The Live Drop

Latest Episodes:

Veteran CIA Security Officer Tom Pecora on Guarding the Clandestine Mar 17, 2019

Show notes

Tom Pecora is a 24 year CIA veteran and senior clandestine security manager. He talks about his book Guardian: Life in the Crosshairs of the CIA’s War on Terror, and a career in Clandestine security operations. Mark asks him about the mindset of ‘stealth,’ 'getting off the X,' and how to protect those in the business of risking it all for information. Listen in for a chat with the Forest Gump of the GWOT. He cites his early experiences with Islamic terrorists in the Phillipines, Bosnia, North Africa, Mogudishu, Somalia, Afganistan, Iraq. Tom talks frankly about PTSD, and the offers some universal advice to anyone entering the Clandestine Service. Transmission 019

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Tradecraft Trainer Jason Hanson Transmits from his Spy Ranch Somewhere in Utah Feb 27, 2019

Show notes

Jason is an author, entrepreneur and ex-CIA officer. His books Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life and Survive Like A Spy are bestsellers and considered essential for those interested in Spycraft with real stories from the field to back them up. Find Jason and links to all his company services at spyandescape.com or survivelikeaspy.com. He consults at GPTagents.com.

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Playwright Helen Banner's INTELLIGENCE Goes Onstage with Diplomats and Terrorists Feb 01, 2019

Show notes

With INTELLIGENCE, playwright Helen Banner raises some big questions in this production about a charismatic negotiator training diplomats for talks with a violent adversary. Though not practiced now (or yet, rather), they use role-playing and improvisation to show how we code and decode others through our bias, understanding and imagination. More at helenbanner.com

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Thinker and Soldier John Spencer Goes to Town on Urban Warfare Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

Maj. (ret) John W. Spencer currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, NY and Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project. He's instrumental in the design and formation of the institute and a prolific writer specializing in how increased urbanization affects military operations, planning, and... thinking. Find him on Twitter @SpencerGuard.

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Michael Reiter Directs AGENTS UNKNOWN and Debriefs Intelligence Networks of the Vietcong. Jan 01, 2019

Show notes

Michael discusses his documentary about an American intelligence advisor in Vietnam. In this film MACV veteran John Murphy narrates his experience and the difficulty of reporting intelligence that some might not want to hear. Michael shares his own challenges, and tips for documentary filmmakers. Episode 15.

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Author and former Navy Special Operations JTAC Will Mackin Brings Out The Dog Dec 14, 2018

Show notes

In his book Bring Out The Dog, Will Mackin writes a fictional account of his time with Navy Special Operations as a Joint Terminal Air Controller - 'a remarkable portrait of the absurdity and poetry that define life in the most elite, Clandestine circles of modern warfare.' Will’s stories demonstrates the role of intuition, empathy and imagination into the enemies movements and psyche. A 24 year Navy veteran, Will shares his reentry into civilian life. Find his work at wmackin.com

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Author Antje Arnold Takes Us Behind The Wall as a VOPO’s Daughter Dec 09, 2018

Show notes

Author of The Girl Behind The Wall explains her relatively normal childhood in the DDR with little or no exposure to elements of the surveillance state. Or was it there all along? We may have to wait for her second book for the answer. Antje explains the massive download of western culture those from the East had to digest in the 1990s, and what it felt like to be a cultural refugee in her own land. Episode 13

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Mr Fish aka Dwayne Booth Reveals Purpose of Satirical Imagery Nov 30, 2018

Show notes

You’ve seen his thought provoking and shocking political cartoons in LA Times, Harpers, McSweeneys and now all over social media. Mr Fish himself describes how positive advertising has conditioned us to reject uncomfortable and subversive messages and images at our own peril. He is the subject of a documentary by director Pablo Bryant “Cartooning From the Deep End” on iTunes December 18th. You can find and support his work at clowncrack.com & mrfishmovie.com

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Author Michael Brady Reveals his Non Official Cover as Intelligence Professor at The Citadel Nov 23, 2018

Show notes

Episode 11 - Michael Brady is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, career intelligence professional and author of several spy novels. He teaches at the Citadel, patiently asking his students to support their choices with solid intelligence. Find his work at michaelbradybooks.com

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Former NSA & CIA Director Michael Hayden Finds Objective Reality Oct 12, 2018

Show notes

Gen Michael Hayden goes back to Intel 101 to give context on the shape and purpose of information gathering, then shares his experiences at the top agencies during the must tumultuous years for the Intelligence Community. And right now, he says might be the most dangerous development he’s seen yet, the rejection of ‘objective reality.’ Accurate, verifiable intelligence is more important now than ever.

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