Eyewitness History

We had the privilege of sitting down with renowned author Raymond Benson. A prolific writer known for his significant contributions to the James Bond literary universe, Benson takes us on a captivating journey through his career and the world of espionage fiction. From his iconic Bond novels to his ventures into mystery, suspense, and science fiction, we explore the multifaceted nature of his storytelling. Benson also shares insights into his experiences adapting video game franchises into gripping novels and provides a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process.Join us as we delve into the mind of a literary master, delving into the thrilling worlds he's crafted throughout his career.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, we're thrilled to sit down with the legendary Steve O'Donnell, an American television writer with an impressive portfolio that includes Late Night with David Letterman, The Simpsons, Seinfeld, and The Chris Rock Show.His comedic influence extends to Jimmy Kimmel Live! and various shows such as The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Dana Carvey Show, and Norm Macdonald Has a Show on Netflix.O'Donnell's comedic genius has earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program." In 2017, the Writers Guild of America recognized his contributions with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence, featuring a special appearance by the recently retired David Letterman.Beyond writing, O'Donnell has made brief on-screen appearances in Strangers With Candy and The Sarah Silverman Program, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.Join us as we unravel the fascinating journey of Steve O'Donnell, a true pioneer in the comedy landscape. Subscribe, leave a review, and let's dive into the world of laughter with one of the industry's brightest minds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we have the privilege of hosting a literary luminary in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. He's the creative mind behind the captivating world of Toons and the mastermind who brought us the iconic "Who Censored Roger Rabbit?" - none other than the brilliant Gary K. Wolf!A maestro of imagination, Gary K. Wolf has woven tales that transcend the ordinary, blending detective fiction, humor, and fantasy in ways that have captivated readers and inspired the iconic film, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." Join us as we delve into the extraordinary mind of this esteemed author, exploring his literary journey, insights into his creative process, and the impact of his work on popular culture.Whether you're a fan of Roger Rabbit or simply love a good story, this episode promises to be a fascinating exploration into the realms of fiction with the man who brought Toons to life. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodCheck our Gary's Website at: https://garywolf.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is none other than the incomparable Pat Boone.With a decades-long career, Pat has graced stages, screens, and airwaves with his golden voice and timeless charisma. From chart-topping hits to silver-screen successes, he's a multifaceted talent who has stood the test of time.We discuss his career, fame, and why he said no to making a movie with Marilyn Monroe!Now, I give you Pat Boone!Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we have a special guest joining us - a talented actress and filmmaker, Siobhan Hogan. Siobhan has graced both the big and small screens, captivating audiences with her performances in iconic films like Forrest Gump and Men in Black as well as a cast member of Saturday Night Live.Beyond her acting prowess, Siobhan has ventured into the world of filmmaking, bringing stories to life with her unique vision. We'll be delving into her experiences working on beloved classics, discussing the magic behind the scenes of Forrest Gump and the intergalactic adventures in Men in Black.But that's not all – Siobhan is here to share insights into her latest project, "Shelter In Solitude," which streams everywhere tomorrow which I would highly recommend!Join us as we journey through Siobhan's career, exploring the highs and lows, the laughter, and the moments that have shaped her into the incredible artist she is today. Without further ado, let's dive into the world of storytelling with the remarkable Siobhan Hogan! Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodCheck out Siobhan and “Shelter In Solitude”:https://twitter.com/ShelterSolitudeIG:https://www.instagram.com/shelterinsolitude/ https://www.instagram.com/siobhanfallonhogan/?g=5See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judy Ikels is the recipient of one Meritorious Award and three Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State. She received the 2017 Champion of Career Enhancement Award from the Associates of the American Service Worldwide. After 28 years service, in 2019, she was honored with the Director General of the Foreign Service Cup awarded annually to one Civil Service employee "for devotion to duty, outstanding leadership, creative innovation, and tireless pursuit of what is right." Judy has lived and worked in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Greece, Mexico, and Venezuela; and speaks Spanish and Portuguese.Judy recently published "Death in Wartime China: A Daughter's Discovery" a book about her father's service in WWII. It is in that capacity that I had the pleasure of speaking with her. It was on a fateful day in 2016, a simple email from an interested stranger would uncover a world where her father continues to be revered as a hero. Judy would board a plane to Kunming, China, where her father is honored with a mountain memorial that heralds the bravery of a man who sacrificed his life to save his entire B 24 Liberator crew during the China Burma India conflict of World War Two. This journey would welcome her to the country as the daughter of an important hero and lead her to create the new book” death in wartime China, a daughter's discovery,”.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at a deathbed promise from a daughter to a mother, which leads the daughter on a journey to write about her grandfather who was a famous war hero. But this journey had a terrible destination: the discovery that he was a Nazi war criminal. Today’s guest is the daughter -- Silvia Foti – author of the book “Storm in the land of rain." Her mother was dying and she wanted to preserve family history, so she asked Silvia to write a book about Foti’s grandfather, Jonas Noreika, a famous WWII hero.Foti had no idea that in keeping her promise to her mother, her discoveries would bring her to a personal crisis, unearth Holocaust denial, and expose an official cover-up by the Lithuanian government that resulted in an internationally-followed lawsuit. Jonas Noreika was a Lithuanian known as General Storm.He led an uprising that won the country of Lithuania back from the communists, only to have it fall under Nazi control. He was an official during the Holocaust and chief of the second largest region in the country during the Nazi occupation, yet he became a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp.Foti set out to write a heroic biography about her famous grandfather. But as she dug ever deeper, she “encountered so much evidence proving my flesh and blood ‘hero’ was a Jew-killer, even I could no longer believe the lie.”Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

C.J. Cook, an accomplished author and devoted historian, has immersed himself in the rich tapestry of the South Pacific's history. His debut work, "Tyree, Artist of the South Pacific" (2017), soared to extraordinary heights, clinching two prestigious Gold Awards for Best Cover and Best Biography from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) in April 2018. Following this triumph, his second masterpiece, "Leeteg, Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art" (2021), secured another Gold Medal for Best Biography from IBPA in April 2022.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, we are honored to have a true legend in the world of boxing join us—Olympic gold medalist, former professional boxer, and world champion, Leo Randolph. His remarkable journey from winning gold at the 1976 Olympics to winning a world championship,Leo's story is one of resilience, triumph, and the pursuit of excellence. As a key member of the historic 1976 U.S. Olympic boxing team which also included Sugar Ray Leonard and the Spinks brothers, Michael and Leon, Leo not only secured a gold medal but also became a symbol of American boxing prowess. His transition to the professional circuit saw him face new challenges, ultimately leading to championship glory.Here, we discuss everything. Now I give you, Leo Randolph.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this gripping episode, we explore the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) lysine scandal with whistleblower Mark Whitacre. Unraveling the intricacies of illegal price-fixing, we follow Whitacre's courageous journey as he exposes the conspiracy and cooperates with the FBI.Dive into the challenges of undercover operations, the toll of bipolar disorder, legal repercussions, and life after prison. Mark Whitacre's compelling narrative sheds light on the complexities of corporate fraud, morality, and justice.Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.Follow the Show on Social Media!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyewitnessHistoryTwitter: https://twitter.com/EyewitnessPodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.