Tag Archives: CIA

Episode 74: How Many Threads are Woven Together Where the Sum of the Parts Exceed our Expectations? Authors Terry Hayes, James Grady and I. S. Berry

April 25, 2024UncategorizedAmerican landscape, call out cruelty, Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, danger when in service, difficult choices, Easter Sunday, I.S. Berry, injustice, institutional sexism, intelligence organizations, James Grady, Moving train, Opening of a book, Poetry, PTSD, Resurrection, sexism, siege of Saigon, storytelling, television industry, Terry Hayes, The Smoke in Our Eyes, writing stories, Year of the Locustartfulperiscope

How many threads are woven together where the sum of the parts exceed our expectations? On this episode, Larry welcomes three different authors.

First, Terry Hayes discusses his newest book The Year of the Locust. They discuss the influence of epic poetry and epic storytelling, the complexity of writing stories about intelligence organizations, and the effect of the film and television industry on modern writers and readers. The topic of the siege of Saigon and the importance of urgency when crafting a plot are also explored.

Next, Larry re-introduces returning guest James Grady to talk about his book The Smoke in Our Eyes. Larry and James analyze the in-media opening of the book and the importance of Easter Sunday and the theme of resurrection. Larry posits the questions of why the setting of the book on a moving train is an exploration of the American landscape, and the importance of using your voice to call out cruelty and injustice as an author.

Finally, Larry welcomes I. S. Berry into the conversation to talk about her experience serving in the Central Intelligence Agency back in 2004. Berry provides valuable insight into the challenges of working in the intelligence field, tackling difficult topics like PTSD from the difficult choices she grappled with, the constant danger she faced while being in active service, and the institutionalized sexism that secret service organizations don’t speak about.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

Episode 63 – In the World of Espionage How Many Threads are Frayed

November 3, 2023UncategorizedBeirut Station, Book cover designs, CIA, Espionage, Hamas, historical figures, israel, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, marathoners, Paul Vidich, spys, storytellers, The Studio at the Sachem Public Libraryartfulperiscope

In a world of espionage, how many threads are frayed? In this installment of the podcast, Larry speaks with Paul Vidich, author and 3 time guest on the show. He has penned the new novel Beirut Station. Larry and Paul speak about the parallels between the current crisis in Israel with Hamas and how timely his book is. Then the conversation shifts to the size of Paul’s name on the cover, what he does once a work is complete and they even draw a comparison between the movie Empire of the Sun and Beirut Station. Larry also asks Paul what historical figure he would like to have dinner with; past of present.

After a short break, Larry discusses how marathoners and storytellers both have the same process of “Preparation, Research and Practice”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Spotify | Email | More

Episode 44 – How Many Threads Are Hidden in the World of Intelligence – Alma Katsu Red London

March 25, 2023UncategorizedAlma Katsu, Artful periscope podcast, CIA, Intelligence Analyst, Larry Davidson, Larry Davidson productions, Red London, Sachem Library, The Booth at The Sachem Public Library, United States Intelligenceartfulperiscope

How many threads are hidden in the world of intelligence. In this installment of the podcast, Larry has an insightful conversation with the author of Red London, Alma Katsu. Larry inquires about Alma’s past employment working in the shadow world of United States intelligence gathering, how the war in Ukraine effected her creative process mid stream and the challenge of “self isolation” when writing. Larry ponders whether there will be further works entitled “Red Moscow” or “Red Square” and if the character Lindsey Duncan could be an interesting character in a movie or television adaptation. Taking the topic of the book and speculating about current events, Alma and Larry discuss oligarchs and who really controls modern Russa and what role is China attempting to play in the mix. Larry explores the world of NDAs and how Alma’s role in her previous profession effects the publishing of her fictional works.