🎯 All Moments (45)
Click any moment to jump to that point in the video
The CIA's Fear: Public Attempts to Unmask Moles
This clip highlights the CIA's concern about the public's curiosity in trying to reverse-engineer stories and identify real-life moles. It also touches on the efforts made to obscure identities in their book due to multiple historical penetrations of the agency, which is both encouraging and discouraging.
The CIA's 'Targeters': Identifying Individuals for Capture or Kill
Jihi explains the critical role of 'targeters' within the CIA, a position that emerged during the War on Terror, focused on identifying individuals in foreign countries for military capture or elimination, and how they piece together complex intelligence puzzles.
The Legal Loophole: Why Spies Aren't Always Charged Under the Espionage Act
This clip reveals that many espionage cases are deliberately not tried under the Espionage Act, but rather under 'gentler, lesser offenses.' This tactic is used to protect the government's reputation and avoid public acknowledgment of being penetrated by foreign intelligence.
CIA's Double Standard: Why My Book Approval Was Revoked
Andrew recounts the CIA's contradictory responses to his book, initially approving it in 2019, then revoking permission in 2022 due to changing geopolitical tensions, reclassifying all content.
How a Foreign Ally Alerted the CIA to an Internal Mole
Andrew details the critical moment when a foreign ally informed the CIA about an internal mole, leading to the deployment of him and Jihi under new identities to investigate and build new intelligence sources.
Unveiling the CIA's Deepest Secrets: The Mole Operation
Andrew introduces the high-stakes operation to expose a mole within the CIA, revealing the lengths the agency goes to for national security, and hinting at personal involvement in baiting the traitor.
How Foreign Intelligence Exploits CIA Officers' Vulnerabilities
This clip details how foreign intelligence services can identify and exploit the psychological need for validation within CIA officers, offering them a sense of purpose and value that their own organization might not provide.
The Illusion of Privacy: Why Your Digital Accounts Aren't Safe
This clip reveals how government agencies can access private digital accounts, like Google and Apple, without passwords, citing FISA requests and the inherent lack of true privacy in technology. It challenges the common belief that personal data remains private.
How the CIA Knew About Our Podcast Appearance and Book
Former CIA officers Andrew and Jihi Bustamante explain how intelligence agencies, including the CIA, monitor individuals they're interested in, revealing methods like email, text, phone call surveillance, and dedicated personnel, based on their own experience.
Edward Snowden: The Real Cost of Asylum and Traded Secrets
This segment offers a controversial take on Edward Snowden, suggesting he traded classified information beyond public leaks as 'currency' for protection and asylum in Russia, where he now lives as a citizen and has received awards, implying a deeper exchange than commonly understood.
Dating in the CIA: Why It's Actually Encouraged
Jihi reveals that dating within the CIA is encouraged due to the immense difficulty of maintaining relationships outside the agency while keeping so many secrets, highlighting the unique challenges of a spy's personal life.
The Terrifying Reality of Plausible Deniability for CIA Spies
Andrew explains the concept of plausible deniability, where the US President can disavow captured CIA agents, leaving them vulnerable to disappearance or capture by foreign adversaries, and describes his own desperate attempt to escape.
How I Beat the CIA: A First Amendment Lawsuit Strategy
Andrew explains how he and his wife compelled the CIA to approve their book by engaging a top attorney and threatening a First Amendment lawsuit, leading the agency to collaborate rather than face a legal challenge.
CIA's Controversial 'Specialized Gifts': From Gold to Child Pornography
Andrew reveals the morally ambiguous nature of 'specialized gifts' used by the CIA to entice targets, ranging from gold and high-end liquor to child pornography and foreign currency, emphasizing the agency's ethical ambivalence where the ultimate goal is simply to keep Americans safe 'whatever the price is.'
The CIA's Failure in the War on Terror: A Harsh Reality
Andrew critically assesses the CIA's effectiveness in combating terrorism, noting that after 20 years of fighting in Afghanistan, the US ultimately left the country back to the same terrorist group they initially fought, highlighting that other major powers did not engage in the conflict.
Why CIA Spies Prefer Death Over Capture
Andrew reveals the chilling reality faced by CIA officers in hostile territory, explaining why being shot is often considered a "welcome experience" compared to the prolonged torture, brainwashing, and diplomatic leverage that comes with capture. This moment offers a stark insight into the extreme risks and psychological toll of intelligence work.
How the CIA Funds Its Black Budget: Seized Assets and Wildly Profitable Front Companies
Andrew explains the mysterious "black budget" used for military and intelligence operations that isn't tied to taxpayer money. He reveals two primary sources: seized assets like cryptocurrency and drugs, and the profits generated from wildly successful businesses secretly owned and operated by the CIA. This offers a fascinating glimpse into the covert financial mechanisms of intelligence agencies.
Why We Left the CIA: The Ultimate Choice Between Family and Mission
Andrew and Jihi share the deeply personal story of why they decided to leave the CIA. They recount realizing the agency would never prioritize their family over the mission, forcing them to make a difficult choice between their demanding careers and their desire to be dedicated parents.
The FBI Sting: How the CIA Mole Was Finally Caught
This segment details how the FBI, leveraging intelligence from Andrew and Jihi's operations, orchestrated a sting to apprehend a mole. It explains how the mole was baited back to American territory, arrested, and prosecuted, revealing they were paid hundreds of thousands for leaking sensitive information.
The Mole's Identity: The Jerry Chung Shing Lee Theory
The host's research team reveals their conclusion that the mole in the book is likely Jerry Chung Shing Lee. They detail his real-life actions, which remarkably mirror the narrative: spying for China after leaving the CIA, attempting to rejoin, and his eventual arrest upon returning to the USA.
The CIA's Lesson: You Can't Fully Trust Anyone, and Everyone Has a Bad Side
Jihi explains how her CIA experience compounded her belief that the world is a dangerous place where you can't fully trust anyone, with her husband being a rare exception. She emphasizes that people are a combination of good and bad, and any set of circumstances can trigger their dark side.
The Shadow of the Past: Andrew's Childhood Beliefs About His Mother
Andrew shares how his difficult childhood relationships with his father and stepfather led him to project negative assumptions onto their intentions as an adult. He reveals his belief as a child that his mother was overly career-focused and didn't truly want to be a mom or married to his stepfather, contrasting this with Jihi's positive childhood memories and his desire to provide a better foundation for his own children.
The American Desire for a 'Strong Man' President and Executive Power Growth
Jihi describes 'Old America' as characterized by government complacency, congressional deadlock, and a growing executive branch. She attributes the rise of presidential power, through executive orders, to the American people's desire for a 'strong man' and Congress's reluctance to make decisive decisions, predicting that this consolidated power is unlikely to be relinquished.
America's Risky Transition: From Soft to Hard Power and an Unknown Future
Jihi discusses America's current administration taking 'interesting' and risky policy shifts, including moving from soft power (aid) to hard power (military spending and potential conflict), and budget cuts to social programs. She notes that the outcomes of these economic and immigration shifts are unpredictable, and expresses personal concern about America's future direction, stating she may not want to be a part of it.
From Conspiracy Theories to Reality: The Host's Awakening to Global Spying
The host shares his personal journey from believing real-life spies and covert operations were 'conspiracy theories' or only existed in movies. Through his podcast and interviews with guests like the former CIA spies, he realized the shocking truth: global espionage is a reality, with all countries, including allies, engaging in spying, despite official claims to the contrary.
From Gridlock to Economic Collapse: The Predictable Downfall of Society
Andrew outlines the worst-case scenario of America's infighting: political gridlock leads to economic collapse, which in turn causes a surge in criminal activity, tribalism, and societal breakdown. He explains that policy gridlock creates opportunities for authoritarian leaders to bypass democracy and dictate outcomes, further eroding public trust and making the US vulnerable to adversaries.
From Buddhist Idealism to the Horrible Reality of Humanity
Jihi shares her profound worldview shift, moving from a Buddhist upbringing that believed in humanity's amazing potential to a stark realization that 'humans can be horrible.' She recounts harrowing experiences working with refugees from Bosnia and Rwanda, where neighbors brutally turned on each other, shattering her previous beliefs.
America's Instability: A 'Big Deal' for the World
Andrew emphasizes the global significance of America's internal instability. Despite being the wealthiest country, largest military, and top producer of financial tools and weapons, its current state of disarray is a 'big deal' that impacts the entire world.
Venezuela's Collapse: The Root of Jihi's Urgency to Leave the US
Andy explains that Jihi, born in Venezuela during its prosperous 1980s, witnessed her family's wealth vanish within a few years as the country collapsed. This experience makes her acutely aware of how quickly things can go wrong, fueling her uncompromising commitment to mobility and not being tied to any single system, including the US.
The CIA's 'Sticks and Bricks': Foundational Tools That Beat $8 Trillion Budgets
Andrew explains how the CIA's 'Shadow Cell' adopted a 'sticks and bricks' approach, abandoning high-tech gadgets to return to foundational espionage. This strategy was inspired by terrorist groups who, using basic tools, 'won the global war on terror' against the US Department of Defense's $900 billion annual budget, leading to an $8 trillion expenditure and the eventual evacuation of Afghanistan.
Don't Wait for Retirement: Maximize Joy in the Moment Now
Andrew passionately advises against deferring joy and experiences until retirement, highlighting the sadness of people whose bodies can no longer keep up with their dreams later in life. He emphasizes the urgency of maximizing joy in the present moment, using examples from his children's fleeting stages, and states that this immediate joy also benefits loved ones.
The Founder's Trap: Why Big Business Mentality Fails Startups
The host discusses a common pitfall for founders: being 'gaslighted' by seemingly experienced executives who demand high salaries and control. He explains that founders, lacking prior experience, often cede authority to these executives, only to realize that a big business mentality is often ill-suited for the 'penny-pinching' reality and unique challenges of a startup.
Jihi's Journey: From Destination-Driven to Embracing the Present Moment
Jihi recounts her past, where she lived by the 'destination' mindset, diligently following societal expectations for success. Her experience leaving the CIA led to an identity crisis, but after therapy, she realized the wisdom in Andy's philosophy: enjoying every moment now because life is unpredictable and 'you never know when shit's going to hit the fan.'
Don't Be Complacent: The Writing on the Wall for Americans
Jihi warns against complacency in both business and life, using the lead-up to World War II as a historical example of ignoring 'the writing on the wall.' She asserts that America is undergoing an irreversible transition, urging citizens to either actively participate in shaping the 'new America' or consider leaving, as the old version no longer exists.
From a Bad Relationship to the CIA: Jihi's Unpredictable Life Trajectory
Jihi recounts how her biggest life mistake—staying in a troubled relationship for seven years and prioritizing it over joining the Peace Corps—unpredictably led her to apply to the CIA after the relationship drained her financially. She acknowledges the mistake but reflects that without it, she wouldn't have met Andy, had her children, or built the life she has today.
The $715,000 Mistake: How a CEO Reclaimed His Company from a Bad Hire
Andrew shares a recent, costly business mistake: hiring a 'well-recommended' executive who, in 16 months, lost the company half a million dollars and incurred another $215,000 in debt. He recounts how he rationalized the errors, but ultimately realized 'nobody cares as much as I do.' After removing the executive and making radical changes, the company returned to profitability within three months, illustrating the importance of a founder's conviction and control.
Founding Fathers vs. 'I'll Do It For You': The Erosion of Civic Responsibility
Andrew critiques the modern trend of electing leaders (like Trump, Biden, and Obama) who promise to 'do it for us,' contrasting it with the founding fathers' vision where citizens were expected to be directly involved and accountable for major decisions. He argues that Americans now push difficult responsibilities to the government, preferring to talk about issues without direct involvement, leading to inevitable future pain.
The Most Probable Truth Behind Jeffrey Epstein's Death
Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA officer, offers a 'probabilities lens' analysis of Jeffrey Epstein's death, suggesting the most likely scenario was a paid hit inside prison by a wealthy, well-connected individual with compromising information, which could explain missing evidence and government silence.
CIA's Secret to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Stress: 'Head Trash'
This clip defines 'head trash' (negative self-talk) and details how the CIA trains officers to combat it, manage stress, reduce heart rate with techniques like box breathing, and use visualization to regain cognitive control during high-pressure situations. These techniques are applicable to everyday life.
CIA Interrogation Tactics You Can Use in Everyday Life
Learn practical CIA techniques for managing difficult conversations, negotiations, or even interrogations. This clip explains mirroring body language to build rapport and using 'counter-elicitation' with strategic silence to avoid giving away too much information.
Andrew's 60/40 Prediction for America's Future: Years of Fixing Ahead
Andrew offers a candid 60/40 prediction for America's future: a 60% chance the country will dislike the outcome of its current transition, leading to 15-25 years of fixing its economy, superpower status, foreign relations, and government trust. He attributes this high risk to current budgetary, foreign policy, military, and economic decisions, which experts also deem risky with low probability of success.
Nationalism: A Product of Fear, Not Pride, and America's Infighting
Andrew shares a powerful quote from Ursula K. Le Guin's sci-fi novel: 'Nationalism is not a product of pride. It's a product of fear.' He applies this to the US, arguing that American nationalism is driven by a fear of 'the other side' and neighbors, rather than real external threats. This infighting distracts the country and ultimately benefits adversaries like Russia and North Korea.
Jeffrey Epstein: A Foreign Intelligence Asset, Not a CIA Spy
Andrew Bustamante presents a contrarian view on Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting he was likely a foreign intelligence asset collecting information *on* American citizens for other countries, rather than working for the CIA or Mossad, challenging popular conspiracy theories.
Do Social Networks Cooperate with CIA/MI6? "Vast Majority of Them Cooperate"
Andrew shares his perspective on whether major social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram are approached by intelligence agencies like the CIA or MI6 for user data. He states that he believes the "vast majority of them cooperate," highlighting the difference between democracies and authoritarian countries in how this cooperation is secured. He also offers a reassuring, albeit controversial, take on why the average person isn't targeted.
No Device is Safe: Why CIA Spies Use Easy-to-Hack Phones
Andrew explains why no phone or device is truly secure from intelligence agencies and criminals. He reveals the counter-intuitive CIA strategy of using "easy-to-crack" devices to prevent them from being bricked and to appear less clandestine, thereby reducing the likelihood of being a prime target. This clip challenges common perceptions of digital security.