Scott Armstrong was one of the lead investigators on the United States Senate Watergate Committee — and one of the four people in the room when Alexander Butterfield revealed the existence of Nixon’s secret Oval Office taping system. In this episode, Armstrong walks us through that pivotal moment in American history, how a single document raised suspicions, and what it was like to work behind the scenes on the most consequential political scandal of the 20th century. We also discuss Armstrong’s ...
Jul 08, 2025•34 min
Chris Skates is a novelist with 30 years of experience as a chemist at nuclear and coal plants. He’s been able to combine this diverse background of science and energy with a passion for writing. Chris began publishing in 2000, with over 150 stories, articles, and columns to his name, alongside four novels. He’s also contributed to Turkey Call Magazine and is preparing a non-fiction collection. His writing journey culminated in key roles as a speechwriter and energy advisor at both the state and...
Jun 27, 2025•44 min
In this episode of Eyewitness History , host Josh Cohen welcomes Peter Hogan , the British comic book writer and co-creator of Resident Alien , the beloved sci-fi mystery series that inspired the hit Syfy/USA television adaptation. Peter shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Resident Alien came to life—both on the page and on the screen—and opens up about: His early writing career with 2000 AD and Vertigo Crafting the character of Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, an alien stranded on Earth Why empat...
Jun 10, 2025•31 min
In this episode, we’re joined by actor, director, and producer Kevin Sorbo, best known for his iconic role as Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and his work on Andromeda . Kevin opens up about getting the role of Hercules, fame, his transition into faith-based filmmaking. We dive deep into his thoughts on the importance of values-driven storytelling, and the polarization within the entertainment industry. Sorbo also shares his personal journey, the impact of his faith on his career, a...
May 20, 2025•23 min
In this special re-release of Eyewitness History , we honor the life and legacy of Esther Basch, who passed away on April 14, 2025—exactly 80 years to the day she was liberated from the Salzwedel Concentration Camp by American soldiers. Known to many as “The Honey Girl of Auschwitz,” Esther survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, and endured a brutal death march before her liberation. In this unforgettable conversation, she shares how her 16th birthday was marked b...
May 14, 2025•43 min
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jeff Schoep, a former leader of the National Socialist Movement — once the largest neo-Nazi organization in the United States. For over 20 years, Schoep was a prominent figure in the white nationalist movement. But in 2019, he made a profound and public decision to walk away from extremism and dedicate his life to dismantling it. Now the founder of Beyond Barriers , a nonprofit focused on countering extremism and helping individuals disengage from hate-b...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 27 min
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. Pick up his new book "The Paper Trail" today - https://rb.gy/ow7dr1 See omnyst...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr
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 Fo...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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 e...
Apr 01, 2025•57 min
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....
Mar 20, 2025•45 min
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...
Mar 18, 2025•30 min
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 confront...
Mar 06, 2025•30 min
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 ...
Mar 04, 2025•36 min
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 websit...
Feb 11, 2025•45 min
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....
Feb 04, 2025•52 min
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 ...
Jan 27, 2025•39 min
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 ...
Jan 21, 2025•49 min
Josh Cohen returns to man the helm of Eyewitness History! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 07, 2025•3 min
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.
Oct 24, 2024•34 min
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 re...
Aug 27, 2024•49 min
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/ Se...
Jul 15, 2024•33 min
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....
Jun 14, 2024•26 min
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...
May 31, 2024•34 min
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...
May 14, 2024•53 min
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 tha...
Apr 30, 2024•46 min
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...
Apr 17, 2024•39 min
Today's episode is a new beginning of sorts. Don't worry, we will still be interviewing men and women who experienced the events that have changed our lives. The "new" part is the host! For those that have listened to the show in the past, Josh Cohen has moved on and I will be guiding our conversations. My name is Jeremy Stalnecker and I am looking forward to getting to know you as we as we bring these incredible stories to light. This episode will give you some of my background as well as a pre...
Apr 16, 2024•14 min
This episode we examine the intersection of books and war as we sit down with esteemed historian Andrew Pettegree. We discuss his groundbreaking work, 'THE BOOK AT WAR: How Reading Shaped Conflict and Conflict Shaped Reading,' Pettegree challenges the notion that books and warfare exist in separate realms. Instead, he explores their intricate relationship throughout history, revealing the profound impact of words on the battlefield. From providing solace to troops during World War II to acting a...
Jan 09, 2024•50 min
William Bonsall was captured and imprisoned by the Germans three months after landing in the second wave at Normandy during World War II. Bonsall later escaped to Poland and ultimately competed on the 1948 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team. Forty years later, he recorded his life experiences in a series of audio tapes that cover the decade between 1940 and 1950. THE VIOLENT YEARS, a nonfiction novel, is a creative account of Bill Bonsall’s transition from an impoverished urban neighborhood “hoo...
Jan 02, 2024•31 min
The Septuagint is the most important translations you’ve never heard of. In this episode of the 10th Anniversary of the History of the Papacy series, Steve Guerra and his special guest Garry Stevens lay out the basics of the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament. They talk about the issues of translation and the process of translation. Learn more about the History of Papacy and subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3td44ES Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7DelfggbL0Au4e3aUyWDaS...
Dec 29, 2023•26 min
