NSA vs CIA: A Former Analyst Explains the Difference | Alma Katsu

About this episode

Alma Katsu discusses her experiences in the NSA and CIA, contrasting real intelligence work with Hollywood portrayals and exploring various related topics.

Former NSA and CIA analyst Alma Katsu joins us to discuss her career in intelligence, from the analog era of NSA and early hacking programs to CIA work on social media, disinformation, and emerging technology. She also breaks down how real intelligence work differs from Hollywood spy fiction, and how her experiences shaped novels like Black Vault and her upcoming book on Havana Syndrome. This episode also digs into Iraq War planning, the failure of Phase Four strategy, AI, propaganda, tech regulation, and the challenges women faced inside the intelligence community. Check out Alma's books here:⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Alma-Katsu/author/B004FRX5WO?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1778022974&sr=8-3&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=7dde9421-b9aa-439f-b0ce-7413359f4d42 GhostBed ⬇️ https://www.ghostbed.com/house FOR 10% off! For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse To help support the show and for all bonus content including: -live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video -early access to shows -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests Subscribe to…

People in this episode

Host: dee takos

Guest: Alma Katsu

Topics covered

• intelligence
• NSA
• CIA
• disinformation
• technology
• women in intelligence
• Iraq War

Keywords

• intelligence
• NSA
• CIA
• disinformation
• Havana Syndrome
• Iraq War
• women in intelligence
• technology
• propaganda
• AI

Sponsors

GhostBed, Patreon

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NSA, CIA, Penguin Random House

Books & works: Black Vault, Havana Syndrome

More episodes of The Team House

• Your Phone Is Targeting You | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS · June 11, 2026 · 58 min
• Iran War, Israeli Spying, and the ODNI Shakeup | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS · June 8, 2026 · 1h 14m
• Former CIA Officer Breaks Down Source Operations in Afghanistan | Delbert Roll · June 6, 2026 · 1h 58m
• Is Regime Change the Answer in Iran? | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS · June 5, 2026 · 53 min
• CIA Officer Busted With $40 Million in Gold Bars | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS · June 2, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Former “Diplomat” on Iraq, Gaza, and Espionage | Chris Merritt · May 30, 2026 · 1h 40m