Iron Butterfly

Hosted by Iron Butterfly Media

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Episodes

106

Latest episode

Oct 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

October 13, 2026Episode 935 min

Dawn Meyerriecks: Heritage Oak on Becoming an Engineer, First Jobs, and an Unexpected Love of Piano (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 Dawn Meyerriecks, former Deputy Director for Science and Technology at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she served for more than seven years. Her path to the job was anything but typical. She spent time in the commercial industry as Senior Vice President for Product Technology at AOL, then served as Chief Technology Officer at the Defense Information Systems Agency and as Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Acquisition, Technology, and Facilities at ODNI before moving into one of the most fascinating roles in the intelligence community. Dawn shares how she became an engineer, her unexpected love of the piano, and what it takes to navigate tough transitions and decisions in the tech world. She also reflects on what it was like to hold one of the coolest jobs in the intelligence community, with a few funny stories along the way. 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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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/

September 29, 202652 min

Ellen McCarthy: Big Mac on Leaving Government, Trust in Intelligence, & Thinking Big (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 Ellen McCarthy, former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (INR), who has held senior leadership positions across the intelligence and national security community, including as Chief Operating Officer of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), President of Noblis NSP, and President of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA). She has also served in senior roles within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and the United States Coast Guard. In this episode, Ellen reflects on some of her favorite roles throughout her career, what inspired her passion for serving and protecting others, and the unexpected paths that can lead to a career in national security. She shares lessons from navigating leadership across the Intelligence Community and offers a candid look at how a career can evolve in ways you never anticipated. 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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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/

September 15, 2026Episode 847 min

Ellen McCarthy: Big Mac on Sean Connery, the Coast Guard, Taking Risks, & Finding Her Purpose (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 Ellen McCarthy, former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (INR), who has held senior leadership positions across the intelligence and national security community, including as Chief Operating Officer of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), President of Noblis NSP, and President of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA). She has also served in senior roles within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and the United States Coast Guard. In this episode, Ellen reflects on some of her favorite roles throughout her career, what inspired her passion for serving and protecting others, and the unexpected paths that can lead to a career in national security. She shares lessons from navigating leadership across the Intelligence Community and offers a candid look at how a career can evolve in ways you never anticipated. 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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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/

August 18, 2026Episode 719 min

J'Tia Hart: Sable Sage—The Future is Fierce

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 J’Tia Hart, Division Director of Nuclear Nonproliferation at Idaho National Laboratory with the U.S. Department of Energy, and a very special guest host. We explore J’Tia’s journey into nuclear engineering, what inspired her to pursue the field, and the importance of nuclear nonproliferation. We also talk about our documentary, The Power We Hold: Stories from Women Spies , and the challenge—and opportunity—of explaining intelligence and nuclear nonproliferation to the next generation. It’s a fun and engaging conversation that brings together science, national security, storytelling, and the people working to shape the future. 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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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/

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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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)

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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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 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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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 : @ironbutterflypodcast YouTube : @IronButterflyMedia Spotify : Iron Butterfly Podcast To 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/