
Need To Know with Coulthart and Zabel
The Need-to-Know podcast deals with the now acknowledged reality of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena or UAP. Its hosts are award-winning broadcasters and investigative journalists Ross Coulthart and Bryce Zabel. Every episode, they’ll look at what’s happened in the UAP/UFO world. Coulthart and Zabel discuss their current investigations, give each other advice, and seek to answer the big questions: who are they and what do they want? Ross Coulthart’s work has been featured on Australia’s version of “60 Minutes.” And his documentary for Channel Seven Australia covering his UFO findings has been seen by more than ten million viewers. He is the author of In Plain Sight, in which he concludes that, while publicly dismissing the phenomenon for decades, governments have been seriously studying it all along and take it very seriously. Coulthart continues to report on the subject for Australian network television while working on investigations spawned by his book. Bryce Zabel is an award-winning writer who has created or developed five primetime television drama series and worked on a dozen writing staffs. His feature credits include Mortal Kombat and Atlantis. His World War II film, The Last Battle, will shoot in the summer of 2024. Zabel was an original correspondent for CNN, and an award-winning investigative reporter for PBS. Zabel has authored his own UFO book, A.D. After Disclosure. He writes and edits the publication Trail of the Saucers that is read by more than 80,000 readers each month.
Latest episodes

Jun 8, 2024 • 52min
Zero Doubt
Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart and historian Bryce Zabel dive into the secrecy surrounding UAPs, discussing interactions with non-human intelligence, D-Day's relevance to UAP secrecy, governmental transparency skepticism, and the impact of upcoming elections on disclosure. Emphasizing the need for honesty and trust in unveiling historical secrets while exploring the push for transparency in studying UAPs.

May 11, 2024 • 57min
Swagger and Secrets
In this episode, hosts Bryce Zabel and Ross Coulthart delve into the complexities of UAP investigations, spotlighting the AARO's dubious reporting and the Pentagon's evasion in acknowledging UAP incidents. They explore the recent Eglin Air Force Base encounter and the broader implications of drone sightings that challenge national security. The hosts critique the media's failure to engage deeply with these issues, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and investigative rigor in covering UAP and drone encounters. Featuring pilot testimonies and expert analysis, this episode uncovers the ongoing secrecy and the quest for truth in the increasingly convoluted field of ufology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 15, 2024 • 60min
UAP Burnout
It's an issue that's touched many in the UAP community, and worthy of a long discussion: fatigue from covering UAP, interacting with the community, fending off the flamers and trying to stay grounded. Bryce shares the tale of his ten-year hiatus while Ross commends Curt Jaimungal's recent decision to 'step away' for a while. But there's also hope, says Ross, citing three members of Congress and their attempts to interview an Air Force pilot over his 2023 sighting - and the video he captured. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 13, 2024 • 51min
More UFO Lies & Coverup
Ross and Bryce take turns teeing off on the Defense Department's report that was supposed to chronicle the US government's history of dealing with the UFO/UAP issue. Among their conclusions about the reports "conclusions:" It's more Pentagon obfuscation to deter public attention; a kneejerk polemic against former AARO head Sean Kirkpatrick's critics; not a hint of historical review; and from a couple of lawmakers who talked to Ross: Congress is NOT letting this issue go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2024 • 51min
Adios, Voldemort
"Voldemort," in this podcast, is Bryce's new name for Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the now-former head of AARO, the Defense Department's "All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office." Bryce and Ross rip Kirkpatrick's exit statements, including his assertion that a soon to be released Pentagon report will say it's found no evidence of aliens, only allegations circulated repeatedly by UFO claim advocates. The other big event in the episode: "Need to Know," the song! Bryce explains the history of the song he co-composed - and we play it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 5, 2024 • 53min
Is This the Year?
The hosts discuss the major events of 2023, including UAP hearings and the failed Schumer Amendment. They speculate on the upcoming Oversight and Accountability Committee meeting and question the national security classification on information known by David Grush. They highlight the requirement for an annual report on UAPs and explore different interpretations of disclosure. Finally, they discuss shifting perceptions towards extraterrestrial life with hope for revealing the truth.

Dec 8, 2023 • 52min
UFO Gatekeepers Strike Back
Disappointment and some disagreements in this episode, as Ross and Bryce review the amended version of Sen. Chuck Schumer's disclosure language in the new Defense bill. Ross blames "lickspittle Congressmen" in the pockets of the aerospace companies for turning Schumer's disclosure proposals into a "flaccid limp lettuce leaf." The two set the table for a future discussion on what both believe would be a very bad idea: "catastrophic disclosure." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 17, 2023 • 56min
JFK and UFOs?
Approaching the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Bryce and Ross examine the similarities between the efforts to conceal the truth about the President's death and concealing the truth about UFO/UAP. Also: as predicted in the last episode, Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick is, indeed, leading AARO. So who will succeed him? And will that person bring a different opinion about whistleblower David Grusch? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 24, 2023 • 1h
Same Old UFO Song
Ross and Bryce catch up on several developments of the past few weeks, including the latest report from AARO. Ross calls out what he labels "completely disingenuous" statements by the agency's head, Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, downplaying the UAP reports the agency reviewed in the 2023 US Government fiscal year. Ross calls the report "The Big Yawn." Ross and Bryce disagree on whether private aerospace firms, who've spent millions of their own dollars on crash retrieval, should be forced to turn any physical evidence over to the government. And Bryce reviews the high points of 1948, a banner year that saw dozens of credible UFO/UAP sightings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 3min
UFO Word Games
Ross and Bryce criticize the US government's 'word games' on UAP evidence, including NASA Director's 'lack of evidence' comments. They discuss media's failure to report NASA's UAP panel's conclusions and mention astronauts and pilots' sightings of UFOs. The hosts explore manipulation tactics used by the intelligence community and the importance of transparency in the UFO UAP reality issue. They also analyze the credibility of UFO whistleblowers' allegations and their potential implications for national security.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.