logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
39m 39s

The Mighty Wurlitzer | CIA

SPYSCAPE
About this episode
The idealism of youth is a powerful thing. But when you're part of a movement, can you ever be sure of who's really pulling the strings? In the 1950s and 60s, a hidden hand is manipulating members of the National Student Association. But a change is going to come - and someone is bound to blow the whistle. Sophia Di Martino joins Professor Hugh Wilford to un ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
True Spies Debrief: Gordon Corera on Vasili Mitrokhin
Gordon Corera, veteran security journalist and co-host of The Rest is Classified, joins Morgan Childs to discuss the central figure in his latest book - Vasili Mitrokhin. Mitrokhin was a KGB archivist who defected to the West in 1992, bringing with him a trove of Russian secrets. ... Show More
43m 54s
Jan 20
The Melville Collective | FBI
During the turbulent 1960s, New York City faced the most destructive wave of domestic terror since the Anarchist bombings of the early 20th century. In True Spies' 300th week, author, military intelligence professional and academic Dr. David Viola tells the story of the Melville ... Show More
51m 23s
Jan 13
Tradecraft, Part 11
The tools in a spy's arsenal are more varied than you might think. But they all come under one name: Tradecraft. In our eleventh round of insights from the world of espionage, Rhiannon Neads looks back on Medieval spymasters, high-octane extractions, and the undercover heroes of ... Show More
32m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
The Boiling Frog
At the peak of his career, Jack Devine was one of the world's top spymasters. But everybody starts somewhere. Vanessa Kirby follows Jack to Chile on his first overseas assignment. It's 1971, and the CIA is determined to undermine the country's socialist government. But as a milit ... Show More
38m 27s
Oct 2021
The Sociopathic Spy
Location - unknown. Time period - classified. Hero? You decide. Jim Lawler is one of the CIA's most successful recruiters of foreign spies. But even he had to start somewhere. Vanessa Kirby joins Jim on his first foreign posting. His mission? To enlist a crucial intelligence asse ... Show More
42m 55s
Oct 2021
How To Make Friends and Stage Coups
Damascus, 1949. A plot to bring down the Syrian government is brewing. Stewart Copeland voices the jazz musician, raconteur, and CIA agent pulling the strings - his father Miles Copeland. Vanessa Kirby tells his story - a tale of double agents, dangerous friendships and shoot-out ... Show More
41m 36s
Oct 2021
You Me, Same Same
Ryan Hillsberg can be whoever you want him to be. As a CIA case officer, he recruited assets for the Agency by transforming himself into their ideal companion - a confidante par excellence. But maintaining a degree of professional detachment isn't always easy. Vanessa Kirby follo ... Show More
40m 30s
Oct 2021
The Art Of Disguise
Hayley Atwell explains how an effective disguise can save your life, with former CIA Head Of Disguise Jonna Mendez. On a mission to bring in a notorious terrorist on foreign soil, Jonna found herself face to face with him, and he seemed to be onto her. What would YOU do? From SPY ... Show More
50m 42s
May 2022
Prodigies: Sophie Scholl
Sophie Scholl (1921-1943) went from being a member of Hitler Youth to becoming one of the most prominent members of the youth resistance movement against the Nazi regime. While she is not well known outside of Germany, her story is a symbol of the bravery of the resistance fighte ... Show More
5m 51s
Jun 2021
10. Under the Influence
It's 1990 and Birmingham metal band Judas Priest are on trial in court in Reno, Nevada. The band are accused of influencing the suicide and suicide attempt of two of their young fans by placing subliminal messages in their track Better By You, Better Than Me. What follows is a si ... Show More
29m 21s
Aug 2023
Folk Heroes: Dung Hà
Dung Ha (c. 1965-2000) was a powerful Vietnamese gangster who challenged the “Godfather of Saigon.” She broke gender expression rules and sexuality norms, creating a name for herself that lives on today. For Further Reading: Dung Ha: Vietnam’s Lesbian Mob Boss Dung Hà Police Fina ... Show More
4m 44s
Jun 2018
Lavender Scare
Helen James grew up in a military family — her great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, her father in WWI, and her uncles in WWII. So when she enlisted in 1952, she felt like she belonged. Shortly after, she realized she was being watched. Today we talk to one of the memb ... Show More
27m 9s