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Known to be the podcast real spies listen to -(STOP)- eavesdrop on conversations with high level sources from a...
“Two Decades at the International Spy Museum” – with Anna Slafer
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 Malz: 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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1:02:03
Leadership & The United States Pacific Command with Ret. Lieutenant General Anthony Crutchfield
Summary
Lieutenant General Anthony Crutchfield (Ret.) (LinkedIn, Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his time as the Deputy Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command. PACOM covers 52% of the globe.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
The role of intelligence in military operations
Ethical dilemmas in command decisions
Reflections on the impact of mentorship and outreach
The importance of remaining aware in today's pervasive world
Reflections
The challenges of leadership
Hard work, determination, and resilience
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“I worked hard at everything I did. If somebody asked me to do a job, I didn’t say, ‘That’s not my job,’ I didn’t complain. There were places that I was sent that I didn’t want to go, but I went – And I didn’t complain about it…I did the best that I could and it was recognized.” – Anthony Crutchfield.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
Leading United States Central Command with General Frank McKenzie (2024)
CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)
David Petraeus on Ukraine & Intelligence with the former CIA Director & 4* General (2023)
Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy with Michael Vickers (2023)
DEEPER DIVE
Books
The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, K. F. McKenzie (Naval Institute Press, 2024)
Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, D. Petraeus & A. Roberts (Harper, 2023)
Strategy in Crisis: The Pacific War, J. T. Kuehn (Naval Institute Press, 2023)
Fire on the Water: China, America, and the Future of the Pacific, R. J. Haddick (Naval Institute Press, 2014)
Primary Sources
U.S. Defense Infrastructure in the IndoPacific: Background and Issues for Congress (2023)
Pacific Partnership Strategy (2022)
Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States (2022)
*Wildcard Resource*
PACOM is, by far, the largest geographical combatant command. The smallest, on the other hand, is the U.S. Central Command. Listen to our interview with General Frank McKenzie, 14th commander of CENTCOM, here!
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1:06:14
“Applying Intelligence to Business Strategy” with Jonathan B. Smith
Summary
Jonathan B. Smith (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the application of intelligence to entrepreneurship. Jonathan is an entrepreneur, author, and business strategist.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
Building high-performance teams
Case officers vs. entrepreneurs
Networking and overcoming operational challenges
Curiosity as a key trait for success
Reflections
The will to succeed
The power of listening and empathy
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“I often switch languages …I'll speak from a medical CEO's perspective versus a financial services CEO perspective. And people, when you use their language, they tend to lean in. They're like, “Oh, you understand me.” It's fascinating – People don't want to know how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Jonathan B. Smith.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
The Cyber Behavioral Profiler with Cameron Malin (2024)
The FBI Hostage Negotiator with Chris Voss (2024)
Spying and Start-Ups with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen (2022)
From the CIA to Strategic Cyber with Hans Holmer (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do? Foundation for Economic Education, YouTube (2019) [3 min. video]
What is EOS? Entrepreneurial Operating System (n.d.) [Fact sheet]
Case Officer, Central Intelligence Agency (n.d.) [Job description]
DEEPER DIVE
Books
Sell Like A Spy: The Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage, J. Hurewitz (Diversion Books, 2024)
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)
Optimize for Growth: How to Scale Up Your Business, Your Network and You, J. B. Smith (Chief Optimizer, 2015)
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1:01:42
“The Skinny on Cuban Intelligence” – with Counterintelligence expert Ean Forsythe
Summary
Ean Forsythe joins Andrew to discuss the history of Cuban intelligence. Ean is the Counterintelligence and Security Center Chair at the National Intelligence University.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
The history and evolution of Cuban intelligence
Case studies, including Ana Montes, Kendall Meyers, and the Cuban Five
Counterintelligence strategies and challenges
The role of Cuban intelligence during the Cold War
Reflections
Ideology and the power of ideas
Offensive vs. defensive play
And much, much more …
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes with Jim Popkin (2023)
The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
Dealing with Russia – A Conversation with Counterintelligence Legend Jim Olson (2022)
DEEPER DIVE
Books
Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed, J. Popkin (Hanover, 2023)
To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence, J. M. Olson (Georgetown University Press, 2021)
United States-Cuban Relations: A Critical History, E. M. Dominguez (Lexington, 2008)
Primary Sources
Report on the Convictions and Disproportionate Sentences Imposed on the Cuban Five (2014)
USA: The Case of the Cuban Five (2010)
Inspector General Review of Ana Montes Investigation (2005)
US vs. Marta Rita Velazquez (2004)
Ana Montes Statement During Trial (2001)
FBI Arrests DIA Employee (2001)
Selection and Training of Cuban Intelligence Agents Abroad (1964)
Cuban Intelligence Information Report (1964)
*Wildcard Resource*
Watch Erin bake Ana Montes’ famous cheesecake recipe and dive deeper into Ana’s story in SPY's Declassified Desserts video!
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1:10:02
Bellingcat: An Intelligence Agency for the People with Eliot Higgins
Summary
Eliot Higgins (X; Wikipedia) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the work of Bellingcat. Eliot founded the open-source investigative website in 2014.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
Bellingcat’s approach to “investigative journalism”
The rise of OSINT as a tool of journalism
Bellingcat’s relationship with intelligence agencies
Case studies from Bellingcat’s past, including the Skripal Case and the MH17 flight investigation
Reflections
Leading by example
Accessibility and accountability
And much, much more …
Quotes of the Week
“When I first started doing this work ... I would present geolocation and stuff on stage. The reaction was like I was doing magic tricks, but my point was that. This isn't magic – This is something that you can do and recreate and understand.” - Eliot Higgins.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
Digital Innovation and the Next Frontier of Intelligence with Jennifer Ewbank (2024)
The Future of OSINT and the Intelligence Community with Jason Barrett (2024)
U.S. Army Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) with Dennis Eger & Shawn Nilius (2024)
Ukraine & Intelligence: One Year On with Shane Harris (2023)
DEEPER DIVE
Books
OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online Information, M. Bazzell (2023)
Deep Dive: Exploring the Real-world Value of Open Source Intelligence, R. L. Baker (Wiley, 2023)
We Are Bellingcat: The Online Sleuths Solving Global Crimes, E. Higgins (Bloomsbury, 2022)
Primary Sources
Map of Civilian Harm in Ukraine (2024)
Death of Sinwar Report (2024)
The IC OSINT Strategy 2024-2026 (2024)
DoS Open Source Intelligence Strategy (2024)
MH17 Investigation (2019)
Skripal Report (2018)
*Wildcard Resource*
The fable of Belling the Cat
The inspiration behind Bellingcat’s name, the moral of this story is simple – It’s one thing to suggest a solution or idea, but it’s a whole other beast to actually take action.
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TOP SECRET
Personal Attention, SpyCast Listeners
Known to be the podcast real spies listen to -(STOP)- eavesdrop on conversations with high level sources from around the world -(STOP)- spychiefs molehunters defectors covert operators analysts cyberwarriors and researchers debriefed by SPY Historian Hammond -(STOP) stories secrets tradecraft and technology discussed -(STOP)- HUMINT SIGINT OSINT IMINT GEOINT and more -(STOP)- rumored to be professional education internal communication and public information -(STOP)- entire back catalog available online for free -(STOP)- please investigate this claim with all possible haste -(STOP)- SPY Historian Hammond said to have a Scottish accent -(STOP)- is this a countermeasure or a hearts-and-minds campaign?
(END TELEGRAM)