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Need To Know: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bryce Zabel
The Need to Know Podcast delves into the reality of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and explores its implications for all of us. Hosted by award-winning investigative journalists Richard Dolan and Bryce Zabel, the show delivers smart, in-depth conversations about one of the most profound mysteries of our time. Each week, Dolan and Zabel bring their decades of expertise in investigative reporting, broadcasting, and storytelling to break down the latest developments, credible reports, and emerging theories. From high-level government briefings and historic UFO cases to cutting-edge research and cultural impact, their goal is to separate fact from speculation — and explore the big questions: Who are they, and what do they want? With exclusive interviews, deep dives into official documents, and thoughtful analysis grounded in evidence, Need to Know offers listeners a trusted source for clarity and insight. Whether it's breaking news, hidden history, or the broader societal implications, the podcast provides a comprehensive look at the UAP phenomenon.
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- Yesterday1h 12m
The Day After Disclosure Day
In this episode of Need to Know, Bryce Zabel and Richard Dolan tackle one of the most important questions in the UFO conversation: what do we actually mean when we say "disclosure"? With Steven Spielberg's upcoming film Disclosure Day reigniting public interest in the topic, Bryce and Rich explore the difference between government transparency, whistleblower revelations, leaked documents, and the true "big D" Disclosure: the official acknowledgment that humanity is interacting with a non-human intelligence. They revisit the ideas behind their book A.D. After Disclosure and examine how the world has changed since it was first written, from congressional hearings and Pentagon videos to AI, social media, and the modern information landscape. The discussion dives deep into the concept of a breakaway civilization, the role of private aerospace and intelligence contractors, the limits of government authority, and whether disclosure would unite humanity or further divide an already fractured society. Bryce and Rich debate the significance of recent UFO file releases, the influence of figures like Steven Spielberg on the public narrative, and whether an official disclosure event is even possible in today's world. Along the way, they ask the big questions: Who really controls the UFO story? What happens when the truth becomes undeniable? And will either of them live to see a moment that fundamentally changes humanity's understanding of its place in the universe?
- 2 weeks ago9 min
Neil deGrasse Tyson's Alien Pivot — Commentary
Neil deGrasse Tyson seems to be pivoting on UFOs. After years of mocking the subject, he's now saying that military witnesses, whistleblowers, and congressional testimony have elevated the conversation. But as Bryce Zabel points out, Tyson still can't resist stereotyping earlier witnesses as hayseeds and drunks — even though credible observers have been part of this story from the very beginning. In this sharp commentary, Bryce takes Tyson to task for treating ridicule like a scientific method. He explains why the issue was never just about "the back 40," why earlier witnesses deserve more respect, and why Tyson's current turn feels less like a revelation than a rebrand. Bryce also reflects on his past public challenge to Tyson, and on his very different parking lot debate years ago with Carl Sagan. This is not a call for belief. It's a call for honesty, humility, and a little overdue accountability.
- 2 weeks ago
Can This Draft Be Deleted Now?
Please use this Draft for 05/17 - Libsyn Ads Ops
- 3 weeks ago7 min
SHOW ME THE SAUCERS — UFO Files Released
The Trump administration's first major UFO/UAP document release has triggered a worldwide media firestorm — with newly declassified files, Apollo-era astronaut reports, military encounters, intelligence documents, and unexplained aerial incidents dominating headlines across cable news, newspapers, podcasts, and social media. The release, presented as the beginning of an ongoing "slow drip" disclosure process, includes references to astronaut sightings during the Apollo missions, unresolved military cases, and decades of government investigation into anomalous phenomena. For many observers, the question is no longer whether something unexplained is happening — but how much the government actually knows, and how long it has known it. In this special stand-alone video, Bryce Zabel responds personally and passionately to the release through the lens of a lifetime spent chasing the mystery — from co-creating NBC's Dark Skies and being approached by men claiming to be from the Office of Naval Intelligence, to writing A.D. After Disclosure with Richard Dolan and working alongside Ross Coulthart during the modern disclosure era. Bryce connects the newly released Apollo material to conversations he had nearly thirty years ago about the Moon and secrecy, reflects on why gradual disclosure may once have made sense, and ultimately asks the question he believes millions of people are now asking: if the government truly possesses definitive evidence — the photos, the videos, the craft — then why are we still being shown blurry dots in the sky? His conclusion is simple, as you'll see when you hear it.
- 3 weeks ago1h 19m
UFO Disclosure Plot Twist
In this special Need to Know episode, Bryce Zabel, Richard Dolan, and producer Tyler Stevens react in real time to the Trump administration's first major UFO/UAP file release. The discussion covers the massive batch of documents, military ISR videos, NASA transcripts, Cold War intelligence reports, and historical FBI material that suddenly pushed the UFO topic back into mainstream headlines. While much of the material had already circulated through FOIA requests and archives like The Black Vault, the hosts argue that the significance lies in the government officially centralizing and publicly presenting the information in one place. They debate whether the release represents genuine progress toward disclosure or simply another controlled "slow drip" operation designed to manage public perception rather than resolve the mystery. The episode also explores the growing tension between public expectations and institutional transparency. Dolan emphasizes that true disclosure would require undeniable evidence such as recovered craft or clear multisensor footage, while Tyler Stevens highlights frustration within the UFO community over selective releases, media coordination, and the continued gatekeeping of potentially stronger evidence. The conversation dives into UFO history, Apollo astronaut encounters, unexplained military footage, Spielberg's upcoming film Disclosure Day, and the cultural shift happening around the topic. Together, the hosts frame the current moment as part of a larger battle between secrecy and public demand, arguing that while the file release may not be "disclosure," it does show the UFO subject entering a new phase of visibility, political pressure, and mainstream relevance. Need To Know producer - Tyler aka ASTRAL https://x.com/The_Astral_ https://www.youtube.com/@UCU2eS5pTsp_PP8Bn7F2QHyA
- Mar 30, 20261h 13m
UFO Hail Mary
In this episode of Need to Know, Bryce Zabel and Richard Dolan talk about Project Hail Mary, the disappearance of General McCasland, Brent Friedman's story about former Secretary of Energy John Herrington, Roswell in the movies, and even a fond memory of Stanton Friedman. The deep dive explore hows current global instability, particularly rising geopolitical tensions and conflict, impacts the likelihood of UFO disclosure. Dolan takes a more skeptical stance, arguing that during periods of crisis, governments are far less likely to introduce destabilizing revelations unrelated to immediate priorities. He emphasizes that disclosure requires not just evidence, but public attention, institutional coordination, and a stable environment capable of processing the information, all of which he sees as lacking right now. The conversation also reflects on the long arc of UFO research, touching on historical figures, investigations like Roswell, and the persistent frustration of chasing a truth that often feels just out of reach. Despite skepticism, both acknowledge that progress has been made, even if it's uneven and slow. The episode blends present-day analysis with historical context, reinforcing the idea that the UFO topic is not a single breakthrough moment, but an ongoing, complex process shaped by politics, secrecy, and human perception.
- Mar 25, 20261h 11m
JC & Herrington (Sound, Light & Frequency)
Bryce Zabel and Brent Friedman dive deeper into two core stories that have sparked major interest: the mysterious "party crasher" at the Dark Skies premiere and Brent Friedman's earlier encounter with Reagan-era official John Herrington. The hosts revisit the night an alleged intelligence insider approached them, suggesting their show could be used as part of a controlled disclosure effort. That moment takes on new weight as Brent connects it to a formative experience from his youth, where Herrington privately told him that aliens were real, that he had seen them, and that the knowledge was so overwhelming it brought him to tears for months.  Throughout the episode, they explore the tension between disclosure and disinformation, questioning whether figures like Herrington or the mysterious JC were sharing truth or participating in a larger manipulation. They also reflect on the psychological impact of such revelations, the possibility of hidden knowledge far beyond UFOs, and the blurred line between Hollywood storytelling and real-world secrecy. The episode sets up future reveals, including the long-teased "formula," while reinforcing a central theme: the truth may be out there, but understanding who to trust is the real challenge
- Feb 16, 20261h 14m
Crash
In this Need to Know episode, Bryce Zabel and Richard Dolan take a deep, methodical look at the reality of UFO crash retrievals, treating the subject not as speculation but as a serious historical and structural question. Dolan draws on decades of research, particularly the work of Leonard Stringfield and other major investigators, to explain why crashes are not incompatible with advanced non-human technology. They explore early cases such as Roswell, Magenta (1933 Italy), Trinity (1945), Aztec (1948), and later incidents, arguing that a pattern of recoveries has existed far longer than most people realize. The discussion reframes the common objection that advanced craft "shouldn't crash," emphasizing traffic volume, imperfect systems, and the possibility of smaller deployed vehicles rather than interstellar motherships The conversation then shifts to how such a secret could persist for decades, with Dolan outlining a legal and institutional framework rooted in post–World War II atomic secrecy laws. He explains how crash materials could be automatically classified, funneled into compartmentalized systems, and increasingly migrated to private contractors like Battelle, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop, limiting congressional oversight and public access. They also examine the controversial Majestic-12 recovery manual, debating whether it represents authentic documentation or sophisticated disinformation. The episode closes with reflections on the global nature of retrievals, the power struggles now emerging in Congress, and the emotional impact of the news surrounding Nick Pope's health, underscoring both the human and historical weight of the subject and why crash retrievals remain one of the most consequential unresolved issues in the UFO field
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About Need To Know
The Need to Know Podcast delves into the reality of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and explores its implications for all of us. Hosted by award-winning investigative journalists Richard Dolan and Bryce Zabel, the show delivers smart, in-depth conversations about one of the most profound mysteries of our time. Each week, Dolan and Zabel bring their decades of expertise in investigative reporting, broadcasting, and storytelling to break down the latest developments, credible reports, and emerging theories. From high-level government briefings and historic UFO cases to cutting-edge research and cultural impact, their goal is to separate fact from speculation — and explore the big questions: Who are they, and what do they want? With exclusive interviews, deep dives into official documents, and thoughtful analysis grounded in evidence, Need to Know offers listeners a trusted source for clarity and insight. Whether it's breaking news, hidden history, or the broader societal implications, the podcast provides a comprehensive look at the UAP phenomenon.
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