DIA Connections

Defense Intelligence Agency

4.8 (85)
GOVERNMENT
UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The official podcast of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Our mission is to provide intelligence on foreign militaries to prevent and decisively win wars.

FEB 14

Shoshana’s Story

As a specialist in a maintenance company during the Iraq War in 2003, the last thing Shoshana Johnson expected to happen was to be captured by the enemy and held in captivity for 22 days. In this episode, you’ll hear about her rescue and the attention that followed, which included appearances on Ellen and Oprah. She also shares how she’s spent the last two decades coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. You’ll then learn how DIA’s Office of the Surgeon General provides guidance and support for PTSD. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the DIA or the U.S. government of any particular company, product or service.

33 min
12/16/2024

Candid Cameras

During the Iraq War in 2003, U.S. Special Operations Forces rescued Pfc. Jessica Lynch from a hospital in Baghdad. It was the first successful rescue of an American prisoner of war since World War II, and the first-ever rescue of a woman. In this episode, you’ll learn how a DIA team hid a camera in a gym bag to record video of the hospital’s interior, which was used for the rescue mission. You’ll also hear from former NBC News correspondent Kerry Sanders, whose camera crew was embedded with a Marine unit during the war and had exclusive access to stories, including knowledge of when the rescue attempt for Lynch would take place.

31 min
11/19/2024

The Fentanyl Fight

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. On this episode, you’ll hear a DIA counter narcotics officer discuss the agency’s efforts to combat the most devastating drug epidemic in U.S. history. We also spoke with Mariana Van Zeller, an investigative reporter who went deep inside the fentanyl pipeline to Mexico’s cartel country to see how it’s produced and trafficked into the United States. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the DIA or the U.S. government of any particular company, product or service.

30 min
08/23/2024

Best of Season 4

This episode of DIA Connections features highlights from Season Four. Catch up on this season's best moments with an American pilot who landed his plane safely after a mid-air collision with a Chinese fighter jet, a cosmochemistry professor who led NASA’s mission to an asteroid, a DIA analyst turned screenwriter, the speechwriter behind President Reagan’s challenge to “tear down this wall,” and the author of “The Monuments Men,” a book about the greatest treasure hunt in history. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the DIA or the U.S. government of any particular company, product or service.

31 min
07/11/2024

Lasers, Asteroids, and The Jetsons

Wouldn’t it be unbelievable if a spaceship could land on an asteroid, collect rocks that could reveal the secrets of life’s origins, and then return to Earth? Well, believe it, because it already happened! On this episode, a conversation with Dante Lauretta, leader of NASA’s expedition to the most dangerous rock in our solar system. You’ll also hear from the chief of DIA’s Space and Counterspace office about securing the nation’s vital interests in space -- both today and tomorrow. Finally, we go back to the future with The Jetsons, the classic cartoon that was a century ahead of its time. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the DIA or the U.S. government of any particular company, product or service.

39 min
04/12/2024

Glossophobia

Does public speaking cause you to quiver in fear? You're not alone - but it's not a good trait to have when briefing policymakers! On this episode, we’ll get tips on how to speak in public from DIAloguers, a group that helps DIA officers overcome their glossophobia. You’ll also hear how a great speech from a skilled speaker can echo through history. Peter Robinson, President Ronald Reagan’s speechwriter, joins us to discuss the amazing backstory of the "Tear Down This Wall" speech - four words that defined a presidency and changed the world. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the DIA or the U.S. government of any particular company, product or service.

32 min
02/20/2024

The Write Stuff

Who said writing intelligence reports for policymakers is boring? Not us--and certainly not former DIA intelligence analyst turned Hollywood screenwriter Mitchell LaFortune. On this episode of DIA Connections, LaFortune talks about his creative approach to intelligence writing. Learn how it helped him when he left DIA for LA to write the screenplay for the action thriller Kandahar, a movie based on his experiences in Afghanistan. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the DIA or the U.S. government of any particular company, product or service.

30 min
12/19/2023

Show & Tell: Iranian UAVs in Ukraine

How did a soccer match and a children’s magazine inspire a team of analysts to create an unclassified report proving Iranian military support to Russia in Ukraine? Find out on this episode of DIA Connections. *Nothing in this podcast should be construed to be an endorsement by the DIA or the U.S. government of any particular company, product or service.

26 min

See All (42)

4.8

out of 5

85 Ratings

Stranger Things Indeed!

06/08/2022

Alpha Psyker

Season 2 - Episode 8 “Strange Things at DIA” inspired me to write a review, although I am a longtime listener. The subject matter was handled with great subtlety and insightfulness. I really appreciated the balanced reporting. Keep up the excellent work!
Excellent podcast!

10/03/2021

Mets Fan Down South

Fascinating stories from intelligence insiders (and others) on recent historical events and issues. A must-listen!
The best stories

03/01/2021

New Angel

This has to be one of the best podcast series. The story-telling is amazing. I just wish I could SEE the stories too!
Love it

10/30/2020

BiomedG

A+

The official podcast of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Our mission is to provide intelligence on foreign militaries to prevent and decisively win wars.