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Artwork for The Spy Who

The Spy Who

Wondery
MI5
Al-Qaeda
MI6
Sergei Skripal
Ukraine
Espionage
Terrorism
Bellingcat
Elliot Higgins
Brexit
Sergei Cristo
Vladimir Putin
Carlton Club
Russian Intelligence
Conservative Party
Information Warfare
Cambridge University
Life At Sea
Bosnia
Russia

These are stories you were never meant to hear. The invisible but vital work of the world’s intelligence services: secret operatives playing to very different rules. The Spy Who, hosted by Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey, takes you deep inside that shadow world to meet spies who risked everything in the national interest – or, sometimes, their own.

Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes94Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Spy Who

Latest Episodes

The ex spy at the heart of our story joins host Charlie Higson to unpack his days in a biker gang, his immersion in radical Islam, his rise within al-Qaeda’s ranks, and the dramatic fallout that followed. This high-stakes espionage led to the death o... more

Danish spy Morten Storm is closing in on terrorist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki to secure a huge CIA bounty. But he’s about to be double crossed.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do... more

The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life - the words you speak, the ideas you share - can be traced to our history, but how well do you really know the stories that made America? We'll take you to the events, ... more

As the threat from jihadi preacher Anwar al-Awlaki increases, Morten Storm goes to Yemen to spy on him for the CIA. But al-Awlaki’s got a surprise mission for Storm.

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Natalie Cochran
Pharmacist involved in a Ponzi scheme and deceived many including her husband
Episode: Listen now: Scamfluencers | The Pharmacist Femme Fatale
Justin Hawkins
Musician and former frontman of the band The Darkness
The Darkness
Episode: Listen Now: How Do You Cope?
Elliot Higgins
Founder of Bellingcat, investigative journalist specializing in open-source intelligence.
Bellingcat
Episode: The Spy Who Putin Poisoned | Uncovering The Truth With Bellingcat | 5
Frank Close
Author of 'Trinity, The Treachery and Pursuit of the Most Dangerous Spy in History'
Episode: The Spy Who Started the Cold War | The Most Dangerous In History? | 5
Aimen Dean
Former MI6 spy inside Al-Qaeda and author of 'Nine Lives'
Episode: The Spy Who Betrayed Bin Laden | Aimen Dean talks about his time as MI6's Top Spy Inside Al-Qaeda | 5
Rick Stroud
Author of Lonely Courage, The True Story of the SOE Heroines Who Fought to Free Nazi Occupied France
Episode: The Spy Who Wouldn't Lie | The Unsung Heroines Of WW2 | 5
Andrew Lownie
Author of 'Stalin's Englishman'.
Episode: The Spy Who Saved MI5 | How the Cambridge Five Changed MI5 | 5
Andrew Lycett
Biographer of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond
Episode: The Spy Who Inspired 007 | The other James Bonds | 5

Host

Indira Varma
Co-host and prominent voice in the series, also known for her acting work that adds depth to the narrative storytelling.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • Big fan of the show

    Anyone who's excited by history, war-time stories, or intelligence should check out this podcast. They've covered a wide range of conflicts and countries and taught me about famous spies as well as lesser known women and figures people just don't talk much about. I especially enjoyed the series on the rescuing of Ethiopian Jews and applaud their ability to tell a fascinating and unpolarizing story involving Israel.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FurAn'Bunnies
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent Spy Podcast

    This is one of the best spy podcasts I’ve listened to, and, without naming names, there are a few in circulation. Keep ‘em coming; the episodes are fascinating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zeegha
    United Statesa month ago
  • A good spy podcast

    Would like to hear them do Virginia Hall

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    johanna3
    United Statesa month ago
  • Outstanding!

    I enjoy history, so when I came across this podcast I was immediately enthralled by the stories we never knew about the spy realm. However, I do have one suggestion. Whenever there is only one narrator, it becomes hard to follow who is saying what. If both Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey were in the same season, it would definitely help us listeners follow the story. I would suggest this podcast to those who enjoy history, spy, or just drama stories. Overall, great podcast and can’t wait to see wh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CoopMan2121
    United Statesa month ago
  • End of september?

    New series end of september. No where to be seen

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Yzfr Racer
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is recommended for anyone interested in history and espionage, with many expressing a desire for more seasons and content.
Listeners praise the captivating storytelling and high production quality, noting that the series brings lesser-known historical espionage stories to life.
There are some critiques regarding the reenactment style and host's vocal performances, suggesting that it could be more engaging with additional voice actors.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/History
Spotify
#28
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#232
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#20
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#27
Canada/History
Spotify
#26
Australia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Spy Who Putin Poisoned | Uncovering The Truth With Bellingcat | 5
Q: Was there ever a moment where you were worried for your team?
We certainly have the attention of the Russian state in their public statements.
The Spy Who Putin Poisoned | Uncovering The Truth With Bellingcat | 5
Q: Do you think the Skripal poisoning can be seen as an act of war?
There are multiple incidents where Russian spies haven't just spied, they've blown stuff up and, you know, they've killed people.
The Spy Who Started the Cold War | The Most Dangerous In History? | 5
Q: Why do you think so many great minds were happy to join this project, considering that its key focus was an enormously destructive atomic weapon?
Many scientists saw their work as a necessary response to the enormity of the threat posed by Nazi Germany during the war, balancing ethical considerations with the urgency of their mission.
The Spy Who Started the Cold War | The Most Dangerous In History? | 5
Q: What do you feel made Fuchs so dangerous?
Fuchs was regarded as the most dangerous spy by a US Congressional Enquiry in the 1950s due to his significant espionage activities, especially because he was spreading information during a time when the US and USSR had become adversaries post-war.
The Spy Who Betrayed Bin Laden | Aimen Dean talks about his time as MI6's Top Spy Inside Al-Qaeda | 5
Q: What does it feel like being betrayed by the people you served?
The moment my heart sank when I realized I was outed as a spy was devastating.

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 The Spy Who

What is The Spy Who about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on the intricate and often dangerous world of espionage, exploring the lives and stories of spies who have played pivotal roles in shaping history. Episodes span a variety of engaging topics, including high-profile espionage cases, infiltration tactics, and the implications of various intelligence operations. Guests sometimes share their own experiences, providing a personal lens into the espionage narrative while maintaining a gripping storytelling style that blends historical detail with dramatic reenactments. The production aims to immerse listeners in the complexities of spycraft and the ethical dilemmas faced by its practitioners, making it a compelling choice for those interested in history, drama, and real-life in... more

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How many listeners does The Spy Who get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Spy Who have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Spy Who 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 The Spy Who?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Spy Who:

1. British Scandal
2. Legacy
3. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
4. American Scandal
5. The Rest Is Classified

How many episodes of The Spy Who are there?

The Spy Who launched 2 years ago and published 94 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 The Spy Who?

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What guests have appeared on The Spy Who?

Recent guests on The Spy Who include:

1. Natalie Cochran
2. Justin Hawkins
3. Elliot Higgins
4. Frank Close
5. Aimen Dean
6. Rick Stroud
7. Andrew Lownie
8. Andrew Lycett

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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