The Spy Who
These are stories you were never meant to hear. The invisible but vital work of the world’s intelligence services: secret operatives playing to very different rules. The Spy Who, hosted by Indira Varma, Raza Jaffrey and Emilia Fox, takes you deep inside that shadow world to meet spies who risked everything in the national interest – or, sometimes, their own. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of The Spy Who ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.
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Recent Episodes
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This episode chronicles Soviet spy Ursula Kuczynski's infiltration of an American OSS operation during WWII and her eventual retirement from espionage in East Berlin. Through her agent network, she helped the Soviets capture American intelligence technology and atomic secrets, ultimately becoming one of the USSR's most successful spies before growing disillusioned with the communist system she served.
- Operation Joan Eleanor: Infiltrating American Intelligence
- The Joan Eleanor System Captured
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This episode follows Soviet spy Ursula Kaczynski's turbulent journey from China to Switzerland to Britain during the 1930s and 1940s. After being separated from her lover Johan Patra, she builds spy networks across Europe, faces a devastating betrayal by her beloved childhood nanny Olga, and ultimately recruits Klaus Fuchs—the physicist who would pass atomic bomb secrets to Moscow. The episode reveals how personal sacrifice, moral compromises, and unwavering ideological commitment defined Ursula's transformation into one of the Soviet Union's most effective spies.
- Heartbreak in Beijing and Return to Europe
- Promotion and Assignment to Switzerland
Listen Now: I Am Not Nicholas
Jul 21, 2026Summary Preview
This episode features journalist Jane McSorley introducing her podcast 'I Am Not Nicholas,' which chronicles her four-and-a-half-year investigation into a bizarre case of alleged identity fraud. The story begins when a man was arrested in a Glasgow COVID ward in January 2022, with authorities claiming he was American fugitive Nicholas Rossi wanted for rape in Utah, while the man insisted he was an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight. McSorley recounts her first encounter with this mysterious figure at an Edinburgh Sheriff Court bail hearing, where his theatrical appearance and disruptive courtroom behavior immediately signaled this would be an extraordinary story.
- Discovery of the Nicholas Rossi Story
- First Courtroom Encounter
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This episode introduces Ursula Kuczynski, a German Jewish communist who became one of the Soviet Union's greatest spies. The story follows her journey from a teenage activist in 1920s Berlin to her first major espionage mission in Japanese-occupied Manchuria in the 1930s, where she conducted sabotage operations while posing as an ordinary mother.
- From Teenage Activist to Communist Commitment
- Shanghai Awakening: Meeting Agnes Smedley
Listen Now: Dan Taberski’s Manifesto
Jul 14, 2026Summary Preview
Dan Taberski's podcast 'Manifesto' explores the power and danger of manifestos through the lens of the 2013 Christopher Dorner case - a former LAPD officer who killed multiple people and left an 11-page manifesto. Taberski examines how manifestos channel rage into action, from revolutionary movements like the Black Panthers to individual acts of violence, while questioning whether we can harness inspiration without violence. The series investigates the thin line between righteous anger and dangerous extremism.
- The Christopher Dorner Case: A Killer's Manifesto
- The Search for a Manifesto in a World on Fire
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This episode explores the mystery of Agent 355, an unidentified female spy who worked with George Washington's Culper spy ring during the American Revolutionary War. Host Charlie Hickson speaks with historical fiction author Kit Sargent about the challenges of researching female spies from this era, the limited evidence surrounding Agent 355's identity, and how women's invisibility in society made them effective intelligence gatherers. The conversation examines various theories about who Agent 355 might have been and explores the crucial role of espionage in securing American independence.
- The Mystery of Agent 355 and the Culper Ring
- Myths and Speculation About Agent 355's Identity
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This episode chronicles the aftermath of Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the American Revolution, focusing on the execution of British spy chief John Andre, Arnold's escape to British lines, and the crucial role of American spies in securing victory at Yorktown. The episode culminates with the British surrender and explores the fates of key figures, including Arnold's ostracism in London and the struggle of spy James Lafayette for freedom.
- Arnold's Betrayal Revealed and Escape
- John Andre's Trial and Execution
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This episode chronicles Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the American Revolution, focusing on his plot to surrender West Point to the British in exchange for £20,000. The narrative follows Arnold's secret communications with British spymaster John Andre, the Culper spy ring's efforts to gather intelligence, and the dramatic unraveling of the plot when Andre is captured carrying incriminating documents. The episode culminates with Arnold's narrow escape and Andre's imprisonment.
- The Initial Contact Between Arnold and Andre
- Arnold's Ambitions and West Point Strategy
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This episode chronicles Benedict Arnold's journey from Revolutionary War hero to potential traitor. After his heroic actions at Saratoga are dismissed by rivals, Arnold becomes increasingly disillusioned with the American cause. Meanwhile, Patriot spymaster Benjamin Talmadge builds a covert intelligence network in British-occupied New York using invisible ink and trusted agents. Arnold's mounting debts, corrupt dealings as Philadelphia's governor, and eventual betrayal by George Washington push him toward a fateful decision that could change the course of the war.
- Benedict Arnold's Heroism at Saratoga
- Benjamin Talmadge Builds the Culper Spy Ring
The Spy Who Betrayed the American Revolution | Liberty and the Pursuit of Intelligence | 1
Jun 23, 2026Summary Preview
This episode chronicles Benedict Arnold's transformation from Revolutionary War hero to America's most notorious traitor, beginning with his passionate call to arms in 1775 and covering the early years of the American Revolution. The narrative follows Arnold's military achievements, including his daring naval battle on Lake Champlain, alongside the tragic story of Nathan Hale's failed spy mission and Benjamin Talmadge's emergence in intelligence work. The episode sets the stage for understanding how a decorated patriot became disillusioned with the cause he once championed.
- Benedict Arnold Rallies New Haven to War
- The Patriot Army's Desperate Retreat from Brooklyn
Listen Now: Foul Play
Jun 16, 2026Summary Preview
This episode is a teaser for 'Foul Play,' a new podcast series investigating an alleged CIA conspiracy to poison English football legend Gordon Banks during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Journalist Gabriel Gatehouse teams up with Ed Jervis, Gordon Banks' grandson, to explore whether the legendary goalkeeper's mysterious illness that cost England their World Cup defense was actually an act of Cold War sabotage rather than simple food poisoning.
- Introduction to the Investigation
- Discovery in Mexican Secret Police Archives
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In this Audible original episode, host Charlie Higson interviews John Taylor, author and expert on the psychology of spies, to understand what makes spies tick and how they cope with living double lives. Taylor draws on his extensive experience training intelligence services worldwide to distinguish between intelligence officers (handlers) and secret agents (those who collect information), explaining the psychological traits required for each role, the motivations behind espionage, and the ethical frameworks that guide Western intelligence agencies.
- The Psychology of Intelligence Officers vs. Secret Agents
- Motivations for Becoming a Spy
The Czech Spy Who Stole a Son | Blue Eyes | 3
Jun 09, 2026Summary Preview
This episode chronicles the unraveling of Václav Jelinek, a Czech spy who lived under the stolen identity of Erwin van Haarlem for nearly two decades. As MI5 closes in with intensive surveillance, Jelinek desperately tries to maintain his cover while requesting an emergency escape passport from Prague. The operation culminates in his dramatic arrest while receiving a coded radio transmission, followed by a groundbreaking trial where MI5's counter-espionage chief testified publicly for the first time in British history. The story concludes with the heartbreaking reunion between Johanna van Haarlem and her real son, while Jelinek faced deportation and a cold reception in post-communist Czechoslovakia.
- The Surveillance Net Tightens
- MI5 Plants an Agent in Jelinek's Building
New Season - Dr. Death: The Cowboy
Jun 04, 2026Summary Preview
This episode of Dr. Death: The Cowboy follows Christy as she discovers that her mother's spinal surgeries by Dr. Schneider had catastrophic failures. After years of pain, a second opinion from Dr. Narotsky reveals that none of her mother's spinal fusions healed, leaving her walking around with floating hardware in her back. The episode chronicles Christy's emotional journey from shock and anger to seeking justice, while Dr. Schneider attempts to deflect blame and discredit the new surgeon.
- The Devastating Second Opinion
- Confronting Dr. Schneider
The Czech Spy Who Stole a Son | The Prodigal Son | 2
Jun 02, 2026Summary Preview
This episode chronicles Václav Jelinek's dangerous mission to maintain his stolen identity by convincing Johanna van Haarlem he is her long-lost son, Erwin. Over several years, Jelinek successfully infiltrates Jewish organizations supporting Soviet refuseniks, providing valuable intelligence to the KGB. His success earns him a prestigious medal but traps him in his undercover role indefinitely. The episode ends with MI5 surveillance officers discovering him meeting with a Soviet diplomat, setting up his eventual exposure.
- A Dangerous First Meeting
- Lavish Living and Growing Suspicions
The Czech Spy Who Stole a Son | The Kidnap | 1
May 26, 2026Summary Preview
This episode introduces the extraordinary story of Václav Jelinek, a Czechoslovak intelligence officer who assumed the identity of Erwin van Halen, a Dutch boy given up for adoption during WWII. Beginning with his mother Johanna's traumatic wartime experience and continuing through Jelinek's espionage training and deployment to London, the episode reveals how Cold War spy agencies weaponized stolen identities and the human cost of such deception.
- A Mother's Impossible Choice
- The STB Weaponizes a Stolen Identity
Listen Now: OnlyFantasy
May 21, 2026Summary Preview
Leon Nafok and Gracie Kanan explore the business side of OnlyFans by visiting Creators, Inc., a high-end agency that represents elite OnlyFans creators. The episode takes listeners inside a mansion-turned-content-house in Los Angeles where creators work with professional support teams, revealing how the platform has evolved into a sophisticated industry that blurs the lines between adult content, influencer culture, and entrepreneurship.
- The Journey to OnlyFans Investigation
- Arriving at the Modern Playboy Mansion
The Spy Who Sold Nuclear Secrets to Iran | How a CIA Spy Recruiter Helped Stop Dr Strangelove | 4
May 19, 2026Summary Preview
In this episode of The Spy Who, host Raza Jafri interviews Jim Lawler, a former CIA operations officer with 25 years of experience, who specialized in recruiting foreign spies and played a crucial role in disrupting the A.Q. Khan nuclear proliferation network. Lawler shares insights into his accidental entry into intelligence work, his recruitment techniques including the 'metaphysics' method, and his pivotal work stopping nuclear technology from reaching rogue nations like Libya and Iran. The conversation explores the psychology of espionage, the MICE motivational framework, and reflections on modern intelligence challenges including AI and biological warfare threats.
- Jim Lawler's Accidental Path to the CIA
- The Metaphysics of Recruitment and the MICE Framework
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This episode chronicles how UN weapons inspector Olli Heyonen's 2003 discovery of Iran's advanced nuclear facility exposed Dr. A.Q. Khan's global proliferation network. The CIA and MI6 launched an intensive operation to dismantle Khan's black market, recruiting the Tinner family as moles, intercepting shipments to Libya, and ultimately pressuring Pakistan to arrest their national hero. The episode details the sophisticated intelligence operation that tracked nuclear components across continents and forced Libya to abandon its weapons program while revealing the terrifying scope of Khan's sales to Iran, North Korea, Libya, and an unknown fourth customer.
- Iran's Secret Nuclear Facility Discovery
- MI6 and CIA Unite Against Khan
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This episode chronicles A.Q. Khan's transformation from Pakistan's nuclear bomb architect to the world's most dangerous nuclear proliferator. After successfully testing Pakistan's nuclear weapons in 1998, Khan established a global black market network selling nuclear secrets and technology to Libya, Iran, and North Korea. The episode follows CIA and MI6 efforts to infiltrate his network through Swiss engineer Urs Tinner, while Pakistan's President Musharraf attempts to rein in the rogue scientist who has become both a national hero and a dangerous liability.
- Khan's Nuclear Empire and the Libya Deal
- Pakistan's Historic Nuclear Test