”Welcome to ’Fascinating People, Fascinating Places,’ the engaging bi-weekly documentary podcast that takes you on an immersive journey through the realms of news, history, politics, religion, and social justice. Join us as we delve into the depths of these critical subjects with leading experts and celebrity guests who bring their unique insights to the table. If you’re passionate about history, news, or social consciousness, this podcast is your essential guide. Discover moving stories and ...
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An old Angolan proverb suggests it is the voyage not the ship that is important. And for the people of Angola the voyage has been a long one, from the era of the might Kongo empire, through the slave trade, colonialism, an independence struggle, and more recently decades of civil war. Despite this, in 2015 the capital city Luanda was in was listed …
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"Witchcraft," and violence in paradise with Dr. Fiona Hukula
29:06
29:06
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Imagine one day being cast out of your society, subjected to violence or killed simply because you continue to participate in the traditional rituals and activities your community have practiced for generations. It might sound extraordinary but as we’ve seen down the centuries this is what happens when age old activities are suddenly rebranded as w…
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Sonic Booms, Feathers, & Dinosaurs: Renowned Paleontologist Philip J. Currie
38:18
38:18
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Imagine an alien world where a creature could create a sonic boom simply by whipping its tail. Look no further as such creatures once roamed the Earth. This is just one remarkable discovery made by the world renowned Paleontologist Philip J. Currie -- the man whose worked inspire Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. In this episode, I speak with Phili…
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Madagascar Discovery With Dr. Patricia Wright
35:21
35:21
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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 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 tho…
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The Bizarre Borat-like Regime of Turkmenistan with Bruce Pannier
32:54
32:54
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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, rap…
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Rwanda Genocide Survivor, Political Exile, and Inspiration: Drocella Mugorewera
31:40
31:40
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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 so…
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Simón Bolívar: Liberator of The Americas with Prof. Tomas Straka
28:29
28:29
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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, …
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How I went from Mafia Enforcer to DOJ Informer: Aiden Gabor Interview
36:58
36:58
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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…
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Candace: The Woman Who Defeated the Might Roman Empire. Featuring Prof. Stanley M. Burstein
27:36
27:36
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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 o…
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Preview: I talk to the Mafia Man Turned Informer Aiden Gabor
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0:21
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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 Rebe…
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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 …
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Israel & Palestine: War and Peace (?) with Dr. Stephen Zunes
31:43
31:43
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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 year…
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Iran: Terrorism and Proxy War with Matthew Levitt
32:17
32:17
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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 Fel…
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I Found the Lost Inca Treasure: Tamara Estupiñán Viteri
28:20
28:20
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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 thing…
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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 …
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Navalny: Putin Strikes Again With David Satter
23:15
23:15
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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 epis…
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Living on Water for hundreds of years: The Nzulezo of Ghana with Nana Kesse
41:57
41:57
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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, …
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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 …
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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 th…
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MAJ Jason Wright: Protecting the Constitution at personal cost in Guantanamo Bay
36:08
36:08
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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 th…
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Scott of the Antarctic: Lizzie Meek of the Antarctic Hertiage Trust
33:47
33:47
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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 il…
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The Global Epidemic: Human Trafficking with Martina E. Vandenberg
33:06
33:06
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"In our eye-opening episode, we confront the harsh reality of modern slavery as revealed by a sobering 2022 report from the International Labor Organization. Shockingly, the report estimates that a staggering 50 million people worldwide are ensnared in this web of exploitation, with 28 million enduring the horrors of forced labor. While some of the…
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In this gripping episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Eric Maddox, the interrogator who played a pivotal role in the capture of Saddam Hussein. In 2003, as part of a Delta Force team operating under the Joint Special Operations Command, Eric embarked on a mission to track down Iraqi fugitives, including the elusive Saddam Hussein. Through…
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In this unusual and eye-opening episode, we dive headfirst into a topic that hadn't been on our radar until a surprising encounter with a female brothel owner from Nevada. Her story, which was featured in a previous episode, piqued our curiosity and led us to explore a controversial and often divisive aspect of the modern world. While I had initial…
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In October 2023, Hamas terrorists massacred Israeli civilians as well as many foreign tourists in an unprecedented attack. Consequently, the Israeli government under Netanyahu launched retaliatory strikes on Gaza with manifold civilian deaths. Over 50 years ago, a similar attack at the Munich Olympics also led to severe repercussions for Palestinia…
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