Tracy Walder

Tracy Walder, a former CIA officer who played a pivotal role during the 9/11 crisis, shares her gripping journey from a college student to a key player in intelligence operations. She recounts the harrowing atmosphere in the CIA's secret bunker as they focused on capturing Osama Bin Laden. Tracy dives into her first day nerves and the intense pressure of post-9/11 operations, revealing how she balanced high-stakes scenarios with emotional resilience. Her transition from espionage to inspiring future generations adds a hopeful dimension to her compelling story.

Sophia di Martino joins CIA operatives Gina Bennett and Tracy Walder, along with CNN's Peter Bergen, in discussing the origins, methods, and motivation of Osama bin Laden. They share the unvarnished truth about his rise to power, including his first televised interview and his evolving ambitions. The podcast covers Osama's upbringing, his exile, and his rise in Sudan, exploring the aftermath of the Soviet-Afghan war and the radicalization of Afghan Arab veterans.