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Codename Badger

Always True Crime

In 1955 young army major Robbie Mills dies, disembarking a submarine docked at Torbay Harbour in Devon.

His superiors say he was drinking and slipped from the gangplank in inclement weather. His widow, Josephine, has no reason to disbelieve them. But within weeks a man knocks on her door. He introduces himself as Captain John Cottell, and he tells Josephine that Robbie’s death was no accident, and Robbie was a spy.

It’s a meeting that will change Josephine’s life forever.

Now journalists Eugene Henderson and Andy Clark help Josephine’s daughter Nicky solve a mystery that has spanned five decades. Who was John Cottell? And what really happened to her father?

Episode's out weekly from Tuesday 20th January.

For more true crime that you'll be obsessed with head to AlwaysTrueCrime.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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11 episodes
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English

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S1 · E8
July 28 · 30 min
The Fish and the Leopard
After Codename Badger was released Eugene and Andy received a mysterious message The trail leads to more answers, and more victims. Now we know where John Cottell was in his mystery years in the late 70s, they discovered another trail of lies and deceit…and the British aristocracy. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 20 · 1 min
Coming soon...more Codename Badger
Eugene and Andy have identified more victims as they dig deeper into the mysteries surrounding John Cottell. Find out what they've uncovered in a new episode on July 28th or listen a week early from July 21st only on the Always True Crime Patreon. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 12 · 27 min
Introducing... Project Mind Control
A shocking investigation into decades of controversial psychological experiments that attempted to erase and reprogram the human mind. Project Mind Control begins with the harrowing story of Lana Ponting, one of the last-known survivors of one of Canada’s most notorious psychiatric institutions, The Allan Institute. Her memories are fractured but what she remembers is enough to expose something far bigger than one hospital. From the makers of Codename Badger, criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw follows Lana’s story into a shadow world of covert CIA involvement, missing Indigenous children, and allegations that orphaned and vulnerable kids were supplied for experimentation. This is episode one, for the rest of this series search for Project Mind Control wherever you get your podcasts or go to https://alwaystruecrime.komi.io/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E7
March 3 · 33 min
Bonus: The Making Of Codename Badger
In this bonus episode of Codename Badger, presenter Eugene Henderson and producer Andy Clark go behind the scenes of the podcast’s creation. Hear additional details from the investigation that didn’t make it into the main series. They discuss how they first uncovered the story of John Cottell, the challenges of researching a case that spanned more than 70 years, and how they shaped decades of mystery, deception, and evidence into a six part series. Plus, psychologist Dr Drew Curtis, an expert in lying and deception, explores how the falsehoods at the heart of the story were able to endure for so long, and why so many people believed them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E6
February 24 · 37 min
In Too Deep
Josephine is bankrolling John’s increasingly expensive legal battles, but her own health is failing her. Her family move in to care for her…and confront John. This is the first time anyone’s questioned him to his face, and the consequences are disastrous. Nikki cares for her mother as she slips deeper into dementia, still waiting for her spy to give her the answers she has waited a lifetime for. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E5
February 17 · 24 min
John’s Prayer
Josephine has moved to the tiny, mountainous country of Andorra. There she waits for John, who’s embarked on a new career path. But Josephine’s family are becoming increasingly anxious, their mother is alone in a foreign country, and she’s withdrawing large amounts of money for mysterious reasons. Her bank manager contacts Nikki, concerned. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E4
February 10 · 29 min
Elephant Hotel
Who is John Cottell? Eugene and Andy find answers about John’s wartime experiences and military career. We find his service record and finally get to the bottom of the death of Major Robbie Collins in 1955, Meanwhile, Josephine comes to America. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3
February 3 · 26 min
Out in the Cold
John is a rising star in the US with his tales of espionage and survival, he even has a book deal on the horizon. But it’s all about to come crashing down. So why are journalists on both sides of the Atlantic out to get John? And what will he do next? To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E2
January 27 · 23 min
Poison Tooth
John Cottell has retired from his job with MI6 and started a new life in America. Now he’s free to talk about his harrowing wartime experiences, and his dangerous missions as a spy. John was receiving orders straight from Prime Minister Winston Churchill, narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions and found love with a fellow spy. Meanwhile Josephine remains in Devon, but his part in her life isn’t over yet. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E1
January 20 · 27 min
The Stranger
In 1955 Josephine Mills’ husband Robbie dies suddenly, leaving her the single parent to four young children. But just weeks after his death a stranger arrives at her door, to tell her that Robbie was murdered, and that he had been working for the intelligence services. It’s a conversation that will change the course of Josephine, and her children’s, whole life forever. John was held prisoner by the Nazis in wartime and he’s still carrying the scars - both physical and mental, and Josephine is happy to care for him. But he brings chaos into her life. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ailsa Rochester Sound Design: Craig Edmondson An Always True Crime Production for Audio Always Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 min
Introducing Codename Badger
In 1955 young army major Robbie Mills dies, disembarking a submarine docked at Torbay Harbour in Devon. His superiors say he was drinking and slipped from the gangplank in inclement weather. His widow, Josephine, has no reason to disbelieve them. But within weeks a man knocks on her door. He introduces himself as Captain John Cottell, and he tells Josephine that Robbie’s death was no accident, and Robbie was a spy. It’s a meeting that will change Josephine’s life forever. Now journalists Eugene Henderson and Andy Clark help Josephine’s daughter Nicky solve a mystery that has spanned five decades. Who was John Cottell? And what really happened to her father? Episode's out weekly from Tuesday 20th January, or binge the whole series on Patreon from 13th January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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