Best Sasha Frank Podcasts (2025)

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The Secret Navy and Their Hunt for a Nazi Sub 36:06

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6h ago36:06

36:06

How do you catch an enemy’s submarine … and then make it vanish? That’s what the U.S. Navy’s elusive Tenth Fleet planned, as it tracked down Germany’s U-505 submarine. The mission came right before the Allies ran ashore on the beaches of Normandy in World War II. Historian Alexander Rose draws on long classified documents and intercepted transmissi…

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How Are Shifting Priorities Impacting National Security in America? 29:18

8d ago29:18

29:18

Most Americans would agree that the United States should be protected, but from whom … and how? Dr. Donell Harvin, the former Chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the District of Columbia, says the U.S. is taking its eye off the ball - focusing its large domestic intelligence apparatus in a direction that is politically expedient, but no…

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Sharing Intelligence: Challenges between US and Ukraine 34:56

15d 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…

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The Birds, The Bees, and The Roblox | Ep 9 26:21

20d ago26:21

26:21

Sasha and Nebulous tackle the often awkward and hilarious world of talking to their kids about sex, contrasting their own very different upbringings. Highlights: - Nebulous's surprisingly laissez-faire upbringing regarding sex on TV despite having Asian parents. - Sasha's self-imposed role as the household angel while she was growing up. - The surp…

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Stories From the President's Daily Brief 25:34

22d 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…

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The Case of the Golden Arm Hair | Ep 8 25:16

27d ago25:16

25:16

Sasha and Nebulous Niang discuss the unexpected challenges of re-entering relationships after long periods of being single. Highlights: - Sasha's experience with "minor conflicts" with minor disagreements after years of peaceful solitude. - Nebulous's insights on male/female communication styles from her unique perspective. - Mind-reading in relati…

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The Minions: Putin's Expendable Spies 32:36

29d 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 …

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6: Hamlet 41:02

1M ago41:02

41:02

It's the end of the season! Sasha brings us a Muppet-filled Hamlet and special guest Ellen walks us through Taming of the Shrew. Plus we talk about what we learned. Follow us on Instagram! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Escalation: Tracking the US-Ukraine Relationship 40:43

1M 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…

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Beatboxing Nuns, Lesbian Alphabets: the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! | Ep 7 28:23

1M ago28:23

28:23

Sasha and Nebulous bring the Comedy and Custody Podcast to the MICF 2025, sharing their hilarious and heartfelt experiences from the festival floor.In this episode, the comedians chat about: - The Birth of Never Date a Comedian: How a last-minute venue booking turned into a global sensation! - Melbourne’s Queer Comedy Scene 🌈: A refreshing contrast…

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

1M 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…

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Olga Koch on the Couch: The stripper ACTUALLY loves me | Ep. 6 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

In Part 2 of Sasha and Nebulous' interview with Olga, the comedians chat about: - The Illusion of Intimacy in Peformance: even Comedians fall for it! - Does Olga's interaction with Nebulous the Lesbian Robot count towards her PhD in Human Computer Interactions? :thinking_face::robot_face: - Morally Neutral Comedy - is it Good or Bad that Olga Koch …

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5: Much Ado About Nothing 47:22

2M ago47:22

47:22

Get ready for a particularly unhinged episode as the team reacts to Evan's spirited take on Much Ado About Nothing and special guest Kenjiro's thoughtful casting for Julius Caesar. Join us! Follow us on Instagram! - Kenjiro Lee (he/him) is a Korean/Japanese-American playwright, puppeteer, director, and occasional performer with an interest in the c…

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DOGE Layoffs and the Counterintelligence Threats They Pose 33:22

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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Olga Koch on the Couch: Statistically Significant Bisexual | Ep.5 33:07

2M ago33:07

33:07

Sasha and Nebulous kidnap Russian-British comedian Olga Koch (@kolga300) from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, just to fangirl at her for a full hour! Catch her latest special, Olga Koch Comes From Money, 9pm at Melbourne Town Hall from 27 Mar to 20 Apr! https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/olga-koch-comes-from-money/ In Part …

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4: Richard III 42:56

2M ago42:56

42:56

It's a new month and that means it's time for new Muppet castings. This week Peter is bringing you his take on Richard III with the surprising invention of a brand new Muppet, but first special guest Court delves into Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Also, we have a special guest doing our ad read, NYC-based costume designer Izzy Kitch! Follow us on In…

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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 …

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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…

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Millenials, Modems, and Makeup | Ep 4 23:35

2M ago23:35

23:35

Welcome back to "Comedy and Custody," your cozy corner with Sasha Frank and Nebulous Niang! Grab your favorite beverage and get ready to dive into a world of laughter, heartbreak, and the quirky realities of modern dating. **In this episode:** - Sasha and Nebulous share their stories about growing up, from the challenges of teenage years to the hil…

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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…

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3: Romeo & Juliet 41:36

3M ago41:36

41:36

This week we start out strong with special guest Zach Barr muppet-casting (and adding a musical number to) Winter's Tale. Then Evan brings us a casting of Romeo and Juliet with some surprising deep-cut muppets portraying those two crazy kids from Verona. Follow us on Instagram! - Zach Barr (they/them) is a nonbinary multidisciplinary theatre artist…

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

3M 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…

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Katy Perry is a Very Famous Robot 🤖⭐ | Ep 3 23:07

3M ago23:07

23:07

🎙️ Welcome back to "Comedy and Custody," the podcast where Sasha Frank and Nebulous Niang serve up laughter, insights, and the relatable chaos of modern life. Grab a cup of your favorite tea (or coffee) and settle in for another quirky, heartwarming chat. In this episode: We celebrate the (sometimes bumpy) milestone of turning 40 and chat about wha…

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

3M 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 …

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My Prestigious Lesbian Internship | Ep 2 21:28

3M ago21:28

21:28

🎙️ Welcome back to "Comedy and Custody", your cozy corner with Sasha Frank and Nebulous Niang! Grab your favorite beverage and get ready to dive into a world of laughter, heartbreak, and quirky realities of modern dating. In this episode: We dive headfirst into the ever-evolving world of dating, exploring our experiences with dating apps and romant…

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2: The Tempest 47:48

3M ago47:48

47:48

It's time for the Tempest! Peter takes us across storm tossed seas and to the shores of a Muppet (treasure) island, but first special guest Al brings us a Muppet Macbeth that boldly goes where no Muppet has gone before. Follow us on Instagram! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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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…

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At Least It's Not Gregorian Chant | Ep 1 26:01

3M ago26:01

26:01

🎙️ Welcome to "Comedy and Custody," where we, Sasha Frank and Nebulous Niang, invite you to grab a cup of coffee and join us on the sofa for a hilarious and heartfelt chat. In this episode: We celebrate our 20-year (*cough* 2.5 years) friendship filled with laughter, trauma, and uncontrollable yawns. Discover the secret formula for comedy: *Genuine…

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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…

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1: A Midsummer Night's Dream 58:09

3M ago58:09

58:09

On this inaugural episode of Much Ado About Muppets, Sasha guides Peter and Evan through their muppet-filled, but controversial take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. But first, guests Lauren Grace Thompson and Ian Geers delight us with "King Bear" a muppet re-casting of King Lear. Follow us on Instagram! - Lauren Grace Thompson and Ian Geers are the (…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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The Roles That Form & Change Us: Noah Wyle on ER, Activism & Longevity in Show Biz 46:05

4M ago46:05

46:05

Actor, director, writer, and producer Noah Wyle joins John Frank Levey to share the fascinating story behind his legendary ER audition and explore his remarkable three-decade career in television. In this intimate conversation, Noah reflects on how his role as Dr. John Carter evolved from an uncertain medical student to a confident physician, mirro…

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Teaser: Much Ado About Muppets 0:46

4M ago0:46

0:46

“All the worlds a stage… and sometimes the crown weighs rather heavy on this little froggy head.” Welcome to Much Ado About Muppets! Each week Peter, Sasha, and Evan will take some of Shakespeare's most famous plays and cast them with silliest gaggle of creatures ever to be made from felt, The Muppets! Will all that glitters be gold? Can the gang a…

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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? …

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Taking Pride in Your Career: Tim Bagley on Learning, Growing, and Staying True to Yourself 54:11

4M ago54:11

54:11

Veteran actor Tim Bagley joins John Frank Levey to discuss his remarkable three-decade career spanning hundreds of roles. From his early days studying with renowned acting coaches to becoming a Groundlings mainstay, Tim shares how his commitment to authenticity and continuous growth has shaped his craft and journey as an openly gay performer in Hol…

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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…

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Leading With Joy: Shanola Hampton on Shining Your Light & Making an Indelible Impact 45:44

4M ago45:44

45:44

The radiant Shanola Hampton joins her longtime friend John Frank Levey to share her remarkable journey from a five-year-old with a dream to becoming the lead of NBC's "Found" after her unforgettable run as Veronica on "Shameless." In this heartfelt conversation, Shanola opens up about how faith, family, and education shaped her path, including a to…

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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…

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How do you fool Russian Intelligence? 28:13

5M ago28:13

28:13

Former intelligence officer Bryan Stern describes the tradecraft he used on Russian intelligence and military services to rescue an American imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine. If you liked this episode check out these links to more hostage rescue stories: SpyCast - James Foley: Journalist, ISIS Hostage, Son – with His Mother Diane Foley Operac…

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Don't Wait, Create: A Hilarious Conversation With Dennis Dugan About Taking Creative Risks Seriously 51:12

5M ago51:12

51:12

Veteran director Dennis Dugan joins John Frank Levey to share how embracing life's unexpected turns and maintaining a playful spirit shaped his remarkable journey from actor to billion-dollar comedy director. Through candid stories spanning his early theater days to directing Adam Sandler films, Dugan reveals how every seeming setback opened new do…

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Introducing the New Host: Sasha Ingber 20:19

5M ago20:19

20:19

Introducing the new host of SpyCast, Sasha Ingber! In this week’s episode, Sasha joined Erin in a conversation about her career and the future of the International Spy Museum’s flagship podcast. Now entering it’s 19th year, SpyCast will relaunch on January 14th with brand new episodes, featuring exciting spy stories and the latest intelligence from…

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Having It All vs. Doing It All: Sasha Alexander on Acting, Parenting, and Finding Balance 49:38

6M ago49:38

49:38

Actor Sasha Alexander joins host John Frank Levey for a candid conversation about balancing a successful acting career with family life and the pursuit of creative fulfillment. Drawing from her extensive experience across shows like "Dawson’s Creek," "NCIS," and "Rizzoli & Isles," Alexander shares honest insights about the challenges of maintaining…

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From the Vault: “The 75th Anniversary of the CIA” – with former Director Robert Gates 1:12:55

6M ago1:12:55

1:12:55

Summary Robert Gates (Website; Website) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to reflect on the 75th Anniversary of the CIA. He served 8 U.S. presidents. What You’ll Learn Intelligence His reflections on the CIA at 75 How the CIA’s story intersected with his own His take on the organization’s strengths and weaknesses The complex intl. environment the CI…

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Control Your Destiny: Eriq La Salle on Breaking Barriers and Building Legacy 1:05:27

6M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

Three-time Emmy-nominated actor, director, and author Eriq La Salle joins legendary casting director John Frank Levey for a candid conversation about breaking barriers and creating lasting change in Hollywood. This wide-ranging discussion explores La Salle's remarkable journey from a young theater student in Hartford to becoming one of television's…

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“An Imperial History of the CIA” – with Hugh Wilford 1:03:58

6M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

Summary Hugh Wilford joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss his new book. Hugh is a professor, author, and leading CIA historian. What You’ll Learn Intelligence Imperial influences on American intelligence Key figures in CIA history “Wild” Bill Donovan & British influence Groton School’s impact on CIA leaders Reflections Inherited history Challengin…

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Trailer 3:36

6M ago3:36

3:36

Right For The Role launches on December 11th. Learn what the show is about and hear clips from our first set of interviews in Season 1.By John Frank Levey

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“The Battlefield Tour Guide” with Bob Shaw 58:54

6M ago58:54

58:54

Summary Robert Shaw joins Andrew to discuss his experience working as an accredited Battlefield tour guide. Bob’s career in the British Army spanned over 25 years. What You’ll Learn Intelligence Becoming a battlefield tour guide IEDD and Intelligence Work in Northern Ireland Hypothetical WWIII scenarios Special Forces, TECHINT, & the Bin Laden Raid…

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“Two Decades at the International Spy Museum” – with Anna Slafer 1:02:03

6M ago1:02:03

1:02:03

Summary Anna Slafer (LinkedIn, Website) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the history of the International Spy Museum. Anna was one of SPY’s first employees when the museum opened in 2002. What You’ll Learn Intelligence Building the International Spy Museum Milton Maltz: the visionary behind SPY The role of historians and curators Creating exhi…