Philip Mudd, national security analyst on CNN, the former deputy director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, and a man who dealt firsthand with CIA black sites in the post-9/11 world, absolutely loves Memphis.

Phil loves the restaurants, he loves the neighborhoods, and he especially loves the people.

The Extra Podcast

CNN analyst Phil Mudd joins The Daily Memphian’s Extra Podcast to talk about drinking beer with Robert Mueller, whether he was ever a secret agent, and which Memphis cupcakes are his favorite. Produced by Natalie Van Gundy Listen on The OAM Network, and subscribe on Spotify, Stitcher and iTunes (link coming soon!).

 

I know Phil Mudd from some of those restaurants he loves. I know him from bookstores, too, as he’s the writer of two books and has a third coming out this summer. And, honestly, I know Phil from some of the bars we both seem to frequent.

Somehow, based on these mutual interests, Phil Mudd and I struck up an odd, intermittent friendship when he first moved to Memphis more than six years ago. And while he now lives in Washington, D.C., he continues to visit Memphis on a regular basis.

Phil and I have the kind of friendship where, when you run into into each other, you don't say hello, but you instead immediately begin to mess with one another.

For me, this means I am forever trying to get Phil to relax. In person, Phil Mudd is as intense as he comes across on CNN – curt, fast-talking, slightly disdainful. Basically, the smartest and most experienced guy at the table.

At least, Phil’s that way until, well, he isn’t that way. Because if you mess with Phil Mudd enough, you will see that he’s a funny, thoughtful, self-deprecating man who’s led a truly fascinating life. 

(By the way, for Phil’s part, he tends to make fun of my hair. He’s probably got a point.)

So take a listen to the interview he was nice enough to do with us at The Daily Memphian. Not just because Phil Mudd loves Memphis, but because he’s actually a really good, really interesting guy. (Just don’t tell him I said that.)

About The Extra

The Extra Podcast from The Daily Memphian is about anything and everything Memphis, including interviews with people shaping the city, discussion of the issues most important to Memphis, and sometimes an exploration of topics stranger, funnier and more surprising than you might expect to hear.