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
Sep 9, 2025 • 33min
True Spies Debriefs - Andy Greenberg on Sandworm
WIRED journalist Andy Greenberg has spent years reporting from the murky world of hackers, spies, and cyber warriors. His 2019 book Sandworm tells the true story of the Kremlin-backed cyber criminals that became one of the most destructive hacking groups in history. This week, True Spies producer Morgan Childs sits down with Andy to talk about the Sandworm group - and what their campaigns reveal about the future of warfare itself.
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
Sep 4, 2025 • 29min
True Spies - Brief Histories: Tradecraft
NEW from True Spies: Brief Histories. From Egyptian codebreaking, to USB sticks with the power to cripple nuclear facilities, this week hear the long evolution of tradecraft.
In Brief Histories, the new monthly special from True Spies, series producer Joe Foley is your guide to the evolution of this secret world - alongside a treasure-trove of 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
Sep 2, 2025 • 43min
True Spies Classic: The Sociopathic Spy | CIA
Jim Lawler, a former CIA operations officer with 25 years of experience, shares his thrilling journey of recruiting spies. He reveals the delicate balance of charm and manipulation required in espionage, alongside the emotional tactics used to forge connections. With stories spanning breathtaking dining experiences and moral dilemmas, Lawler dives deep into the ethical labyrinth of spies. Hear about the psychological complexities he faced as he navigated romance and risk while building trust with critical intelligence assets.
Aug 26, 2025 • 43min
True Spies Debriefs: John Taylor on the Psychology of Spies
John Taylor is an author, lecturer and advisor on handling human sources of secret intelligence. He joins True Spies producer Morgan Childs to discuss the psychology of those who play the espionage game - agent and handler alike.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs.
John Taylor is a senior Research Fellow at Kings College London and the author of The Psychology of Spies and Spying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 19, 2025 • 51min
The Great Illegals, Part Two: The Ambassador | NKVD
Shaun Walker, a journalist specializing in Russian espionage and author of 'The Illegals,' dives into the thrilling world of Iosif Grigulevich, a cunning spy embedded in Italy's diplomatic circles. He discusses Grigulevich's rise amid Stalin's purges and the botched assassination of Trotsky, showcasing espionage's dark and dangerous twists. The tension between Tito and Stalin is examined through a lens of political maneuvering and identity transformation. Shaun reveals how espionage mirrors complexity in human relationships, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats.
Aug 13, 2025 • 23min
True Spies - Brief Histories: Information Warfare
Dive into the fascinating world of information warfare, where disinformation and propaganda intertwine with public perception. Discover how ancient Roman strategies still echo in today’s media landscape, shaping narratives for political power. Learn about key figures and events that evolved the art of misinformation from the printing press to modern digital tactics. Plus, uncover the chilling history of propaganda in interwar Germany and how AI now complicates the fight against false narratives.
Aug 12, 2025 • 58min
The Great Illegals, Part One: The Whistler | NKVD
Shaun Walker, Central and Eastern Europe correspondent for The Guardian and author of 'The Illegals,' dives into the world of Russian espionage. He reveals the captivating story of Nikolai Khokhlov, a music-hall whistler turned deep-cover spy during World War II. The podcast explores Khokhlov's tense missions, the psychological strain of espionage, and a daring assassination plot against a Nazi governor in occupied Belarus. Walker's insights uncover the intricate balance of loyalty and deception, painting a vivid picture of spies navigating perilous times.
Aug 5, 2025 • 46min
True Spies Classic: Exit Strategy | CIA
In this classic episode of True Spies, CIA analyst Sarah Carlson drops Vanessa Kirby into the pressure-cooker of post-revolutionary Libya.
In 2011, the Arab Spring swept Colonel Gaddafi from office, leaving a deadly power vacuum. Three years later, civil war engulfed the nation. Under a hail of rocket fire, Sarah had to figure out a way to extract 150 American personnel from the carnage.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Claire Crofton. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 1, 2025 • 3min
Introducing... True Spies: Brief Histories
The history of espionage is long and shrouded in mystery...
Hear it chronicled in True Spies: Brief Histories, the new monthly episodes of True Spies.
From the intricacies of Ancient Roman tradecraft and Medieval propaganda, all the way to the surveillance systems of the twenty-first century, you’ll discover the hidden figures, secret dealings and daring special ops that brought us to where we are today.
Get episodes a week early, and ad-free with Spyscape+ plus.spyscape.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 29, 2025 • 39min
True Spies Debriefs: Seth Thévoz on Espionage in London's Clubland
True Spies producer Morgan Childs joins researcher and author Seth Thévoz to discuss the origins of London's elite gentlemen's clubs - and the movers, shakers and spies who have called them a home-from-home.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs.
Seth Thévoz is the author of London Clubland: A Companion for the Curious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
