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Jack Barsky’s life has been equal parts improbable, impossible and inspiring. CBS’ 60 Minutes found it so interesting they aired his story twice.

This true spy story had a very humble beginning in a backward corner of old East Germany. Smarts and hard work earned Jack a career teaching chemistry and math at a prestigious university.

Then his life took a fantastic detour – Jack was recruited by the KGB and infiltrated into the US where he spent ten years spying for the Soviet Union.

He later “resigned” from the KGB and, after decades living under an assumed identity, was discovered by the FBI.

Today, Jack is a law-abiding, patriotic American citizen enjoying this most improbable of chances to live a ‘normal’ life.

He is now taking his eye opening story of life on both sides of the Iron Curtain to live audiences.

Categories: Motivation, New to AEISpeakers

Videos

Topics

• From Clandestine Tradecraft to Digital Deception: The Evolution of Intelligence Practices
  An Ex-KGB Agent’s Perspective on the Ever-Changing ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ - from Battlefields to Boardrooms. Exploring how modern espionage has shifted from serving as a weapon in wars between nations to infiltrating the business world and our private lives, and how to keep from being outsmarted and making costly mistakes.

• Double Trouble
  This is Jack’s life story as summarized by “60 Minutes,” but it includes more detail and tidbits about what it was like to operate as an illegal lone wolf sleeper agent for the KGB.

• The Lightness of Being, Life Lessons from an ex-KGB Agent
  This is all about the role of love in Jack’s life, a life of exhilarating highs and devastating lows. The story peaks with the most dramatic moment in Jack’s life when he disobeyed KGB orders at the risk of his freedom and life, just to be with his baby daughter who made him experience the power of unconditional love. After some more ups and downs the story ends with how Jack took full ownership of his love and made that the foundation of his very existence, regardless circumstances and regardless of the words and deeds of others. And that is why Jack is now in a state he calls “The lightness of being”. The end of the story is not a happy one in the traditional sense, it is highly emotional and deeply motivational.

• Applied Spychology
  This is a motivational talk during which Jack shares with the audience how the talents and skills that made him a successful spy helped him succeed equally well during a very successful career in the corporate world. The motivational angle can be summarized like this: “Jack is sharing with you the superpower of spy skills.”

• Espionage, Myths and Reality
  In part ONE Jack destroys the legendary reputation of the ‘Mighty KGB’ with examples from his own experience. In part TWO he plays a game with the audience called ‘What is wrong here and why’.’ He shows a dozen clips from famous spy movies and TV shows and asks the audience to guess how real-life top-notch spies would never act in such a way in the particular scenes.

• Once Upon a Spy
  This presentation starts with a brief history of the Soviet Union and the KGB It then goes on to how Jack was recruited, trained and deployed. This is followed by some tidbits about what it was like for him to operate as a deep cover illegal sleeper in the U.S. There is also a section about modern Russia, Vladimir Putin and the Ukraine war. Depending on the audience Jack can also add a segment on cyber security with a focus on the insider threat.

Books

Testimonials

Jack’s presentation was riveting from the very start. He unapologetically delights the audience by taking and transporting us to the heartbreaking, humble beginnings of his life in Germany, the curious and secretive world of his Russian espionage days, and the inevitably decisive moment that changed his life forever. His story compels and inspires. The audience gasps and animatedly responds to the remarkable journey. A must-see session and a must-meet gentleman, Jack will have you in laughter and tears, all in just one hour.

Microsoft Storyteller

Jack Barsky has a spellbinding story and delivers it with both intelligence and a disarming candor. It combines the intrigue of international espionage, politics, corporate America, and the intimacy of a real man living his secret life as an executive, husband and father. I have heard him speak to both college students, university professors and top executives. At each event you could have ‘heard a pin drop’ as everyone was riveted by a fascinating story!

Allen Morris Company

Featured & New to AEI

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