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SpyCast

SpyCast
CIA
Russia
Espionage
China
FBI
National Security
Counterintelligence
Ukraine
Cybersecurity
World War II
NATO
Cold War
Iran
Artificial Intelligence
Intelligence Community
United States
Afghanistan
James Bond
Egypt
President's Daily Brief

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes741Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for SpyCast

Latest Episodes

It’s a story that journalist and veteran Stephen Harding uncovered: a secret component of the FBI’s “European Operation,” whereby agents traveled abroad working undercover to track down American citizens who had betrayed their country during World Wa... more

Confusion and controversy are growing around the intelligence community’s handling of Havana Syndrome. This is what the government refers to as Anomalous Health Incidents, or AHIs. The mysterious health condition has left a group of American spies, d... more

YouTube

He may dress like he’s on a vacation in Hawaii, but Palmer Luckey has been busy designing weapons for the Pentagon. He founded California-based defense technology firm, Anduril, in 2017, named after a sword from the Lord of the Rings and, according t... more

YouTube

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

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

Stephen Harding
Journalist and veteran, author of GI. G-Men (GI. G-Men)
Author and Journalist
Episode: The Hunt for American Turncoats in World War II Europe
Michael Weiss
Investigative journalist; collaborated with 60 Minutes and The Insider on Havana Syndrome reporting
The Insider; 60 Minutes
Episode: The Story Isn't Over: Inside Havana Syndrome and the CIA’s Response
Palmer Luckey
Founder of Anduril Industries, defense tech innovator
Anduril Industries
Episode: Palmer Luckey on the Next Generation of Intelligence
Tim Bouverie
British historian, author of Allies at War
Tim Bouverie (Author)
Episode: Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin: Lies, Spies, and Hitler
Jonna Mendez
Former CIA chief of disguise
Central Intelligence Agency
Episode: Fake Shahs and Exfiltrations: Memories from CIA's Former Disguise Chief
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

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 Statesa month ago
  • Mike

    I enjoy all of your stories! Thank you !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fred436798
    United States3 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 States4 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 States6 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
#141
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#134
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#154
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#118
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#136
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#215
Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Story Isn't Over: Inside Havana Syndrome and the CIA’s Response
Q: Why has the CIA's assessment remained skeptical or inconclusive about a foreign adversary behind AHI?
Because internal debates highlighted compartmentalization, conflicting interpretations between analysts and operatives, concerns about causing a national security incident, and the fear that admitting wrongdoing would escalate tensions with Russia.
The Hunt for American Turncoats in World War II Europe
Q: What kinds of people were targeted by the Army Liaison Unit in Europe?
The targets ranged from journalists and propagandists like Ezra Pound to ordinary Americans who either supported or worked with German or Italian forces, often motivated by money, romance, or political beliefs.
The Hunt for American Turncoats in World War II Europe
Q: So let's get into it. Why did J. Edgar Hoover start this mission overseas?
Hoover initiated overseas counterintelligence missions as part of a power struggle with other U.S. agencies and to leverage the FBI's long history of chasing spies, extending its remit to Americans who collaborated with Axis powers abroad.
Palmer Luckey on the Next Generation of Intelligence
Q: What can Anduril provide in terms of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities?
Anduril provides a comprehensive ISR footprint across telecommunication, ground, and on-the-ground sensing, with a push toward automation to process vast data streams and deliver actionable intel to operators on the battlefield, while maintaining human-in-the-loop considerations.
Fake Shahs and Exfiltrations: Memories from CIA's Former Disguise Chief
Q: What was the reaction at the White House when you presented the fake Shah idea?
We presented the concept to the White House early on; Carter considered it too risky and ultimately declined, though he later expressed that he wished he had said yes, underscoring how narrowly a different choice might have shifted the course of events.

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 20 years ago and published 741 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.

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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. Stephen Harding
2. Michael Weiss
3. Palmer Luckey
4. Tim Bouverie
5. Jonna Mendez
6. Jeff Gettleman
7. Chip Usher
8. Aaron Tracy

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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