Eyewitness History

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 om...

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....

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 t...

Josh Cohen returns to man the helm of Eyewitness History! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 unders...

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 gen...

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 ep...

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...

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 Sheri...

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...

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 Shellha...

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...

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...

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 no...

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: Ap...

Mike Aponte, also known as MIT Mike, is a professional blackjack player and a former member of the MIT Blackjack Team. Aponte was part of a team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students that legally won millions playing blackjack at casinos around the world by counting cards. He is the basis for one of the main characters, Jason Fisher, in the book, Bringing Down the House , by Ben...

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 stor...

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...

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, h...

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...

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 B...

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,...

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...

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 boxi...