Iron Butterfly

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.

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/

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/

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/

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/