diff --git a/backend/src/events/guestFirstContact.ts b/backend/src/events/guestFirstContact.ts
index 5268231c..ffb1c5f9 100644
--- a/backend/src/events/guestFirstContact.ts
+++ b/backend/src/events/guestFirstContact.ts
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@ import type { DynamoDBDocumentClient } from '@aws-sdk/lib-dynamodb';
 import { getTextTemplatesRecord } from '../db/textTemplates';
 import { renderTextTemplate } from '../textTemplates/render';
 import { PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM, formatSlotLabel } from '../podcast/firstContact';
-import { APPROVED_GUEST_EVENT_TYPES } from './guestIntakePolicy';
+import { APPROVED_GUEST_EVENT_TYPES, guestFirstContactCc } from './guestIntakePolicy';
 
 export interface GuestFirstContactInput {
   type: string; templateId: string; guestName?: string; topic?: string;
   startIso: string; guestTimezone?: string; formUrl: string; accessCode: string;
+  cc?: readonly string[];
 }
 export function guestFirstContactValues(input: GuestFirstContactInput): Record<string, string> {
   if (!APPROVED_GUEST_EVENT_TYPES.has(input.type)) throw new Error('This event type has no enabled guest invitation');
@@ -29,7 +30,8 @@ export function renderGuestFirstContact(template: string, input: GuestFirstConta
   if (rendered.missing.length) throw new Error(`Invitation template is missing values: ${rendered.missing.join(', ')}`);
   const match = /^Subject: ([^\r\n]+)\r?\n\r?\n([\s\S]+)$/.exec(rendered.text);
   if (!match || !match[1].trim() || !match[2].trim()) throw new Error('Invitation template must contain Subject: followed by a blank line and body');
-  return { from: PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM, subject: match[1], body: match[2].replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').replace(/\n$/, ''), formUrl: input.formUrl, topicSeed: input.topic || '', accessCode: input.accessCode };
+  const cc = guestFirstContactCc(input.type, input.cc);
+  return { from: PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM, cc, subject: match[1], body: match[2].replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').replace(/\n$/, ''), formUrl: input.formUrl, topicSeed: input.topic || '', accessCode: input.accessCode };
 }
 export async function loadGuestFirstContact(db: DynamoDBDocumentClient, input: GuestFirstContactInput) {
   const record = await getTextTemplatesRecord(db);
diff --git a/backend/src/events/guestFirstContactDelivery.ts b/backend/src/events/guestFirstContactDelivery.ts
index 24ff22ed..eb035d12 100644
--- a/backend/src/events/guestFirstContactDelivery.ts
+++ b/backend/src/events/guestFirstContactDelivery.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export async function deliverGuestFirstContact(db: DynamoDBDocumentClient, input
     claimedAt: new Date().toISOString(), attempts: prior ? [...(prior.attempts || []), { claimedAt: prior.claimedAt, delivery: prior.delivery! }] : [] };
   await updateTask(db, task.id, { currentTask: task, expectedVersion: task.version, patch: { podcastFirstContact: claim }, actorId: input.actorId, triggerKind: 'guest-first-contact-claim' });
   const result = await deliverRenderedEmail(db, { draft: email, recipientEmail: input.recipient, recipientName: input.guestName || '', taskId: task.id,
-    connectionId: process.env.DATAOPS_ORIN_GMAIL_CONNECTION_ID?.trim() || 'google-calendar-orin', cc: [] });
+    connectionId: process.env.DATAOPS_ORIN_GMAIL_CONNECTION_ID?.trim() || 'google-calendar-orin', cc: email.cc });
   const delivery = { ...result, templateId: email.templateId, templateRevision: email.templateUpdatedAt };
   const current = await getTaskConsistent(db, task.id);
   if (!current) throw new Error('Invitation Task disappeared after provider delivery');
diff --git a/backend/src/events/guestIntakePolicy.ts b/backend/src/events/guestIntakePolicy.ts
index 0bf4cc21..c3adf7b0 100644
--- a/backend/src/events/guestIntakePolicy.ts
+++ b/backend/src/events/guestIntakePolicy.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC, normalizePodcastGuestCc } from '../podcast/firstContact';
+
 export const APPROVED_GUEST_EVENT_TYPES = new Set(['podcast', 'webinar', 'workshop']);
 export interface GuestIntakePolicy {
   enabled: boolean;
@@ -8,13 +10,18 @@ export interface GuestIntakePolicy {
   preferredWindows?: string[];
   followUpDays: number;
   firstContactTaskRefs?: string[];
+  cc?: string[];
+}
+export function guestFirstContactCc(type: string, policyCc?: readonly string[], recipientEmail?: string): string[] {
+  if (type === 'podcast') return normalizePodcastGuestCc(policyCc, recipientEmail);
+  return policyCc ? policyCc.map(v => String(v || '').trim().toLowerCase()).filter(Boolean) : [];
 }
 export function guestIntakePolicyIssues(raw: unknown, type: string): string[] {
   if (raw === undefined) return [];
   const p = raw as GuestIntakePolicy;
   if (!p || typeof p !== 'object' || Array.isArray(p)) return ['guestIntake must be an object'];
   const issues: string[] = [];
-  for (const key of Object.keys(p)) if (!['enabled','emailTemplateId','formTemplate','weekdays','minimumNoticeDays','preferredWindows','followUpDays','firstContactTaskRefs'].includes(key)) issues.push(`guestIntake.${key} is not supported`);
+  for (const key of Object.keys(p)) if (!['enabled','emailTemplateId','formTemplate','weekdays','minimumNoticeDays','preferredWindows','followUpDays','firstContactTaskRefs','cc'].includes(key)) issues.push(`guestIntake.${key} is not supported`);
   if (p.enabled && p.formTemplate !== type) issues.push('guestIntake.formTemplate must match the event type');
   if (typeof p.enabled !== 'boolean') issues.push('guestIntake.enabled must be boolean');
   if (p.enabled && !APPROVED_GUEST_EVENT_TYPES.has(type)) issues.push('Guest intake is approved only for podcast, webinar and workshop');
@@ -24,5 +31,12 @@ export function guestIntakePolicyIssues(raw: unknown, type: string): string[] {
   if (p.weekdays && (!Array.isArray(p.weekdays) || !p.weekdays.length || p.weekdays.some(v => !Number.isInteger(v) || v < 0 || v > 6))) issues.push('guestIntake.weekdays must contain weekday numbers 0..6');
   if (p.minimumNoticeDays !== undefined && (!Number.isInteger(p.minimumNoticeDays) || p.minimumNoticeDays < 0 || p.minimumNoticeDays > 180)) issues.push('guestIntake.minimumNoticeDays must be 0..180');
   for (const key of ['preferredWindows', 'firstContactTaskRefs'] as const) if (p[key] && (!Array.isArray(p[key]) || p[key]!.some(v => typeof v !== 'string' || !v))) issues.push(`guestIntake.${key} must be string values`);
+  if (p.cc !== undefined) {
+    if (!Array.isArray(p.cc) || p.cc.some(v => typeof v !== 'string' || !/^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/.test(v.trim()))) {
+      issues.push('guestIntake.cc must be valid email addresses');
+    } else if (type === 'podcast' && (p.cc.length !== 1 || p.cc[0].trim().toLowerCase() !== PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC)) {
+      issues.push(`guestIntake.cc for podcast must be [${PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC}]`);
+    }
+  }
   return issues;
 }
diff --git a/backend/src/events/guestIntakeWorker.ts b/backend/src/events/guestIntakeWorker.ts
index bd8bae42..35204da3 100644
--- a/backend/src/events/guestIntakeWorker.ts
+++ b/backend/src/events/guestIntakeWorker.ts
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ export async function processGuestIntake(db: DynamoDBDocumentClient, id: string)
       const slot = slots[0]; job.selectedDate = slot.date; job.selectedTime = slot.time; job.selectedWindow = slot.window; job.startIso = slot.startIso;
       await saveGuestIntakeJob(db, job);
       // Validate the editable copy before the first guest-facing Calendar operation.
-      if (!job.skipEmail) await loadGuestFirstContact(db, { type: job.type, templateId: job.policy.emailTemplateId, guestName: job.guestName, topic: job.topic, startIso: slot.startIso, guestTimezone: job.guestTimezone, formUrl, accessCode: created.accessCode });
+      if (!job.skipEmail) await loadGuestFirstContact(db, { type: job.type, templateId: job.policy.emailTemplateId, guestName: job.guestName, topic: job.topic, startIso: slot.startIso, guestTimezone: job.guestTimezone, formUrl, accessCode: created.accessCode, cc: job.policy.cc });
       const result = await proposeEvent(db, card.id, { date: slot.date, time: slot.time, title: card.title, topic: job.topic, guestNames: job.guestName, guestTimezone: job.guestTimezone, guestEmails: [job.guestEmail], documentUrl: formUrl,
         operationKey: `guest-intake-${id.slice(0,32)}`, actor: job.actorId, suppressGuestNotifications: job.skipEmail });
       if (result.sync.state !== 'synced') throw new Error(`Calendar invitation is pending: ${result.sync.reason || 'provider unavailable'}`);
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ export async function processGuestIntake(db: DynamoDBDocumentClient, id: string)
       job.status = 'skipped'; await saveGuestIntakeJob(db, job); await projectJob(db, job); return;
     }
     const delivery = await deliverGuestFirstContact(db, { type: job.type, templateId: job.policy.emailTemplateId, guestName: job.guestName, topic: job.topic, startIso: event.startIso, guestTimezone: job.guestTimezone,
-      formUrl, accessCode: created.accessCode, taskId: job.taskId, holdId: event.id, docId: job.docId, recipient: job.guestEmail, actorId: job.actorId });
+      formUrl, accessCode: created.accessCode, taskId: job.taskId, holdId: event.id, docId: job.docId, recipient: job.guestEmail, actorId: job.actorId, cc: job.policy.cc });
     if (delivery.state !== 'sent' || !delivery.messageId) throw new Error(`First-contact email is pending: ${delivery.reason || delivery.state}`);
     job.messageId = delivery.messageId; job.sentAt = delivery.sentAt || new Date().toISOString(); delete job.error;
     const task = await getTaskConsistent(db, job.taskId);
diff --git a/backend/src/podcast/firstContact.ts b/backend/src/podcast/firstContact.ts
index cc3b9ec1..ea774008 100644
--- a/backend/src/podcast/firstContact.ts
+++ b/backend/src/podcast/firstContact.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,99 @@
-/** Approved first-contact copy. Rendering creates no records and sends no mail. */
+/** Approved first-contact copy and guest-thread reply helpers. Rendering creates no records and sends no mail. */
 export const PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM = 'orin@datatalks.club';
+export const PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC = 'alexey@datatalks.club';
+export const PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_CC = [PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC] as const;
 export const PODCAST_DOCS_URL = 'https://datatalksclub.github.io/docs/activities/podcast/';
 
 const BERLIN_TZ = 'Europe/Berlin';
+const EMAIL_PATTERN = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;
+const FORBIDDEN_PODCAST_RECIPIENTS = new Set([
+  'grace@datatalks.club',
+  'alexey.s.grigoriev@gmail.com',
+  'valeriia@datatalks.club',
+]);
+
+/**
+ * Enforce the single podcast guest observer Cc (`alexey@datatalks.club`).
+ * Strips sender/guest duplicates and rejects forbidden extra recipients.
+ */
+export function normalizePodcastGuestCc(
+  cc?: readonly string[],
+  recipientEmail?: string,
+): string[] {
+  const guest = (recipientEmail || '').trim().toLowerCase();
+  for (const raw of cc || []) {
+    const addr = String(raw || '').trim().toLowerCase();
+    if (!addr) continue;
+    if (!EMAIL_PATTERN.test(addr) || /[\r\n]/.test(addr)) {
+      throw new Error(`Invalid podcast Cc email address: ${raw}`);
+    }
+    if (FORBIDDEN_PODCAST_RECIPIENTS.has(addr)) {
+      throw new Error(`Forbidden podcast guest recipient in Cc: ${addr}`);
+    }
+    if (addr !== PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC && addr !== PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM && addr !== guest) {
+      throw new Error(`Unexpected extra podcast Cc recipient: ${addr}; only ${PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC} is allowed`);
+    }
+  }
+  return [PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC];
+}
+
+export interface PodcastGuestReplyInput {
+  to: string;
+  subject: string;
+  body: string;
+  threadId?: string;
+  inReplyTo?: string;
+  cc?: readonly string[];
+}
+
+export interface PreparedPodcastGuestReply {
+  from: string;
+  to: string;
+  cc: string[];
+  subject: string;
+  body: string;
+  threadId?: string;
+  inReplyTo?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Prepare an Orin-driven reply in a podcast guest thread.
+ * Preserves the guest `To:`, enforces `Cc: alexey@datatalks.club` with no extra
+ * recipients, and normalizes the `Re:` subject prefix without sending mail.
+ */
+export function preparePodcastGuestReply(input: PodcastGuestReplyInput): PreparedPodcastGuestReply {
+  const to = String(input.to || '').trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (!EMAIL_PATTERN.test(to) || /[\r\n]/.test(to)) {
+    throw new Error('A valid single-line guest recipient email is required');
+  }
+  if (FORBIDDEN_PODCAST_RECIPIENTS.has(to) || to === PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM || to === PODCAST_GUEST_OBSERVER_CC) {
+    throw new Error(`Invalid podcast guest recipient: ${to}`);
+  }
+  const rawSubject = String(input.subject || '').trim();
+  if (!rawSubject || /[\r\n]/.test(rawSubject)) {
+    throw new Error('A single-line thread subject is required');
+  }
+  const body = String(input.body || '').replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').trim();
+  if (!body) {
+    throw new Error('A non-empty reply body is required');
+  }
+  const cc = normalizePodcastGuestCc(input.cc, to);
+  const subject = /^re:\s*/i.test(rawSubject) ? rawSubject.replace(/^re:\s*/i, 'Re: ') : `Re: ${rawSubject}`;
+  const threadId = input.threadId?.trim() || undefined;
+  const inReplyTo = input.inReplyTo?.trim() || undefined;
+  if ((threadId && /[\r\n]/.test(threadId)) || (inReplyTo && /[\r\n]/.test(inReplyTo))) {
+    throw new Error('Thread identifiers must be single-line');
+  }
+  return {
+    from: PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM,
+    to,
+    cc,
+    subject,
+    body,
+    ...(threadId ? { threadId } : {}),
+    ...(inReplyTo ? { inReplyTo } : {}),
+  };
+}
 
 /** Berlin wall-clock label for a hold instant, e.g. "Tuesday, November 4 at 12:30 CET". */
 export function formatSlotLabel(startIso: string, timeZone = BERLIN_TZ): string {
diff --git a/backend/src/routes/cards.ts b/backend/src/routes/cards.ts
index 32d0f0d0..3ef28518 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/cards.ts
+++ b/backend/src/routes/cards.ts
@@ -398,9 +398,9 @@ async function handleCardRoutes(
           const [loaded, hold] = await Promise.all([getSponsorDocWithAuthMaterial(client, job.docId), getEventRecord(client, job.holdId)]);
           const code = loaded ? decryptSponsorDocAccessCode(job.docId, loaded.accessCodeCiphertext) : null;
           if (loaded && hold && code) email = await loadGuestFirstContact(client, { type: job.type, templateId: job.policy.emailTemplateId, guestName: job.guestName, topic: job.topic, startIso: hold.startIso, guestTimezone: job.guestTimezone,
-            formUrl: `${(process.env.DATAOPS_PORTAL_URL || 'https://ops.dtcdev.click').replace(/\/$/, '')}/${job.policy.formTemplate}-docs/${encodeURIComponent(job.docId)}?code=${encodeURIComponent(code)}`, accessCode: code });
+            formUrl: `${(process.env.DATAOPS_PORTAL_URL || 'https://ops.dtcdev.click').replace(/\/$/, '')}/${job.policy.formTemplate}-docs/${encodeURIComponent(job.docId)}?code=${encodeURIComponent(code)}`, accessCode: code, cc: job.policy.cc });
         }
-        return json(200, { invitation: job, ...(email ? { preview: true, email: { ...email, to: job.guestEmail, cc: [] } } : {}) });
+        return json(200, { invitation: job, ...(email ? { preview: true, email: { ...email, to: job.guestEmail, cc: email.cc } } : {}) });
       }
       if (!mayAdministerCard(actor.actor, card)) return workAdminForbidden('Sending this invitation requires the Card owner or an admin');
       if (action === 'send' && (job.status !== 'skipped' || !job.skipEmail)) return json(409, { error: 'Only a skipped initial invitation can be sent here; existing delivery attempts must be reconciled' });
diff --git a/backend/src/routes/podcastFirstContact.ts b/backend/src/routes/podcastFirstContact.ts
index 8b9c90e2..eb271e22 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/podcastFirstContact.ts
+++ b/backend/src/routes/podcastFirstContact.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import { loadGuestFirstContact } from '../events/guestFirstContact';
+import { preparePodcastGuestReply, type PodcastGuestReplyInput } from '../podcast/firstContact';
 /**
  * POST /api/podcast-first-contact/email: render Orin's first-contact email.
+ * POST /api/podcast-first-contact/reply: prepare or send an Orin-driven reply in a podcast guest thread.
  *
  * The render endpoint is side-effect free. The send endpoint reads an existing
  * tentative proposal, guest materials document and owning Task, then delivers
@@ -25,7 +27,7 @@ export async function handlePodcastFirstContactRoutes(
   event: LambdaEvent,
   client: DynamoDBDocumentClient,
 ): Promise<LambdaResponse> {
-  if (!['/api/podcast-first-contact/email', '/api/podcast-first-contact/send'].includes(path)) return json(404, { error: 'Not found' });
+  if (!['/api/podcast-first-contact/email', '/api/podcast-first-contact/send', '/api/podcast-first-contact/reply'].includes(path)) return json(404, { error: 'Not found' });
   if (method !== 'POST') return json(405, { error: 'Method not allowed' });
   const resolved = await resolveInteractiveActor(client, event, 'work-write');
   if (!resolved.ok) return resolved.response;
@@ -33,6 +35,38 @@ export async function handlePodcastFirstContactRoutes(
   const body = parse(event);
   if (!body) return json(400, { error: 'Invalid JSON' });
 
+  if (path.endsWith('/reply')) {
+    try {
+      const prepared = preparePodcastGuestReply({
+        to: String(body.to ?? body.recipientEmail ?? ''),
+        subject: String(body.subject ?? ''),
+        body: String(body.body ?? ''),
+        threadId: typeof body.threadId === 'string' ? body.threadId : undefined,
+        inReplyTo: typeof body.inReplyTo === 'string' ? body.inReplyTo : undefined,
+        cc: Array.isArray(body.cc) ? (body.cc as string[]) : undefined,
+      } satisfies PodcastGuestReplyInput);
+      if (body.send !== true || body.preview === true) {
+        return json(200, { preview: true, email: prepared });
+      }
+      const taskId = typeof body.taskId === 'string' ? body.taskId.trim() : '';
+      if (!taskId || !prepared.threadId) {
+        return json(400, { error: 'taskId and threadId are required when sending a podcast guest reply' });
+      }
+      const connectionId = process.env.DATAOPS_ORIN_GMAIL_CONNECTION_ID?.trim() || 'google-calendar-orin';
+      const delivery = await deliverRenderedEmail(client, {
+        draft: { subject: prepared.subject, body: prepared.body },
+        recipientEmail: prepared.to,
+        taskId,
+        connectionId,
+        cc: prepared.cc,
+        threadId: prepared.threadId,
+      });
+      return json(200, { emailDelivery: delivery, email: prepared, taskId, threadId: prepared.threadId });
+    } catch (error) {
+      return json(400, { error: (error as Error).message });
+    }
+  }
+
   if (path.endsWith('/send')) {
     const { holdId, docId, taskId, guestName } = body;
     if (![holdId, docId, taskId, guestName].every(value => typeof value === 'string' && value.trim() && value.length <= 200)) {
@@ -74,13 +108,13 @@ export async function handlePodcastFirstContactRoutes(
     const formUrl = `${sponsorDocPortalBaseUrl(event)}/podcast-docs/${encodeURIComponent(doc.id)}?code=${encodeURIComponent(accessCode)}`;
     let email;
     try {
-      email = await loadGuestFirstContact(client, { type: 'podcast', templateId: card.templateDefinitionSnapshot?.guestIntake?.emailTemplateId || 'podcast.first-contact', guestName, startIso: hold.startIso, topic: hold.topic, formUrl, accessCode });
+      email = await loadGuestFirstContact(client, { type: 'podcast', templateId: card.templateDefinitionSnapshot?.guestIntake?.emailTemplateId || 'podcast.first-contact', guestName, startIso: hold.startIso, topic: hold.topic, formUrl, accessCode, cc: card.templateDefinitionSnapshot?.guestIntake?.cc });
     } catch (error) { return json(422, { error: (error as Error).message }); }
     const recipient = hold.guestRef!.trim().toLowerCase();
     // Use the existing Orin Google connection with verified Gmail scopes, also
     // used by contract delivery. No new account, connection or grant is created.
     const connectionId = process.env.DATAOPS_ORIN_GMAIL_CONNECTION_ID?.trim() || 'google-calendar-orin';
-    if (body.preview === true) return json(200, { preview: true, email: { ...email, to: recipient, cc: [] }, connectionId, retryEligible: Boolean(retryEligible), taskId, holdId, docId });
+    if (body.preview === true) return json(200, { preview: true, email: { ...email, to: recipient, cc: email.cc }, connectionId, retryEligible: Boolean(retryEligible), taskId, holdId, docId });
     const attempts = prior ? [...(prior.attempts || []), { claimedAt: prior.claimedAt, delivery: prior.delivery! }] : [];
     const claim = { holdId, docId, recipient, state: 'sending' as const, claimedAt: new Date().toISOString(), attempts };
     try {
@@ -90,7 +124,7 @@ export async function handlePodcastFirstContactRoutes(
       throw error;
     }
     // Only the explicit, proven pre-Gmail recovery above can repeat an attempt.
-    const delivery = await deliverRenderedEmail(client, { draft: email, recipientEmail: recipient, recipientName: guestName, taskId, connectionId, cc: [] });
+    const delivery = await deliverRenderedEmail(client, { draft: email, recipientEmail: recipient, recipientName: guestName, taskId, connectionId, cc: email.cc });
     for (let attempt = 0; attempt < 3; attempt += 1) {
       const current = await getTaskConsistent(client, taskId);
       if (!current) throw new Error('Owning Task disappeared after invitation delivery');
diff --git a/backend/src/sponsorDocs/emailDelivery.ts b/backend/src/sponsorDocs/emailDelivery.ts
index 337eeb73..a91dace4 100644
--- a/backend/src/sponsorDocs/emailDelivery.ts
+++ b/backend/src/sponsorDocs/emailDelivery.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import {
   renderSponsorEmailDraft,
   type SponsorDocTemplateKey,
 } from './templates';
+import { PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_CC } from '../podcast/firstContact';
 
 export const SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_FROM = 'orin@datatalks.club';
 export const SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_CC = 'valeriia@datatalks.club';
@@ -316,7 +317,7 @@ export async function deliverRenderedEmail(
       state: 'deferred',
       from: SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_FROM,
       to: resolvedRecipient.to,
-      cc: [SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_CC],
+      cc: options.cc ?? [SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_CC],
       ...(resolvedRecipient.recipientName ? { recipientName: resolvedRecipient.recipientName } : {}),
       subject,
       reason: 'task_required',
@@ -649,6 +650,16 @@ export async function renderSponsorDocEmailDraft(options: {
   return renderSponsorEmailDraft(options);
 }
 
+export function defaultCcForSponsorDocTemplate(template: SponsorDocTemplateKey): string[] {
+  if (template === 'podcast' || template.startsWith('podcast-')) {
+    return [...PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_CC];
+  }
+  if (template === 'webinar' || template === 'workshop') {
+    return [];
+  }
+  return [SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_CC];
+}
+
 export async function deliverSponsorDocEmail(
   client: DynamoDBDocumentClient,
   options: {
@@ -662,6 +673,8 @@ export async function deliverSponsorDocEmail(
     taskId?: string | null;
     organizationId?: string | null;
     connectionId?: string | null;
+    cc?: string[];
+    threadId?: string;
   },
 ): Promise<SponsorDocEmailDelivery> {
   const resolvedRecipient = await resolveSponsorDocRecipient(client, {
@@ -670,6 +683,7 @@ export async function deliverSponsorDocEmail(
     organizationId: options.organizationId,
     sponsorName: options.sponsorName,
   });
+  const cc = options.cc ?? defaultCcForSponsorDocTemplate(options.template);
 
   let draft: TemplatedEmailDraft & { templateId?: string; templateRevision?: string };
   try {
@@ -685,7 +699,7 @@ export async function deliverSponsorDocEmail(
     return {
       state: 'deferred',
       from: SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_FROM,
-      ...(resolvedRecipient.to ? { to: resolvedRecipient.to, cc: [SPONSOR_DOC_EMAIL_CC] } : {}),
+      ...(resolvedRecipient.to ? { to: resolvedRecipient.to, ...(cc.length > 0 ? { cc } : {}) } : {}),
       ...(resolvedRecipient.recipientName ? { recipientName: resolvedRecipient.recipientName } : {}),
       subject: '',
       reason: error instanceof KnowledgeEmailTemplateError ? 'knowledge_template_unavailable' : 'template_render_failed',
@@ -701,6 +715,8 @@ export async function deliverSponsorDocEmail(
     organizationId: options.organizationId,
     sponsorName: options.sponsorName,
     connectionId: options.connectionId,
+    cc,
+    ...(options.threadId ? { threadId: options.threadId } : {}),
   });
   return {
     ...delivery,
diff --git a/backend/tests/guest-intake-worker.test.ts b/backend/tests/guest-intake-worker.test.ts
index 301bd49a..77cd1324 100644
--- a/backend/tests/guest-intake-worker.test.ts
+++ b/backend/tests/guest-intake-worker.test.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ let db: DynamoDBDocumentClient;
 let google = createMockGoogleCalendar();
 const checklist = createTaskChecklistFixture();
 let mails = 0;
+let lastMailMime = '';
 let ownerEvents: unknown[] = [];
 let failMail = false;
 let onMailSend: (() => Promise<void>) | undefined;
@@ -37,8 +38,8 @@ before(async () => {
   await saveCalendarOverlaySettings(db, { connectionId: 'synthetic-google' }, 'synthetic-actor');
   setCalendarHoldGoogleDepsForTests({ credential: 'synthetic', connectionId: 'synthetic-google', fetchImpl: google.fetchImpl });
   setOwnerCalendarProviderClientsForTests({ readSecret: async () => 'synthetic', fetch: async (url) => new Response(JSON.stringify(String(url).endsWith('/api/agent/token') ? { access_token: 'synthetic' } : { items: ownerEvents }), { status: 200 }) });
-  setSponsorDocEmailDepsForTests({ credential: 'synthetic', fetchImpl: async (url) => {
-    if (String(url).endsWith('/messages/send')) { mails++; if (onMailSend) { const callback = onMailSend; onMailSend = undefined; await callback(); } if (failMail) throw new Error('synthetic ambiguous timeout'); return new Response(JSON.stringify({ id: `synthetic-mail-${mails}` }), { status: 200 }); }
+  setSponsorDocEmailDepsForTests({ credential: 'synthetic', fetchImpl: async (url, init) => {
+    if (String(url).endsWith('/messages/send')) { mails++; lastMailMime = Buffer.from(JSON.parse(String(init?.body || '{}')).raw || '', 'base64url').toString('utf8'); if (onMailSend) { const callback = onMailSend; onMailSend = undefined; await callback(); } if (failMail) throw new Error('synthetic ambiguous timeout'); return new Response(JSON.stringify({ id: `synthetic-mail-${mails}` }), { status: 200 }); }
     if (String(url).includes('userinfo')) return new Response(JSON.stringify({ email: 'orin@datatalks.club' }), { status: 200 });
     return new Response(JSON.stringify({ access_token: 'synthetic', provider_account_id: 'orin@datatalks.club', scopes: ['https://www.googleapis.com/auth/gmail.send'] }), { status: 200 });
   } });
@@ -68,6 +69,8 @@ test('creation queues a durable job with email alone; one worker sends both chan
   await handler({ Records: [{ eventSource: 'aws:dynamodb', eventName: 'INSERT', dynamodb: { NewImage: { guestIntake: { M: { jobId: { S: created.card.guestIntake.jobId } } } } } }] });
   const job = (await getGuestIntakeJob(db, created.card.guestIntake.jobId))!;
   assert.equal(job.status, 'sent'); assert.equal(mails, beforeMails + 1);
+  assert.match(lastMailMime, /Cc: alexey@datatalks\.club\r\n/);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(lastMailMime, /grace@datatalks\.club|alexey\.s\.grigoriev@gmail\.com|valeriia@datatalks\.club/i);
   const event = (await getEventRecord(db, job.holdId!))!;
   assert.equal(event.durationMinutes, 60);
   assert.equal(event.operations[0].desired.startIso, new Date(Date.parse(event.startIso)-5*60000).toISOString()); assert.match(event.operations[0].desired.summary, /^\[Proposed\] /);
diff --git a/backend/tests/podcast-doc-email.test.ts b/backend/tests/podcast-doc-email.test.ts
index 6c754782..043d9ccc 100644
--- a/backend/tests/podcast-doc-email.test.ts
+++ b/backend/tests/podcast-doc-email.test.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,17 @@
 import { describe, it } from 'node:test';
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
 import { renderSponsorEmailDraft } from '../src/sponsorDocs/templates';
+import { defaultCcForSponsorDocTemplate } from '../src/sponsorDocs/emailDelivery';
 
 const base = { sponsorName: 'Sofiia Hordiienko', publicationDate: '2026-11-20 15:00', shareUrl: 'https://example.test/doc', accessCode: 'code-1' };
 
 describe('podcast doc emails', () => {
+  it('uses alexey@datatalks.club as the single observer Cc for podcast doc emails', () => {
+    assert.deepEqual(defaultCcForSponsorDocTemplate('podcast'), ['alexey@datatalks.club']);
+    assert.deepEqual(defaultCcForSponsorDocTemplate('podcast-episode-brief'), ['alexey@datatalks.club']);
+    assert.deepEqual(defaultCcForSponsorDocTemplate('webinar'), []);
+    assert.deepEqual(defaultCcForSponsorDocTemplate('workshop'), []);
+  });
   it('renders a guest email for the episode brief', () => {
     const { body } = renderSponsorEmailDraft({ ...base, template: 'podcast-episode-brief', recipientName: 'Sofiia Hordiienko' });
     assert.match(body, /Hi Sofiia,/);
diff --git a/backend/tests/podcast-first-contact.test.ts b/backend/tests/podcast-first-contact.test.ts
index 2da19e7c..51201438 100644
--- a/backend/tests/podcast-first-contact.test.ts
+++ b/backend/tests/podcast-first-contact.test.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ import { templateLink } from './helpers/cardTemplate';
 import { setSponsorDocEmailDepsForTests } from '../src/sponsorDocs/emailDelivery';
 import {
   PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM,
+  PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_CC,
   formatSlotLabel,
+  preparePodcastGuestReply,
 } from '../src/podcast/firstContact';
 
 const approvedTemplate = `Subject: <FIRST_NAME_SUBJECT_PREFIX>DataTalks.Club Podcast\n\n<GREETING>
@@ -90,6 +92,7 @@ describe('podcast first-contact email (Orin ask)', () => {
   it('renders the exact approved first-contact subject and body', () => {
     const email = renderGuestFirstContact(approvedTemplate, { ...renderInput, type: 'podcast', templateId: 'podcast.first-contact', guestName: renderInput.guestFirstName, topic: renderInput.topicSeed });
     assert.equal(email.from, PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_FROM);
+    assert.deepEqual(email.cc, [...PODCAST_FIRST_CONTACT_CC]);
     assert.equal(email.subject, 'Synthetic at DataTalks.Club Podcast');
     assert.equal(email.body, `Hi Synthetic,
 
@@ -146,7 +149,7 @@ Orin Vale`);
     assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200, res.body);
     const output = JSON.parse(res.body);
     assert.equal(output.email.to, 'guest@example.test');
-    assert.deepEqual(output.email.cc, []);
+    assert.deepEqual(output.email.cc, ['alexey@datatalks.club']);
     assert.equal(output.connectionId, 'google-calendar-orin');
     assert.match(output.email.body, /Monday 4 November 2030 at 17:00 CET/);
     assert.match(output.email.body, /Reliable data agents/);
@@ -172,11 +175,13 @@ Orin Vale`);
     assert.equal(results.filter(result => result.statusCode === 409).length, 1);
     assert.equal(sends, 1);
     assert.match(mime, /To: guest@example.test/);
-    assert.ok(!mime.includes('Cc:'));
+    assert.match(mime, /Cc: alexey@datatalks\.club\r\n/);
+    assert.doesNotMatch(mime, /grace@datatalks\.club|alexey\.s\.grigoriev@gmail\.com|valeriia@datatalks\.club/i);
     assert.match(mime, /Best regards,\r\nOrin Vale/);
     const saved = (await getTaskConsistent(client, input.taskId))!;
     assert.equal(saved.podcastFirstContact!.state, 'sent');
     assert.equal(saved.podcastFirstContact!.delivery!.messageId, 'synthetic-message');
+    assert.deepEqual(saved.podcastFirstContact!.delivery!.cc, ['alexey@datatalks.club']);
     assert.ok(saved.notesLog!.some(note => note.text.includes('synthetic-message')));
     const replay = await staffReq('POST', '/api/podcast-first-contact/send', input);
     assert.equal(replay.statusCode, 200, replay.body);
@@ -185,6 +190,78 @@ Orin Vale`);
     setSponsorDocEmailDepsForTests({});
   });
 
+  it('prepares and delivers Orin-driven guest thread replies with alexey@datatalks.club in Cc and no extra recipients', async () => {
+    const prepared = preparePodcastGuestReply({
+      to: 'guest@example.test',
+      subject: 'Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast',
+      body: 'Thanks! Tuesday at 17:00 CET works well.',
+      threadId: 'thread-guest-1',
+      inReplyTo: '<msg-1@mail.gmail.com>',
+      cc: ['orin@datatalks.club', 'guest@example.test'],
+    });
+    assert.equal(prepared.from, 'orin@datatalks.club');
+    assert.equal(prepared.to, 'guest@example.test');
+    assert.deepEqual(prepared.cc, ['alexey@datatalks.club']);
+    assert.equal(prepared.subject, 'Re: Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast');
+    assert.equal(prepared.threadId, 'thread-guest-1');
+    assert.equal(prepared.inReplyTo, '<msg-1@mail.gmail.com>');
+
+    for (const forbidden of ['grace@datatalks.club', 'alexey.s.grigoriev@gmail.com', 'valeriia@datatalks.club', 'extra@example.test']) {
+      assert.throws(() => preparePodcastGuestReply({
+        to: 'guest@example.test',
+        subject: 'Re: Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast',
+        body: 'Confirming slot.',
+        cc: ['alexey@datatalks.club', forbidden],
+      }), /Forbidden|Unexpected extra/);
+    }
+
+    const previewRes = await staffReq('POST', '/api/podcast-first-contact/reply', {
+      to: 'guest@example.test',
+      subject: 'Re: Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast',
+      body: 'Confirming Tuesday at 17:00 CET.',
+      threadId: 'thread-guest-1',
+    });
+    assert.equal(previewRes.statusCode, 200, previewRes.body);
+    const previewBody = JSON.parse(previewRes.body);
+    assert.equal(previewBody.preview, true);
+    assert.deepEqual(previewBody.email.cc, ['alexey@datatalks.club']);
+    assert.equal(previewBody.email.subject, 'Re: Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast');
+
+    const input = await invitation();
+    let replyMime = '';
+    let sentThreadId = '';
+    setSponsorDocEmailDepsForTests({ credential: 'synthetic-credential', fetchImpl: async (url, init) => {
+      if (String(url).includes('/threads/thread-guest-1')) {
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify({
+          messages: [{ payload: { headers: [{ name: 'Subject', value: 'Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast' }, { name: 'Message-ID', value: '<msg-1@mail.gmail.com>' }] } }],
+        }), { status: 200 });
+      }
+      if (String(url).endsWith('/messages/send')) {
+        const parsed = JSON.parse(String(init?.body));
+        sentThreadId = parsed.threadId;
+        replyMime = Buffer.from(parsed.raw, 'base64url').toString('utf8');
+        return new Response(JSON.stringify({ id: 'reply-message-1', threadId: 'thread-guest-1' }), { status: 200 });
+      }
+      return new Response(JSON.stringify({ access_token: 'synthetic-access', provider_account_id: 'orin@datatalks.club' }), { status: 200 });
+    } });
+    const sendRes = await staffReq('POST', '/api/podcast-first-contact/reply', {
+      to: 'guest@example.test',
+      subject: 'Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast',
+      body: 'Confirming Tuesday at 17:00 CET.',
+      threadId: 'thread-guest-1',
+      taskId: input.taskId,
+      send: true,
+    });
+    assert.equal(sendRes.statusCode, 200, sendRes.body);
+    assert.equal(sentThreadId, 'thread-guest-1');
+    assert.match(replyMime, /From: Orin <orin@datatalks\.club>\r\n/);
+    assert.match(replyMime, /To: guest@example\.test\r\n/);
+    assert.match(replyMime, /Cc: alexey@datatalks\.club\r\n/);
+    assert.match(replyMime, /In-Reply-To: <msg-1@mail\.gmail\.com>\r\n/);
+    assert.doesNotMatch(replyMime, /grace@datatalks\.club|alexey\.s\.grigoriev@gmail\.com|valeriia@datatalks\.club/i);
+    setSponsorDocEmailDepsForTests({});
+  });
+
   it('rejects an unrelated guest form before attempting delivery', async () => {
     const input = await invitation();
     const other = await invitation();
diff --git a/cli/src/commands/cards.mjs b/cli/src/commands/cards.mjs
index 0b4bccd1..5c43d70a 100644
--- a/cli/src/commands/cards.mjs
+++ b/cli/src/commands/cards.mjs
@@ -568,6 +568,9 @@ export async function invitation(args, io) {
   }
   const preview = result.email || (typeof result.preview === "object" ? result.preview : undefined);
   if (preview?.subject && typeof preview.body === "string") {
+    if (Array.isArray(preview.cc) && preview.cc.length > 0) {
+      io.print(`Cc: ${preview.cc.join(", ")}`);
+    }
     io.print(`Subject: ${preview.subject}`);
     io.print("");
     io.print(preview.body);
diff --git a/cli/src/commands/podcast.mjs b/cli/src/commands/podcast.mjs
index 6c48eb46..ee343c24 100644
--- a/cli/src/commands/podcast.mjs
+++ b/cli/src/commands/podcast.mjs
@@ -599,6 +599,9 @@ export async function invite(args, io) {
   io.print("");
   io.print(`From: ${rendered.from}`);
   io.print(`To: ${email}`);
+  if (Array.isArray(rendered.cc) && rendered.cc.length > 0) {
+    io.print(`Cc: ${rendered.cc.join(", ")}`);
+  }
   io.print(`Subject: ${rendered.subject}`);
   io.print("");
   io.print(rendered.body);
@@ -623,7 +626,8 @@ export async function sendInvite(args, io) {
   const result = await apiFor(args).post('/api/podcast-first-contact/send', payload);
   if (args.json) return result;
   if (result.preview) {
-    io.print(`From: ${result.email.from}\nTo: ${result.email.to}\nSubject: ${result.email.subject}\n\n${result.email.body}`);
+    const ccLine = Array.isArray(result.email.cc) && result.email.cc.length > 0 ? `\nCc: ${result.email.cc.join(', ')}` : '';
+    io.print(`From: ${result.email.from}\nTo: ${result.email.to}${ccLine}\nSubject: ${result.email.subject}\n\n${result.email.body}`);
     io.print('Preview only; no email sent.');
   } else {
     const delivery = result.emailDelivery || {};
diff --git a/cli/test/cards-invitation.test.mjs b/cli/test/cards-invitation.test.mjs
index b97f1422..9bd4bf66 100644
--- a/cli/test/cards-invitation.test.mjs
+++ b/cli/test/cards-invitation.test.mjs
@@ -6,13 +6,14 @@ const originalFetch = globalThis.fetch;
 const { run } = await import('../src/cli.mjs');
 afterEach(() => { globalThis.fetch = originalFetch; });
 test('invitation status and preview are read-only, preserve evidence and show rendered copy', async () => {
-  const calls = fakePortal({ 'GET /api/cards/synthetic-card/guest-intake': ({ query }) => ({ invitation: { status: 'sent', recipient: 'guest@example.test', taskId: 'task-test', messageId: 'gmail-test' }, ...(query.preview ? { preview: true, email: { subject: 'Synthetic guest', body: 'Synthetic invitation body.' } } : {}) }) });
+  const calls = fakePortal({ 'GET /api/cards/synthetic-card/guest-intake': ({ query }) => ({ invitation: { status: 'sent', recipient: 'guest@example.test', taskId: 'task-test', messageId: 'gmail-test' }, ...(query.preview ? { preview: true, email: { cc: ['alexey@datatalks.club'], subject: 'Synthetic guest', body: 'Synthetic invitation body.' } } : {}) }) });
   const status = captureIo();
   assert.equal(await run(['cards', 'invitation', 'synthetic-card'], status), 0);
   assert.match(status.text(), /First invitation: sent/);
   assert.match(status.text(), /Gmail message ID: gmail-test/);
   const preview = captureIo();
   assert.equal(await run(['cards', 'invitation', 'synthetic-card', '--preview'], preview), 0);
+  assert.match(preview.text(), /Cc: alexey@datatalks\.club/);
   assert.match(preview.text(), /Subject: Synthetic guest/);
   assert.match(preview.text(), /Synthetic invitation body/);
   assert.equal(calls.at(-1).query.preview, '1');
diff --git a/cli/test/podcast.test.mjs b/cli/test/podcast.test.mjs
index b0965013..7d4b162f 100644
--- a/cli/test/podcast.test.mjs
+++ b/cli/test/podcast.test.mjs
@@ -394,6 +394,7 @@ describe("podcast publication evidence flags", () => {
     };
     const email = {
       from: "orin@datatalks.club",
+      cc: ["alexey@datatalks.club"],
       subject: "Sofiia at DataTalks.Club Podcast",
       body: "Hi Sofiia,\n\nFor the interview, will Wednesday 4 November at 12:30 CET work for you?\n\nPlease do not invent alternate times in email.\n\nhttps://datatalksclub.github.io/docs/activities/podcast/",
       docsUrl: "https://datatalksclub.github.io/docs/activities/podcast/",
@@ -433,6 +434,7 @@ describe("podcast publication evidence flags", () => {
     // Printed email: from orin@, one slot, docs URL, send reminder.
     assert.match(io.text(), /From: orin@datatalks\.club/);
     assert.match(io.text(), /To: sofiia@example\.com/);
+    assert.match(io.text(), /Cc: alexey@datatalks\.club/);
     assert.match(io.text(), /Sofiia at DataTalks\.Club Podcast/);
     assert.match(io.text(), /datatalksclub\.github\.io\/docs\/activities\/podcast\//);
     assert.match(io.text(), /No Card created/);
@@ -489,11 +491,12 @@ describe("podcast publication evidence flags", () => {
 
   test("send-invite delegates saved records to DataOps and supports a non-sending preview", async () => {
     const calls = fakePortal({
-      'POST /api/podcast-first-contact/send': { preview: true, email: { from: 'orin@datatalks.club', to: 'guest@example.test', subject: 'Guest at DataTalks.Club Podcast', body: 'Synthetic preview' } },
+      'POST /api/podcast-first-contact/send': { preview: true, email: { from: 'orin@datatalks.club', to: 'guest@example.test', cc: ['alexey@datatalks.club'], subject: 'Guest at DataTalks.Club Podcast', body: 'Synthetic preview' } },
     });
     const io = captureIo();
     assert.equal(await run(['podcast', 'send-invite', '--hold', 'hold-1', '--doc', 'doc-1', '--task', 'task-1', '--guest', 'Synthetic Guest', '--preview'], io), 0);
     assert.deepEqual(calls[0].body, { holdId: 'hold-1', docId: 'doc-1', taskId: 'task-1', guestName: 'Synthetic Guest', preview: true });
+    assert.match(io.text(), /Cc: alexey@datatalks\.club/);
     assert.match(io.text(), /Preview only; no email sent/);
   });