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
Aug 1, 2022 • 32min
Russia's Laundromat, Part 1/3: The Minister of Thievery | Investigation
All around the world, dirty money pollutes public and private life. Those who wield it are a diverse cast of businessmen, politicians, and criminals - and sometimes, they're all three. In this anthology, Vanessa Kirby meets the investigators using open source intelligence to expose the murky relationship between international institutions and Russian financial crime.In Part 1, former financier and anti-corruption activist Roman Borisovich details an undercover operation in London, where an eager real-estate industry is all too willing to get rich off of ill-gotten cash. Could YOU shine a light in the shadows? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 25, 2022 • 43min
Special Relationships, Part 3/3: Hands Across Libya | CIA & MI6
After a shaky start, the friendship between Britain and America has blossomed in to one of the most important alliances on the world stage. In this anthology, Vanessa Kirby relates three crucial chapters in the evolution of the Special Relationship.In Part 3, former CIA case officer Jim Lawler and intelligence writer Michael Smith lift the lid on a rare joint operation between the CIA and MI6. When AQ Khan - the father of Pakistan's nuclear program - is caught selling nuclear secrets to rogue states, the Brits and the Americans must join forces to bring him down. To do so, they need the help of an unlikely ally - Colonel Muammar Gadhafi.Could YOU play games with global consequences? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 18, 2022 • 36min
Special Relationships, Part 2/3: The Lisbon Connection | Historical
After a shaky start, the friendship between Britain and America has blossomed in to one of the most important alliances on the world stage. In this anthology, Vanessa Kirby relates three crucial chapters in the evolution of the Special Relationship.In Part 2, scholar and intelligence professional Dr. Anthony Wells takes us behind the scenes in WW2-era Lisbon, where rival spies work tirelessly to turn the tide of war. Among their number is Commander Ian Fleming, who mounts an operation that will provide the inspiration for a daring new American intelligence agency...Could YOU survive in the City of Spies? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 11, 2022 • 30min
Special Relationships, Part 1/3: The Zimmermann Telegram | Historical
After a shaky start, the friendship between Britain and America has blossomed in to one of the most important alliances on the world stage. In this anthology, Vanessa Kirby relates three crucial chapters in the evolution of the Special Relationship.In Part 1, scholar and intelligence professional Dr. Anthony Wells is your guide to the unprecedented carnage of World War One - and how a crafty British Naval Intelligence officer tipped the scales by bringing the USA in to the conflict.Could YOU adapt to a new reality? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 4, 2022 • 39min
Team Alpha, Part 2/2: First Casualty | CIA
October 17, 2001. The dust of 9/11 has barely settled. America and the world are reeling.In Afghanistan, 8 CIA officers - a crack team of linguists, tribal experts and paramilitaries - are the first Americans to infiltrate Taliban territory after the attacks. Their mission is to ensure that Al Qaeda does not strike again. They are Team Alpha.In Part 2, Vanessa Kirby joins CIA linguist David Tyson and author Toby Harnden for the gripping conclusion to the first act of the War on Terror.Could YOU adapt to a new reality? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 27, 2022 • 43min
Team Alpha, Part 1/2: The Tip of the Spear | CIA
October 17, 2001. The dust of 9/11 has barely settled. America and the world are reeling.In Afghanistan, 8 CIA officers - a crack team of linguists, tribal experts and paramilitaries - are the first Americans to infiltrate Taliban territory after the attacks. Their mission is to ensure that Al Qaeda does not strike again. They are Team Alpha.In Part 1, Vanessa Kirby joins CIA linguist David Tyson and author Toby Harnden to tell the true story of Team Alpha's first foray in to a dangerous and unpredictable new theatre of war.Could YOU adapt to a new reality? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 20, 2022 • 32min
Sexpionage, Part 3/3: The Lover, the Ax, and Leon Trotsky | NKVD
Throughout history, spies have used sex, seduction and emotional manipulation to achieve their shadowy aims. In this 3-part anthology, Vanessa Kirby joins espionage authors Henry Schlesinger and Michael Smith to uncover the real stories behind some of history's most explosive honeytrap operations.In Part 3, Michael and Henry tell the real spy story behind one of history's most famous murders. When Ramón Mercader attacked Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky at his home in Mexico, the evidence suggested a crime of passion. In reality, it was the culmination of a long and intricate honeypot operation by Stalin's secret service.Could YOU get close enough to kill? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 13, 2022 • 41min
Sexpionage, Part 2/3: Russian Doll | SVR
Throughout history, spies have used sex, seduction and emotional manipulation to achieve their shadowy aims. In this 3-part anthology, Vanessa Kirby joins espionage authors Henry Schlesinger and Michael Smith to uncover the real stories behind some of history's most explosive honeytrap operations.In Part 2, Henry Schlesinger reveals the unlikely life and times of a celebrity spy. In 2010, Russian property entrepreneur Anna Chapman was exposed as one of 10 deep-cover agents working on US soil. Armed with SVR tradecraft, nightlife connections and charm to spare, she was linked to a variety of rich and influential men as she rose through the upper echelons of Western society - waiting for the moment to strike.Could YOU play the long game ? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 6, 2022 • 36min
Sexpionage, Part 1/3: Operation Diamond | Mossad
Throughout history, spies have used sex, seduction and emotional manipulation to achieve their shadowy aims. In this 3-part anthology, Vanessa Kirby joins espionage authors Henry Schlesinger and Michael Smith to uncover the real stories behind some of history's most explosive honeytrap operations.In Part 1, Michael Smith relates an audacious plot by the Israeli Mossad in the turbulent 1960s. Mossad officers targeted Iraqi pilots, hoping to seduce them into defecting with a MiG-21 - the next-gen fighter plane favoured by Israel's enemies. In a bloody and dangerous mission spanning three continents, the outcome played a part in changing the face of the Middle-East. How far would YOU go to level the playing field? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11 snips
May 30, 2022 • 47min
The Spy's Son, Part 2/2: Dark Inheritance | CIA
When he was arrested in 1996, Jim Nicholson - nicknamed 'Batman' - was the highest-ranking CIA officer to be convicted of espionage for the Russian Federation. 10 years later, he did it again. Join Vanessa Kirby for the first ever True Spies duology - a tale of spy-craft, treachery, and a toxic father-son relationship.In Part 2, DoJ Attorney Ethan Knight shines the spotlight on Nicholson's son, Nathan, who was manipulated by his incarcerated father into continuing his espionage work. But before long, his spy fantasies turned sour. Could YOU live a double life? From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
