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SPYCRAFT 101

Justin Black
Vietnam War
Cold War
Espionage
World War II
Communism
CIA
Cambridge Five
Phạm Xuân Ẩn
Soviet Espionage
British Intelligence
Noel Field
Cameron Ortiz
Vietnam
Time Magazine
MI6
Augusto Pinochet
French Resistance
Chile
Washington D.C.
Orlando Letelier

Welcome to your clandestine classroom.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes230Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentHistory

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for SPYCRAFT 101

Latest Episodes

Today Justin talks to retired FBI Special Agent Sheldon Fung. Sheldon has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry from the University of California Davis, and a Master's Degree in Criminology and Weapons of Mass Destruction from Indiana Universi... more

Today, Justin welcomes retired FBI supervisory special agent James Gaylord. Jim spent nearly 32 years with the FBI, including six years supervising a counterintelligence squad at the Los Angeles Field Office's Santa Ana Resident Agency. If you're a l... more

Today Justin sits down with Gregg Bergersen. Gregg spent 19 years in the Department of Navy's office of Naval Intelligence as an intelligence research specialist. He was then asked to join the Department of Defense as a weapons systems policy analyst... more

Today Justin sits down with Sam Farran. Sam moved to United States from his birth place in Lebanon and joined the US Marine Corps in 1978. He was later trained as an interrogator and worked on orders with the Defense Intelligence Agency and as an at ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Sam Farran
Former Marine and author of The Tightening Dark, An American Hostage in Yemen
Episode: 223. A Former Marine Held Hostage in Yemen with Sam Farran
Trevor Barnes
Journalist specializing in national security issues.
London Standard Newspaper
Episode: 222. Russian Sabotage: Inside The Wagner Trial with Trevor Barnes
Dr. Brad Williams
Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and International Studies at the City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong
Episode: 221. Japan's Intelligence Journey in the Modern Era with Dr. Brad Williams
Chris Feistl
Chris worked for 26 years as a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration and is the author of the book After Escobar.
Author of After Escobar
Episode: 220. Real Life Narcos: Toppling the Cali Cartel with Chris Feistl
Aidan Raney
Founder of Farnsworth Intelligence, a digital intelligence service
Farnsworth Intelligence
Episode: 219. Digital Intelligence, Phishing Scams, and North Korea with Aidan Raney
Peggy Wirgau
An author known for her historical novels, including 'The Stars in April' and 'To Outwit Them All'.
Self-published author
Episode: 218. Who Was Agent 355? A Revolutionary Spy Story with Peggy Wirgau
Laken Pavan
An 18-year-old student from Vancouver, Canada, who was recruited by Russian intelligence.
Episode: 216. A Canadian Teen Recruited to Spy For Russia with Laken Pavan
Dr. David Tuch
Technology entrepreneur and author uncovering the intersection of organized crime and espionage.
Episode: 215. From World War II Radio Operator to the OG Drug Kingpin with Dr. David Tuch
Reality Winner
Former NSA contractor and whistleblower
Episode: 213. Beyond the Leak: Life, Justice, and Redemption with Reality Winner

Host

Justin Black
Host of the podcast, focusing on topics related to espionage, military history, and intelligence operations. Known for straightforward interview style and depth of knowledge.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 780 ratings
  • Fascinating.

    The thing I love about this podcast… we live in a very polarized world, with a lot of black and white opinions. Justin’s interviews and topics are a phenomenal reminder that the world is a lot more “gray” than we assume it to be. A fascinating lesson for those interested in espionage history and thinking critically about the world that we live in.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dtotheweed
    United States3 months ago
  • Brilliant

    Great espionage / clandestine history podcast 🔥👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VadBol
    Ukraine3 months ago
  • 🕵🏻‍♂️

    Spycraft 101 is absolutely essential listening for anyone fascinated by espionage, tradecraft, and the hidden history behind intelligence operations. Justin Black takes complex, often secretive subjects and makes them accessible, engaging, and thought-provoking. The mix of expert guests, real-world case studies, and deep research creates a perfect balance between education and storytelling. Every episode feels like peeling back a layer of mystery from the shadow world of spies and covert action.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mikey_2sleeves
    United States3 months ago
  • Sound quality…?

    Sounds like it’s being recorded through a tin can telephone played through an old-timey gramophone.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Tech.Turtle
    Canada6 months ago
  • Brilliant show

    The variety of the episodes and depth to which the host and guests go to is special. I look forward to each new episode!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Surfer Spook
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The mix of expert guests and compelling storytelling is often highlighted as a strength of the show.
Listeners appreciate the educational and accessible nature of the content, finding it both fascinating and engaging.
Overall, the podcast is well-regarded for its in-depth exploration of espionage topics, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.
Critics have mentioned issues with audio quality in some episodes, taking away from overall experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#78
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#91
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#136
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#78
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#105
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#151
Germany/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

225. How the FBI Caught China's Most Prolific Spy Family with James Gaylord
Q: What began the investigation into Chi Mak?
The investigation started when a member of the intelligence community reported a leak of sensitive defense technologies potentially going to China from L3 Communications.
220. Real Life Narcos: Toppling the Cali Cartel with Chris Feistl
Q: What kind of things were you able to uncover during your operations?
Chris mentions finding highly sensitive documents in a raid, revealing extensive corruption and contacts within the government who were influenced by the Cali Cartel.
220. Real Life Narcos: Toppling the Cali Cartel with Chris Feistl
Q: What were some of the obstacles you faced with the Colombian government?
Chris highlights corruption, bureaucratic roadblocks, and safety concerns for Americans as significant challenges in their operations.
220. Real Life Narcos: Toppling the Cali Cartel with Chris Feistl
Q: How did you first connect with your essential informant Salcedo?
Chris talks about how they were able to coordinate secret meetings with him at a remote agricultural location outside of Cali, and the challenges of meeting without being detected.
220. Real Life Narcos: Toppling the Cali Cartel with Chris Feistl
Q: What was it like actually arriving in Colombia?
Chris explains that while Miami had prepared them operationally, Colombia was far more dangerous due to high homicide and kidnapping rates and had extensive travel restrictions.

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 SPYCRAFT 101

What is SPYCRAFT 101 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the intricate world of espionage and intelligence, the podcast offers a captivating exploration of various historical events, covert operations, and the individuals involved in these clandestine activities. Episodes feature guests from diverse fields such as intelligence, law enforcement, journalism, and academia, who share their firsthand experiences and insights on topics ranging from World War II espionage to contemporary cybersecurity threats. Notably, the podcast often emphasizes storytelling, making complex and secretive subjects accessible while encouraging critical thinking about the implications of intelligence work on society. Unique narratives, often lesser-known stories of espionage figures, and a blend of expert inte... more

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How many episodes of SPYCRAFT 101 are there?

SPYCRAFT 101 launched 5 years ago and published 230 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 SPYCRAFT 101?

Recent guests on SPYCRAFT 101 include:

1. Sam Farran
2. Trevor Barnes
3. Dr. Brad Williams
4. Chris Feistl
5. Aidan Raney
6. Peggy Wirgau
7. Laken Pavan
8. Dr. David Tuch

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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