Eyewitness History

Charles Murray has spent decades challenging Americans to think differently about some of the biggest questions facing society. In this episode of Eyewitness History , Murray discusses his career as a social scientist, the controversies surrounding his work, and the ideas behind books like Losing Ground , The Bell Curve , and Coming Apart . We also explore his relationship with William F. Buckley...

In this episode of Eyewitness History , I speak with Daryl Davis, an American R&B and blues musician, author, and race-relations activist whose life has uniquely bridged the worlds of music and social change. Davis is widely known for an unconventional and controversial approach to combating racism: engaging directly with members of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups through s...

In this episode of Eyewitness History , we speak with Jo-Anne Berelowitz , author and art historian, about her captivating auto-fiction memoir Somewhere I Belong . Born in Durban, South Africa, Jo-Anne shares her journey through betrayal, family secrets, and the search for home, tracing her story from her father’s warnings of revolution to uncovering her Jewish grandparents’ history in...

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...

On this episode of Eyewitness History , we sit down with Jeffrey Riddick, the screenwriter and producer behind the iconic Final Destination franchise. Riddick shares his journey from aspiring writer to Hollywood powerhouse, revealing the inspirations, challenges, and creative processes that brought one of modern horror’s most enduring series to life. We dive into: The genesis of Final Destin...

In this episode of Eyewitness History , I speak with Adam Irving, grandson of historian David Irving and head of Irving Books, the publisher managing his grandfather’s works. We discuss David Irving’s career as an author, his legacy in historical debate, and what it means for Adam to balance family ties with the responsibilities of running a publishing house. Disclaimer: David Irving r...

In this episode of Eyewitness History, Josh Cohen welcomes actress Lorna Lembeck, who played Randy in the legendary comedy Airplane!. Lorna shares her memories from the set, what it was like to be part of a film that redefined parody, and why the movie continues to resonate with audiences more than forty years later. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of Eyewitness History, Josh Cohen shares the story behind his new book, William F. Buckley Jr.'s Guide to Friendship in a Polarized Era. He explores how Buckley built lasting friendships across deep political divides and why his example of decency, humor, and faith matters in today’s polarized world. Pre-order now - https://www.amazon.com/William-Buckley-Guide-Friends...

In this episode of Eyewitness History, Josh Cohen speaks with Dr. Stephen P. Huyler — art historian, cultural anthropologist, photographer, and author of the new memoir Transformed by India: A Life . For more than five decades, Huyler has traveled across nearly every corner of India, documenting its crafts, rituals, and people while forging lifelong bonds with the communities he encountered....

On this episode of Eyewitness History , we sit down with acclaimed journalist and author Mark Danner to explore his decades-long career covering war, human rights, and the hidden stories of global conflicts. From his groundbreaking reporting on the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador to his investigations into U.S. foreign policy and the war on terror, Danner shares firsthand accounts, the challenge...

John Wolfram joined the US Navy in 1967 and graduated from Underwater Demolition Training in Coronado, California in May 1968. As a Navy frogman, he was twice deployed to the war in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart from a leg wound inflicted during battle with the Viet Cong. John assisted in the Apollo 10 astronaut and space recovery and was the first frogman in the water to rescue Apollo...

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...

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...

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...

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 th...

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 bruta...

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 B...

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 b...

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...

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 overse...

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 hi...

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-nominat...

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...

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 moment...

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...