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Artwork for Spybrary Spy Podcast

Spybrary Spy Podcast

Shane Whaley
James Bond
Ian Fleming
Cold War
Spy Literature
CIA
The Third Man
Riddle Of the Sands
From Russia With Love
Split Bamboo
Continuation Novels
Literature
Erskine Childers
Biography
Espionage
Patrice Lumumba
Film Noir
Mark Edlitz
World War II
Biographer Nicholas Shakespeare
Four Shots In the Night

Spybrary is a podcast for fans of spy books, spy tv and spy movies since 2017. We bring you author interviews and reader discussions on our favorite spy books and novels.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes286Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Spybrary Spy Podcast

Latest Episodes

On this riveting episode of the Spybrary Spy podcast, British political journalist Tim Shipman is once again in conversation with David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst turned novelist, discussing his fourth and most ambitious book yet, The Persian.

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Guest host Jim Wilton sits down with former U.S. military intelligence professional and author Karl Wegener to discuss his Cold War–era historical spy thriller Operation Nightfall: Web of Spies. Wegener shares his personal background in U.S. Army int... more

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What if someone else could use your identity as a spy? In this episode of Spybrary, guest host Bryan Boling sits down with author David Goodman to talk about his debut novel, A Reluctant Spy 'Goodman's first book was a very polished high concept spy ... more

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In the first Dead Drop Five episode of 2026, Spybrary host Shane Whaley welcomes new Spybrary guest host Bryan Boling for a deep dive into his five favourite spy books, the titles that Brian would request be stashed in the East Berlin Dead Drop. Full... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Karl Wegener
Former US Military Intelligence Professional and author
Episode: Polish Cold War Spy Thriller with Former CIA Analyst Karl Wegener
David Goodman
Author of A Reluctant Spy, a debut novel praised within the spy fiction community
Self-published author
Episode: The Spy Novel That Even The CIA Are Talking About
Bryan Boling
A new guest host who loves spy literature.
None mentioned
Episode: My 5 Favourite Spy Books with new Spybrary Guest Host - Bryan Boling
Michael Huie
Professor who teaches theater and has acted in the past.
Episode: The James Bond Film That Dared to Be Different – O.H.M.S.S. Decoded (On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
Roger N. Morris
Author of 18 books including 'Cover Story', former advertising copywriter.
Episode: I haven't been so entertained by a novel in years - Jeremy Duns talks Cover Story with R.N.Morris
Sam Guthrie
Author of 'The Peak', a political thriller rich in espionage themes
Episode: The Peak - Sam Guthrie In Conversation with Tim Shipman
Gordon Corera
Co-host of The Rest is Classified and former BBC security correspondent
BBC, The Rest is Classified
Episode: He Stole the KGB's Secrets For Years! With Gordon Corera
Joe Modzelewski
Spybrarian and guest contributor
Episode: Inside the Int. Spy Museum: Shane & Joe's Espionage Adventure
David Harry
The London Spy, tour guide specializing in espionage history
The London Spy
Episode: Secrets, Spies, and Espionage with The London Spy

Host

Shane Whaley
Host of the podcast, known for engaging interviews and insightful commentary on espionage literature and films.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 275 ratings
  • Tremendous podcast, lots of fun and good book ideas too!

    I found this podcast about a year ago now and enjoy it greatly. Interesting interviews with authors. Insightful discussions with other interested parties about books and movies and how they mesh. The discussion of classic books of the genre is much appreciated and often has me going back to re-read and see what I missed. This past weekend I was on a long drive and listening to a couple of the James Bond podcasts. It was quite entertaining pretending I wasn’t driving my 2024 sedan with a big... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Springer JG
    Canada2 years ago
  • The Best Spy-Related Podcast

    My favorite episodes are “The Dead Drop 5”. But what’s just as impressive is the podcast’s Facebook group… I’ve never been part of an online community where authors and fans interact directly with one another. This is by far my favorite podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BP-58
    United States2 years ago
  • Great for spy fans

    If you’re a fan of spy movies or novels this is the podcast for you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KFred90
    United States2 years ago
  • Spybrary

    Amazing podcast for those who love reading spy thrillers. This show has introduced me to new authors of which I would have never known about. Thank you Shane!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tonycaru428
    Canada2 years ago
  • Love everything Spy? This is the place to be.

    Since finding the Spybrary podcast I have found so many more books, authors, movies and TV than I thought possible. So many awesome podcast episodes as well as a great and accommodating Facebook community. This is the place to be.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    d7m
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate engaging and knowledgeable hosts who cover a broad range of topics within spy fiction, making it a vibrant hub for enthusiasts.
Critics mention occasional variance in episode quality, noting that some themes may not resonate with all audience members, but overall the feedback remains overwhelmingly positive.
Many highlight the strong sense of community facilitated by social media, where fans can interact with authors and fellow listeners.
The quality of production and insightful commentary keep listeners coming back for more, often learning something new with each episode.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#220
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#233
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#133
Sweden/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#156
Ukraine/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#179
Belgium/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Polish Cold War Spy Thriller with Former CIA Analyst Karl Wegener
Q: Did you borrow from your CIA and military experiences in writing the book?
No, the story is grounded in historical truth, and I did significant research, though I try not to let it get in the way of a good story.
Polish Cold War Spy Thriller with Former CIA Analyst Karl Wegener
Q: How did you arrive at the setting for your book?
I became fixated on Poland and wanted to tell the stories of the Polish resistance after World War II due to the historical events that have shaped lives today.
My 5 Favourite Spy Books with new Spybrary Guest Host - Bryan Boling
Q: What can you share with us about the main plot of Odessa?
The story is about Peter Miller, a journalist who discovers a diary from a concentration camp, leading him to hunt down a former SS officer hiding in West Germany.
How to Think Like a Spy — Real Tactics from Ex-Intelligence Operative - Julian Fisher
Q: Do you think that's not just because of how strict the Official Secrets Act is, but I go back to Le Carre, who was despised by many in the intelligence services, because they thought he showed a very grim portrayal of a career in intelligence, whereas some of the CIA books are a bit more positive?
It would speak to a very low level of institutional self-confidence. You can't handle a slightly disobliging portrayal of the professional life.
How to Think Like a Spy — Real Tactics from Ex-Intelligence Operative - Julian Fisher
Q: What techniques were you using at that lunch?
I was inviting everybody to contribute, rather than waiting for the speaker to stop and interject.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Spybrary Spy Podcast

What is Spybrary Spy Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast centers around themes related to espionage, including in-depth discussions on spy literature, film adaptations, and interviews with authors in the spy genre. The content frequently engages with both classic and contemporary spy works, tracing cultural impacts by exploring the behind-the-scenes processes of writing and the cinematic portrayal of espionage. Notably, it features insights from various perspectives in the field, such as former intelligence officers, historians, and authors, creating a rich tapestry of narrative that appeals to dedicated fans and newcomers alike. Listeners will find a mix of thought-provoking analyses, humor, and personal stories that enhance the experience of diving into the world of spies.

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How many episodes of Spybrary Spy Podcast are there?

Spybrary Spy Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 286 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Spybrary Spy Podcast?

Recent guests on Spybrary Spy Podcast include:

1. Karl Wegener
2. David Goodman
3. Bryan Boling
4. Michael Huie
5. Roger N. Morris
6. Sam Guthrie
7. Gordon Corera
8. Joe Modzelewski

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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