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SpyCastAuthor: SpyCast
SpyCast, the official podcast of the International Spy Museum, is a journey into the shadows of international espionage. Each week, host Sasha Ingber brings you the latest insights and intriguing tales from spies, secret agents, and covert communicators, with a focus on how this secret world reaches us all in our everyday lives. Tune in to discover the critical role intelligence has played throughout history and today. Brought to you from Airwave, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum. The Spy Museum does not endorse, approve, or support the opinions stated by guest speakers. Statements made by speakers do not represent the position or opinion of the International Spy Museum. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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How a CIA Rising Star Fought His Own Agency After Polio
Episode 757
Tuesday, 3 November, 2026
In the 1950s, Lyman Kirkpatrick had just been promoted to Chief of Operations in the CIA’s clandestine service. He was 36, with a bright future ahead. Then what he thought was a cold turned out to be polio. Suddenly, he saw his career trajectory derailed, not because of health issues but because of restrictions the agency was imposing on him for being in a wheelchair. He was determined to prove them wrong. Earning the nickname “Hell on Wheels,” Lyman ended up landing top jobs, becoming No.3 at the agency, and receiving prestigious awards for his service. To mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, author David Taylor joined SpyCast host Sasha Ingber to talk about Lyman’s work and life. For the episode transcript and the full list of all SpyCast episodes, visit: https://thecyberwire.com/podcasts/spycast Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@sasha-ingber For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit: https://www.spymuseum.org/ And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org. This show is brought to you by N2K Networks, Podville Media, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and edited by the team at Podville Media. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Nastya Bykova is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.









