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09/19/2025

Former CIA officer Andrew Bustamante once joined us to share the books that shaped his life. Now, he’s back—with his wife and partner, Jihi Bustamante.

Together, they co-authored the spy thriller Shadow Cell. In this special episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins dives into the story behind the book, the writing process, and how their real experiences in covert operations shaped the narrative.

More than a novel, Shadow Cell is a reflection of their shared values, their work beyond the CIA, and the life they’ve built together.

📺 Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XeZKu89I0jw

Want to learn more from Andrew?
Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/42dDXMc
Read Andrew’s CIA book ‘Shadow Cell’: https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook
Follow Andy on YouTube: -bustamante
Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy
Listen to the YouTube podcast:
Grab the coolest book & library tees, socks, hoodies & more! https://booksthatchangedmylife.org/collections/all

In the last episode, former CIA officer Andrew Bustamante shared two books that changed his life—Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card and Thou Shall Prosper by R...

09/17/2025

The BTCML for is strong!!! New logo tees will be on the site today! Link in bio!!!

09/17/2025

Former CIA officer and author Andrew Bustamante reveals how his perspective on business shifted from a public servant mentality to embracing the true value of entrepreneurship. He explains why business isn’t evil, why profit isn’t bad, and how creating something that genuinely adds value makes customers eager to pay for it.

This clip explores the misunderstood narrative around profit and highlights how value creation and contribution go hand-in-hand with sustainable success.

What you’ve heard is just part of it. Watch the entire episode here: https://youtu.be/0qz7KJlApD4

Want to learn more from Andrew?
Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/42dDXMc
Read Andrew’s CIA book ‘Shadow Cell’: https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook
Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/-Bustamante
Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy
Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/

✨ Grab the coolest book & library tees, socks, hoodies & more! https://booksthatchangedmylife.org/collections/all

09/16/2025

“As much as this is a fiction novel, the lessons are so real...”

In this insightful conversation, host Chris Collins speaks with Andrew Bustamante — former CIA officer and Air Force veteran — about the powerful lessons hidden in Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Andrew draws striking parallels between the novel’s military-industrial themes and his experiences inside the CIA.

📺 Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/0qz7KJlApD4

09/15/2025

Former CIA officer Andrew Bustamante reflects on a profound passage from Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game — one that speaks to the humanity we find even in conflict. He explains how, in the instant of taking another life — whether in combat or in survival — empathy emerges, reminding us of the shared experiences and struggles of those we call “enemies.”

Andrew shares stories from soldiers, reflections on military service, and why empathy can reshape how leaders, veterans, and even presidents like JFK view war. This clip explores the sobering reality behind combat, the moral weight of killing, and why leadership requires both strength and compassion.

What you’ve heard is just part of it. Watch the entire episode here: https://youtu.be/0qz7KJlApD4

Want to learn more from Andrew? Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/42dDXMc
Read Andrew’s CIA book ‘Shadow Cell’: https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook
Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/-Bustamante
Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy
Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/
✨ Grab the coolest book & library tees, socks, hoodies & more! https://booksthatchangedmylife.org/collections/all

09/14/2025

“War is something different than what everybody perceives it to be…”

In this powerful conversation, host Chris Collins sits down with Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA officer and Air Force veteran, as he shares a powerful reflection on the realities of war and the humanity we often forget in the midst of conflict.

His outlook on leadership and service has also been influenced by powerful reads like Ender’s Game and Thou Shall Prosper.

📺 Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/0qz7KJlApD4

09/13/2025

Why Your Trauma Can Drive Your Ambition

Former CIA officer and author Andrew Bustamante reveals a humiliating truth: much of his ambition and success is tied directly to the emotional trauma he experienced as a child.
Andrew discusses the "monster" that chases him, the difficult process of reframing his past, and the struggle to separate his work ethic from his childhood wounds. This clip offers a raw look at the hidden motivations behind success and the challenge of true personal growth.

What you’ve heard is just part of it. Watch the entire episode here: https://youtu.be/0qz7KJlApD4

Want to learn more from Andrew? Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/42dDXMc
Read Andrew’s CIA book ‘Shadow Cell’: https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook
Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/-Bustamante
Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy
Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/
✨ Grab the coolest book & library tees, socks, hoodies & more! https://booksthatchangedmylife.org/collections/all

09/12/2025

“Part of the reason AI is so dangerous with a clandestine officer is because it comes across all of the information, not just the easily accessible information...”

In this timely conversation, host Chris Collins speaks with Andrew Bustamante — a former CIA officer and Air Force veteran — about the hidden risks of artificial intelligence in the world of espionage. Andrew explains how the rise of AI changes the way secrets are kept and truth is uncovered. His insights are also shaped by two books that influenced his thinking: Ender’s Game and Thou Shall Prosper.

📺 Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/0qz7KJlApD4

09/12/2025

“I love a lot of books on Law of Attraction because that whole concept changed my life...”

In this engaging conversation, host Chris Collins sits down with Sabrina Soto to share how the Law of Attraction transformed her path. From a 4 AM Craigslist ad to her first HGTV show in just 16 weeks, this story shows the power of mindset and trusting the process.

📖 Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/v0UGYdn_oaU

09/11/2025

🚀 From covert missions to business leadership.

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, Chris Collins sits down with Andrew Bustamante—former CIA officer, Air Force veteran, founder of EverydaySpy, and co-author of Shadow Cell.

Andrew shares not one, but TWO books that completely reshaped his journey:

📖 Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card — a sci-fi classic that taught him leadership, empathy, and strategy under pressure.
📖 Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin — a powerful guide that reframed his views on wealth, ethics, and faith in business.

From battle rooms to boardrooms, Andrew’s story shows how books can equip us for life’s most high-stakes arenas.

👉 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/0qz7KJlApD4

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Andrew Bustamante—a former covert CIA officer, Air Force veteran, founder of...

09/11/2025

“You allow whatever wishes to come, come—and whatever wishes to go, go...”

In this thoughtful exchange, host Chris Collins sits down with Sabrina Soto to discuss Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver. This conversation reminds us that when we stop gripping tightly and allow life to flow, we find freedom and lightness.

📖 Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/v0UGYdn_oaU

09/10/2025

“Fake it till you make it is good, but you’ve got to do the work after you make it...”

In this thoughtful conversation, host Chris Collins sits down with Sabrina Soto to reflect on the lessons from Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver. They dive into the power of doing the work, protecting your energy, and recognizing that real transformation starts with self-respect.

📖 Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/v0UGYdn_oaU