Gordon Corera makes his Spybrary debut in this riveting episode of the Spybrary podcast. Host Shane Whaley welcomes the former BBC security correspondent, espionage historian and host of The Rest is Classified podcast, Gordon Corera to discuss his latest book, The Spy in the Archive.

The Cold War might be over, but its shadows stretch far into the present. What if one of the Soviet Union’s most overlooked insiders — a quiet KGB archivist — decided to turn against the very institution he once served? How did he smuggle a mountain of secrets out from under Moscow’s nose? And why did the CIA turn him away, only for MI6 to uncover what may be the most valuable intelligence defection of the era?

This is the extraordinary true story of Vasili Mitrokhin — a man whose private rebellion against the KGB became a mission to expose its darkest truths. With deep ideological conviction, he spent years quietly copying thousands of classified files, building a secret archive buried beneath his dacha floorboards. His eventual escape, orchestrated by MI6, and the revelations that followed would reshape our understanding of Soviet espionage forever.

The conversation dives deep into the life and legacy of Vasili Mitrokhin, a former KGB archivist turned dissident who smuggled out a trove of intelligence that would become one of the most important Cold War revelations. Gordon shares the challenges of researching this secretive figure, the personal and ideological motivations behind Mitrokhin’s actions, the drama of his family’s exfiltration by MI6, and how his warnings about the persistence of the KGB mindset still echo today. This episode offers a unique blend of spy history, investigative journalism, and human drama.

• Gordon Corera's book: The Spy in the Archive
• Gordon Corera Official Website
• Join the Spybrary Community

In this special episode of Spybrary, Shane is joined by fellow spy fan Joe Modzelewski for an in-depth International Spy Museum review. Recorded after their recent visit to the museum in Washington D.C., this episode is packed with honest reflections, surprising discoveries, and plenty of spy geekery.

From Virginia Hall’s heroic story to rare artifacts like the Enigma machine and a section of the Berlin Tunnel, Shane and Joe cover it all—including the museum’s interactive spy games, an exhibit on intelligence analysis, and the must-see “Bond in Motion” car display.

Whether you're a longtime espionage fiction enthusiast or just planning your first visit, this is your ultimate guide to navigating the International Spy Museum and getting the most out of it.

🕵️‍♂️ Topics include:

• What makes the Spy Museum a must-visit

• Interactive missions and spy quizzes

• Rare Cold War artifacts and East German intel gear

• The museum's educational value for casual fans and hardcore readers alike

• Bond in Motion: Why it’s not just for car buffs

• What spy books is Joe reading and who are some of his favourites.

🎟️ Plan your visit: https://www.spymuseum.org

On this episode of Spybrary, I welcome back one of today's finest spy fiction authors, Paul Vidich. We're diving into his gripping new novel, The Poet's Game, a contemporary espionage thriller rooted in the tense geopolitics of modern-day Russia and the United States. Paul joins me to unpack the creative process, real-life inspirations, and the deeply personal conflicts faced by his latest protagonist, Alex Matthews.

We explore how Paul's personal family connections to the intelligence world have shaped his storytelling, and what drives him to keep revisiting the morally complex world of spies. From constructing rich character backstories to virtually navigating the streets of Moscow via Google Street View, Paul reveals the meticulous research and layered writing that make his novels so immersive. Tune in to hear about literary Easter eggs, historical intrigue, and the emotional depths that define The Poet's Game.

[2:22] - Paul shares the real-life inspiration behind his enduring fascination with spy fiction. [4:50] - The 2017 White House meeting that sparked the idea for The Poet's Game.
[7:42] - Decoding the significance of the title and the poetic codenames in the novel.
[11:21] - How personal loss and professional guilt shape protagonist Alex Matthews.
[18:47] - The secrets to vividly portraying cities like Moscow without ever visiting.
[24:42] - The role of real historical figures and why Paul doesn't shy away from controversy. [32:25] - The E. Howard Hunt Easter egg and why The Judas Hour made it into the story. [42:54] - What Paul hopes readers will take away from The Poet's Game.

Links & Resources:

• Buy The Poet's Game by Paul Vidich: [Available at all major bookstores and online retailers]
• Paul Vidich Official Website
• Join the Spybrary Community: https://spybrary.com/community
• The Spy Reader's Guide to the spy books of Paul Vidich
• Previous Paul Vidich interviews and conversations on Spybrary.