Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
S10 Ep12: Europe’s Not Waiting for America with Shane Harris
Shane Harris joins Matt to discuss his recent piece in The Atlantic , “Europe Is Answering Putin’s Challenge.” From drone incursions over the Baltic to Trump’s transactional diplomacy, Shane unpacks how European leaders are rearming, coordinating, and preparing for a future where Washington may no l...
S10 Ep11: Reality Winner on the Leak That Changed Her Life
In this special conversation, Chris speaks with Reality Winner — the former Air Force linguist and NSA contractor who leaked evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and served the longest prison sentence ever imposed for an unauthorized disclosure. Winner reflects on her decision,...
S10 Ep10: Espresso Martini | Gaza’s Fragile Peace, a UK Spy Trial Collapses, and How U.S. Research Fuels China’s Military
A fragile ceasefire in Gaza, the collapse of a UK spy trial, and a damning new report on China’s exploitation of U.S. defense research—Chris and Matt unpack a pivotal few weeks in global politics and intelligence. They assess the Trump-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, the role of Jared Kushn...
S10 Ep9: John le Carré's Tradecraft with Dr. Jessica Douthwaite
Chris speaks with historian Dr. Jessica Douthwaite, co-curator of John le Carré: Tradecraft at Oxford’s Bodleian Library. They explore how le Carré—born David Cornwell—approached his extensive research, the selection process for the exhibition, and the political evolution reflected in his works. Jes...
S10 Ep8: The Grave Robber: Inside the FBI’s Art Crime Team and Its Most Unusual Case with Tim Carpenter
Former FBI agent Tim Carpenter led the Bureau’s Art Crime Team, chasing down everything from stolen masterworks to looted antiquities. In this conversation, he joins Chris to discuss his new book The Grave Robber , a gripping account of the biggest stolen artifacts case in FBI history. Tim recounts ...