JRE 1519 · August 4, 2020

Mike Baker

militaryintelligencehistorypoliticstechnology

Who is Mike Baker?

Mike Baker is a former CIA covert operations officer. Currently he is the president of Diligence LLC, a global intelligence and security firm. His new show "Black Files Declassified" is now available on the Science Channel.

Topics and Timestamps

01Mike Baker discusses his career as a CIA covert operations officer and what that work actually entails versus Hollywood depictions
02The conversation covers intelligence gathering techniques, tradecraft, and how modern espionage differs from Cold War era operations
03Baker explains the role of Diligence LLC and how private intelligence firms operate in the modern security landscape
04Discussion of his new show Black Files Declassified on the Science Channel and what stories it covers
05Baker shares insights into real-world spy operations, asset recruitment, and the psychological aspects of intelligence work
06The episode explores how misinformation campaigns work and the challenges of verifying intelligence in the digital age
▶Mike Baker introduces his background and career transition from CIA to private intelligence work0:00:00
▶Discussion of how real espionage operations differ drastically from Hollywood portrayals0:15:30
▶Baker explains asset recruitment and the psychological aspects of turning foreign agents0:35:00
▶Overview of Black Files Declassified and what stories the show explores1:00:00
▶Discussion of misinformation, verification challenges, and modern intelligence gathering in the digital age1:45:00

The Show

Joe Rogan has Mike Baker on JRE 1519 to talk about his extensive background in CIA covert operations and his current work with Diligence LLC. Baker brings a refreshingly grounded perspective to espionage, cutting through the Hollywood bullshit that most people associate with spy work. The guy spent years doing actual intelligence work, and he's got the kind of credibility that makes everything he says feel weighty without being preachy.

They dive into what real covert operations look like compared to what you see in movies. Baker explains the methodical, unglamorous side of intelligence work, where success often means sitting in boring rooms analyzing data rather than rappelling down buildings. He talks about asset recruitment, how you actually get people to work for you, and the psychological games involved. The conversation moves into modern intelligence gathering, where technology has completely changed the game but also created new vulnerabilities.

Baker discusses his private firm and how intelligence companies operate in a post-9/11 world where there's actually demand for this kind of specialized expertise. He covers his new show Black Files Declassified and what makes declassified intelligence interesting beyond just the spy thriller angle. The discussion gets into how misinformation spreads, how you verify sources, and why critical thinking has become even more important in an age where you can't necessarily trust what you see on the internet.

Throughout the episode, Baker maintains a practical, no-bullshit attitude about the realities of intelligence work. He doesn't glamorize it but also doesn't downplay the significance of what happens behind the scenes in global affairs. Joe and Mike have good chemistry, and Joe lets him actually explain concepts instead of cutting him off, which makes for a solid conversation about a world most people only understand through fiction.