The Mel Robbins PodcastFormer CIA Spy: How To Build Unshakable Confidence, Eliminate Self-Doubt, and Reinvent Yourself
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- August 17, 2026
- Duration
- 1h 5m
- Channel
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Today, a former spy and the former Chief of Disguise for the CIA is taking you inside the heart-pounding world of espionage and the secret life she lived working undercover for 30 years. Jonna will share the tactics and strategies you need to read anyone and spot a liar, offer a powerful warning about the state of the world today, and give you practical wisdom to find courage and face life’s hardest moments. For decades, Jonna helped intelligence officers assume new identities, disappear in plain sight, and carry out high-risk operations. Jonna created disguises convincing enough to fool the President of the United States and the Secret Service. Together, Jonna and her late husband, Tony Mendez, co-authored the bestselling book Argo about the CIA operation he led - the true story that inspired the Academy Award-winning film Argo. But what makes this conversation so powerful is not just the spy stories.It is Jonna’s deeply personal reflection on courage, reinvention, trust, loss, and what it means to keep going when life feels scary or uncertain. In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why courage does not come first and how confidence and preparation create it
- How to stay calm under pressure
- What 30 years in the CIA taught Jonna about trusting your intuition
- The signs that someone may be trying too hard to convince you of a lie
- Why direct eye contact is not the lie detector most people think it is
- How Jonna would change the smallest details to make someone disappear in plain sight
- Why you are never starting over when you make a major change
- How to stop underestimating yourself and aim higher
- Why nothing meaningful is accomplished alone
- How taking small steps can help you face problems that feel too big to solve
Jonna will tell you that courage is not something you either have or you do not. It comes from knowing what to do, preparing yourself, and confronting the things that scare you. After today, you'll understand how to build confidence, trust yourself under pressure, and have the courage to reinvent your life…at any age. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-425/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Meet the Guest 05:21 What the Chief of Disguise At The CIA Really Does 06:42 Incredible Spy Gadgets Used At The CIA 09:55 How To Change Careers Without Starting Over 14:07 The Incredible True Story Behind Argo 24:22 How Are Secret Agents Recruited For The CIA? 29:28 How To Completely Change Your Identity 35:06 How To Disguise Yourself Like a Spy 38:55 How To Stay Calm Under Pressure 42:26 CIA Spy Tells The Craziest Story About Crossing a Border 49:40 How To Tell If Someone Is Lying 53:26 How To Reinvent Yourself at Any Age 54:35 What To Do When The Future Feels Scary 59:21 How To Become More Courageous 01:03:05 It’s Never Too Late, Jonna’s Message at 81 Verizon: verizon.com This episode is brought to you by Apple Card. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah
SPEAKERS
Mel Robbins
hostHost of The Mel Robbins Podcast and motivational speaker focused on behavior change, confidence, and self-improvement.
Jonna Mendez
guestFormer CIA Chief of Disguise and intelligence officer known for operational disguise and tradecraft expertise.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Jonna Mendez, Former CIA Spy: How To Build Unshakable Confidence, Eliminate Self-Doubt, and Reinvent Yourself explores cIA disguise chief reveals reinvention, courage, and modern-world vigilance lessons Jonna Mendez describes her unlikely path from Kansas to a 30-year CIA career, emphasizing that career pivots aren’t “starting over” but stacking transferable skills.
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