Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy

Recorded live from the Foreign Policy for America Summit, Dr. Nola Haynes sits down with some of the most influential voices shaping America's role in the world; from Capitol Hill to the State Department.

Senator Chris Van Hollen explains why he believes America's Cuba policy is failing and where he still finds hope in a turbulent political moment. Former Special Representative Desiree Cormier Smith reflects on being the first person to hold her groundbreaking role at the State Department, the global fight for racial justice, and why faith remains central to her work. Former Under Secretary, Ambassador...

This week on Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy, Dr. Nola sits down with Malynda Hale and Dr. Tamice Spencer-Helms for one of the most vulnerable and thought-provoking conversations of the season.

Together, they unpack the state of Christianity in America, growing up in faith spaces, activism in entertainment, queerness, Blackness, church culture, and what it means to follow Jesus outside the confines of institutional religion.

They discuss:

This week on Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy, Dr. Nola sits down with Congressman Mike Levin for a conversation that goes far beyond politics, starting with who he is before the title.

From his grandparents’ immigration story to his work on climate and clean energy, Levin opens up about the personal experiences shaping his policy decisions, and why today’s political climate feels fundamentally different.

We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help res...

Dr. Nola Haynes sits down with Jennie Gage (Life Take Two) and Robin (Pullups Pasta Politics) for an unflinching conversation on predator protection, religious abuse, and women fighting back.

Jennie shares her journey from Mormon trad wife and MAGA supporter to feminist podcaster, including being publicly shamed by her school and waking up from a coma to rebuild her life from scratch. Robin challenges women to examine their own bias and explains why "believing women first" is a muscle, not a reflex, and how to build it.

Together, they unpack:

This week on Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood gets real about power, pressure, and what’s actually happening inside the Democratic Party. From the “92%” conversation to growing frustration among Black women voters, this episode dives into the question no one wants to answer: If Black women are the backbone of the party… why do so many feel overlooked?

They break down:

This week on Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy, Nola is joined by Reecie Colbert and Rebekah Caruthers for a candid, unfiltered conversation that moves from pop culture to politics, and everything in between.They break down the rise of Black celebrities flirting with right-wing politics, from Nick Cannon to Chilli, and what it really means in terms of influence, the algorithm, and voter behavior. Is this genuine belief, strategic grift, or something more calculated?

Then, the conversation shifts to the Texas Democratic primary between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico. They unpack what actually happened beneath the...

Congresswoman Summer Lee joins Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy for a wide-ranging conversation on power, accountability, and the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Lee breaks down the strategy behind her bipartisan push to subpoena the DOJ for un-redacted Epstein documents and why millions of files are still missing. She also weighs in on the Trump administration’s response, including Melania Trump’s public statement and what it signals about fear, narrative control, and political pressure.

Plus: a candid look at what Congress is really like behind the scenes, and a rapid-fire debrief on culture, cele...

This week on Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy, Dr. Nola sits down with cultural journalist, and founder of AllHipHop.com, Chuck Creekmur and prominent digital strategist and the founder of Hip-Politics, Cameron Trimble for a conversation at the intersection of hip-hop, politics, and power. They unpack whether hip-hop is truly moving toward conservatism or if those tensions have always existed beneath the surface.

Together, they explore how technology, algorithms, and corporate money are reshaping the culture, why some artists stay silent while others spread misinformation, and how digital strategy and media investment are quietly influencing political...

Journalist Terrell Starr joins Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy live from Kyiv to talk about his journey from Detroit to reporting on Ukraine  and how culture shapes the way we understand foreign policy.

They discuss how his upbringing, community, and influences like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Anita Baker inform his global perspective, why foreign policy often feels inaccessible, and what shows like The Diplomat get right, and wrong about diplomacy.

The conversation also explores race, storytelling, and why expanding who gets to participate in foreign policy conversations isn’t just important, it’s neces...

Former Capitol Police officer and congressional candidate Harry Dunn joins Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy to discuss his firsthand experience on January 6th and what it revealed about the state of American democracy.

From growing up in Prince George’s County to defending the Capitol during the insurrection, Harry shares how that day reshaped his views on national security, law enforcement, and accountability — and why he’s now running for Congress.

This episode explores the real impact of political violence, the role of race in policing, and the growing threat of apathy in the U.S.<...

Hosted by Dr. Nola Haynes, Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy steps outside of the briefing room and into the real world, where policy decisions collide with culture, art, music, and everyday life. Security doesn’t just live in treaties and strategy documents, it shows up in films, television, books, hip-hop lyrics, prestige dramas, and the stories we tell ourselves about danger and control. This podcast breaks down what those stories get right, what they get wrong, and why they matter. From alliance politics and digital warfare to voter behavior, soft power, and public opinion, each episode explores how id...