Today, Justin sits down with William Boik. Bill served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for more than 30 years before retiring in 2005  at the rank of colonel. Over the course of his military career, he served in various positions in the armor branch and in military intelligence in South Korea, Germany and the U.S. From  2001 to 2018, Bill was a senior civilian at the Defense POW MIA Office, later known as the Defense POW MIA Accounting Agency, first as the Director of Global Affairs and then as a Senior Plans Officer. Among his roles at the  defense POW MIA Accounting Agency were serving as the POW MIA advisor to the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait and serving as the DOD representative to the Gulf war tripartite commission, which would meet in Geneva, Switzerland. Bill retired in 2018 with 43 years of government service. He has Master's degrees in International Relations, Strategic Intelligence, and Strategic Security Studies, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Georgetown University for International Relations. He is an author of two books as well. In this interview, Bill discusses two incredibly unique missions he performed in 2001 and 2002, when he led teams into North Korea to recover the remains of U.S. personnel still missing in action from the Korean War. During each of these month long recovery missions, Bill was the senior U.S. government official in Pyongyang, North Korea. Bill is not speaking as an official representative of any government agency or organization and only as an individual.Connect with Bill:usedmilitarybooks.comCheck out Bill's book on North Korean medals and decorations here.https://a.co/d/8GnXuoHConnect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Support the show

Today Justin is joined by Christian Hansen. Christian is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and now lives in New York City, where he has worked as a photojournalist since 2007. His work has previously appeared in The New York Times. In 2013, he began to follow a thread of a story about the unexpected death of a writer pursuing his own story in West Virginia in 1991. That turned into a decade-long quest that connects the intelligence community, military, Reagan administration, private corporations, an unsolved triple homicide in 1981 near Palm Springs California, and another unsolved murder in San Francisco in 1982.  His years of research culminated in a four part documentary series, which premiered on Netflix this past March, called American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders. Christian is here to discuss his 10-year-long investigation into the death of journalist Danny Casolaro and the work he was engaged in leading right up to the day of his death. Connect with Christian: IG: @christianhitehansenen  Twitter/X: @Yo_ChristianCheck out The Octopus Murders on Netflix here.https://www.netflix.com/title/81168725Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Support the show

Today Justin sits down with Luis Munar Duran. Luis received his law degree from the University of Valencia in Spain and was a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years beginning in 1998. He's also a certified pilot and served as a reserve officer in the Spanish Air Force. Luis also has extensive training and experience in security and human rights issues. In 2012, After traveling to Aleppo, Syria to build a refugee camp and help train guerrilla fighters there, Luis was recruited by the Spanish intelligence agency known as CNI to gather intelligence on their behalf in Syria. But despite his efforts and the risks that he took, the relationship eventually turned sour and left Luis very regretful that he'd cooperated with them at all. Today he discusses his experiences in Syria, both before and after he was recruited by the CNI, and what he did to rebuild his life and reputation in the years afterwards.Connect with Luis:Check out Luis's book, Syria...Carne de cañon, only available in Spanish, here.https://www.amazon.com/Siria-carne-ca%C3%B1on-patria-Spanish/dp/B0D669H62WConnect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Support the show

This week Justin talks with Dan Lawton. Dan received his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and graduated with his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986 and has been practicing and a practicing attorney in San Diego, California for many years. He's also taught at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law since 2001 and has written articles and short fiction, which have appeared in numerous publications. Today Dan tells the story of Kevin Barry Artt, a young man who was convicted of a murder he did not commit in Northern Ireland in 1983, and who subsequently escaped from prison and went into hiding in the United States for many years until he was captured again in 1997.  His story of exoneration and delayed justice has to be heard to be believed.  Connect with Dan:abovethegroundbook.comTwitter/X: @DanLawtonwriterCheck out Dan's book, Above The Ground, here.https://www.amazon.com/ABOVE-GROUND-Troubles-Northern-Ireland/dp/1960332260Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Tenderfoot TVReal. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today just talks to Jan Stocklassa. Jan is an author and journalist focusing on large scale affairs in international politics. He served as a diplomat for Sweden in the Czech Republic from 1997 until 2003, and later helped found a newspaper paper in Prague. Jan spent more than a decade researching the 1986 murder of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, a case which is now officially closed but which still deserves a lot of attention and perhaps to be reopened and reinvestigated. Connect with Jan:stocklassa.comFacebook: Jan StocklassaWatch Jan's documentary series, The Man Who Played with Fire, on Max, Discovery+, or PrimeVideo.Check out the book here.https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Played-Fire-Larssons/dp/1542092930/Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Grayman Briefing ClassifiedUse code GBCSpycraft to save 20% on your subscription.Tenderfoot TVReal. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today, Justin talks with returning guest James Stejskal. James enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1973 and served for more than 20 years, including with the now famous Special Forces Detachment A in Berlin in the 1970s and 80s, among many other assignments. He was severely wounded in Somalia in 1992 and medically retired from the Army in 1996, after which he joined the CIA as a case officer, where he spent nearly another 15 years. Now fully retired from government service, James has written several non fiction books as well as a new series of novels called The Snake Eater Chronicles. Today, he discusses the role Detachment A played in Operation Eagle Claw to rescue American hostages in Tehran in 1980. Although Eagle Claw is a very well known historic event, Detachment A's part has never been known in detail, until James now.Check out James's first appearance on episode 98, Special Forces Detachment A in Berlin, here.Connect with James:LRDG@mac.com (for any books and signed copies!)jamesstejskal.wordpress.com/Facebook: James Stejskal WriterCheck out James's latest book on Operation Eagle Claw, Mission Iran, here.https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Iran-Special-Forces-Operation/dp/1636243339Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Grayman & CompanyLook good and keep a low profile, but stay protected and capable no matter what.Tenderfoot TVReal. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today Justin chats with Rose Mary Sheldon. This is her third time on the podcast. Rose Mary taught history as a professor at Virginia Military Institute for more than 25 years, and is a world renowned expert on intelligence activities in the ancient world. She earned her PhD from the University of Michigan in 1987 and has published several books and many articles over the years, as well as serving as an editor for the International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence in Small Wars and Insurgencies and the Journal of Military History.  Today she covers the lives and deaths of the emperors of the Flavian dynasty, who came after the Julio-Claudian emperors  discussed last time, along with the internal security measures they put in place to protect themselves from assassination with varying degrees of success. Check out episode 81, Espionage In Ancient Rome, here. And hear episode 119, Rampant Assassination in the Roman Empire, here.Connect with Rose Mary:vmi.academia.edu/RSheldonGet your copy of Guarding the Caesars here.https://amzn.to/3VY8N96Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Tenderfoot TVReal. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts.Grayman Briefing ClassifiedUse code GBCSpycraft to save 20% on your subscription.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Justin talks with retired FBI special agent Raymond J. Batvinis. Ray served in the FBI from 1972 until 1997, working in counterterrorism and counterintelligence, including on the investigations into Ronald Pelton and the Walker spy ring. Shortly after 9/11, he returned to teach the basic counterintelligence course at the FBI Academy at Quantico.  Since retiring, Ray has worked as a historian and author. He's published articles on intelligence history in scholarly journals and on his website, FBIstudies.com.  You might remember Ray from his previous appearance on the podcast for episode 66. Today, he discusses the story of William Weisband, an almost completely forgotten Soviet spy who was nonetheless one of their most valuable assets in the United States before, during, and after World War II.Listen to Ray's first appearance on episode 66, The Early Days of FBI Counterintelligence, here.https://www.buzzsprout.com/1780478/11509131Connect with Ray:fbistudies.comCheck out his book, Agent Link, here.https://www.amazon.com/Agent-Link-Professional-Intelligence-Education/dp/1538184907Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Grayman Briefing ClassifiedUse code GBCSpycraft to save 20% on your subscription.Tenderfoot TVReal. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today Justin chats with Charles Lachman.  Since 1998, Charles has been the executive producer of the nationally syndicated news magazine Inside Edition. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC,  History Channel, Lifetime, C SPAN, and other local and national media. He's also the author of four non fiction books and one crime novel. Today he discusses the story of an almost impossible mission for the U. S. Navy to locate, disable, and capture a mostly intact U Boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the men who pulled it off. It's also the story of the crew of the German U Boats themselves, the hardships they endured, and how they nearly turned the tide of the entire war itself.Connect with Charles:charleslachman.comCheck out his book, Codename Nemo, here.https://www.amazon.com/Codename-Nemo-U-Boat-Elusive-Machine/dp/1635768713/Connect with Spycraft 101:Check out Justin's latest release, Covert Arms, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: spycraft-101.myshopify.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Tenderfoot TVReal. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Today Justin sits down with Dr. Luca Trenta. Luca is an associate professor in international relations at Swansea University in Wales, and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Higher Education Academy. He's written extensively on the subjects of covert action and assassination as tools of foreign policy. He is the host of the Out of the Shadows podcast with eight episodes available now, and he has appeared on four episodes of the Secret Wars Uncovered series on the History Channel.  Today he discusses his book, The President's Kill List, which was just published on May 31st, 2024. It's a thorough history of U. S. government involvement in the assassination of foreign officials from the early Cold War through the present day.  These operations, both successful and unsuccessful, have played a major role in American foreign policy and world affairs on many occasions. Connect with Luca:swansea.ac.uk/staff/l.trentaTwitter/X: @LucaTrentaCheck out The President's Kill List here. Use code NEW30 for 30% off.https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-the-president-s-kill-list.htmlConnect with Spycraft 101:Check out Justin's latest release, Covert Arms, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: spycraft-101.myshopify.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.History by MailWho knew? Not me! Learn something new every month. Use code JUSTIN10 for 10% off your subscription.Tenderfoot TVReal. Powerful. Storytelling. Tune in to "To Die For" wherever you listen to podcasts.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show