
SpyTalk
SpyTalk lives at the intersection of intelligence operations, foreign policy, homeland security, and military strategy. Hosted by veteran national security journalist Jeff Stein, the podcast features exclusives by SpyTalk’s roster of longtime reporters, news and profiles of US and foreign spymasters, and interviews with policymakers and expert authors. There’s nothing quite like it—a place for experts and laypersons alike, who enjoy national security scoops and insights by SpyTalk's subject matter experts.
For more SpyTalk go to: https://www.spytalk.co/
Latest episodes

Jun 5, 2025 • 30min
The Intel Mess
Gabbard’s meddling with intel disqualifies her, Sen. Mark Warner says on SpyTalk podcast with Michael Isikoff
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

May 30, 2025 • 31min
China Spy Worries + Russia
Former top CIA exec Sue Miller talks all things espionage with Jeff Stein & Michael Isikoff.Susan Miller https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/susan-miller
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

May 23, 2025 • 55min
Spy World Politicos
“It’s not good” that ex-spooks are going public, former CIA officer Steve Cash tells the SpyTalk podcast, but “we’re terrified” by Trump. Steven A. Cashhttps://bsky.app/profile/cashsteven.bsky.socialhttps://thesteadystate.org/
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

May 16, 2025 • 39min
Trump’s Plane Won’t Fly with Rep. Jim Himes
Rep. Jim Himes, top Dem on the House Intel Committee, talks with Jeff & Mike about the Qatar grift and more bad things going on under Tulsi Gabbard.
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

May 9, 2025 • 38min
Air Fright
Russia’s airliner sabotage ops are examined by science writer Jeff Wise and SpyTalk host Jeff Stein.Jeff Wisehttps://x.com/ManvBrainhttps://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/inside-new-security-threats-in-the-skies?https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/aviation-flights-white-house-tcas-drones.html
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Apr 29, 2025 • 40min
Letting Russia Off the Hook
Trump’s shutdown of Russian war crimes investigations is the focus of former US Ambassador-at-large Stephen Rapp and SpyTalk host Michael Isikoff.
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Apr 25, 2025 • 57min
The Last Spy Story of the Vietnam War
Former CIA officer Frank Snepp shares a stunning spy story of the Vietnam War’s chaotic end with host Jeff Stein
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Apr 18, 2025 • 53min
The CIA, Iran and a Conspiracy of Silence
Doug Waller talks with Michael Isikoff about his new biography of CIA master spook Frank Wisner, quarterback of the 1953 Iran coup—and so much more.The Determined SpyDouglas Waller
Follow Jeff Stein on Twitter:https://twitter.com/SpyTalkerFollow Michael Isikoff on Twitter:https://twitter.com/isikoff Follow SpyTalk on Twitter:https://twitter.com/talk_spySubscribe to SpyTalk on Substackhttps://www.spytalk.co/Take our listener survey where you can give us feedback.http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Apr 11, 2025 • 34min
Insanity Claws
Tim Weiner, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and expert on U.S. intelligence, delves into the chaotic landscape of national security under the Trump administration. He highlights alarming scandals, including 'Signalgate', revealing how political agendas are reshaping intelligence operations. The conversation also critiques the politicization of the CIA, emphasizing the risks to national security amid evolving leadership dynamics. Weiner discusses the ethical dilemmas faced by CIA officials and teases insights from his forthcoming book, which promises to shed light on pivotal historical events.

Apr 3, 2025 • 43min
CIA Opened Oswald’s Mail!
Fred Litwin, an author known for debunking JFK assassination conspiracy theories, joins Peter Kornbluh, a national security analyst at the National Security Archive. They discuss a recent congressional hearing featuring Oliver Stone and examine how misconceptions persist about Lee Harvey Oswald's CIA ties. The conversation navigates newly declassified documents revealing CIA surveillance of Oswald and critiques Stone's role in perpetuating conspiracy myths. They also address how the JFK assassination continues to be manipulated in modern political discourse.