2. Old Habits

US Marine Jim Tracy returns to Havana to raise the American flag he once lowered in 1961. It marks a hopeful new chapter of US-Cuban relations, created through quiet diplomacy and unlikely backchannels involving senators, spies, and even Pope Francis. But just as the mood shifts toward reconciliation, a young CIA officer lands in Havana and soon begins experiencing something strange and deeply troubling. His illness—and the mysterious sound that seems to trigger it—threatens not just his mission, but the entire political thaw.

New episodes will be released weekly, wherever you get your podcasts, but if you are in the UK, you can listen to the latest episodes a week early, first on BBC Sounds.

Credits

Havana Helmet Club is written and presented by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey

Editor: Guy Crossman

Story editing: Mike Ollove Producer: Larry Ryan

Sound designer: Merijn Royaards

Additional mixing: Peregrine Andrews

Theme music: Tom Pintens, with additional music composed by Merijn Royaards

Fact checking: Stanley Masters. Additional reporting: Isobel Sutton, Pascale Hardey Stewart and Stanley Masters

Archive producers: Miriam Walsh and Helen Carr

Production executive: Kirstin Drybrugh

Editorial advisor: Jesse Baker

Commissioner: Dylan Haskins

Assistant commissioners: Sarah Green and Natasha Johansson

Havana Helmet Club is a Yarn production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

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NARA