

Need To Know
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 two of the most respected voices in the field, 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 shifting landscape of disclosure, Dolan and Zabel guide the audience through the noise and toward understanding.
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 shifting landscape of disclosure, Dolan and Zabel guide the audience through the noise and toward understanding.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 5, 2023 • 45min
UAP: What's Next?
We have contact! No, not that kind. Ross has made contact with Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, head of The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office. Ross shares his email exchange with Kirkpatrick, including the Latin motto on his email signature. Ross and Bryce talk about what may, or should, be the next level of Congressional hearings (maybe the full Intelligence Committee, not just a sub-committee). Ross really wants the intelligence community's Inspector General at that next hearing to answer one important question. And both have advice for nudging your lawmaker about the UAP issue: forget email, write a real letter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 27, 2023 • 33min
A Huge Step Forward
Ross and Bryce share their first impressions of the House Oversight Committee's national security subcommittee hearing on UAP. Whistleblower David Grusch was joined by two former military pilots who reported UAP years ago. Ross and Bryce say it was a big day - the first of what they hope will be more to come. The witnesses deferred several questions to a closed-door hearing, and Ross tore into the Defense Department for its "statement" on whether DoD has any evidence of non-human intelligence. They also noted Grusch's phrase "administrative terrorism" in describing some of what he's gone through since coming forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 17, 2023 • 55min
Schumer Knows Something
That would be Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, the Senate Majority Leader. Ross says a proposed amendment to next year's National Defense Authorization Act contains explicit references to non-human intelligence - and there must be a reason for that vetted language. A reason that the Senator knows. Bryce raises this issue of the "controlled disclosure" of UAP information the government may have. And who "owns" crash wreckage or any other material that's been sitting in labs and warehouses for decades? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 8, 2023 • 53min
Is This Actually Happening Now?
Ross and Bryce reflect on the incredible developments of the past months, starting with Ross's interview of former government UAP investigator David Grusch. They agree that more is happening on the UAP front than ever before - especially in the US government. They note that three Congressional committees are considering language that explicitly refers to life and material of non-earth origin. And both agree: this is a great time to be alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 24, 2023 • 59min
David Grusch: He's Still Here
It's been three weeks since David Grusch revealed his identity as the most senior and more credible government official yet to acknowledge the existence of UAP. Now, Bryce and Ross discuss what's next for Grusch and for members of Congress who want to know more. Ross also explains why we won't see every second of the more-than three hour interview he conducted with Grusch for NewsNation. And Bryce adds: there's a second interview - actually the 'pre-interview' - that Need to Know controls. And Ross reveals new information about who's been recovering UAP wreckage over the decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
11 snips
Jun 12, 2023 • 47min
News Nation's Whistleblower Special
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 5, 2023 • 57min
The Tipping Point is Here
This is clearly the most important episode of Need to Know - for now. Ross reveals what's coming by the time you hear this: a whistleblower has come forward, and given two major interviews. One is online, the other is coming to the US cable news channel NewsNation. Ross knows this because he did the interview. Please listen to what could be the start of a very different attitude towards UAP. NOT by the community, but by the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 25, 2023 • 55min
(20) 23 & Me
With Ross on assignment, Bryce has found a very worthy fill-in: Chrissy Newton, Founder of VOCAB Communications and Podcaster for The Debrief. A self-described UFO/UAP fanatic since age six, the Toronto native hosts the podcast "Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton." Among the items on the table in this episode: "Confirmation" vs. "Disclosure," an upcoming NASA meeting in which UAP might come up, and the future of of Sean Kirkpatrick's career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 26, 2023 • 53min
UFO/UAP Hearings, Leaks & Briefings
A week after the Senate's latest UFO/UAP hearing, Bryce and Ross have calmed down enough to talk about it - especially the lack of any "it." Ross pounces on the video of a sphere, and Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick's comment that his group "has found no credible evidence thus far of extraterrestrial activity, off-world technology, or objects that defy the known laws of physics.” Bryce is not happy that the one sitting Senator who's been to space, Arizona's Mark Kelly, didn't attend the public hearing but DID show up for the private, classified session. And Bryce and Ross circle back to the big picture of disclosure: when, what, and under what circumstances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 15, 2023 • 1h 3min
UFO Hearing Preview
Ross and Bryce spend a lot of time taking down those who have sought to denigrate, deny and ridicule the search for UFO/UAP answers in the past several decades. And they hope it doesn't happen again next week when a sub-committee of the Senate Armed Services Committee holds a hearing on the subject. Both have plenty of questions they'd love to share with the panel chair, New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. And both will 'wait and see' just how forthcoming witness Sean Kirkpatrick, who runs the Defense Department's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, will be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices