Best Ernest Kim Podcasts (2025)

1
Sharing Intelligence: Challenges between US and Ukraine 34:56

1h ago34:56

34:56

After Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. rushed to create a secret center that set targets for the Ukrainians to destroy. But the counteroffensive of 2023 failed to achieve its goals. So, what went wrong? New York Times reporter Adam Entous spent more than a year reporting on this story. He joins SpyCast host Sasha Ingber to talk abo…

1
Stories From the President's Daily Brief 25:34

6d ago25:34

25:34

Conflict has been escalating between two nuclear powers–India and Pakistan. It started in April, after India blamed Pakistan for supporting militants who carried out a massacre in Kashmir. President Trump offered to help defuse the tensions.Throughout history, India and Pakistan’s hostility has been documented in the President's Daily Brief, a high…

1
The Minions: Putin's Expendable Spies 32:36

15d ago32:36

32:36

They were a spy cell like no other — operating from quiet British suburbs, hailing from Bulgaria, and working on behalf of Russia. Their handler dubbed them “The Minions,” and their plots stretched across Europe and spanned honeytraps, abductions, and murder. At the time of this recording, six have been convicted and await sentencing. To parse out …

1
Ep 303: Let's Fly with Entrepreneur and Community Builder Beth Santos 52:59

17d ago52:59

52:59

In this episode of the FLY BROTHER RADIO SHOW, Ernest chats with Beth Santos, entrepreneur, community builder, author, and founder of Wanderful, an international collective of travelers and travel content creators on a mission to make travel better for all women. On this mission, Beth created the WITS Travel Creator Summit, a leading event for wome…

1
Escalation: Tracking the US-Ukraine Relationship 40:43

22d ago40:43

40:43

The United States and Ukraine have had a long, complicated history that has been defined by just as much partnership and collaboration as hesitation and disagreement. This dynamic is laid bare in the 7-part podcast series ‘Escalation,’ produced by our partners at Goat Rodeo, with the national security publication Lawfare. In April 2025, The Interna…

1
ASEAN Governance and New Security Issues with Ernest Plange Kwofie 52:08

22d ago52:08

52:08

Ernest Plange Kwofie drops by the studio to discuss ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Kwofie talks about the interpersonal politics of the organization and how it differs from similar Western organizations like the European Union. He looks at the organization's effectiveness in responding to threats as well as its ability to imp…

1
Where the ‘West V. Russia’ Plot Begins 34:17

29d ago34:17

34:17

Why does Vladimir Putin often say that the West is conspiring to weaken Russia? Historian James Crossland traces this narrative back to a British intelligence officer and a failed assassination attempt on Vladimir Lenin in 1918. The story is featured in his new book, Rogue Agent, from Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Rober…

1
'Barbarians’, Bronzes, and the Legendary Capital of Ancient Vietnam with Nam Kim 1:13:10

29d ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Dr. Wannasarn Noonsuk joins Dr. Nam Kim to discuss early civilizations in what is now Vietnam and how uncovering creations of the past sheds light on the shifting cultural landscape of ancient Mainland Southeast Asia. They also examine how changing views of the past help to inform local and academic understandings of the region today. Dr. Nam Kim i…

1
Ep 302: Let's Fly with Monterey Bay Aquarist Dalton Richardson 28:25

1M ago28:25

28:25

In this episode of the FLY BROTHER RADIO SHOW, Ernest chats with Dalton Richardson, brilliant and engaging aquarist at the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. Dalton has been an aquarist at Monterey Bay, along the ruff and rugged coast of California just south of San Francisco, since 2019. From cleaning the windows of the aquarium to feeding the …

1
DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose 33:22

1M ago33:22

33:22

Government employees were dismissed with startling swiftness and sweeping in the midst of the Trump administration's relentless pursuit to pare down the federal workforce. The sheer number of fired personnel and the manner in which US officials let them go have led to concerns that disillusioned former employees may share what they know with foreig…

1
When the Rice Cries: Javanese Folklore for Children, Language, and the Earth with Muzakki Bashori 46:26

1M ago46:26

46:26

Dr. Muzakki Bashori sits down to discuss his new book “When the Rice Cries” a children's story that uses rice idioms to teach about the importance of reducing food waste. Bashori discusses Javanese language conservation and his mission to promote the use of Javanese among children in Indonesia. Dr. Muzakki Bashori is a Lecturer and researcher at Un…

1
Taiwan: China’s Testing Ground for Intelligence Operations 32:11

1M ago32:11

32:11

It's no secret that China has recently stepped up political and military pressure on the democratically governed island of Taiwan. But then, there are the Chinese Communist Party's covert efforts: Recruiting from the inside, gathering intelligence, and exerting influence. Executive Director of the Global Taiwan Institute Russell Hsiao breaks down B…

1
Tales from the Periphery: Regionalism and Nationalism in Contemporary Thailand with Joel Selway 1:11:45

2M ago1:11:45

1:11:45

Dr. Joel Selway sits down with Phanuphat Chattragul to discuss his research on shifting notions of Thai identities. He examines Thai identities within the context of various ethnic groups and geographical regions through surveys and interviews. Dr. Joel Selway is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University. He specialize…

1
Ep 301: Let's Fly with Star, Icon, and Entrepreneur Kim Fields 37:05

2M ago37:05

37:05

In this episode of the FLY BROTHER RADIO SHOW, Ernest chats with award-winning actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur Kim Fields. Having started in television at the age of 7, Kim has brought joy and inspiration through storytelling on multiple hit series and movies, including The Facts of Life, Living Single, and The Upshaws, and many more. I…

1
Introducing Targeted 33:15

2M ago33:15

33:15

Targeted uncovers harrowing stories of people who have been singled out and systematically dismantled—whether for political reasons, personal vendettas, or simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Each episode deep dives into the tactics used against someone, the devastating consequences, and the remarkable lessons they’ve learned in …

1
Understanding Chinese Espionage Through 900 Cases 31:43

2M ago31:43

31:43

Nicholas Eftimiades’ 34 year career in government spanned the CIA, State Department and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He's published three books that examine the structure, methodology and operations of China's intelligence services. This, he says, led a Chinese communist newspaper to declare him an enemy of the state in the ‘90s. Now, Nick is r…

1
Rights Refused: Grassroots Activism and State Violence in Myanmar with Eliott Prasse Freeman 1:14:15

2M ago1:14:15

1:14:15

Dr. Eliott Prasse Freeman sits down to discuss his new book: “Rights Refused Grassroots Activism and State Violence in Myanmar.” The discussion focuses on the evolution of the concept of human rights, from its categorical, colonial understanding to its impact on modern-day Myanmar. Freeman cites examples of spiritual practices surrounding political…

1
Lenin’s Shadow in Hanoi and Other Responses to Monuments by Contemporary Vietnamese Artists in the Age of Decoloniality with Nora Taylor 56:54

2M ago56:54

56:54

Dr. Nora Taylor sits down to discuss Vietnam’s Cold War connections with the Soviet art world. She cites examples of how Soviet-educated Vietnamese artists used what they learned to create art that was critical of colonialism and was reflective of the emergent nationalist landscape. Dr. Nora Annesley Taylor is an Alsdorf Professor of South and Sout…

1
Remembering The CIA’s Mind Games 33:44

2M ago33:44

33:44

Sidney Gottlieb was one of the CIA’s star chemists during the Cold War. As head of MKUltra, he ran a brazen—and deadly—program aimed at mind control. Gottlieb and fellow scientists tried to keep the work secret by destroying files, but historian John Lisle has new details from the six boxes that remained untouched. He shares insights and reflection…

1
Off-the-Cuff: AI Nonsense & More! 43:40

2M ago43:40

43:40

We return from hibernation to talk AI nonsense, critique the review industrial complex, promote a return to RSS, and share a raft of recommendations! JOACHIM ON AI NONSENSE – 01:52 Previous Discussion of Humane AI (starts at 18:34) Humane Set to Brick $700 ‘AI Pins’ I outsourced my memory to an AI pin and all I got was fanfiction Ben Thompson: Deep…

1
From Covert to Overt: Valerie Plame on political retaliation 32:58

2M ago32:58

32:58

Valerie Plame’s clandestine life made headlines in 2003 after her CIA cover was leaked to the press. Her husband, an ambassador, had gone to Niger to investigate whether yellowcake uranium had been transferred to Iraq to make weapons of mass destruction. He publicly challenged the Bush administration on what we now know was false intelligence. Vale…

1
Buddhism and the Cold War in Asia: A Burmese Case Study with Anthony Scott 1:04:12

2M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Anthony Scott sits down to discuss Buddhism and its effect on the Cold War. Scott dives deep into the history of Buddhism and its impact on politics within Asia. He discusses the rise of Ashin Janakabhivamsa, a popular Burmese monk during the Cold War, especially his radical yet traditionalist ideas about Buddhism and its doctrine. The discussion e…

1
Eyes on The Ground: The National Resistance Front in Afghanistan 31:25

2M ago31:25

31:25

After the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan, the National Resistance Front rose up to defy them. We spoke with their leader Ahmad Massoud, who has overseen hundreds of military and intelligence-gathering operations. He’s following the footsteps of his father, who led his own resistance group, the Northern Alliance, until members of Al Qaeda …

1
Songs the Blind Can See: An Interdisciplinary Community Service Project in Roi Et, Thailand with Chamni Sripraram 1:04:15

2M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Professor Chamni Sripraram sits down with 3 NIU students to talk about their Summer: “Song for the Blind” trip. Put together by Professor Chamni, the trip was an opportunity for American students to teach music to visually impaired Thai children. The group reflects and laughs about the experience together, discussing what they learned about other c…

1
From NFL to Espionage: The Story of Ernest Cuneo 27:33

3M ago27:33

27:33

He was an American spy before an American spy agency existed. NFL player Ernest Cuneo, a little known first generation Italian American, worked with British intelligence to convince the United States to join World War II, and helped lay the groundwork for modern day espionage. Thomas Maier traces Cuneo’s extraordinary life in his new book, The Invi…

1
Debriefing from the Ukrainian Front 29:54

3M ago29:54

29:54

A fourth year of war in Ukraine begins. But for Lt. Col. Kyrylo Berkal, who’s been fighting since Russia first invaded in 2014, the battle for his country has raged much longer. Now, he’s second in command of the elite Third Assault Brigade, which has played a major role in critical battles against Russia and continues to develop new technologies t…

1
Praetorian Kingdom: A History of Military Ascendancy in Thailand with Paul Chambers 1:11:26

3M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Dr. Kanjana Thepboriruk sits down with Dr. Paul Chambers and Dr. Napisa Waitoolkiat to discuss Paul Chambers’s new book “Praetorian Kingdom: A History of Military Ascendancy in Thailand.” Together they discuss the history of the military in the Thai government and its continued dominance in Thai politics. Chambers examine the rotating roster of pol…

1
How did Harriet Tubman operate as a spy? 32:33

3M ago32:33

32:33

She’s known for helping to free people through the Underground Railroad, but Harriet Tubman was also a spy during the Civil War. And with the intelligence she collected, the Maryland native became the first woman to lead men into battle on gunboats down the Combahee River in South Carolina. The Combahee River Raid destroyed several vital Confederat…

1
Leadership Training Programs for Southeast Asian Youth Ambassadors with Paul Wright 53:09

3M ago53:09

53:09

Dr. Kanjana Thepboriruk is joined by Dr. Paul Wright, Paolo Eslava, and Dr. Jeremy Bulter to discuss physical education in a Southeast Asian Context. The guests share their experiences as practitioners of SEA martial arts and the contributions SEA martial arts have on their professional and personal lives. They reflect on the history of Southeast A…

1
What's next for Kim Jong Un? 32:52

3M ago32:52

32:52

North Korea is growing more dangerous, but no U.S. administration has been able to crack the code on its leader Kim Jong Un. Now, there’s even less incentive for Kim to negotiate because of the support he’s getting from Russia. So what will Kim do next, and where is he vulnerable? Jung H. Pak, a former CIA analyst who served as the country’s top di…

1
Glimpses of Buddhism in the Golden Land with Dr. Nicolas Revire 58:05

3M ago58:05

58:05

Dr. Kanjana Thepboriruk is joined by Dr. Nicolas Revire and cohost Dr. Catherine Raymond to discuss the mythical golden land of “Suvarṇabhūmi” and its modern-day interpretations. Together they examine competing claims based on archeological records by both Thailand and Myanmar to be the true location of Suvarṇabhūmi. The conversation concludes with…

1
Campus Cloak-and-Dagger: Spies Targeting American Universities 29:47

4M ago29:47

29:47

For decades, colleges and universities have been a destination for espionage. Especially in recent years, the use of international students and faculty as spies on American campuses has been particularly daunting. Why do intelligence services, both foreign and domestic, target colleges and universities? And what is there to gain on these campuses? …

1
Interracial Relations in the American Colonial Philippines with Dr. Tessa Winkelmann 57:18

4M ago57:18

57:18

Dr. Kanjana Thepboriruk sits down with Dr. Tessa Winkelmann to discuss her new book: Dangerous Intercourse: Gender and Interracial Relations in the American Colonial Philippines 1898 – 1946. They dive into the history of the Philippines during the change from Spanish to American occupation. Winkelmann looks at history through perspectives of variou…

1
Agent Zo: The woman who defied the Nazis and Communists 30:52

4M ago30:52

30:52

Agent Zo was the only female Polish resistance agent to reach London as a courier during WWII and the only female member of Poland's fabled 'Silent Unseen' paratroopers. Yet despite having researched Poland's wartime resistance movement, many of us have never heard of her. Why? If you liked this episode, check out these links: Agent Zo: The Extraor…

1
Semantic Shifts in Burmese History with Dr. Aurore Candier 59:52

4M ago59:52

59:52

Dr. Kanjana sits down with Dr. Aurore Candier and Dr. Catherine Raymond to talk about how Burmese conceptualizations and understandings of governance and political relationships shifted over the course of the 1800s at the beginning of colonial contact. Together they discuss the role of astrology, oral tradition, and rumors within Burmese governance…

1
How will President Trump handle intelligence in his second term? 32:47

4M ago32:47

32:47

Now that President Trump has been inaugurated, what can we expect for the intelligence community? On his first full day in his first term, he visited the CIA to voice support. But he has also displayed deep skepticism and accused spy agencies of undermining him. Beth Sanner is a highly decorated, retired career intelligence officer who briefed Trum…

1
Boys Love Media in Thailand: Transnational Asian Queer Popular Culture with Dr. Thomas Baudinette 1:17:31

4M ago1:17:31

1:17:31

Dr. Kanjana sits down with Dr. Thomas Baudinette and NIU history PhD student Kit Faulk to discuss the rise and propagation of Thai Boy Love (or BL) media. Baudinette goes in-depth into the history of the medium, beginning from its roots in Japan to its eventual explosion within Thai media culture. Together, they discuss the political and social ram…

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Ernest Kim Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen