She’s known for helping to free people through the Underground Railroad, but Harriet Tubman was also a spy during the Civil War. And with the intelligence she collected, the Maryland native became the first woman to lead men into battle on gunboats down the Combahee River in South Carolina. The Combahee River Raid destroyed several vital Confederate rice plantations and liberated more than 750 people from enslavement.  

Social historian Edda Fields-Black reveals new details about the raid and Tubman.

And later in the episode, Ernestine Wyatt, Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, discusses the importance of Harriet’s espionage work and the legacy of her dedication to democracy. 

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

The Real Harriet Tubman

African Americans in Espionage | International Spy Museum

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by E-mail at spy[email protected], 

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

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North Korea is growing more dangerous, but no U.S. administration has been able to crack the code on its leader Kim Jong Un. Now, there’s even less incentive for Kim to negotiate because of the support he’s getting from Russia. So what will Kim do next, and where is he vulnerable? Jung H. Pak, a former CIA analyst who served as the country’s top diplomat for North Korea, takes us inside the mind of one of the world's most opaque leaders.

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Virtual Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Dr. Jung H. Pak

AI and Emerging Technologies: Intelligence Opportunities & Challenges 

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at [email protected], 

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

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For decades, colleges and universities have been a destination for espionage. Especially in recent years, the use of international students and faculty as spies on American campuses has been particularly daunting. Why do intelligence services, both foreign and domestic, target colleges and universities? And what is there to gain on these campuses? Award-winning journalist Daniel Golden, author of the book Spy Schools, describes the timeless game. 

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

• Secret History of History: Color Wars Part II with Catherine McKinley
• Chinese Corporate Espionage - The Tale of the Tea Thief with Sarah Rose
• Declassified Dessert | How to Make Cuban Spy Ana Montes’ Cheesecake
• Queen of Cuba with Peter J. Lapp
• SpyCast | “Making Sense of China, Taiwan, & America” – Pacific Intelligence with Bonny Lin

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at [email protected], 

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

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Agent Zo was the only female Polish resistance agent to reach London as a courier during WWII and the only female member of Poland's fabled 'Silent Unseen' paratroopers. Yet despite having researched Poland's wartime resistance movement, many of us have never heard of her. Why?

If you liked this episode, check out these links:

Agent Zo: The Extraordinary Woman Who Parachuted Into Nazi-Occupied Poland

Women Spies of WWII with Ellen McCarthy, Judith L. Pearson, and Erika Robuck

The Danger of the Femme Fatale Narrative

Code Name Madeleine with author Arthur J. Magida

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at [email protected], 

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

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Now that President Trump has been inaugurated, what can we expect for the intelligence community? On his first full day in his first term, he visited the CIA to voice support. But he has also displayed deep skepticism and accused spy agencies of undermining him. Beth Sanner is a highly decorated, retired career intelligence officer who briefed Trump with the President’s Daily Brief, a highly classified summary of the US most critical national security threats. She shares her thoughts on what lies ahead.

If you liked this episode, check out:

• The President's Book of Secrets - Understanding the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) with David Priess
• Hot Topics: Intelligence Challenges in an Election Year

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

https://sashaingber.substack.com/

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at [email protected], 

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

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Former intelligence officer Bryan Stern describes the tradecraft he used on Russian intelligence and military services to rescue an American imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

If you liked this episode check out these links to more hostage rescue stories:

• SpyCast - James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son – with His Mother Diane Foley
• Operación Jaque - The Daring Rescue Mission That Freed 15 Hostages
• Spy Chat with Chris Costa | Guest: Ambassador Roger D. Carstens

Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories:

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To learn more about Bryan’s work with Grey Bull you can visit greybullrescue.org. 

And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at [email protected].

This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

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Introducing the new host of SpyCast, Sasha Ingber! In this week’s episode, Sasha joined Erin in a conversation about her career and the future of the International Spy Museum’s flagship podcast. Now entering it’s 19th year, SpyCast will relaunch on January 14th with brand new episodes, featuring exciting spy stories and the latest intelligence from the shadowy world of espionage. Tune in to learn more about Sasha, our very first female host and the first host with a background in journalism.

As we look forward to our upcoming relaunch, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to those who have had a hand in uplifting SpyCast throughout the past 18 years. In particular, we’d like to thank our outgoing host Dr. Andrew Hammond, whose passion for the history of intelligence and genuine connection with each of our guests shined through each of the 200+ episodes he produced. A special thanks is also due to our friends at N2K Networks for their talented production and unwavering support of the podcast. 

We can’t wait to introduce you all to the new era of SpyCast. See you in the new year! 

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Summary

Robert Gates (Website; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to reflect on the 75th Anniversary of the CIA. He served 8 U.S. presidents. 

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

• His reflections on the CIA at 75
• How the CIA’s story intersected with his own  
• His take on the organization’s strengths and weaknesses 
• The complex intl. environment the CIA must now help America navigate

Reflections

• Twists of fate
• Identity and institutions 

And much, much more…

Episode Notes

Robert M. Gates is the first career officer in the CIA’s history to rise from entry level employee to Director. He spent 27 years at CIA, nine of those at the NSC. More recently, he was the first Secretary of Defense to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president. In all, he served 8 presidents. 

Wouldn’t you love to know his take on the CIA at 75? Well, we’ve made that happen for you!

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, served in the U.S.A.F. and he received his undergraduate education at William & Mary, his masters from Indiana University, and his doctorate from Georgetown University. He was formerly the President of Texas A&M University and the current Chancellor of William & Mary. 

And…

The academic institutions Dr. Gates has been associated with all have quite different capacities of football stadium: Georgetown University’s Cooper Field can hold 3,750; William & Mary’s Zable Stadium can hold 12,259; Indiana University’s Memorial Stadium can hold 52,626; and Texas A&M’s Kyle Stadium can hold a whopping 102,733. What could we infer about Dr. Gates, college sports, or the United States from this information? Well, that would be thinking like an intelligence analyst.

Quote of the Week

"I've led four very big, very different institutions and like all of them I always saw where places where CIA could be better. But I always loved the place, and I always was proud to work there and proud of the people that I knew…they were probably the smartest, most honest people I've ever met and worked with." – Robert Gates.

Resources

*Andrew’s Recommendation*

• “Reorganization in the Intel. Community,” DCI Gates (1992)
• Watch this prescient clip on historical naivete, or if you’re hardcore, the entire congressional testimony

*SpyCasts*

• “Dealing with Russia” – with Jim Olson (2022)
• “I was a Presidential Daily Briefer on 9/11” – with Mike Morell (2021)

*Beginner Resources*

• History of CIA, CIA (n.d.) [website]
• CIA Director’s Portrait Gallery, CIA (n.d.) [online gallery]
• Impact of President G.H.W. Bush’s Foreign Policy, MSNBC (2018) [13 min. video]
• At 75, CIA Back Where it Started, Countering Kremlin, G. Myre, NPR (2022) [5 min. audio]

Books

• Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020)
• Duty, R. Gates (Vintage, 2015) [Def. Sec. memoir]
• A World Transformed, Bush & Scowcroft (Knopf, 1998)
• From the Shadows, R. Gates (S&S, 1996) [CIA memoir]
• Power & Principle, Z. Brzezinski (FS&G, 1983) [Gates was Z.B.’s Special Asst. at the NSC during the Carter era]

Articles

• A More Realistic Strategy for the Post-Cold War Era, R. Gates, WaPo (2022)
• Creation of the Central Intelligence Group, M. Warner, SII (1996) 

Video

• Legacy of the G.H.W.B. Administration, CFR (2016)
• Book Talk: From the Shadows, R. Gates, C-Span (1996)

Documentary

• The Spymasters, Showtime (2015)

Curatorial

• Pocket History of CIA, CIA (2014)

Primary Sources

• Biden Speech on 75th Anniversary of the CIA (2022)
• Robert Gates on CIA and Openness (1992)
• Nomination of Gates to be DCI (1991)
• Adm. Roscoe, First CIA Director Dies (1982) 
• CIA Review of the World Situation (1947)
• Lester to Truman re Centralized Intelligence (1947) 
• National Security Act (1947)

*Wildcard Resource*

• North by Northwest (Hitchcock, 1959)
• We hear the first explicit mention of “CIA” in a major movie
•  “FBI. CIA. ONI. We’re all in the same alphabet soup.”

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Summary

Hugh Wilford joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book. Hugh is a professor, author, and leading CIA historian. 

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

• Imperial influences on American intelligence
• Key figures in CIA history 
• “Wild” Bill Donovan & British influence
• Groton School’s impact on CIA leaders

Reflections

• Inherited history
• Challenging established narratives

And much, much more …

Resources 

SURFACE SKIM

*Spotlight Resource*

• The CIA: An Imperial History, Hugh Wilford (Basic Books, 2024)

*SpyCasts*

• The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence with Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich (2024)
• The Past 75 Years with Historian of the CIA Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones (2022)
• The 75th Anniversary of the CIA with former Director Robert Gates (2022)

DEEPER DIVE

Books

• A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA, R. Jeffreys-Jones (Oxford University Press, 2022) 
• Spymasters: CIA Directors, C. Whipple (S&S, 2020)
• A Brief History of the CIA, R. Immerman (Wiley, 2014)

Primary Sources 

• Sherman Kent Obituary (1986)
• Maj. Gen. Edward G. Lansdale to go to South Vietnam (1965) 
• CIA Review of the World Situation (1947)
• Lester to Truman re Centralized Intelligence (1947) 
• National Security Act (1947)
• Intelligence Remarks of Major General William J. Donovan (1946)

*Wildcard Resource*

• Kim (1901) by Rudyard Kipling
• As Hugh mentions in this interview, this book was the inspiration behind Kermit Roosevelt Jr.’s nickname, Kim. Harold Adrian Russell Philby, the infamous member of the Cambridge Spy Ring better known as Kim Philby, took inspiration from the same source. 

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Summary

Robert Shaw joins Andrew to discuss his experience working as an accredited Battlefield tour guide. Bob’s career in the British Army spanned over 25 years. 

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

• Becoming a battlefield tour guide
• IEDD and Intelligence Work in Northern Ireland
• Hypothetical WWIII scenarios 
• Special Forces, TECHINT, & the Bin Laden Raid

Reflections

• Learning from history
• Interpretation and understanding

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“One of the things about being an IEDD operator, our intent of course is investigation. And part of that is asking questions, lots of them, and getting, in a sense, answers and then following off and chasing trails or rabbit holes … It's good to be able to question everything and work out why it's there and does it fit … So it does really help with battlefield touring.” – Bob Shaw.

Resources 

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

• Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Visionary, Enigma with Andrew Hodges (2024)
• The Real Ian Fleming with Nicholas Shakespeare (2024)
• ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: The D-Day Deception with National WWII Museum Curator Corey Graff (2023)
• St. Ermin’s Hotel, London – The History of a Legendary Spy Site with Stephen Duffy (2023)
• The IRA, The Troubles & Intelligence with Eleanor Williams and Thomas Leahy (2022)

DEEPER DIVE

Explore the Sites and Battlefields Discussed

• Thames House
• Vauxhall Cross
• Bletchley Park 
• Monument to SOE Agents
• The Old War Office Building
• The Admiralty Building
• Beaumanor Hall
• Battle of Arnhem / Operation Market Garden 
• The Khyber Pass 
• The Falklands Conflict  
• Abbottabad Raid / Operation Neptune Spear 
• Battle of Stalingrad 

*Wildcard Resource*

• The Battle of Gettysburg is perhaps one of the most well-known and most visited battlefields in the United States. 
• Take a virtual tour of this historic American site here – Tour guidance by Bob not included. 

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Summary

Anna Slafer (LinkedIn, Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the history of the International Spy Museum. Anna was one of SPY’s first employees when the museum opened in 2002. 

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

• Building the International Spy Museum
• Milton Maltz: the visionary behind SPY 
• The role of historians and curators 
• Creating exhibits on espionage 

Reflections

• Institutional memory and evolution
• The challenges and joys of storytelling 

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week

“We structured the museum so people could understand: How does [spying] work? Who does it? What is my role? And we wanted to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly.” – Anna Slafer.

Resources 

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

• The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann (2024)
• Secrets Revealed – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)
• Peter Earnest Memorial: Spook, CIA Spokesman, Spy Museum Director (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

• A look at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., FOX 5 Washington DC, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
• About the Collection, International Spy Museum (n.d.) [Short article]
• About Museums, American Alliance of Museums (n.d.) [Short Q&A]

DEEPER DIVE

Articles

• Cracking the Spy Museum Code to Revitalize Stale Learning, J. A. Manning, Medium (2023)
• A Reimagined Spy Museum in Washington Doesn’t Flinch From the Darker Side, S. Shane, The New York Times (2019)
• From For-Profit to Nonprofit: Evolution of the International Spy Museum, E. Merritt, American Alliance of Museums (2019)
• Spy Museum salutes '50 years of Bond Villains,' T. Wells, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2012)
• Role of museums in managing design education: a case study, H. Lee, International Journal of Education Through Art (2009)
• Museum visitors hit the D.C. streets in spy game, B. Zongker, Seattle Times (2009)

*Wildcard Resource*

• Museums have been a critical element of community building and historical memory for centuries. 
• One of the world’s first curators was a woman named Ennigaldi-Nanna from modern day Iraq. Dating from 530 B.C., Ennigaldi-Nanna’s museum of Mesopotamian artifacts is thought to be the world’s oldest museum. 

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