In this episode, Jack and David discuss the inspiration behind The Persian, the real-world dynamics of the intelligence community, and the meticulous craft of writing espionage fiction rooted in truth. They talk about the creation of The Rest is Classified — a top-charting podcast exploring untold spy stories, manhunts, and historical intrigue.

David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst, bestselling author, and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest is Classified. Before becoming a novelist, David served at the Central Intelligence Agency where he wrote for the President’s Daily Brief, testified before Congressional oversight committees, and briefed senior White House officials, ambassadors, and military leaders.

Today’s guest is Billy Birdzell, founder of Horatius Group, an independent investment bank focused on creating exceptional outcomes for founder-led and family-owned businesses, and Horatius Impact, a non-profit dedicated to training and equipping scouts to defend endangered species like rhino and lion from poachers in Africa.