True crime has become one of the most popular genres in podcasting, drawing millions of listeners into stories of mystery, investigation, and human behavior. But what happens when those stories involve espionage, insider threats, terrorism, and national security?
That’s the premise behind The Secret Squirrel Files, a new podcast from ClearanceJobs hosted by Katie Helbling and Phoebe Wells. The series takes listeners beyond the headlines to examine some of the most fascinating and consequential cases in national security history.
During a recent episode of ClearedCast, Phoebe and Katie discussed how the podcast came together. Drawing on Phoebe’s background in true crime reporting and Katie’s interest in the lessons hidden within historic security failures, the pair created a format that combines research, storytelling, and genuine reactions. Each host researches a case independently and presents it to the other without revealing the details beforehand, creating authentic conversations around complex events.
The cases featured on The Secret Squirrel Files range from famous espionage scandals like Aldrich Ames to domestic terrorism events such as the Oklahoma City bombing and aviation plots connected to Operation Bojinka. While the stories are compelling on their own, the hosts emphasize that each case offers valuable lessons for today’s national security workforce. Topics like insider threat detection, continuous vetting, intelligence sharing, and workforce readiness frequently emerge as themes throughout the series.
The goal is to understand how these events shaped modern security practices and why they remain relevant today. By blending the accessibility of true crime storytelling with the realities of national security, The Secret Squirrel Files offers a unique way to explore the people, policies, and decisions that continue to influence the cleared community.
