SpyMasters

• The Spy Who Knew Too Much: Vasili Mitrokhin and the KGB's Secret History, with Gordon Corera

  🎧 Spymasters — The Spy Who Knew Too Much: Vasily Mitrokin and the KGB's Secret History What happens when the keeper of secrets decides to tell the truth? This episode uncovers the extraordinary story of Vasili Mitrokhin — the KGB archivist who risked everything to smuggle out the Soviet Union’s deepest intelligence secrets. From a disillusioned believer in communism to one of the West’s most valuable defectors, Mitrokin’s journey is a Cold War thriller rooted in truth. Antonia Senior talks to journalist and author Gordon Corera We explore: Mitrokin’s quiet rebellion inside the KGB archive How the Prague Spring shattered his faith in the Soviet system The years-long process of secretly copying and hiding thousands of classified documents His dramatic defection — and the West’s initial skepticism The long-term impact of the Mitrokin Archive on our understanding of Cold War espionage 🔍 Based on A Spy in the Archive by Gordon Corera 📘 Get the book here Vasily Mitrokin was a senior KGB archivist who became deeply disillusioned with Soviet ideology. Over more than a decade, he secretly copied thousands of classified files detailing Soviet espionage around the world. His work offers unparalleled insights into KGB operations, agent networks, and Cold War strategies. The defection was logistically and emotionally complex, hampered by the sheer volume of documents. Western intelligence agencies were at first hesitant to believe him. The Mitrokin Archive has transformed the study of Cold War intelligence. 00:00 — Introduction to The Spy in the Archive 02:10 — Mitrokin's Early Life and Ideological Journey 05:04 — Inside the KGB: Belief Turns to Doubt 11:02 — Years in the Archives: The Birth of a Secret Mission 18:37 — From Archivist to Whistleblower 20:30 — The Cost of Telling the Truth 25:10 — Smuggling Out a Secret Empire 28:16 — Facing the Doubters in the West 29:40 — Missed Warnings and Intelligence Oversights 32:01 — The Persistence of the Czechists 34:23 — Opening the Vault: What the Archive Revealed 39:12 — Justice Delayed: Legal and Political Fallout 42:53 — Can We Trust the Archive? 45:40 — Legacy, Lessons, and the Future of Spycraft 48:25 — Outro Vasily Mitrokin, KGB, Cold War, espionage, intelligence, defection, Soviet Union, Prague Spring, archives, whistleblower, Gordon Corera, MI6, CIA, Western intelligence, Mitrokin Archive, communism, secrets, spycraft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• The Poet's Game: writing a bestselling spy thriller, with Paul Vidich

  In this episode, Antonia Senior dives deep into Paul Vidich’s gripping spy novel The Poet’s Game. We unpack the central theme of trust in espionage, the moral ambiguity faced by CIA agents, and how contemporary political tensions shape the narrative. We also explore how Vidich portrays psychological depth, ideological conflict, and the literary influences that define modern spy fiction. Topics Discussed: Trust and betrayal between handlers and assets The CIA director’s discovery of compromising material on the president How politics and ideology shape spy operations Psychological depth of characters like Alex Matthews The renaissance of spy fiction in today’s world Perfect for fans of: John le Carré • Charles Cummings David McCloskey • Political thrillers • CIA novels 00:00 – Introduction to *The Poet's Game* 04:00 – Trust and Relationships in Espionage 06:42 – The Complexity of Intelligence Work 10:00 – Moral Ambiguity in Spy Fiction 12:33 – Contemporary Setting and Political Context 15:33 – Character Development and Psychological Depth 18:04 – The Role of Ideology in Espionage 20:57 – The Poet’s Network and Literary Influences 24:06 – The Future of Alex Matthews 26:32 – The Renaissance of Spy Fiction 29:38 – Influences and Responsibilities of Spy Novelists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Clara Vine: an actress and a spy. An interview with novelist Jane Thynne.

  🎙️ Spymasters Podcast – Unveiling Clara Vine: A Journey Through Nazi Germany Guest: Jane ThynneHost: Antonia SeniorGenre: Historical Fiction, EspionageKeywords: Clara Vine, Jane Thynne, espionage, Nazi Germany, historical fiction, Hedy Lamarr, WWII, women in history, literature, spy novels In this episode, host Antonia Senior interviews acclaimed author Jane Thynne, creator of the Clara Vine series. The conversation delves into the life of Clara—an Anglo-German actress and secret intelligence agent—navigating the perilous world of Nazi Germany. Thynne reveals how her novels shed light on the elite women surrounding Hitler, the moral ambiguity of espionage, and the cultural undercurrents of the 1930s, including astrology and occultism. She also shares how real historical figures like Hedy Lamarr inspire her work and what’s next for Clara beyond 1942. Jane Thynne's Clara Vine novels are being reissued in new hardcover and digital editions. Clara Vine is a fictional Anglo-German actress caught in the rising tide of fascism. The books reveal the secretive world of Nazi wives and women close to power. Thynne conducted deep research using memoirs, archives, and primary sources. Clara's journey reflects the moral and political complexity of WWII espionage. Hedy Lamarr features in the latest novel, tying in real-life brilliance with fiction. Thynne emphasizes the ethical duty of historical fiction to truthfully represent history. The rise of fascism in the 1930s resonates strongly with modern global politics. Astrology had surprising importance within Nazi leadership circles. Clara’s story will extend beyond 1942 in future novels. "It's such a joy to be here actually." "Clara Vine is an Anglo-German actress." "Clara has a double secret." 00:00 – The Return of Clara Vine02:22 – Exploring the Rise of Fascism04:35 – Espionage and the World of VIP Women08:08 – The Lives of Nazi Wives11:56 – Contradictions in the Nazi Regime14:46 – Clara's Evolution Over Time16:27 – Introducing Hedy Lamarr21:03 – The Responsibility of Historical Fiction25:08 – Echoes of the 1930s in Today’s World27:37 – Astrology and the Occult in Nazi Germany31:44 – Future Adventures of Clara Vine33:11 – Outro (SPYMASTERS_THEME.wav) 📝 Episode Summary🔑 Key Takeaways🔊 Sound Bites📖 Chapters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Spying on Hitler: The Spy and the Devil with Tim Willasey-Wilsey

  Tim Willasey-Wilsey comes on Spymasters to talk about the life and espionage career of Baron Bill de Ropp, a spy who infiltrated the Nazi Party during the rise of Adolf Hitler. The discussion covers his early life, his motivations for espionage, his complex relationships with key figures in the Nazi regime, and the challenges he faced as a spy. The conversation also delves into the historical context of the Baltic Germans, the dynamics of British intelligence during the interwar period, and the implications of de Ropp's reports on the perception of Nazi Germany within the British government. Bill de Ropp was a key figure in MI6's early espionage efforts. His linguistic skills allowed him to blend into various societies. de Ropp's loyalty shifted from Germany to Britain during WWI. He played a significant role in monitoring the Nazi Party's rise. His relationship with Alfred Rosenberg was pivotal for intelligence gathering. His first meeting with Hitler was fraught with tension. Buy the book: https://amzn.eu/d/ixv4x6i Keywords: Baron Bill de Ropp, MI6, Nazi Party, espionage, intelligence, history, World War II, Lithuania, Hitler, British intelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Crooks and Spies in WW2 London, with Mark Ellis

  In this episode of the SpyMasters podcast, host Antonia Senior interviews thriller writer Mark Ellis, who discusses his journey into writing, the historical context of his novels set in wartime London, and the intricate plots involving crime and espionage. Ellis shares insights into his research methods, the importance of historical accuracy, and the character development of Frank Merlin, his protagonist. The conversation also touches on the portrayal of progressive views in a historical setting and concludes with Ellis recommending his favourite spy novels. keywords Mark Ellis, thriller writer, espionage, crime fiction, historical accuracy, wartime London, Frank Merlin, spy books, murder mystery, gangsters takeaways Mark Ellis transitioned to writing later in life. His novels are set in historically accurate wartime London. Ellis emphasizes the importance of storytelling over excessive detail. Crime rates surged during World War II in London. The character Frank Merlin reflects progressive views on race and sexuality. Ellis's research includes diaries and historical accounts. Espionage themes allow exploration of political issues in his books. Ellis enjoys reading and recommends various spy novels. He believes in creating complex plots with multiple subplots. The conversation highlights the rich backdrop of wartime London for crime fiction. But the book: https://amzn.eu/d/53eVGn7 Follow Mark Ellis: https://markellisauthor.com/; @markellis15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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