I Spied

What started as a commission for 12 episodes about Australia’s least qualified spy has morphed into over 150 eps exploring the shadowy world of espionage, terrorism and international intrigue. It has been a thrilling ride but David and Michelle are bringing the journey to a close. David has a house to repair, Michelle has a career to cultivate, and both need time to recharge their podcasting batteries. I Spied will be back in an updated form, but for now, we’d like to extend our sincerest thanks all our listeners for your comments, critiques, tips and support. You’re the best! And remember: just because you're paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With ASIO on the cusp of its 75th anniversary, DG Mike Burgess used the Annual Threat Assessment to drop a bombshell on the nation: a former MP had been working as part of a foreign interference team he called the "A-Team". Who are the A-team? Who might the MP be? And what other threats is the country facing from enemies both foreign and domestic?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tay Tay stormed across Australia in a wave of friendship bracelets and sequinned bonhomie but there are some who believe we’ve all been had as she’s a deep-fake psyop being run by the DoD to destroy Donald Trump. So what are PsyOps? How are they being used to change our minds and attitudes? And who uses them and why? Believe everything and trust nothing this ep!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we conclude our interview with former DGSE clandestine operative and author, Jack Beaumont. How did our cliffhanger resolve itself? What made Jack leave French intelligence, and what inspired him to create his character Alec de Payns? And how are the children of John Le Carre  involved? You'll definitely want to read the books after this!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week David meets his match when we are joined in the studio by author, former fighter pilot and ex-DGSE clandestine ops officer Jack Beaumont. What is life really like working undercover for France's most feared intelligence organisation? How does the life of a spy effect your family? And why has David been banned from ever speaking French when in France? Wet weather gear required for this ep (David goes the full gush!)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Middle East once again heating up, we take a look at one of the least talked about players: the Houthis. From Yemen they have launched missiles at Israel, brought international shipping through the Suez Canal to a virtual stand still, and all while fighting a bitter civil war. So who are the Houthis? What is Iran's role in their activities? And what options does the US have in solving this intractable problem?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back and it seems the intelligence world went crazy over our extended break! Israel and Gaza, Houthis on the high seas, the US getting mired in the Middle East again, Ukraine grinding on, China and Taiwan, even Australia Day, Woollies and Artarmon Nazis. And who had Taylor Swift and an NFL tight end being the next big political conspiracy?! Strap yourselves in. 2024 is starting at full speed!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023 we saw the intelligence world drop the ball on more than one occasion. Before we get back into the swing in 2024, we thought you might like to know how mistakes with such consequences can be made. From groupthink to policy priorities, we have a brief look at how spies can get it so wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you get when you combine a Norwegian spy, a Xmas tree a slap up meal at the Savoy and a bottle of Aquavit? If your answer is a long standing Xmas tradition between two nations, you'd be pretty close.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Santa just an insidious plot to turn the biggest annual retail festival into a mass intelligence sweep? And what to Czech glass decorations have to do with industrial espionage, Soviet communism and a love story involving a milk maid? And why shouldn't David drink whiskey made in Mullumbimby while writing up episode ideas? After this ep, you'll never look at your Xmas decorations the same!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the holidays and what better way to avoid the summer heat than hunkering down in front of the TV. We've got you covered with our recommendations for what the informed espio-philes are watching and what they are avoiding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 started with the continued war in Ukraine and ended with the growing crisis in Israel, and in between we brought you all the news fit to be placed on microfilm and stashed in a dead drop. This ep we look at how 2023 unfolded and what we might expect in 2024. And stick around for some halfheartedly delivered but genuinely heartfelt thanks to our listeners. Glad you could join us in 2023!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Opposition demanding the PM reveal any conversations he had with Xi Jinping regarding the HMAS Toowoomba incident this week we look at just what Australians can expect to be told by our intelligence services. Just how secretive are our spies? How much do we need to know about what they do? And who watches our watchmen?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are joined by Harry P Russell, former intelligence and law-enforcement operative, historian and author of a series of uniquely accurate and very enjoyable Australian spy fiction. We talk about his career in intelligence, his leap to fiction writing, and the terrible sense of betrayal he felt when he discovered he had been working with a Soviet mole. And just how did Harry wind up giving David his first job outside of ASIO? Book mark this ep!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With revelations that the Pine Gap facility may be instrumental in Israel's operations in Gaza, we've decided to have a look at one of then most controversial military installations in Australia. What exactly does Pine Gap do? Who runs it and who has access to what it produces? Why is Australia so wedded to having it on our soil? And just what can a spy satellite see when it peeks into your backyard? Putting your phone into Privacy mode won't protect you from this week's ep!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent Optus crash left 10 million Australian left struggling to stay in touch, we have a look at what happened. Was it a cyber attack or an errant piece of code? What vulnerabilities did it reveal in Australia's electronic infrastructure? How vulnerable are we to this kind of disaster? And is there anything that could be even more devastating? Have your bug out bag ready by the door with this week's ep!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a sudden surge in activity in the intelligence world, this week we are doing a sitrep on the current state of play. How did Netanyahu get his intelligence mavens offside? What effect is the ongoing crisis in Israel going to have on terrorist and cyber threats globally? What is going on in Danish intelligence? What's happening in the Australian intelligence world? And how long before Michelle can't take any more of David's terrible accents and becomes a disgruntled employee of this podcast? Sincere apologies to any of our Scandinavian listeners for this week's ep!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The horrendous attack on Israel on October 7 by Hamas has seen the Levant plunge into crisis once more and the world hold its breath. Where did Israeli intelligence go wrong and how did Hamas keep such a large operation under wraps? How and why do intelligence failures occur, and why does it seem that intelligence organisations keep repeating these mistakes? And will David and Michelle managed to get through this episode without offending one side or the other? Hard times require hard conversations and this is one of those times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our sincere apologies but due to a family crisis we are not able to bring you a new episode this week. So, why not go back to the ep where it all began... Twitter: @ISpiedpodcastA DM Podcast www.diamantina.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we conclude our interview with author, lawyer, soldier and whistleblower David McBride. What does he see as being the true crisis in the Australian Defence Department? What outcomes can he expect from his pending appointment with the courts? And does he have regrets for the action he took to expose systemic problems he saw with out military? Don't miss this ep!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.