SNAFU with Ed Helms

Join Bonnie Raines and Keith Forsyth, members of the Citizens Commission to Investigate the FBI, as they reveal their audacious mission against government surveillance. Bonnie shares her risky undercover work posing as a college student to monitor an FBI office, while Keith discusses the intricacies of lockpicking for their heist. They delve into the intense planning and emotional complexities of balancing activism with daily life. Their blend of humor and seriousness uncovers the fight for transparency and accountability during a tumultuous period in American history.

Bonnie and John Raines, anti-war activists and prominent figures in the 1970s civil rights movement, share their audacious tale of breaking into an FBI office to expose corruption. They reflect on the intense atmosphere of distrust and activism during the Vietnam War, highlighting the societal impact of their actions. The conversation also delves into the chilling effects of surveillance on dissenters and the moral dilemmas faced by those who challenged authority, intertwining personal stories with a critique of government power.

Betty Medsger, a Washington Post reporter known for receiving pivotal classified documents, reveals the audacious 1971 heist that exposed the FBI's troubling surveillance methods. She discusses the ethical dilemmas faced by journalism when publishing stolen government documents, and the dramatic shift in public perception of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. Medsger shares her experiences with government authority and the personal toll of uncovering the truth about corruption, highlighting the vital role of citizen advocacy in safeguarding civil liberties.

In 1971, a courageous group of activists broke into an FBI office and stole files containing J. Edgar Hoover's deepest, darkest secrets. How did their actions forever upend everything Americans knew about their country's most powerful law enforcement agency?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Executive Producer Ed Helms comes a new podcast, Broomgate: A Curling Scandal. Over the course of six episodes, semi-professional curler and fully professional comedian John Cullen (Blocked Party) is exposing the unbelievable, never-before-told scandal that rocked the sport of curling. Yes, curling. Listen here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a captivating discussion, Rachel Maddow, a prominent journalist and host of the Ultra podcast, reveals the dark attempt by Nazi sympathizers to undermine American democracy during World War II through the Great Sedition Trial of 1944. She explores the complexities of historical narratives and the importance of acknowledging overlooked events to understand today's political climate. Rachel also addresses the connections between anti-Semitism, racism, and modern authoritarianism, emphasizing the power of storytelling in grasping these enduring issues.

Jack Barsky, a former KGB sleeper agent turned author, shares riveting tales from his double life infiltrating the U.S. during the Cold War. He discusses the intense training KGB operatives underwent and his personal journey from Soviet ideology to American life. Barsky unveils the complexities of identity, the paranoia of Soviet operations, and the haunting stakes during Able Archer '83—a moment when miscommunication nearly led to nuclear conflict. His reflections highlight the power of love in redefining one's identity after espionage.

Bonus Episode – Ed speaks with actor Matthew Broderick, and director John Badham about their time on the seminal 1983 classic, “WarGames” and how it played a part in the cultural zeitgeist of the Cold War. Produced by FilmNation and Pacific Electric Picture Co. in association with Gilded Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finale of Snafu: Season One! The holy grail of classified Able Archer documents is finally revealed. Will it hold the answers we seek? Produced by FilmNation and Pacific Electric Picture Co. in association with Gilded Audio.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheer terror about the near disaster recedes over time, and intrigue sets in. Competing theories emerge as Nate Jones and others uncover reports that have been buried in archives for decades. Time casts a new shadow on Gordievsky and Rupp’s Able Archer heroics. Myth, propaganda, and reality melt into one big cloudy soup. Produced by FilmNation and Pacific Electric Picture Co. in association with Gilded Audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.