Spies Like Us
- Episodes
- 88
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Oct 25, 2026
About the podcast
Conversations about all things national security in Canada and globally hosted by three retired Canadian intelligence practitioners with almost a century of experience in SIGINT, HUMINT and other forms of intelligence.
Episodes 88
Season 4 Episode 3 - Hey Elon! Musk off!
Former heads of services talking to our enemies, Elon Musk dialing back Internet services to Ukraine...what the hell is going on? These incidents have huge implications for national security. What do three …
Show notes
Former heads of services talking to our enemies, Elon Musk dialing back Internet services to Ukraine...what the hell is going on? These incidents have huge implications for national security. What do three ex-spies think about this? We are sure you are dying to know. Grab a drink and have a listen!
Season 4 Episode 2 - Almost blown sky-high at flyDubai
Another week at the virtual bar - is Neil drinking water or vodka at 11 AM? - and the boys deliver their usual combo of insight and banter into current national security issues. In this episode we discuss the …
Show notes
Another week at the virtual bar - is Neil drinking water or vodka at 11 AM? - and the boys deliver their usual combo of insight and banter into current national security issues. In this episode we discuss the US withdrawal of Iraq (were they still there?), the flyDubai terrorist incident and why Canadian security services are begging for people (hint, hint: three formers are willing to come back..). And a poem to honour FBI Director Kash Patel's penchant for animals.
Season 4 Episode 1 - Lions and tigers and bears...FBI
After a summer hiatus, the retired spies are back! Al, Neil and Phil shake off the dust and dive right back in to discuss national security issues amid good-natured (?) banter. From the FBI's new ?policy? on …
Show notes
After a summer hiatus, the retired spies are back! Al, Neil and Phil shake off the dust and dive right back in to discuss national security issues amid good-natured (?) banter. From the FBI's new ?policy? on bestiality, to the final (!) creation of the Foreign Agent Registry in Canada to Russian (and American!) interference in Canadian affairs, there is nowhere these ex-spooks will not go. Grab a seat at the bar and have a listen!
Spies Like Us Season 3 - Special Summer Episode
After a successful Spies and Spirits event at the Luckhurst Distillery in Kelowna BC, the lads weigh in on the role Sir William Stephenson (a.k.a. 'Intrepid') played in the creation of the Canadian intelligence …
Show notes
After a successful Spies and Spirits event at the Luckhurst Distillery in Kelowna BC, the lads weigh in on the role Sir William Stephenson (a.k.a. 'Intrepid') played in the creation of the Canadian intelligence community and the 5 eyes, the centenary of the Royal Canadian Legion, why it took the Canadian government a quarter century to act on CSIS intel on Chinese spying in the resource sector, and why it is important to recognise sources through the purchase of their wares.
Chinese linking rings - not just an illusion
To prove that three old guys - ok, in Neil's case old-ish - are with it and hip with technology we go video this week! You can actually hear AND see us - how cool is that? Phil learns that the Shanghai …
Show notes
To prove that three old guys - ok, in Neil's case old-ish - are with it and hip with technology we go video this week! You can actually hear AND see us - how cool is that? Phil learns that the Shanghai sweetheart on LinkedIn may not be who she claims to be, Canada drops the terrorist ball once again on removing threats to public safety - what else is new? And a good news by the five eyes to share intel (and not the five eyes found in creatures on Phil's favourite B-sci fi films!). The bar is open even if all three are eschewing alcohol this time.
Season 3 Episode 25 - ISIS isn't was-was it still is is
As Phil sips on a "Lumbersexual" IPA - whatever that means - and jet-lagged Al is barely comatose (and Neil is, well, Neil) - the lads weigh in on why should NOT bring ISIS terrorists home, including those who …
Show notes
As Phil sips on a "Lumbersexual" IPA - whatever that means - and jet-lagged Al is barely comatose (and Neil is, well, Neil) - the lads weigh in on why should NOT bring ISIS terrorists home, including those who go to a firing range on their wedding day, why legal access challenges for security intelligence and law enforcement agencies are looming, and why a jihadi impersonating a woman (hey, don't laugh, it has happened!) should wear gloves (thanks Hardy Boys for the hint). The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the bar is open!
Season 3 Episode 24 - Canada's fraudulent immigration removal system 'Rana' amok!
With Al's triumphant return from wherever he was - don't ask, don't tell! - the lads weigh in on Canada's joke of a citizenship removal system despite obvious fraud and terrorism links, the US counter-terrorism …
Show notes
With Al's triumphant return from wherever he was - don't ask, don't tell! - the lads weigh in on Canada's joke of a citizenship removal system despite obvious fraud and terrorism links, the US counter-terrorism ?strategy? that somehow missed all the right-wing wankers down south, and CT czar Sebastian Gorka's obsession with low-hanging fruit. Always on topic, never boring. It's time for Spies Like Us!
Season 3 Episode 23 - Don't break the China!
After a short hiatus the Al-less boys - does this make us a duet? - are back and it's all about China. Neil and Phil talk with Canada's top Sinologist (that means China watcher for you non-China watchers) …
Show notes
After a short hiatus the Al-less boys - does this make us a duet? - are back and it's all about China. Neil and Phil talk with Canada's top Sinologist (that means China watcher for you non-China watchers) Charles Burton about why exactly the Canadian government under Prime Minister Mark Carney is kowtowing (how's that for a Chinese term??) to the PRC and ignoring the obvious national security threats despite what the security services are saying to the country. A sneak peak at an upcoming Pillar Society Speakers' Series talk in late May!
Season 3 Episode 22 - Say it ain't so Ma!
Yes, another week with the lads in the virtual bar as they delve into the details of yet another counter terrorism unit in Canada, why a wanker Liberal MP is questioning Chinese use of forced Uyghur labour, and …
Show notes
Yes, another week with the lads in the virtual bar as they delve into the details of yet another counter terrorism unit in Canada, why a wanker Liberal MP is questioning Chinese use of forced Uyghur labour, and why can the Canadian government not look into problematic foreign student applications? Pull up a stool, order a pint (except for Neil!) and join in the conversation
Spies Like Us Season 3 Episode 20 - IRGC'ing you!
What happens when three ex-spies talk about national security? You get in-depth, insider views of what's happening including why two morons shoot up an empty diplomatic presence at o-dark-hundred, why Canada is …
Show notes
What happens when three ex-spies talk about national security? You get in-depth, insider views of what's happening including why two morons shoot up an empty diplomatic presence at o-dark-hundred, why Canada is level-headed when it comes to threat and an ode to Emperor Cheetoh. Pony up at the bar and have a listen!
Season 3 Episode 19 - Trump: I-ran from Venezuela to the Persian Gulf
In this week's bar chat (ok, the bar is virtual but the beer is real and Al is enjoying a "Juicy Ass" - please don't pursue why!) the lads look at various aspects of the war ("Don't mention the war" - classic …
Show notes
In this week's bar chat (ok, the bar is virtual but the beer is real and Al is enjoying a "Juicy Ass" - please don't pursue why!) the lads look at various aspects of the war ("Don't mention the war" - classic John Cleese in Fawlty Towers!), why the Persian Gulf is more of a swamp, and why President Trump may not want to distort his face with anger. Join us and hoist a pint!
Season 3 Episode 18 - Repression and loathing in Canada
This week the boys weigh in on a new report on transnational repression (TNR) in Canada, co-authored by one of us (hint: not Neil and not Al), why it is so hard to use intelligence in court cases, and ask …
Show notes
This week the boys weigh in on a new report on transnational repression (TNR) in Canada, co-authored by one of us (hint: not Neil and not Al), why it is so hard to use intelligence in court cases, and ask whether the Hells Angels owned a shipping line. Three spies, three beers (well two since Al was drinking something called 'water'), and a virtual bar - what more can one ask for?
Season 3 Episode 17 - Blowing your final exams: what is it with Western students?
In yet another chat in a virtual bar, the boys look into why a couple of Western University students were arrested on possible national security charges, why Canadians make great targets for Cuban spies, and …
Show notes
In yet another chat in a virtual bar, the boys look into why a couple of Western University students were arrested on possible national security charges, why Canadians make great targets for Cuban spies, and why hiding behind a snowman is a great way to spy on someone (and so Canadian!).
Foreign interference finally 'registers' in Canada!
The boys in the virtual bar celebrate Friday with a variety of real beers and have reason to cheer! Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary "the recuser" Anandasangaree finally announces a head of the …
Show notes
The boys in the virtual bar celebrate Friday with a variety of real beers and have reason to cheer! Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary "the recuser" Anandasangaree finally announces a head of the soon-to-be-created Foreign Influence Transparency Registry! It may have been a long time in coming, but they needed to choose a wall colour first (enquiring minds want to know: was it Pantone's colour for 2026 - Cloud Dancer?). And will the new office have the US at the top of its list? One thing that never lists is Spies Like Us!
Season 3 Episode 15: We were never here, but now we are!
After a short hiatus, the boys are back...and they have a guest! Andrew Kirsch is a former CSIS intelligence officer, an author and willing to talk to us! This is so cool, more people to listen to!
Season 3 Episode 14 - 2026: more doom and gloom...and boom?
Happy New Year fans!! Like many sites Spies Like Us can have a look ahead episode. Here the lads prognosticate on what we can expect to happen in 2026. Oh, and advice from the Hardy Boys on how to use a cut out …
Show notes
Happy New Year fans!! Like many sites Spies Like Us can have a look ahead episode. Here the lads prognosticate on what we can expect to happen in 2026. Oh, and advice from the Hardy Boys on how to use a cut out operative if you are a foreign state sowing mayhem in another country.
Season 3 Episode 13 - the year that was and the foreign agent registry that wasn't
As 2025 draws to a close, Al, Phil and Neil look back at what made national security headlines this year, wonder why Gary Anandasangaree is still Canada's Public Safety Minister, and figure out why Neil can't …
Show notes
As 2025 draws to a close, Al, Phil and Neil look back at what made national security headlines this year, wonder why Gary Anandasangaree is still Canada's Public Safety Minister, and figure out why Neil can't be host of the podcast. Despite a lack of good news, we end with a note of holiday cheer!
Season 3 Episode 12 - What a week in terrorism! And a potential Canadian spy thrown in for good measure
The boys are back - with Al having returned from a Top Secret mission to Casablanca where he ate and drank too much - and just in time to weigh in on a whole bunch of foiled and successful terrorist attacks! …
Show notes
The boys are back - with Al having returned from a Top Secret mission to Casablanca where he ate and drank too much - and just in time to weigh in on a whole bunch of foiled and successful terrorist attacks! With Grizzly Bear's reappearance Phil no longer has to ?sing? the musical intro but he does get to mark a special birthday!
For the sake of the FBI and the US, Patel should 'kash' out
While Al is AWOL - didn't he just get back from vacation? - Neil and Phil fill (!) in ably and are joined by former FBI Agent Lauren Anderson to talk about what the heck if happening at the FBI. No fake guns or …
Show notes
While Al is AWOL - didn't he just get back from vacation? - Neil and Phil fill (!) in ably and are joined by former FBI Agent Lauren Anderson to talk about what the heck if happening at the FBI. No fake guns or challenge coins were harmed in this recording by the way.
Season 3 Episode 10 - What keeps the CSIS Director up at night?
An Al-less trio - which makes Neil and Phil a dynamic duo! - weighs in on CSIS Director Dan Rogers first ?annual? threat overview speech and what Canadians should take away from it. From terrorism to foreign …
Show notes
An Al-less trio - which makes Neil and Phil a dynamic duo! - weighs in on CSIS Director Dan Rogers first ?annual? threat overview speech and what Canadians should take away from it. From terrorism to foreign interference to transnational repression to the Canadian Arctic, we look at the landscape but refrain from singing Celine Dion's 'My heart will go on' for obvious reasons.
Season 3 Episode 9 - The link between intelligence and warfare is an important one
To mark Remembrance Day, an important time to pay their respects to the Canadian women and men who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the lads talk about the role that intelligence played in the Afghan conflict.
SLU and India in jeopardy
After attending an early Remembrance Day ceremony at the National Beechwood Cemetery, the guys keep the serious tone by looking at why the UAE is sponsoring genocide in Sudan, why India is sponsoring …
Show notes
After attending an early Remembrance Day ceremony at the National Beechwood Cemetery, the guys keep the serious tone by looking at why the UAE is sponsoring genocide in Sudan, why India is sponsoring assassinations abroad and why the world's greatest game show was sponsored by a Canadian.
Canadian gaps on national security are spooktacular
In a special (post) Hallowe'en edition of 'Spooks Like Us', your favourite ex-spies weigh in why the Brits are frightfully good at prosecuting sabotage, why Canada is horror-ible at removing threats to national …
Show notes
In a special (post) Hallowe'en edition of 'Spooks Like Us', your favourite ex-spies weigh in why the Brits are frightfully good at prosecuting sabotage, why Canada is horror-ible at removing threats to national security, and whether anyone can trust US intelligence under the abomination that is Emperor Cheetoh. Prepared to be scared out of your comfort zone!
Dutch to do about nothing for US intel
Why tulips are better than one in intimate intelligence sharingThis week your favourite Canadian ex-spies weigh in on why the Dutch are not paying for their dates with the US, yet again why Canada cannot decide …
Show notes
Why tulips are better than one in intimate intelligence sharing
This week your favourite Canadian ex-spies weigh in on why the Dutch are not paying for their dates with the US, yet again why Canada cannot decide on the paint colour for the walls of the Foreign Register and why moxie matters (a la Nancy Drew).
Season 3 Episode 5 - A buttload of review
After the Thanksgiving break, the lads are back to talk about 'eternal' peace in the Middle East thanks to Emperor Cheetoh, why are Canadian spy agencies subject to so much review and would you go to an Indian …
Show notes
After the Thanksgiving break, the lads are back to talk about 'eternal' peace in the Middle East thanks to Emperor Cheetoh, why are Canadian spy agencies subject to so much review and would you go to an Indian crime syndicate for community relations? As usual, the boys in the virtual bar share their views in a candid fashion.
Spies going dark while gangs move into the spotlight
This week the lads delve into the increasing challenge of encryption, Canada's addiction to listing everyone as a terrorist group and wonder why Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree did not say anything …
Show notes
This week the lads delve into the increasing challenge of encryption, Canada's addiction to listing everyone as a terrorist group and wonder why Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree did not say anything daft this week.
Canada's a pal to Palestine but kneecaps Kneecap
In episode 3 of season 3 the lads weigh in on the implications of the Canadian government's recognition of Palestine, why Canada kneed an Irish hip hop band in the...knee, and what has Public Safety Minister …
Show notes
In episode 3 of season 3 the lads weigh in on the implications of the Canadian government's recognition of Palestine, why Canada kneed an Irish hip hop band in the...knee, and what has Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said now?
Season 3 episode 2: Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right
While drug-addled Al deals with a centipede from the seventh layer of hell, the boys (sober for once) delve into the rhetoric over the far left/far right in the West, why labeling organised crime groups …
Show notes
While drug-addled Al deals with a centipede from the seventh layer of hell, the boys (sober for once) delve into the rhetoric over the far left/far right in the West, why labeling organised crime groups terrorists is a 'terror-ible' idea and offer some great advice to crooks from Frank and Joe Hardy.
Spies Like Us – Season 3 Episode 1 : Queen of Canada or Empress of Idiots?
The guys are back in the virtual bar for another season! After two months of R&R they delve into the arrest of a self-appointed ‘Queen of Canada/World”, counselling sessions for ISIS terrorists (‘couch …
Show notes
The guys are back in the virtual bar for another season! After two months of R&R they delve into the arrest of a self-appointed ‘Queen of Canada/World”, counselling sessions for ISIS terrorists (‘couch jihadis’?) and why ‘native extremist’ investigations were warranted. Oh, and another poem by Phil where he finds rhymes for ‘ISIS’.
Pigeons, parrots and the fowl side of intelligence
What do you get when you let three former spies loose on questions from their 'fans'? The regular 'ask us' episode! We bet you have never had to think about the importance of a Farsi (Persian)-speaking parrot …
Show notes
What do you get when you let three former spies loose on questions from their 'fans'? The regular 'ask us' episode! We bet you have never had to think about the importance of a Farsi (Persian)-speaking parrot. Only here...
These are the latest 40 of 88 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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