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SpyMasters

Paul Burke
Espionage
World War II
CIA
Russia
Soviet Union
Cold War
KGB
FSB
Donald Trump
U-Boats
Mossad
China
Crime
Spy Fiction
Battle Of Atlantic
Putin
Mark Ellis
Frank Merlin
Nazi Germany
Enigma

Writer and critic Paul Burke interviews all the best writers on espionage. Each episode will bring you fascinating stories on spies, covert action and more - delving in to fact and fiction, past and present.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes60Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryBooksArts

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Latest Episodes

Former FBI Director JAMES COMEY talks to Paul Burke about his novel RED VERDICT, The FBI, being a socially adept introvert, Russian operations in America, the inspiration for Nora and Benny and The Kansas City Massacre.

RED VERDICT THE MURDER OF THE... more

Andrew Rosenheim talks about his contemporary spy thriller The Interpreter's Secret, AI in publishing, kindle, literary games on the page, cat and mouse chases.

The Interpreter's Secret: in Stockholm for a G20 summit, the interpreter Thomas Weaver i... more

Daria Santini talks to Spymasters about her biography of Edith Tudor Hart, A Woman Called Edith, the Cambridge Five, Arnold Deutsch, photography, working class lives, communism and spying.

Edith Tudor Hart has long evaded biographers. A Jewish-Aust... more

Michael Idov talks to Spymasters about his new novel THE CORMORANT HUNT, screenwriting, The Collaborators, Doug Lyman, geopolitics and the spy novel and walking back the cat.

THE CORMORANT HUNT: Disheartened CIA officer Ari Falk, now hiding in the R... more

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Recent Guests

James Comey
Former director of the FBI and author of Red Verdict
Author, Former FBI Director
Episode: Red Verdict by James Comey
Andrew Rosenheim
Author of The Interpreter's Secret; former publishing executive
No Exit Press (publisher)
Episode: The Interpreter's Secret Andrew Rosenheim
Daria Santini
Author of A Woman Named Edith; former lecturer at Oxford University
Author/Scholar
Episode: A Woman Called Edith by Daria Santini
Michael Idov
Screenwriter and director; author of The Collaborators and The Cormorant Hunt
Self (author)
Episode: The Cormorant Hunt by Michael Idov
Piers Blofeld
Author of Master Of Lies, biography of Anthony Blunt
Author, Master Of Lies
Episode: Master of Lies: How Anthony Blunt's Treachery Changed Our World
Antonia Senior
Writer and journalist discussing Stalin's Apostles
Episode: Stalin's Apostles: The Cambridge Five and the Making of the Soviet Empire Pt.2
Adrian Munsey
Director and creator of the SpyMasters documentary on Sky Arts
Sky Arts / SpyMasters
Episode: Spymasters Documentary - Sky Arts, Director Adrian Munsey
James Wolff
Former British intelligence officer and author
Episode: Spies and Other Gods: James Wolff on British intelligence, secrecy, and the “soul” of spying
Alex Preston
Prize-winning author and acclaimed journalist
Episode: A Stranger in Corfu: MI6, Betrayal, and the Island Where Spies Disappear, with Alex Preston

Hosts

Paul Burke
Host of Spy Masters; editor and writer associated with Aspects of Crime and related history podcasts
Antonia Senior
Host of SpyMasters; writer and journalist focusing on espionage history

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#74
Japan/History
Apple Podcasts
#170
Ireland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Red Verdict by James Comey
Q: How do you handle portraying the courtroom in a realistic way without making it tedious?
I focus on pacing, use natural dialogue, and cut unnecessary procedural minutiae while keeping the essential truth of how investigations and trials unfold.
Red Verdict by James Comey
Q: What makes Nora Carleton a compelling protagonist?
She embodies tenacity and integrity, balancing tough professional duties with family responsibilities, and she often faces moral gray areas that require careful judgment rather than bravado.
Red Verdict by James Comey
Q: How did your career influence Red Verdict and the Nora Carleton/Benny Duggan duo?
My experience shaped every decision about how characters think, act, and interact; I aimed to reflect genuine dynamics between a seasoned investigator and a determined prosecutor working in today's complex security environment.
The Interpreter's Secret Andrew Rosenheim
Q: How does the book balance contemporary relevance with classic spy tropes?
It uses modern surveillance and digital themes while retaining the suspenseful, chase-driven structure of classics like The 39 Steps, ensuring the stakes feel current without losing the traditional cat-and-mouse dynamic.
The Interpreter's Secret Andrew Rosenheim
Q: What inspired the premise around interpreters and coded conversations?
The idea grew from real-world moments, such as a high-profile meeting where the interpreter's notes ended up in strange hands, prompting a speculative exploration of what such an asset could reveal and how it could be misused.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About SpyMasters

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

Intense, well-researched discussions centered on espionage, intelligence history, and the intersection of fact and fiction. Episodes frequently explore historic spy networks, wartime and Cold War intrigue, and the broader storytelling of espionage through interviews with authors, historians, journalists, and documentary filmmakers. A standout feature is how guests bring archival material, research depth, and narrative insight to complex geopolitics, ethics, and the human side of spying. The show shines when it blends rigorous history with contemporary relevance, from novel memoirs to documentary projects and literary takes on espionage.

Listeners likely include history and literature buffs, researchers, and professionals in media and acade... more

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Which podcasts are similar to SpyMasters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with SpyMasters:

1. The Rest Is Classified
2. The Rest Is History
3. Mission Implausible
4. Americast
5. In Our Time

How many episodes of SpyMasters are there?

SpyMasters launched 3 years ago and published 60 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 SpyMasters?

Recent guests on SpyMasters include:

1. James Comey
2. Andrew Rosenheim
3. Daria Santini
4. Michael Idov
5. Piers Blofeld
6. Antonia Senior
7. Adrian Munsey
8. James Wolff

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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