

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
Nov 17, 2023 • 53min
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 • 57min
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 • 58min
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.
Aug 26, 2023 • 48min
UFO Pushback
They expected it, and it's here: serious attempts to discredit Defense Department UFO whistleblower David Grusch. Ross summarizes what he calls the "slimeball" attempts to vilify Grusch, including the exploitation of his battle with PTSD. Ross notes that The Pentagon has always known about that, and gave Grusch a very, very high security clearance, anyway. Bryce and Ross also wonder if the momentum in Congress to explore the government's history of UAP research has been lost. They discuss the very intense effort to remove UAP language from the Defense Authorization Act. And Bryce, who's just back from Sweden, recounts one of the earliest documented UAP encounters - just after World War II in Sweden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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
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