True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
SPYSCAPE
True Spies takes you inside the world's greatest espionage and detective operations. Our hosts Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Sophia Di Martino, Daisy Ridley and Rhiannon Neads talk to the real spies behind the missions. What do they know? What are their skills? And what would you do in their position? We explore and investigate real life thrillers, mysteries and crimes - stories that prove truth is stranger than fiction! These stories cover lies, murder, theft, sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. You’ll meet experts from the top intelligence agencies including FBI, CIA, MI5, MI6 (SIS), KGB, GRU, Mossad and many others. You’ll discover characters who spied because of money, ideology, coercion or just plain old ego. And, if you’d like to dig deeper into the world of secrets, and test your own secret intelligence skills, head over to spyscape.com for articles, games, experiences, puzzles and videos.For episodes first and ad-free, subscribe to Spyscape+ at: plus.Spyscape.comA Cup & Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Music: Nick Ryan.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 3, 2026 • 39min
True Spies Classic: The Boiling Frog | CIA
Jack Devine, a former senior CIA operations officer who ran major Cold War covert programs, recounts his first overseas post in 1971 Chile. He describes working to bolster opposition media and politics. Short scenes show how small interventions fueled mass protests, the buildup to Sept 11, 1973, and a rushed family evacuation amid tanks and air strikes.
Jan 27, 2026 • 44min
True Spies Debrief: Gordon Corera on Vasili Mitrokhin
Gordon Corera, veteran security journalist and co-host of The Rest is Classified, joins Morgan Childs to discuss the central figure in his latest book - Vasili Mitrokhin.
Mitrokhin was a KGB archivist who defected to the West in 1992, bringing with him a trove of Russian secrets.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs.
Gordon Corera is the author of The Spy in the Archive: How One Man Tried to Kill the KGB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 20, 2026 • 51min
The Melville Collective | FBI
During the turbulent 1960s, New York City faced the most destructive wave of domestic terror since the Anarchist bombings of the early 20th century.
In True Spies' 300th week, author, military intelligence professional and academic Dr. David Viola tells the story of the Melville Collective - a far-Left cell who became the focus of a joint operation by the FBI and NYPD after a spree of high-profile attacks on the Big Apple and beyond.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 13, 2026 • 33min
Tradecraft, Part 11
In this insightful discussion, Sean Walker, an international correspondent and author known for covering Russia, reveals the secret training of NKVD spy Nikolai Khochlov, who impersonated a Nazi officer for a high-stakes assassination. Dr. Jenny Benham, an expert in medieval diplomacy, shares fascinating tales of household spies who gathered intelligence and sometimes turned into assassins. The blend of historical and modern espionage techniques highlights the ever-evolving art of tradecraft, making for a captivating exploration of secrets both ancient and contemporary.
Jan 6, 2026 • 36min
Tradecraft, Part 10
Neil Bisson, a retired Canadian intelligence officer, discusses the complexities of mobile debriefs and counter-terrorism. Journalist Steve Vogel shares the thrilling tale of Operation Gold, detailing the covert Berlin Tunnel used to tap Soviet lines. Claire Mulley unveils the remarkable story of Agent Zoe, a female resistance fighter in WWII, who utilized clever tradecraft to evade capture and smuggle critical information. Each guest brings a unique lens to the intricate world of spy techniques and history.
Dec 30, 2025 • 37min
True Spies Classic: The Real Sopranos | FBI
Giovanni Rocco, a former FBI undercover agent, details his harrowing infiltration of the Decavacante crime family in New Jersey. He shares chilling stories from his time posing as a mob associate, including tense meetings with notorious figures like Charlie Stango. Giovanni offers insight into the brutal training he endured at the FBI's undercover school and the emotional toll of living a double life. He reveals the moment he was ordered to commit murder, all while capturing critical evidence that led to convictions.
Dec 23, 2025 • 53min
True Spies Debrief: Anthony Vinci on the Fourth Intelligence Revolution
Anthony Vinci is a former DIA case officer who went on to serve at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency before entering the private sector. His new book, The Fourth Intelligence Revolution, bridges the divide between the intelligence community and the tech world. Anthony spoke with True Spies producer Morgan Childs about why this new era puts intelligence in the hands of everyday people, and about what individuals and governments can do to prepare.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 16, 2025 • 47min
The Wireless Operator, Part Two: The Derber Method | Historical
When Dr David Tuch started investigating his family tree, he found much more than he bargained for. A distant cousin. A sailor. A man who led a life of adventure - and changed the world of crime forever.
In Part One of this True Spies story, you'll meet him too - and discover the first steps on a dark, dangerous and fascinating journey.
Dr. David Tuch is the author of The Wireless Operator: The Untold Story of the British Sailor Who Invented the Modern Drug Trade.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 11, 2025 • 29min
True Spies - Brief Histories: Double Agents
From ancient Babylon to the darkest depths of the Cold War, Double Agents have fascinated us for centuries.
In Brief Histories, the monthly special from True Spies, series producer Joe Foley is your guide to this secret world - alongside a treasure-trove of stories and expert knowledge from our archive.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 9, 2025 • 54min
The Wireless Operator, Part One: The Trouble With Hyman | Historical
Dr. David Tuch, a historian and the author of The Wireless Operator, uncovers the thrilling life of his distant cousin, Harold Durber, who transformed the world of crime. Tuch dives into Durber's adventurous beginnings, from a Jewish upbringing to his dangerous post-war exploits. Discover his role in arms smuggling during the Israeli war and ties to the Miami Mafia. Amid Cold War tensions, Durber's dramatic ventures unravel, including plans to ferry Cuban refugees and his mysterious connections with both Cuban officials and exiles.
