649 episodes

TOP SECRET
Personal Attention, SpyCast Listeners
Known to be the podcast real spies listen to -(STOP)- eavesdrop on conversations with high level sources from around the world -(STOP)- spychiefs molehunters defectors covert operators analysts cyberwarriors and researchers debriefed by SPY Historian Hammond -(STOP) stories secrets tradecraft and technology discussed -(STOP)- HUMINT SIGINT OSINT IMINT GEOINT and more -(STOP)- rumored to be professional education internal communication and public information -(STOP)- entire back catalog available online for free -(STOP)- please investigate this claim with all possible haste -(STOP)- SPY Historian Hammond said to have a Scottish accent -(STOP)- is this a countermeasure or a hearts-and-minds campaign?
(END TELEGRAM)

SpyCast SpyCast

    • History

TOP SECRET
Personal Attention, SpyCast Listeners
Known to be the podcast real spies listen to -(STOP)- eavesdrop on conversations with high level sources from around the world -(STOP)- spychiefs molehunters defectors covert operators analysts cyberwarriors and researchers debriefed by SPY Historian Hammond -(STOP) stories secrets tradecraft and technology discussed -(STOP)- HUMINT SIGINT OSINT IMINT GEOINT and more -(STOP)- rumored to be professional education internal communication and public information -(STOP)- entire back catalog available online for free -(STOP)- please investigate this claim with all possible haste -(STOP)- SPY Historian Hammond said to have a Scottish accent -(STOP)- is this a countermeasure or a hearts-and-minds campaign?
(END TELEGRAM)

    “The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts” – with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann

    “The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts” – with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann

    Summary
    Laura Hicken (LinkedIn) and Lauren vonBechmann (LinkedIn) join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the collection of the International Spy Museum. SPY’s collection consists of 10,000 espionage-related artifacts. 

    What You’ll Learn
    Intelligence

    The ins and outs of getting into the museum field

    Why Museums?

    SPYs largest, smallest, and coolest artifacts

    The challenges of being a “spy” museum

    Reflections

    Following your passions

    A dedication to lifelong learning and teaching 

    And much, much more …

    Quotes of the Week
    “It's that ability to give accessibility to our audiences so that they can see like parts of history – So it's not only to preserve it, but it's so that people can see it as well. That's what we want to provide – A place for people to see the unseen.” – Lauren vonBechmann.

    Resources 
    SURFACE SKIM
    *SpyCasts*


    The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024) 


    The Most Famous Art Detective in the World with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman (2023)


    Secrets Revealed – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)


    SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)

    *Beginner Resources*


    A look at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., FOX 5 Washington DC, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]


    About the Collection, International Spy Museum (n.d.) [Short article]


    Collections Management, American Alliance of Museums (n.d.) [Short article] 

    DEEPER DIVE
    Artifacts


    James Bond's Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch (2021)


    Primo’s Bionic Eye (2021)


    Clock with Concealed Receiver (1970s) 


    Disguise Kit (1960s)


    Berlin Tunnel Segment (1954-1956)


    Four Rotor Enigma Machine (1943-1944)


    Sleeping Beauty Submersible (1943)


    George Washington Spy Letters (1777)

    *Wildcard Resource*

    Here’s something many don’t know about the International Spy Museum: 

    On the side of our building, built in 2019, is a secret message written in binary code. Can You Crack the Code? 


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    • 1 hr 10 min
    SpyCast Trailer

    SpyCast Trailer

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    • 3 min
    “U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)” – with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius

    “U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)” – with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius

    Summary
    Dennis Eger (LinkedIn) and Shawn Nilius (LinkedIn) join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss open-source intelligence. Combined, the two have over six decades of service to the U.S. Army. 

    What You’ll Learn
    Intelligence

    What is Open-Source Intelligence 

    How the US Army utilizes and collects OSINT 

    OSINT across the Intelligence Community

    How OSINT has impacted the War in Ukraine

    Reflections

    The power of information and how you use it

    Cyber ethics

    And much, much more …

    Quotes of the Week
    “If [civilians are] taking a video and posting it, they become in the cycle … The amount of things that people do on the internet that leaves their data or their information out there – Their data becomes big part of the intelligence cycle and they probably don't even know that they're doing it.” – Dennis Eger.

    Resources 
    SURFACE SKIM
    *SpyCasts*


    My Life in American Intelligence with Barry Zulauf (2023)


    Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)


    Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)


    Irregular Warfare & Intelligence with IWC Director Dennis Walters (2023)

    *Beginner Resources*


    A Brief History of the US Army, R. Guina, The Military Wallet (2024) [Short article]


    What is Open-Source Intelligence? OSINT Dojo, YouTube (2023) [7 min. video]


    A Brief History of Open Source Intelligence, C. Colquhoun, Bellingcat (2016) [Short article]

    DEEPER DIVE
    Books


    OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023) 


    Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023)


    Open Source Intelligence Methods and Tools: A Practical Guide to Online Intelligence, N. A. Hassan & R. Hijazi (Apress, 2018) 

    Primary Sources 


    The IC OSINT Strategy (2024) 


    Invasion of Ukraine on Google Maps (2022)


    Ethical Frameworks in Open-Source Intelligence (2022) 


    Open-Source Intelligence, Department of the Army (2012) 


    Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (2004) 

    *Wildcard Resource*

    While OSINT may seem like the new kid on the intelligence block, its foundations have actually been around perhaps longer than any other -INT.

    During the Civil War, the Bureau of Military Information collected open-source information from Southern newspapers to track the Confederate army. Check out this letter from Abraham Lincoln citing intelligence gathered on the location of Southern troops. 


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    • 1 hr 12 min
    “Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Visionary, Enigma” – with Andrew Hodges

    “Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Visionary, Enigma” – with Andrew Hodges

    Summary
    Andrew Hodges (Website, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the life and work of Alan Turing. Andrew is an emeritus senior research fellow of mathematics at the University of Oxford. 

    What You’ll Learn
    Intelligence

    Turing’s early foundations for artificial intelligence 

    Interwar cryptanalysis

    Bletchley Park, Hut 8, and British Naval Intelligence

    The mechanics of the Bombe machine

    Reflections

    Legacy changing alongside social history

    The weight and pressure of genius 

    And much, much more …

    Quotes of the Week
    “Everything that you do with the digital, everything that we're doing now through these computers, flows from his perceptions. And that in turn came through his practical experience during the Second World War on breaking the enemy codes.” – Andrew Hodges .

    Resources 
    SURFACE SKIM
    *SpyCasts*


    The Real Ian Fleming with Nicholas Shakespeare (2024) 


    ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: “The D-Day Deception” – with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff (2023) 


    Hitler’s Trojan Horse – Nazi Intelligence with Nigel West (2023)


    How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Spy Game with Mike Susong (2023)

    *Beginner Resources*


    Alan Turing, B.J. Copeland, Britannica (2024) [Short biography]


    How Did the Enigma Machine Work? Science Museum Group, YouTube (2019) [2 min. video]


    How Alan Turing Cracked the Enigma Code, Imperial War Museum (n.d.) [Short article]

    DEEPER DIVE
    Books


    The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park, J. D. Turing (Arcturus, 2020)


    Turing’s Vision: The Birth of Computer Science, C. Bernhardt (MIT Press, 2017)


    Alan Turing: The Enigma, A. Hodges (Burnett Books/Hutchinson, 1983)

    Primary Sources 


    Alan Turing Obituary and Tributes (1954) 


    Can digital computers think? (1951)


    Computing Machinery and Intelligence (1950)


    Proposed electronic calculator (1946)


    Turing’s Treatise on the Enigma (1939-1942)


    On Computable Numbers (1936)

    *Wildcard Resource*

    Alan Turing’s School Report Card

    Didn’t do very well in high school? Neither did Alan Turing. Amongst hopeful comments about his promising skills in mathematics, teachers noted Turing’s carelessness and severe lack of neatness in his work. 


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    • 1 hr 10 min
    “Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence” – with Simon Shuster

    “Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence” – with Simon Shuster

    Summary
    Simon Shuster (X, Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine. Simon is a senior correspondent at TIME. 

    What You’ll Learn
    Intelligence

    Zelenskyy’s career pre-Presidency

    Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion

    Ukrainian public opinion of Zelenskyy

    Zelenskyy’s relationship with Ukrainian intelligence 

    Reflections

    Contagious courage 

    Leadership styles, techniques, and unique skills

    And much, much more …

    Quotes of the Week
    “In researching [Zelenskyy’s] transformations as a person from comedian to politician to wartime leader, I also thought a lot about what qualities have remained consistent in him. And one of them for sure is this kind of, “go get ‘em” confidence … He just has this abiding confidence in his own ability to think on his feet, to not lose his balance, to just go into a new and unfamiliar space or a set of challenges and wing it, so to say.” – Simon Schuster 

    Resources 
    SURFACE SKIM
    *Spotlight Resource* 

    The Showman : Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky, Simon Shuster (William Morrow, 2024)
    *SpyCasts*


    David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023) 


    Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)


    Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)


    Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)

    *Beginner Resources*


    What to know about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, I. Pereira & P. Reevell, ABC News (2022) [Short article]


    A Brief History of Modern Ukraine, BBC, YouTube (2022) [3 min. video]


    Ukraine conflict: Simple visual guide to the Russian invasion, BBC (2022) [Short article]

    DEEPER DIVE
    Books


    Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence, Y. Trofimov (Penguin Press, 2024) 


    Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, D. Petraeus & A. Roberts (Harper, 2023) 


    The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine, S. Plokhy (Basic Books, 2021)

    Primary Sources 


    All Intelligence Agencies of Our Partners are Informed of the Current Threats and Prospects – Address by the President (2024)


    Freedom must always prevail when challenged – speech by the President of Ukraine at the National Defense University of the United States (2023)


    Address by the President: Ukrainians are a symbol of invincibility (2022)


    Address by the President to Ukrainians at the end of the first day of Russia's attacks (2022) 


    Constitution of Ukraine (1996)


    Act of Declaration of the Independence of Ukraine (1991)


    Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood (1941)


    Ukrainian Proclamation of Independence (1917)

    *Wildcard Resource*

    As Simon mentioned in this episode, President Zelenskyy won the Ukrainian version of one of Erin’s favorite shows, Dancing With The Stars, in 2006. 

    Watch some of his winning dances with partner Olena Shoptenko here. 


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    • 1 hr 10 min
    “The Real Ian Fleming” with Nicholas Shakespeare

    “The Real Ian Fleming” with Nicholas Shakespeare

    Summary
    Nicholas Shakespeare (X; Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the life and legacy of Ian Fleming. Nicholas is an award-winning novelist and biographer.  

    What You’ll Learn
    Intelligence

    Fleming’s family and upbringing

    Debunking misconceptions about Fleming’s character

    Fleming’s career in intelligence

    British Naval Intelligence operations during WWII

    Reflections

    Life influencing literature

    The lasting impact of storytelling

    And much, much more …

    Quotes of the Week
    “Whatever the ingredients of Bond – As a kind of, both a hero of modernization, but also as a symbol of retrospective power – The films have allowed this protean creature to exist in the future, in the present, and so that almost all over the world, the words, the names “Bond, James Bond” will ignite a smile.” – Nicholas Shakespeare.

    Resources 
    SURFACE SKIM
    *Spotlight Resource*

    Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, Nicholas Shakespeare (Harper, 2024)
    *SpyCasts*


    Bond After Fleming, the Continuation of an Icon with Mark Edlitz (2024)


    The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024)


    70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 1 of 2 (2023)


    70th Anniversary of James Bond, Special with Alexis Albion on 007, Part 2 of 2 (2023)

    *Beginner Resources*


    Ian Fleming – Life Story, Short Biographies, YouTube (2023) [8 min. video]


    List of Books by Ian Fleming, Barnes and Noble (n.d.) [List of literary works]


    Ian Fleming Life Timeline, Ian Fleming Publications (n.d.) [Timeline]

    DEEPER DIVE
    Books


    Ian Fleming’s War: The Inspiration for 007, M. Simmons (Rare Bird Books, 2021)


    The Man with the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming's James Bond Letters, ed. F. Fleming (Bloomsbury, 2016) 


    The Life of Ian Fleming, J. Pearson (Jonathan Cape, 1966)

    Primary Sources 


    Diana Rigg Obituary (2020)


    Ian Fleming about James Bond and himself (1964)


    Our Spy-Boss Who Loved Bond by Allen Dulles (1964)


    Allen Dulles and Ian Fleming (1964)


    Operation “Mincemeat” Brief (1943)


    Postagram Concerning Operation Mincemeat (1943)


    Valentine Fleming Eulogy by Winston Churchill (1917) 

    *Wildcard Resource*


    Spymaker: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming (1990)

    A TV movie that stars Jason Connery as Ian Fleming. Jason Connery is the son of Sean Connery – the first actor to portray James Bond in film.


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    • 1 hr 26 min

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