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In 1986, anthropologist Patricia Wright arrived in the tropical paradise of Madagascar. Seemingly, she was hunting  a ghost: the greater bamboo lemur — then believed to be extinct. Lemurs predate h…

In 1986, anthropolog…

In 1986, anthropologist Patricia Wright arrived in the tropical paradise of Madagascar. Seemingly, she was hunting  a ghost: the greater bamboo lemur — then believed to be extinct. Lemurs predate humans by millions of years and have long been prevalent on Madagascar. In contrast, the first human settlers arrived on the Island within the last few thousand years. Despite our relatively short period of coexisting with these animals, human activities have contributed to their decline and — in some instances — apparent extinction. But, remarkably against all odds, the redoubtable Patricia Wr…

The Borat movies were a fun but far fetched parody right? Think again. The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan is currently ruled by the clownish Gurbangulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow and his son Serdar. …

The Borat movies wer…

The Borat movies were a fun but far fetched parody right? Think again. The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan is currently ruled by the clownish Gurbangulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow and his son Serdar. He has styled himself as an action hero. Unfortunately he isn't very good at racing, handling horses, firing guns, singing, dancing, weight lifting, rapping or any of the other "talents" he likes to demonstrate.  He is also a tyrant, presiding over an oppressive system of government that has seen untold numbers of political opponents thrown into horrific dungeons. How did he get the job? Well bec…

In 1994, Drocella Mugorewera was a young mother when Ethnic tensions between Hutu's and Tutsi's rooted in colonial divisions boiled over and led to a horrific genocide in Rwanda that cost up to one mi…

In 1994, Drocella Mu…

In 1994, Drocella Mugorewera was a young mother when Ethnic tensions between Hutu's and Tutsi's rooted in colonial divisions boiled over and led to a horrific genocide in Rwanda that cost up to one million lives. Drocella fled to the comparative safety of the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo before returning home determined to mold a better society in Rwanda.  She quickly became a government minister focused on forging an inclusive and peaceful society from the ashes of horrific events. But, her hopes for the future were largely unfulfilled as the increasingly authoritarian regime of Pau…

Despite being orphaned at a young age, Simon Bolivar was far from an orphan Annie character. Born into a wealthy Criollo family in 1783, his education continued before he made an extensive trip around…

Despite being orphan…

Despite being orphaned at a young age, Simon Bolivar was far from an orphan Annie character. Born into a wealthy Criollo family in 1783, his education continued before he made an extensive trip around Europe. While there, he was introduced to ideas of the enlightenment and events such as the French Revolution. Despite his ethnically Spanish roots, he returned to Venezuela determined to gain independence and establish a republic. In subsequent years he became involved in three separate Venezuelan republics whilst establishing himself as the de facto ruler of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, …

The DeCavalcante Crime Family of New Jersey were the inspiration for HBO's acclaimed Sopranos drama series. In this episode, I speak with one of their members: Aidan Gabor. He is a mafia henchman, tu…

The DeCavalcante Cr…

The DeCavalcante Crime Family of New Jersey were the inspiration for HBO's acclaimed Sopranos drama series. In this episode, I speak with one of their members: Aidan Gabor. He is a mafia henchman, turned DOJ informant and cop.  Gabor shares his origin story from his parents escape from Soviet occupied Budapest to his childhood descent into crime and his eventual redemption based on the Baha'i faith. Aiden Gabor is also the author of and autobiographical book linked below.  Guest: Aiden Gabor author of Conflicting Loyalties: My Life as a Mob Enforcer Turned DOJ Informant *This episode contai…

Rome's first and arguably greatest Emperor Octavian (Augustus) helped to evolve and expand the Roman Republic into an empire that encompassed France, parts of Germany, Asia Minor, Egypt and North Afri…

Rome's first and arg…

Rome's first and arguably greatest Emperor Octavian (Augustus) helped to evolve and expand the Roman Republic into an empire that encompassed France, parts of Germany, Asia Minor, Egypt and North Africa. But the seemingly all conquering Roman met his match in an African woman called Candace. Who was she? How did she come to be the de facto leader of the Kushites? How was she able to defeat Augustus and ensure an independence for her people that lasted for hundreds of years? In this episode, I speak with a subject matter expert Prof. Emeritus Stanley Burstein of California State University, Los…

Coming in May, I talk to Mafia gangster turned DOJ informant Aiden Gabor on Fascinating People, Fascinating Places.   Guest: Aiden Gabor author of Conflicting Loyalties: My Life as a Mob Enforcer Tur…

Coming in May, I tal…

Coming in May, I talk to Mafia gangster turned DOJ informant Aiden Gabor on Fascinating People, Fascinating Places.   Guest: Aiden Gabor author of Conflicting Loyalties: My Life as a Mob Enforcer Turned DOJ Informant Creative Commons License: Rebecca EvansTitleO Mio Babbino Caro - Rebecca Evans   DescriptionEnglish: O mio babbino caro - A track by Rebecca Evans. From the 1995 album Rebecca Cymraeg: O mio babbino caro - Trac gan Rebecca Evans. O'r albwm 1995 RebeccaPerformance date 1995 Record ID Sain SCD2105   This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one …

In 1913, Albert Schweitzer, a respected theologian and organist left Alsace-Lorraine and made his way to the French colony of Gabon. As a newly qualified doctor, he decided to to use his skills to est…

In 1913, Albert Schw…

In 1913, Albert Schweitzer, a respected theologian and organist left Alsace-Lorraine and made his way to the French colony of Gabon. As a newly qualified doctor, he decided to to use his skills to establish a free hospital in a remote corner of the French Empire. Schweitzer eventually earned a Nobel prize for his humanitarian work and his hospital still stands today. Decades later, award winning author Eric Madeen followed in Schweitzer's footsteps and found himself in the now independent Gabon. While there he gained insight into Schweitzer's life and legacy while having extraordinary experien…

30 years ago the US brokered Oslo accords seemed to herald a new era of peaceful coexistence for Israelis and Palestinians. Yasser Arafat -- long demonized as a terrorist in the Tel Aviv, whilst being…

30 years ago the US …

30 years ago the US brokered Oslo accords seemed to herald a new era of peaceful coexistence for Israelis and Palestinians. Yasser Arafat -- long demonized as a terrorist in the Tel Aviv, whilst being hailed as a freedom fighter in Palestine -- shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and politician Shimon Peres.  30 years later, peace seems further away than ever before after  Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants' horrific 7 October attack on Israel provoked a response from Israel that caused South Africa to take Israel to court for allegedly committing genocide.  …

During the last 45 years, Iran has become synonymous with terrorism. While much of its direct, and indirect involvement in these acts is focused on Israel and the Middle East, plots involving Iran and…

During the last 45 y…

During the last 45 years, Iran has become synonymous with terrorism. While much of its direct, and indirect involvement in these acts is focused on Israel and the Middle East, plots involving Iran and its proxies have been uncovered in nations ranging from Denmark to Thailand. In this episode I speak with Matthew Levitt the Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of its Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Previously he worked with both the FBI and the US State Department of the Treasury where he tackled financial crimes linked …

500 years ago Spanish conquistadors invaded the Incan Empire and slew Atahualpa -- the unfortunate who would prove to be the last Emperor. Due to his vast wealth -- largely in the form of gold -- trea…

500 years ago Spanis…

500 years ago Spanish conquistadors invaded the Incan Empire and slew Atahualpa -- the unfortunate who would prove to be the last Emperor. Due to his vast wealth -- largely in the form of gold -- treasure hunters have spent centuries searching in vain for lost treasure of the Incas.  Ecuadorian historian Tamara Estupiñán Viteri who among other things studied and then created a dictionary of the dialects spoken within the Incan Empire, also deciphered the "secret language of the Incas." This along with documents from the Spanish colonial period enabled her to piece together a treasure map of…

In February 2024, Alexei Navalny a Russian politician died in an Arctic Russian penal colony. At just 47 years old his death would have been surprising were it not for the fact the Russian secret serv…

In February 2024, Al…

In February 2024, Alexei Navalny a Russian politician died in an Arctic Russian penal colony. At just 47 years old his death would have been surprising were it not for the fact the Russian secret service FSB seemingly at the direction of Vladimir Putin had already tried and failed to kill him using a chemical weapon four years earlier. In this episode, I speak with Russian political expert David Satter. Formerly a Moscow correspondent for the Financial Times, and Soviet special correspondent for the Wall Street Journal. He was banned and expelled from Russian in 2013 after uncovering evidence …

Hundreds of years ago, it is believed a group of African migrants made their way South from the Remnants of the collapsing Mali Empire -- once ruled by the wealthiest human in history: Musa Mansa. The…

Hundreds of years ag…

Hundreds of years ago, it is believed a group of African migrants made their way South from the Remnants of the collapsing Mali Empire -- once ruled by the wealthiest human in history: Musa Mansa. These travelers eventually made their way to the South coast of what is now Ghana in North West Africa. They settled there but not on the land. Instead, they established a community in the middle of a river. Despite the ravages of war, the slave trade, and colonialism, these enterprising individuals didn't just survive they thrived. But today, their remarkable community faces new challenges that incl…

Wall Street Journal and Financial Times correspondent David Satter was expelled and banned from Russia after exposing corruption in Putin's regime. On 19 March he talks to  @FascinatingPeopleandPlace…

Wall Street Journal …

Wall Street Journal and Financial Times correspondent David Satter was expelled and banned from Russia after exposing corruption in Putin's regime. On 19 March he talks to  @FascinatingPeopleandPlaces  about the shocking death of #russian politician Alexie #navalny. We also discuss the #wagner group mutiny. The suspicious death of Wagner coup leader #yevgenyprigozhin, the war in #ukraine and #Russian threats to use #nuclearforce. Корреспондент Wall Street Journal и Financial Times Дэвид Саттер был выслан и запрещен въезд в Россию пос�…

On 31 August 1997, 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 yo…

On 31 August 1997, D…

On 31 August 1997, 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. Ma…

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 regi…

Western media report…

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, an…

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 governmen…

MAJ Jason Wright was…

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 Gua…

Journey back to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration as we recount the epic expedition led by Englishman Robert Falcon Scott, who set his sights on reaching the elusive South Pole. This audacious q…

Journey back to the …

Journey back to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration as we recount the epic expedition led by Englishman Robert Falcon Scott, who set his sights on reaching the elusive South Pole. This audacious quest represented not only a personal ambition but a monumental step for humanity in its pursuit of the southernmost point on Earth. Join us in this illuminating episode as we converse with Lizzie Meek, Programme Manager of Artefacts for The Antarctic Heritage Trust, a New Zealand-based charitable society. Through her expertise and the painstaking restoration efforts of her team, Lizzie provides un…