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Heroes Behind Headlines — Documentary
Heroes Behind Headlines

Heroes Behind the Headlines: a new podcast featuring an explosive new story every episode. First-hand accounts of adventures and events which have shaped our world . The real stories behind the headlines you know, told by the heroes you don’t. Hosted by NYT and international bestselling author Ralph Pezzullo.

Copyright: © 2022 Heroes Behind Headlines

Latest Episodes:

Untitled Episode Nov 18, 2024

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

From The Brown Water Navy In Vietnam To High Command: Admiral Bill Retz Nov 11, 2024

While patrolling the waterways in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta as Operations Officer, Bill Retz nearly lost his life. Doctors advised him that his navy career was over yet—defying the odds after a difficult recovery—he ultimately rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. Among his commands were the destroyer USS Stump and the Naval War base at Pearl Harbor. As Destroyer Squadron commander he was closely involved in anti-submarine warfare and in early tests of the Tomahawk cruise missile system.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

SOG Legend "Tilt" Meyer Is Back! (Part Two) Nov 05, 2024

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

SOG Legend John Stryker "Tilt" Meyer Is Back! (Part One) Nov 04, 2024

Special Forces legend "Tilt" Meyer is back in a special two-part episode, sharing stories from his new book “On The Ground!”

If you joined MACV-SOG–-the Studies and Observations Group—in the 1960s for America's "Secret War" in Laos and Cambodia, the first thing you did was sign an oath to never speak about what happened for 20 years. Now able to speak freely, Tilt shares the sheer adventure and reality of jungle combat. Each SOG team was named after a U.S. state, and they were comprised of both American and local Vietnamese soldiers.

HBH is thrilled to have him back to describe the friendships, firefights, and fortitude of this remarkable fighting group.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Part Two: CIA Whistleblower Reveals The Foreign Attack On Our Elections Oct 28, 2024

Retired CIA Operative and government whistleblower Gary Berntsen continues to share insights and details from the results of a four-year investigation into election tampering.
His team’s conclusion: Enemies of the United States including Venezuela, Cuba, China and Serbia have been determining the results of elections in the U.S. since 2006 through the use of electronic systems that they have developed. Using these systems, they now manipulate the results of elections in 72 countries around the world.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Breaking Story: CIA Whistleblower Reveals The Foreign Attack On Our Elections Oct 21, 2024

Retired CIA Operative and government whistleblower Gary Berntsen reveals the results of a four-year investigation into election tampering. His team’s conclusion: Enemies of the United States including Venezuela, Cuba, China and Serbia have been determining the results of elections in the U.S. since 2006 through the use of electronic systems that they have developed. Using these systems, they now manipulate the results of elections in 72 countries around the world.
Gary Berntsen is arguably the most decorated CIA operations officer in modern times. He is the man who recruited and led the combined CIA-Special Forces teams that helped overthrow the Taliban after the attack of 9/11 and had Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda fighters trapped in the Tora Bora mountains of Afghanistan. He also served as a CIA Station Chief in three counties; led the Hezbollah working group; investigated the East Africa embassy bombings in 1998; and stopped various terrorist attacks around the world.
Gary and his team are now going public with a criminal investigation that will shock the world. The evidence they have assembled is described in a new book by Ralph Pezzullo titled "Stolen Elections: The Plot to Destroy Global Democracy" published by Skyhorse Publishing.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

War Has Infinite Victims: An Unbelievable Human Trafficking Survival Story Oct 14, 2024

An Inspiring Reprise Episode From Season One:
Human trafficking is a $150 billion-a-year business that thrives in war zones and is arguably more lucrative than arms sales. Lurata Lyon joins HBH and bravely tells her unimaginable story of survival during the Balkan Wars across Eastern Europe in the 1990s.
Lurata was kidnapped into human trafficking as a teenager when the war engulfed her home country of Serbia. She was destined for a life of sex-trafficking and organ-harvesting. Miraculously, she escaped, only to find further horrors waiting for her in the same war zone.
Lurata is a profoundly inspirational person. Beyond her heroism to survive, she continues to speak out for those who were not as fortunate.

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Tragedy At Abbey Gate Oct 07, 2024

Mikael Cook served as a U.S. Army engineer in the reserves. He was sent to Afghanistan in 2019 helping to build out infrastructure for U.S. military camps, working with local translators and other workers. He befriended his Afghan co-workers, especially an interpreter, Muhammad, and his brother Abdul.
Following the Trump administration’s decision in 2020 to withdraw from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years, it fell to the Biden administration to execute the withdrawal which they did very abruptly in August 2021, creating administrative and civil chaos and abandoning our allies and billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment.
The scene at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport were horrific with thousands of Afghans, who had worked for the U.S. and feared Taliban reprisals, desperate to escape. With no helping coming from the Biden administration, it fell to an ad hoc coalition of U.S. civilians and military members – later dubbed “Digital Dunkirk’ – to help rescue as many Afghans as they could. On August 26, 2021, in the midst of the chaos at the airport, an ISIS-K terrorist suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt that killed 13 U.S. servicemen and over 169 Afghan civilians.
Mikael Cook tells this tragic and dramatic story from various perspectives in his riveting book, “Life and Death at Abbey Gate: The Fall of Afghanistan and the Operation to Save Our Allies.”

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

A Modern Lynching Sep 30, 2024

Former Florida police investigator James Byrd-Williams, Sr. recounts the story of his son's murder in 2020. 44-year-old Michael Williams was an African-American man living in the mostly White college town of Grinnell, Iowa, to be near his ex-wife and kids. Occurring just weeks after the George Floyd incident, Michael Williams’ body was found strangled and burned in a ditch outside of town. Three people were later convicted.

J.B. expresses his frustration with the thoroughness of the investigation and the fact that officials and the NAACP—eager to avoid any media attention of the type recently seen in Minneapolis—denied it was a hate crime, and avoided the word 'lynching' in describing the homicide. UK newspaper The Guardian asked, “When is a lynching a lynching?”

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Daughter’s Love Solves Mystery Of WWII Hero With Severe PTSD Sep 23, 2024

Becky Ellis was one of her father’s eight children by four wives, and the chaos of her childhood, dominated by a haunted and difficult father, marked her and all her siblings. As a child, she suffered through her father’s paranoia about Nazis attacking them; trips to the dentist without anesthesia; and other irrational behaviors.

Only at age 89, when Becky was a grown wife and mother, did her father Staff Sgt. Louis K. Boswell finally share his wartime recollections as part of the legendary ‘Timberwolves’ – the nickname for the 104th infantry division. The ‘Timberwolves’ were deployed in northwestern Europe and saw almost 200 straight days of brutal fighting through France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and western Germany, including participating in the Battle of the Bulge. The group saw an extreme level of casualties, and Becky’s father described how he survived and how it felt when he returned stateside, with what was then an undiagnosed case of severe PTSD.

This compelling account is a glimpse inside military families who must welcome home a traumatized parent. Personally liberated by finally solving the mystery of her father, Becky shared her story in her book, “Little Avalanches,” and continues to work with military families coping with PTSD.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

U.S. Navy Admiral and Seal Leader Tells His Story Sep 16, 2024

Admiral Robert Stiles Harward, Jr. grew up in a Navy family, living overseas, and eventually joined up himself as a means to pay for college. Adm. Harward ultimately went on to an amazing career and leading the U.S. Navy Seals, and the Naval Special Warfare Group Task Force KBAR. He explains his amazingly positive view of the world and philosophy of team collaboration and information sharing, which he calls "The Gouge," with our host and in his book of the same name.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

9 British SAS v. 400 Communist Rebels: The Epic Battle of Mirbat Sep 09, 2024

Did you miss it? One of the most popular episodes we ever released from Season One is back for an encore listen:
Russian and Chinese-backed rebels were making deadly headway in Oman during its Civil War of the early 1970s. In support of the Western-allied Sultan, the British Army secretly deployed nine operators from its most elite unit, the SAS. HBH is honored to have our guest, Pete Winner, with a special appearance by Sekonaia ‘Tak’ Takevisi, two of the nine SAS heroes who took on over 400 Omani rebels at the Battle of Mirbat.
At stake on July 19th 1972 was more than just a single battle for a small town on the Gulf of Oman. Due to Mirbat’s geographic significance, had the SAS fallen the communist rebels would have taken hold of the region – and controlled the global shipping routs for Middle Eastern oil.
Statues of individual soldiers are rare, but due to his heroism at the Battle of MIrbat, there are not one but two statues of Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba. One unveiled in 2009 at the SAS headquarters in Herefordshire, and another in 2018 by Harry and Megan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in Fiji - which at the time of Labalaba’s enlistment was still a British colony.
Pete Winner is the author of his bestselling memoir "SOLDIER, I," which he wrote with Michael Kennedy.

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

A Winning Filly And Trying To Collect Over $1M From The Cartel Sep 02, 2024

Mark Paul’s outrageous adventure,“The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told," is the hilarious story of two buddies who won't give up on their stroke of luck. While the horse is the real hero of the story—a filly who broke the odds when she won the Kentucky Derby out of sheer heart. Mark and his friend Dino determine to try, along with a third gambling buddy, to go collect their winnings of over a million dollars from a racetrack in Tijuana owned by a cartel...
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Growing Up On The Reservation With A Criminal Father Aug 26, 2024

David Crow had a childhood like no other—with a mentally troubled mother and a criminally sociopathic father who raised his kids on a Navajo reservation, despite not actually being Native-American. David describes how his father tried to train him to be his criminal accomplice, until as an adult David broke away and ultimately built a successful life as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.

David's book, “The Pale-Faced Lie,” describes the scrapes and adventures he experienced.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Policeman Heals His PTSD Serving Departed Heroes Aug 19, 2024

Bobbie Myers served for years as a Florida policeman, de-stressing from his first responder experiences by living at the beach and surfing. Suddenly, after dramatically saving a drowning boy, his PTSD was triggered. He sought help and found a unique way to heal himself—repairing the headstones and tending the gravesites of fallen heroes, soldiers, and others whose resting places had fallen into disrepair and whose remarkable lives had been forgotten to the mists of time.
Now he devotes a portion of his life every year to travel across the country, visiting different graveyards and cemeteries to help maintain these resting places. Bobby shares stories of discovered heroes via social media at “Our Heroes' Headstones.”
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Professor Tore Olsson Makes History Cool Again Aug 12, 2024

When he started playing video game “Red Dead Redemption 2”, (which has sold over 64 million copies) Professor Tore Olsson from the University of Tennessee was inspired to use the game's setting in the American West to inspire his students and provoke a conversation about the real history of this romanticized era. And his curriculum has been a wild success.
Tore explains how even though the game isn’t perfectly historically accurate, it does raise themes and ideas that are critical to a real understanding of a critical period in American history.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Israel, October 2023: Helping People Escape During a Crisis Aug 09, 2024

Previous HBH guests, private security contractors Dean and Alana Stott are back—this time reporting on their work last October, after the terrorist attacks in Israel. Charged with helping Americans and others get their loved ones home, Dean describes arriving in Israel for the first time ever, and how they navigated operating on the ground in a country in crisis—solving for airline cancellations and price-gouging, and making local friends quickly to identify possible land routes out of Israel for fleeing foreigners.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

A WWII Story Like No Other: How the Man Who Bombed Pearl Harbor Befriended the Man Who Bombed Tokyo Aug 05, 2024

Three lives collide and transform in wartime: The Japanese fighter pilot, Mitsuo Fuchida, who led the attack on Pearl Harbor; the U.S. pilot Jake DeShazer, who bombed Tokyo in retaliation and became a Japanese POW; and Peggy Covell, an American woman who felt compelled to help the Japanese-Americans interned in the U.S., despite her missionary family having been murdered by the Japanese military.
Though the two men never met Peggy, her generosity of spirit inspired both of them, and they ultimately became lifelong friends both publicly decrying the morality of war. DeShazer went on to write a book about his experience as a POW who befriended his jailer, and his unexpected love for the Japanese people—which became a bestseller in that country. Fuchida also wrote two memoirs, “For That One Day” and “From Pearl Harbor to Calvary.” Martin Bennett shares this unbelievable true story, as detailed in his book, “Wounded Tiger.”
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Firefight in the Laotian Jungle: A Riveting Story from America's "Secret War" Jul 29, 2024

Lynne Black Jr., as member of RT Alabama – a recon team of the legendary MACV-SOG (“Study and Observations Group”) – fought in one of the most amazing missions of the eight-year "secret war" during the Vietnam War.
As their Kingbee helicopter spiraled downward toward the target west of the dangerous A Shau valley in Laos, Lynne and his team observed an NVA flag planted atop a nearby knoll surrounded by thick jungle. From his days in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, he knew that the presence of an NVA flag meant that there was at least a regiment of NVA soldiers in the area. That meant that the nine men of RT Alabama would be up against the approximately 3,000 NVA they were sent to find.

It was Lynne’s first mission into Laos and one he will never forget, including stepping up to lead his group, dodging napalm and grenades, and experiencing temporary deafness from non-stop AK-47 gunfire.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Horrors of an African-American Mental Asylum Jul 22, 2024

In 1911, experts believed that the psychology of different races was distinct, and so, like other states, the state of Maryland founded Crownsville, a mental asylum administered by an all-white doctor and nursing staff expressly and exclusively for African-Americans.
From her book "Madness," author/Peabody Award-winning journalist/on-air NBC correspondent Antonia Hylton describes how the physical building was built through the labor of actual patients; how many African-Americans over the years were wrongfully sent to Crownsville, and how its medical practices didn’t expect patients would ever leave, let alone be healed. Hylton walks us through the dubious history of this institution, and the dramatic hiring of its first African-American staff.
Crownsville ultimately closed its doors only in 2004.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Gold Star Son Waits 21 Years to Learn of Father’s Death in Vietnam Jul 15, 2024

In 1968, SSgt. Richard Fitts Sr. was a member of the legendary MACV-SOG team based in Vietnam, fighting in the ‘secret war’ in Laos, when the helicopter he was flying in crashed in the jungle in a ball of flames. Richard was declared Missing in Action while his wife and 3-year-old son back home in Massachusetts were given no other information.
For the next 21 years, Richard Fiits Jr. grew up without a father; not knowing if he would ever return. It wasn’t until 1990, when his father’s remains were finally found and buried with military honors, that Richard Fitts Jr. finally began to learn the truth of his father’s heroic career.
Now a musician, Richard Fitts Jr. talks about growing up with only one memory of his dad, and the journey he took to solve the mystery of who his father was and discover himself along the way. As the 20+-year secrecy oath binding living SOG veterans expired, Richard was able to make some surprising discoveries which resulted in his making a documentary, “21 Years—A Folded Flag,” to honor his father’s legacy, and to also help the children of other Gold Star families.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Marine Remembers the Vicious Battle of Dai Do Jul 08, 2024

In late April 1968, John K. Cordsen was a U.S. Marine on his second tour of duty when he became engaged in one of the most fiercely fought yet little-known battles of the Vietnam War. Over three days, a single battalion of 860 U.S. Marines fought against nearly 10,000 North Vietnamese soldiers over control of a river that was a critical supply line. Casualties were high and both sides claimed victory, but U.S. forces ultimately prevailed.

Part of the storied 2nd infantry, 4th Marines known as the “Magnificent Bastards” led by Brigadier General “Wild Bill” Weise, John shares his experiences and his dramatic journey to survive after sustaining grievous injury. This interview is part of our partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

B-17 Pilot Shot Down Over Belgium! Jul 01, 2024

Howard Snyder Jr. was a B-17 pilot bombing Nazi targets during WWII—when in February 1944 he and his ten-man crew were shot down over Nazi-held Belgium, close to the French border. His son Steve Snyder details how eight of the men, including his dad, survived the crash before scattering into the countryside.
Howard survived through the bravery and largess of local Belgians, who tried to help the stranded American soldiers. Howard ultimately worked for the Resistance in Belgium until he was able to make his way to the Allied forces and return to London, and eventually, home to the U.S. He made lifelong friends with the people who had helped him, and their families. All of this is chronicled in Steve's book "Shot Down," including his own meeting years later, with the German pilot who shot down his dad’s plane.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Leading Marines in the Fight for Ramadi Jun 24, 2024

During the Iraq War, U.S.M.C. Infantry Major Scott A. Huesing led Echo Company, 2nd battalion, 4th Marines through some of the worst combat in Ramadi, in Al Anbar Province in Iraq. He shares his account of the harsh realities of dense urban combat, and what helped his men persevere—especially their sense of camaraderie and 'family,’ that persists decades later as his soldiers and their families continue to build their lives stateside.
Scott served in the Marines for 24 years. His book "Echo in Ramadi" follows his company through a classic account of modern warfare, and he notes the leadership lessons he absorbed as he worked to help the young people in his team—some still teenagers!—survive under the most terrible conditions imaginable.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Growing Up Homeless Jun 17, 2024

David Ambroz was one of three kids raised by a single mother with mental health issues. In his book, "A Place Called Home," he describes his Dickensian childhood surviving a flawed parent, life on the streets, and a social services system seemingly designed to deprive his family of the help they needed.
When his mother grew too violent, David was initially relieved to be put in the foster system, despite being separated from his siblings. But things went from bad to worse, until finally he found a family that helped him find acceptance and balance into his young adulthood.
David overcame the odds and went on to become very successful--completing college, and earning a law degree.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Man Behind MK Ultra--the Infamous Government Mind Control Program Jun 10, 2024

In his book, “Poisoner-in-Chief,” (Henry Holt & Co.) former New York Times reporter and prolific author, Stephen Kinzer describes the shadowy man responsible for setting up one of the most infamous U.S. government programs. In 1953 during the “Cold War,” MK Ultra was initiated to develop techniques to brainwash people to act as our ‘programmed’ agents, in response to the paranoid misconception that Communist regimes had already succeeded in this objective, as in the film “Manchurian Candidate.”
Kinzer describes how Sidney Gottlieb coldly led this CIA-sponsored program based on heinous human research salvaged from the Nazis and Japanese, unleashing brutal experiments involving drugs, torture, sensory deprivation, and sexual abuse on human subjects. Gottlieb next went on to establish his moniker “Poisoner-in-Chief” as he led efforts to develop assorted poisons and delivery techniques, arming the CIA as it sought to assassinate various figures and world leaders including Fidel Castro.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Worst Combat in the Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan Jun 03, 2024

"Damn the Valley" is the mantra of every soldier from 2 Fury who fought in this infamous Taliban stronghold and is also the title of guest Will Yeske's memoir. Operating as the gateway to Kandahar, this area saw months of the fiercest combat—yielding a 52% casualty rate as coalition forces attempted to pacify this hotspot in 2009 and 2010. At one point, the entire prosthetics unit of Walter Reade Hospital was filled with men who had patrolled that deadly area, and yet it garnered little attention from government officials or the media.
Serving in the 1st platoon, Bravo Company, 2-508 Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 82nd Airborne, Will shares his dramatic and moving account with the aim of making us all aware of the price paid in blood and tears when we deploy military forces overseas.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

3 Foot, 11 Inch Amish Man Seeks Freedom! May 27, 2024

Elmer Miller was born in upstate New York into a large farming family that was part of a strict Amish community. Standing under four feet tall as a grown man, Elmer talks about the reality of life inside this group; how he confronted his own limitations and rebellious spirit; and ultimately his decision to leave and pursue life in the wider world with the "English."
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Solving Murder Cases with Forensic Anthropologist, Ryburn Dobbs May 20, 2024

Ryburn Dobbs breaks down his work as a forensic anthropologist and scientist and separates fact from fiction, as in TV programs like "Bones," explaining how real forensic investigations work. He shares details from his cases, and how his examination of bones help revealed critical clues as the police worked to solve murder cases.
Now retired, Ryburn continues to consult episodically on cases, and is also now the author of a series of mystery books based on his cases, including his latest book, "Where the Blood is Made."
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

From Brutal Fighting in WWII's Huertgen Forest to Nuremberg Trials to Priest May 13, 2024

Moritz Fuchs was a private in the 1st infantry division, 26th regiment, when he was sent overseas after D-Da,y to help fight German forces in the Huertgen forest, which saw some of the worst fighting in the whole war and claimed over 30,000 U.S. casualties.
After being wounded and recovering, he later served in the Harz mountains of Germany. After the war, he was appointed bodyguard to the Chief Prosecutor of the Nuremberg trials and was a witness to all the historic proceedings. Father Fuchs describes his impressions of the trials and how they deeply affected him.
Immediately following his discharge and return to the U.S. he enrolled in seminary school and became a priest, serving for over 60 years until 2018 when he passed away at age 92.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Inside the Most Secret Unit of the U.S. Military May 06, 2024

As part of a military unit so secret that its team members are not permitted to speak about it--except now for the first time ever!--Adam Gamal (not his real name) is not who you might expect to find in such a unit. But he's exactly the person who's most effective.
Born in Egypt, he emigrated to the U.S. to avoid Islamic extremists; worked two jobs while getting his degree; and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He describes his deployments to the Middle East and Africa; being wounded; and the various cultural and anti-Muslim prejudices he dealt with as he rose in the ranks.
Adam is joined by Kelly Kennedy, co-author of their new book, "The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives." (St. Martin.)
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Bipolar General Apr 29, 2024

U.S. Army Major General Gregg F. Martin (ret.) was the epitome of a successful military officer—an inspirational leader brimming with energy, intelligence and creativity. He shot up the leadership ranks of the U.S. military.

During the invasion of Iraq in 2003, he commanded the 130th Engineer Brigade as they cleared the way and rebuilt bridges to facilitate the takeover of the Euphrates River Valley, Baghdad and beyond. Working nonstop and seemingly indefatigable, he inspired the people he led and impressed his superiors, which resulted in numerous awards and promotions.
Unknown to him, the mental pressure of combat triggered a disposition to bipolar disorder. And, the same extraordinary mental clarity and energy that had previously been a blessing turned into a nightmare of full-blown mania and depression, which resulted in the end of his distinguished military career. General Martin is with us today to share his struggle and journey to recovery and managing his condition, as described in his book, "Bipolar General." (Naval Institute Press)

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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An Exceptional American Journey: From Soldier to Humanitarian Aid Worker Apr 22, 2024

David Holdridge served as a platoon leader in the U.S. Infantry outside of Chu Lai, Vietnam suffered a catastrophic injury, and has since devoted his life to delivering humanitarian aid to people suffering from starvation, exploitation, and in war zones around the world in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. From Saigon to Gaza, he relates his journey.
Inspired to write his book "The Water Above," David brings important wisdom as he shares his insights into working effectively within various cultures to give help to the people who need it.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

A WWII Nurse in Patton's 3rd Army Apr 15, 2024

A different kind of war story and hero: Lt. Mary Balster was a charming Midwestern teenager (the apple of her father's eye) when she enlisted as a nurse at the outbreak of WWII. She proved invaluable on the front lines as a German-speaker, but was unprepared for the nonstop workload; the filth; the horrible injuries and desperation; the quickly formed friendships; having to care for enemy combatants; and being one of a handful of women surrounded by thousands of GIs. Patton insisted on keeping his field hospital close to his front lines, (in order to more quickly care for the wounded) and Mary had her share of challenges and adventures. Her daughter NCR Davis shares highlights from her mother's diaries and war history, including her never-diagnosed PTSD, from her biography, "For the Boys."

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Breaking Down the Meth and Fentanyl Epidemic Apr 08, 2024

Award-winning journalist Sam Quinones lays out the facts behind the meth and fentanyl drug crisis in the U.S.:
He expertly describes how mass manufacturing has made these drug ubiquitous, cheap, and infinitely more potent, and thus unlike any other drugs--legal or illegal--ever consumed by human beings. Sam explains how today’s meth has triggered an abrupt rise in homelessness, and why these drugs and so destructive to users, their families, and ultimately all of us.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Counterfeit Polish Countess Saved Thousands in WWII! Apr 01, 2024

Janina Melberg was a brilliant mathematician posing as a Polish Countess Janina Suchodolska to hide her Jewish identity during the Nazi occupation in WWII Poland. She simultaneously joined the both the Polish Welfare Council (RGO)--and secretly the Polish Underground--and bravely organized food and relief supplies for Poles incarcerated in the infamous Majdanek Concentration Camp.
Co-authors Elizabeth B. White and Joanna Sliwa trace the long-hidden history of this remarkable and previously unknown woman, and how they posthumously discovered and researched her story for their book, "Counterfeit Countess." (Publisher) Janina ended up escaping to the U.S. following the war, ultimately finishing her academic career at the University of Chicago.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

MACV-SOG Warrior Lives a Life of Adventure and Service! Part II Mar 27, 2024

Jim “Wild Carrot” Shorten-Jones served as a team leader (One-Zero) in MACV-SOG during the height of Vietnam War, and ultimately in the Army, Navy and Air Force. In another exciting chapter in America's "secret war" in Laos and Cambodia, Jim shares his adrenaline-fueled war stories as team leader of RT-Delaware, and also recounts the non-stop life of adventure he has led since--including his work as a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) saving people stranded far out at sea.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

MACV-SOG Warrior Lives a LIfe of Adventure and Service! Part I Mar 25, 2024

Jim “Wild Carrot” Shorten-Jones served as a team leader (One-Zero) in MACV-SOG during the height of Vietnam War, and ultimately in the Army, Navy and Air Force. In another exciting chapter in America's "secret war" in Laos and Cambodia, Jim shares his adrenaline-fueled war stories as team leader of RT-Delaware, and also recounts the non-stop life of adventure he has led since--including his work as a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) saving people stranded far out at sea.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Catching Predators with the FBI's Crimes Against Children Squad Mar 18, 2024

When FBI Special Agent Nikki Badolato arranged a live meetup with a man looking to 'rent' her infant daughter as part of a sting, she was shocked to see how presentable and 'normal' this 30-something man was. Now, after a two-decade career, Nikki and Rolling Stone journalist Alex Morris lay out the state of domestic human trafficking, how pedophile rings work, and what we should all know about the fight to save hundreds of thousands of children trafficked in the U.S. every year.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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The Heroics of U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers Mar 11, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Martha La Guardia-Kotite shares inspiring stories of bravery from her book, “So Others May Live—Coast Guard’s Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death.” These brave men and women put their lives at risk to rescue people in the greatest peril. Among the stories is that of a baby rescued from a boat in the middle of a hurricane.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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The Mind-Blowing Near-Death Experience of Gary Wimmer Mar 04, 2024

One dark night in Austin, Texas, onlookers watched in horror as musician Gary Wimmer was struck head-on by a speeding car, ramming his head into the front grill and hurtling him into the air until he landed on the pavement. When he stood up minutes later, seemingly unharmed, people were confused and unbelieving at his lack of injury. So were the emergency room doctors.

While unconscious, Gary experienced a near-death experience, or NDE. What Gary experienced in that minute or two changed his life forever, sending him on a voyage beyond space and time, giving him a glimpse of the secrets of the universe and bringing back a message of hope and positivity.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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Saving SOG Souls with the 101st Airborne: Part II Feb 28, 2024

In part two of this interview, Roger Lockshier lays out his dramatic experiences as a helicopter pilot serving in Vietnam. In 1968, at the height of the war, he was routinely sent in on his Huey gunship to support or rescue MACV-SOG Green Beret soldiers secretly operating in Laos and Cambodia. Roger shares his 'birdseye' perspective on several missions—including the most dramatic helicopter rescue you’ve ever heard. He also expresses his admiration of the incredible bravery of his “Huey” crew and his comrades-in-arms, including the Montagnards, Brus, and Vietnamese he befriended.
Like many of those who served in these operations, Roger was sworn to silence for decades. We're honored to share his story.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Saving SOG Souls with the 101st Airborne: Part I Feb 26, 2024

In this two-part interview, Roger Lockshier lays out his dramatic experiences as a helicopter pilot serving in Vietnam. In 1968, at the height of the war, he was routinely sent in on his Huey gunship to support or rescue MACV-SOG Green Beret soldiers secretly operating in Laos and Cambodia. Roger shares his 'birdseye' perspective on several missions—including the most dramatic helicopter rescue you’ve ever heard. He also expresses his admiration of the incredible bravery of his “Huey” crew and his comrades-in-arms, including the Montagnards, Brus, and Vietnamese he befriended.
Like many of those who served in these operations, Roger was sworn to silence for decades. We're honored to share his story. (Part II airs 2/28)
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

RIP Chuck Mawhinney: The U.S. Marine Corp's Deadliest Sniper Speaks! Feb 22, 2024

We've re-released this episode, as an homage to Chuck Mawhinney, who we learned passed away last week. Chuck was our guest in Season Two (September 2023.) We were honored to have had a chance to speak with him and hear his story...Here it is again in case you missed it....
***
Chuck Mawhinney grew up hunting in the Oregon woods on his grandfather's farm, and was selected for sniper training his first day of shooting practice in the Marines. Serving in Vietnam for 16 months, he went on to post the Corps' highest number of confirmed kills (103), and the highest number of probable kills (216). Hear his journey of skill, survival and helping his fellow soldiers.
When he returned to the U.S. he was released from the Corps as part of the Reduction in Force policy. He returned to his native woods and made a stateside career in the U.S. Forestry Service.
Chuck is a legend in the Marines and an inspiration to many in the armed services. His own authentic account of his experience is a uniquely American one. Read more about his experience in Vietnam and afterward in his biography "The Sniper" by Jim Lindsay.

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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Invasion On! D-Day, the Press, and the Making of an American Narrative Feb 19, 2024

Military veteran and author Stephen M. Rusiecki describes the process of how and why Americans developed a standing narrative of the WWII operation known as D-Day, based upon a common, press-enabled, thematically framed narrative. Steve describes how the radio and newspaper networks of the day cooperated in this effort, and how this version of events has dominated the consciousness of Americans ever since.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Challenges of Serving in LA County's Sheriff's Department Feb 12, 2024

Building a career in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was no easy feat: Danny Smith overcame different hurdles and became a detective, going on to solve some grisly cases, including the murders of an immigrant mother by her daughter, and a Native American man burned alive by skinheads.

Danny describes how the mental toll of his relentless and challenging work forced him to finally end a career he loved.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Reporter Who Knew Too Much Feb 05, 2024

In 1963, Dorothy Kilgallen was on top of the world, famous as a groundbreaking female journalist, with a nationally syndicated column and a panelist on the popular TV show, "What's My Line?" She was also an acquaintance of JFK and when he was killed, she never bought the official story. One of the only reporters to further investigate the assassination, her biographer Mark Shaw walks us through how she was able to interview Jack Ruby and collect various information at odds with the Warren Report, only to die under baffling circumstances a mere two years after the President.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Canada's Psychopath Machine Jan 29, 2024

When 18-year-old Steve Smith was sent to Oak Ridge Psychiatric Hospital in Ontario, Canada in the 1960s, (misdiagnosed due to an ill-timed LSD trip) he didn't expect the inmates to be running the asylum, or to be part of a control group in a government-sponsored experiment to try to control psychopaths and turn normal people, like Steve, into controlled psychopaths, with the aim of unleashing them on society. The inmates endured cruel and ingenious methods of torture and various drugs, including LSD. Amazingly, Steve survived to tell the tale and filed the lawsuit that prevailed twenty years later and has led to other class action lawsuits against the Canadian government.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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The Operation Tailwind Scandal Jan 22, 2024

On 11 September 1970, 16 U.S. soldiers and 110 Montagnards from Hatchet Company B were sent deep into the Laotian jungle in support of a CIA team, during the Vietnam War. Over the next four days, they were continually attacked by overwhelming numbers of NVA. If it wasn’t for the air support of helicopter pilots like Barry Pencek, they wouldn’t have escaped alive. Twenty years in a special report CNN characterized this mission as a vicious attack on civilians resulting in a scandal that was later disproved, and resulted in the team medic’s Mike Rose receiving a Medal of Honor. Barry gives us a blow-by-blow account of the battle and resulting controversy.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Arms Deals, Illegal Drugs, and Rare Animals: Going Undercover with ATF and U.S. Customs Jan 15, 2024

The amazing life of undercover agent Frederick L. Gleffe is a nonstop series of adventures inside three of our nation's law enforcement agencies. His sometimes surreal, always perilous cases include breaking up a black market arms ring at a Special Forces armory and running an ongoing ‘sting’ during the Miami “Cocaine Wars” in the 80s, selling everything from high-tech weapons to rare animals.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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From Anzio to Dachau: A WW2 Infantryman Tells His Story Jan 08, 2024

WW2 humble hero, Laurence "Sparky" Rector, was just a GI in the infantry when he was drafted as an 18-year-old. He ended up crossing Europe as "cannon fodder," including as part of Patton's army, participating in the battle of Anzio, and encountering the Siegfried Line. His unit was also the first to enter and liberate Dachau Concentration Camp. Decades later, his story feels like it happened yesterday.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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Re-Examining the Battle of Gettysburg Jan 01, 2024

The Battle of Gettysburg is a pivotal event in the history of our country, but not broadly understood.

Attorney-turned-historian Allen R. Thompson digs into a Civil War controversy: How the decision-making of Generals Lee and Longstreet on July 2nd, 1863, resulted in the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg – and ultimately the loss of the war. In his book, In the Shadow of the Round Tops, Thompson compares eyewitness accounts to narratives formed after the war and shows how political and personal agendas have influenced the telling of history.
His deep research helps restore the reputation of General James Longstreet, Lee's second-in-command, who many historians have blamed for the Confederate defeat.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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A Woman Fights for a Medical Degree During the Grenada Revolution Dec 25, 2023

In 1970, only ten percent of doctors were women. Living in Oklahoma, Cynthia Mackey was a young woman and mother who dreamt of becoming a doctor. Her first husband wouldn't let her go to school and then was killed flying cocaine for Pablo Escobar. Her second husband didn't approve either. Finally, as a single mom, she decided to finish medical school in Grenada. She was close to achieving her dream, when a communist revolution swept the island, and she was accused of being a CIA agent. Dr. Mackey's story reminds us of the obstacles women have had to overcome and the unusual barriers they had to break through in order to realize their dreams.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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Inside the 'House of Death' and the Juarez Cartel Dec 18, 2023

Investigative journalist Bill Conroy shares his experiences covering the Mexican drug trade and the infamous Juarez Cartel. From his gripping book "Dispatches from the House of Death," Bill describes the site of numerous drug-related executions, and the flawed response of U.S. law enforcement agencies charged with combatting organized crime from over the border.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Many Challenges of U.S. Border Patrol with Vince Vargas Dec 11, 2023

Today, Vincent Vargas is an actor, producer and writer, best known for his role in the hit TV series Mayans M.C. But several years ago Vincent Vargas was patrolling our southern border as a proud member of U.S. Border Patrol – one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States. The grandson of an undocumented immigrant himself, Vince discusses the myriad challenges agents face as they deal with coyotes, people in distress, drug dealers, and heaps of criticism. The main problem, according to Vince, is misunderstanding. In this episode and in his new book Borderline: Defending the Homefront, he helps shed light on the realities that both Border Patrol agents and those seeking entry to the US face every day.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

FBI Undercover Penetrates the Real "Sopranos" Dec 04, 2023

FBI agent Giovanni Rocco talks about life undercover as he went inside the real "Sopranos" crime family of New Jersey. In a case of life imitating art, Giovanni describes the real-life characters he dealt with; the deadly politics inside the 'family;' how they felt about the TV show; and how he managed to penetrate this closed society and use their greed against them--all while living a normal life only a few miles away. This is one of the wildest stories ever in the annals of the fight against organized crime!
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

High-Stakes Gambler and Philanthropist Battles Corruption Nov 27, 2023

R.J. Cipriani grew up on the hardscrabble streets of Philadelphia and at 10 years of age, he sold pretzels to factory workers everyday before he went to school. He became a gambler at the age of 16.

Many years later, he cared for his beloved mother Regina for six years, who was stricken with Alzheimers.

When Regina passed he was grief stricken and took his last $5,000 and turned it into millions at the blackjack tables in Atlantic City and then Las Vegas. He was so successful that for the past 23 years under the moniker Robin Hood 702, he’s donated well over a million dollars to people in need. He also became a Confidential Human Source (CHS) for the Feds. He talks about this unusual career, helping the FBI takedown a money-laundering, drug-dealing ring, and his current fight against corruption in Las Vegas that's been going on for forty years.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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UK Power Couple Rescue People in Crises Around the World Nov 20, 2023

UK-native Dean Stott, a former SBS-member, leverages his international experience as the British equivalent of a US Seal Team Six operative as he works with his wife Alana to aid governments, private groups, and individuals in dangerous situations around the globe. Now based in Southern California, they lay out how they started their very successful company, and share some of their client adventures. Their secret in helping in a crisis? Avoid conflict and make friends with local people around the world. Hear the Stotts tell their special story of helping people in need and forging a successful private and business partnership!
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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The Shocking Discovery about the Zapruder Film of the JFK Assassination Nov 13, 2023

Thom Whitehead and Sydney Wilkinson are post-production experts in the film industry who used their skills to closely examine a forensic copy of the most famous amateur movie in history - one that captures the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. What they found is shocking - clear evidence that the film had been tampered with before it was shown to the public. It begs the question: Who tampered with the film and why? Of the 50 Hollywood film experts who viewed the film and saw what Thom and Sidney saw, only two were willing to go on record.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Pioneer female ex-DEA undercover agent talks biker gangs, mafia, and more! Nov 06, 2023

Patti Naughton is one of the first female operatives recruited as the drug wars heated up in the late 70's and early 80's. Patti was instrumental in helping to make dozens of cases against organized drug traffickers, including the Detroit mafia and the Outlaw motorcycle gang. As a woman, her role was especially dangerous. In this episode, Patti speaks about how she chose a career in criminal justice, her cases, and importantly, about overcoming fear.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Special Episode: Former FBI, anti-terrorism expert talks about the Gaza Strip and more! Nov 02, 2023

Former member of the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, journalist and author Christopher Whitcomb shares his perspective on the crisis in the Middle East.
This timely conversation shares one man's perspective, as the world's focus is trained on Israel and the Middle East. Chris describes his visit to Gaza to meet Yasser Arafat, as well as his observations about violent crises and the path to resolution. Chris's career later led him into the media, and he also shares his view of how stories are crafted in modern newsrooms.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Josephine Baker: WW2 Spy Oct 30, 2023

Author Damien Lewis shares the details from his book Agent Josephine of the career of Josephine Baker as a secret agent during World War II. Utilizing her celebrity as a performer, she furthered the cause of freedom as an Allied spy in the French Underground. Her adventures spanned France, Portugal, and North Africa. Her experiences with issues of race, equality, and freedom motivated her to take brave action, but it was her natural charm and affinity for people that made her one of the most powerful secret weapons of the Allied Forces.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

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Oct. 23, 2023 @12AM
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Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Codename Dynamite: Dick Thompson of MACV-SOG in Vietnam: Part II Oct 23, 2023

Henry L. "Dick" Thompson had to swear to stay silent for 20 years when he joined the ultra-secret, badass MACV-SOG. Now uncensored, he speaks about his insane adventures serving in the Vietnamese jungle, and how he applied his skills as a natural-born tracker raised on his grandparent's farm to the job of team leader: "I could actually smell the NVA."
Though their mission was intel and recon, this famous SOG group saw frequent combat and worse casualties than any other: A small team (approx. 6-9 men) was routinely air-dropped behind enemy lines and often faced battalion-sized NVA and VC opponents during the U.S. Secret War in Laos and Cambodia. Not allowed to wear his dog tags or anything that would identify him, he chose his "Dynamite" codename because as a kid, he liked to blow things up.

Dick remains good friends with recent HBH guest "Tilt" Meyer, a former MACV-SOG comrade-in-arms.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Codename Dynamite: Dick Thompson of MACV-SOG in Vietnam: Part I Oct 16, 2023

Henry L. "Dick" Thompson had to swear to stay silent for 20 years when he joined the ultra-secret, badass MACV-SOG. Now uncensored, he speaks about his insane adventures serving in the Vietnamese jungle, and how he applied his skills as a natural-born tracker raised on his grandparent's farm to the job of team leader: "I could actually smell the NVA."
Though their mission was intel and recon, this famous SOG group saw frequent combat and worse casualties than any other: A small team (approx. 6-9 men) was routinely air-dropped behind enemy lines and often faced battalion-sized NVA and VC opponents during the U.S. Secret War in Laos and Cambodia. Not allowed to wear his dog tags or anything that would identify him, he chose any his "Dynamite" codename because as a kid, he liked to blow things up.

Dick remains good friends with recent HBH guest "Tilt" Meyer, a former MACV-SOG comrade-in-arms. We're delighted this episode will air for the first time during the 2023 annual gathering of SOG veterans.

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Inspiring Life of Brent Poppen: A Paralympic Medalist Oct 09, 2023

When he was sixteen, Brent Poppen was horsing around with another kid, and ended up with a broken neck and permanently wheelchair-bound. But Brent, who was already a budding athlete, didn't let that stop him.
Now the winner of numerous Gold Medals and titles, including and a Bronze Paralympic Medal. (Athens '04) Brent describes his journey from basic mastery of his 'new' body to becoming part of the athletic elite in wheelchair sports (tennis and rugby), traveling all over the world to pursue his goals. His story is humbling, inspiring, and just flat-out amazing. A published author, public speaker, and counselor to those who have been similarly afflicted, Brent Poppen is a shining example of the human spirit at its best.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Where Cowards Go to Die: Riveting Testimony from Iraq Oct 02, 2023

Thrown into a chaotic and deadly maelstrom of combat during the $785B Iraqi War, you can almost feel the bullets whizzing past as Benjamin Sledge speaks about how he came through his literal 'trial by fire.'
Though raised in a family with generations of soldiers, Benjamin's experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq were still shocking, and the psychic armor he developed to survive transformed him into someone he didn't recognize. In his eleven years in combat, Ben earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Policeman Uncovers the Fascinating Hidden Life of a 4'9" Homeless Vietnam Vet Sep 25, 2023

When policeman David Yuzuk first befriended the diminutive Richard J. Flattery living on the streets of Aventura, Florida, he assumed he was just another man down on his luck. Then in Spring 2015 Richard started to share his life story -- one filled with heroic combat as a platoon leader in Vietnam and later, secret missions for the CIA. He warned that by doing so, he was taking a risk. Officer Yuzuk dismissed it as the delusions of a troubled mind.
Then days later, Richard was killed in a hit-and-run accident. And David set out to find the truth about the shortest person to ever serve in the military -- Silver Star recipient Capt. Richard J. Flattery, the "Giant Killer."
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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The U.S. Marine Corp's Deadliest Sniper Speaks! Sep 18, 2023

Chuck Mawhinney grew up hunting in the Oregon woods on his grandfather's farm, and was selected for sniper training his first day of shooting practice in the Marines. Serving in Vietnam for 16 months, he went on to post the Corps' highest number of confirmed kills (103), and the highest number of probable kills (216). Hear his journey of skill, survival and helping his fellow soldiers.
When he returned to the U.S. he was released from the Corps as part of the Reduction in Force policy. He returned to his native woods and made a stateside career in the U.S. Forestry Service.
Chuck is a legend in the Marines and an inspiration to many in the armed services. His own authentic account of his experience is a uniquely American one. Read more about his experience in Vietnam and afterward in his biography "The Sniper" by Jim Lindsay.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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Infiltrating the Sicilian Mob: The DEA's Take-Down of the "Pizza Connection" Sep 11, 2023

In the early '80s, undercover DEA Agent Frank Panessa posed successfully as a made member of the Sicilian mafia in order to combat an international $1.6B heroin smuggling ring that operated through pizza parlors across the U.S, and from various global locales in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Frank takes us inside the colorful and highly successful operation, describing the unique mafia culture he encountered in his guise as a mafioso, including the surprising divide between the Sicilian and the American mafia families who worked with each other 'at arms length.'
His undercover work and his team's stellar efforts ultimately resulted in over 19 arrests and 18 convictions after a 17-month trial completed in 1987. This case was one of the first "super-indictments," seeking to simultaneously impact a whole criminal organization, not just a handful of perpetrators, and it sent shockwaves through international crime circles.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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U.S. Army Scout Donald D. Fida's Incredible WWII Pacific Survival Story Sep 04, 2023

In 1944, Sgt. Donald D. Fida was tortured and gutted by Japanese solders and left to die in the Philippine jungle, when his childhood friend miraculously came upon him and saved his life. Because of this experience, Donald survived and continued to fight til the war's end, living to finally tell his tale at age 99.
Twice a Purple Heart recipient, Donald shares his first-person account of his numerous adventures as an Army Scout in the wartime Pacific Theater, describing his combat in the Aleutian Islands, the Marshall Islands (Sitka, Attu), the Philippines (Leyte), and the brutal Battle of Okinawa.
This video is airing posthumously; we salute and honor the spirit of this remarkable yet humble man, and are proud to help his voice reach across time and inspire all of us.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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How Censorship Happens in America: A Case Study Aug 28, 2023

Tony Lyons, President and Publisher at Skyhorse Publishing, shares a cautionary tale of encountering both subtle and overt censorship, as he worked to bring Robert Kennedy Jr.'s manuscript The Real Anthony Fauci to market. Tony describes the systematic hurdles placed in his path to block the book's publication and then discredit it. The book went on to sell over 2 million copies.
In his book, RFK Jr. - known for his legal advocacy work - challenges "Big Pharma" and Anthony Fauci's role in our modern healthcare system. Tony is joined by RFK Jr.'s research assistant, Sofia Karstens, who also assisted Skyhorse with editing the final manuscript, as they describe their shared experiences.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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SOG Green Beret legend in "The Secret War" in Vietnam: Part II Aug 21, 2023

A living legend of MACV-SOG and the Green Berets, John "Tilt" Stryker Meyer shares some of the most daring first-person stories of combat ever told! Inserted by Kingbee helicopter into the dense jungle along the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos and Cambodia during the height of the Vietnam War, Tilt and the US and indigenous members of Strike Force Idaho deployed on one impossible top-secret mission after another, spying on, harassing and taking it to the North Vietnamese and Vietcong despite a casualty rate of over 100%.
Top-secret, all-volunteer SOG teams soon became the bane of the NVA's and Vietcong's existence, and despite overwhelming odds and sometimes having to face battalion-size enemy detachments, Tilt describes how these small US-indigenous units bravely soldiered on achieving a combined kill ratio of 158 to 1 – the highest in US military history.
Bravery like that described by Tilt is not only inspiring, it changes the way we perceive the Vietnam War.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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SOG Green Beret Legend in "The Secret War" in Vietnam: Part I Aug 14, 2023

A living legend of MACV-SOG and the Green Berets, John "Tilt" Stryker Meyer shares some of the most daring first-person stories of combat ever told! Inserted by Kingbee helicopter into the dense jungle along the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos and Cambodia during the height of the Vietnam War, Tilt and the US and indigenous members of Strike Force Idaho deployed on one impossible top-secret mission after another, spying on, harassing and taking it to the North Vietnamese and Vietcong despite a casualty rate of over 100%.
Top-secret, all-volunteer SOG teams soon became the bane of the NVA's and Vietcong's existence, and despite overwhelming odds and sometimes having to face battalion-size enemy detachments, Tilt describes how these small US-indigenous units bravely soldiered on achieving a combined kill ratio of 158 to 1 – the highest in US military history.
Bravery like that described by Tilt is not only inspiring, it changes the way we perceive the Vietnam War.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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Teenage Artillery-Woman's Journey to Hell and Back, in Afghanistan Aug 07, 2023

Kelsi Sheren grew up in rural Canada, joining the Canadian military at 18, where she was trained to fire the powerful M777 howitzer.
Deployed to Afghanistan in 2008, Kelsi was assigned to multi-national teams serving alongside British and American soldiers, responsible for searching Afghan women as the team entered villages, a task forbidden to her male comrades in that Muslim country.
On one mission, the dramatic death of a fellow soldier and friend to an IED triggered a very debilitating case of PTSD. Kelsi's harrowing journey of loss and recovery makes up the dramatic spine of her book, Brass & Unity.
In this podcast, Kelsi shares her brave journey and how creativity helped her reclaim her life.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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A SEAL's Pledge: How Soviet-Era Poland Yielded the Ultimate U.S. Patriot Jul 31, 2023

Since fleeing Communist Poland and arriving in the USA in 1984, Drago Dzieran has daily pledged to become a better American in gratitude for his life here. He describes growing up in post-war Soviet-controlled Poland, where he and his family knew fear, hunger, and oppression. Jailed for being part of the Soviet-toppling Solidarity movement, he relates what it is like to speak out against censorship and totalitarian rule. He then jumped at the chance to emigrate to the U.S. and live in our free and open society, and in 1991 he both proudly became a citizen and joined the U.S. Navy. During his distinguished career as a SEAL on Teams 2 and 4, he was part of over 100 direct combat missions as a lead breacher in Iraq. This is his amazing story.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer: Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Orchestra & Score provided by www.ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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LA Detectives Solve Multiple Murder Case at Homeless Encampment Jul 24, 2023

Former Head of Detectives of the Compton Police Department turned award-winning writer, Frederick Reynolds tells the story behind his gripping new non-fiction book Saint Bloodbath, about a series of brutal murders that took place in a homeless encampment in Long Beach, California in 2008. Joining Fred are Detective Mark McGuire (LBPD) and Captain Martin Rodriguez (LASD) who both played key roles in solving the unusual, complicated case involving the murky culture of the marginalized, the Nuthood Watts drug gang, multiple police jurisdictions, and a single human hand discovered by a woman riding her horse in the desert 100 miles from the scene of the crimes.

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Drugs, Violence, Broken Families & the Silent Trauma of Vietnam. Jul 17, 2023

Self-described working class writer and factory worker Frank Bill speaks candidly about the personal stories that inform his searing new novel Back to the Dirt, and the psychological and physical devastation that has ripped through his home turf of southern Indiana. Inspired in part by the story of his father, a Marine who served in Vietnam as an infantryman and mine sweeper, and pictures Frank, as a boy, found in father’s closet. Frank Bill provides us with visceral evidence of the problems afflicting our Heartland in a raw, compassionate and hard-hitting story that harkens back to 1960s Danang.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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A Hero’s Promise: First 100% Disabled Air Force Vet to Re-enlist Jul 10, 2023

On December 5, 2005, Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Israel “DT” Del Toro’s life changed in a flash of light when the Humvee he was riding in ran over an IED in southeastern Afghanistan. The resulting explosion and fire burned over 80% his body. Doctors gave him only a 15% percent chance to survive. What they didn’t count on were the promises he had made to his wife, son and father, his courage and the remarkable strength of his heart, mind and soul.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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101-Year-Old WWII Hero John Shott Jul 03, 2023

Shot down over Formosa and facing a firing squad, Sgt. John Shott – radio operator and rear gunner of a B-25 Mitchell bomber – spent the remainder of World War II starving in a Japanese POW camp. Today we’re deeply honored as he tells his inspiring story.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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JFK’s Watch: Proof of a Conspiracy. Jun 23, 2023

When today’s guest Christopher Fulton inherited the Cartier watch President Kennedy wore the day he was assassinated, little did he know that he was holding the single most compelling piece of evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone and the fatal shoot was fired from in front of the limo. What happened to Christopher next is chilling.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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Ambushed in Afghanistan; Betrayed in America. Jun 19, 2023

Our guests today are Bronze Star-recipient Maj. Fred Galvin and author Sal Manna, authors of A Few Bad Men – the incredible true story of an elite team of US Marines set up to take the fall for alleged Afghanistan war crimes they did not commit, and their leader (Major Galvin) who fought for the redemption of his men.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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The Black Dahlia Avenger Jun 12, 2023

Today’s guest, former Hollywood Homicide detective Steve Hodel, has solved over 300 cases in his career. He had retired with many honors when his father died and he was confronted with his most difficult and most emotionally challenging case ever. He discovered that his father George Hodel had been one of the most terrifying, prolific and diabolical serial killers to ever live. Perhaps George Hodel’s most notorious victim was Elizabeth Short, aka the Black Dahlia, whose nude, surgically bisected body was found in a vacant lot in Los Angeles on the morning of January 15th, 1947. Warning: Explicit crime scene description.
Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Cold Case Western Australia
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Helping Solve an Infamous Pennsylvania Murder as a Forensic Linguist Nov 21, 2022

Charlene Hummert had been strangled to death using a dog collar when her body was found in her SUV in the parking lot of a grocery store on March 21st 2004. The murderer planted a series of handwritten letters, pretending to be Charlene’s non-existent stalker, in an attempt to draw police attention away from himself. However, due to the expert testimony of a forensic linguist, the jury needed less than an hour to deliberate and convict Charlene’s own husband, Brian, of her gruesome murder. HBH is honored to welcome leading forensic linguistics expert Dr. Robert Leonard.
Dr. Leonard has trained counter intelligence agents for the FBI and other US agencies, as well as for the UK and Canada - even helping out at Disneyland London. His testimony has been pivotal in high-profile cases across the world from California to France, including the notorious and still-unresolved case of JonBenet Ramsey.
Not only does Dr. Leonard have extensive knowledge of over a dozen languages - before his career in academia he opened for Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, as a founding member of well-known rock band She Na Na.
We thank Dr. Robert Leonard for joining us and thank you, as always, for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Rapid Fire: A WWII Triumph Led by a Legendary Buffalo Soldier Nov 15, 2022

On the 26th of December 1944, Lt. John Fox commanded a mere 70 Americans - all of whom were black - against a massive German assault. The mountaintop village of Sommocolonia, along Italy’s northern most border, stood between the Germans and the strategic port of Livorno, 40 miles south. If successful, they would have choked off supplies to the Allied forces. In Lt. John Fox’s first and only battle, his heroism stopped that from happening.
John repeatedly called for defensive artillery fire to slow the enemy advance, closer and closer to his own position. The artillery, fired by John’s men of the US Army’s legendary and segregated 92nd Infantry Division, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers, killed over 100 German Soldiers and held the rest off long enough to turn the tide of the battle.
Prior to serving in the Army - because he was an African American - John had to transfer from Ohio State to Wilberforce University, just to be allowed into ROTC training.
In 1996 John was one of seven African Americans
posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the US Military’s Highest Decoration, by President Bill Clinton.
Thank you to the family of Lt. John Fox and thank you for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

As Afghanistan Fell, Amazing Americans Rose Up and Kept Their Promise Nov 07, 2022

A retired Green Beret simply could not lose another soldier in the Global War on Terror. He called together a group of Special Forces veterans from the Army, Navy and CIA to join him in one last mission. As the US withdrew after 20 years in Afghanistan and the Taliban seized control, their friend, an American-trained Afghan commando, had to be saved. However, that would be just the beginning of their remarkable evacuation efforts. It is our sincere honor to welcome US Army Lt. Col. Scott Mann.
Amidst the total chaos of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, what began as a mission to save their friend Nazam, grew into something far greater. Operating from their own basements and garages in the US, Scott and his team first called their mission Operation Harriet, after Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Then - after using ‘Pineapple’ as a vital code word - it became Task Force Pineapple, and is now well known as Operation Pineapple Express.
By any name, Scott and his amazing group helped more than 500 Afghans escape their collapsing country. They worked tirelessly, until the horrific suicide bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport August 26, 2021.
We give our highest recommendation to Scott’s book ‘Operation Pineapple Express: The Incredible Story of a Group of Americans Who Undertook One Last Mission and Honored a Promise in Afghanistan’.
As always, thank you for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

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WWII’s Brutal Battle For The Pacific: Iwo Jima Oct 31, 2022

Some of the most ferocious fighting in recorded human history took place on a tiny Pacific Ocean island between February 19th and March 26th 1945. The United States Navy and Marine Corps invaded Iwo Jima, which was being held by The Imperial Japanese Army, protecting the island’s two separate air fields. Raymond Salvie was one of the incredibly brave Marines who fought and survived these weeks in hell.
This historic interview is one of many conducted by Joe Messineo over the past decade, as part of the Veteran's History Project. We sincerely thank Joe for granting us access and allowing this exciting collaboration with HBH.
The Japanese force of 21,000 was surrounded, outmanned and outgunned by 110,000 American troops. While the invading force was overwhelming, under this 8-square-mile island was more than 11 miles of tunnels, which allowed the Japanese to launch brutal waves of counter-attacks.
Raymond is true American hero who passed away peacefully earlier this year at the age of 97.
We hope you enjoy this special episode and as always, thanks for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

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A Child Sex Trafficking Survivor Speaks Out Oct 24, 2022

A ten year old Belgian girl found herself sold into a murderous pedophile network by her own mentally ill mother. Despite living in hell, the little girl still loved her mother and believed that someday she would find love in another person as well. Surrounded by betrayal, violence and a near-death experience - among other horrors - she faced an almost certain demise. HBH is honored to welcome Anneke Lucas as our guest.
Severe and organized child abuse is among our world’s greatest horrors. To such an extent, that it can be hard to comprehend and process. Acknowledging the existence of evils so significant can be the first step towards eradication. For the victims, acknowledging the darkness can be the first step in the healing process.
Anneke bravely recounts her experience. Her strength and poise is enough to give anyone pause, when the reality of what she has survived comes into focus. Despite such suffering at far too young of an age, ultimately she has found remarkable peace and unconditional love.
We thank you for listening to Anneke’s important story and we certainly recommend her book, published earlier this year: ‘Quest For Love: Memoir of a Child Sex Slave’.

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Downfall of a $1 Billion Mormon Cult and LA Mafia Scam Oct 17, 2022

As one of 128 siblings, and part of a much larger Mormon Cult known as ‘The Order’, Jacob Kingston hardly stood out. However, that changed when he realized he could use his small biofuel company to scam the US Government out of hundreds of millions of dollars. To make this possible, he reached out to an unlikely partner: the head of Los Angeles’ ruthless Armenian Mafia, whose nickname was ‘The Lion’. We are excited to welcome award-winning author, producer and journalist, Michele McPhee, whose latest article in LA Magazine covers this incredible story.
The Order - aka The Kingston Clan - is a fundamentalist, polygamist, racist, misogynistic, and criminal Mormon cult. They prefer to keep a low-profile. When Jacob Kingston was advised by an Armenian known as ‘The Lion’ to trade in his Toyota Tercel for a Lamborghini, The Order noticed. But their share of the profits - many tens of millions of dollars - was simply too much to do anything about it.
Levon ‘The Lion’ Termendzhyan dropped out of high school at 17 to work at a gas station, and would became a billionaire by the time he was 30. Despite being a fearsome mafia boss, due to his expertise in fuel transportation and delivery, he seemed like the perfect partner for Jacob.
Their criminal operation, which scammed the US government through biodiesel subsidies, generated hundreds of millions of dollars. The scope of protecting their operation and spending their stolen money was spectacular. It spanned from Utah to California to Belize to Turkey, the latter of which where they stashed over $100 million should they ever needed to flee the US. They spent millions more using a fake attorney to pay off an LA Narcotics cop and an FBI counter-terrorism agent, and to buy multiple Bugattis, a Bel-Air mansion, private jets and even a 150-foot yacht.
Make sure to check out Michele’s incredible article, ‘The Mobster and the Mormon’ in LA Magazine. As always, thanks for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Rapid Fire: The Longest-Serving Special Forces A-Team Soldier in US History Oct 14, 2022

Master Sergeant Changiz Lahidji has served on more Special Forces A-teams than anyone in history. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he is also the very first Muslim to wear the US Army Special Forces Green Beret.
An absolute legend during his 24 years as a Green Beret, Changiz has served America in every war since Vietnam - including over 100 combat missions in Afghanistan alone. He has traversed dozens of other theaters of operation. His amazing and heroic time in the Army is unlike any other.
We hope you enjoy this Rapid Fire episode and thanks for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

Surviving A Murder Attempt and What Happened Next Oct 10, 2022

In the early 1990s, gang warfare and the crack cocaine epidemic took hold of South Los Angeles. The violence spiraled out of control, to a scale which grabbed national attention. During this, the most dangerous period in LA’s history, a criminal with an automatic weapon tried to kill an officer at close range. Fortunately for that officer, the weapon malfunctioned, and a chase began. HBH is honored to welcome retired LA Country Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detective and author: Danny R Smith.
The current crime wave in Los Angeles gets a lot of attention both locally and nationally, as 2021 saw a homicide rate of over 300. However, in 1991 that rate was more than triple with over 1,000 homicides reported.
For Danny, decades surrounded by unspeakable violence affecting colleagues, children, and other innocents took a toll. Long after retiring, the effects remain and like too many others who have put their life on the line, the battle with PTSD continues.
We highly recommend Danny’s book ‘Nothing Left To Prove: A Law Enforcement Memoir'. As always, thanks for downloading and listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Welcome to The CIA and ‘The Farm’ its Legendary Training Program Oct 03, 2022

Being accepted to work at the CIA is highly difficult. The interview process is long and secretive - and applicants and their references are often vetted without ever knowing it. Once accepted, very few go on to practice espionage. That distinction is reserved for those invited to the CIA’s top secret and legendary training program known as ‘The Farm’. Fewer still actually graduate the program and become Case Officers or as they are most commonly referred: Spies. HBH is excited to welcome back former CIA Case Officer Doug Laux.
Before deploying abroad, or even traveling to Camp Peary - which houses ‘The Farm’ somewhere deep in the forests of Virginia - Doug was required to make enormous personal sacrifices. He had to to lie to family and friends, leaving them all completely in the dark, as to what he was really doing with his life.
This is all the very beginning of a CIA Case Officer’s career. Doug’s career at the agency was a significant one which took him to Afghanistan, Syria and other other hot zones around the world.
Make sure to check out the outstanding book ‘Left of Boom’ by Doug Laux and Ralph Pezzullo - and thanks for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Rapid Fire: The Battle of Iwo Jima & A Hero Who Survived Sep 29, 2022

Raymond Salvie enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1944 at the height of World War II. By the end of February 1945 he found himself part of the US military’s massive Pacific Campaign, landing on the beaches of Iwo Jima.
The infamous 5-week battle of Iwo Jima is regarded as some of the fiercest fighting in modern military history. At one point Raymond fired mortars from the same position for 4 straight days. By battle’s end there were 27,000 American casualties and 18,000 Japanese were killed or unaccounted thereafter.
Raymond passed away peacefully earlier this month at the age of 97.
We hope you enjoy this ‘Rapid Fire’ episode and as always, thanks for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

Escaping the Iranian Revolution as a 13 Year-Old Refugee Sep 26, 2022

In the late 1970s Iran fell into violent revolution, as Ayatollah Khomeini installed an Islamic fundamentalist government. This forced millions of citizens opposed to his system of rule to flee their home nation, as refugees. Armin Armiri was only thirteen when his family left the only country they had ever called home.
Forced to spend his teenage years in refugee camps, Armin finally arrived in America in 1989, without money, family, or friends. Starting out as a busboy, he eventually became manager and owner of iconic clubs in both New York and Los Angeles and is now a successful actor, producer, and director. HBH is excited to welcome our guest: Armin Armiri.

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The Only Black Woman to Fly the Legendary U-2 Spy Plane Sep 19, 2022

As the Cold War was taking shape in 1953, the United States accepted Lockheed Corporation’s proposal to build the U-2 spy plane, out of absolute necessity. The program has been such a massive success for the US military and CIA, that the plane remains in service today over 64 years later. However, only one black woman has ever flown the U-2. We are honored to welcome United States Air Force Col. Merryl Tengesdal.
Colonel Tengesdal’s remarkable journey began in the Bronx. Despite facing enormous adversity throughout her Air Force career, Merryl surpassed every expectation. She earned her seat in the cockpit of the most successful spy plane in history, more than 70,000 feet above the earth’s surface.
The significance of the now legendary U-2 spy plane, nicknamed “Dragon Lady”, cannot be overstated. The program was such a priority for American national security that it became operational and first took flight in 1955, only two years after it was initially proposed.
Since retiring in 2017, Merryl may no longer be flying more than 13 miles up into the sky, but she has hardly slowed down. She now works as a personal trainer and even starred on the hit CBS reality show, ‘Tough As Nails’.
Merryl Tengesdal is a true inspiration and we highly recommend her book, ‘Shatter the Sky: What Going to the Stratosphere Taught Me About Self-worth, Sacrifice, and Discipline’.

Cold Case Western Australia
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Rapid Fire: 9/11 and the Man the CIA Chose to Lead the Response Sep 16, 2022

Introducing ‘Rapid Fire’, new short-form episodes of Heroes Behind Headlines featuring our host Ralph Pezzullo himself, telling an amazing story about an incredible hero. There is no better person with whom to begin, particularly during the week of September 11, than CIA Case Officer Gary Berntsen.
Gary is the man the CIA picked to lead the first Americans into Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11. Armed with less than 500 total CIA and Special Operations personnel - along with US air power and over $11 million in cash - Gary led one of the most consequential missions in American history.
It is easy to forget in the two decades since, but the initial phase of taking the fight to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban was a massive success. A phase which cumulated before Thanksgiving 2001, with none other than Osama bin-Laden trapped in the mountain pass of Tora Bora.
We hope you enjoy ‘Rapid Fire’ and as always, thanks for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.

SEAL Team 6 Helicopter Crash and the Dire Rescue Mission Sep 12, 2022

August 6th, 2011. Wardak Province, Afghanistan. 15 SEAL Team 6 operators and 23 allied personnel traveled on board a helicopter with call sign “Extortion 17”. Tragically, the aircraft was struck by a Taliban-fired rocket-propelled grenade and crashed. Moments later, an urgent rescue mission was launched. HBH is honored to welcome the man who led that mission: author and retired US Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Nicholas Moore.
Every mission and movement of SEAL Team 6, the Navy’s most elite special forces unit, is classified. However, when Extortion 17 went down, all available personnel were alerted to their position.
Nicholas and his team rushed to the location, contending with potential improvised explosive devices along the way. They hoped to help survivors among the 38 passengers of the twin-rotor Boeing CH-47 ’Chinook’ helicopter, including a service dog and its handler.
The crash of Extortion 17 was the largest single loss of life in the history of both SEAL Team 6 and the Afghan War.
We highly recommend Nicholas Moore’s book, ‘Run to the Sound of the Guns: The True Story of an American Ranger at War in Afghanistan and Iraq’.

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Battling Invisible Illness to Battling She-Hulk: Jameela Jamil Aug 29, 2022

Easily breaking bones and having to do “death math” to judge if an activity is safe enough for you on a daily basis creates countless challenges. But that is what living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) requires. To overcome those enormous hurdles, and now star as a supervillain in the brand new Marvel television series ‘She-Hulk: Attorney At Law’ on Disney+, is nothing short of incredible. HBH is excited to welcome actress, activist, writer and comedian, Jameela Jamil.
EDS can be incredibly dangerous. A degenerative disorder, it causes those living with it to experience a shortage of collagen that affects connective tissues, which support vital functions of the body including skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones. Unfortunately, while treatments can help manage symptoms, there is no cure. Jameela is also a survivor of anorexia. While many are familiar with the eating disorder, most people do not realize that it has the highest cause of death for any mental illness.
Through all of these challenges, Jameela’s career has soared. As an actress, despite EDS, she was able to do a number of her own stunts playing the supervillain ‘Titania’ on She-Hulk. As an activist, she is a leading critic of diet culture and body image marketing, particularly on social media - and is currently campaigning to introduce two bills to the United States Senate to combat these destructive influences in society.
Jameela’s spirit is both inspiring and hilarious and we thank her for sharing her incredible story with us.

Cold Case Western Australia
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Highlights of Heroes Behind Headlines Aug 26, 2022

In case you missed any of Heroes Behind Headlines, check out this special episode with some of our listeners' favorite moments to date.
Thank you to our loyal audience for your feedback, and if you are one of our many new listeners, take a listen to these highlights, pick any episode to start with and catch-up today.
With over 100 more episodes already planned, we will continue to bring all of you more of the headlines you know, told by the heroes you don’t.
And remember to subscribe, download, rate and review.

Exposing a Vicious Human Trafficking Operation Aug 22, 2022

Human trafficking is a $150 billion global industry, which remains severely underreported. One of the epicenters for this barbaric business is Western Africa, where lawlessness has reigned for generations. Fortunately, one man decided to go undercover to try and help take down the people behind these atrocities. On his own and utilizing only a $34 pair of glasses with a hidden camera, he put his life at risk. Four months and 6,000 miles later, he miraculously survived a journey into the darkest corners of humanity. HBH is honored to welcome, directly from Ghana, Emmanuel Azeteng Ayarick.
Living in a two-room hut in Ghana, Azeteng noticed what many people around him had: migrants were disappearing. He knew full well that the people behind this apparent human trafficking operation were without question some of the most vile and wicked on earth. Nevertheless, in an act of unimaginable bravery he decided that, on his own, he would infiltrate a group of migrants to try and gather evidence which he could then deliver to western government authorities.
Azeteng spent his horrifying investigation surrounded by the complete disregard of human rights and frankly human life. Daily, he was face-to-face with murder, gang rape and other atrocities. He was even sold into slavery himself, before an incredible escape.
Human trafficking is responsible for countless deaths, including over 10,000 migrants in the Sahara desert alone, every year. Despite the fact that much of the world moved on long ago, over 24 million people still live in modern day slavery.
We thank Azeteng for his time and his truly remarkable courage, as he is living proof that one man of modest means can make a difference.
Thanks for listening and don’t forget to download, subscribe, rate, and review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Rescuing a CNN Reporter from Behind ISIS Enemy Lines Aug 15, 2022

In November of 2016, Mosul was the epicenter of the intense battle to drive ISIS out of Iraq. CNN reporter Arwa Damon, her cameraman, and an Iraqi security convoy were ambushed and trapped behind ISIS enemy lines. A US Navy SEAL platoon quickly activated to save them. However, as hundreds of ISIS fighters were closing in, the only chance of a rescue was with the assistance of incredibly precise and powerful air strikes. Luckily, embedded with the SEALs that day was our guest: former US Air Force Technical Sergeant Josh Apple.
When most people hear about air strikes they think of missiles launched from miles and miles away. However, when Americans are in contact with the enemy, ‘Danger Close’ air strikes often turn the tide of the battle. These strikes are not possible without the incredible work of a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), also often referred to as Air Combat Controllers, who are on the ground directing lethal air assets in real-time with remarkable precision. Under-appreciated and under-reported, it is impossible to overstate the critical role JTACs play in US military operations worldwide.
When Josh Apple and the SEALs received word that a reporter and her cameraman were being closed in on in urban Mosul, they knew the stakes were enormous. The race to save them was a race against fatal consequences, which likely would have played out in the very public fashion which ISIS prefers.
Josh Apple is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for Combat Action. We are honored that he took the time to tell this amazing story and we thank him and all of our Air Combat Controllers for their vital and truly spectacular work.
Thanks for listening and don’t forget to download, subscribe, rate, and review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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From Wall Street to Afghanistan with Special Forces in 2 Weeks Aug 08, 2022

Very few people have a lifestyle in which it is entirely possible to be working on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, and then two weeks later find yourself on an unbelievable deployment with US Special Forces in Afghanistan. However, as a reservist, that is exactly the life one lives. HBH is excited to welcome Navy Reserve Lieutenant Commander Tim Sanchez.
Since 9/11 Tim has had held a number of lucrative positions on and off Wall Street. He has also been a commissioned officer in the US Navy Reserves for more than 19 years - and as a result has been stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Bahrain, amongst others. Tim discusses the story of his encounters with the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as his struggles with mental health which followed.
The long term effects of military service on reservists are largely underreported and can be even more jarring than those effects on our enlisted men and women. Reservists are often expected to transition in and out of their deployments seamlessly. These transitions carry immense challenges which can change lives forever.
Tim Sanchez is currently a Senior Director at Roberts & Ryan, and we sincerely thank him for taking the time to share his story.
Thanks for listening and don’t forget to download, subscribe, rate, and review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Destroying an Al-Qaeda Sleeper Cell Ready to Attack the US Aug 01, 2022

In 2012, an Al-Qaeda sleeper cell was planning 2 potentially devastating attacks in the United States and Canada - at the same time. To prevent catastrophe, a Muslim undercover FBI agent had to gain to the trust of the extremely dangerous Al-Qaeda operative planning the attacks. HBH is thrilled to welcome FBI agent and author Tamer Elnoury.
Already an experienced undercover officer, Tamer joined the FBI after 9/11 in an elite unit of the brand new Joint Terrorism Task Force. When he was given the assignment to go undercover and investigate Chiheb Esseghaier, he did not realize that he would soon be racing to stop two separate terrorist attacks.
Chiheb Esseghaier was a renowned doctor - and an incredibly important member of Al-Qaeda. In 2012 he traveled freely throughout North America and the world pursuing medical research. Simultaneously, he was running two sleeper cells. Furthermore, he was one of the very few in contact with Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, the hand-picked successor to Osama bin Laden.
Tamer Elnoury is a patriot and a hero who saved the lives of untold innocent people. He appears under a pseudonym for his own protection.
We highly recommend the New York Times bestselling book ‘American Radical’ by Tamer Elnoury and Kevin Maurer.
Thanks for listening and don’t forget to download, subscribe, rate, and review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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‘Black Hawk Down’ and the Battle That Never Ends with a Delta Force Legend Jul 25, 2022

On October 3, 1993, a US Army operation in Mogadishu, Somalia, which was supposed to take 45 minutes, lasted for more than 18 hours. Delta Force operators had surgically and swiftly taken high value targets supporting warlord Mohamed Farrah Aydid into custody. However, when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed, the original plan to leave the city had to be abandoned - and then another Black Hawk went down. Tragedy ensued in the form of the longest sustained firefight since Vietnam. HBH is deeply honored to welcome US Army Delta Force Command Sergeant Major Tom Satterly, and his amazing wife Jen.
Off the battlefield, the Satterly's are just as heroic. They are remarkably open about their own mental health struggles and now run the All Secure Foundation, which has helped thousands of combat families with PTSD and other mental health issues which arise from the complex toll of military service.
Even as the overnight battle in Mogadishu was winding down, the violence was still incredibly dangerous, to the extent that Tom and a small group of remaining soldiers could not be driven or air-lifted out of the city. As depicted near the end of the 2001 blockbuster movie ‘Black Hawk Down’ directed by Ridley Scott, Tom and that small group had no choice but to run through RPG and AK-47 fire and out of downtown to safe harbor. That specific action is so legendary in military circles that every year around early October current and former soldiers gather to run what is now known as the ‘Mogadishu Mile’ to pay homage almost 30 years later.
To this day, the public knows very little about the US military’s most secretive and advanced Special Operations Unit, which goes by the official name of US Army First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D). It is most commonly known as Delta Force, where Tom Satterly spent 20 of his 25 years in the Army. Tom led hundreds of missions, including Operation Red Dawn, which captured none other than Saddam Hussein. He is the recipient of numerous medals including 5 Bronze Stars, with 2 for Acts of Valor.
Tom and Jen Satterly are a true inspiration and we thank them for their groundbreaking work, commitment and courage. If you are suffering from PTSD or know someone who is, please look into the All Secure Foundation for help. And make sure to check out the book Tom co-authored, ‘All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier's Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and the Homefront’.
Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to download, subscribe, rate, and review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Navy SEAL to Bestselling Author to TV Producer: Jack Carr Jul 18, 2022

We are excited to welcome former Navy SEAL Sniper, Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander and Task Unit Commander, as well as bestselling author and producer of 'The Terminal List' television series based on his book: Jack Carr to HBH. Jack shares incredible insights into how his love of reading and writing shaped his life beginning at a young age and helped him discover his career. Jack tells us the story of what he considers one of the defining moments of his time as a SEAL Sniper in Iraq, and it may surprise you.
During 20 years in Naval Special Warfare, Jack transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper to a junior officer leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operations Task Unit in southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. Forces. Jack retired from active duty in 2016 and lives with his family in Park City, Utah.
Make sure you check out all that Jack has going on: his podcast ‘Danger Close with Jack Carr’, his latest New York Times Bestselling novel, ‘In The Blood’, and ‘The Terminal List’, a new television series on Amazon Prime Video starring Chris Pratt, based on Jack’s book of the same name.
And don’t forget to download, subscribe, rate, and review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Bombing Vital Nazi Targets While Escaping Death in WWII Jul 11, 2022

In World War II, an American bomber pilot’s combat service was to last for 25 missions. However, most did not survive to see their 10th. In October 1943, John ‘Lucky’ Luckadoo began his 22nd mission. The assault on Bremen, Germany was to utilize dense cloud cover to shield the B-17 Flying Fortresses. However, when they arrived, the clouds had disappeared, and 50 American pilots and crew members would lose their lives. HBH is honored to be joined by Kevin Maurer, the author of ‘Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History’, and special guest - 100-year-old John ‘Lucky’ Luckadoo.
The Nazi submarine pens outside of Bremen were extremely well-fortified by anti-aircraft munitions and German Luftwaffe fighter planes. Even with the expected cloud cover, the mission was to be harrowing. However, when the expected advantage was nowhere to be found, Second Lieutenant John ‘Lucky’ Luckadoo thought this mission may be his last.
Like 10 million other brave young Americans, ‘Lucky’ answered the call and joined the US military after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. He trained as a pilot with the US Army Air Force and was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group stationed in Thorpe Abbotts, England, where he flew bombing runs over France and Germany to destroy the Nazi war machine. A true hero, his amazing career included being awarded a Purple Heart as well as a French Legion of Honor Award, France’s Highest Honor.
Kevin Maurer is an award-winning journalist and NYT bestselling author. Be sure to check out his outstanding new book, ‘Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History’, along with his other acclaimed work.
And don’t forget to Download, Subscribe, Rate and Review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Rescuing ‘Lone Survivor’ Marcus Luttrell and Jessica Lynch Jul 04, 2022

A very happy 4th of July to everyone, as we celebrate by going behind the headlines of two of the most famous rescue missions in United States military history. The operations to save both US Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and US Army Private First Class Jessica Lynch, both of which involved the Army Rangers. HBH is honored to welcome author, and the Army Ranger who was a part of both missions, Nicholas Moore.
Nicholas was in the middle of his training at Ranger school on 9/11. As a result his career spans the most transformational period in the history of the US Army’s legendary 75th Ranger Regiment.
At the front lines of the Global War on Terror, Nicholas has been a part of the Rangers evolution from a support element, to Tier One special operations units such as Delta Force and SEAL Team Six, into a fully functional special operations unit in its own right.
We highly recommend Nicholas Moore’s book ‘Run to the Sound of the Guns: The True Story of an American Ranger at War in Afghanistan and Iraq’.

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Three-Day Firefight in ‘The Valley of Death’ With Tim Kennedy Jun 27, 2022

156 miles of Afghanistan stood between a convoy led by US Army Special Forces and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) they were to resupply. As their destination was in the very heart of Taliban territory, they knew they would be attacked. However, no one could have predicted the absolutely terrifying firefight would last for three days. HBH is honored to be joined by US Army Special Forces Green Beret, Sniper, Ranger, Professional MMA Fighter and NYT bestselling author Tim Kennedy.
Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province was so hostile in 2008, that resupplying FOB Anaconda via aircraft was deemed too dangerous. Thus, the only means of completing the mission was via an 80-vehicle convoy. The only road was very narrow, made of dirt and ran at the base of a deep valley in the province most loyal to the Taliban. The moment the Green Berets and their Czech and Afghan allies left Kandahar, they were squarely in harms way.
Tim had seen plenty of action before this mission. However, he and the men he fought alongside faced a level of violence and peril that few soldiers ever encounter, and even fewer live to tell the story.
We highly recommend Tim Kennedy’s brand new and already New York Times bestselling book, ‘Scars and Stripes’.
Don’t forget to subscribe, download, rate and review Heroes Behind Headlines.

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Surviving WWII Inside Nazi Germany as a 5-Year-Old American Girl Jun 20, 2022

In June of 1939, a five-year-old American girl traveled with her family to Germany to visit her grandfather. The visit was supposed to last three months. However, before they could board a ship back to the USA, the Nazi’s seized control of Germany and closed all borders. That little girl would overcome unfathomable odds to survive 7 more years in Nazi Germany, before returning to her native soil. Today, nearly 90 years later, we are honored to be joined by the incredible and inspiring Marlies DiFante.
When Marlies’ family left for Germany no one knew Adolph Hitler would soon launch a massive invasion of Poland and plunge the world into World War II. For Marlies, the result was a haunting and extraordinary journey through a land controlled by the most notorious dictator in modern history.
Marlies DiFante is currently a grandmother living in upstate New York and the author of her amazing autobiography ‘Queen of the Bremen: The True Story of an American Child’.

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The World’s Only Authenticated Pirate Treasure: Discovering The Shipwreck of ‘The Whydah’ Jun 13, 2022

On April 26, 1717, amidst the golden age of piracy, Captain Samuel ‘Black Sam’ Bellamy tried to navigate a violent storm off of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The flagship of his pirate fleet, The Whydah Gally, shipwrecked and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean where it stayed until 1984. Now, more than 300 years after the wreck, HBH is excited to be joined by the man who discovered the Whydah, Underwater Archaeologist, Explorer and Author: Barry Clifford.
The only pirate shipwreck in the world whose whose identity is unquestionably authenticated, the Whydah contained a vast treasure including the booty from more than 50 ships which the 140-plus man crew had pirated, as well as 60 cannons.
Surprisingly, the 110-foot Whydah contained much more than its buried treasure. Also excavated was extensive evidence and documentation that perhaps the most progressive, diverse and inclusive democracies in the world at the time were found on-board pirate ships, 59 years before the founding of the United States.
Moreover, due to a promise to his close friend and First Mate, John F. Kennedy Jr., none of the artifacts from the Whyda shipwreck have ever been sold. They are on display at the incredible Whydah Pirate Museum in Yarmouth, Massachusetts.
Barry Clifford is the author of seven books including ‘Expedition Whydah: The Story of the World's First Excavation of a Pirate Treasure Ship and the Man Who Found Her’.

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SAS Rescue of the Iranian Embassy in London - On Live TV Jun 06, 2022

Prior to May 5, 1980, the world was largely unaware that the UK’s SAS (Special Air Service), or any elite special operations units, existed at all. Six days earlier, terrorists had stormed the Iranian Embassy in London and taken 21 hostages. As the situation was being covered on live TV around the world, the SAS attacked the embassy. HBH is honored to be joined by two members of that elite SAS team, Pete Winner and Sekonaia ‘Tak’ Takevisi.
The terrorists had not anticipated a violent response to their actions. However, what they received when UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher gave ‘Operation Nimrod’ the go ahead, was the full force of the most precise military instrument at her disposal: the SAS.
The SAS made an example of the terrorists for all the world to see. As a result, overnight, the SAS, also known as ‘The Regiment’, became famous around the world - a world that did not know soldiers of this caliber existed.
We thank Pete and Tak for taking the time to join us and reliving their experience from the day that put special forces on the map, permanently.
Pete Winner is the author of his bestselling memoir ‘SOLDIER, I’, which he wrote with Michael Kennedy.

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Mobster Turned Minister - Special Episode Jun 01, 2022

In a first of its kind episode for HBH, we are joined by former gangster ‘Boston’ Bobby Luisi Jr, a key figure in the undercover operations detailed in our previous episode ‘Knockout Blow to the Italian Mafia in the US’.
Bobby gives his perspective on the operation that put him behind bars, and the very surprising turn his life took - at a particularly dangerous time in mafia history.
Bobby Luisi is not our usual guest - and has a very unusual life story. We hope you enjoy his unique perspective in this special episode.

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Knockout Blow to the Italian Mafia in the US: Part 2 May 31, 2022

Part 2 with Mike McGowan continues, detailing how the FBI dealt the most devastating blow to the Italian Mafia in its US history. In this episode, the story concludes with the takedown of kingpins Joseph ‘Skinny Joey’ Merlino, and ‘Boston’ Bobby Luisi.
The Italian Mafia is well known as the dominant organized crime force in the history of the United States. However, this is no longer the case. HBH is excited to be joined by former FBI Special Agent Mike McGowan, who led a series of operations across multiple cities & targeted three different mob families, collectively dealing a blow to ‘La Cosa Nostra,’ from which they have never recovered.
These operations accomplished something once thought impossible: relegating the Italian Mafia to also-ran status.
Mike McGowan is a legendary FBI Special Agent. During his decorated career, he completed more than 50 undercover missions. For context, most FBI undercover agents never work undercover cases - and the ones that do rarely work more than two.

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WWII’s Most Infamous Survival Story: The U.S.S. Indianapolis May 23, 2022

The most secretive mission of World War II ended in the largest scale shark attack of all time. The U.S.S. Indianapolis’ mission was so secret, the entire crew was unaware of their cargo: the components of the atomic bomb ‘Little Boy’ which was dropped on Hiroshima. Thus, when the cruiser was sunk by a Japanese torpedo, no one knew, and 900 sailors were left floating in shark-infested waters for four days. HBH is excited to welcome Doug Stanton, author of ‘In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors’.
On July 30, 1945, after delivering their top secret cargo which would would strike Japan only one week later, the USS Indianapolis was struck by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine. The 610-foot cruiser quickly sank, and the surviving sailors had to battle dehydration and hundreds of hungry sharks for over four days.
The crew of the Indianapolis was filled with incredible heroes, not all of whom survived this harrowing ordeal.
In addition to 'In Harm’s Way', Doug Stanton is the New York Times bestselling author of 'The Odyssey of Echo Company', as well as 'Horse Soldiers', which was the basis for the 2018 movie '12 Strong', starring Chris Hemsworth.

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Knockout Blow to the Italian Mafia in the US: Part 1 May 10, 2022

The Italian Mafia is well known as the dominant organized crime force in the history of the United States. However, this is no longer the case. HBH is excited to be joined by former FBI Special Agent Mike McGowan, who led a series of operations across multiple cities & targeted three different mob families, collectively dealing a blow to ‘La Cosa Nostra,’ from which they have never recovered.
These operations accomplished something once thought impossible: relegating the Italian Mafia to also-ran status.
Part 1 dives into how Special Agent McGowan and the FBI took down mafia kingpins Matthew ‘Matty’ Guglielmetti and Carmen ‘The Cheese Man’ Denunzio.
Mike McGowan is a legendary FBI Special Agent. During his decorated career, he completed more than 50 undercover missions. For context, most FBI undercover agents never work undercover cases - and the ones that do rarely work more than two.

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The First Woman To Operate With the Navy SEALs Apr 26, 2022

Before 2006, no woman had ever embedded to operate within a SEAL team, nor had a non-SEAL Counter-Intel officer ever been assigned to a platoon. HBH is honored to welcome the pioneer who broke down both of those barriers at once, Chief Warrant Officer Ama Adair.
Ama discusses the immense challenges she faced and tells the incredible story of an operation where she helped a SEAL Team target and take down not one, but two of the most wanted Al-Qaeda targets in Iraq.
Not only has Ama’s career been filled with firsts, but she also continually demonstrated the highest level of skill as an intelligence officer and interrogator and has the medals to prove it.

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Hunting Al-Qaeda’s Biggest Financier Apr 18, 2022

HBH is thrilled to welcome back our good friend, Omar Kahn. Today, Omar tells us of an operation he undertook as a private investigator against the vast smuggling network of Ayub Afridi, the single largest funding source for Al-Qaeda.
Dating back to the 1970s and through the early 2000s, Afridi ran one of the biggest smuggling operations the world has ever seen. With Afghanistan’s infamous opium trade as its bedrock, Afridi’s organization traded tens of billions of dollars in contraband and cash.
Despite the nature of his business, like Pablo Escobar in Colombia, Afridi was beloved, and was even elected to Pakistan’s National Assembly.
The Khyber Pass leads through the towering Hindu Kush mountains of northwest Pakistan and is the gateway to eastern Afghanistan. These mountains once stopped Alexander the Great and sheltered Osama bin Laden. For nearly 40 years they were controlled by Ayub Afridi. Omar’s mission would lead him into those very mountains.
If you missed Omar’s previous episode ‘Destroying a $50 Billion Chinese Mob Smuggling Operation’, you’ll find it at Episode 2 on the HBH page, on whichever platform you listen.
Omar Kahn worked as an international private investigator for many years, where he was hired by dozens of intelligence organizations and private security firms. He now works full-time as a psychic medium where he uses his intuitive abilities to advise high-profile clients around the world.

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Single-Handedly Taking Down a Mass Murderer at a U.S. Military Base Apr 11, 2022

On June 24th, 1994, Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State became the site of the second single-shooter mass shooting on a U.S. military base. Andy Brown joins HBH to tell the story of how he stepped in and incredibly prevented an even greater tragedy.
He details the day that forever changed his life and the lives of so many others, as well as how he bravely handled the psychological after-effects.
Andy Brown’s book, ‘Warnings Unheeded’, covers the Fairchild Air Force Base shooting and its aftermath in even greater detail.

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9 British SAS v. 400 Communist Rebels: The Epic Battle of Mirbat Apr 04, 2022

Russian and Chinese-backed rebels were making deadly headway in Oman during its Civil War of the early 1970s. In support of the Western-allied Sultan, the British Army secretly deployed nine operators from its most elite unit, the SAS. HBH is honored to have today’s guest, Pete Winner, with a special appearance by Sekonaia ‘Tak’ Takevisi, two of the nine SAS heroes who took on over 400 Omani rebels at the Battle of Mirbat.
At stake on July 19th 1972 was more than just a single battle for a small town on the Gulf of Oman. Due to Mirbat’s geographic significance, had the SAS fallen the communist rebels would have taken hold of the region – and controlled the global shipping routs for Middle Eastern oil.
Statues of individual soldiers are rare, but due to his heroism at the Battle of MIrbat, there are not one but two statues of Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba. One unveiled in 2009 at the SAS headquarters in Herefordshire, and another in 2018 by Harry and Megan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in Fiji - which at the time of Labalaba’s enlistment was still a British colony.
Pete Winner is the author of his bestselling memoir ‘SOLDIER, I’, which he wrote with Michael Kennedy.

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Iranian Gun Boat Chase and a $250 Million Cocaine Bust: Welcome To The Coast Guard Mar 28, 2022

Captain John Pruitt III joins HBH to tell incredible stories of his time in the US Coast Guard, a branch of the military few people know much about.
John’s stories are remarkable. At the start of the Iraq War, he conducted dangerous anti-mining missions and was chased by Iranian Navy missile boats in the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, he spearheaded an enormous undercover cocaine seizure worth over $250 million and led a very surprising search and rescue mission.
Americans are not widely aware that the Coast Guard has the broadest authority of any federal agency. Able to conduct both military and law enforcement missions in the United States and around the world, we were unaware of how crucial the Coast Guard’s role is across US operations.
Captain John Pruitt III is today’s hero behind the headlines.

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War Has Infinite Victims. An Unbelievable Human Trafficking Survival Story. Mar 14, 2022

Human trafficking is a $150 billion-a-year business that thrives in war zones and is arguably more lucrative than arms sales. Lurata Lyon joins HBH and bravely tells her unimaginable story of survival during the Balkan Wars across Eastern Europe in the 1990s.
Lurata was kidnapped into human trafficking as a teenager when the war engulfed her home country of Serbia. She was destined for a life of sex-trafficking and organ-harvesting. Miraculously, she escaped, only to find further horrors waiting for her in the same war zone.
Lurata is a profoundly inspirational person. Beyond her heroism to survive, she continues to speak out for those who were not as fortunate.

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Launching the CIA’s Contra War In Central America Mar 07, 2022

The story of the young CIA operative who helped launch the Contra War in Nicaragua. Ric Prado joins HBH and tells of his first mission in the CIA.
Long before the US operations in Central America became public, he was embedded in supporting the Nicaraguan Contras. With very little experience at the time, Ric found himself alongside brave local rebels at the tip of the spear.
That was just the beginning of Ric’s decorated career in the Central Intelligence Agency. He went on to receive multiple medals as a case officer and high ranking official. His new book ‘Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior’ is available now.

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SEAL Team 6: Operating in the Top Secret Special Mission Unit Feb 21, 2022

Legendary SEAL Team 6 operator Don Mann joins HBH for a special episode.

During Don’s incredible career as a Naval Special Warfare operator he served in SEAL Teams 1 and 2 before being recruited to Team 6. He was both the Advanced Training Officer and Weapons of Mass Destruction Officer for SEAL Team 6.

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The Untold LA Riots Shootout That Nearly Led to Unimaginable Consequences Feb 14, 2022

Fred Reynolds joins HBH to tell the story of a shootout that could have escalated the 1992 Los Angeles riots into something far worse. He discusses his experiences as a black police officer during one of the nation's most significant racial conflicts, and the long-lasting effects the riots have had on policing.

Fred grew up in gangland Detroit, deciding to leave a path destined for prison - or worse - for the Marines. After serving, he moved to Southern California where he would become a member of the Compton Police Department and one of the most decorated Detectives in California history. Fred is the author of ‘Black, White, and Gray All Over: A Black Man’s Odyssey In Life and Law Enforcement’.

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

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The CIA Mission to Eliminate the Taliban’s Most Lethal Weapon Feb 07, 2022

CIA Officer Doug Laux joins us to explain how he developed a network of spies to track down the man responsible for running the Taliban's lethal IED network, which at the height of the Afghan War was responsible for over 80% of US and Coalition deaths.

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Destroying a $50 Billion Chinese Mob Smuggling Operation Jan 31, 2022

International private investigator Omar Khan joins us to explain the incredible story of how he infiltrated the Chinese Triads' global criminal organization, and crippled their multi-billion dollar counterfeit cigarette smuggling business…in less than a month.

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Inside the Real Takedown of El Chapo Jan 21, 2022

Legendary FBI Special Agent Mike McGowan describes the unknown true story of how he and an FBI undercover ‘all-star team’ delivered a massive blow to the Sinaloa Cartel, directly leading to the arrest of infamous cartel kingpin Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman.

Cold Case Western Australia
They're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Heroes Behind Headlines - Trailer Jan 12, 2022

The real stories behind the headlines you know, told by the heroes you don’t. Heroes Behind Headlines is an explosive new podcast, featuring new, incredible interviews every episode. First-hand accounts of the harrowing operations which have shaped the world over the past half-century. Hosted by NYT and international bestselling author, Ralph Pezzullo.
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