Best Tim Fulton Podcasts (2025)

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S9 Ep64: China’s Long Arm: Uyghur Repression From Xinjiang to Washington with John Beck 47:48

7h ago47:48

47:48

Award-winning journalist John Beck joins Chris to discuss Those Who Should Be Seized Should Be Seized, his harrowing account of China’s campaign against Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities. Beck traces the lives of four people—from re-education camps in Xinjiang to exile in Turkey, Kazakhstan, and the US—revealing how Beijing’s rea…

1
Inside Wild Goose Creative: Art, Risk, and Meaning in Columbus

1d ago

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Columbus’ creative community often comes alive at the intersection of art, risk, and meaning; a space where organizations like Wild Goose Creative are working to make their mark. In this episode, I sit down with Executive Director Sarah Barr to explore her journey from art educator to leading multi-million-dollar cultural projects, and how Wild Goo…

1
S9 Ep63: How Global Finance Influences Geopolitics with Emmanuel Daniel 58:01

8d ago58:01

58:01

How does financial architecture shape the global order? Chris is joined by Emmanuel Daniel—author of The Great Transition and founder of TAB Global—for a sweeping look at how banking, capital markets, and emerging technologies are redefining geopolitics. They explore the evolution of the US dollar, the impact of digital currencies, and whether Chin…

1
The Columbus Music Commission’s Big Gig

9d ago

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How do we take a music community and turn it into a music economy? I sat down with Walker Evans, editor and co-founder of Columbus Underground, to break down the findings of a new study commissioned by the Columbus Music Commission. We dig into the $1.3 billion valuation of our local music ecosystem, what’s working, what’s missing, and what it migh…

1
S9 Ep62: The Information Animal: Humans, Technology, and the Competition for Reality with Alicia Wanless 1:21:02

12d ago1:21:02

1:21:02

How do we make sense of truth in a world saturated with content? This week, Chris speaks with Alicia Wanless—director of the Information Environment Project at the Carnegie Endowment and author of The Information Animal—to explore how humans have always wrestled with information, long before the internet. They unpack the patterns that emerge when n…

1
A Different Lens on Economic Development

17d ago

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When you think about economic development, you might picture a groundbreaking, a ribbon-cutting, or a shiny new district. But more often, it looks like slow, steady puzzle-building. This week, I sat down with Padmini Roy-Dixon, Economic Development Director and Regional Innovation Officer at MORPC, who’s been quietly assembling some of the most imp…

1
S9 Ep53: Terror Without a Cause: Nihilism, Youth, and the New Extremist Threat with Jacob Ware 58:21

18d ago58:21

58:21

This week, Matt is joined by terrorism researcher Jacob Ware to unpack the rise of nihilistic violent extremism—attacks carried out by disaffected young men radicalized online without any clear political goal. They explore how social media fuels this chaotic new threat, why the FBI created a new classification for it, and what makes networks like 7…

1
S9 Ep60: QAnon and the Mainstreaming of Extremism with Mike Rothschild 47:38

18d ago47:38

47:38

Author and conspiracy researcher Mike Rothschild joins Chris to unpack the rise, evolution, and enduring influence of QAnon. They explore its blend of old and new conspiracies, its gamified social appeal, and the algorithmic fuel behind its viral spread. Mike explains how QAnon adapted across borders, embedded itself into mainstream politics, and f…

1
S9 Ep61: Epstein Spy Rumors, Arctic Power Plays, and Trump’s Ukraine Reversal | Espresso Martini 1:06:38

22d ago1:06:38

1:06:38

The MAGA movement cracks as Trump’s name surfaces in the Epstein files and his administration fails to deliver the promised disclosures. We unpack the backlash, the conspiracies, and the lingering question of an intelligence connection to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Plus: a bizarre UK spy case involving Russia, a USB stick, and a bicycle seat; the Ar…

1
Service Announcement: Chris and Matt on DogShirtTV. No Espresso Martini this week, and a QAnon episode instead 1:29

29d ago1:29

1:29

Hi eveyone. Chris & Matt will be on Benjamin Wittes & Alicia Wanless's YouTube show "Dog Shirt TV", talking about Secrets & Spies, its origins, our interest in espionage and our thoughts on Spy Fiction. You can watch the show here: https://youtu.be/QVKAQf7p_Fs?si=TruFrM4-jsg0iQMq There won't be an Espresso Martini this week and instead we will be s…

1
The Politics and Promise of a Growing Region

1M ago

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Regional planning isn’t just about roads and rails. It’s about building the future of a place, one decision, one partnership, and one policy at a time. In this week’s episode, we sat down with Joe Garrity, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). We talked about how MORPC he…

1
S9 Ep59: The Mission: The CIA in the 21st Century with Tim Weiner 1:02:57

1M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tim Weiner joins Matt to discuss The Mission, his new history of the CIA in the 21st century. They explore the agency’s quiet successes and moral failings, from dismantling the AQ Khan network to abetting torture and losing its way in Iraq. Weiner recounts how the CIA reoriented after the 2016 Russian election inte…

1
S9 Ep58: Iran’s Nuclear Future and Why Bombs Won’t Stop it with Joe Cirincione 47:04

1M ago47:04

47:04

Matt is joined by nonproliferation expert Joe Cirincione to unpack what the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran actually achieved—and what they didn’t. They discuss the extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear program, why military action alone can’t stop a country from getting the bomb, and what a viable diplomatic path forward might look like. Jo…

1
S9 Ep57: Espresso Martini | NATO Navigates Trump, Presidential War Powers, and Ukraine Under Strain 1:13:45

1M ago1:13:45

1:13:45

This week, Matt and Chris break down the recent NATO summit, where Trump’s presence loomed large—even as the alliance bent over backwards to avoid a blow-up. Matt argues that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s cringe-worthy text to Trump might’ve been politically shrewd, and the guys dive into Europe’s growing defense commitments, defense-industri…

1
S9 Ep56: The Iran Intel and Tulsi Gabbard’s Future as DNI with Shane Harris 49:32

2M ago49:32

49:32

The U.S. just carried out its most significant strikes on Iran in 45 years. President Trump declared victory, but his intelligence agencies aren’t so sure. This week, Matt is joined by The Atlantic’s Shane Harris to unpack what we actually know about the strikes’ effectiveness, the fractured intel picture behind them, and how DNI Tulsi Gabbard has …

1
S9 Ep55: Espresso Martini | Operation Midnight Hammer, Trump’s Claims, and What Comes Next 1:08:14

2M ago1:08:14

1:08:14

This week, Chris and Matt return for an emergency deep dive on Operation Midnight Hammer, the largest US strike on Iran since 1979. They break down what the bombing raid and actually achieved, why initial White House claims of “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear program don’t hold up to scrutiny, and what the intelligence community’s more cautious battle…

1
S9 Ep54: Espresso Martini | Israel vs. Iran, Trump Wavers, and Moscow’s China Paranoia 1:16:30

2M ago1:16:30

1:16:30

This week, Chris and Matt dive into the war between Israel and Iran, now entering its second week, with President Trump weighing a direct US strike on Iran’s deeply buried Fordow nuclear facility. They unpack how the conflict began, Mossad’s covert sabotage campaign, the mounting civilian toll, and the split between Israeli and US intelligence over…

1
Why the Columbus Marathon Works

2M ago

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Marathons are more than just races—they’re complex productions, community rituals, and, at times, catalysts for civic pride. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Darris Blackford, longtime race director of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon. We discussed how the event evolved from a tourism initiative in 1980 …

1
S9 Ep52: Espresso Martini | Operation Spiderweb, CIA’s Star Wars Fan Site, and the Mystery of RAT55 1:12:05

2M ago1:12:05

1:12:05

Ukraine’s audacious drone assault on Russian airbases, codenamed Operation Spiderweb, leads this week’s episode, as Chris and Matt break down how Kyiv may have just kneecapped Russia’s strategic bomber fleet in a single strike. They dig into what it means for Russia’s nuclear deterrent, the future of force protection, and the broader trajectory of …

1
S9 Ep51: The Rise of the Greek Far Right with Patrick Strickland 59:00

2M ago59:00

59:00

In this conversation, Patrick Strickland discusses his experiences as a conflict reporter, particularly focusing on the refugee crisis in Greece and the rise of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. He shares insights into the socio-political landscape that allowed Golden Dawn to thrive, their violent tactics, and their connections with international far…

1
Service Announcement | Chris is ill. No Espresso Martini this weekend. 0:46

3M ago0:46

0:46

Chris is feeling a bit under the weather, so unfortunately, there’s no Espresso Martini this weekend. However, on Wednesday, we’ll release his interview with journalist Patrick Strickland on the rise and fall of the Greek far-right. Then, either the following Saturday or Wednesday, Matt will welcome back Jacob Ware to discuss his recent article for…

1
S9 Ep50: Pagan Extremism, Warrior Myths, and the Culture Wars of Russia and Ukraine with Ross Downing 1:15:48

3M ago1:15:48

1:15:48

Chris speaks with researcher and author Ross Downing about his book Germanic and Slavic Paganism: Security Threats and Resiliency. Ross, who works with a network of scholars and specialists focused on minority religions and extremism, explores how modern pagan traditions, particularly those rooted in Germanic and Slavic identity, are increasingly w…

1
Service Announcement | Next show Saturday 24th 1:53

3M ago1:53

1:53

There will be no show today. Our next show will be on Saturday 24th May, which will be an interview with Ross Downing, looking at Pagan Extremism, Warrior Myths, and the Culture Wars of Russia and Ukraine. Our next Espresso Martini will be on Saturday 31st May. Please send us your listener questions by Wednesday 28th May. Please send us an email to…

1
Ability Matters

3M ago

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What does it take to build a more inclusive world—one where individuals with disabilities are supported not just in care, but in community and experience? In this week’s episode, I sat down with Kristyn Butler, founder and CEO of Ability Matters, an agency that provides personalized services for individuals with disabilities, with a particular emph…

1
S9 Ep49: Espresso Martini | India and Pakistan Pull Back, A Warning on Loyalty Over Expertise, and Trump’s Flying Palace 1:01:28

3M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

This week, Chris and Matt break down the uneasy truce reached between India and Pakistan after weeks of escalating violence, with the Trump administration stepping in late to help broker a ceasefire and avert a possible nuclear crisis. Then, former NSA and CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden issues a stark warning about the dangers of personal loyalty…

1
S9 Ep48: Putin’s Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos with Candace Rondeaux 1:02:16

3M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Candace Rondeaux joins Chris to unpack the dark mythology and hard realities behind the Wagner Group, drawing from her investigative book Putin’s Sledgehammer. They explore Wagner’s roots in post-Soviet chaos, its fusion of state power and criminal underworlds, and its critical role in Russia’s foreign policy ambitions from Syria to Africa to Ukrai…

1
S9 Ep47: Espresso Martini | Farage Surges, Allies Reject Trumpism, and Waltz’s Ouster 1:21:37

3M ago1:21:37

1:21:37

In this week’s Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt dig into a wave of elections across the UK, Canada, and Australia, exploring what they signal for populist movements, center-left parties, and Trump-style politics beyond US borders. They break down the rise of Reform UK, growing concerns over Nigel Farage’s influence, and why British voters seem caug…

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S9 Ep46: Surviving Corruption, Surveillance, and Cybercrime in Putin’s Russia with Bruce Talley 1:48:06

3M ago1:48:06

1:48:06

Chris chats with Bruce Talley, a former Russia-based businessman who now helps foreign companies set up operations in Ukraine and matches investors with projects They explore the complex nature of doing business in Russia, including how it’s changed since the 1990s, the red flags Talley missed, and the moment he realized the system was irredeemably…

1
S9 Ep45: Espresso Martini | India Eyes Retaliation, a Mysterious Russian Satellite, and New Saudi Links to 9/11 1:19:33

4M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

This week, Chris and Matt unpack surging tensions between India and Pakistan following a devastating terror attack in Kashmir—will India retaliate, and could it spiral out of control? Then, new evidence links a Saudi national to 9/11, reigniting old questions about the kingdom’s role in the plot and whether a reckoning is overdue. They also explore…

1
S9 Ep44: Is Peace Possible for Ukraine? with Dr. Taras Kuzio 59:12

4M ago59:12

59:12

This week, Chris is joined by Dr. Taras Kuzio for an on-the-ground look at Ukraine’s evolving war effort and the political battle over peace negotiations. Dr. Kuzio discusses daily life in Kyiv amid ongoing conflict, growing anger toward the Trump administration’s approach, and why Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukraine risks emboldening Russia and d…

1
S9 Ep43: Espresso Martini | Hegseth on the Ropes, Putin’s Diplomat Spy, and Listener Questions 1:20:06

4M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

This week, Chris and Matt unpack the deepening chaos at the Pentagon as Pete Hegseth’s tenure as secretary of defense continues to spiral. From more leaked strike plans on Signal to staff purges and his wife sitting in on sensitive meetings, the dysfunction is reaching new lows. Then, a little-known Russian spymaster emerges as a key player in Ukra…

1
S9 Ep42: Russia’s Shadow War Against NATO with Florian Flade 1:12:27

4M ago1:12:27

1:12:27

Chris welcomes back national security journalist Florian Flade to unpack Russia’s shadow war against NATO. They examine Moscow’s escalating hybrid attacks across Europe—from sabotage and arson to drone incursions and attempted assassinations—and how Russia recruits low-level agents via Telegram and even AI-driven chatbots. Florian details arson plo…

1
S9 Ep41: Body Language and Lie Detection with Gavin Stone 1:01:35

4M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

Chris sits down with Gavin Stone—former covert operative, body language expert, and best-selling author—to explore the subtle science of reading people. They delve into the art of lie detection, psychological manipulation, and the power of nonverbal cues in high-risk environments. Drawing on two decades of frontline HUMINT experience, Gavin shares …

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S9 Ep40: God’s Banker and the Vatican’s Cold War Secrets with Nicolo Majnoni 54:08

4M ago54:08

54:08

This week, Matt speaks with Nicolo Majnoni, host of Shadow Kingdom, a gripping new investigative podcast from Crooked Media and Campside Media. The first season explores the mysterious June 1982 death of Roberto Calvi—known as “God’s Banker”—and his ties to the Vatican, organized crime, and secret societies at the height of Italy’s Cold War turmoil…

1
S9 Ep39: Espresso Martini | Trump’s Special Economic Operation, NSA Purge, and the FBI in Turmoil 1:01:28

4M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Chris and Matt unpack the surreal ousting of top U.S. national security officials after far-right influencer Laura Loomer walked into the Oval Office with a hit list. They assess the fallout for cyber defenses, the politicization of the FBI, and the broader dismantling of U.S. institutions under Trump’s second term. Then, they turn to Trump’s sweep…

1
S9 Ep38: Photographing Area 51 with Michał Rokita 1:00:05

4M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Photographer and field researcher Michał Rokita joins Matt to discuss his rare and meticulous efforts to document one of the world’s most secretive military sites: Area 51. From hiking remote peaks in the Nevada desert to capturing panoramic images from over 20 miles away, Michał shares what it takes to legally photograph Groom Lake from public lan…

1
S9 Ep37: Espresso Martini | Signalgate with Shane Harris, Boeing’s F-47, and Remembering Oleg Gordievsky 1:34:09

4M ago1:34:09

1:34:09

The Atlantic’s Shane Harris joins Chris and Matt to unpack Signalgate, the extraordinary national security scandal where top Trump officials coordinated airstrikes over Signal and accidentally included a journalist in the group chat. They discuss the operational fallout, legal implications, and the strain on Five Eyes allies. Then, they dive into t…

1
S9 Ep36: Sell Like a Spy: What Business Can Learn from Intelligence Officers with Jeremy Hurewitz 51:22

5M ago51:22

51:22

What can business leaders learn from spies? In this episode, Chris speaks with Jeremy Hurewitz, author of Sell Like a Spy, to explore how intelligence officers build trust, read people, and influence outcomes. Drawing on years spent working alongside former CIA, FBI, and military professionals in the world of corporate security, Jeremy shares real-…

1
An Off the Rails Roundup

5M ago

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Sometimes, the things that stir the most debate aren’t sweeping policy changes, but whether or not you have to pay a dollar to park near Brassica. This week, we explore what’s resonating most in local media and what those stories reveal about the larger systems we’re all navigating. From the rise of protests at the Statehouse to the ripple effects …

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S9 Ep35: Eric O’Neill on Cybersecurity and Catching One of America’s Most Infamous Spies 1:00:45

5M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Former FBI counterintelligence specialist Eric O’Neill joins Chris to recount his mission to help capture one of the most damaging spies in American history: Robert Hanssen. They discuss Hanssen’s transformation from a wannabe Bond into a real-life cyber mole, his staggering betrayal of US intelligence, and how O’Neill built trust with a man he kne…

1
S9 Ep34: Is China’s Military Ready for War? PLA Readiness, Regime Stability, and Taiwan with Timothy Heath 49:12

5M ago49:12

49:12

Is the Chinese military really ready for war? In this episode, Chris and Matt speak with Timothy Heath, a senior international defense researcher at RAND Corporation, about his provocative new report The Chinese Military’s Doubtful Combat Readiness. Heath argues that the PLA remains deeply shaped by its political mission to preserve CCP rule—and is…

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S9 Ep33: Espresso Martini | Putin’s Dilemma, Moscow’s Play in Africa, and Listener Questions 1:21:37

5M ago1:21:37

1:21:37

Putin hesitates on Ukraine's ceasefire, Trump plays shuttle diplomacy, and the West braces for Russia’s next move. We break down Mark Galeotti’s take on Putin’s indecisiveness and Trump’s latest call with Moscow. Plus, Russia’s ghost ships in Libya—what’s behind Moscow’s growing influence in North Africa? Then, we tackle listener questions: Is the …

1
S9 Ep32: Who Will Defend Europe? with Keir Giles 1:00:17

5M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Chris is joined by Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House and author of Who Will Defend Europe?, to discuss the looming threat of Russian aggression and Europe’s unpreparedness for war. They dig into the failure of Western governments to heed repeated warnings about Moscow’s ambitions, the dangerous reliance on outdated post-Cold W…

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Tim Fulton Podcasts

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