Eyewitness History

Today, we have a truly extraordinary guest who has spent his life on the frontlines of international intrigue and covert operations. Get ready to dive deep into the world of paramilitary, counter-terrorism, and clandestine activities as we sit down with none other than Ric Prado, a seasoned veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).Ric Prado: A Man of Mystery and Expertise Join us as we unravel the gripping tale of Ric Prado's remarkable twenty-four-year career at the CIA. With an impressive resume spanning six overseas posts, Mr. Prado is a true luminary in the world of intelligence and security. From his role as Deputy Chief of Station in the original Bin Ladin Task Force/Issues Station to his position as Chief of Station in a hostile Muslim country, Mr. Prado's experiences are nothing short of captivating.On the Frontlines of History: Counterterrorism During 9/11 One of the most gripping segments of our interview delves into Mr. Prado's tenure as Chief of Operations in the CIA's Counterterrorist Center (CTC) during the tragic events of September 11th. Discover how Mr. Prado played a pivotal role in coordinating the CIA/CTC's special operations activities with key stakeholders, including the National Security Council, the FBI, and elite U.S. military units such as Delta Force and SEAL Team Six. Gain insights into the intense collaboration and strategic maneuvers that took place behind the scenes.From Central America to the Philippines: Adventures in Special OperationsIn the early years of his career, Ric Prado served as a paramilitary officer in the Special Operations Group/Special Activities Division (SOG/SAD) at the CIA. Prepare to be enthralled by his riveting accounts of life in the trenches, including his groundbreaking role as the first CIA officer to live in the anti-Sandinista "Contra" camps in Central America. Hear about his high-stakes counter-terrorism and insurgency operations in Peru and the Philippines that pushed the boundaries of courage and dedication.Pick up his book “Black Ops: The Life Of A CIA Shadow Warrior at https://ricprado.com/Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as we revisit my conversation with Martin Cooper, the visionary engineer who conceived the handheld mobile phone. From concept to groundbreaking call in 1973, we'll take you on a journey through his revolutionary story.Highlights:Segment 1: The Visionary ConceptExplore Martin's early background and the spark that ignited the mobile phone idea. Uncover the condensed ten-year process behind this game-changing invention.Segment 2: Paving The WayDiscover how Martin's vision evolved into the iconic Motorola DynaTAC 8000x. Navigate the challenges overcome on the path to innovation.Segment 3: A Call That Shaped HistoryRelive the historic first public cell phone call and its lasting impact.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is the 85th anniversary of one of history's most heartbreaking laws.In remembrance, we're re-airing part one of our interview with Gene Klein. Mr. Klein is a holocaust survivor who defied the horrors of Auschwitz and emerged as a symbol of unyielding resilience. Liberated by the Soviets, Gene Klein's journey stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit.Key Highlights:Unveiling Auschwitz's Horrors: Join us as Gene Klein provides a gripping firsthand account of life within the confines of Auschwitz, shedding light on the indomitable spirit that fueled survival amid unimaginable challenges.Early Life: Gene Klein shares what happened to his family.Lessons from History: Gene Klein shares profound insights drawn from personal experience, emphasizing the enduring importance of remembrance, tolerance, and the collective responsibility to prevent the repetition of history's darkest moments.Preserving the Legacy: Explore Gene Klein's perspective on safeguarding the memory of the Holocaust and the vital role of preserving survivors' stories for future generations.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joel Thurm was one of the most admired, powerful, and accomplished casting directors in Hollywood. It was during his years as Vice President of Talent and Casting for both Paramount Television and NBC that he discovered the remarkable Phoenix family from which River and Joaquin became A-list movie stars. Here, Thurm tells the stories of his key involvement in such iconic movies and shows as Grease, Airplane!, Cheers, Silver Spoons, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randal Kleiser has been an internationally known film director since the release of his first feature, Grease.Kleiser's directorial portfolio boasts a range of works, such as The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, The Blue Lagoon, Summer Lovers, Flight of the Navigator, White Fang, Honey I Blew up the Kid, Getting It Right, Lovewrecked, and It's My Party, among others. For decades, Randal Kleiser has engaged in an artistic pursuit beyond filmmaking—capturing his fellow directors through a technique known as blind contour drawing.In this method, he sketches his subjects without glancing at the paper, resulting in a unique artistic representation. Although challenges arose due to subjects' movements during sketching, Kleiser presents a compilation of successful attempts. Drawing Directors, featuring a foreword by Roger Corman, serves as a tribute by Kleiser to his admired directors. Esteemed names such as Steven Spielberg, John Singleton, Ron Howard, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Wise, and Billy Wilder grace the pages, with Kleiser delving into their professional journeys and sharing insightful anecdotes along with his personal views on their cinematic contributions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annie Machon is a former intelligence officer for MI5, the UK Security Service, who resigned in the late 1990s to help blow the whistle on the spies’ incompetence and crimes. In 1996, she resigned from MI5 in order to help David Shayler reveal a series of alleged crimes committed by the agency. Afterward, they went on the run around Europe for a month, lived in hiding for a year and in exile for two, before returning voluntarily. Machon was never charged with a crime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RIP Vince Speranza (1925 - 2023)Speranza was drafted into the United States Army on October 25, 1943, and officially entered the service on November 15, 1943. He was sent to Camp Upton in New York where he stayed until he was sent to Fort Benning in Georgia where he trained for the Infantry with the 87th Infantry Division. He volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and was sent back to Fort Benning for training. He was sent overseas with Company H, 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division from Camp Shanks on board the Queen Mary. His unit arrived in France and would later fight in the Battle of the Bulge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, August 4 marks the date that apartheid opponent Nelson Mandela was arrested by security police in South Africa. He was then tried and sentenced to five years in prison. The assault took place back on August 4 1962. In 1964, he was placed on trial for sabotage, high treason, and conspiracy to overthrow the government and was sentenced to life in prison. In remembrance of Mandela's arrest, I want to present two interviews that I did with two very interesting people that had to do with apartheid. One is with Bradley Steyn, and the other is with Greg Marinovich.Bradley Steyn enlisted in the South African Navy at 17. After being discharged, he found employment in the underground nightlife of Cape Town's Clubland, where he was recruited by the apartheid Security Branch in a 'brutal crackdown on activists'. Bradley, finding himself on the wrong path for his own redemption, joined the African National Congress' Department of Intelligence and Security, and spent two years spying on the White right-wing until a bounty was placed on his head. Greg Marinovich is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, filmmaker and co-author of The Bang Bang Club, a nonfiction book on South Africa’s transition to democracy that has been translated into six languages and made into a feature film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

J. Randy Taraborrelli is the author of 20 biographies, most of which have become New York Times bestsellers, including: Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot; After Camelot: A Personal History of the Kennedy Family 1968 to the Present, which was adapted as a mini-series for Reelz; and Jackie, Janet & Lee: The Secret Lives of Janet Auchincloss and Her Daughters, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill, which he is adapting for television.He is a respected journalist, a recognizable entertainment personality, and an in-demand guest on many television programs including Today, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, and CNN Headline News.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode I have the great pleasure of doing a two person interview with Javier Peña and Steve Murphy. These two DEA special agents were assigned as the lead investigators targeting Pablo Escobar and his Medellin Cartel. These true American heroes provide a firsthand lesson in history as they discuss with me the reference bringing down the world's first Narco terrorist, the challenges they face and oftentimes hostile and life threatening environments and also what they felt the day they discovered the polis we're having killed on that rooftop. We also discussed their book “Manhunters: How We Took Down Pablo Escobar”, the Netflix phenomenon, Narcos, which is based on their time in Colombia, and we discussed what they're doing now. It was such an honor and great pleasure speaking with both of them, and now I give you Javier Peña and Steve Murphy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.