Eyewitness History

In this episode of Eyewitness History, we dive into the imagination of D.J. MacHale—the bestselling author behind the Pendragon series and the co-creator of the iconic Nickelodeon show Are You Afraid of the Dark? From creepy campfire tales to interdimensional adventures, MacHale shares how he built entire worlds, scared a generation of kids (in a good way), and navigated a career spanning books, film, and television. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, originally released in 2023, legendary boxing commentator Jim Lampley joins us to reflect, among other things, on the life and legacy of George Foreman, who recently passed away at the age of 76. From his rise as a fearsome heavyweight in the 1970s to his improbable return and championship win in his 40s, Foreman’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and sheer power. Lampley, who called many of Foreman’s most iconic bouts, shares firsthand insight into what made Foreman such a compelling figure inside and outside the ring. Lampley also discusses how he came to be at HBO, nerves and when Muhammad Ali babysat his daughter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest has spent much of his career navigating the shadowy world of hostage negotiations, where lives hang in the balance and fortunes are exchanged for freedom. Rob Phayre isn’t just an expert in the field—he’s been on the front lines, directly involved in securing the release of over 800 hostages, billions of dollars’ worth of shipping and cargo, and overseeing hundreds of millions in ransom payments. Some of those operations even hold Guinness World Records for the largest ransoms ever paid at sea. Rob also brings his expertise to the page as the award-winning author of The Response Files series, including the Amazon bestseller The Ransom Drop, Jungle Heist, and The Insurgency. His upcoming book, How to Deliver a Ransom, dives deep into the real-world mechanics of the kidnap-for-ransom business—a true crime, non-fiction guide to an industry most of us only see in movies. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to negotiate with kidnappers, deliver ransoms, and bring people home. Rob Phayre, welcome to the show. To find out more about Rob and his book, check out his website: https://robphayre.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert L. Harned joins the show to discuss Edithe Beutler: Beautifying Hawaii with Color, his new book about his grandmother, a pioneering 20th-century colorist. We explore Edithe’s artistry in transforming black-and-white photos, her collaboration with Kodak in Hawaii, and her influence on visual storytelling. Harned also shares insights into his family’s Hollywood connections and his work preserving their legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natalie Grumet’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. A breast cancer survivor, she faced an even greater battle when she was shot in the face during the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. Through years of recovery, she has transformed her trauma into a message of strength and hope, inspiring countless others to overcome adversity. Featured in Dateline, Inside Edition, and the Emmy-nominated 11 Minutes documentary, Natalie shares her journey of survival, perseverance, and finding purpose after tragedy. Natalie's Website: https://www.nataliegrumet.com/ Natalie's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/warriorNatalie/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean Shinoda Bolen is a world-renowned Jungian analyst, psychiatrist, activist, and author whose work has shaped the fields of psychology, spirituality, and women’s empowerment. Her thirteen books—translated into fourteen languages—have inspired readers around the globe. But behind her influential writings lies a deeply personal journey that has informed her wisdom and vision. In Ever Widening Circles & Mystical Moments, Dr. Bolen shares nearly ninety years of lived experience—from confronting Japanese American racism as a child during World War II to her lifelong advocacy, caregiving, and pursuit of authentic living. Through her reflections on mystical moments and the power of trusted circles, she offers profound insights into how we can heal ourselves and our world. In this episode, we explore Dr. Bolen’s extraordinary life, her intuitive approach to psychology, and the spiritual wisdom she has cultivated through decades of practice and activism. Join us for a conversation that promises to be both enlightening and deeply moving. For more on Dr. Bolen’s work, visit www.jeanbolen.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit down with Wendy Young, the ex-girlfriend of Christopher Duntsch—better known as Dr. Death. Duntsch, a once-promising neurosurgeon, left a trail of maimed and murdered patients before his eventual conviction and life sentence. Wendy shares firsthand accounts of his disturbing behavior, from his professional downfall to his personal descent into chaos. She recounts the terrifying moments when Duntsch broke into her home covered in blood, the bizarre ransom note written in his own hand, and the emotional toll of raising his children while grappling with the reality of his crimes. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. Tune in for an inside look at the monster behind the mask and the people who survived his destruction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Eyewitness History, we talk with author Amory Patrick Blaine about his novel, American Renaissance: Missions Dangerous. Based on leaked government documents found at Mar-a-Lago, the book blends espionage, mystery, and history, following a U.S. soldier-turned-spy embedded in the world of a radical artist. Blaine shares the real-life inspirations behind the story, his experiences in the Foreign Service, and how secrecy, power, and art collide in his writing. Check out his website: https://amorypatrickblaine.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Eyewitness History, we sit down with Lois Lowry, the two-time Newbery Medal-winning author behind The Giver, Number the Stars, and many other beloved works. Lowry discusses the inspiration behind her stories, the themes of memory and morality that run through her work, and the lasting impact of The Giver on readers and society. Check out her website: http://loislowry.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. In recognition of this, please listen to this re-release of an interview I did with Holocaust survivor, Gene Klein. In the spring of 1944, a teenage Gene Klein and his family were taken from their village in Hungary and thrown into the infamous Nazi extermination camp known as Auschwitz. His father was taken straight to the gas chamber. Klein was forced into slave labor until liberated in the spring of 1945, and he spent two years as a refugee before his and other family members were allowed to immigrate to the United States. “Eventually, I decided that, like [Elie ] Wiesel, I needed to be public about being a survivor and that, in my own small way, I should contribute to the mission of educating the world about the Holocaust,” he wrote. “I will tell our story,” he continued, “and I will speak — especially in these times — about the tolerance and compassion necessary to prevent what happened to us from happening to others.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I sit down with Jody Gelb, an accomplished actor and author whose forty-year career on stage and screen includes roles in Tony Award-winning Broadway productions like The Who’s Tommy, Titanic, Big River, and Wicked. You may also recognize her from guest appearances in hit television shows like Law & Order and Dr. Death. Beyond her impressive acting career, Jody Gelb is the author of the profoundly moving memoir She May Be Lying Down but She May Be Very Happy. In this poetic and emotionally rich book, Gelb reflects on the life of her daughter, exploring the complex experiences of love, loss, and resilience that come with raising a child with profound disabilities. Her writing has earned praise from luminaries like Elizabeth Gilbert, who called the book “a stunning work of art, of truth, and of love.” Check out her website: https://www.jodygelb.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Cohen returns to man the helm of Eyewitness History! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In todays episode we talk to Jay Brown who is a member of the living history group Capital Wing. We discuss not only our Military flying heritage, but the efforts being made to preserve that part of our history. If you are interested in flying, World War II, or the preservation of stories from the past, this one is for you! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Eyewitness History I have the privilege of sharing an interview with Comedian, Writer, Director, Producer and the creator of my favorite Sitcom, Brent Butt! In addition to creating "Corner Gas" which is the number one Canadian Sitcom in history, he continues to produce content that has uncharacteristic staying power and an international audience. This has uniquely positioned him to understand the role of entertainment in culture as well as the responsibility (and whether or not there really is one) for those who have large platforms. This was a great conversation that entertains and informs while motivating you to stream another episode of "Corner Gas." For more information about Brent visit: www.brentbutt.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we talk about a movie as a "Cult Classic", what exactly does that mean? And, how do movies shape the culture in which we live? In todays episode of Eyewitness History, I have the privilege of speaking with Producer and Editor Jeremy Coon who was one of the major influences in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. We talk about how the movie was made, and what causes a rare few movies to transcend generations and become a Cult Classic. To learn more about Jeremy Coon visit: https://september.club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does the most dangerous country in the world become one of the safest? How can a country that has endured civil war, extreme poverty, and mass exodus of it's citizens become a model for other broken nations around the world? How can a President who barely qualified to run for his first term win his second with over 85% of the vote? These are the questions we ask and hope to answer on todays episode of Eyewitness History! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As scientists, politicians, and journalists look back and try to understand the real impact of Covid on our society, one group that has not gotten much attention is that group of young people who were going to college as the world grappled with exactly how we should handle this crisis. After spending years preparing for an education that would set them up for a career, many college students found themselves uncertain about their education let alone their future. How did they navigate these times and what impact did all of this have on not only education but how they would work "post covid?" Today, I have the privilege of interviewing my daughter Maggie who was a college student during the Covid years and now works in an environment that reflects how the pandemic changed the way we learn and communicate. There are so many lessons to be learned as we reflect on these years and I hope that by having conversations like this one we can learn and better understand how to move forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was it like to be a part of one of the first teams to respond to the Los Angeles riots in 1992? When everything had finally ended the riots saw innocent people injured, a number killed, and over One Billion Dollars of property damage. What was it like to be one of the many responsible with bringing law and order back to such a chaotic scene? My Guest today is retired Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy Danny Coon. With more than 31 years working in the county of Los Angeles Danny saw quite a few things happen. Working the riots, though, where the highlight of his career. As he explains why the riots happened and how various agencies responded, Danny goes into detail about what it takes to end an event that brought a city and region to a standstill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For those that watched the non-stop news footage of the first Gulf War (1991), it is easy to think that this was a war fought entirely from the air. In fact, this is considered to be one of the most successful uses of military aircraft in history. But what about the warriors on the ground? What was it like to cross the open desert on foot and engage with a dug in enemy? My guest today is retired Marine Corps Lt. Col, John Foldberg. John had a long and distinguished career in the Marine Corps that included leading a Marine infantry company to a an engagement with the Iraqi Army as Desert Storm was just beginning. This story brings out the human side of a major military operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was it like to be a first responder at the World Trade Center following the events of 9/11? Most of us remember where we were when we first heard about the planes crashing into those buildings, but we may not know the stories of the men and women who rushed in to help. My guest today is one of the men who responded to rescue the survivors trapped under those collapsed buildings. Dusty Shellhammer is a lifelong first responder and was a member of the National Crisis Response team called into action on 9/11. This incredible story reminds us of the courage, dedication, and unity of all who stepped up to help during one of our nations greatest tragedies. Hear More 9/11 Stories: Apple PodcastsSpotifyApple PodcastsSpotifyApple PodcastsSpotifyApple PodcastsSpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.