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
Mar 19, 2024 • 50min
Agent Sniper | CIA
Bigamist. Fantasist. Betrayer. Betrayed.Known only as Agent Sniper, Polish double-agent Michal Goleniewski sold secrets to the USA from behind the Iron Curtain. But this complex, ambitious man was no match for his American handlers.In this episode of True Spies, author Tim Tate reveals a life full of romance, tragedy and Cold War intrigue.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 12, 2024 • 42min
The Strike on Saddam | CIA
Former head of the CIA's Iraq Operations Group, Luis Rueda, shares insights into the plan to strike Saddam Hussein's compound, potentially stopping the war. The episode explores the intense atmosphere leading up to Operation Iraqi Freedom and the decision-making process amidst looming deadlines. Rueda reflects on the complexities of the Iraq War and his key role in managing intelligence operations during this critical time.
Mar 4, 2024 • 44min
The King's Secret | Historical
The Chevalièr d'Éon, was an 18th century war-hero, an indispensable spy and a famous diplomat. But today, they're best known for their pioneering approach to gender boundaries. Historian Gary Kates pulls back the curtains on this fascinating True Spy. Hear the groundbreaking story of d'Éon's life - from undercover geopolitical manipulation in the Russian court, and plotting Louis XV's French invasion of England, to being recognized by both French and English courts as having the right to live as a woman...From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Matthew Nelson. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 26, 2024 • 43min
The Last Honest Man | Historical
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist James Risen, details the life and work of Frank Church - the man who forever changed the US intelligence community.From humble Idaho beginnings, through to his lofty Presidential ambitions, we delve into who Church really was, and his tireless devotion to serving American ideals of transparency and accountability - culminating in the Church Committee. However, Church learnt that you can't shine a light on the darkest corners of the FBI, the CIA and the NSA, without making some powerful enemies...From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 19, 2024 • 49min
The Disappeared, Part Two - Mother's Day | Investigation
No one takes on the cartel and comes away unscathed. Miriam Rodriguez understood that from the start.In the second and final part of this extraordinary True Spies story, The New York Times’ Azam Ahmed picks up the story of the housekeeper who sought revenge on Mexico’s notorious Zetas. Having discovered the grim truth of what happened to her kidnapped daughter, Miriam Rodriguez makes it her life’s mission to bring down the criminals responsible for her murder – becoming increasingly adept at highwire deep cover work in the process. She will not rest until the Zetas have been made to pay – but her bold quest comes with an enormous personal price tag.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 12, 2024 • 40min
The Disappeared, Part One - Parlour Games | Investigation
In this two-part True Spies story, The New York Times’ Azam Ahmed tells the unbelievable tale of Miriam Rodriguez, a 56 year-old housekeeper turned rogue agent – and thorn in the side of one of Mexico’s most feared gangs.In Part One, we meet Miriam as her world is turned upside down by news of her daughter’s kidnapping. Soon, she embarks on a quest for answers and for vengeance. It will bring her face to face with the Zetas – a powerful and dangerous criminal organization who terrorize Miriam’s native San Fernando with impunity. But in this grieving mother of three, they may have found their match.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 5, 2024 • 30min
Diamond Hands | IRS-CI
During the cryptocurrency boom of the 2010s, those who held their assets made huge fortunes. Among them was James Zhong - a young man who'd amassed an unbelievable virtual treasure trove. But he'd come across his fortune illegitimately - by executing an audacious one-man heist against the most notorious black market on the Dark Web.Sophia Di Martino joins IRS Criminal Investigation agent Tyler Hatcher, whose digital detective work recovered millions of dollars in ill-gotten Bitcoin for the US Government.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 29, 2024 • 39min
The Silk Road Bust | FBI
The Silk Road was one of the most notorious black markets on the internet. Run by the notorious, anonymous Dread Pirate Roberts, this online bazaar allowed its users to trade cryptocurrency for illegal drugs, items and services. But, buried beneath layers of digital proxies, the Silk Road was almost impenetrable to law enforcement.Almost.Sophia Di Martino joins former FBI Special Agent Chris Tarbell to tell the story of how a combination of cyber-savvy and old-school detective work brought down the biggest name on the Dark Web.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by James Trew. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 22, 2024 • 33min
Sonya’s Red Heart, Part Two: The Secrets of Sonya | GRU
Ursula Kuczynski, AKA Agent Sonya, is one history's most effective spies. As an intelligence gatherer for the Soviet military, she helped to usher in the age of Mutually Assured Destruction during the bloody 1940s.In 2020, a newly declassified document muddied the waters - who was Sonya really working for?In this two-part True Spies story, a new theory deepens the mystery of her life and work.In Part 2, Sophia Di Martino and Professor Anthony Glees explore a masterful double-cross by the Stalinist spy.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Hannah Dean. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 15, 2024 • 29min
Sonya’s Red Heart, Part One: The Fairytale of Ursula Kuczynski | GRU
Ursula Kuczynski, AKA Agent Sonya, is one history's most effective spies. As an intelligence gatherer for the Soviet military, she helped to usher in the age of Mutually Assured Destruction during the bloody 1940s.In 2020, a newly declassified document muddied the waters - who was Sonya really working for?In this two-part True Spies story, a new theory deepens the mystery of her life and work.In Part 1, Sophia Di Martino joins Professor Anthony Glees to follow Sonya's rise to prominence within the Russian GRU.From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Hannah Dean. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
