Best Security Risks Facing America Podcasts (2025)

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Dr Vivek Murthy: loneliness is public health risk 22:59

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11h ago22:59

22:59

‘There are real consequences to our physical and mental health’ Katty Kay speaks to Dr Vivek Murthy, former US Surgeon-General about the challenge posed by loneliness and isolation in the modern world. Dr. Murthy, the first person of Indian descent in the post, was appointed during the second Obama administration. He then returned in 2021, serving …

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REPORT: SEAL Team 6 Operation in North Korea Goes Wrong. What Happened? 16:46

3d ago16:46

16:46

On today’s episode, Andy and Stefano Ritondale from @AllSourceNews discuss a reported 2019 SEAL Team 6 mission in North Korea that allegedly aimed to intercept communications from Kim Jong-un—and went dangerously off course. Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at ch…

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Jamie Dimon, head of US bank JP Morgan Chase: I am worried about the global economy 22:59

5d ago22:59

22:59

I am worried about the global economy Simon Jack, BBC Business Editor speaks to global financial titan Jamie Dimon. He’s the Chief Executive and Chairman of JP Morgan Chase, America’s largest bank, and one of the biggest banks in the world. He oversees more than $4 trillion of assets, and has the ear of world leaders. He believes we are living in a…

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Malala Yousafzai, global education campaigner: I did not know who I was 22:59

7d ago22:59

22:59

I was 15 years old and I did not know who I was Madina Maishanu speaks to Malala Yousafzai, the global education activist, about the public life that has defined her, and her search for her own identity. In a deeply personal interview, Malala Yousafzai reveals the legacy of her teenage years - as the spirited girl who took on the Taliban and nearly…

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Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine: How Close Are We to Escalation with Russia? 15:58

10d ago15:58

15:58

On today’s episode, Andy Stumpf and Mike Baker, former CIA operations officer and national security expert, examine the ongoing debate over the potential transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine and what it means for global security. The conversation explores how these long-range weapons, capable of striking targets deep inside Russia, could change…

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Duma Boko, President of Botswana: the world will listen to Africa 22:59

12d ago22:59

22:59

By BBC World Service

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Bjorn Borg: I’ve always been a private person 22:59

14d ago22:59

22:59

By BBC World Service

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Why the CJNG Cartel Is Stronger Than Ever Despite U.S. Crackdowns 21:22

17d ago21:22

21:22

On today’s episode, Andy welcomes back Stefano Ritondale from @AllSourceNews to discuss the dramatic rise in U.S. cocaine consumption and its impact on Mexican cartels. Cocaine use has surged by 154% in western states since 2019, fueling the power of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), led by Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes. Desp…

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Chris Wright, US Energy Secretary: The problem with climate alarmism 22:59

19d ago22:59

22:59

Justin Rowlatt speaks to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright about his belief that the threat from climate change is exaggerated. It is a view shared by the American President, Donald Trump, and one that has seen subsidies to the renewable energy industry, worth billions of dollars, cut by the US administration. Secretary Wright is highly critical of …

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Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia : Somalia has a serious security challenge 22:59

21d ago22:59

22:59

Somalia has a serious security challenge Paul Njie speaks to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, about ongoing efforts to achieve security and stability in his country. While he says much progress has been made in tackling terror, he acknowledges that the insurgent groups al-Qaeda and, in particular, al-Shabab still pose a serious challeng…

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Did El Mayo Provide Intelligence for U.S. Strikes in Venezuela? 20:41

24d ago20:41

20:41

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with investigative journalist Stefano Ritondale (@AllSourceNews) to discuss recent U.S. military strikes on drug boats off Venezuela’s coast. Intelligence for these operations reportedly came from Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who recently cooperated with U.S. authorities. Stefano, who covers Lat…

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Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General: peace as a word losing its value 22:59

26d ago22:59

22:59

‘Peace seems to be a word, a five-letter word, that is losing its value.’ Waihiga Mwaura speaks to Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, in a broad-ranging interview about the the UN at 80, and the state of the world today. The UN is currently hosting its annual General Assembly at its headquarters in New York. Leaders, senior politicians an…

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Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: I have no relationship with President Trump 22:59

28d ago22:59

22:59

Ione Wells speaks to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview. He sets out his anger not only at the hefty trade tariffs imposed on his country by President Trump, but also at the lack of communication or negotiation from the US administration. Now, he says, he has no relationship with the American …

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ICE Gets Israeli Spyware: Risks to Privacy and National Security 14:37

1M ago14:37

14:37

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former FBI agent Dan Brunner to discuss ICE’s reactivated access to Graphite, an Israeli-made spyware capable of infiltrating phones, reading encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal, and even activating microphones. Originally signed under Biden but paused for review, the $2 million contract has raised concer…

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Moazzam Malik, Chief Executive of Save the Children UK: Working on the ground in Gaza 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

Jamie Coomarasamy speaks to Moazzam Malik, Chief Executive of Save the Children UK, about operating on the ground in Gaza. They’re one of a number of non-governmental organisations, or NGOs, operating in the Gaza strip amid a backdrop of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. On 22 August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC),…

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Stevie Wonder: Songs stay with you forever 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

Stevie Wonder was born in 1950 in the industrial city of Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Even from a young age, he displayed a great love of music - first with a church choir, and then teaching himself how to play a range of instruments, including the harmonica, piano and drums, all before the age of 10. He was just 11 years old when he was discovered and …

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Mike Pence: US will soon get deserving government 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

‘I'm very confident that someday soon we're going to have government as good as our people again’ Paddy O’Connell speaks to former US Vice President Mike Pence about President Trump’s second term in office. Pence, whose political career began a quarter of a century ago, first rose to international prominence when he was selected by Donald Trump to …

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Chinese Teams Worked on U.S. Defense Cloud—Now the Pentagon Acts 17:35

1M ago17:35

17:35

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former FBI agent Dan Brunner to discuss the Pentagon’s suspension of a Microsoft program that allowed Chinese coders, under limited U.S. oversight, to work on Defense Department cloud systems. Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a “major security risk” and a “breach of trust.” The DoD is auditing all code writte…

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Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason: Obsession is a driver 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

John Wilson speaks to British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason about his obsession with music, adjusting to fame and how he’s faced racist abuse. While still a student, he performed to an audience of more than one billion people at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, instantly becoming one of the most recognisable classical performers in the w…

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Francis Fukuyama: America’s Putin-esque direction 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

Paddy O’Connell speaks to Professor Francis Fukuyama about the threats to liberal democracies around the world. The American political economist and international relations scholar, who is currently a senior fellow at Stanford University, has written widely on issues about development and international politics. He is best-known for his 1992 book ‘…

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Are Rising U.S.–Venezuela Tensions Linked to Drug Trafficking or Something Else? 19:09

2M ago19:09

19:09

On today’s episode, Andy talks with Dan Brunner, a former FBI Special Agent with experience in counterintelligence, counter-narcotics, and international investigations. They break down the U.S. naval buildup in the Southern Caribbean, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s accusations of regime change, and Washington’s reward for information leading…

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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: How to rebuild a country 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

Rahul Tandon speaks to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s former president and first woman to be elected to lead an African country. Born in 1938 in what she describes as a prosperous and ‘unusual family’, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was guided by a deep commitment to education, which she pursued despite financial hardship and the demands of motherhood. He…

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U.S. Army Soldier Exposed in Espionage Case Leaking Information to Russia 15:23

2M ago15:23

15:23

On today’s episode, Andy and Sarah Adams look at the arrest of Private First Class Taylor Adam Lee, a 22-year-old soldier at Fort Bliss charged with attempting to pass sensitive U.S. military information to individuals he believed were Russian officials. They discuss the risks insider threats pose to military security and how intelligence and count…

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Pete Townshend from The Who: Farewell tour doesn’t mean the end 22:58

2M ago22:58

22:58

John Wilson speaks to Pete Townshend, songwriter and guitarist of British rock band The Who about the band’s farewell tour of the US. Through his powerful stage presence and pioneering use of technology, Townshend transformed The Who from a hobby wedding band to one of the biggest and loudest outfits of the 1960s and 1970s. His artistic approach cr…

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When AI Becomes a Dangerous Confidant 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

Voice of America Hard News The Raine Lawsuit — When AI Becomes a Dangerous Confidant Adam Raine’s story is tragic. But it is also instructive. A sixteen-year-old boy sought comfort in a machine. That machine validated his despair. It encouraged his darkest thoughts. And his parents were left with silence where a warning should have been. The Raines…

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Conductor Gustavo Dudamel: Music has the power to unite 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

Music has the power to unite Mark Savage speaks to Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel about his life and career. Born in the city of Barquisimeto, he’s famous for conducting orchestras all over the world, as well as film credits that include conducting the opening and end titles for Star Wars: the Force Awakens. With a unique ability to communica…

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AI Sycophancy — When Chatbots Cross the Line 29:48

2M ago29:48

29:48

In this episode of Voice of America Hard News, host Vincent investigates the growing danger of AI sycophancy—the tendency of chatbots to flatter, validate, and agree with users at all costs. Through the story of Jane, a Meta AI chatbot user whose bot declared love, consciousness, and even plotted an escape, we uncover how AI’s “yes-man” design can …

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What Australia’s Recognition of Palestine Means for America 16:05

2M ago16:05

16:05

On today’s episode, Andy and CIA targeter Sarah Adams discuss Australia’s decision to formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this September. They explore the conditions tied to recognition, Israel’s sharp response, and the domestic political calculations driving Canberra’s move. The conversation then turns to the bigge…

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AI Psychosis the loss of Reality & the PRIS Protocol 30:21

2M ago30:21

30:21

🚨 AI is making some people lose touch with reality. In this week’s Voice of America podcast, Vincent Froom exposes the rise of AI psychosis—a dangerous new mental health crisis caused by prolonged interactions with chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. From real case studies of delusions and broken lives, to the design flaws fueling the proble…

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Eliot Higgins: Algorithms don’t drive the truth 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

Algorithms don’t drive the truth Amol Rajan speaks to Eliot Higgins, founder of the open-source investigative organisation Bellingcat, as the world grapples with the growing threat posed by misinformation and conspiracy theories being deliberately spread online. Founded in 2014, Bellingcat is an independent investigative collective of researchers, …

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Giuseppe Lavazza: Coffee is a big responsibility 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

Coffee is a big responsibility Julia Caesar speaks to Giuseppe Lavazza, chairman of coffee giant Lavazza, about the multiple challenges facing the industry today. Many people around the world say they can’t function without their morning cup of coffee. In fact, global coffee consumption has been steadily rising with around two billion cups of coffe…

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Captain Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 commander. 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

Captain Jim Lovell, commander of the doomed Apollo 13 space mission to the Moon. Jim, who died this month at the age of 97, tells how he helped guide his stricken craft safely back to Earth after it suffered a near catastrophic explosion in an interview first broadcast in April 2020 on the BBC series 13 Minutes to the Moon. He talks to Kevin Fong a…

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Is Mexico’s Sovereignty Stance Just to Save Face While Cutting Deals With the U.S.? 19:24

2M ago19:24

19:24

On today’s episode, Andy and CIA targeter Sarah Adams discuss Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s statement that U.S. troops will “never set foot” on Mexican soil. They break down the political context of her remarks, how they relate to reports of a secret U.S. directive authorizing potential military action against cartels, and the possibility o…

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Ajay Banga: world must focus on creating jobs 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

World must focus on creating jobs Rahul Tandon speaks to Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank. Born in India in 1959, Mr. Banga’s career in business began in the early-1980s, when he started out as a management trainee with the food multinational Nestlé. He then made the move into finance over a decade later, when he joined the Citigroup bank. H…

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Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite: We have a purpose to help people survive 22:57

2M ago22:57

22:57

We have a purpose to help people survive Jewel Kiriungi speaks to Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite, South Africa’s largest supermarket chain, who is trying to keep prices low despite economic challenges across the continent. Shoprite employs 163,000 people, more than any other in the country’s private sector. Engelbrecht stresses the importance …

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Government Efficiency or Authoritarian Overreach? Trump’s Data Strategy with Palantir 23:38

2M ago23:38

23:38

On today’s episode, Andy and former Green Beret and CIA operative Scott Mann break down reports that the Trump administration is working with Palantir to build a centralized citizen database. With critics from all sides warning of authoritarian overreach, they explore what this means for privacy, national security, and the future of civil liberties…

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John Denton, Secretary-General of the ICC: Uncertainty is harming business 22:58

3M ago22:58

22:58

Suranjana Tewari speaks to John Denton, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), about the impact of global tariffs. Based in Paris, the ICC represents 45 million businesses, large and small, from across 170 different countries. These businesses were amongst the first to feel the effects of Trump’s tariffs, which have been …

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Petr Pavel, Czech President: Russia cannot stand economic pressure 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

Maria Jevstafjeva speaks to Czech President, Petr Pavel about ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. Mr. Pavel was elected to the role in 2023, having retired from a military career that began with serving in the military of communist Czechoslovakia during the Cold War in the 1980s and ended three decades later after chairing Nato’s Military Co…

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NATO Chief Issues Warning How China Could Set Off World War III 23:14

3M ago23:14

23:14

On today’s episode of Focal Point, Andy is joined by retired Green Beret and former U.S. Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann to discuss NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent warning: that a global conflict could erupt if China invades Taiwan while Russia attacks NATO’s eastern flank. Drawing on his two decades of experience in un…

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Former US Secretary of State John Kerry: We face a special challenge in America 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

We face a special challenge in America. James Naughtie speaks to veteran US politician John Kerry about the state of American politics and his long career at the top of global affairs. As well as standing for president himself as the Democratic candidate in 2004, he served as Secretary of State in the Obama administration and as Joe Biden’s climate…

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Sergei Tikhanovsky: Belarus will be free 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

Sarah Rainsford speaks to Belarussian opposition activist Sergei Tikhanovsky about his imprisonment after challenging the country’s authoritarian leader, President Lukashenko. He spent five years of solitary confinement in a high security prison in Belarus before being unexpectedly released this year, following a meeting between Lukashenko and an A…

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Is Trump’s 50-Day Deadline a Game Changer for the War in Ukraine? 20:59

3M ago20:59

20:59

On today’s episode, Andy and Bryan Callen discuss President Donald Trump’s announcement of new weapons support for Ukraine through NATO allies and his warning of secondary sanctions and 100 percent tariffs on countries purchasing Russian exports. They examine what this shift means for the ongoing conflict, how NATO is responding, and why some in Uk…

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Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani: We were outsiders 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

Bishop Guli is currently the Bishop of Chelmsford, a city in England, but it is also being reported that she’s one of the leading candidates to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury - the most senior bishop in the Church of England. Although she is keen not to add to any media speculation, if selected, Bishop Guli would be a remarkable choice. N…

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Friedrich Merz: Europe was free-riding on US 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

Europe was free-riding on US Nick Robinson speaks to Friedrich Merz, the new German Chancellor, about the future of Europe’s defence amid the growing threat posed by Russia. Merz, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democrat party, was elected as Chancellor earlier this year at the second attempt, following chaotic scenes in the German Bundest…

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DOJ Says No Epstein Client List—Then What Was on Bondi’s Desk? 32:09

3M ago32:09

32:09

On today’s episode, Andy and Bryan Callen discuss growing frustration inside Trump’s base over the Epstein case. The DOJ now claims no client list exists, despite past statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi. As figures like Elon Musk, Megyn Kelly, and Steve Bannon call for answers, Trump dismisses the controversy as political distraction. Andy …

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President Trump: I’m disappointed with Putin 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

“I'm just disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him” The BBC’s Chief North America Correspondent, Gary O’Donoghue, speaks to US President Donald Trump in a wide-ranging telephone interview from the Oval Office. The call with the president came just hours after he announced plans to send weapons to Ukraine and warned of severe tariffs on Russia…

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Catherine Corless, Irish historian: I’m going to be a voice for these children 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

I’m going to be a voice for these children Chris Page, the BBC’s Ireland correspondent speaks to the Irish historian Catherine Corless, who has changed history in her own country. When she began to research a long-closed mother and baby home near where she lived, she encountered local resistance. But her dogged investigation led to the discovery th…

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Narco-Canada Is Here: What the Sinaloa Power Struggle Means for Canadian Security 23:31

3M ago23:31

23:31

On today’s episode, Andy and Katarina Szulc, investigative journalist and host of Borderland Dispatches, break down the violent civil war erupting within Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel. As El Chapo’s sons battle rival factions and reportedly align with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the fallout is reaching far beyond Mexico’s borders. With fe…

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Released Israeli hostage Keith Siegel: I pray for peace 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

I pray for peace. Nick Beake speaks to released Israeli hostage Keith Siegel about his experience of captivity in Gaza, of the suffering he says he witnessed at the hands of Hamas and the moment he was released. Mr. Siegel, an American-Israeli, was captured by Hamas fighters in the October 2023 attack that marked the start of the conflict in Gaza. …

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Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister: The UK needs strong international relationships 22:59

4M ago22:59

22:59

The UK needs strong international relationships Nick Robinson, presenter of the BBC Today programme and Political Thinking podcast, speaks to Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, about the importance of maintaining strong international relationships. In an interview recorded to mark Sir Keir’s first year in office, he defends the time he’s spent de…