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Artwork for SpyCast

SpyCast

SpyCast
Egypt
James Bond
Espionage
Arab Spring
British Monarchy
FBI
Counterintelligence
Cybersecurity
Islamist Militants
Israeli Intelligence
Robert Hanssen
Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
Six-Day War
China
Ian Fleming
Queen Victoria
Queen Elizabeth II
Arab World
Ashraf Marwan
No Time To Die

SpyCast, the official podcast of the International Spy Museum, is a journey into the shadows of international espionage. Each week, host Sasha Ingber brings you the latest insights and intriguing tales from spies, secret agents, and covert communicators, with a focus on how this secret world reaches us all in our everyday lives. Tune in to discover the critical role intelligence has played through... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes738Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for SpyCast

Latest Episodes

Half-truths. Lies. Distrust. And spying. These were part and parcel of the tenuous relationship between Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin - the “Big Three” who were eventually brought together by their opposition to Adolf Hi... more

Jonna Mendez knows how to blend in and when to stand out. Starting out as a secretary at the CIA, she left as its Chief of Disguise. Her career took her into denied areas, where her special abilities assisted in a variety of high stakes operations - ... more

In the 1960s, the CIA lost a plutonium-fueled generator on top of a mountain in India. The generator was supposed to power an unmanned listening station, intended to pick up signals from China’s missile tests. But when mountaineers ascended the near ... more

YouTube

When you’re sitting alone, and you want company or advice, have you ever turned to Artificial Intelligence? Chip Usher, who spent 32 years in the CIA, has been looking at AI companions. The tech companies behind them claim they offer comfort and reli... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

Recent Guests

Jeff Gettleman
New York Times reporter
The New York Times
Episode: When the CIA Lost a Nuclear Device in India
Chip Usher
Senior Director for Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP)
Special Competitive Studies Project
Episode: AI Companions May Be China's Next Recruitment Tool
Aaron Tracy
Writer who delves into Roald Dahl's life for The Secret World of Roald Dahl
Author/Podcaster
Episode: Roald Dahl: The Spy Behind the Storyteller
Chris Costa
Executive Director of the International Spy Museum and former intelligence officer involved in the invasion
International Spy Museum
Episode: Looking Back on the US Invasion of Panama
Georgi Banks-Davies
Director of The Night Manager
Episode: Directing The Night Manager
Brian Carbaugh
Former Director of the CIA's Special Activities Center, involved in covert operations and national security strategies.
CIA
Episode: Inside the CIA’s Most Covert and Dangerous Branch: The Special Activities Center
Ivan Ingraham
Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Marine Special Operations Officer
Episode: Inside Operation Odyssey Lightning in Libya
Bobby Livingston
Auctioneer who sold Jim Sanborn's private archive.
Episode: Auctioning Off the Key to Kryptos
Charlie English
Author of 'The CIA Book Club'
Author
Episode: Inside the CIA’s Book Club Designed to Bring Down Communism

Host

Sasha Ingber
Host with a background in journalism and a focus on national security and intelligence topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • Embarrassing how far it has fallen

    This was the real deal under previous hosts, especially Dr. Hammond - now it’s kinda embarrassing for the Spy Museum. Clearly no one really knows what they are doing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JoeFalcon11
    United States20 days ago
  • Mike

    I enjoy all of your stories! Thank you !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fred436798
    United States2 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Great guests and amazing host. The conversations each week are unparalleled. My favorite era of this podcast so far.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BohemianFrank
    United States3 months ago
  • Podcast has changed for the worse, miss old format and hosts

    This podcast was a favorite of mine, led by Dr. Andrew Hammond, now it seems more softball and less focused on in-depth history. Disappointed in the changes…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Tolga M
    United States5 months ago
  • Very good podcast

    It was neat on all the parts that I listened to about how we got the enigma machine from a German sub then I listen to the next few and really liked it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fun time to listen
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the podcast is characterized by its engaging content and skilled interviews, though new hosting styles have received mixed reviews.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth storytelling and high-quality guests featured on the show.
There is a sense of disappointment regarding changes in the host and format, with some long-time listeners expressing a preference for earlier versions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#133
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#141
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#208
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#122
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#208
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#63
Chile/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AI Companions May Be China's Next Recruitment Tool
Q: How might AI companions be used by intelligence services to engage or recruit people at scale?
AI companions could be employed to observe, engage, and influence individuals by gathering data on preferences and vulnerabilities, then subtly steering them toward cooperation or disinformation while maintaining the guise of a benign, personal assistant.
When the CIA Lost a Nuclear Device in India
Q: And before we get into this story, can you tell me about how it came about for you back in 2018?
The journalist explains that while based in New Delhi he found a small Indian newspaper article about the missing nuclear device in a remote Himalayan mountaintop. He and his colleague evaluated old memory and documents, spoke to climbers and officials, and gradually built a fuller picture over years of research.
Roald Dahl: The Spy Behind the Storyteller
Q: Why did Dahl transition from espionage to writing, and how did his wartime experiences influence his fiction?
The guest explains that Dahl's wartime experiences, social maneuvering, and close access to powerful figures deeply informed the realism and moral ambiguity that permeate his stories, with specific ties to works like Willy Wonka and The Gremlins, as well as how his encounters with leaders shaped his narrative voice.
Exfiltrating María Corina Machado from Venezuela
Q: How do you feel about her wanting to return to Venezuela?
I don't think she should go back. We need her, we love her.
Exfiltrating María Corina Machado from Venezuela
Q: What was it like to see Maria for the first time?
It was super cool. She's a hero of mine. So I was starstruck.

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 SpyCast

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

The program explores the intricate world of espionage, highlighting both historical and contemporary intelligence operations. Each episode features a range of captivating stories from spies and intelligence professionals, discussing critical international events and their relevance to everyday life. Unique narratives often include personal experiences from intelligence officers, detailed analyses of espionage tactics, and discussions on significant political events that have shaped global relations. The insightful guests and engaging storytelling make for an intriguing listening experience for anyone interested in spies, national security, and the historical impact of intelligence work.

Where can I find podcast stats for SpyCast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for SpyCast. 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 SpyCast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does SpyCast get?

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What are the audience demographics for SpyCast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for SpyCast, 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 SpyCast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers SpyCast 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 SpyCast are there?

SpyCast launched 19 years ago and published 738 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 SpyCast?

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 SpyCast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for SpyCast 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 SpyCast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of SpyCast. 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 SpyCast?

Recent guests on SpyCast include:

1. Jeff Gettleman
2. Chip Usher
3. Aaron Tracy
4. Chris Costa
5. Georgi Banks-Davies
6. Brian Carbaugh
7. Ivan Ingraham
8. Bobby Livingston

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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