Tom sits down with two extraordinary guests: Andrew and Jihi Bustamante, elite intelligence professionals and co-authors of "Shadow Cell." Andrew, a former covert CIA officer and founder of Everyday Spy, and Jihi, a master targeter, pull back the curtain on the murky world of espionage, information warfare, and the complex dance between truth and spin in global politics.

Andrew delivers a masterclass on how political appointees and intelligence leadership have shifted over the decades, exposing the tension between presidential loyalty and national service. Tom fearlessly challenges both guests to untangle headline-making controversies—from election interference to the notorious Steele Dossier—and explores whether we, as citizens, should blindly trust, fight, or try to decode the signals coming from our own government. This first half sets the stage for an unprecedented look at spin, power, and loyalty in the age of 24-hour news and social media.

SHOWNOTES

00:00 - Fabricating Threats & The Russia Collusion Narrative
09:19 - High Turnover at the CIA: Box-Checking and Political Climbing
27:02 - Is America Headed for a Hard Reset?
32:13 - Go Along to Get Along: Cultural Realities of Government Employment
41:02 - Persuasive Headlines vs. Influence: Avoiding Media Manipulation

FOLLOW ANDREW & JIHI BUSTAMANTE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayspy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EverydaySpy
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EverydaySpy
Website: https://www.everydayspy.com/

Want to learn more from Andrew?

CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS

Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code IMPACT at check out

Allio Capital: Macro investing for people who want to understand the big picture. Download their app in the App Store or at Google Play, or text my name “TOM” to 511511.

SleepMe: Visit ⁠https://sleep.me/impact⁠ to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code IMPACT. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping.

ButcherBox: Ready to level up your meals? Go to ⁠https://butcherbox.com/impact⁠ to get $20 off your first box and FREE bacon for life with the Bilyeu Box!

Netsuite: Download the new e-book Navigating Global Trade: 3 Insights for Leaders at ⁠http://NetSuite.com/Theory⁠Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/impact⁠Hims: Start your free online visit today at ⁠https://hims.com/IMPACT⁠.

**********************************************************************

What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here:

If you want my help...

STARTING a business:⁠ join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER⁠: 

⁠https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show⁠

SCALING a business:⁠ see if you qualify here.⁠: 

⁠https://tombilyeu.com/call⁠

Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox:⁠ sign up here.⁠:

⁠https://tombilyeu.com/⁠

**********************************************************************

FOLLOW TOM:

Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/⁠

Tik Tok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en⁠

Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/tombilyeu⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices