Retired CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez on magic, technology and the art of deception

By Khaleel Rahman,

Jessica Severin de Martinez, Meg Dalton, Megan Fitzgerald, Catie Talarski, Chion Wolf

Published March 7, 2024 at 10:46 AM EST

1 of 3 — Jonna Mendez, retired CIA Chief of Disguise, and author of the new memoir, "In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked".

Jonna Mendez, retired CIA Chief of Disguise, and author of the new memoir, "In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked".

Tina Leu Foto / Tina Leu Fotos

2 of 3 — Jonna Mendez wearing a mask in the Oval Office with President George HW Bush.

Jonna Mendez wearing a mask in the Oval Office with President George HW Bush.

Courtesy Jonna Mendez

3 of 3 — Jonna Mendez revealing her mask in the Oval Office with President George HW Bush and members of his cabinet.

Jonna Mendez revealing her mask in the Oval Office with President George HW Bush and members of his cabinet.

Courtesy Jonna Mendez

If you've ever wondered where the CIA finds inspiration to disguise their agents, you'd think maybe… Hollywood with their special effects?

Turns out, it was the magic community that helped them develop technology that may have saved lives and uncovered secrets!

Hear stories from retired CIA Chief of Disguise, Jonna Mendez, including how she used this technology to surprise the former head of the CIA, President George HW Bush.

For a full transcript of this show, click here.

GUEST:

Jonna Mendez: Retired CIA Chief of Disguise, and author of the new memoir, In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked

Khaleel Rahman, Jessica Severin de Martinez, Meg Fitzgerald, Meg Dalton, and Catie Talarski contributed to this show.

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