What’s REALLY Going On Behind the Scenes of the CIA, the Media, and the U.S. Government? On Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown, former CIA agents and intelligence officers Andrew & Jihi Bustamante (creators of the EverydaySpy podcast, authors of Shadow Cell: An Insider Account of America’s New Spy War & popular guests on Diary of a CEO & The Joe Rogan Experience) pull back the curtain in this explosive, no-holds-barred conversation. From the moment you marry a spy (can you ever truly trust your partner?) to the shocking 4 categories of lies the CIA teaches—Mayim & Jonathan dive deep into the secretive world of espionage, national security, and the collapse of trust in modern institutions. Andrew and Jihi break down the shrinking middle class caused by American politics post-Trump, what it means for our future, whether the U.S. is moving closer to dictatorship (and if so, can we stop it?), and why the wealthy elite are leaving the U.S. (and which countries they’re fleeing to). These whistleblowers expose what the CIA doesn’t want you to know: - The 4 categories of lies every CIA officer is trained to tell - The agency’s current use of psychics and Cold War-era remote viewing programs - The loneliness and psychological toll of living a covert life - How the news & media is manipulated—and why even “trusted” outlets are failing us - Post-Trump politics: is the U.S. sliding toward dictatorship or already in it? - Why wealthy elites are fleeing America (and where they’re going) - The global fallout if a U.S. president is jailed, and what it means for our standing - The CIA’s take on Israel, rising global conflicts, and the risk of world war - How AI is dehumanizing warfare and reshaping the battlefield - Why Epstein’s case continues to expose cracks in our institutions Andrew and Jihi also reveal how influence, persuasion, and dialogue can still be used productively—even in a fractured society. From Venezuela’s collapse as a warning sign to the everyday challenge of separating real news from propaganda, this is more than an interview—it’s a wake-up call. Get the truth behind headlines, corruption, and the secret machinery of the U.S. government & change the way you see everything! --- CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 04:14 - CIA's Use of Creative Talent 17:18 - CIA Recruitment Criteria 19:57 - Normal Life After Intense CIA Experiences 23:14 - Behind the Scenes in Politics 27:22 - Political Facades & Realities 28:31 - Epstein Case Developments 32:51 - Presidential Powers: Obama vs Trump 44:14 - Why a U.S. President will Never Go to Jail 49:30 - Is the U.S. Headed Toward Dictatorship? 56:08 - The Venezuela Warning Sign for America 1:09:20 - Impact of Economic Stability & Unrest 1:14:25 - Are We Headed Toward World War 3? 1:18:50 - Interstate vs Intrastate Conflict 1:29:50 -We Cannot Afford to Be Complacent 1:41:35 - Why CIA Values Anxiety 1:52:40 - CIA's Battle Over Bustamantes' Book Publication --- Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code BREAK at mudwtr.com/BREAK! #mudwtrpod Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/ Listen on our website: https://www.bialikbreakdown.com​​ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TgOe2poCdpZtQwKetQmU1 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mayim-bialiks-breakdown/id1546456269 Check out our Merch: https://shop.bialikbreakdown.com/ Sign up for our Newsletter: https://www.bialikbreakdown.com​​ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bialikbreakdown/ Find Mayim Bialik: https://mayimbialik.substack.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MissMayim/​​​ https://www.twitter.com/MissMayim/​​​ https://www.instagram.com/MissMayim/​​​ https://www.tiktok.com/@mayimbialik Find Andrew Bustamante: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/everydayspy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayspy Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/4mjywCV Andrew & Jihi Bustamante's book, Shadow Cell: https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook Andrew Bustamante's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/ Andrew Bustamante's Podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast If interested in partnerships please contact mbb.sponsor@impacttheory.com Theme Song Written, Produced, and Performed by Ed Robertson. Mixed by Kenny Luong. #MayimBialik​​​ #BialikBreakdown #AndrewBustamante #EverydaySpy #CIA #Spy #Covert #Government #Politics #USPolitics #GlobalPolitics #PoliticalNews #PoliticalClimate #PoliticalAnalysis #News #WorldNews #Anxiety #NewsMedia #Propaganda #Lying #Lies #Secrets #Espionage #Whistleblower #Democracy #PowerStructures #Dictatorship #Venezuela #USGovernment #NationalSecurity #RemoteViewing #War #WorldWar3 #UrgentWarning #Warning #Influence #Geopolitics #GlobalPowers #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #EpsteinScandal