AFIO Podcast
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
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 some of the greatest aircraft of the 20th century and the visionary leader who made it all possible.
Interview date Thursday, ...
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.
Interview date Thursday, 30 April 2026. Interviewer James Hughes, President Emeritus, AFIO.
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 - adventures throughout her life. Hiding liquor in the car under her seat at the German checkpoint…five polygraphs…traveling the worl...
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, GRU, and FSB, including their use of double agents, surveillance, and “street work,” honeytraps, sabotage, active measures, assa...
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 protect U.S. waterfronts from Nazi spies and U-boats. It follows ONI agents on missions in America and Italy, involving secret meetings with c...
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. Protagonist CIA Case Officer and ace recruiter Richard "Rick" Blayne is back and this time as a chief of station in Rangoon, Burma. Blayne's ...
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 interview provides vignettes of US, Korean, Chinese history through eyes of five pre-WWII “undocumented” immigrant brother...
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 the Army Special Forces" This 2-part interview provides vignettes of US, Korean, Chinese history through eyes of five pre-WWII...
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 secretive hub of scientists and technicians tasked with advancing both overt and covert warfare.
Interview date Monday, 03 November 2025. Inter...
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 owlish egghead and a glory-seeking buccaneer teamed up to score the richest prize on the high seas during WWII.
Interview date Tuesday, ...
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 some of the most daring cloak-and-dagger operations of World War II.
Interview of Thursday, 2 October 2025. Host and Interviewer: AFIO...
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 story from Broman’s first novel, "The Spy from Place Saint-Sulpice." Protagonist CIA Case Officer Richard “Rick” Blayne r...
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, 15 July 2025. Hosted by AFIO President James Hughes.
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 Monday, 14 July 2025. Interviewer: Fran Moore, Former CIA Senior Executive in Intelligence Analysis and Counterintelligence. Host...
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 banker David Rockefeller and at the Gannett Center for Media Studies at Columbia, he moved to CIA's History Staff in 1996 and was appoint...
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 reformers: 1) people that want procedural reform; 2) people we urge we get back to mission or change our priorities; 3) those who want to ...
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 Western Europe. Far less well-known is Marshall’s extensive engagement with the world of intelligence during those...
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: Imagine the Supreme Leader is meeting with his inner security circle. What are their priorities at this moment? Are they achievable? And wha...
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 the British…. [and] brings to light their crucial help in winning American independence."—Dallas Morning News
"Aft...
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 Noriega a drug trafficker and a rigger of elections causing intimidation on streets for U.S. personnel. The nation becomes a powder ke...
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