SpyCast

Latest Episodes:

From NFL to Espionage: The Story of Ernest Cuneo Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

He was an American spy before an American spy agency existed. NFL player Ernest Cuneo, a little known first generation Italian American, worked with British intelligence to convince the United States to join World War II, and helped lay the groundwork for modern day espionage. Thomas Maier traces Cuneo’s extraordinary life in his new book, The Invisible Spy, out March 25th.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Agent Link: The Spy Erased from History | With former FBI Counterintelligence Expert

The Dirty Tricks Department with John Lisle

Operation Underworld with Matthew Black

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Debriefing from the Ukrainian Front Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

A fourth year of war in Ukraine begins. But for Lt. Col. Kyrylo Berkal, who’s been fighting since Russia first invaded in 2014, the battle for his country has raged much longer. Now, he’s second in command of the elite Third Assault Brigade, which has played a major role in critical battles against Russia and continues to develop new technologies to both gather intelligence and enhance combat techniques.

Kirt spoke to us between missions. During the conversation, he revealed his firsthand insights and experiences of the war as Ukraine keeps up the fight for independence.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

An Evening with General David H. Petraeus

Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Ambassador Roger D. Carstens

SpyCast - “Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence” – with Simon Shuster

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

How did Harriet Tubman operate as a spy? Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

She’s known for helping to free people through the Underground Railroad, but Harriet Tubman was also a spy during the Civil War. And with the intelligence she collected, the Maryland native became the first woman to lead men into battle on gunboats down the Combahee River in South Carolina. The Combahee River Raid destroyed several vital Confederate rice plantations and liberated more than 750 people from enslavement.

Social historian Edda Fields-Black reveals new details about the raid and Tubman.

And later in the episode, Ernestine Wyatt, Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, discusses the importance of Harriet’s espionage work and the legacy of her dedication to democracy.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

The Real Harriet Tubman

African Americans in Espionage | International Spy Museum

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at spycast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

What's next for Kim Jong Un? Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

North Korea is growing more dangerous, but no U.S. administration has been able to crack the code on its leader Kim Jong Un. Now, there’s even less incentive for Kim to negotiate because of the support he’s getting from Russia. So what will Kim do next, and where is he vulnerable? Jung H. Pak, a former CIA analyst who served as the country’s top diplomat for North Korea, takes us inside the mind of one of the world's most opaque leaders.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Virtual Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Dr. Jung H. Pak

AI and Emerging Technologies: Intelligence Opportunities & Challenges

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Campus Cloak-and-Dagger: Spies Targeting American Universities Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

For decades, colleges and universities have been a destination for espionage. Especially in recent years, the use of international students and faculty as spies on American campuses has been particularly daunting. Why do intelligence services, both foreign and domestic, target colleges and universities? And what is there to gain on these campuses? Award-winning journalist Daniel Golden, author of the book Spy Schools, describes the timeless game.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Agent Zo: The woman who defied the Nazis and Communists Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Agent Zo was the only female Polish resistance agent to reach London as a courier during WWII and the only female member of Poland's fabled 'Silent Unseen' paratroopers. Yet despite having researched Poland's wartime resistance movement, many of us have never heard of her. Why?

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Agent Zo: The Extraordinary Woman Who Parachuted Into Nazi-Occupied Poland

Women Spies of WWII with Ellen McCarthy, Judith L. Pearson, and Erika Robuck

The Danger of the Femme Fatale Narrative

Code Name Madeleine with author Arthur J. Magida

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

How will President Trump handle intelligence in his second term? Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Now that President Trump has been inaugurated, what can we expect for the intelligence community? On his first full day in his first term, he visited the CIA to voice support. But he has also displayed deep skepticism and accused spy agencies of undermining him. Beth Sanner is a highly decorated, retired career intelligence officer who briefed Trump with the President’s Daily Brief, a highly classified summary of the US most critical national security threats. She shares her thoughts on what lies ahead.

If you liked this episode, check out:

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

How do you fool Russian Intelligence? Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Former intelligence officer Bryan Stern describes the tradecraft he used on Russian intelligence and military services to rescue an American imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

If you liked this episode check out these links to more hostage rescue stories:

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

To learn more about Bryan’s work with Grey Bull you can visit greybullrescue.org.

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org.

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Introducing the New Host: Sasha Ingber Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Introducing the new host of SpyCast, Sasha Ingber! In this week’s episode, Sasha joined Erin in a conversation about her career and the future of the International Spy Museum’s flagship podcast. Now entering it’s 19th year, SpyCast will relaunch on January 14th with brand new episodes, featuring exciting spy stories and the latest intelligence from the shadowy world of espionage. Tune in to learn more about Sasha, our very first female host and the first host with a background in journalism.

As we look forward to our upcoming relaunch, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to those who have had a hand in uplifting SpyCast throughout the past 18 years. In particular, we’d like to thank our outgoing host Dr. Andrew Hammond, whose passion for the history of intelligence and genuine connection with each of our guests shined through each of the 200+ episodes he produced. A special thanks is also due to our friends at N2K Networks for their talented production and unwavering support of the podcast.

We can’t wait to introduce you all to the new era of SpyCast. See you in the new year!

Subscribe to Sasha’s Substack, HUMINT, here: https://sashaingber.substack.com/

From the Vault: “The 75th Anniversary of the CIA” – with former Director Robert Gates Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Summary

Robert Gates (Website; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to reflect on the 75th Anniversary of the CIA. He served 8 U.S. presidents.

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

His reflections on the CIA at 75
How the CIA’s story intersected with his own
His take on the organization’s strengths and weaknesses
The complex intl. environment the CIA must now help America navigate

Reflections

Twists of fate
Identity and institutions

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Robert M. Gates is the first career officer in the CIA’s history to rise from entry level employee to Director. He spent 27 years at CIA, nine of those at the NSC. More recently, he was the first Secretary of Defense to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president. In all, he served 8 presidents.

Wouldn’t you love to know his take on the CIA at 75? Well, we’ve made that happen for you!

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, served in the U.S.A.F. and he received his undergraduate education at William & Mary, his masters from Indiana University, and his doctorate from Georgetown University. He was formerly the President of Texas A&M University and the current Chancellor of William & Mary.

And…

The academic institutions Dr. Gates has been associated with all have quite different capacities of football stadium: Georgetown University’s Cooper Field can hold 3,750; William & Mary’s Zable Stadium can hold 12,259; Indiana University’s Memorial Stadium can hold 52,626; and Texas A&M’s Kyle Stadium can hold a whopping 102,733. What could we infer about Dr. Gates, college sports, or the United States from this information? Well, that would be thinking like an intelligence analyst.

Quote of the Week

"I've led four very big, very different institutions and like all of them I always saw where places where CIA could be better. But I always loved the place, and I always was proud to work there and proud of the people that I knew…they were probably the smartest, most honest people I've ever met and worked with." – Robert Gates.

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

“Reorganization in the Intel. Community,” DCI Gates (1992)
Watch this prescient clip on historical naivete, or if you’re hardcore, the entire congressional testimony

SpyCasts

“Dealing with Russia” – with Jim Olson (2022)
“I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – with Mike Morell (2021)

Beginner Resources

History of CIA, CIA (n.d.) [website]
CIA Director’s Portrait Gallery, CIA (n.d.) [online gallery]
Impact of President G.H.W. Bush’s Foreign Policy, MSNBC (2018) [13 min. video]
At 75, CIA Back Where it Started, Countering Kremlin, G. Myre, NPR (2022) [5 min. audio]

Books

Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020)
Duty, R. Gates (Vintage, 2015) [Def. Sec. memoir]
A World Transformed, Bush & Scowcroft (Knopf, 1998)
From the Shadows, R. Gates (S&S, 1996) [CIA memoir]
Power & Principle, Z. Brzezinski (FS&G, 1983) [Gates was Z.B.’s Special Asst. at the NSC during the Carter era]

Articles

A More Realistic Strategy for the Post-Cold War Era, R. Gates, WaPo (2022)
Creation of the Central Intelligence Group, M. Warner, SII (1996)

Video

Legacy of the G.H.W.B. Administration, CFR (2016)
Book Talk: From the Shadows, R. Gates, C-Span (1996)

Documentary

The Spymasters, Showtime (2015)

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Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Reflections

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Quote of the Week

Resources

Andrew’s Recommendation

SpyCasts

Beginner Resources

Books

Articles

Video

Documentary

Curatorial

Primary Sources

Wildcard Resource

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

SpyCast

Summary

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Reflections

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Quote of the Week

Resources

*Andrew’s Recommendation*

*SpyCasts*

*Beginner Resources*

Books

Articles

Video

Documentary

Curatorial

Primary Sources

*Wildcard Resource*

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6

Andrew’s Recommendation

SpyCasts

Beginner Resources

Wildcard Resource