S9 Ep18: How to Think Like A Spy with Julian Fisher
On this episode, we delve into the world of intelligence with Julian Fisher, a renowned intelligence specialist and author. We explore the covert yet powerful skills of influence and persuasion honed by intelligence officers to elicit cooperation from even the most hardened individuals. Discover how these techniques can be ethically adapted to achieve your personal and professional goals. Julia...
44m Jan 11, 2025
44m
S9 Ep17: 2025 Global Forcast with Sam Liechtenstein from RANE
In this episode, Sam Liechtenstein from RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange) joins us to dissect their annual geopolitical forecast. We discussed a range of pressing issues, including: The deteriorating global climate cooperation The evolving conflict in Ukraine The shifting political landscape in Europe The Israeli-Palestinian conflict US-China tensions Political uncertainties in Asia No...
1hr 3m Jan 04, 2025
1hr 3m
S9 Ep16: Murder of a British Spy in the IRA with Henry Hemming
In this conversation, Chris and author Henry Hemming delve into the intricate world of espionage during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, focusing on the roles of spies, informants, and key figures like Frank Hegarty and Freddy Scappatici. They discuss the political landscape that led to Operation Banner, the evolution of the IRA, and the cultural stigma surrounding informers. The conversation ...
52m Dec 28, 2024
52m
Happy Holidays and Thank You for your support over 2024
Hi everyone, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. We also wanted to say a huge thank you to each of you for your support over 2024. We have more episodes to share over the Holidays, so please stay tuned. In the meantime, we hope you have a wonderful holiday period, and we will catch you in 2025 for more. Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £...
1m Dec 23, 2024
1m
S9 Ep15: Russian Spy Ships and undersea cables with Florian Flade
In this episode, we’re joined by Florian Flade, an investigative journalist for Germany’s public broadcaster WDR based in Berlin. In this conversation, Florian discusses the activities of Russian research ships that are suspected of espionage. He explains how these ships, while officially labeled as academic vessels, are equipped with advanced technology for intelligence gathering, mainly focus...
1hr 1m Dec 21, 2024
1hr 1m
S9 Ep14: The Fall of Assad and What’s Next for Syria with Phillip Smyth
After a despotic reign of over five decades, marked by 13 years of bloody civil war that killed over half a million people and displaced millions more, the al-Assad dynasty’s rule over Syria has come to a sudden, shocking end. In just under two weeks, rebel groups mounted an offensive that captured a string of major cities, culminating in the fall of Damascus with barely a shot being fired and ...
1hr 43m Dec 14, 2024
1hr 43m
S9 Ep13: We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History with Jack Murphy
In this episode, Matt’s joined by Jack Murphy—former Green Beret, investigative journalist, and host of The Team House podcast. Jack shares insights from his latest book, We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History, which uncovers lesser-known missions that shaped the US special operations community, from Cold War Berlin to nuclear contingencies reminiscent of Dr. Strangelove. Jack del...
50m Dec 11, 2024
50m
S9 Ep12: Can a Federation Heal the Divide between Israel and Palestine with Nigel Roberts
Retired World Bank Director Nigel Roberts tackles the intractable Israel-Palestine conflict. He dissects the shortcomings of the two-state solution and champions a novel approach: a federation acknowledging both identities. Roberts delves into the historical roots and the radicalisation fuelling the conflict. He argues for a new framework built on a constitutional process, acknowledging the tra...
1hr 8m Dec 07, 2024
1hr 8m
S9 Ep11: Far-Right Extremism Under Trump 2.0 with Jacob Ware
In this episode, Matt is joined again by Jacob Ware, a counterterrorism expert with the Council on Foreign Relations and co-author of God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America. They discuss the unsettling question of what far-right extremism, with its proponents feeling emboldened and legitimized by Donald Trump’s election, might look like during his second term in office. Jacob ...
57m Nov 28, 2024
57m
S9 Ep10: Espresso Martini | Trump’s Coming War on the Intelligence Community, Russia’s Sabotage Campaign, and America’s Future at a Crossroads
In this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt examine the potentially seismic shifts for the US and the Western alliance if Trump executes his plans to overhaul the federal workforce. They discuss the risk of a mass exodus of career officials, the politicization of intelligence agencies, and the broader implications for national security. They also explore Garrett Graff’s thought-provokin...
1hr 13m Nov 24, 2024
1hr 13m
S9: Podcast Update 11/23
We wanted to drop a quick update about the podcast this weekend. New episodes of Espresso Martini and our Patreon-exclusive show, Extra Shot, are running just a little behind schedule. Listeners in the US and the UK can expect them in their feeds on Sunday. For our friends Down Under, that’ll probably be Monday. Both are still on the way, just not on Saturday, as expected. We thank you for you...
1m Nov 22, 2024
1m
S9 Ep9: Russian mercenaries in Africa with Philip Obaji
In this conversation, award-winning investigative journalist Philip Obaji discusses the increasing influence of the Russian Wagner Group in Africa, particularly in relation to military coups and economic interests. He shares insights into the motivations behind Russia's actions in the region, the impact of Yevgeny Prigozhin's death on Wagner's operations, and his personal experiences reporting ...
1hr 9m Nov 08, 2024
1hr 9m
S9 Ep8: David Bickford, former Legal Director of MI5 & MI6 turned author
In this conversation, David Bickford shares his fascinating journey from a unique childhood to a distinguished career in the intelligence services, specifically as a legal director for MI5 and MI6. He discusses the complexities of balancing national security with legality, the current threats posed by Russia and China, and the evolving landscape of intelligence work. Transitioning into a noveli...
1hr 2m Nov 02, 2024
1hr 2m
S9 Ep7: Espresso Martini | North Korean Troops to Ukraine, Sinwar’s End, Israel Rolls Up an Iranian Spy Ring, and Conspiracies Drive Threats to FEMA
In this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt discuss the alarming news that North Korea is sending up to 12,000 troops to bolster Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They explore the implications of North Korea gaining combat experience and modern warfare training and whether these troops are likely to be anything more than cannon fodder for Putin’s war. Next, they unpack the death of Hamas le...
1hr 15m Oct 25, 2024
1hr 15m
Chris is unwell, so he is resharing The Double Bind with Meredith Tax
Chris is unwell so there won’t be a new episode this week. Instead, Chris is re-sharing the first-ever episode in which he is joined by the author Meredith Tax, and they discuss her book “The Double Bind”, which looks at the problematic relationship between Anglo American left and the Muslim right. Later in the podcast, they also discuss the role of Kurdish women in the fight against ISIS. You...
48m Oct 18, 2024
48m
S9 Ep6: Espresso Martini | Gaza After a Year of War, Iran’s Criminal Alliances, Russia’s Arctic Intrigues, and Tom Clancy’s Legacy
In this episode of Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt discuss a new public opinion poll revealing a sharp decline in Palestinian support for Hamas after a brutal year of war in Gaza. They also explore Iran’s troubling alliances with criminal organizations to carry out assassinations in the West, and Russia’s use of a remote Norwegian town in the Arctic as a laboratory for hybrid warfare. Lastly, ...
1hr 21m Oct 12, 2024
1hr 21m
S9 Ep5: Who Attacked Nord Stream? Inside the Investigation with Florian Flade
Today’s episode brings you an in-depth look into one of the most mysterious and controversial sabotage incidents in recent history – the Nord Stream Pipeline attack. Joining both Chris and Matt is investigative journalist Florian Flade, who has been at the forefront of uncovering the truth behind the explosions that shook Europe. Florian, working with the German public broadcaster Tagesschau, ...
54m Oct 06, 2024
54m
S9 Ep4: Hezbollah Decapitated, Israel Invades, and Iran Attacks with Phillip Smyth
In this special episode, Matt welcomes back Phillip Smyth just days after his last appearance to analyze another major development in the Middle East: the assassination of Hezbollah’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, in a targeted Israeli airstrike. Nasrallah’s death has sent shockwaves across Lebanon, Iran, and the wider network of Iran-backed militias, raising pressing questions about Hez...
1hr 45m Oct 03, 2024
1hr 45m
S9 Ep3: Exploding Pagers and More Airstrikes: Unpacking Hezbollah’s Catastrophic Week with Phillip Smyth
On today’s episode, Phillip Smyth, the guru for all things related to Iranian proxy groups, returns to chat with Matt about the exploding pagers and radios that maimed thousands of Hezbollah members last week and the following wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting the group’s long-range missile and drone forces. They discuss the implications for Hezbollah’s communication networks and command str...
1hr 24m Sep 28, 2024
1hr 24m
S9 Ep2: Extra Shot Preview: The weaponisation of disgust, a peek inside a US Far-Right militia and a globally integrated ISIS
Hello, everyone. As Chris and Matt are working on new interviews this week, we are sharing a preview of our Extra Shot episode from September 13th.  On this episode we look at the weaponisation of disgust, a peek inside a US Far-Right militia and a globally integrated ISIS. Articles discussed in the show: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-stochastic-terrorism-uses-disgust-to-inci...
1hr 1m Sep 20, 2024
1hr 1m
S9 Ep1: Espresso Martini | Teen Terrorism, Telegram Trouble, and Exposing the Kremlin’s American Useful Idiots
In the Season 9 premiere of the Secrets & Spies podcast, hosts Chris Carr and Matt Fulton reveal exciting new plans for the show, including a transition to video. They dive into breaking stories, starting with the shocking failed ISIS attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna—exposing the growing threat of teenage online radicalization. The episode also covers the arrest of Telegram founder Pa...
1hr 17m Sep 13, 2024
1hr 17m
The Secret History of Area 51 with Peter Merlin (Repost)
On today’s episode (originally aired January 20th, 2024), Matt speaks with aerospace historian Peter Merlin, whose new book, DREAMLAND: THE SECRET HISTORY OF AREA 51, is the first authoritative, scholarly history ever published on the infamous top-secret base deep in the Nevada desert. This isn’t a book about UFOs or conspiracy theories but instead offers a sweeping, comprehensive study of the ...
55m Sep 07, 2024
55m
Extra Shot Teaser: Privacy vs. national security, threats to democracy, Ukraine aid, and the state of the Royal Navy
Chris and Matt are enjoying a late-summer break. Please enjoy this episode of Extra Shot, our bonus show for Patreon subscribers, originally aired May 11th, 2024. Secrets and Spies will return for season 9 with a new Espresso Martini on September 14th. Take our anonymous listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MSRSSSP Reporting discussed in the episode "Asio boss says privacy ‘n...
1hr 5m Aug 31, 2024
1hr 5m
Secrets & Spies Listener Survey 2024
Hello, everyone. We just wanted to say a huge thank you for your support during season 8. We will be starting Season 9 on the 14th of September. Before we start the new season, we wanted to hear from you about your thoughts on the podcast and if there is anything you would like us to do. Please take part in our anonymous listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MSRSSSP Thank you ...
3m Aug 28, 2024
3m
S8 Ep59: Tim Tate - To Catch A Spy - Peter Wright and the SpyCatcher affair
Join us on today’s podcast as we sit down with author and investigative journalist Tim Tate to chat about his fascinating new book, To Catch A Spy. Tim takes us behind the scenes of the SpyCatcher affair, where the Thatcher government of the 1980s tried to silence MI5 whistleblower Peter Wright. It’s a gripping tale of cover-ups, deception, and its impact on MI5 today. So, grab your favourite d...
1hr 22m Aug 23, 2024
1hr 22m
S8 Ep58: Russian Sleeper Spies in Germany with Florian Flade
In this episode, we’re joined by Florian Flade, an investigative journalist for Germany’s public broadcaster ARD, based in Berlin. Florian takes us inside the gripping true story of two Russian sleeper spies who lived undercover in Germany for years, posing as an ordinary family. Drawing parallels to the fictional world of The Americans, this real-life espionage tale reveals the extraordinary l...
1hr 16m Aug 17, 2024
1hr 16m
S8 Ep57: Inside the blockbuster US-Russia prisoner swap with Shane Harris
On today’s episode, Washington Post national security reporter and friend of the show, Shane Harris, joins Matt to discuss last week's historic prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, securing the release of several prominent journalists and pro-democracy activists. Shane dives into his reporting on the swap, detailing months of delicate negotiations, who the Russians got in return, and to...
44m Aug 10, 2024
44m
S8 Ep56: Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah on the brink with Phillip Smyth
Middle East analyst Phillip Smyth joins Matt to discuss the latest round of conflict in the region and Iran's expected retaliation against Israel.
1hr 11m Aug 06, 2024
1hr 11m
S8 Ep55: How autocracies try to undermine democracy with Anne Applebaum
On today’s podcast, we are joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, historian, and journalist Anne Applebaum. In this episode, we discuss Anne’s latest book, Autocracy Inc., which examines how and why autocracies try to undermine democracy. We also consider what can be done to better protect ourselves from anti-democratic propaganda. Find out more about “Autocracy Inc” here: https://www.pengu...
42m Aug 03, 2024
42m
S8 Ep54: Espresso Martini | Russian agents target the Olympics, Trump assassination attempt and President Biden steps out of the Presidential race
Today, we will look at a Russian operative who was arrested in France, details on the failed assassination of Donald Trump, and a little at President Biden stepping out of the 2024 Presidential race. On Extra Shot we will be looking at a developing spy case in Australia, Tech Broligarch’s courting Trump, influences driving extreme misogyny and a former US analyst accused of spying for South Ko...
1hr 19m Jul 27, 2024
1hr 19m
S8 Ep53: Unpacking the Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump with Jacob Ware
On today’s special episode, Matt is joined again by Jacob Ware, a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations focusing on domestic and international terrorism. Jacob helps make sense of last weekend’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump, placing it in the larger context of political violence in the United States and the ongoing threat to the presidential election. Read Jacob’s covera...
36m Jul 17, 2024
36m
S8 Ep52: UK & French Elections, UK defence report and Russian information campaign exposed in US
On today's episode, we will examine who’s who in the new Labour-led UK government, a report on the UK’s armed services, the French elections, and a recently discovered Russian covert information campaign. On Extra Shot, our Patreon only show we will look at NATO’s 75th anniversary, terrorists returning to Afghanistan, a Chinese spy base in Cuba and GPS under attack. To get access to Extra Sho...
1hr 26m Jul 13, 2024
1hr 26m
S8 Ep51: How the KGB and the FSB attempt to subvert Western democracies with Mark Hollingsworth
On today’s episode, Chris speaks with author and journalist Mark Hollingsworth about his book Agents of Influence, which looks at how the KGB attempted to subvert Western democracies during the Cold War and how its replacement agency, the FSB, attempts to do the same now. Check out Mark’s website for information about him, his book and his other work: https://markhollingsworth.co.uk/ And get ...
1hr 16m Jul 05, 2024
1hr 16m
S8 Ep50: Conspiracies, Disinformation, and Mission Implausible with John Sipher and Jerry O’Shea
On today’s episode, Matt speaks to former senior CIA officers and now co-founders of Spycraft Entertainment, John Sipher and Jerry O’Shea, to discuss their podcast, Mission Implausible. In their careers with the clandestine service, John and Jerry, in a sense, created conspiracies, convincing terrorists and hostile foreign governments to believe things that were not true. Now, they’re looking ...
47m Jun 28, 2024
47m
S8 Ep49: God, Guns, and Sedition with Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware
On today’s episode, Matt is joined by terrorism experts Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware to discuss their book, "God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America.” Both are fellows at the Council on Foreign Relations and teach at Georgetown University. Their book examines the far-right’s long embrace of political violence as a tactic, its proliferation through social media, and provides a ra...
55m Jun 21, 2024
55m
S8 Ep48: Espresso Martini: Hamas leaders messages, Europe & China, Chinese spies and potential ISIS-K plot foiled in USA
On today’s show, we are going to look at reports about private messages from the leader of Hamas, criticisms of Europe’s outdated approach to China, a former CIA officer and FBI linguist pleading guilty to spying for China, and a potential plot from ISIS-K foiled in the US. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot” we will look at Europe on high alert to Russian sabotage, Russian...
1hr 14m Jun 15, 2024
1hr 14m
No show this weekend, we will return next weekend.
Hi all, we hope you are well. Sadly, due to work commitments on Chris's side, there will be no show this weekend. We will return next weekend. Support Secrets and Spies: Become a “Friend of the podcast” on Patreon from £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/chan...
25s Jun 08, 2024
25s
S8 Ep47: London Met Murder Investigation Team with Steven Keogh
On todays podcast I am joined be retired detective and author Steven Keogh. Steven investigated murders at Scotland Yard for 12 years, and he joins us to discuss his excellent book “Murder Investigation Team” which gives readers an insight into how British murder investigations are run and what it is like to be a part of a murder investigation. Check out Steven’s website to find out more about...
58m Jun 01, 2024
58m
S8 Ep46: Espresso Martini: Iran’s President is killed, Israel & Iranian espionage comparisons and secret Hamas surveillance files.
On today’s show, we are going to look at the death of the Iranian President, Israel & Iran espionage comparisons, and we finish by looking at secret Hamas files that expose a mass surveillance campaign in Gaza. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot” we will look at reports of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not taking the work of its intelligence agency CSIS seriously. ...
58m May 25, 2024
58m
S8 Ep45: What President Raisi’s death means for Iran
On today’s episode, Matt is once again joined by Phillip Smyth, one of the leading researchers of Iranian-backed militia groups, to discuss the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and several other senior officials in a helicopter crash last weekend. They unpack what this unexpected development means for Iran domestically, the regime’s web of proxy forces, and the wider Middle East. Phillip’s wor...
1hr 18m May 23, 2024
1hr 18m
S8 Ep44: Havana Syndrome from a technological and medical perspective.
On today’s podcast, I am joined by two guests, Dr. Chris Gilbert and Dr. Eric Haseltine, and we discuss Havana Syndrome from a technological and medical perspective. Dr Chris Gilbert is an Integrative and Holistic Medicine physician who has interviewed victims of these so-called Anomalous Health incidents, otherwise known as Havana Syndrome. Dr Haseltine is a neuroscientist and author who wor...
1hr 4m May 17, 2024
1hr 4m
S8 Ep43: Espresso Martini: Plot to kill Zelensky, Russian sabotage plots, and Chinese hacking.
On today's show, we are going to look at a failed plot to kill President Zelensky, fears of Russian sabotage in Europe, spy plots being foiled in Germany, and awkward talks between the US and China about Volt Typhoon, one of China’s hacking operations against the west. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot” and we will look at privacy concerns in the age of AI, then we will tu...
59m May 10, 2024
59m
S8 Ep42: Agent Of The Iron Cross With Bill Mills
Chris is joined by historian and author Bill Mills on today's podcast. They discuss Bill’s research into German sabotage and espionage operations in the United States during World War One and how that led to Bill’s new book “Agent of the Iron Cross.” To find out more about “Agent of the Iron Cross” and to get a copy, visit the publisher's website here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538182079/Age...
47m May 06, 2024
47m
S8 Ep41: The reality behind “A Spy Alone” with Charles Beaumont
On today’s podcast, Chris is joined by former MI6 Officer turned best-selling author Charles Beaumont. They discuss the real-life inspiration behind Charle’s debut spy novel, “A Spy Alone”, and a little bit about his career in MI6. Charles also shares his literary influences, his approach to writing fiction and some tips if you are thinking of a career in intelligence. Please note that in this...
1hr 15m May 04, 2024
1hr 15m
S8 Ep40: Israel and Iran climb (and descend?) the escalation ladder with Phillip Smyth
On today’s episode, Matt welcomes back Phillip Smyth, one of the leading researchers of Iranian-backed militia groups in the Middle East. This time, they discuss last month’s exchange of missiles, drones, and airstrikes between Israel and Iran. Phillip helps unpack what triggered this latest cycle of violence, gauge Iran’s intent behind an unprecedented attack against Israel itself, and look ah...
1hr 31m May 01, 2024
1hr 31m
No Espresso Martini or Extra Shot this weekend
Hi all, due to essential maintenance works at London HQ, there won't be an Espresso Martini or Extra Shot this weekend. We are very sorry about this. We will have a new podcast out next weekend, so please stay tuned. We hope you all have an excellent weekend and we will catch you on the next episode. All the best Chris & Matt
1m Apr 25, 2024
1m
S8 Ep39: The legal case for the victims of Havana Syndrome with Mark S. Zaid
On today’s podcast, Chris is joined by national security Lawyer Mark S. Zaid. They discuss the legal case for the victims of the Anomalous Health Incidents, more popularly known as Havana Syndrome. Mark discusses the US government's denial and how that affects his clients, who have had their lives disrupted by these alleged attacks. You can find out more about Mark and his work here: https://m...
55m Apr 22, 2024
55m
S8 Ep38: Directed energy and Havana Syndrome with Dr. James Giordano
Find out about the secret world of directed energy research and Havana Syndrome.
58m Apr 20, 2024
58m
S8 Ep37: Former US Navy Captain Gene Moran on the Houthi threat in the Red Sea
On today’s podcast, Chris is joined by Former US Navy Destroyer Captain Gene Moran to discuss the Houthi Threat in the Red Sea. In this episode, they look at the background of the Houthis, the threat that they pose, and how the US Navy and its allies are dealing with that threat. They then discuss life on a ship during a time of conflict and finish up with Gene explaining what more he thinks co...
55m Apr 15, 2024
55m
S8 Ep36: Espresso Martini: Putin exploits ISIS-K attack, House Republicans hold up US aid to Ukraine, and new Havana Syndrome information.
On today’s episode, we are going to look at Putin exploiting the ISIS-K attack for his war on Ukraine, House Republicans holding up US aid to Ukraine, and we will wrap up looking at new revelations on Havana Syndrome. Then we will move to our Patreon only show “Extra Shot”. On that we will look at Chinese Disinformation efforts targeting the US elections, a Chinese Drone flying over the Sea of...
1hr 6m Apr 13, 2024
1hr 6m