AFIO Podcast

AFIO Now Presents Sean M. Wiswesser

In this episode, Sean M. Wiswesser, former CIA Operations Officer, discusses his latest book, "Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin's Secret War". The book explores the covert world of Russian espionage and how the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS) - the SVR, GRU, and FSB, including their use of double agents, surveillance, and “street work,” honeytraps, sabotage, active measures, assassinations - operate across the globe including the tactics, tradecraft, and mindset of the RIS. And the RIS roles in the Russo-Ukraine War.

Interview date Wednesday, 25 March 2026. Interviewers Paul Hollingsworth PhD, former Senior CIA Officer and Analyst, President, AFIO, and Co-Host James Hughes, President Emeritus, AFIO.

AFIO Now Presents Leon Carroll Jr.

In this episode, Leon Carroll Jr, former NCIS Special Agent discusses the "Ghosts of Sicily", set for release today April 14, 2026. The book uncovers the true story of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) forming an alliance with the Mafia, including Charles "Lucky" Luciano, during WWII to protect U.S. waterfronts from Nazi spies and U-boats. It follows ONI agents on missions in America and Italy, involving secret meetings with criminals and undercover operations, and is the third in their Ghosts of... series.

Interview date Wednesday, 18 March 2026. Interviewer and Host AFIO President Emeritus James Hughes.

AFIO Now Presents Barry Broman

In this episode, retired CIA Clandestine Service officer and former Marine Barry Broman discusses his 2026 novel The Spy from Golden Valley. This latest historical novel continues the story from Broman’s first two novels, The Spy from Place Saint-Sulpice and The Spy from Sukhumvit Road. Protagonist CIA Case Officer and ace recruiter Richard "Rick" Blayne is back and this time as a chief of station in Rangoon, Burma. Blayne's activities mirror the life of Barry Broman who spent time in Asia as an AP photographer, later as a Marine, and then with the CIA.

Interview date Friday, 20 Feb 2026. Interviewer and Host AFIO President Emeritus James Hughes.

AFIO Now Presents: Robert Kim Part 2

Part 2 of the Kim Brothers Interview. In this second episode the author, Robert Kim, and two members of the Kim Brothers family, Art and Richard Kim, talk with AFIO's James Hughes about "Victory in Shanghai: A Korean American Family’s Journey to the CIA and the Army Special Forces" This 2-part interview provides vignettes of US, Korean, Chinese history through eyes of five pre-WWII “undocumented” immigrant brothers who went on to bravely serve in US military and intelligence community. Shining light on decades of struggle, scant recognition, withheld awards, and long road to citizenship.

Interview #2 on Sunday, 02 November 2025. Host and Interviewed by James Hughes. 

AFIO Now Presents: Robert Kim Part 1

 Part one of the AFIO Now interview with author Robert Kim on the Five Kim Brothers. In this episode the author, Robert Kim, and two members of the Kim Brothers family, Art and Richard Kim, talk with AFIO's James Hughes about "Victory in Shanghai: A Korean American Family’s Journey to the CIA and the Army Special Forces" This 2-part interview provides vignettes of US, Korean, Chinese history through eyes of five pre-WWII “undocumented” immigrant brothers who went on to bravely serve in US military and intelligence community. Shining light on decades of struggle, scant recognition, withheld awards, and long road to citizenship. Timely and inspiring.

Interview of Sunday, 2 November 2025. Hosted by James Hughes. 

AFIO Now Presents: Stephen Mercado

In this episode retired CIA Officer and author, Stephen Mercado, shares insights from his book Japanese Spy Gear and Special Weapons: How Noborito's Scientists and Technicians Served in the Second World War and the Cold War. After World War I, Japan created the Noborito Research Institute-a secretive hub of scientists and technicians tasked with advancing both overt and covert warfare.

Interview date Monday, 03 November 2025. Interviewer and Host AFIO President James Hughes.

AFIO Now Presents: Alexander Rose PhD

In this episode Alexander Rose, PhD, renowned author and historian, shares insights from his book Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II’s Most Daring Heist. The book draws on long-classified encrypted documents and intercepted German transmissions to reveal how an owlish egghead and a glory-seeking buccaneer teamed up to score the richest prize on the high seas during WWII.

Interview date Tuesday, 14 October 2025. Interviewer and Host AFIO President James Hughes. 

AFIO Now Presents: Bruce Henderson

Author and journalist Bruce Henderson discusses his book Midnight Flyboys: The American Bomber Crews and Allied Secret Agents Who Aided the French Resistance in World War II. The untold story of a top-secret operation in the run-up to D-Day in which American flyers and Allied spies carried out some of the most daring cloak-and-dagger operations of World War II. 

Interview of Thursday, 2 October 2025. Host and Interviewer: AFIO President, James Hughes.

AFIO Now Presents: Barry Broman

Author, producer, and photographer Barry Broman on his new novel: The Spy from Sukhumvit Road. The former Marine, CIA Clandestine Service Officer, Station Chief, and Diplomat, discusses this captivating historical novel with AFIO President James Hughes. His latest historical novel continues the story from Broman’s first novel, "The Spy from Place Saint-Sulpice." Protagonist CIA Case Officer Richard “Rick” Blayne returns to Thailand to help support an anti-communist insurgency in Cambodia.

Interview of Tuesday, 5 August 2025. Host and Interviewer: James Hughes, AFIO President. 

AFIO Now Presents: Mark Lowenthal

Mark M. Lowenthal PhD, Former Dep Asst SecState for Intelligence, discusses his new book, "Vigilance Is Not Enough: A History of United States Intelligence" [Yale Univ Press, May 2025] with AFIO President James Hughes. The interview runs 23 minutes and includes several Q&As.

Interview of Tuesday, 15 July 2025. Hosted by AFIO President James Hughes.