Fascinating People Fascinating Places

On 31 August Diana Spencer the ex-wife of the now King Charles III of the United Kingdom was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris. Just 36 years old at the time, Diana left behind two young sons: William and Harry. Her death sent a nation into mourning. Millions traveled to London in subsequent months to lay wreaths in her honor, and approximately one-third of the world’s population watched her funeral on television. But while tragic, why were so many people so distraught over the sad passing of an individual that few of them had ever met? In this episode, I speak with Prof. Margaret Schwartz author of Dead Matter: The Meaning of Iconic Corpses. Through her research, Margaret has gained an understanding of the relationships that develop between celebrated individuals like Diana and distant members of the general public. Music: Pixabay This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2024

Western media reports on North Korea tend to focus on the nation’s missile launches, nuclear weapons program, and involvement in illegal activities such as weapon and drug smuggling. The despotic regime of the Kim Family are usually front and center in any reporting. But what about the millions of North Koreans living a dystopian nightmare under the regime? In this episode, I speak with Sokeel Park of Liberty in North Korea an organization that assists people wishing to escape the so-called hermit kingdom. The group also helps North Koreans settle abroad, sends information into North Korea, and as its name implies has the ultimate aim of bringing liberty to the nation. Resources: LiNK website: https://libertyinnorthkorea.org/ Donate to North Korean freedom: https://libertyinnorthkorea.org/donate Sign up as an ally of North Korean people: https://www.withthenorthkoreanpeople.org/ Article by Sokeel Park on how to change North Korea: https://www.globalasia.org/v18no2/cover/old-truths-new-tools-bringing-slow-change-to-north-korea_sokeel-park Documentary, The Jangmadang Generation: https://www.nkmillennials.com/ LiNK youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LibertyinNorthKorea LiNK instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertyinnorthkorea/ LiNK twitter: https://twitter.com/LibertyinNK LiNK facebook: https://www.facebook.com/libertyinnk/ Music: Pixabay This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2024

MAJ Jason Wright was forced to choose between following military orders and honoring the Constitution when tasked with defending 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed at Guantanamo Bay. The government and media had identified KSM as the culprit and he had freely admitted his guilt. But did his apparent guilt warrant the denial of his rights and the dismissal of elements of the US Constitution? Jason thought not and put his career on the line as he sought to do his duty. Aside from representing KSM, Jason also helped gain the release of a seemingly guilty but entirely innocent captive at Guantanamo Bay. We discuss these cases, Jason’s powerful stand, and the consequences for him, his clients, and the country. This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2024

During the so-called Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, Englishman Robert Falcon Scott departed for the most Southerly continent. He aimed to reach the South Pole. On a broader scale, humanity hoped to reach the most Southerly point on Earth for the first time in history. Both accomplishments were achieved though not as Scott envisaged. Credits: This episode was produced with kind support from The Antarctic Heritage Trust and spokesperson Lizzie Meek -- Acting Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project Manager. Sound Effects and Music: Pixabay Scott’s Diary: Public Domain In this episode, I speak with Lizzie Meek Programme Manager - Artefacts for the Antarctic Heritage Trust -- a New Zealand-based historical preservation society. Through the sites and artifacts she and her team have restored, Lizzie helps me to explore the last journey of the remarkable explored.

Transcribed - Published: 25 January 2024

A 2022 report from the International Labor Organization estimated that 50 million people were trapped in modern slavery with 28 million engaged in forced labor. Some of the most well-documented and egregious cases include Uighurs detained in Chinese work camps, and, and North Korean prisoners. But forced labor is a global epidemic present even in the US, Europe, and Australia. In this episode, I speak with attorney Martina E Vandenberg founder and President of The Human Trafficking Legal Center. Martina has testified before senators and worked with Human Rights Watch in a 20-year career that has taken her to Bosnia, Ukraine, and elsewhere as she has worked to tackle the scourge of enforced labor and human trafficking. Guest: Martina E Vandenburg Human Trafficking Legal Center Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 18 January 2024

In 2003, interrogator Eric Maddox was assigned to a Delta Force team as part of an operation run by the Joint Special Operations Command that was tasked with tracking down Iraqi fugitives including Saddam Hussein. Through relentless work, participating in daring raids, and interviews with over 300 detainees, Eric was able to locate Saddam. He was subsequently arrested thanks to Eric’s intel on 13 December 2003. In this episode, Eric recounts his work in Iraq. He explains the approach he developed for interrogations that proved to be highly successful and how it sharply contrasted with the controversial and ineffective techniques used by some others. Eric has also written a book Mission: Black List #1 which details the whole investigation. He now works as an inspirational speaker and has successfully adapted the communication techniques used during his investigations to help foster better communication and success in the private sector. You can learn more about Eric and contact him through his official Website: EricMaddox.com Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 11 January 2024

This was a peculiar episode because frankly, the topic wasn’t on my radar until a female brothel owner from Nevada contacted me wanting to share her story. That interview was broadcast in the following episode but the suggestion led me to to this episode. At the time, I had been dusting off my Piers Gaveston episode which I have been kicking down the road since episode one though it eventually aired this year. But, having spoken to ”Kiki Smith” I was intrigued by her motivations, her business savvy, and the fact that she was in control of production versus individuals who work in the same realm at the behest of others. I wasn’t entirely sure how such a controversial and divisive topic would be received by listeners but it was the most listened to episode of 2023. This episode contains adult content and is not suitable for young listeners. In this episode, I speak with Kiki Smith — not her real name. But she is a stay at home mom and a married woman who makes a quite lucrative living posting as KS Wifey on websites including Only Fans, many vids and even her own domain: kswifey.com. What led her into this industry? How does it affect her relationship with her husband? What are the pitfalls and perks? A candid discussion about a growing yet controversial segment of the sex industry. Guest: Kiki Smith KS Wifey on Onlyfans KS Wifey Official website

Transcribed - Published: 30 December 2023

In October 2023, Hamas terrorists massacred Israeli civilians as well as many foreign tourists in an unprecedented attack. Consequently, the Israeli government under Netanyahu launched retaliatory strikes on Gaza with manifold civilian deaths. Over 50 years ago, a similar attack at the Munich Olympics also led to severe repercussions for Palestinian civilians. I am rebroadcasting this episode which was among the most listened to during the last two years, with the hope that 10, 15, or 50 years from now this complex and ongoing conflict may find a peaceful and equitable resolution for all parties involved. In September 1972, the Olympic Motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” became an irrelevance as the world’s greatest sporting event was ravaged by violence and bloodshed as the Palestinian Black September group massacred 11 members of the Israeli delegation. In this episode, I discuss the Munich Massacre. Why it happened, how it happened, and whether it could have been prevented. Music by Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2023

This was the most disturbing episode I have ever recorded. Vatican Exorcist Vincent Lampert is one of the most prominent Roman Catholic combatants of demons in the world. I was very anxious when I made this episode as many people -- including a demonologist -- warned me I could provoke demonic forces. Thus far, I seem to have endured so I feel safe to reshare this episode. A few years ago, the Barna Group – a market research firm specializing in religious beliefs conducted a survey in which it emerged that more Americans believe Satan is real than believe in God. On a superficial level, the results seem counterintuitive. In a nominally Christian society, God and Satan seem to go hand in hand. But it’s important to remember that the Satan figure of the Bible appears in Islam and Judaism, and that demons whether real or imagined pre-date the Abrahamic religions and can be found in ancient cultures around the world. But whatever his origins, Satan and his demons have inspired countless movies and TV shows and there are numerous instances of people arguing that these demons can and do possess people even today. In this episode, I speak with four people, an academic, a Vatican Exorcist, a fundamentalist Christian, and a man who believes demons can be tackled through science rather than religion. Music: Pixabay Images: Canva Guests: Father Vincent Lampert Shirley Phelps-Roper (Westboro Baptist Church) Kenneth Dukofsky Ljubo Rubic Film footage: Les Tresors De Satan (1902) Public domain The Devil in a Covent (1899)

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2023

One of the most enjoyable interviews I have had over the past two years was with Prof. Margaret Schwartz from Fordham University about Eva Peron. Clearly, I wasn’t alone as that episode was the most listened to of all episodes released within the last year. Next season, Prof. Schwartz will return with an episode on the late Lady Diana. But, in the meantime here is a chance for new listeners to hear the episode or for long-term listeners to get a refresher. In July 1952, some 3 million people gathered in the heart of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. They had come to pay their last respects to Eva Peron the President’s wife. Overcome by emotion, the frenzied crowd poured forward leading to a crush in which 8 people were killed and thousands injured. Despite the huge crowds, Eva Peron or Evita as she was known was a divisive figure and her death was a milestone in rather than the end of her political influence in Argentina. In this episode, I explore the story of Evita. Featuring Dr Margaret Schwartz Associate Professor (Phd. University of Iowa) at Fordham University and author of Dead Matter: The Meaning of Iconic Corpses. Music from Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2023

Fascinating People, Fascinating Places returns in January. Here about the exciting new episodes in this preview.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2023

The new series of Fascinating People, Fascinating Places launches on 5 January 2024 with new episodes featuring the man who caught Saddam Hussein, the lawyer for the 9/11 mastermind, and much more. But in the interim, I am replaying five episodes that were selected by listeners as the best content over the last few years. If you’re new to the show now is the time to catch up. If you’re a long-term listener here is a chance to revisit some of the fan favorites. Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I had the pleasure of speaking with WSJ veteran David Satter. He was expelled from Moscow due to his investigative work that indicated Vladimir Putin came to power on the back of terrorist atrocities committed by the FSB but blamed on Chechens. In this episode, he shares a compelling story that supports his claims. On 13 September 1999 Gennadiy Seleznyov speaker of the Duma announced to the Russian parliament that a terrorist attack had hit the remote and hitherto unremarkable city of Volgodonsk. The bombing did occur but not until 3 days later. But it was this incident in conjunction with other bombings that set in motion a series of events that salvaged the reputation of President Boris Yeltsin and laid the stage for his protege Vladimir Putin to come to power. But Selezynyovs apparent clairvoyance wasn’t the only indication that something more sinister was afoot. And many people believe the second Chechen war was launched on the basis of a false flag attack concocted by Vladimir Putin. In this episode, I talk to the acclaimed journalist David Satter – formerly the Moscow correspondent for The Financial Times, and special correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. He was the first investigative reporter to detail what he believes was a bloody conspiracy to bring Putin to power. Aside from his journalistic work, David Satter has written five books about Russia including Age of Delirium: The Decline and Fall of the Soviet Union which was adapted into a documentary film, and more recently he authored The Less You Know, The Better You Sleep: Russia’s Road to Terror and Dictatorship under Yeltsin and Putin. In December 2013, he was expelled from Russia having been accused of violating migration laws. A claim that he denies and has been widely derided. Like many before and since his real crime appears to have been His actual offense appears to have been his efforts to expose the true nature of an opaque and sinister regime. Music and Sound: Pixabay Guests: David Satter (on Wikipedia)

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2023

Brian Hodgson is truly a pioneer of sound. A composer, and member of the famous BBC radiophonic workshop. An innovator within the realm of electronic music over two decades before the BBC acquired the first Macintosh computers, an actor, and Royal Airforce veteran, Brian came to prominence at the BBC. He began work on television in an era long before computers much less the digital technology and Artificial Intelligence his modern-day counterparts rely on to produce audio for shows such as Doctor Who. That particular show returns to our screens soon and is barely recognizable for the shows that first aired 60 years ago. The titular character has changed appearance more than a dozen times. Fundamentals of the Doctor’s origins and back story have been written, altered, and revised by dozens of writers over the decades while the interior of his spaceship the Tardis is radically different. Even the iconic design of his infamous cyborg rivals the Daleks has been tinkered with. But two key aspects of the show remain unchanged, and they are both crucial audio features introduced by Brian six decades ago.

Transcribed - Published: 23 November 2023

British actress Katy Manning has been a star of stage and screen for over five decades. During that time she has performed with stars including Jack Klugman, Derek Nimmo, and her partner Barry Crocker, in the UK, US and Australia. Despite her success and multitude of starring roles she is perhaps best known for her role as Jo Grant in Doctor Who. She appeared alongside actor Jon Pertwee for three years during which time the long running show achieved record viewing figures and became a worldwide success. In this interview we discuss Doctor Who, but also her career and life from the early days through to her current projects. For more on Katy visit her official website: Katymanning.com Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2023

In 1956, Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest determined to suppress the Hungarian revolution. Just months after an uprising in communist Poland, it was a severe test for the Soviets who were still adjusting to life post Stalin. The revolution had its roots in events from decades earlier going back to World War I and beyond. It also tragically set the tone for how later protests in Czechoslovakia in 1968, and Romania 1989, would be addressed by communist authorities.

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2023

Science and religion are often pitted against each other with many people believing faith is incompatible with science. But is it? Astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink PhD, Senior Research Scholar at Reasons To Believe believes the opposite. Jeff argues that scientific discoveries as well as theoretical notions like a meta verse actually offer evidence to back up his Christian faith. In this episode we discuss the interface of God and Science. Guest: Jeff Zweerink Music and Sound Effects: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2023

CUNY Law Professor Rebecca Bratspies found herself sitting in heavy traffic on the Major Deegan Expressway — a notoriously busy thoroughfare in NYC. She began to wonder who exactly this Major Deegan was? A war hero? Some notable military figure? Surely, there must be a story of some note attached to the man after whom this major roadway is named? Her subsequent research resulted in a book titled Naming Gotham in which she explores the figures behind the names on infrastructure projects and the methodology of naming them. Guest: Prof. Rebecca Bratspies NAMING GOTHAM Music and sound effects: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2023

Al-Shabaab emerged as a force after the Ethiopian incursion into Somalia in support of the UN-recognized government in 2006. The militant, Salafist group later formalized a relationship with Al-Qaeda and has been described as the most active and dangerous Al-Qaeda affiliate in the world. In 2024, African Union troops are set to leave Somalia and turn control over to the national government. But will this be a repeat of the Afghanistan situation or can Somalia -- as their government claims -- eradicate Al-Shabaab by the end of the year? In this episode, I speak with US State Department veteran Professor Tricia Bacon, author of Terror in Transition: Leadership and Succession in Terrorist Organizations, about the present situation in Somalia, its origins, and prospects for the future. Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2023

Michelle Manu, holds a unique distinction: she is the first female fully qualified Lua martial artist in 200 years. But in the past, female warriors were an integral part of Hawaiian society, so what happened? Charismatic Michelle’s resume reads like that of a superhero. A 26-year legal career after studying at Harvard Business School, earning a Master’s degree in Metaphysical Science, whilst working as a professional actress, martial artist, and dancer. She is an advocate for women, a self-defense trainer, an advocate for Hawaiian culture, and a Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (O’ahu Chapter). In this episode, we discuss the recent tragic events in Hawaii, the impact of racism and colonialism on the islands, plus the self-inflicted wounds caused by the former royal rulers. A candid assessment of the 50th state. Its past, present, and her hopes for the future. Michelle Manu Official Website: www.michellemanu.com Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2023

The Sound of Freedom — a film produced on a minimal budget and snubbed by major studios stunned Hollywood in 2023 by outperforming blockbusters such as Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible. The film has been praised by millions for tackling an important albeit disturbing topic that often garners little attention. But the movie — based on the real-life rescue of children from sex traffickers — has been subject to controversy. I recently interviewed the executive producer — Utah-based real estate magnate Paul Hutchinson — who went uncover to tackle human trafficking and whose own actions are weaved into the narrative of the film.

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2023

60,000 Australian troops participated in the Vietnam War. Their experiences differed greatly from those of US troops. In this episode, Dr. Ian Hodges of The Australian Department of Veterans Affairs discusses Australia’s Vietnam War Experience

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2023

Like so many young men in the late 60s and 70s, Robin Bartlett -- fresh out of college found himself in Vietnam. Despite coming from a family with a military pedigree he had other plans for his life. But, when duty called he answered and found himself thrust into a leadership position among youthful men. His book, Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History, is a candid account of his own experiences in the conflict. In this episode, I speak with Robin about the harrowing incidents he endured. The tragedies he was faced with. The manner in which young men like him were often harshly treated upon their return home. And, despite the circumstances of his story, there is even time for some light-hearted recollections. You can hear his whole story on his website: RobinBartlettauthor.com From there you can also get an autographed copy of his evocative book with free shipping. Music and sound effects: Pixabay In the next episode, I speak with award-winning author Dr Ian Hodges of the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs about the oft-overlooked experience of the Aussies in Vietnam.

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2023

Piers Gaveston has cast a long shadow over 700 years of British history. He wasn’t quite a ’nobody’ but among the well-stacked ranks of medieval nobles, he was close to the last rung of the ladder. Rising from obscurity in France, for a time he was arguably the most powerful man in England. Even seeming to hold sway over King Edward II who many believe was his lover. Crude, vengeful, and thrice exiled, despite dying years before him, he is seen as partly culpable for the later murder of the King. Within the last decade, his name was invoked in a political scandal that almost saw the removal of the British Prime Minister.

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2023

The West African nation of Mali has been in the media recently for all the wrong reasons. An ongoing Jihadist insurgency, created political insecurity which led to a military coup and more recently the cutting of ties with the former colonial power France, as the de facto government rely on the support of the controversial Russian mercenary operation the Wagner Group – better known for atrocities committed in Ukraine, and the ill feted march on Moscow – but whose methods have also much bloodshed throughout Africa. But with accusations and counter-accusations of colonialism, exploitation, and human rights groups being bounced around between the French and the Wagner group, What’s often overlooked in the West is that was once home to the wealthiest ruler in history: Mansa Musa, as well as three of the greatest powers in African history, the Mali, Songhai, and Hamdulahi empires. In addition to the threat posed to civilians by the current conflict, the carefully preserved texts detailing this extraordinary history – typically maintained in tiny ancient libraries around the country are also at threat of looting or the threat of becoming collateral damage in the violent carnage. Scholars such as Naples native Professor Mauor Nobili continue to uncover facts about the political and Islamic history of this part of the world. And his work, in recent years has extended from just studying the raw facts to re-examining the famous historical chronicles – artifacts which have become historic relics in their own rights. Guest Speaker: Prof. Mauro Nobili Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2023

Zach Pincince has become a viral sensation as a hypnotist, motivational speaker, and voice actor. He has appeared on TedX and collaborated with the legendary Tony Robbins among others. But what is hypnotism and how does it work? In this episode, we get candid insights from Zach Pincince into the entertainment side of hypnotism as well as its practical benefits. To learn more about Zach follow these links: Zach Pincince Official Wesbite https://www.zachpincince.com/ Zach Pincince Youtube

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2023

The parents of Rose Kuhn as well as her older brother miraculously survived the killing fields of Cambodia and started a new life in America. But joy turned to despair when Rose’s father was murdered by a teen gang member -- also a refugee from Cambodia. In this remarkable and deeply moving interview, Rose discusses her family’s experiences in Cambodia. Her life in the US, and how she came to embrace forgiveness and lobbied the state of California to free her father’s killer. Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2023

In 1975, 9-year-old Sarah Pol-Lim saw her family’s life descend into horror when the Communist Party of Kampuchea -- better known as the Khmer Rouge ( ខ្មែរក្រហម) seized power in Cambodia. Initially backed by the North Vietnamese government, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot sought to reset the country to year zero. Replacing all elements of colonialism, capitalism, culture, and the class divided by society with an agrarian utopia. The wealthy, the middle class, the educated, the religious, and ethnic minorities were among the segments of society they resolved to erase. The end result was a genocide that killed as many as 25 percent of the population. Even as a young child Sarah Pol-Lim was in the firing line because she and her parents were educated. In this episode, I speak with Sarah about her harrowing experiences during four years spent in work camps under the Khmer Rouge. The fate of her family, her eventual escape to America, and her views on lessons to be learned from this horrific event in modern history.

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2023

On 2 May 1973, the Chilean national football team took on Peru in a crucial world cup qualifier at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago. The victory coupled with success in a subsequent playoff meant that only the Soviet Union stood between Chile and a place at the world cup finals. That game, against a nation whose government had friendly ties with Chilean President Allende would take place in November at the same venue. But Chileans would come to remember 1973 for more important reasons than football. Powerful figures had been plotting against the democratically elected Allende for two years, both at home and in Washington DC at the White House. The Chilean football team did qualify for the world cup but only because their opponents from the USSR forfeited the match in protest at the CIA-backed military coup that saw President Allende killed, and thousands imprisoned, tortured, or killed in the very stadium that was due to hold the match. In this episode, I speak with Professor Kristin Sorensen an expert on global studies whose specialties include Chile about the notorious regime of General Augusto Pinochet and the devastating and lasting impact it has had on the lives of ordinary Chileans.

Transcribed - Published: 12 August 2023

In parts of Nevada, you can openly stroll into a publicly advertised brothel and legally engage in sexual activities with a willing provider. But venture a few miles away and the same activity could land you and the provider in jail. In this episode, I speak with two women who consciously chose to become sex workers. One where it is legal, one where it is not. Olivia LaRue a self-described courtesan and madam, operates her trade in Nevada. Rose, lives and works in Kansas City, Missouri where police stings are common as local authorities try to stamp out the illegal trade.

Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2023

In this episode, I speak with Kiki Smith — not her real name. But she is a stay at home mom and a married woman who makes a quite lucrative living posting as KS Wifey on websites including Only Fans, many vids and even her own domain: kswifey.com. What led her into this industry? How does it affect her relationship with her husband? What are the pitfalls and perks? A candid discussion about a growing yet controversial segment of the sex industry. Guest: Kiki Smith KS Wifey on Onlyfans KS Wifey Official website

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2023

Author Michael Ruskin’s powerful new book “The Vow: A Love Story and The Holocaust,” tells the heart-breaking yet inspirational story of his own family’s experiences during the Holocaust. His Parents David and Dora Ruskin lived in Lithuania at the outbreak of World War II. Initially, the area fell under Soviet control as a result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. However, Hitler soon broke that agreement and sent Nazi storm troopers into Lithuania. Like countless other Jews living in Europe, the Ruskins were forced into ghettos before eventually being deported to concentration camps. In this episode I talk to Michael about his book and his parents vow, that they were remarkably able to honor after the ravages of World War II and the Holocaust. The book features rare archive footage including letters of his parents, family photos, and rare archival pictures and information from both Israel and the US. You can purchase a copy of Michael’s book through his official website: TheVowaLoveStory.com Music: Ken Bakodesh Haziticha, A Jewish Hasidic Niggun, sung by the Li-Ron choir, Israel. Public Domain. BBC recording from April 20, 1945, of Jewish survivors of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp five days after their liberation. Public Domain

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2023

Coming on 11 August, I speak with Professor Kristin Sorenson of Bentley University and an expert on Chile about the American involvement in overthrowing a democratically elected government in Chile and replacing it with a fascist dictatorship that killed, tortured, and tormented tens of thousands.

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2023

During World War II, a new medium gave people on the homefront the kind of insight into the frontlines they had lacked during World War I: Radio. This relatively new technology enabled political figures such as Winston Churchill to warn of the dangers on Nazism even before the war. But radiowaves are not confined by national boundaries and the British were not the only ones to see the usefulness of this technology during war time. In 1939, listeners in the UK began hearing seemingly British yet unwelcome messages over the radio. In this episode I explore, Lord Haw Haw and the Nazi’s radio propaganda machine. Related episodes: The Göring Brothers: Albert and HermannThe Hindenburg DisasterEast Germany This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia Music: Pixabay Sound: Public domain speeches from Winston Churchill, King Edward VIII and William Joyce AKA Lord Haw Haw Während des Zweiten Weltkriegs gab ein neues Medium den Menschen an der Heimatfront den Einblick in die Frontlinien, der ihnen während des Ersten Weltkriegs gefehlt hatte: das Radio. Diese relativ neue Technologie ermöglichte es Politikern wie Winston Churchill, bereits vor dem Krieg vor den Gefahren des Nationalsozialismus zu warnen. Aber Radiowellen sind nicht an nationale Grenzen gebunden und die Briten waren nicht die Einzigen, die den Nutzen dieser Technologie während des Krieges erkannten. Im Jahr 1939 begannen Hörer im Vereinigten Königreich, scheinbar britische, aber unwillkommene Botschaften über das Radio zu hören.

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2023

In 1981, American journalist David Ost attended an extraordinary meeting in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz. Just decades earlier, it had been a majority German city, in the German empire and had a German name: Bromberg. Two world wars, the Holocaust, mass movement of people and two border realignments had seen it end up behind the proverbial iron curtain in 1945. The meeting was organized by a group named Solidarity which became the first legally sanctioned trade union in the Warsaw pact. It was a remarkable concession by a communist regime whose authority was based on the fact the country was controlled by the workers, to acknowledge there was even a need for such a group. This minor freedom had been hard fought but it was short lived. Within months, Solidarity had been banned and the whole of Poland was subjected to martial law. In this episode I talk to David Ost, Hobart and William Smith professor of politics about Solidarity and Poland’s arduous journey from communism to today. David Ost Professor of Politics at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1986 B.A., SUNY Stony Brook, 1976. David Ost: The Defeat of Solidarity: Anger and Politics in Postcommunist Europe If you enjoyed this episode you will also enjoy the following episodes: Romania 1989East GermanyPutin’s False Flag: The 1999 Moscow Apartment Bombings This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2023

Featuring Ellen Evert Hopman, Lucya Starza and Dr. Giovanni Caputo In more ancient parts of the world our ancestors developed methods for (as they believed) viewing the past, the future and contacting beings or entities be they living or deceased from other realms. This was serious business. The way a priest interpreted a reflection could be the difference of life and death if you were a potential foe of an emperor. More recently, the Christian church and individuals such as the self-appointed Witchfinder General Mathew Hopkins accused practitioners of these rituals of heresy or diabolism. A charge that could lead to burning at the stake. But one academic, Italian Doctor of Psychology Giovanni Caputo decided to put one aspect of scrying – specifically mirror gazing – to the test. If you have even the most basic grasp of physics you might think it extraordinary to suggest you could look into a mirror and in place of your own reflection you might see a loved one, an animal or a complete stranger. But Dr. Caputo put this exact premise to the test. I interviewed him for this podcast and his findings may well surprise you. In this episode I explore the science of scrying and talk to Druid Priestess and author Ellen Evert Hopman author of A Legacy of Druids and member of www.tribeoftheoak.org and Lucya Starza of The College of Psychic Studies and author of a Bad Witch’s Blog. about the practice. Related Episodes: The Druids This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2023

Scientists tell us that as we die our senses cease to function. The last sense to die is touch. Perhaps this attachment to physicality explains our preoccupation with the 3D world. Any police wanted list or database Ny site profile tends to begin with physical traits such as our height, weight, observable age, hair and eye color. But what if our physical form was a dispensable vessel distinct from our true intellectual and spiritual selves? The idea of reincarnation is nothing new. It’s been a key tenant of religions including Buddhism and Hinduism for hundreds and thousands of years. But in recent decades growing numbers of Christians, secularists and atheists have come forward with stories of young children having seemingly inexplicable recollections of apparent past lives. In this episode I speak to an English woman who wracked by a sense of emptiness and chronic illness moved to Australia where she had a spiritual awakening that not only solved her physical ailments but left her convinced that her present existence was just one chapter in a multi dimensional, time transcendent journey of consciousness. Ellie Garnham of IHeal is a Quantam healer based in Australia who uses hypnotherapy and related techniques to help individuals resolve trauma from the past he it in this life or as she and they believe from other lives past, present and future. She grew up in the UK not far from my home in the South East of England. It is a largely secular and cynical society. Consequently, I was curious as to how Ellie came to learn about and believe in this particular set of beliefs. Ellie Garnham website: Iheal This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2023

Around the time Tom Cruise was introducing the general public to a Hollywood version of the high-octane life of a Top Gun pilot, Mike Manazir was the real thing. In his new book Lead To Win he provides practical advice for leaders in any field drawn from his distinguished career in the military and his post-naval career as a Vice President at Boeing. In this episode, Mike recounts his experiences flying the F-14A/D Tomcat and the F-18E/F Super Hornet — the high points and the near disasters. The extraordinary tale of how he brought home an aircraft after the navigator partially ejected, his time as Rear Admiral on the USS Nimitz, and his thoughts on the so-called Tic-Tac UFOs. Mike shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with a team, and his transition to civilian life in a candid, eye-opening, and often times humorous discussion. This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia Music: Pixabay Thanks to: Mike Manazir

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2023

On 3 January 1896, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany sent a congratulatory telegram to Paul Kruger President of the Transvaal Republic. The Dutch settlers or “Boers” had just successfully fended off an attack by 600 British irregulars under the command of Leander Starr Jameson. The telegram caused alarm in Britain as Germany flexed its muscles on the world stage. More immediately it empowered Kruger and his allies as they attempted to remain independent and outside the vast British Empire. In this episode, I speak with South African historian Des Latham — host of The Anglo-Boer War Podcast — about the conflict that followed — The Second Boer War — and its aftermath. Des Latham is a South African historian and host of the Anglo-Boer War podcast. This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link World History Encyclopedia

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2023

The 1956 Hollywood version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I, popularized King Mongkut of Siam, who from a Western perspective was a hitherto obscure figure. In the musical, an English teacher played by Deborah Kerr, drags the monarch of a seemingly insulated and somewhat backward country into the modern world. As is so often the case. The Hollywood version of history was far from the truth. Though Mongkut did embrace science and technology he wasn’t the first Siamese ruler to do so. Some 200 years earlier, King Narai of Ayutthaya, sought out cutting-edge technology and formed alliances with powerful figures such as King Louis XIV of France. In this episode I speak with Australian historian Dr Ian Hodges about Narai, his reign, his legacy and his eventual successor the better-known King Mongkut. Music: Pixabay Guest: Dr Ian Hodges Historian at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Australia This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it; they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia hNB2Gt3OwFAVRrgVcg8D

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2023

In July 1952, some 3 million people gathered in the heart of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. They had come to pay their last respects to Eva Peron the President’s wife. Overcome by emotion, the frenzied crowd poured forward leading to a crush in which 8 people were killed and thousands injured. Despite the huge crowds, Eva Peron or Evita as she was known was a divisive figure and her death was a milestone in rather than the end of her political influence in Argentina. In this episode, I explore the story of Evita. Featuring Dr Margaret Schwartz Associate Professor (Phd. University of Iowa) at Fordham University and author of Dead Matter: The Meaning of Iconic Corpses. Music from Pixabay This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate, but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site; and don’t just take my word for it; they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link World History Encyclopedia

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2023

By June 1944, the winds of war had changed. The German High Command was bracing for an invasion of mainland Europe by a liberating multi-national force. Kansas native, Dwight D Eisenhower was the Supreme Allied Commander of Operation Neptune (D-Day). The successful operation was a turning point in the war, and in Eisenhower’s life. Less than a decade later he made the switch from civilian to military leadership when he was sworn in as the 34th President of the United States. In this episode I speak with two experts on Eisenhower’s life and legacy. Dawn Hammatt is the Director at Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS. The campus includes a vast repository of documents and artifacts, including the table he used while planning D-Day. Professor Benjamin P Greene (PhD Stanford) teaches history at Bowling Green University in Ohio. He is also the author of Science Advice, and the Nuclear Test-Ban Debate, 1945-1963 With special thanks to Samantha Prior of the Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood home. Sounds: Pixabay Audio: Eisenhower D-day speech, final speech in office both public domain

Transcribed - Published: 9 March 2023

On 8 August 1974, US President Richard Nixon announced his intention to resign from office. This signaled the end of a scandal-plagued period in office. The release of the so-called “smoking gun” audio recording had implicated Nixon in attempts to cover-up his surrogate’s illegal break-in at the DNC national headquarters two years earlier. But why did Nixon do what he did? What was the role, if any of the FBI and CIA in the crime or the cover-up? Were Nixon’s “dirty tricks” anything unusual in US politics? And, what is the legacy of Watergate? In this episode, I discuss these topics with Professor Bruce Schulman the William E. Huntington Professor of History at Boston University. He is the author of three books and editor of six others: From Cotton Belt to Sunbelt (N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 1991); Lyndon B. Johnson and American Liberalism (Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press, 1994); and The Seventies: The Great Shift in American Culture, Politics, and Society (N.Y.: Free Press, 2001). Audio: Nixon resignation, Nixon speech & watergate audio. Public domain. Music from Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2023

Boko Haram (Arabic: جماعة أهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد) is a Nigerian-based Islamic militant group founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002. The group seeks to impose its strict version of Islam across a swathe of Africa. Primarily active in the border area around Lake Chad, its violent insurgency has led to millions being displaced and the deaths of over 300,000 children. More recently, the failure of central governments in both Mali and Burkina Faso to tackle the threat led to military coups in both those nations. The group previously pledged allegiance to ISIS although it has now split into factions, one of which opposes ISIS (Arabic: دولة إسلامية) although their violent methods and ideology remain very similar. Boko Haram also has connections with In this episode, I speak to Vincent Foucher Consulting Senior Analyst for West Africa of Crisis Group International about Boko Haram. We discuss their ideology, growth, and the threat they pose to multiple nations in West and Central Africa. Expert Guest: Vincent Foucher Music: Pixabay Sound: U.S. Presidents Reagan, Nixon, Bush, Trump, Nigerian President Jonathan Goodluck, (Public Domain) Photo: Abubakar Shekau (Free Use)

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2023

Kenneth Dukofsky is an exorcist. Raised in the Jewish faith, his experiences with the seemingly supernatural led him to adopt a scientific approach to the supernatural. He also became ordained in the Universal Life Church though he no longer participates in what he refers to as “man-made religions.” In this episode, I talk to Kenneth about his work as an exorcist. I also speak with Father Vincent Lampert a Vatican-ordained exorcist and Roman Catholic Priest about his ecnounters with the demonic. Additionally, I hear from Shirley Phelps-Roper, a Christian fundamentalist from the controversial Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church on her views about demons and exorcism. This episode features some topics and brief language that may be unsuitable for younger listeners. Sound Effect: Pixabay Kenneth Dukofsky Youtube Channel Image: Satan Before The Lord, Corrado Giaquinto. Creative Commons

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2023

Friday 13th …. A few years ago, the Barna Group – a market research firm specializing in religious beliefs conducted a survey in which it emerged that more Americans believe Satan is real than believe in God. On a superficial level, the results seem counterintuitive. In a nominally Christian society, God and Satan seem to go hand in hand. But it’s important to remember that the Satan figure of the Bible appears in Islam and Judaism, and that demons whether real or imagined pre-date the Abrahamic religions and can be found in ancient cultures around the world. But whatever his origins, Satan and his demons have inspired countless movies and TV shows and there are numerous instances of people arguing that these demons can and do possess people even today. In this episode, I speak with four people, an academic, a Vatican Exorcist, a fundamentalist Christian, and a man who believes demons can be tackled through science rather than religion. Music: Pixabay Images: Canva Guests: Father Vincent Lampert Shirley Phelps-Roper (Westboro Baptist Church) Kenneth Dukofsky Ljubo Rubic Film footage: Les Tresors De Satan (1902) Public domain The Devil in a Covent (1899) Links: Links: Kennth Dukofsky Youtube Channel Discover More Podcast Presented by Fascinating People, Fascinating Places podcast is available wherever you get your podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2023

In 1945, the Allied powers prepared to hold the Nazi leaders accountable for the crimes committed during world war II. Richard Sonnenfeldt sat down with a man whose name was as synonymous with Nazism as Hitler or Himmler. The subject of the interview, Göring, denied any culpability for the holocaust or the war. Sonnenfeldt dismissed him as a hand wringing witness who was trying to whitewash his past. But Göring continued with his denials even producing a list of Jews he had helped escape the Nazis. The story seemed ridiculous to captors until a new interrogator arrived: Victor Paschkes. His aunt had been smuggled out of Germany and he had little trouble remembering the famous name of the man who assisted her. It was Goring. But this wasn’t Hermann, Hitler’s number two, Paschkes and Sonnenfeldt were sitting with his younger brother Albert. A man wrongly accused of being a Nazi when in fact – despite his brother’s role in the regime had spent years battling against the Nazis. In this episode, I explore the story of The Göring brothers, Albert and Hermann. Sound: Pixabay Sentencing of Nazi Leaders at Nuremberg Public domain Music: Mahler Symphony No. 5, IV. Adagietto The Peabody orchestra through Creative Commons Gustav Malher, interprété par Bruno Walter et le Vienna Philhamornic Orchestra. Public Domain

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2023

Of the many Fascinating Places around the world, only the most extraordinary make the Unesco World Heritage site list. Gary Arndt — blogger, businessman, and podcaster — has visited over 400 of these sites since 2007 while visiting every continent and over 200 countries or territories whilst establishing himself as a well-renowned travel writer. But what happens when Covid shuts down the travel industry? Gary reinvented himself as the host of the hugely successful podcast Everything Everywhere Daily and found even greater success than he had as a travel writer. In this episode I speak to the Fascinating man, about his remarkable success. Gary’s website: Everything Everywhere Daily Music: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2022

Precisely 200 years ago, Prince Pedro declared independence for the Portuguese colony of Brazil. The first country in the world to officially acknowledge the vast nation’s independence was a tiny African Kingdom that had developed relations with the South American country over the prior 70 years. Dahomey, a Kingdom that once existed in what today we call Benin, made its mark in the history books of South America. But seven decades later, Dahomey disappeared from the maps having been swallowed up as part of the French Empire during the so-called scramble for Africa. While chasing new territory and resources, the European powers claimed that they were motivated by a desire to bring Christianity to the supposedly undeveloped continent. The Western visitors often described Dahomey in unflattering terms as a pagan nation where human sacrifice was practiced and where slavery (which had recently been outlawed in Europe) was central to the economy. It was also a land where an all-powerful monarch was kept in power with the support of 6,000 ferocious female Agojie warriors the Europeans dubbed “Amazons.” The reality was much more nuanced. While horrific acts most certainly occurred in Dahomey, –western chroniclers were inclined to focus on the kingdom in isolation and failed to draw parallels with horrors happening elsewhere in the world. In this episode, I explore the story of Dahomey. Expert Guest: Dr. Lynne Larsen (University of Arkansas) Sound Effects: Pixabay

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2022

In North West Africa, the vast wilderness of the Sahara runs into the tropical rainforests of Benin and Burkina Faso. And it is in this region, that some of Africa’s greatest empires flourished. Among them was the Songhai Empire, as well as the earlier Mali Empire, whose rulers included Mansa Musa – who flushed with gold – was reportedly the wealthiest man in history. By the early 19th century, the Bambara Empire controlled much of the territory that is in today’s Mali. But from the Southwest, a new force emerged, a man named Ahmad Lobbu who forged not just a new empire but what came to be known as the Caliphate of Hamdullahi. An Islamic and jihadist state, it was one of the last powerful empires in the region before the scramble for Africa beginning in 1881 saw almost the entire continent fall under colonial rule. It’s an area of the world and era of history that is often overlooked in the West. But Professor Mauro Nobili author of Sultan, Caliph, and the Renewer of the Faith: Aḥmad Lobbo, the Tārīkh al-Fattāsh and the Making of an Islamic State in 19th-Century West Africa is a subject matter expert on this period of history. I recently spoke to him about the caliphate and began by picking up from our discussion in a previous episode about the Songhai Empire.

Transcribed - Published: 23 November 2022

Mauritania, one of Africa’s largest yet least talked about countries holds a dark secret: slavery. While slavery in various forms continues to exist around the world, in Mauritania its on a massive scale having been woven into the very fabric of society. In fact, the loathsome practice was only criminalized 15 years ago. But whereas the emancipation proclamation and subsequent events in the US eventually led to the visible liberation of milions of people, the new law in Mauritania had no such effect. Indeed, the government quickly moved on from criminalizing the trade to claiming there were no slaves in the country. Those suggesting otherwise risked harassment and arrest while the practitioners of the trade were largely undisturbed. But the situation is starting to improve in part because of the work of organizations such as anti slavery international. An entity founded in 1837 and designed to bring an end to the Atlantic slave trade. Almost two hundreds years later, despite much success, the groups work is not done, as Emma Cain Programme Quality and Impact Manager explained to me. Learn more at and help fight slavery today by going to AntiSlavery.org Music: Pixabay — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daniel-mainwaring5/message

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2022