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Heroes Behind Headlines

Heroes Behind Headlines
Vietnam War
World War II
CIA
Taliban
Mental Health
Macv-Sog
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes215Founded4 years ago
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Society & CultureDocumentaryNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Heroes Behind Headlines

Latest Episodes

Colonel Robert Howard was a very distinguished member of the top-secret MACV-SOG units that fought during the Vietnam War in America’s secret war in Laos and Cambodia. Comprised of only one to a few U.S. special force team members plus a cadre of nat... more

Right after the U.S. dropped the bomb on Nagasaki, Victoria Kelly’s grandfather was sent there as part of the U.S. forces sent to occupy the city after its destruction. Victoria grew up curious about her grandfather’s experience there, as he’d died b... more

Patrick Naughton’s father served in Vietnam when he was a child, and shared accounts of his experiences and adventures – from infantry to serving in Special Forces as part of the MACV-SOG teams doing recon and battling across the fence” in America’s ... more

The second half of this two-part interview from 2023 with one of our favorite Americans, in celebration of Memorial Day:

A living legend of MACV-SOG and the Green Berets, John "Tilt" Stryker Meyer shares some of the most daring first-person stories ... more

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Recent Guests

Victoria Kelly
Author and filmmaker, creator/producer of Atomic Echoes
Atomic Echoes
Episode: At Ground Zero In Nagasaki
John Stryker Meyer
Delta-trained Macv-Sog veteran, author of Across the Fence and The Secret War in Vietnam
Former Macv-Sog operator
Episode: REPRISE: SOG Green Beret Legend in "The Secret War" in Vietnam: Part I
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
Mike Gatto
Former California State Assemblyman; author of Noir by Necessity
California State Assembly
Episode: Murder Of State Assemblyman’s Father
Jeff Brown
Self-help author and thought leader
Self-employed / Author
Episode: One Writer's Trudeau Nightmare
Brennan Morton
Former US Marine Recon Sniper, author of Valhalla Boys
Marine Corps, Author
Episode: Marine Recon Sniper’s Gritty Account Of Time In Iraq
Mark Shaw
Bestselling author and attorney, investigator of JFK, RFK, Dorothy Kilgallen cases
Author and Attorney
Episode: Linking The JFK & RFK Shootings With Help From Expert Mark Shaw

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.

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.
Attacked Outside A Bar; Arrested For Attempted Murder
Q: Can you walk us through the events of that night and what led to your arrest?
Barry Todd describes a celebratory night that turned violent after he encountered an aggressor; despite defending himself with a weapon, he was arrested for attempted murder due to what he claims was misapplied law and insufficient consideration of video evidence.
The Legendary First Special Service Force of WWII
Q: Most people, I would say, are unfamiliar. Can you tell us the history, how they were formed, why they were formed?
Bill explains the unit was created during WWII as a top-secret, binational force combining US and Canadian volunteers, drawn from outdoorsmen and specialists, to fulfill high-risk operations that leveraged superior train- ing and covert tactics. The goal was to neutralize strategic targets like heavy-water plants and to fight effectively in snow and mountain terrain, a mission that required exceptional versatility and courage.
“Real 21 Jump Street” Undercover Cop & Crime-Stopper (Part 3 Of 3)
Q: Can you share some of the experiences you faced during your investigation?
I've encountered threats and intimidation, including having my home broken into and finding a GPS tracker on my vehicle.

Audience Metrics

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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. The Jack Carr Channel
2. Change Agents with Andy Stumpf
3. Mike Drop
4. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC
5. Mike Force Podcast

How many episodes of Heroes Behind Headlines are there?

Heroes Behind Headlines launched 4 years ago and published 215 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. Victoria Kelly
2. John Stryker Meyer
3. Karen Holt
4. Geoff Gilson
5. Barry Todd
6. Mike Gatto
7. Jeff Brown
8. Brennan Morton

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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