Your Chief of Station
2
Details
Clients joining this program will be guided by John Sipher, a retired Central Intelligence Agency Senior Executive who spent his career operating at the intersection of intelligence, foreign policy, and strategic storytelling.
Mr. Sipher served nearly three decades in the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, rising to the Senior Intelligence Service. His career included overseas operational leadership, recruiting and managing sensitive intelligence sources, and directing complex national security programs. That experience now informs how he interprets history, geopolitics, and leadership under pressure.
Today, he continues to bridge the worlds of intelligence and public understanding. As Co-Founder of Spycraft Entertainment and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, he connects real-world intelligence expertise with media, policy, and creative teams. His analysis has appeared in major outlets including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Politico, Foreign Affairs, Time, and Newsweek. He is also host and producer of Mission Implausible, an iHeart podcast with more than one million downloads examining the truth—and fiction—behind conspiracy theories.
For travelers, this means the experience goes beyond visiting historic sites. Mr. Sipher provides context that connects past operations to present-day realities. He explains how intelligence services think, how crises unfold behind closed doors, and how decisions are made when the stakes are high. Complex global issues are translated into clear, grounded discussions—without sensationalism.
Throughout the journey, guests can expect:
- Clear, credible insights into foreign policy, national security, and espionage history.
- Practical leadership lessons drawn from real-world crisis decision-making.
- Candid discussion of myths versus realities in intelligence work.
- Thoughtful, accessible conversations that invite questions and engagement.
This is not a theatrical retelling of spy stories. It is a rare opportunity to explore pivotal locations and events with someone who lived the profession at a senior level and now dedicates his work to helping audiences understand it with clarity and perspective.