🇪🇸 Español

En este episodio de Beyond Borders, conversamos con Carlos Oscar Cerbasi, autor de Sombras de la Frontera Invisible, sobre la expansión de Al Qaeda y el extremismo yihadista en África. Exploramos el legado del colonialismo, los conflictos regionales y los desafíos de seguridad en el Sahel, así como sus implicaciones para el resto del mundo.

🇺🇸 English

In this episode of Beyond Borders, we sit down with Carlos Oscar Cerbasi, author of Shadows of the Invisible Border, to explore the expansion of Al Qaeda and jihadist extremism across Africa. We discuss the legacy of colonialism, regional conflicts, and the growing security challenges in the Sahel—and why what happens in Africa matters far beyond its borders.

🎙️ Episode in Spanish | Episodio en español

In this episode Nancy Aguilar speaks with Amir Taheri, author of the allegorical novel Alice in Mullahland, about using satire and dark humor to reveal life under Iran’s Islamic Republic. Amir draws on his own experiences to explore themes of fear, survival, censorship, and the psychology of authoritarian rule.

The conversation examines the book’s animal allegory (rabbits, lions, wolves, foxes), the moral hypocrisy around sexuality and hijab, the regime’s control of knowledge and protests, and the human cost of disappearances and violence.

Despite the brutality described, Amir argues cracks are appearing within the regime and offers a cautious note of hope while stressing the importance of history, solidarity, and imagining a different future.

What does it take to step inside a violent extremist movement — and live to tell the story?

Scott Payne, a former FBI undercover agent who infiltrated white supremacist networks from the inside talks about his book Code Name: Pale Horse. Not from a distance. Not from theory. But by living among them, earning trust, and exposing how radicalization really works.

We talk about what extremism looks like from the inside.

This is a raw, eye-opening conversation about ideology, danger, and the cost of going undercover to protect others.

Let’s get into it.

Do you have a personal safety plan? Listen to retired FBI Special Agent, Rob Chadwick, former head of the FBI's Tactical Training Program, who joined me to talk about his book "The Practical Guide to Personal Security : Become a Competent and Confident Stakeholder in Your Own Safety." We discuss situational awareness, instinct, use of force, the importance of "what if scenarios" and having a plan. Law enforcement will not always be there or respond swiftly, so you might need to save yourself. #personalsafety #fbi #situationalawareness #trustyourgut

Exploring female serial killers, research, and the fearless women who bring crime fiction to life with #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner.

Lisa is known for her razor-sharp psychological thrillers rooted in real-world law enforcement and FBI research. A self-described “research junkie,” she’s shadowed cadaver-dog teams, toured the FBI Academy, and studied serial-killer psychology to bring authenticity to every page.

Her acclaimed Frankie Elkin series follows an ordinary woman on an extraordinary mission — finding missing people the world has forgotten — while her beloved characters like Detective D.D. Warren and FBI agent Kimberly Quincy showcase the strength and resilience of women who refuse to break.

Gardner’s work blends procedural precision, forensic realism, and emotional depth — making her one of the most compelling voices in modern crime fiction.

#LisaGardner #BadassInHeelsPodcast #TrueCrimePodcast #ThrillerAuthor #CrimeFiction #serial killers

Lisa Bailey, former FBI Forensic Artist and author of Clay and Bones, joined me talk about her 18 years in the Bureau. Lisa brought faces back to life—working scenes from 9/11 to looking for skulls at the Body Farm, giving names to the unidentified, and dignity to the forgotten. She is the expert on skull-rendering and through her work she solved numerous crimes, to include a double-homicide. Her story is haunting, human, and unforgettable. #truecrime #fbi #womenwhoinspire #skullsandbones #forensic

This unique episode dives deep into one of the most shocking espionage cases in U.S. history. Retired FBI Special Agent Pete Lapp and journalist and author Kelly Kennedy join me to discuss their gripping book, The Queen of Cuba — the true story of Ana Montes, a senior DIA analyst who secretly spied for Cuba for 17 years. #spies #counterintelligence #books #truecrime #fbi #womenspies #anamontes

Secrets, danger & deception. Get ready for a fascinating journey into the undercover world with retired FBI Special Agent Dana Ridenour. Dana worked UC work for 13 years, several times working under deep cover. Dana shares her FBI journey and her three books Behind The Mask, Beyond The Cabin, and Below The Radar. Listen to the podcast, then read her badass stories!

#undercover #deepcover #secrets #deception #fiction #truecrime #books #fbi