Codename Badger probes alleged double life of army major Robbie Mills

Codename Badger is this week’s pick, a true-crime investigation into the supposed secret double life of British army major Robbie Mills, who died in 1955, apparently in an accident on a submarine. After Mills’s death a man called John Cottell turned up at his home claiming to be a friend and a fellow spy.

Journalist Eugene Henderson tells the troubling tale of Cottell, who rapidly insinuated his way into the Mills family’s lives. Other recommended podcasts include The Crimes of Margo Freshwater — about Margo Freshwater, who at 18 received a life sentence for a killing spree with her boyfriend, escaped prison, was declared dead by her family, and then lived under a fake identity undetected for 30 years until 2002.

A Moment With Murphy sees Kerri Cunningham read her musings atop acoustic guitar and interview a parent about subjects from child loss to special educational needs as “a chance for parents to pause.” Happy to Be Here, from Greta Johnsen formerly of WBEZ Chicago’s Nerdette, offers cultural and foodie recommendations and recently ran an episode on the best books of 2026 with advice on how to read more.

Autocracy in America features Anne Applebaum speaking to a former detainee and considering how the US stance on immigration now resembles its erstwhile "war on terror", noting that the number of people held in ICE custody hit an all-time high in 2025.

Key Topics

Culture, Codename Badger, Robbie Mills, John Cottell, Margo Freshwater, Anne Applebaum