The Professor: Hunting for the Mafia's Missing Masterpiece
Brazen
William Veres is in trouble. In 2018 he was arrested following the largest ever investigation by the Italian police’s art squad. They accuse him of running a pan-European art-smuggling ring with ties to the Sicilian mafia. He is alleged to have stolen $40 million worth of art and antiquities from Italy. Charged with 14 counts, including money laundering, forgery, wire fraud and conspiracy, he faces a jail term of up to 20 years. But he has a plan to get out of trouble. In this four-part podcast, host Simon Willis follows him as he puts that plan into action. It’s a story that...
Introducing The Illuminator: Art, Conspiracy and Madness
This is The Illuminator - coming November 11, from Brazen. Subscribe to get early releases and listen ad-free. http://brazen.fm/plusMark Lombardi, a conceptual artist on the cusp of international success, had everything to live for. So why was the 48-year-old found hanged and deemed suicidal? Was his death the ultimate conceptual art, an afterlife laugh at those who doubted his brilliance? He did, after all, carry business cards eerily portending "death defying acts of art and conspirac
Introducing Death of an Artist: Krasner and Pollock
Thanks for listening to The Professor. If you're looking for a podcast to dive into next, we have something that you might like. It's a called Death of an Artist: Krasner and Pollock, from Pushkin Industries. You’ve heard of Jackson Pollock, but you may have never heard of Lee Krasner. Krasner was an artist, Pollock’s wife, and the woman who made him famous. She also changed everything about the landscape of modern art.Death of an Artist: Krasner and Pollock is a story about love, power, alcohol
Introducing The Burden
Thanks for listening to The Professor. There will be a brand new Hidden Worlds series coming soon.
In the meantime, we wanted to share The Burden — a new investigative true-crime podcast from Orbit Media.
The show tells the story of Detective Louis Scarcella, once celebrated for his prowess in solving tough cases in 1990s New York City. But then a group of convicted murderers-turned-jailhouse lawyers made a startling discovery that linked all their cases: Scarcella was the cop who helped put the
Episode 4: The Fugitive
Veres receives some photographs of parts of the Caravaggio canvas. He follows the lead to a source in Belgium, who is close to the Sicilian mafia. The source provides crucial new information about what happened to the painting. And it points to one man: a mafioso who has been on the run for thirty years.
Subscribe to Brazen+ on Apple Podcasts or at brazen.fm/plus to get ad-free listening.
The Professor is a series for Hidden Worlds, the home of unbelievable true stories and gripping investig
Episode 3: Money for Nothing
Veres gets word that the mafia are willing to talk about returning stolen art. He meets a group of middlemen in Naples, who tell him there’s a canvas on offer. As Veres negotiates the return of the painting, we begin to doubt Veres and Brand’s account of how they recover stolen art. It looks like they risk breaking the law to get the painting back. In his quest to get himself out of trouble, is Veres getting himself deeper into it?
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Episode 2: The Go-Between
Veres goes to Belgium to meet a contact who he believes can help him obtain vital information about the Caravaggio painting. The contact agrees to act as Veres’s go-between, connecting Veres with senior figures in the mafia hierarchy. Meanwhile, host Simon Willis delves into the past investigations of the case, and finds out why the official investigation went nowhere: it was closed down after it uncovered links between the Caravaggio theft and Mafiosi close to Italian politicians.
Don’t want
Episode 1: The Nativity
William Veres is arrested in a dawn raid – one of 50 simultaneous raids across Europe to bust his criminal gang. To get out of trouble he agrees a deal with Italian anti-mafia police: if he can help them solve the coldest cold case in the history of art theft, they will help him in his own case. In this episode, we follow Veres as he begins his quest to find Caravaggio’s Nativity, believed to be in the hands of Cosa Nostra.
Don’t want to wait for the next episode? Subscribe to Brazen+
Introducing The Professor: Hunting for the Mafia's Missing Masterpiece
William Veres is in trouble. In 2018 he was arrested following the largest ever investigation by the Italian police’s art squad. They accuse him of running an art-smuggling ring with ties to the Sicilian mafia. He is alleged to have stolen $40 million worth of art and antiquities from Italy – and faces a jail term of up to 20 years. But he has a plan to get out of trouble.
In this four-part podcast, host Simon Willis follows him as he puts that plan into action. It’s a story that takes
Meeting Simon Willis: Unlocking the secrets of a stolen masterpiece
Can an accused criminal solve the coldest cold case in the history of art crime?
In this special pre-season bonus episode, Brazen co-founder Tom Wright speaks with Simon Willis about his upcoming podcast series, The Professor. Simon shares his experience following William Veres – an art merchant accused of stealing $40 million worth of antiquities – as he attempts to solve a legendary cold case and save himself from jail in the process.
The Professor is a story of drug dealers, hitmen
Introducing Hidden Worlds
Right now, around the world, there are real life stories unfolding that you wouldn’t believe. Stories that are stranger than fiction.
In Hidden Worlds, we’ll take you inside these stories and into places usually concealed from view. Every few weeks, we’ll use this feed to share a new podcast series with you — everything from organised crime to espionage, political corruption to international conspiracies.
Subscribe to Hidden Worlds, the home of gripping investigations and unbelievable true stori
War Reporting in the West Bank
Reporter Shireen Abu Akleh was killed while reporting in the occupied West Bank in 2022. While no one person has been held responsible for her death, investigations say it was most likely Israel Defense Forces who fired the bullet. At least 20 reporters have been shot by Israel Defense Forces since the year 2000.
In this special episode of Brazen Presents, journalist Ahmed Shihab Eldin speaks to Project Brazen reporter Neha Wadekar about the risks of reporting in Israel and the occupied West Ban
Introducing Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall
This week on Brazen Presents, Project Brazen co-founder Tom Wright talks with Zeke Faux about his investigation into the wild world of crypto, and his new book on the subject, Number Go Up.
In 2021, cryptocurrency entered the mainstream. Investment funds were buying it, celebrities were endorsing it. But Zeke, an investigative reporter, couldn't help questioning – what if it was all just a confidence game of epic proportions? In Number Go Up, he shares the story of his global quest to try and an
Spy Valley: An Engineer's Nuclear Betrayal
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re sharing a special preview of Spy Valley: An Engineer's Nuclear Betrayal. This new series uncovers Silicon Valley’s origins as a laboratory for espionage.
At the dawn of the hi-tech age, Moscow’s spies opened up shop in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. In this podcast, you’ll get to know the group of FBI spy hunters who assembled to stop them—and solve the case of a lifetime.
Hosted by national security journalist Zach Dorfman, Spy Valley will walk you throug
Introducing Ritually: Exploring spirituality in a secular world
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re sharing a special preview of the first episode of Ritually, a brand new Brazen podcast exploring what spirituality looks like for our secular world.
Join journalist-turned-guinea pig Nelufar Hedayat as she tries a new ritual in every episode. From sacred readings of Harry Potter to tarot cards, Nelufar dives in with the help of a different spiritual guide each week to see if these practices can actually make us feel better. In episode one, Nelufar struggles wi
Two Journalists, Two Regimes, Two Trumped-Up Arrests
In May, Project Brazen released a podcast about Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal correspondent who was arrested by Russian authorities back in March. Evan was falsely accused of espionage, and he’s being held in a Moscow prison until his trial date in August.
In that episode, we explored questions around press freedom, journalist safety and security, and the future of foreign correspondence in an increasingly polarized and hostile world. For this episode, reporter Neha Wadekar spoke to
How the US Women’s Soccer Team scored their victory for equal pay
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re sharing a special preview from our new series of The Closer — the podcast that tells the inside story of deals that changed the world.
The Closer returns this summer with six dramatic new stories of groundbreaking deals. An epic fight from soccer's biggest stars, a private equity redemption story, the end of a toy empire, and so much more.
In episode one, The Closer takes a look at the US Women's National Soccer Team. It’s among the most decorated teams in the
The Man For Whom the Underworld Shivers
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re sharing a special preview of the first episode of Gateway: Cocaine, Murder & Dirty Money in Europe, Project Brazen’s podcast that takes you inside the hidden world of cocaine.
In this six-part podcast series from Project Brazen, host Mitchell Prothero explores Europe’s cocaine crisis through the dramatic stories of cartel leaders, cops, journalists, and the victims caught in the middle. From RPG attacks on newspaper offices to the slaughter of e
Reporting True Crime During the Crime: Meet Mitchell Prothero
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re bringing you a special bonus interview with the host and lead reporter of Brazen’s latest podcast: GATEWAY: Cocaine, Murder, & Dirty Money in Europe.
Launching 5 June 2023, GATEWAY is hosted by journalist Mitchell Prothero, and in this bonus episode he shares the inside story of the new six-part series exploring Europe’s cocaine crisis through the dramatic stories of cartel leaders, cops, journalists, and the victims caught in the middle. From RP
Free Evan Gershkovich: How a US reporter was imprisoned in Putin's Russia
How did Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich end up wrongfully imprisoned in Russia, and what happens now?
On March 29, Russian authorities arrested Evan and accused him of spying on Russia on behalf of the US government. Evan was imprisoned in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, where he remains today. In this special episode from Project Brazen, you’ll hear from those close to Evan — his friends, newsroom colleagues, even his former soccer coach — about his shocking arrest, efforts t
Introducing Night of Show: Prince's Super Bowl Comeback Shakes the Music Industry
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re sharing a preview of Night of Show, the latest podcast from Project Brazen. To listen to the rest of this episode, search for Night of Show, wherever you get your podcasts.
In Night of Show, accomplished concert promoter Adam Wilkes joins music industry legends as they share behind-the-scenes stories about the pressures superstar artists faced when staging some of their biggest performances. Most Prince fans forget he was once in the wilderness after
The Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re sharing a special edition of The Closer Weekly. Last month, Project Brazen launched The Closer, a new podcast sharing the inside stories of the deals that changed the world. Then, just as season one wrapped, signs came of a potential banking crisis, and we realised the story was just getting started. Enter: The Closer Weekly. Like The Closer, this new weekly edition will delve into the deals that shape the world around us, but with a fresh focus on th
Borodyanka, One Year Later
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re going back to Borodyanka, Ukraine. Laurel Chor travelled there for the first time last year when she was hosting our podcast “Resistance: Stories from Ukraine.” The series documented how ordinary Ukrainians have been resisting the Russian invasion.
Now, she brings us this story about how Borodyanka and the people she met there are doing today.
If you enjoyed this episode, you can catch up on the rest of the series by searching for Resistance: Stories from Ukra
Revisiting Resistance: Defending Borodyanka
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re revisiting our series Resistance: Stories from Ukraine. The show, hosted by photojournalist Laurel Chor, documented how ordinary Ukrainians have been resisting the Russian invasion — whether that meant taking up arms, or supporting the war effort in other ways.
Now, nearly one year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukrainians are still fighting for their freedom. So we’re re-sharing one of the episodes, ‘Defending Borodyanka’, about four men who f
Chicago gangs: Real people. Real stories. A way forward.
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re bringing you an episode from the investigative podcast Motive from WBEZ Chicago.
Chicago gangs: Real people. Real stories. A way forward. The new season of Motive from WBEZ Chicago explores violence on the streets of Chicago and the former gang members working to stop it.
In episode 1, host Patrick Smith and Cecilia Mannion, takes listeners out to the streets where workers are desperately trying to prevent shootings and help the victims of gun violence.
Manni
How one man carried out the greatest art heist in history
This is a preview of Project Brazen’s latest podcast, Dynamite Doug. Hosted by Ellen Wong (of Netflix’s GLOW and Scott Pilgrim), the 6-part series delves into the New York Metropolitan Museum's acquisition of stolen art. It’s based on a trove of emails and secret recordings and uncovers the inside story of how a wealthy British collector plundered war-torn Cambodia and its cultural heritage during one of the worst genocides in history.
To keep listening, search for Dynamite Doug wherever you ge
A Kid’s View of War in Ukraine
One year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, how has the war changed the daily lives of Ukraine's youngest generation?
Brazen reporter Susie Armitage highlights how the war is impacting Ukrainian children. In this episode, kids share audio and video diaries that offer a glimpse into their daily routine: lessons interrupted by air raid alerts, jokes about nuclear war, and volunteer work to support the Ukrainian army.
Thanks for listening. You can find “Resistance:
Refugees, art and healing with Me We International
This week on Brazen Presents, reporter Neha Wadekar interviews Mohsin Mohi Ud Din, leader of Me We International, an organisation that uses art to help refugees around the world heal from trauma, reframe their narratives, and author their futures.
To follow Me We International and learn more about their work, please visit www.meweintl.org. You can find them online at @meweinternational on Instagram and @meweintl on Twitter.
For ad-free listening, exclusive bonus content and early access to Proje
Deciphering the Russian Disinformation War
Reporter Georgia Gee speaks with Peter Pomerantsev, a Kyiv-born expert in propaganda and disinformation. His books Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and This is Not Propaganda outline how Russia and others have weaponized the perception of truth.
Today, Russia is waging two wars against Ukraine. One is on the ground. The other is being fought online, on the internet and television. Even before launching its full-scale invasion last February, the Kremlin spent years propagating narrative
The inside story on the merger that made the world's biggest airline
An exclusive preview of The Closer, a new podcast from Project Brazen that takes you inside the deals that changed the world. To hear the rest of this episode, search for The Closer wherever you listen to podcasts.
Landmark deals can change everything. They can transform how we live. They can alter the course of the economy. The Closer asks: Who made these deals, and why?
This is a preview of episode one, which goes behind the scenes of the 2013 merger between American Airlines and US Airways. T
Roe v. Wade v. Women Everywhere
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re sharing perspectives on abortion and reproductive rights from the Middle East via the People Like Us podcast.
Fifty years ago, the US Supreme Court made a landmark decision in the case of Roe v. Wade, which enshrined abortion as a constitutional right. Last June, the court overturned that decision. In this episode of People Like Us, host Kim Ghattas asks her guests: How do the new restrictions on abortion in the US impact the battle for reproductive rights in
A mystery begins at the US Embassy in Havana
This is a preview of Project Brazen's latest investigative podcast, The Sound: Mystery of Havana Syndrome. To listen to the rest of this episode, search for THE SOUND: Mystery of Havana Syndrome, wherever you get your podcasts.
In December 2016, a US official in Havana reported a debilitating and confounding illness. The symptoms included headaches; nausea; hearing loss; problems with memory and vision. Soon, a second official came down with the same symptoms. Then a third. Then a fourth. By th
What is Havana Syndrome? Answering a Global Mystery with Nicky Woolf
Journalist Nicky Woolf speaks with Project Brazen co-founder Tom Wright about his upcoming investigative podcast, THE SOUND: Mystery of Havana Syndrome.
Nicky shares his experience following the unexplained phenomenon from Havana to Washington DC, Miami, London, and beyond. He talks about meeting victims of the devastating illness, efforts to understand the science that could have caused it — even building his own device — and how new cases of the syndrome continue to appear to this day.
Make su
Telling Corinna and The King: Mishel Prada and Laura Gómez on narrating the explosive series on Spanish royal corruption
This week on Brazen Presents, we’re excited to share a bonus episode from our latest show, Corinna and The King. The podcast tells the story of the explosive love affair between King Juan Carlos I of Spain and businesswoman Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, and the fraud, espionage, and mysterious €65 million gift that came with it.
The series was produced by Project Brazen in two languages, hosted by actors Mishel Prada (“Vida,” “Riverdale”) in English, and Laura Gómez (“Orange is the New Black”) i
Penthouse to Prison: An FTX Dispatch from the Bahamas
The saga of Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX, is unfolding every day like a TV drama. After his crypto company imploded in November, the 30-year-old was arrested in the Bahamas on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, and could face up to 115 years in prison.
SBF, as he’s often called, was denied bail and is now awaiting extradition in Fox Hill, the only prison on the Bahamas. It’s a short drive from his $30 million penthouse on the island, but a long way from the life of luxury he onc
Where is Jho Low? An update on the search for the 1MDB fraudster
This week on Brazen Presents, Project Brazen co-founders Bradley Hope and Tom Wright share the first audio instalment of ‘Where Is Jho Low’, the live investigation to track down the Malaysian fugitive at the heart of the 1MDB scandal. In this episode, they recap on Jho Low’s crimes and his time on the run, as well as sharing new evidence indicating he may still be doing business out of Taiwan.
If you’re interested in the hidden worlds of wealth and power, this is a story for you. Not only is $8b
Escaping Kherson
A Ukrainian refugee shares the story of his fraught escape from Russian-occupied Kherson.
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A strategically important port in the south of Ukraine near the Black Sea, Kherson was the first major city to fall into Russian hands in the early days of the war. But last week, after more than eight months of occupation, Russia withdrew its forces and Ukrainian soldiers entered the city, greeted by cheering locals. It’s a triumphant moment for Ukraine, but along with the celebrations, there’s a long ro
Corruption, conspiracy, and a royal affair. This is Corinna and The King.
This week on Brazen Presents, we share an exclusive listen to episode one of Corinna and the King, a new eight-part series from Project Brazen and PRX. You can find the full series by searching for Corinna and The King, wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s February 2004, and 39-year-old businesswoman Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein attends an aristocratic hunting party in the Spanish countryside. The host? Juan Carlos I, the king of Spain. An expert in guns, Corinna catches the king’s attention, an
Introducing "Corinna and The King", Out Now
This week on Brazen Presents, we share the trailer for Corinna and the King, a new eight-part series from Project Brazen and PRX. You can listen to the full series by searching for Corinna and the King, wherever you get your podcasts.
When Corinna, a worldly and well-connected businesswoman, fell in love with Juan Carlos I, the King of Spain, he seemed too big to fail. Their secret romance stretched across continents, but its unraveling would open a window into a dangerous world of greed, corrup
A Chicken Called Putin
Reporter Susie Armitage speaks to Ukrainian journalist Bogdan Logvynenko, founder of Ukrainer.net, a multilingual publication covering the war and all things Ukraine. In this episode, Bogdan shares stories from his travels around the country interviewing Ukrainians in recently liberated areas, plus two music videos his team created with Ukrainian rappers Alyona Alyona and Palindrom celebrating the resilience of cities still occupied by Russia.
Thanks for listening. You can find “Resistance: St
The Rebel and the Kingdom: The Secret Mission to Overthrow the North Korean Regime
How did an Ivy League activist become a global fugitive? In this bonus audio episode, Bradley Hope, co-founder of Project Brazen, recounts his first encounter with Adrian Hong, who led an underground organization to undermine the Kim Jong-un regime by helping top North Korean diplomats defect. After a fake kidnapping of a top North Korean diplomat in Madrid went awry, a wanted poster for Adrian was circulated by the U.S. Marshals, sending him into hiding.
This episode of BRAZEN PRESENTS features
Returning To Ukraine with Laurel Chor and Arman Dzidzovic
The reporting team behind “RESISTANCE: Stories from Ukraine” shares updates on the changing face of war in Ukraine and what they see for the future of the conflict.
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Nicholas Brennan, Executive Producer of “RESISTANCE: Stories from Ukraine”, sits down for an interview with Laurel Chor and Arman Dzidzovic, the host and producers of the series. Laurel and Arman talk about how the situation in Ukraine has changed since RESISTANCE first aired, and share an update on some of the stories featured in
Welcome to Brazen Presents — Original Reporting from Project Brazen
Original reporting you’ve come to expect from Project Brazen—extraordinary stories from around the world, told without fear or favor
Project Brazen is a global journalism studio based in London and Singapore investigating some of the biggest scandals and stories of our time. Stay subscribed.
For ad-free listening, exclusive bonus content and early access to Project Brazen podcasts, subscribe to our channel on the Apple Podcasts app. You can try the subscription free for 7 days by going to apple.
BONUS: One Family’s Journey To Escape Afghanistan
Lucy Woods, Managing Producer of Kabul Falling – Project Brazen’s series following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan – interviews an Afghan family torn apart by the chaos.
Hakim Shakib was separated from his wife Paimana, and his young daughters Neyo and Seto, in July 2021. In this bonus interview, the family charts the anxiety of their separation as Kabul fell to the Taliban – trapping Hakim, an employee at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs – in the city. The Shakibs describe the t
BONUS: Afghan Composer Arson Fahim On Kabul Falling Soundtrack
Siddhartha Mahanta sits down with composer Arson Fahim to chat about his soundtrack for Kabul Falling, the latest podcast from Project Brazen.
In this exclusive audio interview, recorded live at the PRX Podcast Garage in Boston, Arson talks about what drew him to the project, and what makes his connection to it—as an Afghan-born composer and musician—so personal and important.
He shares his own experiences of leaving Afghanistan just two weeks before the Taliban takeover last year, and how Afgha
Still Falling: Afghanistan, One Year Later
In this episode, we catch up with Afghan refugees to hear about life after evacuation. How is the fall of Kabul still impacting them? Who do they feel is responsible for the Taliban takeover? What could have been done differently? You’ll hear how many Afghans feel abandoned as the world’s attention moves to Ukraine and the ensuing refugee crisis in Europe. Famine grips Afghanistan and the Taliban’s harsh reign faces little international scrutiny. But Afghans continue to fight: for their freedom,
Why I Fight: a Taliban Fighter Speaks From Afghanistan
A young Taliban member, radicalized by the US invasion of Afghanistan, shares why he left social work and NGO employment to join the militant group. Obaidullah Baheer, a lecturer in transitional justice at the American University of Afghanistan and the grandson of a feared warlord, reflects on the possibility of reconciliation with the Taliban.
We want to hear from you. Please get in touch via our website, kabulfalling.com, where you can send a voice message, or tweet using hashtag #kabulfalling
Terrible House: Survival in the Taliban’s Afghanistan
With the US Army and allied forces gone, Taliban fighters are consolidating control over Afghanistan. The regime’s leaders make assurances that there will be no retribution for their enemies, but the reality on the ground is different. With the help of journalist Danna Harman, Muhammad Javed Khan, who had worked for the Afghan government, reaches the Tajik border but must then turn around and make a last-minute journey back to Kunduz to retrieve a batch of passports. In order to escape, he must
Land Route: Women of Afghanistan Find New Ways to Escape
With security now on high alert at the Kabul airport, it is nearly impossible for Afghans to fly out of the country to escape the Taliban takeover. Danna Harman, the journalist who profiled Rodaba Noori and her all-girls robotics team, comes up with a wild plan to evacuate the women to Tajikistan by bus, along with a group of female cyclists. Tajik journalist Anahita Saymidinova is waiting on the other side to receive them. But they have to work with the Taliban to bring the women out of Afghani
The Explosion: Bombing at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan
With the evacuation deadline looming, Afghans race to Kabul airport in hopes of getting on a flight and escaping the Taliban regime. With help from Jake, an ex-Marine Corps officer, Tariq and his family manage to get in and board their plane for evacuation, after spending a harrowing night outside in a desolate yard. Abdul and his family also make it out — just hours before a suicide bomber detonates his explosive belt, killing at least 170 Afghan civilians and 13 members of the United States mi
The Fortress: Life or Death in Afghanistan via Whatsapp
As the US and NATO prepare to withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by the deadline of August 31, the evacuation of Afghan allies and partners quickly spins out of the control of Western governments. There is chaos as desperate crowds try to enter the airport in Kabul, where final evacuation flights are departing. Those lucky enough to make it over the high cement walls wait for hours on the tarmac under the hot sun with no food or water. This includes Fatima Faizi, an Afghan journalist working f
A Knock at the Door: The Taliban’s Revenge in Afghanistan
With the Taliban back in power, Kabul’s streets were mobbed with traffic as thousands rushed to escape, many heading towards the capital’s airport. At particular risk of retribution were Afghans who had worked with the US Army or the international community, those who'd served in Afghanistan’s government and women who had pursued full lives outside the home. In this episode, you’ll hear how quick thinking — and chance — helps former CIA interpreter Abdul and TV journalist Ogai Wardak evade Talib
The Fall: Escape from Afghanistan Begins
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban regained control of Kabul, nearly 20 years after the US Army and Coalition Forces had cast them out of power. To many Afghans and observers watching from abroad, the fall of Kabul came as a shock. The news thrust thousands of Afghans into a terrifying journey to flee the country, leaving their old lives behind. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ogai Wardak, a young journalist at a women’s TV station, and Abdul, a former CIA interpreter and father of four, describ
Introducing Kabul Falling, Coming Soon
In August 2021, the Taliban regained control of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The takeover sent shockwaves throughout the country. It forced thousands of Afghans to leave their old lives behind and embark on a hellish journey for survival. In this eight-episode podcast, Afghans themselves will tell you how it happened. You’ll hear stories about big risks, close calls, and unexpected moments of kindness — or luck — that changed everything. You’ll meet Afghan women and men from different walk
BONUS: Afghan-British journalist Nelufar Hedayat on upcoming series Kabul Falling
Bradley Hope sits down with host Nelufar Hedayat to chat about Project Brazen’s upcoming podcast, Kabul Falling.
In this exclusive audio interview, Nelufar talks about what it’s been like working on Kabul Falling, an eight-part series on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year, and what makes her connection to it — as an Afghan-born journalist—so personal and important.
She shares her own experiences of leaving Afghanistan with her family as a young child, and how the Taliban’s takeover ha
ORIGINALS: Inside the Secret Industry Fueled By Oligarchs, Foreign Intelligence and the Ultra-Rich
How can journalists, activists, opposition figures, and even lawyers and business leaders protect themselves from the threat of private surveillance? In this Project Brazen Originals bonus episode, co-founder Bradley Hope sits down with Oscar Zero, the managing director of a private counter-surveillance company, to uncover the secrets of a shadowy industry frequently weaponised by intelligence agencies and the ultra-rich.
To watch the full documentary, visit: www.projectbrazen.com/hiddenworlds
FAT LEONARD: Trial Updates, Guilty Verdicts, and a TV Series
A jury in San Diego returned verdicts in the trials against several Navy officers implicated by Fat Leonard. Project Brazen founders Bradley Hope and Tom Wright discuss the latest developments in the case and news about a TV series based on the Fat Leonard podcast.
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: After Action with Tom Wright
Tom Wright sits down with Laurel Chor to hear the backstory on the making of her podcast RESISTANCE: Stories from Ukraine. In this audio interview, Laurel shares the experiences she had on the ground as Russia invaded Ukraine and how the conflict continues. She also talks about the surprising similarities she sees in what’s happening in Ukraine today and in her home in Hong Kong, while giving advice to other journalists heading to conflict zones.
This is the final episode of RESISTANCE: Stories
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: Kharkiv Under Attack, Part 2
Escaping a city so close to the Russian border – and the stories of those who choose to stay. In Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, a community fights to survive devastating Russian shelling.
Laurel continues following the journey of Larisa, a disabled woman being evacuated from her apartment in one of Kharkiv’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Volunteers race Larisa to the train station for her onward journey to Poland, in hope of refuge and a better future. In a surgical hospital in Kharkiv,
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: Kharkiv Under Attack, Part 1
Under devastating Russian shelling in Ukraine's second largest city, a community fights to survive.
Explosions from weapons that could range from Grad rockets and artillery shells to phosphorus and thermobaric bombs have destroyed much of Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine. It’s only 30 miles from the Russian border.
Laurel meets with the locals surviving these attacks. In one apartment complex, a family clears broken glass after the windows are blown out by a recent blast. Downtown, a
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: Arts, Crafts and War
Underground artists fueling Ukraine’s wartime production in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine war. Laurel meets seamstresses sewing bulletproof vests, artists welding anti-tank obstacles in Kyiv and even advertising executives using online targeted ads to break through Russian propaganda. Some work alone, in their kitchens or home studios. Others are more organized, building production lines in community halls and co-working spaces. All over the country, people are contributing whatever skills the
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: Defending Borodyanka
War stories from four neighbors who fought the Russian occupation despite being impossibly outnumbered and outgunned. The adrenaline from the explosions of battle has barely worn off and this is the first time they share what they lived through. With the war still raging, most people fighting in Ukraine haven’t had the chance to tell their stories yet. But Russian forces have retreated from the small town of Borodyanka, along with nearby Bucha and Irpin, so we hear from four of this town’s defen
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: "Thank God You Survived This Hell"
A new film puts a face to the devastation and resilience of everyday Ukranians finding life in the midst of war.
Announcing “RESISTANCE: Returning Home”, a documentary film that gives a visual connection to the gripping stories we’ve been hearing across this podcast series.
In the film, Laurel Chor travels to the liberated towns outside Kyiv in the days following Russia's withdrawal. It was a raw, difficult time. We witness the heartrending images of Bucha, travel with a couple from Irpin as the
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: Mother Tongue
Voices of those resisting Russia’s invasion through the very ways they think, speak, and sing. In Kyiv, songwriter and producer Denis Musaev makes music to inspire his country’s victory, and Olga, a linguist and English teacher, has abandoned her first language of Russian to embrace Ukrainian instead. Elsewhere in the capital, we meet with Yarmak, a rapper-turned-soldier who has gone from fighting Russian aggression with his lyrics to taking up arms with the Ukrainian military.
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“RESISTANCE: St
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: There’s a Weapon in Your Pocket
Fighting back with the weapons we all carry in our pockets…our smart phones. We begin in Kyiv with Anastasiya at the country’s largest children’s hospital and Andriy Dubchak from @Donbas.Frontliner. Both Anastasiya and Andriy use their phones to capture different aspects of the Russia-Ukraine war. Anastasiya shares images of civilians wounded by the war, while Andriy is on the frontlines capturing the conflict up close and gathering the news. In Lviv, we meet with young hackers bringing the expe
RESISTANCE Stories from Ukraine: "I Am A Soldier Now"
Photojournalist Laurel Chor travels to the suburbs of Kyiv to meet ordinary Ukrainians who have joined the war effort by becoming soldiers. Journalist Artem and lawyer Oleksandr guard a military checkpoint. PE teacher and two-time war vet Vladimir finds his farm completely destroyed by Russian forces as payback. Ecologist, beekeeper and drag queen Arthur recalls being stationed in Bucha and witnesses the horrific aftermath of senseless killings.
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“RESISTANCE: Stories from Ukraine” is a harrowin
Introducing Project Brazen Originals
Project Brazen, a global journalism studio based in London and Singapore, is investigating some of the biggest scandals and stories of our time. This feed, called Project Brazen Originals, will feature those stories, told without fear or favor. Stay subscribed.
Latest Series — “RESISTANCE: Stories from Ukraine”
What happens when war lands on your doorstep? Ordinary Ukrainians are rising up and fighting back in every way they can.
“RESISTANCE: Stories from Ukraine” is a harrowing and inspiration
FAT LEONARD: Subpoenas, Laws and Audiotape: Fat Leonard Updates on the Eve of The Trial
A lot has happened since we wrapped up the first season of the "Fat Leonard" podcast, and host Tom Wright is back with all the updates - the good, the bad and the unexpected. Includes new interviews with whistleblower Marcy Misiewicz, David Loy (Legal Director of the First Amendment Coalition) and Don Christensen (President, Protect Our Defenders). Stay tuned for updates from the trial in the coming weeks.
Thanks for listening. You can find Fat Leonard on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you
FAT LEONARD: Different Spanks
With Leonard in jail, the Navy investigates hundreds of officers. But they spare top admirals. Tom’s relationship with Leonard reaches breaking point. A major trial of U.S. Navy officers is set to start in February. Watch out for bonus episodes.
FAT LEONARD: The Sting
Beaten and angry, Marcy Misiewicz makes a decision that will bring down Leonard, and her husband along with him.
FAT LEONARD: Suppos
A cocksure Navy officer called David Schaus takes on Leonard. He’s joined by a principled Navy supply official called Teresa Kelly. Finally, they force Navy admirals, who for years have given him cover, to take Leonard’s fraud seriously.
FAT LEONARD: Morena
Leonard’s cruel treatment of his Filipina girlfriend, Morena De Jesus, and their children together, exposes his dark side. A fraught relationship with his own father could hold the key to understanding Leonard.
FAT LEONARD: Marcy
Michael Misiewicz was a rising star in the Navy before Leonard corrupts him with prostitutes, cash and free travel. We see the descent of one officer into graft and violence through the voice of his wife, Marcy Misiewicz.
FAT LEONARD: The Braveheart
How Leonard buys his own warship, the Braveheart, complete with a mercenary army, and deploys it to help fight Al Qaeda. He secretly records orgies with Navy officers, causing one of the U.S.’s worst ever national security breaches.
FAT LEONARD: Paula
We look back at the Tailhook sexual assault scandal of 1991 through the voice of Navy whistleblower Paula Coughlin. The Navy’s problem with misogyny is deep seated and it set the stage for Leonard’s rise.
FAT LEONARD: Ring of Steel
Out of jail, aged 21, Leonard begins his career as a defense contractor, just as the U.S. embarks on its Forever Wars. Through skill, bribes and luck, we chart the Wolf of Wall Street-like rise of Leonard, on the back of a product called the Ring of Steel.
FAT LEONARD: Paper Ships
Leonard Francis became the most powerful military contractor in the Pacific, running a mafia organization at the heart of the U.S. Navy. He’s over 300 pounds, and charming. We meet him in jail, and explore why he’s talking exclusively to our host, author and journalist Tom Wright. We explore Leonard’s troubled childhood. It turns out this isn’t his first time in prison.
Introducing Fat Leonard
Leonard Francis, AKA Fat Leonard, is angry, and he’s talking for the first time. His explosive story will change the way you look at the U.S. Navy forever.