Podcasts about spy thriller

Imagine for a second that Eckhart Tolle wasn't a spiritual teacher, but a deep cover operative with a gun to his head. And just for a second, pretend that Tolle’s Power of Now wasn't a way to find peace, but a survival mechanism used to slow down time when your reality is collapsing. And your memory has been utterly destroyed by forces beyond your control. Until a good friend helps you rebuild it from the ground up. These are the exact feelings and sense of positive transformation I tried to capture in a project I believe is critical for future autodidacts, polymaths and traditional learners: Vitamin X, a novel in which the world’s only blind memory champion helps a detective use memory techniques and eventually achieve enlightenment. It’s also a story about accomplishing big goals, even in a fast-paced and incredibly challenging world. In the Magnetic Memory Method community at large, we talk a lot about the habits of geniuses like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. We obsess over their reading lists and their daily routines because we want that same level of clarity and intellectual power. But there's a trap in studying genius that too many people fall into: Passivity. And helping people escape passive learning is one of several reasons I’ve studied the science behind a variety of fictional learning projects where stories have been tested as agents of change. Ready to learn more about Vitamin X and the various scientific findings I’ve uncovered in order to better help you learn? Let’s dive in! Defeating the Many Traps of Passive Learning We can read about how Lincoln sharpened his axe for hours before trying to cut down a single tree. And that's great. But something's still not quite right. To this day, tons of people nod their heads at that famous old story about Lincoln. Yet, they still never sharpen their own axes, let alone swing them. Likewise, people email me every day regarding something I've taught about focus, concentration or a particular mnemonic device. They know the techniques work, including under extreme pressure. But their minds still fracture the instant they're faced with distraction. As a result, they never wind up getting the memory improvement results I know they can achieve. So, as happy as I am with all the help my books like The Victorious Mind and SMARTER have helped create in this world, I’m fairly confident that those titles will be my final memory improvement textbooks. Instead, I am now focused on creating what you might call learning simulations. Enter Vitamin X, the Memory Detective Series & Teaching Through Immersion Because here's the thing: If I really want to teach you how to become a polymath, I can't just carry on producing yet another list of tips. I have to drop you into scenarios where you actually feel what it's like to use memory techniques. That's why I started the Memory Detective initiative. It began with a novel called Flyboy. It’s been well-received and now part two is out. And it’s as close to Eckhart Tolle meeting a Spy Thriller on LSD as I could possibly make it. Why? To teach through immersion. Except, it's not really about LSD. No, the second Memory Detective novel centers around a substance called Vitamin X. On the surface, it's a thriller about a detective named David Williams going deep undercover. In actuality, it's a cognitive training protocol disguised as a novel. But one built on a body of research that shows stories can change what people remember, believe, and do. And that's both the opportunity and the danger. To give you the memory science and learning research in one sentence: Stories are a delivery system. We see this delivery system at work in the massive success of Olly Richards’ StoryLearning books for language learners. Richards built his empire on the same mechanism Pimsleur utilized to great effect long before their famous audio recordings became the industry standard: using narrative to make raw data stick. However, a quick distinction is necessary. In the memory world, we often talk about the Story Method. This approach involves linking disparate pieces of information together in a chain using a simple narrative vignette (e.g., a giant cat eating a toaster to remember a grocery list). That is a powerful mnemonic tool, and you will see Detective Williams use short vignettes in the Memory Detective series. But Vitamin X is what I call ‘Magnetic Fiction.’ It's not a vignette. It's a macro-narrative designed to carry the weight of many memory techniques itself. It simulates the pressure required to forge the skill, showing you how and why to use the story method within a larger, immersive context. So with that in mind, let's unpack the topic of fiction and teaching a bit further. That way, you'll know more of what I have in mind for my readers. And perhaps you'll become interested in some memory science experiments I plan to run in the near future. Illustration of “Cafe Mnemonic,” a fun memory training location the Memory Detective David Williams wants to establish once he has enough funds. Fiction as a Teaching Technology: What the Research Says This intersection of story and memory isn't new territory for me. Long before I gave my popular TEDx Talk on memory or helped thousands of people through the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, live workshops and my books, I served as a Mercator award-winning Film Studies professor. In this role, I often analyzed and published material regarding how narratives shape our cognition. Actually, my research into the persuasion of memory goes back to my scholarly contribution to the anthology The Theme of Cultural Adaptation in American History, Literature and Film. In my chapter, “Cryptomnesia or Cryptomancy? Subconscious Adaptations of 9/11,” I examined specifically how cultural narratives influence memory formation, forgetting, and the subconscious acceptance of information. That academic background drives the thinking and the learning protocols baked into Vitamin X. As does the work of researchers who have studied narrative influence for decades. Throughout their scientific findings, one idea keeps reappearing in different forms: When a story pulls you in, you experience some kind of “transportation.” It can be that you find yourself deeply immersed in the life of a character. Or you find your palms sweating as your brain tricks you into believing you're undergoing some kind of existential threat. When such experiences happen, you stop processing information like you would an argument through critical thinking. Instead, you start processing the information in the story almost as if they were really happening. As a result, these kinds of transportation can change beliefs and intentions, sometimes without the reader noticing the change happening. That's why fiction has been used for: teaching therapy religion civic formation advertising propaganda Even many national anthems contain stories that create change, something I experienced recently when I became an Australian citizen. As I was telling John Michael Greer during our latest podcast recording, I impulsively took both the atheist and the religious oath and sang the anthem at the ceremony. All of these pieces contain stories and those stories changed how I think, feel and process the world. Another way of looking at story is summed up in this simple statement: All stories have the same basic mechanism. But many stories have wildly different ethics. My ethics: Teach memory improvement methods robustly. Protect the tradition. And help people think for themselves using the best available critical thinking tools. And story is one of them. 6 Key Research Insights on Educational Fiction Now, when it comes to the research that shows just how powerful story is, we can break it down into buckets. Some of the main categories of research on fiction for pedagogy include: 1) Narrative transportation and persuasion As these researchers explain in The Role of Transportation in the Persuasiveness of Public Narratives, transportation describes how absorbed a reader becomes in a story. Psychologists use transportation models to show how story immersion drives belief change. It works because vivid imagery paired with emotion and focused attention make story-consistent ideas easier to accept. This study of how narratives were used in helping people improve their health support the basic point: Narratives produce average shifts in attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and sometimes behavior. Of course, the exact effects vary by topic and the design of the scientific study in question. But the point remains that fiction doesn't merely entertain. It can also train and persuade. 2) Entertainment-Education (EE) EE involves deliberately embedding education into popular media, often with pro-social aims. In another health-based study, researchers found that EE can influence knowledge, attitudes, intentions, behavior, and self-efficacy. Researchers in Brazil have also used large-scale observational work on soap operas and social outcomes (like fertility). As this study demonstrates, mass narrative exposure can shape real-world behavior at scale within a population. Stories can alter norms, not just transfer facts from one mind to another. You’ll encounter this theme throughout Vitamin X, especially when Detective Williams tangles with protestors who hold beliefs he does not share, but seem to be taking over the world. 3) Narrative vs expository learning (a key warning) Here's the part most “educational fiction” ignores: Informative narratives often increase interest, but they don't automatically improve comprehension. As this study found, entertainment can actually cause readers to overestimate how well they understood the material. This is why “edutainment” often produces big problems: You can wind up feeling smarter because you enjoyed an experience. But just because you feel that way doesn't mean you gain a skill you can reliably use. That’s why I have some suggestions for you below about how to make sure Vitamin X actually helps you learn to use memory techniques better. 4) Seductive details (another warning) There's also the problem of effects created by what scientists call seductive details. Unlike the “luminous details” I discussed with Brad Kelly on his Madness and Method podcast, seductive details are interesting but irrelevant material. They typically distract attention and reduce learning of what actually matters. As a result, these details divert attention through interference and by adding working memory demands. The research I’ve read suggests that when story authors don't engineer their work with learning targets in mind, their efforts backfire. What was intended to help learners actually becomes a sabotage device. I've done my best to avoid sabotaging my own pedagogical efforts in the Memory Detective stories so far. That's why they include study guides and simulations of using the Memory Palace technique, linking and number mnemonics like the Major System. In the series finale, which is just entering the third draft now, the 00-99 PAO and Giordano Bruno's Statue technique are the learning targets I’ve set up for you. They are much harder, and that’s why even though there are inevitable seductive details throughout the Memory Detective series, the focus on memory techniques gets increasingly more advanced. My hope is that your focus and attention will be sharpened as a result. 5) Learning misinformation from fiction (the dark side) People don't just learn from fiction. They learn false facts from fiction too. In this study, researchers found that participants often treated story-embedded misinformation as if it were true knowledge. This is one reason using narrative as a teaching tool is so ethically loaded. It can bypass the mental posture we use for skepticism. 6) Narrative “correctives” (using story against misinformation) The good news is that narratives can also reduce misbelief. This study on “narrative correctives” found that stories can sometimes decrease false beliefs and misinformed intentions, though results are mixed. The key point is that story itself is neither “good” or “bad.” It's a tool for leverage, and this is one of the major themes I built into Vitamin X. My key concern is that people would confuse me with any of my characters. Rather, I was trying to create a portrait of our perilous world where many conflicts unfold every day. Some people use tools for bad, others for good, and even that binary can be difficult for people to agree upon. Pros & Cons of Teaching with Fiction Let’s start with the pros. Attention and completion: A good story can keep people engaged, which is a prerequisite for any learning to occur. The transportation model I cited above helps explain why. The Positive Side of Escapism Entering a simulation also creates escapism that is actually valuable. This is because fiction gives you “experience” without real-world consequences when it comes to facing judgment, ethics, identity, and pressure-handling. This is one reason why story has always been used for moral education, not just entertainment. However, I’ve also used story in my Memory Detective games, such as “The Velo Gang Murders.” Just because story was involved did not mean people did not face judgement. But it was lower than my experiments with “Magnetic Variety,” a non-narrative game I’ll be releasing in the future. Lower Reactance Stories can reduce counterarguing compared with overt persuasion, which can be useful for resistant audiences. In other words, you’re on your own in the narrative world. Worst case scenario, you’ll have a bone to pick with the author. This happened to me the other day when someone emailed to “complain” about how I sometimes discuss Sherlock Holmes. Fortunately, the exchange turned into a good-hearted debate, something I attribute to having story as the core foundation of our exchange. Compare this to Reddit discussions like this one, where discussing aspects of the techniques in a mostly abstract way leads to ad hominem attacks. Now for the cons: Propaganda Risk The same reduction in counterarguing and squabbling with groups that you experience when reading stories is exactly what makes narratives useful for manipulation. When you’re not discussing what you’re reading with others, you can wind up ruminating on certain ideas. This can lead to negative outcomes where people not only believe incorrect things. They sometimes act out negatively in the world. The Illusion of Understanding Informative narratives can produce high interest but weaker comprehension and inflated metacomprehension. I’ve certainly had this myself, thinking I understand various points in logic after reading Alice in Wonderland. In reality, I still needed to do a lot more study. And still need more. In fact, “understanding” is not a destination so much as it is a process. Misinformation Uptake People sometimes acquire false beliefs from stories and struggle to discount fiction as a source. We see this often in religion due to implicit memory. Darrel Ray has shown how this happens extensively in his book, The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture. His book helped explain something that happened to me after I first started memorizing Sanskrit phrases and feeling the benefits of long-form meditation. For a brief period, implicit memory and the primacy effect made me start to consider that the religion I’d grown up with was in fact true and real. Luckily, I shook that temporary effect. But many others aren’t quite so lucky. And in case it isn’t obvious, I’ll point out that the Bible is not only packed with stories. Some of those stories contain mnemonic properties, something Eran Katz pointed out in his excellent book, Where Did Noah Park the Ark? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhQlcMHhF3w The “Reefer Madness” Problem While working on Vitamin X, I thought often about Reefer Madness. In case you haven’t seen it, Reefer Madness began as an “educational” morality tale about cannabis. It's now famous largely because it's an over-the-top artifact of moral panic, an example of how fear-based fiction can be used to shape public belief under the guise of protection. I don’t want to make that mistake in my Memory Detective series. But there is a relationship because Vitamin X does tackle nootropics, a realm of substances for memory I am asked to comment on frequently. In this case, I'm not trying to protect people from nootropics, per se. But as I have regularly talked about over the years, tackling issues like brain fog by taking memory supplements or vitamins for memory is fraught with danger. And since fiction is one of the most efficient way to smuggle ideas past the mind's filters, I am trying to raise some critical thinking around supplementation for memory. But to do it in a way that's educational without trying to exploit anyone. I did my best to create the story so that you wind up thinking for yourself. What I'm doing differently with Vitamin X & the Memory Detective Series I'm not pretending fiction automatically teaches. I'm treating fiction as a delivery system for how various mnemonic methods work and as a kind of cheerleading mechanism that encourages you to engage in proper, deliberate practice. Practice of what? 1) Concentration meditation. Throughout the story, Detective Williams struggles to learn and embrace the memory-based meditation methods of his mentor, Jerome. You get to learn more about these as you read the story. 2) Memory Palaces as anchors for sanity, not party tricks. In the library sequence, Williams tries to launch a mnemonic “boomerang” into a Memory Palace while hallucinatory imagery floods the environment. Taking influence from the ancient mnemonist, Hugh of St. Victor, Noah's Ark becomes a mnemonic structure. Mnemonic images surge and help Detective Williams combat his PTSD. To make this concrete, I've utilized the illustrations within the book itself. Just as the ancients used paintings and architectural drawings to encode knowledge, the artwork in Vitamin X isn’t just decoration. During the live bootcamp I’m running to celebrate the launch, I show you how to treat the illustrations as ‘Painting Memory Palaces.’ This effectively turns the book in your hands into a functioning mnemonic device, allowing you to practice the method of loci on the page before you even step out into the real world. Then there’s the self-help element, which takes the form of how memory work can help restore sanity. A PTSD theme runs throughout the Memory Detective series for two deliberate reasons. First, Detective Williams is partly based on Nic Castle. He's a former police officer who found symptom relief for his PTSD from using memory techniques. He shared his story on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast years ago. Second, Nic's anecdotal experience is backed up by research. And even if you don't have PTSD, the modern world is attacking many of us in ways that clearly create similar symptom-like issues far worse than the digital amnesia I've been warning about for years. We get mentally hijacked by feeds, anxiety loops, and synthetic urgency. We lose our grip on reality and wonder why we can't remember what we read five minutes ago. That's just one more reason I made memory techniques function as reality-tests inside Vitamin X. 3) The critical safeguard: I explicitly separate fiction from technique. In Flyboy's afterword, I put it plainly: The plot is fictional, but the memory techniques are real. And because they're real, they require study and practice. I believe this boundary matters because research shows how easily readers absorb false “facts” from fiction. 4) To help you practice, I included a study guide. At the end of both Flyboy and Vitamin X, there are study guides. In Vitamin X, you'll find a concrete method for creating a Mnemonic Calendar. This is not the world's most perfect memory technique. But it's helpful and a bit more advanced than a technique I learned from Jim Samuels many years ago. In his version, he had his clients divide the days of the week into a Memory Palace. For his senior citizens in particular, he had them divide the kitchen. So if they had to take a particular pill on Monday, they would imagine the pill as a giant moon in the sink. Using the method of loci, this location would always serve as their mnemonic station for Monday. In Vitamin X, the detective uses a number-shape system. Either way, these kinds of techniques for remembering schedules are the antidote to the “illusion of understanding” problem, provided that you put them to use. They can be very difficult to understand if you don't. Why My Magnetic Fiction Solves the “Hobbyist” Problem A lot of memory training fails for one reason: People treat it as a hobby. They “learn” techniques the way people “learn” guitar: By watching a few videos and buying a book. While the study material sits on a shelf or lost in a hard drive, the consumer winds up never rehearsing. Never putting any skill to the test. And as a result, never enjoying integration with the techniques. What fiction can do is create: emotional stakes situational context identity consistency (“this is what I do now”) and enough momentum to carry you into real practice That's the point of the simulation. You're not just reading about a detective and his mentor using Memory Palaces and other memory techniques. You're watching what happens when a mind uses a Memory Palace to stay oriented. And you can feel that urgency in your own nervous system while you read. That's the “cognitive gym” effect, I'm going for. It's also why I love this note from Andy, because it highlights the exact design target I'm going for: “I finished Flyboy last night. Great book! I thought it was eminently creative, working the memory lessons into a surprisingly intricate and entertaining crime mystery. Well done!” Or as the real-life Sherlock Holmes Ben Cardall put it the Memory Detective stories are: …rare pieces of fiction that encourages reflection in the reader. You don’t just get the drama, the tension and the excitement from the exploits of its characters. You also get a look at your own capabilities as though Anthony is able to make you hold a mirror up to yourself and think ‘what else am I capable of’? A Practical Way to Read These Novels for Memory Training If you want the benefits without the traps we've discussed today: Read Vitamin X for immersion first (let transportation do its job). Then read it again with a simple study goal. This re-reading strategy is important because study-goal framing will improve comprehension and reduce overconfidence. During this second read-through, actually use the Mnemonic Calendar. Then, test yourself by writing out what you remember from the story. If you make a mistake, don't judge yourself. Simply use analytical thinking to determine what went wrong and work out how you can improve. The Future: Learning Through Story is About to Intensify Here's the uncomfortable forecast: Even though I’m generally pro-AI for all kinds of outcomes and grateful for my discussions with Andrew Mayne about it (host of the OpenAI Podcast), AI could make the generation of personalized narratives that target your fears, identity, and desires trivial. That means there’s the risk that AI will also easily transform your beliefs. The same machinery that can create “education you can't stop reading” can also create persuasion you barely notice. Or, as Michael Connelly described in his novel, The Proving Ground, we might notice the effects of this persuasion far more than we’d like. My research on narrative persuasion and misinformation underscores why this potential outcome is not hypothetical. So the real question isn't “Should we teach with fiction?” The question is: Will we build fiction that creates personal agency… or engineer stories that steal it? My aim with Flyboy, Vitamin X and the series finale is simple and focused on optimizing your ability: to use story as a motivation engine to convert that motivation into deliberate practice to make a wide range of memory techniques feel as exciting for you as they are for me and to give your attention interesting tests in a world engineered to fragment it. If you want better memory, this is your challenge: Don't read Vitamin X for entertainment alone. Read it to see if you can hold on to reality while the world spins out of control. When you do, you'll be doing something far rarer than collecting tips. You'll be swinging the axe. A very sharp axe indeed. And best of all, your axe for learning and remembering more information at greater speed will be Magnetic.

Jack Carr's explosive new thriller Cry Havoc takes us deep into Vietnam's shadow wars—where a young Tom Reece faces ruthless spycraft, betrayal, and carnage that shapes the Terminal List universe. In this full spoiler breakdown, Tyler joins Chris and Mike to dissect every twist, character arc, and tactical masterstroke, revealing why this might be Carr's best espionage thriller entry yet.---

In William Boyd's newest novel The Predicament, lead character and travel writer Gabriel Dax becomes a secret spy, scouring the globe on British orders during the Cold War. He's looking for an escape from espionage, but when he starts to receive envelopes of cash from the KGB, can he resist? In today's episode, author William Boyd talks with NPR's Scott Simon about the second book in the Gabriel Dax trilogy, and how his own conspiracies about President Kennedy's assassination influenced his novel-writing process.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

From Disney to espionage, composer Curtis Green is crafting soundtracks that move the world. As the composer of Daniel Dae Kim's new spy thriller series Butterfly, Curtis brings cinematic depth and emotional tension to a story of secrets, identity, and danger. A longtime protégé of Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino (UP, Inside Out, Coco), Curtis has scored acclaimed Disney+ projects including Dug Days, Zootopia+, and even the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction at Shanghai Disneyland.In this episode, we explore Curtis's creative process, how he builds sonic worlds, what he learned from Giacchino, and how he approaches music that fuels both laughter and suspense. Perfect for filmmakers, composers, and anyone who loves behind-the-scenes film storytelling.

Thirty years ago this November, a brand new James Bond took the world by storm and he was played by Pierce Brosnan.  Only eight years after the former television star of "Remington Steele" was initially set to take on the role but then couldn't because of unexpected issues with his former network, a man who seemed born to play 007 was finally able to take on the role.  And this time around, Bond had a new actress playing his boss M, none other than Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench.  Not only that, but also some promising new villains played by Sean Bean (Fellowship of the Ring, The Martian, Game of Thrones) and Famke Janssen (X-Men, Rounders).  AND a brand new director from New Zealand who cut his teeth on British television, Martin Campbell (The Mask of Zorro, Green Lantern, Casino Royale) helming his first big budget feature film for the first time.  And everybody loved it?  Let's head back to the mid '90's for the first post-Cold War reboot of one of the most enduring franchises in cinema history.....     Host: Geoff GershonEdited By Ella GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon Send us a textSupport the showhttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

On this episode of HODGEPOD author Eric Magun discusses his debut thriller "Thank God for the Sinners" — a gritty spy story about double agent Rick Price, stitched with punk‑rock memories and a companion playlist. Eric shares his years living in China and Southeast Asia, his indie filmmaking background, the book's raw themes of trauma and espionage, and its recent award wins, plus a peek at the sequel in progress. RECORDED OCTOBER 20, 2025 www.ericmagun.com  

On this episode of HODGEPOD author Eric Magun discusses his debut thriller "Thank God for the Sinners" — a gritty spy story about double agent Rick Price, stitched with punk‑rock memories and a companion playlist. Eric shares his years living in China and Southeast Asia, his indie filmmaking background, the book's raw themes of trauma and espionage, and its recent award wins, plus a peek at the sequel in progress. RECORDED OCTOBER 20, 2025 www.ericmagun.com  

David McCloskey keeps writing spy thrillers – and the plots keep coming true. In the opening of his latest novel The Persian, Israel has just launched a surprise attack on Iran. But the author says he had already finished writing by the time conflict broke out between the two nations earlier this year. In today's episode, McCloskey speaks with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about working at the intersection of reality and fiction, and having his work reviewed by the CIA.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Actor Shaun Evans and executive producer Tom Leggett join Justin Crosby on TellyCast to discuss Betrayal — ITV Studios and Mammoth Screen's gripping new espionage drama.Best known for Endeavour, Shaun takes on a very different kind of spy in Betrayal, playing MI5 operative John Hughes — a man navigating a collapsing marriage, shifting office politics and a looming terrorist threat no one else believes is real.The pair reveal the five-year journey behind the series, how writer David Eldridge infused the genre with emotional truth, and why Betrayal feels unlike any spy drama you've seen before. They discuss its themes of trust, loyalty and midlife reckoning, as well as the show's dark humour, grounded realism and cinematic visual style.Betrayal premieres on ITV in early 2026 and is one of the most anticipated dramas on the ITV Studios slate.Listen to the full conversation for an inside look at how Evans and Leggett brought this complex, modern spy story to life.Sponsored by ITV Studios Sign up for The Drop newsletterSupport the showBuy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum Buy tickets for NEXTWAVE - NEXTWAVE: The Digital-First Production Summit Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videosFollow us on LinkedInConnect with Justin on LinkedINTellyCast videos on YouTubeTellyCast websiteTellyCast instaTellyCast TwitterTellyCast TikTok

Family, loyalty, and espionage collide in Prime Video's Butterfly. Daniel Dae Kim leads a stylish spy thriller where secrets are deadly, trust is scarce, and even family ties can be a weapon.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/keeping-it-reel-with-filmgordon--4671407/support.

Jake discusses the 2025 Spy Thriller, The Amateur, starring Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan and Michael Stuhlbarg.

During a peak era for Hollywood produced conspiracy thrillers, this was one of the most popular and for good reasons.  It was directed by the late, great Oscar-winner Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, The Firm) and starred two of the most beautiful and enduring stars of this era.  Robert Redford (The Sting, Indecent Proposal) stars as Turner who is an mild-mannered analyst for the CIA who suddenly finds every one in his New York City research office brutally murdered while he went out of lunch....and now he's on the run to get answers, also before some one murders him.  Along the way, he encounters Kathy played by Oscar-winner Faye Dunaway (Network, Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown), an unusually observant painter whom he decides to kidnap while seeking shelter at her apartment....and of course they develop a romance....sort of.  And hot on his heels is the wily assassin Joubert played by the late, great Max Von Sydow (The Seventh Seal, Flash Gordon, Pelle the Conqueror).  What results is a tense cat-and-mouse thriller which was somewhat ahead of its time and is now about to turn Fifty! Host & Editor: Geoff GershonEditor: Ella GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

We've arrived at the penultimate James Bond film! Spectre (2015) — the long-awaited return of Ernst Stavro Blofeld. To match the sleek and brooding energy of Spectre, I'm pouring a glass of Michter's 10 Year Old Bourbon — a bold, refined whiskey with depth and character that perfectly complements this shadowy Bond adventure.If you're a fan of Bond films, bourbon, or both, this episode is a smooth ride through high-stakes espionage and high-proof flavor.

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

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a 2025 American epic action spy film directed by Christopher McQuarrie from a screenplay he co-wrote with Erik Jendresen. The sequel to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), it is the eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible film series.[5][6] Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett reprise their roles from the previous filmsHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

It's Episode 18 of our 007 series! Join us as we dive into 1997's "Tomorrow Never Dies", Pierce Brosnan's second outing as James Bond, where media moguls, stealth ships, and satellite warfare are all on the menu. Is it a high-octane thrill ride or a product of its time?To pair with this action-packed installment, we're sipping the award-winning Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. We'll explore its rich, oaky profile, give you our tasting notes, and see if this bottled-in-bond beauty holds up to the hype.Espionage, explosions, and expertly aged whiskey—what more could you want?

This week on the Erotic Thriller Club we jump back into the world of Brian De Palma! We're also giving Antonio Banderas a third and final chance to play a cool guy in an erotic thriller... Can he succeed? Rebecca Romijn-Stamos! Sexy jewel heists! Asexual henchmen!

Frequent guest and friend of the pod, Ryan "Burger" McCurdy wrote and directed a wonderful throwback to detective flicks called “Pears”. The movie was made in his hometown in Evansville, Indiana and I loved it! To celebrate it's release on Tubi, I had Burger back on the pod to chat about the making of it. Per usual, we talk about everything and anything and Burger gives an in-depth look at indie filmmaking.If you're not doing so already, please like and follow Classic American Movies on Instagram and Facebook. I do free movie giveaways, mini movie reviews and more! Check out the Pears page for updates.  Also, I decided to dabble in making my own slasher film entitled “Bishop's Day”. Check out the Instagram page for updates.

On Culture Friday, John Stonestreet discusses the Supreme Court fight over parental rights, Collin Garbarino reviews the new season of Andor, and April's listener feedback. Plus, the Friday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from I Witness, an immersive audio drama exploring stories of faith and transformation. On podcast apps or at iwitnesspod.comAnd from LIFE International, fighting the scourge of abortion globally, teaching about The Father's Heart for Life. LifeInternational.com

Dave Jemitus talks with Autolemy about his new spy thriller Assisting Fate and the CD of original tracks that goes with it.

What's this?  Yet ANOTHER movie/series about a married couple who are also spies?!? :o Yes this thriller is about a couple of British spies who both work for the same intelligence agency and apparently there's a dangerous leak which has occurred at this agency.  One of them has been tasked with finding out who the leaker is while the OTHER might actually be the prime suspect....uh-oh, could be silly! :POr maybe not as it's written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Panic Room), directed by Steven Soderbergh (Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich, Ocean's 11), and features a top-flight cast of talent including two-time Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender (Shame, Steve Jobs) and two-time Oscar Winner Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, Tar) as the married couple.  The cast also includes rising stars Rege-Jean Page (Bridgerton) and Marisa Abela (Industry) along with two acclaimed alumni from the James Bond franchise, Pierce Brosnan and Naomi Harris.  Sounds intriguing....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

This week, we review director Steven Soderbergh's second film to be released in as many months. Black Bag sure is steamy — Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett playing married spooks certainly heightens its seductiveness — but its real heat lies in its surprising juxtaposition, honing in on a passionate kernel of loyalty and devotion within a sea of spy-versus-spy cynicism: the ultimate, lean expression of “couple goals.” We talk about its razor-sharp screenplay, riveting performances, and unexpected economy.

Bon voyage, Kill Donkeys! It's time for FOOD COURT, your favorite podcast, where we brave the malls and the movie halls so you don't have to! Sean and Mampy watched Black Bag, the spy thriller from director Steven Soderbergh. Will the boys be thrilled by the thrills? Or will they see all the twists coming from a satellite 900 miles above the Earth? Tune in to find out! So grab your popcorn, sneak in your snacks, and pop your pepto because it's time to stab someone's hand! Bon Appétit!

In this episode, we look at the horrific Southport murders spark debates on mental health and the nature of terrorism, South Korea plunges deeper into its worst political crisis in decades, and Trump's new national security team scrambles to save ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon—while his rhetoric stirs fresh controversy. Plus, a Russian spy ship plays cat-and-mouse near UK waters, a daring Dutch gold heist stuns investigators, and why spy thrillers are making a big comeback in an age of distrust. Listen Ad free on Patreon and directly support the show: http://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/89dfJqAZq4c Articles discussed in today's episode "How red flags over Southport killer were repeatedly missed" by Sean Seddon & Ian Aikman | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78w7nlwz9po "South Korea's Impeached Leader is Indicted on Insurrection Charges" by Choe Sang-Hun | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/26/world/asia/south-korea-yoon-indicted-martial-law.html "South Korea's Leadership Crisis, Explained" by Choe Sang-Hun | The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/world/asia/south-korea-impeachment-yoon-explained.html "Trump team avoids Middle East escalation in first weekend in office" by Barak Ravid | Axios: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/trump-middle-east-gaza-lebanon-israel-ceasefires "UK warns Putin after Russian spy ship seen near British waters" by Becky Morton, Jonathan Beale & Damian Grammaticas | BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjv7qgpw28o "Thieves use explosives to steal gold 'masterpieces' from Dutch museum" by Ian Aikman | BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czxkpnnlpdvo "'The baddies reflect the worries of today': How TV spy thrillers are booming in an age of distrust" by Laura Martin | BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250124-why-tv-spy-thrillers-are-booming-right-now Chris's milk frother https://salter.com/products/aspen-milk-frother-500w.html Chris's interview with Melissa Leo https://pod.fo/e/27f01a Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our Redbubble shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/fultonmatt.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird

Today on the 5: Over the weekend I came across a movie that has an interesting angle in being a blend of a giallo and a spy thriller. The title of the movie is Dagger Eyes, and it managed to merge two styles I didn't think would work well together in a really fun way.

Author Matt Scott discusses his political thriller series, Surviving the Lion's Den. All three books in this trilogy—Surviving the Lion's Den, The Iranian Deception, and The Ayatollah Takedown—are available now. The series opens with a race against time. Can the main characters make it safely out of Iran in the midst of a political coup to overthrow Iran's Supreme Leader—a coup orchestrated by the U.S. government? Inspired by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, Matt set about to write a series that would explore what it looks like to be inside Iran during a regime change. The books feature CIA operatives, Iranian insiders, international intrigue, geopolitical conflicts, and plenty of fast-paced tension.  

Join the chaos when D.J. Williams and Jaime Jo Wright get on a podcast together. You won't be bored, and you'll hear more about book 3 in the Beacon Hill Trilogy AND D.J. latest spy thriller, King of the Night. It's something for everyone. Which one would you choose? Eavesdrop today!

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ Find the review of Back to the Future here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-08-08T15_26_59-07_00In this episode of A Lost Plot, hosts Maverick and Sean delve into the intricacies of the film 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.' They explore the film's plot, character dynamics, and thematic elements, particularly focusing on loyalty and betrayal within the context of Cold War espionage. The discussion highlights the effectiveness of the film's narrative structure, character development, and the role of the enigmatic villain, Karla. Through a detailed analysis, they examine how the film engages the audience and the various ways it presents its mystery. In this conversation, they explore its narrative structure, character motivations, and the lasting impact of its themes. They discuss the confusion created by the film's time cuts and flashbacks, the significance of character relationships, and the broader implications of loyalty and betrayal in the context of espionage. The conversation highlights the film's ability to engage audiences through its intricate storytelling and the relevance of its themes in today's world.----------Highlights:0:00 ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' Introduction5:23 Opening Scene9:17 George Smiley as the Protagonist16:15 Themes of Loyalty21:31 The Villains36:46 Time Cuts and Flashbacks45:36 Revelations and the Finale55:19 Lasting Impact#tinkertailorsoldierspy #spy #garyoldman #alostplot #filmreview #podcasting #spymovie #spyfilm #coldwar #russian #british #spyagency #infiltration #mole #distrust #catandmouse #games #spygames #benedictCumberbatch 

Today on the 5: Thanks to a listener recommendation, I watched a 1997 spy thriller titled The Assignment. I enjoyed it quite a bit more than the other film of that year centered around the same idea, although the opening 10 minutes or so are a bit deceptive in terms of how the rest of the movie operates.

Beth Macy. Beth, a former Navy officer, psychotherapist, and business executive, has channeled her vast experiences into writing captivating spy novels. In this episode, we delve into her latest book, 'Moscow Nights Return,' the first installment of the Moscow Nights series. 'Moscow Nights Return' introduces us to Elda Ainsworth, a semiretired spy thrust back into action to save her friend Korinna Federov, a Kremlin translator, from the lethal clutches of KGB-trained assassin Anatoly Petrov. This high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase across Russia and Europe will keep you on the edge of your seat. Beth shares her inspirations, the development of her complex characters, and how her background in the Navy and psychotherapy uniquely influences her writing. She also offers valuable insights into the publishing and marketing process and provides advice for aspiring authors in the spy and thriller genres. Don't miss this engaging conversation that blends the intrigue of spycraft with the depth of human emotion. Tune in to explore the intricate world of 'Moscow Nights Return' and get a sneak peek into the upcoming books in the series. Whether you're a fan of spy thrillers or an aspiring writer, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and riveting discussions. ------------------------------------ SHOW ME LOVE OVER AT PATREON -  https://patreon.com/authorsalcovepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink BUY THE WRITING PROGRAM SCRIVENER - $60! Scrivener won't tell you how to write—it simply provides everything you need to start writing and keep writing. It is by far my personal favorite writing app! https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=angela46 BECOME A PROOFREADER/EDITOR! Guaranteed work as a proofreader/editor, if you pass the exam with an 80% or higher!!: https://give.knowadays.com/6DcL9W ------------------------------------ Links discussed in show:  www.bethmacy.com www.moscownightsseries.com www.moscownightsreturn.com If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy listening to my interview with Richard Becker https://youtu.be/QMowpad2LL0?si=g1I97cfCwcF8aTl0 If you are interested in being a guest on my episode, you may fill out the form on my website: http://authorsalcove.com/be-a-guest You can also follow me on:   Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorsalcove Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsalcovepodcast/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnes-wolfe-20bb47288/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2EQYPBl1LtZh08qCdIRHTy?si=aa56d7a9565a49fa YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWVCbL470bDCgeg23kziYAg (Possible Affiliate Links Above)  

How a Birmingham boy became best-selling thriller writer, Lee Child, and the creator of one of the literary world's most popular loners. (R)James Grant grew up in Birmingham when it was a bustling industrial city.While huge workforces would pour of the factories as men ended their shifts and headed home on bicycles, for children, there wasn't much to do.Young James often found himself at the library, and he grew up a voracious reader.He began working for Granada Television after leaving university, but after a 20-year career, Jim suddenly found himself out of a job, and with a wife and child to support.With a pragmatic sense of mission, he sat down with a pencil and wrote his first novel in longhand, under the pseudonym Lee Child.It was a thriller about a loner named Jack Reacher, and went on to become a best-seller around the world, adapted into films and a television series.Now every nine seconds, somewhere in the world, someone buys a Jack Reacher book.This episode of Conversations explores crime writing, stories, thrillers, Jack Reacher, In Too Deep, television adaptations, Lee Child's real name, origin stories, Birmingham, books, authors, best-selling books, book recommendations, Tom Cruise, Netflix, Amazon Prime, film adaption, Hollywood, Bill Clinton.

How a Birmingham boy became best-selling thriller writer, Lee Child, and the creator of one of the literary world's most popular loners. (R)James Grant grew up in Birmingham when it was a bustling industrial city.While huge workforces would pour of the factories as men ended their shifts and headed home on bicycles, for children, there wasn't much to do.Young James often found himself at the library, and he grew up a voracious reader.He began working for Granada Television after leaving university, but after a 20-year career, Jim suddenly found himself out of a job, and with a wife and child to support.With a pragmatic sense of mission, he sat down with a pencil and wrote his first novel in longhand, under the pseudonym Lee Child.It was a thriller about a loner named Jack Reacher, and went on to become a best-seller around the world, adapted into films and a television series.Now every nine seconds, somewhere in the world, someone buys a Jack Reacher book.This episode of Conversations explores crime writing, stories, thrillers, Jack Reacher, In Too Deep, television adaptations, Lee Child's real name, origin stories, Birmingham, books, authors, best-selling books, book recommendations, Tom Cruise, Netflix, Amazon Prime, film adaption, Hollywood, Bill Clinton.

This week, I talk with Rob Hart and Alex Segura about their new space thriller Dark Space.  We dive into their world building, their joint writing process, and how speculative fiction helps us examine present truths.Dark Space SynopsisIf life were fair, ace pilot Jose Carriles should have ended up a desk jockey like his former friend Corin Timony, back on the lunar colony of New Destiny. Instead, he's the pilot of the Mosaic—a massive ship taking the Interstellar Union's first-ever mission to outside our solar system.Timony should have been the best spy at the Bazaar, the lunar colony's international intelligence arm. Instead, she's been demoted to admin duties like monitoring long-range communications. She has no one to blame but herself—and maybe Carriles.But when the Mosaic experiences a series of strange malfunctions and Carriles is forced to take a wild gamble to save the ship, he begins to suspect the reasons behind the exploratory mission weren't exactly on the up-and-up.At the same time, Timony's old instincts kick in as she realizes the distress call she received from the Mosaic has been wiped without a trace.As people start to end up dead and loyalties are tested, Timony and Carriles find themselves entangled in a star-spanning conspiracy that drags them through the darkest corners of their government—and their own personal failures—and face-to-face with a reckoning that could destroy humanity as we know it.

Contemporary spy thriller writer, David Goodman is here to chat about his debut novel, the unusual journey it took on submission and keeping a healthy mentality when it comes to writing and publishing.

Breaking radio silence for an important transmission.   You will find mission-critical instructions in this audio file. Please find a secure environment and review carefully. After listening, you can locate your necessary gear and tools at https://www.jabbarilincoln.com/store. Hurry before the supplies self-destruct! --- Interested in sponsoring the next season of The Jabbari Lincoln Files? Contact us at info@signcurvestudios.com Bonus Lyrics: They said he was a law man, flawed and -  bad news like 'Aw man', The last straw man, back breakin'- scared crows missing kings  - like  a Strong Man, He's a Pro, but paid professionals called him a ConMan His life was a leap for mankind,  giant steps for a small man All hands on deck on trek through the stars –  they're fallin'  He's in the brig or the bridge - it's burnt like the boats because he's ALL IN Like drones  swarmin' -  enthrallin', flowin' through the breath  - solemn season, life's autumn, words on the nose - like pollen Shot callin's not ballin' when the rebounds unwound  and black bottom's no more solid ground  And a nation's loss is now what is found  The piston's plugs spark light right before there's darkness all around They said it was a sound of a paper tiger, last roar was a meow on the mound The moneyball was all hype, the southpaw's all balls and no strikes In the stadium Monster trucks, are you not entertained? But it's tonkas - for little tykes The Mo Town is now No Town And there's no biz in the show biz Nobody beats the beats on the streets of Plymouth Road, rock, paper, scissors, knives, kids A bad combo like wires in the faucet, shock value of optics Fried flesh - When words fall on backs like gossip Don't stop it - is what they said The clicks make bread and the eye balls make lead Shootin' darts with the hearts –  because the bull's eye's in the head The offense was Fed, Bad Fences where neighbors might strike you They don't take care of you cuz they don't like you  A character in a play, they'll write you, unite you,  a family affair, they'll hype you  A trial -  to try you - you might get betrayed heh - just to spite you That's right - you gripe, you think it's a flight but on your side's not might You see that sword in the stone, but you're not that knight The nighttime reveals what squeals and what's slick like eels The ink of scholars is soon dust - from sacred to cuss The survival of Jabbari Lincoln –  a must but he doesn't know who to trust…  

Forty-five years ago in the wake of the record-breaking success of the original Star Wars, the folks at EON Productions lead by the late, great Albert Broccoli decided to take their long-running James Bond franchise in a somewhat different direction.....IN SPACE!!! :) Yes THIS is the one where Agent 007 (Roger Moore) goes to space, though to be fair not until the third act.   Directed by Lewis Gilbert (The Spy Who Loved Me), this actually had a pretty similar plot to previous Bond entries like 'Spy Who Loved Me or his other previous film You Only Live Twice: evil billionaire and space maven Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) has designs on taking over the world....by wiping out the human race with a rare toxin found in the jungles of Brazil, then to be repopulated by a new race of people lead by him up in space. :o Yup it's pretty nutty but it was a huge hit at the time and did manage to entertain..... Host: Geoff GershonEdited By Ella GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a Text Message.https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Author Brian J. Morra discusses the first two books in his new series: The Able Archers and The Righteous Arrows. The series is a work of historical fiction based on certain real-life events during the late Cold War period of the 1980's. The protagonist, CIA officer Kevin Cattani, is inspired by Brian's own experiences as a U.S. intelligence officer during that period, and Cattani's Soviet counterpart, Ivan Levchenko, is a composite of various KGB and GRU officers who Brian knew in the 80's. Written as a thriller, the series navigates one of the most dangerous periods in human history.

J. David Bethel is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. He has been published in popular consumer magazines and respected political journals. He is the author of Evil Town, a novel of political intrigue, and Blood Moon, a psychological crime thriller inspired by a true story of kidnapping, torture, extortion and murder. Mr. Bethel spent 35 years in politics and government. He served in the Senior Executive Service as a political appointee where he was Senior Adviser/Director of Speechwriting for the Secretary of Commerce; directed speechwriting offices for other Cabinet officials, serving as Chief Speechwriter to the Secretary of Education; and lead speechwriter in the Department of Transportation's Office of Policy and International Affairs. He also served as press secretary/speechwriter to members of U.S. Congress. Join Robert Manni, author of The Guys' Guy's Guide To Love as we discuss life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Subscribe to Guy's Guy Radio on YouTube, iTunes and wherever you get your podcasts! Buy The Guys' Guy's Guide to Love now!

J. David Bethel is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. He has been published in popular consumer magazines and respected political journals. He is the author of Evil Town, a novel of political intrigue, and Blood Moon, a psychological crime thriller inspired by a true story of kidnapping, torture, extortion and murder. Mr. Bethel spent 35 years in politics and government. He served in the Senior Executive Service as a political appointee where he was Senior Adviser/Director of Speechwriting for the Secretary of Commerce; directed speechwriting offices for other Cabinet officials, serving as Chief Speechwriter to the Secretary of Education; and lead speechwriter in the Department of Transportation's Office of Policy and International Affairs. He also served as press secretary/speechwriter to members of U.S. Congress. Join Robert Manni, author of The Guys' Guy's Guide To Love as we discuss life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Subscribe to Guy's Guy Radio on YouTube, iTunes and wherever you get your podcasts! Buy The Guys' Guy's Guide to Love now!

Today, Greg interviews Jim about his soon-to-be-released thriller, "Dueling Six Demons," the latest in his Dangerous Clique series.First, Jim talks about the role of setting in his thrillers, and how, over the past year, his writing has become increasingly more tied to his personal experiences in locations like Ukraine and Taiwan.Next, Jim discusses how he creates his characters, almost all of whom draw inspiration from real figures in Jim's life. Jim also talks about the nature of a story's ending, and how it must either be an earned happy ending or a complex, imperfect ending.Finally, Greg asks Jim about the growing mood of cynicism in the series, and whether or not that reflects Jim's personal views. Jim also speaks about the tension between creating a world that feels lived-in and believable, while also avoiding the injection of political commentary into the story.Please visit our great sponsor:Lumenhttps://lumen.meTake the next step in improving your health.  Use code 3ML at checkout to save 15%.

Today, Greg interviews Jim about his soon-to-be-released thriller, “Dueling Six Demons,” the latest in his Dangerous Clique series. First, Jim talks about the role of setting in his thrillers, and how, over the past year, his writing has become increasingly more tied to his personal experiences in locations like Ukraine and Taiwan. Next, Jim discusses […]

In this episode powered by Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) featuring international best-selling author Steve Berry, we cover: Steve's new Satoshi-CIA thriller: The Atlas Maneuver Why Steve chose to make Satoshi's character a woman How the fictional thriller can teach the real history of money and value of Bitcoin Will we see more novels in the Bitcoin genre? Advice to aspiring authors ---- Coin Stories is powered by Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR), a publicly-traded leader in Bitcoin mining that stands alone as the only vertically-integrated, technology-focused Bitcoin mining company. Learn more at www.bitdeer.com.  ---- Natalie's Promotional Links:  Bitcoin Nashville is July 25-27th! Join me for my 3rd Annual Women of Bitcoin Brunch! Get 10% off your conference passes using the code HODL: https://b.tc/conference.  Buy Bitcoin, secure it through multisig collaborative custody, start a Bitcoin IRA or take out a Bitcoin loan with UNCHAINED: https://shorturl.at/jmW29 promo code Natalie  Safely self-custody your Bitcoin with Coinkite and the ColdCard Wallet. Get 5% off: https://shorturl.at/apsLU  Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/partners/natalie-brunell  Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie  Don't waste hundreds of dollars per month on fiat health insurance. Join me at CrowdHealth, a large community of Bitcoiners passionate about health who crowdfund each other's care: www.crowdhealth.com/natalie   Connect with Bitcoiners and Bitcoin merchants wherever you live and travel on the Orange Pill App: https://shorturl.at/gvxS3 ---- Bio: Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of more than two-dozen novels, including his latest Bitcoin-centric thriller "The Atlas Maneuver." The Georgia native graduated from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, was a trial lawyer for 30 years, holding elective office for 14 of those years. Steve is a founding member of International Thriller Writers -- a group of nearly 6,000 thriller writers from around the world -- and served three years as its co-president. ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories   #money #Bitcoin #investing

As Agent Scarlette, I've infiltrated your space with a blend of mystery and allure, under the guise of a government investigation. But this encounter is more than it seems, tangled in secrets and latent powers. You have something I want and you have no idea the lengths I'll go to in order to get it. Cum find out ? Script by A.C.  Edited by The Dark Side Full audio up on Patreon, Fansly, and Gumroad for early access tiers now, available for all other patrons in October!

Join us as we delve deeper into the world of espionage with 'Mr & Mrs Smith' and continue our lively discussions on 'Reacher's' second season. From rants and raves to in-depth reviews, we've got it all covered. Welcome to another thrilling episode of Scene N' Nerd, where we dissect the best of spy thrillers and beyond. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more exciting content! Timestamp 0:00 Welcome 1:10  We talk about the multiple Star Trek wins and Superman and Lois recognition at the Saturn Award. 4:00  Disney CEO Bob Iger confirms movies and streaming for 2024, 2025, and 2026, Epic Games, Taylor Swift Era Tour release on Disney Plus, and ESPN streaming app and deal with Warner Bros/Discovery, Fox for new sports service. 9:40 Sarah gives a slight spoiler update on Marry My Husband and other K-drama updates. 15:18 Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Episode 1 "First Date." 35:00 Reacher S2 E4-E5 “A Night at the Symphony” and “Burial.” 59:39 Scene N Nerd: Blerd Trek Preview/ Call to Action/ Outro Follow our crew on X aka Twitter @SceneNNerd, friend us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Threads @scene_n_nerd, and our website at www.scenennerdpodcast.com.  But most importantly rate, follow, and comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts!

Once the Queen of Rom-Com's, Julia Roberts returned to the genre which made her a household name fifteen years ago and she also reuinited with Clive Owen, her co-star of Closer, their acclaimed drama about about five years prior.  And they were both being directed by Tony Gilroy who just about 18 months prior had directed the seminal legal thriller Michael Clayton.  It also featured the promising premise of a romantic partnership between an ex-CIA agent (Roberts) and ex-MI6 agent (Owen) joining forces to pull a double cross on two dueling pharmaceutical companies who are they are each now running security for....with the heads of those companies are played by Oscar-nominated acting forces Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson. (RIP) And......nobody really cared?? Let's examine why and IF this romantic caper's weak reception was deserved or not.....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon   https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

If you're a romantic suspense fan, you are probably holding your breath just like we are that the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith TV series will live up to our shipping expectations. The series, which premieres February 2 on Amazon Prime, is a reimagining of the movie starring Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine star as John and Jane Smith, two spies posing as a married couple for their mission who are maybe, just maybe, stumbling into real feelings for each other. Ahead of the show's first 8 episodes, hosts Jennifer and Heather discussed their first impressions of the trailer. They share their hopes and fears for the series, and, of course, their predictions about whether they're going to “ship it or skip it.”Show notes & couples discussed in the episode (by timestamp):Watch the trailers we're discussing here:Mr. and Mrs. Smith's “Teaser” trailer The “full-length trailer” for Mr. and Mrs. SmithIs the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith series based on a past movie or show? Here's what we found:Alfred Hitchcock made exactly one (1) comedy, and it was the 1941 film Mr. and Mrs. Smith – zero relationship to the Pitt/Jolie movie or this new show from what we can tell, thoughMaria Bello and Scott Bakula starred in a short-lived 1996 TV show called Mr. and Mrs Smith that seems to be more of the template for this new seriesIn the 2005 action romance movie we all know and love, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt play a husband and wife whose marriage is on the rocks until they each learn that the other is a spy at a competing agency. Who knew attempted assassinations could save a marriage? Seriously, that's the plot.See you in part 2 of this episode, where we'll chat about our reactions to the full 8-episode season of the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith!

The latest bonus recordings were made by Jabbari Lincoln before the events of Season 1. You'll find some new information to help you understand his story. NOTE from Sign Curve Studios: Backstory content will not spoil season 1, but we recommend you finish Files 1-9 before listening to any of the backstories. Also, please help the podcast by filling out the listener feedback survey (only if you've completed Files 1-9) and also by giving a 5-star review and brief comment about how much you love the podcast in your podcast player application. We plan to offer some unique opportunities for listeners to engage with our storytelling. Curious? Sign up at JabbariLincoln.com and we'll keep you in the loop on upcoming news. Look for new bonus content every Thursday!  

PREVIEW: From a longer conversation with spy thriller novelist David McCloskey, a former CIA officer workingh the Gulf.  Here David describes how he chose the extremely powerful State Security villain from Putn's inner circle.  Recommended for a long airplane ride. 1920 Trotsky

For a long-running franchise like the James Bond series, the release of Casino Royale in 2006 was just a shot in the arm - this was the first film starring Daniel Craig as Agent 007 and it was also THE first film in the history of this franchise to be a genuine reboot.  It received stellar reviews, made a ton of money, and was beloved by fans....it was also the first entry to end on a genuine cliffhanger.  The plan for the next film was to have an immediate follow-up for our lead character as that ending would directly lead into this next story from the first scene on.  So needless to say, expectations were QUITE high for this follow-up sequel released just about two years later....And while this movie did make as much money as its predecessor, the reviews were much worse and for the most part, fans were quite disappointed.  This came from a director (Marc Forster) who had never directed a big budget entertainment like this before and it also started filming without a finished script.....and since there was a writer's strike at the time, that script remained largely unfinished through production.  AND....this was a generally downbeat story also filmed in an admitted more claustrophobic style.  It just left a sour taste in the mouths of audiences which fortunately was forgotten four years later with the release of the beloved Skyfall.So now revisiting this sequel 15 years later, was it really that bad?  Well it featured a strong cast including Olga Kurylenko as the latest "Bond girl," Mathieu Amalric as the latest villain, and some returning cast from the previous film including Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, and Jeffrey Wright.  So let's find out....if there was a quantum....of....solace? :Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/