Welcome back to another episode of Write-Handed, part two of our back-to-back spy thriller novels and the final installment of our biography series.

We tackle David A. Vise’s Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative book, The Bureau and the Mole: The Incredible True Story of the FBI's Longest-Serving Traitor. The book meticulously chronicles the dual life of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent and devout Catholic who spent over two decades selling top-secret intelligence to the Soviet Union and Russia. The book also delves into the parallel career of FBI Director Louis Freeh, who worked to modernize and clean up the Bureau.

This breakdown compares the delicate balance between twin narratives, comparing the rigid ambition of Freeh with the deep-seated hypocrisy and compartmentalization of Hanssen.

Tune in as AJ and Kyle bring their signature commentary, literary analysis, and sharp insights to one of the most intriguing true-crime, non-fiction accounts of modern spy history!

New episodes every See you NEXT Tuesday!

Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite platform.

Contact us:

Email: ajknightaj@gmail.com

AJ Knight Novels on Amazon: AJ Books

Webpage: AJ Knight Site

Twitter: @AJKnight3

InstaGram: ajknightauthor

Produced by Whining Dog Productions LLC: WDPLLC2026@gmail.com

TikTok: @wdpllc

What drives a loyal Soviet insider to risk everything and betray the state? AJ and Kyle trace Oleg Gordievsky’s transformation from a second-generation KGB officer into MI6’s most valued secret asset. From the hidden mechanics of Soviet spy craft to the psychological strain of living a double life, we break down how one man altered the course of Cold War history from within the shadows.

Life Inside the KGB: Raised in a loyal Soviet household, Oleg worked his way into the intelligence elite. We learn why the agency required married men for overseas assignments.

The Seeds of Disillusionment: Witnessing the construction of the Berlin Wall and the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia shattered Oleg's faith in the regime.

Badminton & Covert Operations: The tense, early connections in Copenhagen, where MI6 officer, Richard Bromhead, carefully tested and courted Gordievsky to see if he would be team GB.

The Spy's Rules: Oleg refused payment from MI6 and established strict boundaries to protect innocent colleagues.

Secrets in the Dark: The brush contacts, cryptography, and dead drops that kept Oleg operating undetected under the KGB’s nose.

The Escape Plan: The lengths taken to get Oleg to Great Britain, risking his life if he was caught.

New episodes every See you NEXT Tuesday!

· Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite platform.

· Contact us:

· Email: ajknightaj@gmail.com

· AJ Knight Novels on Amazon: AJ Books

· Webpage: AJ Knight Site

· Twitter: @AJKnight3

· InstaGram: ajknightauthor

· Produced by Whining Dog Productions LLC: WDPLLC2026@gmail.com

· TikTok: @wdpllc

· Produced by Whining Dog Productions LLC: WDPLLC2026@gmail.com

· TikTok: @wdpllc

The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Shoeless Joe Jackson

In this episode, AJ and Kyle dive deep into the tragic, complex, and legendary story of one of baseball’s greatest hitters, Shoeless Joe Jackson by examining Tim Hornbaker's book, Fall from Grace: The Truth and Tragedy of "Shoeless” Joe Jackson.

Drawing insight from author, we break down everything from Joe's dirt-poor beginnings to the historic 2025 MLB policy change that has everyone talking.

What We Cover in This Episode

· The Early Years: Joe grew up working in textile mills instead of attending school. We explore his lack of education, his financial motivations, and how a heckler gave him the infamous nickname "Shoeless Joe.”

· The Personal Life & Ty Cobb Rivalry: Get the details on his marriage to Katie in 1908, who acted as his essential contract guide. We also explore his friendly but fierce batting average rivalry with the legendary Ty Cobb.

· Navigating the Dead-Ball Era: What was it like hitting between 1900 and 1920? We look at a time of low run-scoring, dirty baseballs, and heavy spitball use that put hitters at a massive disadvantage.

· The Career & The Draft Controversy: Joe rose to superstardom with the Cleveland Naps—hitting an unbelievable rookie record .408 in 1911—before joining the Chicago White Sox and winning the 1917 World Series. But everything changed with World War I.

· The Black Sox Scandal of 1919: The core of the tragedy. We detail the $80,000 fix to throw the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. Who were the main players? From instigators like “Chick” Gandil and Eddie Cicotte to Joe's disputed, suspect involvement. Despite a 1921 "not guilty" court verdict, baseball's first commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, issued a lifetime ban to preserve the sport's integrity.

· Breaking News - Reinstatement: In a stunning historic decision on May 13, 2025, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred officially removed deceased banned players from the permanently ineligible list. Shoeless Joe Jackson is officially reinstated! We talk about what this means for his legacy and his upcoming 2028 Hall of Fame eligibility.

New episodes every See you NEXT Tuesday!

Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite platform.

Contact us:

Email: ajknightaj@gmail.com

AJ Knight Novels on Amazon: AJ Books

Webpage: AJ Knight Site

Twitter: @AJKnight3

InstaGram: ajknightauthor

Produced by Whining Dog Productions LLC: WDPLLC2026@gmail.com

TikTok: @wdpllc