Iron Butterfly

Hosted by Iron Butterfly Media

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Episodes

102

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Stories from the most powerful women you've never heard of. Eighty years ago, Eloise Page joined the OSS, trailblazing a path for what ultimately became the United States Intelligence Community. She rose the ranks from secretary to case officer, defying the norms of her time, and eventually became the first female Chief of Station at CIA. Along the way, Eloise earned the code name “Iron Butterfly.” These are the women who have shaped our world, and whose influence continues to ripple through time, space, and generations.

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60 recent

July 22, 20261 hr 16 min

Susan Miller: California Cool

On this very special episode of the Iron Butterfly Podcast, we take a quick break from our documentary series to sit down with retired CIA officer Susan Miller. Susan explores her remarkable journey from growing up in Northern California to building a career in intelligence. She reflects on her path to the CIA, from her college years and application process to the excitement of her first overseas tours in Moscow and communist-era Warsaw, where she experienced the challenges and adventures of Cold War espionage—and even met her future husband through an unexpected twist of fate. Susan also shares some of her favorite memories from her career, the lessons she learned along the way, and how she continues to stay connected to the intelligence community today. She also talks about life beyond the Agency and the unforgettable experiences that have shaped her both in and out of the world of espionage.

June 23, 202635 min

Chitra Sivanandam: Maven Gray on Remote Sensing, Failure as Fun, and Living as an Experiment (pt 2)

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.In this episode, we sit down with Chitra Sivanandam, whose path into the national security community is anything but conventional. With more than 25 years supporting the Intelligence and Defense sector, Chitra explores her favorite roles across a career spanning industry giants, startups, and small businesses, as well as the lessons she's learned bridging private-sector technology with government missions. We also discuss her passion for art and creative mediums, and how embracing creativity has helped her approach problems from new angles, challenge assumptions, and think beyond traditional solutions. Along the way, Chitra offers a look into life outside of work, including managing a household with an impressive number of animals, and reflects on how curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to forge an unconventional path have shaped both her career and perspective.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/

June 9, 2026Episode 635 min

Chitra Sivanandam: Maven Gray on Immigrant Community and Being an Artistic Engineer (pt 1)

May 19, 2026Episode 533 min

Laura Thomas: Firefly on Recruiting Spies, Exfiltrating Assets, & Dating as a Case Officer (pt 2)

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.In this episode, we sit down with Laura Thomas, a former CIA case officer and national security professional who shares her journey from a small two-stoplight town to life in a major city, where her path into intelligence work began. She reflects on how studying abroad and learning a new language led her to become a case officer, and offers a rare look into the realities of working with assets—including the trust, strategy, and personal risks involved. Through gripping stories, she reveals the lengths she’s gone to build relationships and get close to sources, highlighting the adaptability and resilience required to operate in the world of global intelligence.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/

May 5, 2026Episode 529 min

Laura Thomas: Firefly on Annie Oakley, Fake IDs, Getting a CIA Pseudonym, & a Fake Cavity Op (pt 1)

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.In this episode, we sit down with Laura Thomas, a former CIA case officer and national security professional who shares her journey from a small two-stoplight town to life in a major city, where her path into intelligence work began. She reflects on how studying abroad and learning a new language led her to become a case officer, and offers a rare look into the realities of working with assets—including the trust, strategy, and personal risks involved. Through gripping stories, she reveals the lengths she’s gone to build relationships and get close to sources, highlighting the adaptability and resilience required to operate in the world of global intelligence.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/

April 21, 2026Episode 444 min

Karen Gibson: Kumquat on her First Star, Beating Breast Cancer, and the Sergeant at Arms pt. 2

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.In this episode, we sit down with Karen Gibson, a retired United States Army Lieutenant General whose distinguished 33-year career spanned some of the most complex and high-stakes intelligence environments in the world. She held a wide range of joint and operational intelligence roles, ultimately rising to serve as Director of Intelligence (J2) at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Her leadership extended beyond intelligence by later serving in the unique and highly visible role of Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate.She shares an inside look at the defining moments of her career, offering insight into the challenges of military leadership, intelligence operations, and navigating global conflict zones. At the heart of her story is a deeply personal journey—one that began in rural Montana, where she first imagined a life filled with purpose and adventure. From those early aspirations to the highest levels of military leadership, she reflects on the determination, resilience, and curiosity that shaped her path.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/

April 7, 2026Episode 438 min

Karen Gibson: Kumquat on a Rugged Upbringing, War Stories, and Tolkien’s Chick with the Sword pt. 1

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.In this episode, we sit down with Karen Gibson, a retired United States Army Lieutenant General whose distinguished 33-year career spanned some of the most complex and high-stakes intelligence environments in the world. She held a wide range of joint and operational intelligence roles, ultimately rising to serve as Director of Intelligence (J2) at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Her leadership extended beyond intelligence by later serving in the unique and highly visible role of Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate.She shares an inside look at the defining moments of her career, offering insight into the challenges of military leadership, intelligence operations, and navigating global conflict zones. At the heart of her story is a deeply personal journey—one that began in rural Montana, where she first imagined a life filled with purpose and adventure. From those early aspirations to the highest levels of military leadership, she reflects on the determination, resilience, and curiosity that shaped her path.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/

March 24, 2026Episode 352 min

Tish Long: Mimi on Creating an Intel Agency, as the First Female Director & Being a Step-Mom, pt 2

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.On this episode we’re joined by the incredible Tish Long, whose career reshaped what leadership looks like across the U.S. intelligence community. Tish served as the fifth Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), becoming the first woman ever to lead a major U.S. intelligence agency. In this wide-ranging conversation, she reflects on a career that spanned global operations, organizational leadership, the evolving role of intelligence and contributing to the re-shaping of the institutions that collect and distribute intelligence . The episode offers a thoughtful look at the challenges and opportunities of breaking barriers, building institutions, and leading with vision in one of the most demanding fields of public service.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/

March 10, 2026Episode 359 min

Tish Long: Mimi on Becoming an Engineer, Being the Only Woman, & Conquering Public Speaking (pt 1)

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.On this episode we’re joined by the incredible Tish Long, whose career reshaped what leadership looks like across the U.S. intelligence community. Tish served as the fifth Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), becoming the first woman ever to lead a major U.S. intelligence agency. In this wide-ranging conversation, she reflects on a career that spanned global operations, organizational leadership, the evolving role of intelligence and contributing to the re-shaping of the institutions that collect and distribute intelligence . The episode offers a thoughtful look at the challenges and opportunities of breaking barriers, building institutions, and leading with vision in one of the most demanding fields of public service.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/

February 17, 2026Episode 254 min

Sue Gordon: Humble Servant on Sally Ride, Cancer Treatment, and Grief as a Doorway (pt 2)

On this very special season of Iron Butterfly Podcast, we’re going inside our first documentary feature film, titled The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies. This film features 10 of the most powerful women you’ve never heard of, and this season, we’ll get up close and personal with each of them. Each month, we’ll highlight a different woman, with each episode presented in two parts.This thoughtful and deeply human episode features an intimate, wide-ranging conversation with Sue Gordon. Drawing from her more than three decades of service at the CIA and NGA, Sue shares profound insights and personal anecdotes, including a life-changing "meet-cute" moment and her passion for Duke basketball. We explore her collaboration with Sally Ride, her journey through cancer treatment, and how experiencing grief unexpectedly opened a doorway to deeper purpose and leadership. The episode beautifully illustrates how both joyful and painful life experiences shape the leaders we become.Follow us on social media to catch us on the road this year as we travel to film festivals across the world. We might be coming to a city near you!Instagram: @ironbutterflypodcastYouTube: @IronButterflyMediaSpotify: Iron Butterfly PodcastTo support The Iron Butterfly Podcast, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IronButterflyPodcast To learn more about Iron Butterfly Media, check out our website: https://www.ironbutterflymedia.com/