figures.
What’s Going on with Tulsi Gabbard?
Q: Is the NSA keeping an ear on Tulsi Gabbard?
Larry Pfeiffer explains that the NSA does not spy on Americans directly, but if Gabbard is mentioned in conversations with targeted individuals, it may be documented.

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 SpyTalk

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

The content prominently explores themes around intelligence operations, foreign policy, and military strategy, making it especially appealing to listeners interested in national security affairs. Episodes feature discussions with seasoned journalists and experts, who provide insights into the inner workings of various intelligence agencies, recent political developments, and critical assessments of global security issues. The podcast presents a unique blend of investigative journalism, expert commentary, and exclusive interviews that engages both knowledgeable enthusiasts and those new to the field, ensuring diverse perspectives on pressing security concerns.

Where can I find podcast stats for SpyTalk?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for SpyTalk. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to SpyTalk and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does SpyTalk get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for SpyTalk, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for SpyTalk?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for SpyTalk, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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.

Which podcasts are similar to SpyTalk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with SpyTalk:

1. SpyCast
2. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. The Team House
5. Stay Tuned with Preet

How many episodes of SpyTalk are there?

SpyTalk launched 5 years ago and published 200 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for SpyTalk?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for SpyTalk from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for SpyTalk?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of SpyTalk. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on SpyTalk?

Recent guests on SpyTalk include:

1. Reuel Mark Gerecht
2. David Shedd
3. Jon Alterman
4. Mary Gay Scanlon
5. Mike German
6. Aaron Brown
7. Colin Clarke
8. Jacob Kaarsbo

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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