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Artwork for State Secrets

State Secrets

The Cipher Brief
Iran
CIA
Hamas
Russia
Israel
Ukraine
Havana Syndrome
Counterterrorism
Middle East Conflict
United States
Hezbollah
National Security
Russian Intelligence Unit 29155
China
Directed Energy Weapons
U.S. Foreign Policy
Middle East
Walter Reed's Traumatic Brain Injury Center
60 Minutes
Al-Qaeda

State Secrets is a weekly interview podcast featuring Cipher Brief experts and national security leaders.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for State Secrets

Latest Episodes

In this episode of State Secrets, former CIA Senior Operations Officer Sean Wiswesser examines the evolution of Russian intelligence - from Soviet-era tradecraft to modern hybrid warfare. He unpacks Moscow's strategic mindset, its transactional relat... more

A mass-casualty attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach in December 2025 shattered assumptions about the decline of ISIS - and raised urgent questions about what comes next.

In this episode of State Secrets, Suzanne Kelly speaks with terrorism experts Levi ... more

Washington Post columnist and bestselling novelist David Ignatius joins State Secrets to reflect on more than five decades covering intelligence, war, and global power. In this conversation with Suzanne Kelly, Ignatius shares his perspective on what ... more

Investor Gilman Louie has spent much of his career focused on future national security. Tapped by former CIA Director George Tenet to be the first CEO of the Agency's venture capital arm and later becoming an advisor and venture capital investor, Lou... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Sean Wiswesser
Former Senior Operations Officer, CIA; Cipher Brief expert
Cipher Brief
Episode: Tradecraft and Deception: Understanding Russia's Intelligence Machine
Andrew Zammit
Postdoctoral research fellow focusing on terrorism and security studies, with work on violent extremism in Australia and transnational dimensions of armed conflict
Victoria University, Australia
Episode: ISIS Reawakens: What the Bondi Attack Signals for Global Terror
Levi West
Postdoctoral research fellow specializing in terrorism, propaganda, and technology, with focus on modeling radicalization
Australian National University
Episode: ISIS Reawakens: What the Bondi Attack Signals for Global Terror
Gilman Louie
Co-founder and managing partner of America's Frontier Fund; former CEO of Inquadrant/Incutel influence
America's Frontier Fund
Episode: China's Fancy Dragons in the Sky Hold Hidden Clues for National Security
Sir Richard Moore
The former head of MI6, recognized for his impact in alliances.
MI6
Episode: The Former Chief of MI6 on Alliances, Adversaries, AI & Aliens
Glenn Corn
Former CIA Officer and expert on national security
Episode: From a Bunker in Ukraine: Two Former CIA Officers Share Intel
Ralph Goff
Former CIA Officer and expert on national security
Episode: From a Bunker in Ukraine: Two Former CIA Officers Share Intel
General Paul Nakasone
Former Director of the NSA and Commander of US Cyber Command
Vanderbilt University Institute of National Security
Episode: What We Must Get Right In Cyber
Mark Greaney
Number one New York Times bestselling author of the Gray Man series and co-author of multiple Tom Clancy novels.
Episode: Mark Greaney gets gritty about what it takes to pen the perfect spy thriller

Hosts

Suzanne Kelly
Host of the State Secrets Podcast
Brad Christian
Co-host of the State Secrets Podcast

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 120 ratings
  • EXCEPTIONAL

    …interview with Mike Driscoll was exceptional! Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GeneM68
    United States4 months ago
  • Propaganda

    Military Industrial Complex has-beens are trending as guests with agendas to advocate for dated strategies, acquisitions or other bad ideas.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ranger WWB
    United Statesa year ago
  • Ed Bogan

    The interview of Ed Bogan is excellent!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Unisaw
    United States2 years ago
  • Eager listener

    I love tuning in to this podcast. Very informative, while remaining interesting. Nice work! :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jacsta1234
    Australia3 years ago
  • Steve Blank EXCEPTIONAL

    That interview with Steve Blank was exceptional ”at scale!”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GeneM68
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, practitioner-level discussions with leaders in security and policy.
Strong production value and credible guest slate repeatedly praised.
High-quality interviews with diverse experts and authors.
Some listeners feel the pacing and jargon can be dense for casual listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#156
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#119
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#242
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#128
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#206
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#243
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Former Chief of MI6 on Alliances, Adversaries, AI & Aliens
Q: How do you think the Western world should be understanding what the intent is here in the long term?
Xi Jinping's strategy is clear, aimed at strengthening China while undermining Western interests, identifying areas for engagement while also strengthening defense.
The Former Chief of MI6 on Alliances, Adversaries, AI & Aliens
Q: Can you describe a little bit what those weeks, days and weeks after 9-11 were like for you on the ground there?
It involved complex detective work and collaboration with intelligence agencies to track down and understand terrorist networks, particularly in Southeast Asia.
From a Bunker in Ukraine: Two Former CIA Officers Share Intel
Q: Have you noticed a change from the senior leadership position during this last trip?
There is a sense that progress is being made with limited negotiations, particularly regarding POW exchanges and territorial issues.
From a Bunker in Ukraine: Two Former CIA Officers Share Intel
Q: How have things changed there?
The atmosphere has become more resilient among Ukrainians, despite escalating Russian attacks.
Mark Greaney gets gritty about what it takes to pen the perfect spy thriller
Q: What advice do you give to people who are interested in writing?
If you really like to write, just do it for the love of it and take it seriously; good things will happen.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About State Secrets

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

This show leans into high-sidelity discussions with national security experts, former intelligence officials, military leaders, and renowned authors. Guests frequently explore geopolitical tensions, cybersecurity, AI's role in defense, and the intersection of private-sector innovation with public policy. Episodes often feature deep dives into current threats, strategic alliances, and the human side of leadership, offering practical takeaways for listeners in government, defense, tech, and policy spaces. A notable strength is the blend of policy analysis with first-hand experience and storytelling from acclaimed authors and seasoned operators, making complex security topics accessible for a professional audience and potential sponsors lookin... more

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Which podcasts are similar to State Secrets?

These podcasts share a similar audience with State Secrets:

1. NatSec Matters
2. SpyTalk
3. Net Assessment
4. War on the Rocks
5. Irregular Warfare Podcast

How many episodes of State Secrets are there?

State Secrets launched 9 years ago and published 100 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 State Secrets?

Recent guests on State Secrets include:

1. Sean Wiswesser
2. Andrew Zammit
3. Levi West
4. Gilman Louie
5. Sir Richard Moore
6. Glenn Corn
7. Ralph Goff
8. General Paul Nakasone

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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