Heroes Behind Headlines

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

"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

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

Bipolar General Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

Breaking Down the Meth and Fentanyl Epidemic Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

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

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