Wind of Change

About this podcast

Patrick Radden Keefe (author of Empire of Pain and Say Nothing) investigates the extraordinary claim that the CIA secretly wrote the Scorpions' 1990 power ballad 'Wind of Change' — the song that became the anthem of the fall of the Berlin Wall — as a piece of Cold War psychological warfare. What begins as a music mystery becomes a spy story.

Frequently asked questions

What is Wind of Change?

True crime-adjacent listeners interested in espionage, Cold War history, and one of the most stranger-than-fiction investigations of the podcast era; fans of Patrick Radden Keefe's journalism.

Is Wind of Change worth listening to?

Must listen. Wind of Change asks whether the CIA secretly wrote the song that ended the Cold War — and somehow, by the final episode, you'll believe it's entirely possible.

Where can I listen to Wind of Change?

Wind of Change is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

Where should I start with Wind of Change?

Start with: Episode 1 — listen in order

What format is Wind of Change?

Serialized — approximately 8 episodes ~30-45 min each; bingeable in a weekend each.

What type of crime does Wind of Change cover?

Wind of Change covers Espionage, Historical Crime, Systemic Injustice.