I found the blurry of names (and pseudo names) a bit confusing; the series was also in need of a good editor who could condense it. While I admire the research done, the podcaster inserted herself into the story far too often. It’s like a carpenter who complains about finding the right nails or waiting line at Home Depot.

I really wanted to listen to this podcast. Somehow she managed to make a really interesting topic sound sooooo boring. It was like listening to someone read to me from a Wikipedia page. I really wanted to hear this story but I just couldn’t, she made it so hard to keep listening.

I loved this podcast so much; it is very complex, and I was so engrossed in it that I listened to each episode at least twice, so involved by the narration that I thought I -with such a focus- could solve the mystery and arrive at my own conclusion. Richly informative and incredibly interesting.

Excellent and thoroughly investigated podcast.

The podcast was all right. It was very interesting subject matter but the reporting rigger and style felt very casual. I may complain is that there were more to an a dozen advertisements from the oil and gas lobby during the commercial breaks. I’m not sure who your target audience is, but I could do without these.

I discovered this podcast by chance, and I couldn't stop listening. The commitment to present all the evidence through years of research took this podcast to the next level! Julie’s storytelling, along with excerpts from the CIA during this time, were the icing on the cake.

Just finished this incredible story! I was hooked from the first ep and it never relented. Cant wait for season two!

This is a very well done podcast and told very well. The one thing in this story that makes me grimace is the way the agents laugh at Yurchenko for how he acts and what he eats. For some reason I don’t find it funny at all. Just me?

I thought I already knew this whole story. I couldn’t get to the next episode fast enough. I especially appreciated the introspection and confidence that went toward the conclusions. It was fun to “share the secrets”.

Listen, after I binged “The Americans” I pretty much haven’t stopped seeking out this type of content. This podcast showed up in a random search I did and I’m sooo glad it did. Super well done, well-researched, and I think my daily step count has increased solely due to this podcast (because I never want to stop listening…) Please, give us more!

Lean In

I’ve heard the story of Vitaly Yurchenko many times—through books, documentaries, and the work of some of the most respected writers in the field. But none of them come close to the way Julie Cohn tells it in The Redefector. Her storytelling is powerful, clear, and deeply human. She doesn’t just recount the facts—she brings them to life in a way that grips you from the first moment and doesn’t let go. There were times in my life recently when I was going through incredibly dark and difficult days—and this podcast kept me going. I found myself munching on every word, episode after episode, and for a while, it became my anchor. The quality, the detail, and the emotional pacing gave me something to hold onto. It may sound dramatic, but I mean it when I say: this story helped me survive some of the hardest days I’ve had. To Julie and the team: please keep going. Your work matters more than you know. It’s more than storytelling—it’s lifeline material for people out there. Thank you.

The bonus episode ends with "but that's next time ..." and there has not been another episode.

The story is probably interesting, but this is the wrong narrator. The narrator reads in the style of a phone sex operator. They also read way too dramatically and should learn proper mic technique. The narrator ruins the story.

Overall great series, amazing you got so many people to speak to you to present all the angles of the story. Some editorializing gives fodder to critics who will say you’re biased but whatever, it doesn’t change the crux of the reporting. The thing that drove me crazy was I was waiting for you to comment on the allegations made against Redmond in the book “The 4th Man”, especially after you noted how he was the the most aggressive (if not only out of the intel world) voice claiming the “kgb plant” theory. Bonus episode perhaps??

This sucked me in more than any other podcast I’ve listened to recently, and I’ve listened to a lot! The story itself is absolutely captivating in of itself — a real life spy thriller — and it’s an interesting peek into a very specific (and still relevant!) period of US/Soviet history.

not only is this a well-researched story with engaging interviews and a compelling tc, but the narrators style moves between conversational and confessional in the most beguiling way. you really feel like you’re along for the ride with her.

A former New York Times reporter, Julie Cohn combines dogged research with John Le Carre-level storytelling. She turns over each discovery like a jewel to show the different facets and implications while bringing a fascinating cast of characters to life. Her deep understanding of both the Soviet era and the CIA paint vivid pictures of the Cold War. More than a just a good yarn, this true story explains a lot about US-Russia relations today. Just as we were winning the Cold War, we were experiencing catastrophic intelligence losses from which we never really recovered. Julie recounts it all in her appealing voice with the delivery of a trained actor. I could not get enough!

Love this podcast, but there are missing bits and repeats all over the place. Please re-edit!!

Particularly enjoyed the FBI/CIA tension and finger-pointing, but the host massively over-identifies with her sources, is star-struck by them, fails to ask any difficult questions, and doesn’t seem to recognize when they’re playing her. Her characterization of US assets having been “murdered,” rather than “executed,” by the Soviet Union is a dead giveaway that she fundamentally views the Soviet government as illegitimate in some way—it’s the equivalent of saying that the US “kidnapped and illegally detained” Soviet assets. In the bonus episode, the editorializing about Hamas and Hezbollah is pretty gratuitous. The story is interesting but gradually devolves into pro-CIA propaganda.

An amazing story teller. Unlike most internet content, this is a worth every minute. Creative and effective way of telling a story. I hope you keep doing those.

Top notch presentation!! Love the way the story is told with lots of interviews of those who lived it first hand. Each episode leaves you anxious to hear the next!! Love it!!

This is extremely well done. An incredible story, beautifully told by an insightful and compelling woman. Incredible access to former CIA agents.

This is the first podcast since Wind of Change that kept my attention throughout. It’s well done, researched, and intriguing. It’s absolutely worth a listen!

Really enjoying this series. Well researched. Interesting and hard to stop listening to. ;)

This podcast is incredible. It’s so well done, so interesting, well investigated, audio quality is great, interviews are interesting and insightful. Wow. Really love this! thanks for all your work on this.

Best podcast of the year? An absolute masterclass in storytelling, suspense, and historical intrigue. With a voice that draws you in and a narrative style that refuses to let go, Julie unpacks the gripping true story of a KGB spy who defected to the United States—only to redefect back to the Soviet Union in a twist that feels too wild to be real. But it is. And Julie makes every moment pulse with tension, insight, and humanity. This podcast isn’t just about espionage—it’s about loyalty, identity, betrayal, and the strange, shadowy dance between nations. Julie’s research is meticulous, her pacing is perfect, and her ability to illuminate the emotional core of a Cold War thriller is unmatched. Listen to it. You won’t just be entertained—you’ll be captivated.

Jolie, this is absolutely amazing podcast. I can not imagine the amount of research and trying locate the people from some action that happened 40 years ago and then convince them to talk. And the way you present it is just perfect. I can’t wait for the movie. Kudos!!! May the force be with you!

I just listened to the third episode — outstanding. The research and interviews are impressive. And they keep getting better. And the author speaks so clearly. I can’t wait for the rest of the episodes.

Really enjoying this one; hoping I can get past Episode 2 soon? Great story. I’m hooked.

I do not listen to podcasts. I really don’t. But this thing? It’s brilliant. I couldn’t stop listening. Absolutely riveting. The production is flawless. The writing is stunning. Cohn? Could bring about world peace with that voice. 💯

Julie Cohn, through masterful storytelling, unravels a true Russian spy story that leaves the listener impatiently waiting for the next episode to drop. A must listen!!

Captivating, fascinating and entirely unique! Julie’s charm and wit shines through all of the meticulous research she has done to share this thrilling story! I cannot wait to see where it goes!

Julie Cohn’s podcast is an incredibly well researched thriller that weaves together the perfect blend of mystery, character, and tension. A fascinating look back at a period that feels shockingly relevant today in regards to international paranoia and nation state’s taking extreme measures to keep their adversaries in check. This would make an incredible TV show / can’t wait for more from Julie and her team.

Phenomenal research, in-depth reporting, and a compelling story make this podcast a MUST LISTEN! At this time of significant geopolitical tension, there is no better podcast to remind us that even if history doesn’t repeat itself, it often rhymes.