PODCAST · education
AFIO Podcast
by AFIO
The Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) is a non-profit, non-political, educational association for current and former intelligence professionals and supporters of the US Intelligence Community. Part of our mission is to foster an understanding of the important role of intelligence in national security and to nurture student interest in careers across the many US intelligence agencies. To this end, the channel features podcast versions of our AFIO Now episodes - a series of recorded interviews and presentations that features experts, historians, and officers from across the US Intelligence Community who have fascinating stories to tell.
Episodes
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AFIO Now Presents Sarah Valentine
In this episode, Sarah Valentine, PhD discusses her book “Decoding the Devil: Black Women Codebreakers and the Secret War Against Stalin’s Bomb”. The book tells the true story of two segregated codebreaking units racing to unlock Stalin’s atomic secrets in the face of a rapidly expanding Soviet...
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AFIO Now Presents Nicholas Reynolds
In this episode, Nicholas Reynolds, Col. USMCR (Ret.) and former CIA officer, discusses his book, co-authored with Katie S. Sanders, Ortiz’s War: The Allies’ Secret Weapon Against the Nazis in France. As the New York Times describes it, Ortiz’s War tells “the almost unbelievable—but entirely...
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AFIO Now Presents Brittany Butler
In this episode, Brittany Butler, Former CIA Officer and Author, discusses her novel "The Patriot's Daughter". In the novel, she tells the story of a young woman’s quest to uncover the truth about her mother, a decorated intelligence officer accused of being a double agent for Russia. As past and...
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AFIO Now Presents Stephan Talty
In this episode, Stephan Talty, NY Times bestselling author, discusses his newest book “The American School of Spies: The Archaeologists Who Fought the Nazis and Saved the Treasures of Ancient Greece”. The book shares how the OSS used a group of unlikely spies in Greece during World War II to…
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AFIO Now Presents Jeff Rogg, PhD
In this episode, Jeffrey Rogg, PhD, Senior Fellow at the National Security Institute at the University of Florida- discuss his book The Spy & the State - The History of American Intelligence. A novel and comprehensive narrative based on original research and a new interpretation of US history…
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AFIO Now Presents Farid Moussa
In this episode, Farid Moussa, Former SES NSA Officer and VP for Business Development, Babel Street, joins us to discuss the influence of the American University of Beirut [AUB] on its role on shaping Lebanon, the region, and the political movements of the region. The Lebanese Civil War in 1975...
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AFIO Now Presents Josh Dean
In this episode, Josh Dean—journalist, author, and podcaster—joins us to discuss his book, The Impossible Factory: The Remarkable True Story of Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed Skunk Works, America's Innovation Machine. Discover the fascinating story behind the radical innovation hub that designed...
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AFIO Now Presents James Wolff
In this episode, James Wolff, former British Intelligence officer, discusses his book, “Spies and Other Gods”. In this cat-and-mouse spy thriller, an anonymous whistleblower sends British Intelligence into a frenzy, threatening to reveal secrets that could bring the establishment to its knees....
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AFIO Now Presents Lorraine Cosgrove
In this episode, Lorraine Cosgrove, former CIA Officer, discusses her book, "Still Living It Up!: Housemothers, Spies, and Soulmates". The book explores Lorraine's life at the Agency as one of the earliest women employees from the time she arrived there and her many outside - and inside -...
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AFIO Now Presents Sean M. Wiswesser
In this episode, Sean M. Wiswesser, former CIA Operations Officer, discusses his latest book, "Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin's Secret War". The book explores the covert world of Russian espionage and how the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS) - the SVR…
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AFIO Now Presents Leon Carroll Jr.
In this episode, Leon Carroll Jr, former NCIS Special Agent discusses the "Ghosts of Sicily", set for release today April 14, 2026. The book uncovers the true story of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) forming an alliance with the Mafia, including Charles "Lucky" Luciano, during WWII to...
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AFIO Now Presents Barry Broman
In this episode, retired CIA Clandestine Service officer and former Marine Barry Broman discusses his 2026 novel The Spy from Golden Valley. This latest historical novel continues the story from Broman’s first two novels, The Spy from Place Saint-Sulpice and The Spy from Sukhumvit Road.…
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AFIO Now Presents: Robert Kim Part 2
Part 2 of the Kim Brothers Interview. In this second episode the author, Robert Kim, and two members of the Kim Brothers family, Art and Richard Kim, talk with AFIO's James Hughes about "Victory in Shanghai: A Korean American Family’s Journey to the CIA and the Army Special Forces" This 2-part...
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AFIO Now Presents: Robert Kim Part 1
Part one of the AFIO Now interview with author Robert Kim on the Five Kim Brothers. In this episode the author, Robert Kim, and two members of the Kim Brothers family, Art and Richard Kim, talk with AFIO's James Hughes about "Victory in Shanghai: A Korean American Family’s Journey to the CIA and...
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AFIO Now Presents: Stephen Mercado
In this episode retired CIA Officer and author, Stephen Mercado, shares insights from his book Japanese Spy Gear and Special Weapons: How Noborito's Scientists and Technicians Served in the Second World War and the Cold War. After World War I, Japan created the Noborito Research Institute-a...
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AFIO Now Presents: Alexander Rose PhD
In this episode Alexander Rose, PhD, renowned author and historian, shares insights from his book Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II’s Most Daring Heist. The book draws on long-classified encrypted documents and intercepted German transmissions to reveal how an…
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AFIO Now Presents: Bruce Henderson
Author and journalist Bruce Henderson discusses his book Midnight Flyboys: The American Bomber Crews and Allied Secret Agents Who Aided the French Resistance in World War II. The untold story of a top-secret operation in the run-up to D-Day in which American flyers and Allied spies carried out…
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AFIO Now Presents: Barry Broman
Author, producer, and photographer Barry Broman on his new novel: The Spy from Sukhumvit Road. The former Marine, CIA Clandestine Service Officer, Station Chief, and Diplomat, discusses this captivating historical novel with AFIO President James Hughes. His latest historical novel continues the...
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AFIO Now Presents: Mark Lowenthal
Mark M. Lowenthal PhD, Former Dep Asst SecState for Intelligence, discusses his new book, "Vigilance Is Not Enough: A History of United States Intelligence" [Yale Univ Press, May 2025] with AFIO President James Hughes. The interview runs 23 minutes and includes several Q&As. Interview of Tuesday,...
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AFIO Now Presents: Sheetal Patel
Sheetal Patel, Former Assistant Director for CIA’s Transnational and Technology Mission Center discusses Counterintelligence and Technology challenges facing the U.S. with AFIO board member, Fran Moore, Former CIA Senior Executive in Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence. Interview of...
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AFIO Now Presents: David Robarge PhD
David Robarge PhD, CIA Chief Historian, on "The History of U.S. Intelligence 1975-2025" with AFIO President, James Hughes. He joined CIA in 1989 and worked as an analyst in the Directorate of Intelligence. After earning a PhD in American History from Columbia, teaching at Columbia and working for...
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AFIO Now Presents: Mike Mears
Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of HR, discusses "Intelligence Community Reform" with AFIO president, James Hughes. The questions discussed are: "Why can't we ever seem to get IC reform right?" "What is the meaning of 'the culture of a work environment'?" "Why are bad bosses so important?" Types of...
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AFIO Now Presents: David Robarge PhD
David Robarge PhD, CIA Chief Historian, on "The Soldier-Statesman in the Secret World: George C. Marshall and Intelligence in War and Peace" George C. Marshall is best known as the Allies’ “organizer of victory” during World War II and steward of the namesake economic recovery program in postwar...
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AFIO Now Presents: Norman Roule
AFIO Now presents a special episode with Norman Roule, former National Intelligence Manager, ODNI; former Division Chief, CIA Operations Officer, Chief of Station. In this AFIO Special Edition episode Norm Roule and Jim Hughes discuss recent attacks by US and Israel on Iran. Questions covered:...
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AFIO Now Presents: Alexander Rose PhD
Author Alexander Rose PhD discusses his book, "Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring" with AFIO President, James Hughes. "Fascinating…. tells how the work of the spies proved to be the tipping point in the summer of 1778, helping Washington begin breaking the stalemate with…
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AFIO Now Presents: Leon Carroll
Leon Carroll Jr, co-author (with Mark Harmon) on "Ghosts of Panama: A Strongman Out of Control, A Murdered Marine, and the Special Agents Caught in the Middle of an Invasion." The warm relationship in 1989 between US and Gen. Manuel Noriega has eroded dangerously. President George Bush declares...
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AFIO Now Presents: Mike Mears
Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of HR, on his book Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation. Discover how great leaders draw out the best of human nature. That our Stone Age brains are hardwired for survival and programmed to fear the unknown, yet the work world demands...
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AFIO Now Presents: Joseph Finder
Joseph Finder, author and Russian Studies expert discusses his novel, "The Oligarch's Daughter." It is a breakneck thriller that marries the dynastic opulence of Succession with the tense and disorienting spycraft of The Americans. Interview of Tuesday, 13 March 2025. Interviewer and Host: AFIO...
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AFIO Now Presents: Nicholas Reynolds
Nicholas Reynolds PhD discussing his 2022 book "Need to Know: World War II and the Rise of American Intelligence" with AFIO President, James Hughes. Interview of Tuesday, 4 March 2025. Interviewer and Host: AFIO President James Hughes.
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AFIO Now Presents: Douglas Waller
Douglas Waller, Historian, Author, and Foreign Correspondent, discusses his new book "The Determined Spy: The Turbulent Life and Times of CIA Pioneer Frank Wisner" with AFIO President, James Hughes. Frank Wisner was one of the most powerful men in 1950s Washington, though few knew it. Reporting...
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AFIO Now Presents: Leon Carroll
Leon Carroll Jr, co-author (with Mark Harmon) on "Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor" A U.S. naval counterintelligence officer working to safeguard Pearl Harbor; a Japanese spy ordered to Hawaii to gather information on the...
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AFIO Now Presents: Joby Warrick
Author, Joby Warrick discusses his 2020 book "RED LINE on The Unraveling of Syria and America's Race to Destroy the Most Dangerous Arsenal in the World" with AFIO President, James Hughes. Interview of Monday, 27 January 2025. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President
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AFIO Now Presents: James Scott
James M. Scott, co-author with Jack Carr, of "Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Story of the War on Terror." A behind-the-scenes account of a mission and a fight that changed America. It was the event that ushered in the War on Terror. And it shows the pitfalls of...
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AFIO Now Presents: Mickey Bergman
Michael "Mickey" Bergman, the CEO of Global Reach and the Vice President and Executive Director of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. He is also the author (with Ellis Henican) of "In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad." Bergman is...
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AFIO Now Presents: Jesse Fink
Author, Jesse Fink talks with AFIO President, James Hughes about his new book, "The Eagle in the Mirror: The Greatest Spy Story Never Told" on Charles Howard "Dick" Ellis, MI6's Top Agent in America During World War II. In search of war hero, master spy, and alleged traitor Charles Howard "Dick"...
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AFIO Now Presents: Patrick O'Donnell
Patrick K. O'Donnell, military historian and author, on his new book "The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special Operations" released 7 May 2024. Interview of Tuesday, 3 September 2024. Host:...
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AFIO Now Presents: Joseph Keogh
Joseph Keogh PhD, former CIA Science & Technology Executive and Disguise Expert, discusses his new book "Creating Mission Impact: Essential Tradecraft for Innovators at CIA and Beyond" co-authored with Joe Ball and Greg Moore. Interviewed: Thursday, 24 October 2024. Host: James Hughes.…
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AFIO Now Presents: Barry Werth
Author Barry Werth discusses his book, Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey's Cold War with AFIO President, Jim Hughes. They discuss the remarkable true story of the longest-held prisoner of war in American history, John Downey, Jr., a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean War and imprisoned…
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AFIO Now Presents: Barry Broman
Barry Broman, author, producer, photographer, former Marine, CIA Clandestine Service Officer, Station Chief, and Diplomat discusses his career with AFIO President, James Hughes. Broman details his experience as a Marine fighting in Vietnam, joining the CIA, serving as Chief of Station, and...
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AFIO Now Presents: MG Charles Cleveland
MG Charles Cleveland, US Army (Ret) and former Director of Operations and Military Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, discusses his long and fascinating career in the intelligence community with former senior officer of NGA and ODNI, Jennifer Daniel. Interview…
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AFIO Now Presents: Lillian Wang
Lillian Wang, TV & Film Writer, Lawyer, Former CIA Clandestine Service Officer, discusses her impressive career trajectory with AFIO President Jim Hughes. After immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, she mastered the language and customs and excelled in school. Lillian joined the CIA and trained...
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AFIO Now Presents: Alma Katsu
Author, former NSA, and CIA officer Alma Katsu discusses her upcoming book series The Spy Who Vanished - a realistic look at where intelligence agencies are in the 21st century. Interview: Monday, 17 June 2024. Host and Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes.
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AFIO Now Presents: RADM Peg Klein
RADM Peg Klein speaks with AFIO board member Everette Jordan about her exceptional career at the NSA, the US Cyber Command, and the US Navy. Interview: Tuesday, 28 May 2024. Hosted by AFIO President James Hughes, Interviewed by Everette Jordan.
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AFIO Now Presents: Dr. Vince Houghton and Eric Driggs
Dr Vince Houghton and Eric Driggs discuss their new book: Covert City: The Cold War and the Making of Miami (PublicAffairs Books, Apr 2024) with AFIO President James Hughes. The history of how the entire city of Miami was constructed in the image of the US-Cuba rivalry. From the Bay of Pigs...
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AFIO Now Presents: Army OSINT Office's New Strategy
OSINT Defense Intelligence Senior Leader Dennis Eger and Director of Army OSINT Office Shawn Nilius discuss the Army Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Strategy. The Army defines OSINT as a foundational intelligence discipline that plays a central role in the support of operations. Interviewed by...
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AFIO Now Presents: Brian Morra
Former US Air Force Intelligence Officer and senior aerospace executive Brian J. Morra discusses his semi-fiction book "The Righteous Arrows" with AFIO President James Hughes. The book highlights the stubbornly persistent rivalry between the US and Russia in a story of international espionage and...
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AFIO Now Presents: Jonna Mendez
Former CIA Chief of Disguise, Jonna Mendez, discusses her latest book, "In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked" with Linda Millis, former CIA, NSA, and ODNI. A courageous story of being a female spy at the height of the Cold War. She began her CIA career as a "contract wife" performing...
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AFIO Now Presents: Alexander Rose
Author and historian Alexander Rose discusses his latest book "The Lion And The Fox: Two Rival Spies and the Secret Plot to Build a Confederate Navy." In 1861, soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, two secret agents — one a Confederate, the other his Union rival — were dispatched to neutral...
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AFIO Now Presents: James Roth
James Roth, author and former CIA Officer, on The Dead Drop: Espionage is a Dangerous Game for Amateurs, explores themes of duplicity and betrayal. The novel captures the human tension of real-world espionage with a memorable cast of characters. Former CIA Officer James Lawler wrote of the book:...
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AFIO Now Presents: James Stejskal
In this episode, James Stejskal, Author, Military Historian, Conflict Archaeologist, former CIA, and Special Forces, discusses his book "Dead Hand" on what happens after Russia has won the war in Ukraine and is eyeing the Baltics. As the world stands on the precipice of war, a legendary CIA…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) is a non-profit, non-political, educational association for current and former intelligence professionals and supporters of the US Intelligence Community. Part of our mission is to foster an understanding of the important role of intelligence in national security and to nurture student interest in careers across the many US intelligence agencies. To this end, the channel features podcast versions of our AFIO Now episodes - a series of recorded interviews and presentations that features experts, historians, and officers from across the US Intelligence Community who have fascinating stories to tell.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does AFIO Podcast have?
AFIO Podcast currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is AFIO Podcast about?
The Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) is a non-profit, non-political, educational association for current and former intelligence professionals and supporters of the US Intelligence Community. Part of our mission is to foster an understanding of the important role of intelligence...
How often does AFIO Podcast release new episodes?
AFIO Podcast has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to AFIO Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts AFIO Podcast?
AFIO Podcast is created and hosted by AFIO.
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