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Heroes Behind Headlines

Heroes Behind Headlines
Vietnam War
World War II
CIA
Taliban
Macv-Sog
Mental Health
JFK Assassination
Venezuela
Korean War
Afghanistan
Tet Offensive
Ana Montéz
John F. Kennedy
Afghan Evacuation
Crownsville Hospital
PTSD
Marine Corps
Cuba
Abbey Gate
Forensic Anthropology

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes219Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryDocumentarySociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for Heroes Behind Headlines

Latest Episodes

On January 24, 1975, six young businessmen were enjoying lunch in lower Manhattan’s historic Fraunces Tavern when a bomb placed inside the restaurant exploded, tearing through the building. It had been planted by a group claiming support for Puerto R... more

Award-winning journalist Bill Conroy is back dishing the inside dirt on how America's war on drugs has really turned into a complex business of law enforcement and political policy conflicts. Bill describes how the federal agencies charged with prote... more

Writer Ian Trottier has penned a biography of John Brennan, government intelligence figure with a stellar biography--under former president Obama, Brennan served as head of the CIA, oounterterrorism advisor; and Deputy National Security Advisor for H... more

Charismatic mastermind and one-time meth cook Scott Scurlock befriended Steve Meyer and pulled him into a surreal world of treehouses and crime in Washington in the early to mid-90s. Scott earned notoriety as the most prolific bank robber ever in Was... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Ian Trottier
podcaster, political activist and author
Author of High Stakes Treason
Episode: High Stakes Treason: Former CIA Chief Cashes In On Terrorism
Steve Myers
One of the people behind 19 bank robberies across Seattle in the 1990s
Unspecified collaboration with Scott Scurlock
Episode: Bank Robber And FBI Agent Remember The Hollywood Bank Robber
Shawn Johnson
Former FBI agent and case lead in the investigation
FBI
Episode: Bank Robber And FBI Agent Remember The Hollywood Bank Robber
Steve Moore
Author and historian, wrote Beyond the Call of Duty: The Life of Colonel Robert Howard
Author and Historian
Episode: Medal Of Honor Winner & MACV-SOG Legend
Victoria Kelly
Author and filmmaker, creator/producer of Atomic Echoes
Atomic Echoes
Episode: At Ground Zero In Nagasaki
Patrick W. Naughton Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel and Army Historian, author of Born From War
US Army
Episode: Born From War: A Father’s Legacy To His Son
Karen Holt
Daughter of Chauncey Holt, author and storyteller of her father's life
Private individual, daughter of Chauncey Holt
Episode: Daughter Of A Scoundrel: Karen Holt On CIA Cutout Dad Chauncey Marvin Holt
Geoff Gilson
Author of Maggie's Hammer
Author, Maggie's Hammer
Episode: Friend’s Death Reveals Web Of Arms Deals And Money Laundering
Barry Todd
Author of Stand Your Ground
Stand Your Ground book / Defense Resources Foundation (involvement)
Episode: Attacked Outside A Bar; Arrested For Attempted Murder

Host

Ralph Pezzullo
Host of Heroes Behind Headlines; New York Times best-selling author; lead interviewer and producer

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 257 ratings
  • Don’t waste your time!

    Having “Jerry” Blaine is traitorous. I will never listen to this pathetic podcast again.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MikeMach44
    United States2 years ago
  • Great podcast

    Love the podcast but music is a ti y but distracting. Maybe turn down a little. Also I’m listening to older eps so maybe that’s already been addressed…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    seagreene
    United States2 years ago
  • Great show but hard to listen

    I enjoy the theme of the show but the interviewer constantly interrupts the interview with loud bassy “yeah”s and “mhm”s. Some times he will say “yeah” , “mhm” ten times before the person can even finish a sentence 🤦🏻‍♂️making the show borderline unlistenable.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Alan ppww
    United States3 years ago
  • Top Rate

    Ralph is a top-rate-salt-of-the-earth guy, he knows his guests and research’s who they are, where they’ve been and what they’ve done. And it shows in every episode of his podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    House of Grit
    United States3 years ago
  • Fascinating!!

    Just listened to Black Dahlia. Wow!

    And great to hear Mike Dawson’s voice and that he is producing the podcast. Nice!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cmcquietman
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many praise deep, insider perspectives and strength of guest lineups.
Listeners appreciate the host's research and guest familiarity, highlighting credible storytelling.
Some reviews call out audio balance and interruptions as a drawback.
people_are_saying_explanation_empty_for_potential_pitches_and_sponsorships.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

High Stakes Treason: Former CIA Chief Cashes In On Terrorism
Q: What historical events and entities are tied into the book's thesis?
The thesis connects JFK era concerns, MKUltra, the 9/11 attacks, the Boston Marathon bombing, the underwear bombing attempt, and the creation of the NCTC/TTIC, arguing a persistent pattern of concealment and influence within the US intelligence community.
High Stakes Treason: Former CIA Chief Cashes In On Terrorism
Q: What is Ian Trottier's background and what does his book argue about John Brennan?
Trottier describes Brennan as a central figure in alleged intelligence manipulation and financial gain through stock holdings, tying Brennan to a network that allegedly hid information and influenced terrorism-related operations for personal profit.
Medal Of Honor Winner & MACV-SOG Legend
Q: Can you talk about two missions in particular, SLAM 7 and the Bright Light Mission?
SLAM 7 showcased Howard's bravery under extreme pressure, with ongoing firefights and his efforts to extract wounded teammates, which ultimately led to his recognition. The Bright Light Mission followed a recovery operation for a fallen comrade, where Howard's leadership and surgical bravery under heavy fire saved lives and yielded critical intelligence, contributing to his Medal of Honor citation.
Friend’s Death Reveals Web Of Arms Deals And Money Laundering
Q: Why London as the epicenter of these activities?
Geoff explains that London functioned as a financial and logistical hub where legal frameworks could be navigated or bent, allowing backdoor arms deals and laundering networks to operate with a degree of legitimacy that front-door deals could not achieve.
Friend’s Death Reveals Web Of Arms Deals And Money Laundering
Q: Tell us a little about Hugh and the circumstances of his death.
Hugh Simmons was a rising figure in the British Conservative Party whose sudden death in 1988 coincided with $7 million missing from his law firm's client accounts, prompting Geoff to pursue a long investigation into a broader web of money laundering and arms deals that implicated powerful figures and institutions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Heroes Behind Headlines

What is Heroes Behind Headlines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Explosive, first-hand storytelling across a wide range of high-stakes topics—military history, investigations, political intrigue, and scandal. Episodes curate in-depth conversations with veterans, investigators, authors, and researchers who offer insider perspectives, detailed timeline context, and practical takeaways for audiences interested in truth-seeking, risk, and resilience. A standout trait is the host's ability to guide complex narratives with solid research, drawing out personal experiences that illuminate broader historical and geopolitical patterns. The show often blends meticulous history with narrative flair, making it a strong fit for listeners who crave depth, credibility, and unique insider viewpoints beyond mainstream hea... more

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How many listeners does Heroes Behind Headlines get?

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How many subscribers and views does Heroes Behind Headlines have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Heroes Behind Headlines has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Heroes Behind Headlines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heroes Behind Headlines:

1. Mike Drop
2. Combat Story
3. The Shawn Ryan Show
4. Urban Valor: the podcast
5. Adam Carolla Show

How many episodes of Heroes Behind Headlines are there?

Heroes Behind Headlines launched 5 years ago and published 219 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Heroes Behind Headlines?

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What guests have appeared on Heroes Behind Headlines?

Recent guests on Heroes Behind Headlines include:

1. Ian Trottier
2. Steve Myers
3. Shawn Johnson
4. Steve Moore
5. Victoria Kelly
6. Patrick W. Naughton Jr.
7. Karen Holt
8. Geoff Gilson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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