MKUltra - the CIA’s mind control project & the mysterious death of Frank Olson (202)

Cold War Conversations

Frank Olson was an American bacteriologist, biological warfare scientist, and employee of the United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories. In 1953 at a meeting in rural Maryland, he was covertly dosed with LSD by his boss Sidney Gottlieb, who was the head of the CIA's MKUltra mind control program.

Nine days later, Olson plunged to his death from the window of the Hotel Statler. The U.S. government first described his death as a suicide, and then as misadventure, while others allege murder. The story was made into the Netflix film "Wormwood".

I speak with Paul Vidich, the acclaimed author of The Coldest Warrior, An Honorable Man, The Good Assassin and The Mercenary. He is also the nephew of Frank Olson.

UK link to Paul Vidich Books

US link to Paul Vidich Books

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I am delighted to welcome Paul Vidich to our Cold War conversation…

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0:00 Introduction and background of Frank Olsen

2:22 Introduction to guest, Paul Vidich and his book, "The Coldest Warrior"

5:29 Frank's involvement in the Artichoke Committee and MK Ultra

18:40 Frank's psychological turmoil and the lead up to his mysterious death

24:55 Investigation into Sydney Gottlieb's motives and the aftermath of Frank's death

33:02 The Olsen family's pursuit for truth and meeting with President Ford

38:04 Political implications of the Olsen case for President Ford's administration

42:42 Connection between the Olsen case and harsh interrogation programs

45:48 Meetings with key figures from the MK Ultra project

50:38 Exhumation and examination of Frank Olsen's body

57:01 Thanks to patrons, episode notes, Facebook group, and store

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