
True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
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.
Latest episodes

Jul 9, 2024 • 1h 17min
True Spies: Classic - Team Alpha
Discover the captivating mission of CIA's Team Alpha in Afghanistan post 9/11, facing dangers, negotiations with warlords, and the tragic loss of a team member. Uncover the complexities of espionage, Afghan tribal politics, and American intervention in the aftermath of 9/11.

Jul 2, 2024 • 53min
True Spies: Debriefs - David Tyson on life for Afghans after The Taliban won
New from SPYSCAPE Studios - True Spies: Debriefs. In each of these new episodes, we'll dive back behind the scenes with some of our favourite True Spies, from episodes past.This week, ex-CIA officer David Tyson gives an update on how the return of The Taliban in Afghanistan, and the changing politics of the Middle East more broadly, has affected his work with Badger Six; a charity he runs to help Afghan allies.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ 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

Jun 25, 2024 • 51min
Codename Tinsel Tyrant | FBI
How does a San Francisco born Silicon Valley entrepreneur, "as American as apple-pie", become a vital intelligence asset for the Soviet Bloc?Hear the chilling tale of one James Harper, from national security reporter and the host of Spy Valley: Zach Dorfman. (Hear more from Zach here: https://brazen.fm/podcasts/spy-valley/)From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Justin Trefgarne. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 2024 • 41min
True Spies: Classic - Allied with Al-Qaeda
Venture into the True Spies vaults, as we take a look back at the extraordinary story of CIA Operations Officer: Doug London.Doug only has one shot to recruit one of Al-Qaeda's key facilitators. He must find common ground with a man with a vastly different background and belief system. Lives hang in the balance. He has to succeed.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

Jun 11, 2024 • 42min
True Spies: Debriefs - Douglas London on empathy
Brand new from SPYSCAPE Studios - True Spies: Debriefs. In each of these new episodes, we'll dive back behind the scenes with some of our favourite True Spies, from episodes past.This week, ex-CIA operations officer Douglas London discusses how empathy, an undervalued tool in the spy's arsenal, played a crucial role in bringing in active Al Qaeda members. And, how he believes leaders embroiled in the current conflicts in the middle east, could seek to use empathy to bring an end to hostilities.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ 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

Jun 3, 2024 • 47min
PO Box 1142 | WW2
Join Robert K Sutton, author of Nazis on the Potomac, as he uncovers the covert WWII intelligence operation at Fort Hunt. Learn about the mysterious journey of a German submarine, the secretive military base PO Box 1142, espionage collaboration with British spies, interrogation tactics, and secret operations of MIS-X at Fort Hunt.

May 28, 2024 • 51min
Operation Kronstadt | Historical
Former MI6 Officer Harry Ferguson tells the nail-biting story of an unlikely British spy in Bolshevik Russia - and the daring naval mission to bring him home.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Louise Sinnerton. Music by Nick Ryan.Harry Ferguson is the author of Operation Kronstadt, and makes content on TikTok as The English Spy (https://www.tiktok.com/@theenglishspy) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 21, 2024 • 46min
The Woman Who Rescued Orwell | Historical
It's 1937. The Spanish Civil War is raging, and author George Orwell is fighting on the Socialist front. But as Orwell lives out his anti-Fascist adventure, his wife, Eileen O'Shaughnessy, is embroiled in a subtler conflict. At the headquarters of the Workers' Party of Marxist Unification in Barcelona, she's dealing with a brutal police force, Stalinist spies, and an atmosphere of political terror. And on top of all that, it's up to her to stop her husband falling into enemy hands...From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Louise Sinnerton. Music by Nick Ryan.Anna Funder is the author of Stasiland and Wifedom: https://www.annafunder.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 14, 2024 • 44min
The War on Terror, Part Two - From Khost to Compounds | CIA
Former CIA Operations Officer Aaron Brown discusses his role in the CIA's War on Terror, focusing on the tragic attack at the Khost base by a double agent. He delves into ongoing counterterrorism efforts, the pursuit of Bin Laden's courier, the hunt for a mysterious compound, and the high-stakes raid preparation. The podcast captures the tension, uncertainty, and danger in government raids and reflects on the emotional toll of such missions.

May 7, 2024 • 38min
The War on Terror, Part One - From Cairo to Khost | CIA
Former CIA Operations Officer Aaron Brown discusses his role in the CIA's War on Terror, including intense moments during the hunt for Osama bin Laden. He shares his journey from military training to CIA recruitment, highlighting pivotal decisions and challenges faced in counterterrorism efforts.
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