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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
60 Minutes
Walter Reed's Traumatic Brain Injury Center
Al-Qaeda

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for State Secrets

Latest Episodes

In this edition of the State Secrets podcast, we're talking with two men who are carrying one of the most legendary torches in modern thriller history. Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson are the powerhouse duo behind the tier one series and are the aut... more

Join Suzanne Kelly as she delves into the world of Russian intelligence with former CIA operations officer Sean Wiswesser. Discover the intricacies of Russian operations, the impact of propaganda, and the ongoing secret war led by Putin. Gain insight... more

What does "peace through strength" mean in 2025—when AI, drones and great-power rivalry are reshaping the battlefield? In this episode of State Secrets, Cipher Brief CEO Suzanne Kelly sits down with David Trulio, President & CEO of the Reagan Foundat... more

In this episode of State Secrets, Cipher Brief CEO & Publisher Suzanne Kelly talks with retired four-star Gen. Stan McChrystal, who served as Commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and is author of the new book, On Character: Choices Th... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Brian Andrews
US Navy veteran and co-author of the Tom Clancy novel 'Executive Power'
Co-Author of 'Executive Power'
Episode: Taking Clancy's Franchise and Executive Power to New Heights
Jeffrey Wilson
Multi-talented professional and co-author of the Tom Clancy novel 'Executive Power'
Co-Author of 'Executive Power'
Episode: Taking Clancy's Franchise and Executive Power to New Heights
Sean Wiswesser
Former senior CIA operations officer and contributing writer for Cipher Brief
Episode: Inside Russia's Secret War: A Conversation with Sean Wiswesser
David Trulio
President and CEO of the Reagan Foundation and head of the Reagan National Defense Forum.
Reagan Foundation
Episode: Peace Through Strength in an AI Era: Inside the Reagan National Defense Forum
Stan McChrystal
Retired General and author of On Character, Choices That Define a Life
McChrystal Group
Episode: Getting Candid with Gen. Stan McChrystal (Ret.) on Character and Controversy
Mike Driscoll
Former NSA senior executive and expert in asymmetric warfare
Cipher Brief
Episode: Information Warfare The New Frontline
Kęstutis Budrys
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
Republic of Lithuania
Episode: Lithuania's Foreign Minister: 'Western Restraint Invites Russian Aggression
David Petraeus
Former CIA Director and US Army General
Episode: Drones, Deterrence, and Overplaying Putin's Hand: with Gen. David Petraeus
Renee Novakoff
Former Deputy Director of Intelligence for Sensitive Activities and Special Programs at the Office of the Secretary of Defense with over 40 years in the U.S. defense and intelligence community.
U.S. Department of Defense
Episode: The Secret U.S. Counter-Narcotics Mission

Hosts

Suzanne Kelly
Host of the podcast, also serves as CEO and publisher of The Cipher Brief, regularly engaging with experts across the national security field to explore contemporary security challenges.
Brad Christian
Co-host of the podcast, acts as COO and executive editor of The Cipher Brief, providing insights into military, intelligence, and policy discussions through expert interviews.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 120 ratings
  • 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 Statesa year 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
  • Lame

    These people act like they are still talking with their lingo using buds.. it’s boring and not useful to anyone except people wanting to stroke themselves with people who they fashion as important or relevant… go back to Panera and have the Mac and cheese..

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    chipsotoole1
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The diversity of topics related to national security is appreciated, especially the focus on current geopolitical issues and military strategies.
Listeners find the content to be informative and engaging, often praising the depth of insights from guests.
There are mixed reviews; some listeners appreciate the expertise of guests while others criticize the favoritism toward certain political perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#127
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#76
Israel/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#158
Argentina/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#162
Philippines/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#185
Norway/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside Russia's Secret War: A Conversation with Sean Wiswesser
Q: Is President Putin a little bit more reticent to carry out operations that are this bold in the US?
I think that in the absence of stronger measures from the West, that's what we risk.
Inside Russia's Secret War: A Conversation with Sean Wiswesser
Q: What do you think about the ability of Russians to understand democracy?
The current generation of Russians... don't have a good concept of democracy.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister: 'Western Restraint Invites Russian Aggression
Q: What does a ceasefire in Ukraine mean for the Baltics?
It means that Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine and bolster its own military presence at the borders.
Getting Candid with Gen. Stan McChrystal (Ret.) on Character and Controversy
Q: How do you think history will judge Stan McChrystal's character 100 years from now?
He believes history might judge him based on his intentions and impact, but acknowledges that he was part of efforts that many deemed inevitable failures, like Afghanistan.
Getting Candid with Gen. Stan McChrystal (Ret.) on Character and Controversy
Q: How are you thinking about character in environments like the one that we're in today?
McChrystal responds that today's political environment is highly partisan, making the concept of character feel charged and binary; he emphasizes the importance of understanding what character truly is before passing judgment.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About State Secrets

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

The episodes focus on various critical national security issues, featuring experts from the Cipher Brief and other prominent figures in defense and intelligence. Listeners can expect in-depth discussions on topics including geopolitical conflicts, advancements in military technology, and insights into international relations, notably regarding Russia and China. Additionally, the podcast provides expert commentary on the evolution of warfare, including the role of cyber threats and information warfare strategies. The conversational style aims to make complex security topics accessible while informing the audience about contemporary challenges in global security.

Where can I find podcast stats for State Secrets?

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How many listeners does State Secrets get?

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What are the audience demographics for State Secrets?

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How many subscribers and views does State Secrets have?

To see how many followers or subscribers State Secrets 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 State Secrets?

These podcasts share a similar audience with State Secrets:

1. NatSec Matters
2. SpyTalk
3. War on the Rocks
4. The President’s Inbox
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.

How do I contact State Secrets?

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 State Secrets?

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

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What guests have appeared on State Secrets?

Recent guests on State Secrets include:

1. Brian Andrews
2. Jeffrey Wilson
3. Sean Wiswesser
4. David Trulio
5. Stan McChrystal
6. Mike Driscoll
7. Kęstutis Budrys
8. David Petraeus

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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