Best Spyscape Podcasts (2024)

1
Disinformation Warfare, Part 1 - The Troll Farm | Investigation 47:45

2h ago47:45

47:45

Just how influential is the 'white noise' of information, and disinformation, emanating from Russia? In this first of two special episodes on the phenomenon of modern disinformation, Ukrainian-British journalist and author Peter Pomerantsev, reveals the evolution of the dark tactics the modern Russian state uses to cripple both neighbouring countri…

1
Kim Philby, Super Spy: Part 2, The Third Man 52:10

3d ago52:10

52:10

Born to the British upper-crust - devoted to the Revolution. Harold 'Kim' Philby was the ultimate Soviet superspy. For decades, Philby sold secrets to the Russians from inside the upper echelons of MI6. Inspired by an unpublished memoir recently acquired by Spyscape, we bring his fascinating story to life. In Part 2, Rhiannon Neads follows the trai…

1
Jung Chang: Chairman Mao Badge 11:53

9d ago11:53

11:53

Can you ever truly suppress a curious mind? If there was one aim of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, it was that. The lauded writer Jung Chang joins Alice Loxton to revisit a childhood characterized by surveillance and prohibition. But even in Communist China – at a time when pins bearing the face of the great leader were worn on every chest – cur…

1
Kim Philby, Super Spy: Part 1, Codename Sonny 52:09

10d ago52:09

52:09

Born to the British upper-crust - devoted to the Revolution. Harold 'Kim' Philby was the ultimate Soviet superspy. For decades, Philby sold secrets to the Russians from inside the upper echelons of MI6. Inspired by an unpublished memoir recently acquired by Spyscape, we bring his fascinating story to life. In Part 1, Rhiannon Neads details Philby's…

1
Manya Kullmann: Castro’s Keepsakes 9:32

16d ago9:32

9:32

Where does a leader like Fidel Castro place his trust? The answer comes in the form of a box of romantic mementos, carried from Cuba to Russia. Print designer Manya Kullman tells Alice Loxton the story of her grandmother, Galina, a KGB spy who won the affections of a revolutionary leader at the height of the Cold War – and who kept his keepsakes cl…

1
Narcotopia, Part Two - Thy Will Be Done | Investigation 47:03

17d ago47:03

47:03

Nestled in the mountains of Myanmar, there's a nation that you won't find on the map. The mysterious, controversial Wa State is what journalist Patrick Winn calls a 'Narcotopia' - a country whose main source of income is the international drugs trade. In Part 2, we learn more about Saw Lu's dangerous entanglement with the US Government. Listener di…

1
Tim Marlow: The Welbike 11:17

23d ago11:17

11:17

What would you need to go it alone behind enemy lines? For the agents of the notoriously brave Special Operations Executive in World War II, a select toolkit of spy gadgets represented the difference between life and death. Design Museum CEO Tim Marlow and host Alex Loxton discuss the groundbreaking folding motorcycle that accompanied SEO operative…

1
Narcotopia, Part One - Agent Superstar | Investigation 50:46

24d ago50:46

50:46

Nestled in the mountains of Myanmar, there's a nation that you won't find on the map. The mysterious, controversial Wa State is what journalist Patrick Winn calls a 'Narcotopia' - a country whose main source of income is the international drugs trade. In Part 1, Patrick tells the story of his journey to Wa State, and his chance meeting with one of …

1
Alexander Cary: Kim Philby Papers 14:26

30d ago14:26

14:26

How does the old spy regard himself, when he’s left alone with his thoughts? The answer to this question can be found in the aborted memoir of one of the most notorious traitors in history: Kim Philby. Screenwriter Alexander Cary and host Alice Loxton unpick the inner workings of a complicated spy. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzz…

1
Agent Sniper | CIA 49:59

1M ago49:59

49:59

Bigamist. Fantasist. Betrayer. Betrayed. Known only as Agent Sniper, Polish double-agent Michal Goleniewski sold secrets to the USA from behind the Iron Curtain. But this complex, ambitious man was no match for his American handlers. In this episode of True Spies, author Tim Tate reveals a life full of romance, tragedy and Cold War intrigue. From S…

1
Episode 061 : Bond in Motion Saratoga (audio only) 7:56

1M ago7:56

7:56

See the video here :

1
Kengo Kuma: Nijo Jinya Hotel 10:32

1M ago10:32

10:32

If Nijo Jinya’s walls could talk, what story would they tell? World-renowned architect Kengo Kuma joins host Alice Loxton to discuss a still-standing Kyoto guest house where, in Japan’s Edo era, power was bought and sold, and silent ninjas stalked the corridors in search of secrets. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. S…

1
The Strike on Saddam | CIA 42:18

1M ago42:18

42:18

It's 2003, and the USA is on the brink of war. Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been issued a deadline - leave the country, or face a full American invasion. In the event of his refusal, the CIA has a plan to strike Saddam's Dora Farms compound - potentially stopping the war in its tracks. The operation is overseen by the head of the Agency's Iraq…

1
Gary Powers Jr: U2 Spy Plane 17:22

1M ago17:22

17:22

What’s it like to be the child of a world-famous spy? Gary Powers Jr. takes his name and his inspiration from his father, Francis Gary Powers – the pilot of the U2 spy plane that was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960, sparking a major Cold War crisis. Here, Powers and host Alice Loxton discuss the legendary U2, and the life of its most famous…

3301
The King's Secret | Historical 44:01

2M ago44:01

44:01

The Chevalièr d'Éon, was an 18th century war-hero, an indispensable spy and a famous diplomat. But today, they're best known for their pioneering approach to gender boundaries. Historian Gary Kates pulls back the curtains on this fascinating True Spy. Hear the groundbreaking story of d'Éon's life - from undercover geopolitical manipulation in the R…

1
Episode 060: Spyscape (audio only) 10:46

2M ago10:46

10:46

See the video version here : https://youtu.be/0xhtSaox-WU

1
Tom Ayling: Secret Service Payments Book 17:41

2M ago17:41

17:41

Who pays for all the King’s secrets? In between the lines of a tired old accounts ledger, a hidden history of espionage and scandal lies in wait. Antiquarian bookseller Tom Ayling and host Alice Loxton guide us through the secret affairs of King William III – with direct access to the payments that he kept away from prying eyes. From SPYSCAPE, the …

1
The Last Honest Man | Historical 43:24

2M ago43:24

43:24

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist James Risen, details the life and work of Frank Church - the man who forever changed the US intelligence community. From humble Idaho beginnings, through to his lofty Presidential ambitions, we delve into who Church really was, and his tireless devotion to serving American ideals of transparency and accoun…

1
Trevor Paglen: Skynet 13:28

2M ago13:28

13:28

How dangerous is metadata? According to the artist and author Trevor Paglen, it can be deadly. Paglen joins host Alice Loxton to shine a light on Skynet – a network of all-seeing satellites – and the ominous AI algorithm that farms metadata and gets to decide who lives and who dies. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. S…

1
The Disappeared, Part 2 - Mother's Day | Investigation 48:30

2M ago48:30

48:30

No one takes on the cartel and comes away unscathed. Miriam Rodriguez understood that from the start. In the second and final part of this extraordinary True Spies story, The New York Times’ Azam Ahmed picks up the story of the housekeeper who sought revenge on Mexico’s notorious Zetas. Having discovered the grim truth of what happened to her kidna…

1
Episode 059: Spygest! feat. Blake (Bond Life Chicago) (Audio only) 9:04

2M ago9:04

9:04

See the video version here : https://youtu.be/u-liY2B9fm4

1
Simon Menner: The Coffee Pot 12:38

2M ago12:38

12:38

Who keeps on moving the coffee pot? That innocent question plunges one East German woman into a dangerous world of deception and betrayal. Photographer and archivist Simon Menner joins Alice Loxton to unravel a Cold War domestic mystery centered around the most inconspicuous of objects. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle productio…

1
The Disappeared, Part 1 - Parlour Games | Investigation 40:09

2M ago40:09

40:09

In this two-part True Spies story, The New York Times’ Azam Ahmed tells the unbelievable tale of Miriam Rodriguez, a 56 year-old housekeeper turned rogue agent – and thorn in the side of one of Mexico’s most feared gangs. In Part One, we meet Miriam as her world is turned upside down by news of her daughter’s kidnapping. Soon, she embarks on a ques…

1
The Cultural Tutor: Napoleon’s Briefcase 13:00

2M ago13:00

13:00

How did Napoleon keep a sprawling empire under his thumb? Ask Sheehan Quirke – who runs the popular history feed, The Cultural Tutor – and he’ll tell you that the great historical leader depended on a vast network of spies to keep him clued up. The fruits of their toil were delivered to him each morning in a leather briefcase. Here, Quirke and host…

1
Diamond Hands | IRS-CI 30:16

2M ago30:16

30:16

During the cryptocurrency boom of the 2010s, those who held their assets made huge fortunes. Among them was James Zhong - a young man who'd amassed an unbelievable virtual treasure trove. But he'd come across his fortune illegitimately - by executing an audacious one-man heist against the most notorious black market on the Dark Web. Sophia Di Marti…

1
Joana Vasconcelos: War Games 15:02

3M ago15:02

15:02

What secrets are hiding under the bed? For the Portuguese artist and sculptor, Joana Vasconcelos, a troubling inheritance of deceit lay lurking in wait in her late grandparents’ apartment. Here, she and host Alice Loxton discuss the dark journey that her discovery sent her on – and the powerful work of art it inspired. From SPYSCAPE, the home of se…

1
The Silk Road Bust | FBI 39:23

3M ago39:23

39:23

The Silk Road was one of the most notorious black markets on the internet. Run by the notorious, anonymous Dread Pirate Roberts, this online bazaar allowed its users to trade cryptocurrency for illegal drugs, items and services. But, buried beneath layers of digital proxies, the Silk Road was almost impenetrable to law enforcement. Almost. Sophia D…

1
Marc Newson - SR-71 Blackbird 14:05

3M ago14:05

14:05

How do you solve a problem like a Russian radar? That question lies at the heart of one of the most innovative and intricate planes ever to be made: the SR-71 Blackbird. Acclaimed industrial designer and artist Marc Newson and host Alice Loxton tell the story of an aircraft born out of an impossible brief. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup …

1
Sonya’s Red Heart, Part Two: The Secrets of Sonya | GRU 33:17

3M ago33:17

33:17

Ursula Kuczynski, AKA Agent Sonya, is one history's most effective spies. As an intelligence gatherer for the Soviet military, she helped to usher in the age of Mutually Assured Destruction during the bloody 1940s. In 2020, a newly declassified document muddied the waters - who was Sonya really working for? In this two-part True Spies story, a new …

1
Dan Snow: PM's Despatch Box 12:55

3M ago12:55

12:55

What official secrets hide inside that battered red leather box? Popular historian Dan Snow and host Alice Loxton peer inside a Victorian Prime Minister’s despatch box, and speculate on the world-changing intelligence that such a storied case once contained. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series produced by Alex Bu…

1
Sonya’s Red Heart, Part One: The Fairytale of Ursula Kuczynski | GRU 28:57

3M ago28:57

28:57

Ursula Kuczynski, AKA Agent Sonya, is one history's most effective spies. As an intelligence gatherer for the Soviet military, she helped to usher in the age of Mutually Assured Destruction during the bloody 1940s. In 2020, a newly declassified document muddied the waters - who was Sonya really working for? In this two-part True Spies story, a new …

1
Daniel Arsham: Animal Farm Cels 17:22

3M ago17:22

17:22

What did George Orwell and the CIA have in common? Perhaps more than the great socialist writer would have cared to admit. The groundbreaking visual artist Daniel Arsham and host Alice Loxton bring us inside the CIA-sponsored production of Animal Farm. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series produced by Alex Burnard,…

1
Cribs, Codes and Cairo | Historical 42:34

3M ago42:34

42:34

Emily Anderson was the best codebreaker you've never heard of. Fiercely devoted to secrecy, she served Britain's interests in two World Wars - mastering five languages along the way. In this remarkable True Spies story, Sophia Di Martino and historian Jackie Ui Chionna give Anderson a much-deserved moment in the limelight. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of …

1
Justin Jampol: Wende Museum Artefacts 13:45

4M ago13:45

13:45

To whom do retired spies turn after the collapse of their mission? Los Angeles’ Wende Museum holds one of the most impressive Cold War collections in the world – and has become something of an amnesty box for old agents seeking to preserve a piece of their former lives. The Wende’s director Justin Jampol and host Alice Loxton explore highlights fro…

1
Tradecraft, Part 8 43:17

4M ago43:17

43:17

The tools in a spy's arsenal are more varied than you might think. But they all come under one name: Tradecraft. In our eighth round of insights from the world of espionage, Sophia Di Martino looks back on lessons drawn from masters of disguise, daring civilian spycraft, and nail-biting undercover work. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And N…

1
Elizabeth Bruton: Portland Spy Ring Ephemera 13:17

4M ago13:17

13:17

What does it take to betray your country? Less than you might think. Dr. Elizabeth Bruton and host, Alice Loxton, break down the surprisingly humble tool kit of one of the most destructive espionage networks in British history – the Portland Spy Ring. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series produced by Alex Burnard, …

1
Tradecraft, Part 7 36:45

4M ago36:45

36:45

The tools in a spy's arsenal are more varied than you might think. But they all come under one name: Tradecraft. In our seventh round of insights from the world of espionage, Sophia Di Martino revisits an audacious gambit in Iraq, evades surveillance behind the Iron Curtain, and learns how to create a convincing cover story in Canada. From SPYSCAPE…

1
Jason Isaacs: B-2 Spirit 9:31

4M ago9:31

9:31

How many secrets weigh 1500 lbs, cost $100 million, and travel at 600 mph? Only one that we can think of. Acclaimed actor Jason Isaacs and host Alice Loxton take us inside the cockpit of Northrop Grumman’s legendary B-2 Spirit – the iconic stealth bomber that epitomized late Cold War ingenuity. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle p…

1
Operation Ajax | CIA & MI6 49:47

4M ago49:47

49:47

In the early 1950s, Iran elected a forward-thinking new leader. But where previous regimes had played ball with British and American oil companies in the country, Mohammed Mossadegh refused. In response, Western intelligence services mounted a deadly coup. Sophia Di Martino and historian Ervand Abrahamian unpick the shocking downfall of Iran's last…

1
James Grime: Enigma Machine 12:36

4M ago12:36

12:36

How much depended on breaking Enigma’s code? Mathematician James Grime and host, Alice Loxton peer beneath the hood of one of the most storied inventions in military history: the near-unbreakable Enigma Machine, used by German military throughout World War II as a means of protecting critical communications. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cu…

1
Escaping ISIS 46:25

4M ago46:25

46:25

As ISIS sweeps through the Middle East, the regions' minority groups face brutal oppression. In Northern Iraq, ex-CIA officers Michele Rigby Assad and her husband, Joseph Assad, feel compelled to do what they can to help. Michele joins Sophia Di Martino to recount the steps that led to a dramatic evacuation of Iraqi Christians from Erbil in 2015. F…

1
Anthony Horowitz: Joan Bright Astley’s Inner Circle 10:52

5M ago10:52

10:52

For how long could you keep a secret? In the case of Joan Bright Astley, the answer was ‘To the grave.’ Acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz and host Alice Loxton offer up a gift from the real-life Miss Moneypenny – a formidable woman who protected the secrets of the notorious Special Operations Executive for as long as she lived. F…

1
The Wilderness of Mirrors | US Army CI 46:01

5M ago46:01

46:01

In the dying days of the Cold War, the West is on the verge of victory. But the Soviet Union's feared secret service, the KGB, won't give up without a fight. Sophia Di Martino and former US Army Intelligence officer Aden Magee tell the story of a mind-bending game of cat-and-mouse, played out on the streets of 1980s Munich. From SPYSCAPE, the home …

1
Lynette Nusbacher: Button Compass 11:38

5M ago11:38

11:38

How can a button save your life? It depends on who your tailor is. Military history expert Lynette Nusbacher and host Alice Loxton discuss an ingenious piece of covert pathfinding technology, designed for RAF pilots stranded behind enemy lines in World War Two. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series produced by Alex…

1
The Swinging Spies | KGB 45:32

5M ago45:32

45:32

Karel Koecher always knew he was destined for greatness. At the height of the Cold War, he arrived in New York City – a Communist sleeper agent, hell-bent on infiltrating the highest echelons of American society. And with the help of his beautiful young wife, the American dream was well within reach. Sophia Di Martino and author Benjamin Cunningham…

1
Thomas Heatherwick: Poison-Tipped Umbrella 11:39

5M ago11:39

11:39

What was the sharp pain that Georgi Markov felt in his ankle as he crossed London’s Waterloo Bridge one day? Spoiler: it doesn’t end well for Georgi. Designer Thomas Heatherwick and host Alice Loxton tell the sad tale of a Bulgarian dissident’s encounter with one of the most notorious tools of spycraft. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And…

1
Mister Wristwatch | FBI 40:06

5M ago40:06

40:06

Truck driver, entrepreneur, womanizer - spy. Sophia Di Martino joins journalist Sean O'Driscoll to tell the story of one of the most unusual and effective moles in modern American history. When David Rupert met a woman in an Irish bar in Florida, the meeting sparked an unlikely chain of events that would lead him to infiltrate a deadly Irish Republ…

1
Daniel Arsham: Jackson Pollock, Number 8 13:23

5M ago13:23

13:23

What connects the radical 20th century painter Jackson Pollock and the CIA? More than you’d think. Artist Daniel Arsham and host Alice Loxton share the surprising secret history of Pollock’s 1949 masterpiece, Number 8. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series produced by Alex Burnard, Morgan Childs, Claire Crofton, Jo…

1
The Old Man and the CIA, Part 2: Dulles's Down | Historical 38:40

5M ago38:40

38:40

Some men make headlines. Others make history. A subtle few mold the future of nations in their image - and you'd never even know it. In this 2-part True Spies miniseries, journalist and author of The Devil's Chessboard, David Talbot, joins Sophia Di Martino to uncover a hidden history of the United States. A history penned by a man who made an outs…

1
Introducing: A History of the World in Spy Objects 3:45

5M ago3:45

3:45

The Enigma Machine. The B2 stealth bomber. The poisoned-tipped umbrella. Napoleon’s Briefcase of Secrets. As long as there has been conflict, there have been spies, and as long as there have been spies, there have been incredible gadgets and iconic objects. These are the stories of the tools that power the world of espionage, told by historian Alic…

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