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
Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 3min
UFOlogy Must Die?
It's a packed podcast addressing a long list of developments, especially the recent article by Lue Elizondo entitled "UFOlogy Must Die." They're not going that far, but Ross and Bryce do understand Lue's frustration with UFO Twitter and the out-sized outrage over every tiny scrap of something - or nothing. Also: disappointment at the Navy's refusal to release some videos; will the upcoming Congressionally-mandated regular UAP report contain an "October Surprise?" And Bryce updates the hunt for that infamous formula he received from a mysterious visitor more than a quarter-century ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 25, 2022 • 1h 16min
7NEWS Spotlight Special Edition
This is a very different, and special episode. It's the audio from Ross and Bryce's production for Australia's 7NEWS. And includes some eye-opening information straight from the people who know - and who have witnessed UAP. Among those you'll hear from: former US Navy fighter pilot Ryan Graves, artist, filmmaker and ufologist Jeremy Corbell, and Prof. Gary Nolan. And Bryce tells the tale of a shadowy guy who showed up at his house during a party for the cast and crew of "Dark Skies." This is not an episode to skip! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 15, 2022 • 1h 1min
Virtual Beers
Ross and Bryce make good on the 'contest' for followers of the show to enjoy a beer with the hosts - albeit virtual. The winners: Kieran Corcoran and Rob Sheridan, two friends from Wicklow, on the east Irish coast just south of Dublin. It was truly a global connection, as Ross joined at 10am Saturday, Kieran and Rob stayed up until 1am on their Saturday, while Bryce and producer Rich Johnson enjoyed their easy happy hour beers at 5pm Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 5, 2022 • 55min
UAP: Real Change Ahead?
Ross and Bryce are back, explain where they've been, and dive into three deep subjects: First: new language from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that may grant immunity for potential witnesses not only in government but in private aerospace. Also: Is Gary Nolan the new Lue Elizondo? The Stanford professor has been raising his profile in the UAP community, and has granted Ross a wide-ranging and shocking interview (which we'll play in a later episode). Finally, a discussion that only begins to tackle the subject: how will we change in a post-disclosure world -- after most of the world acknowledges that we are not alone? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 14, 2022 • 48min
Beyond Nimitz
Bryce and Ross welcome Dave Beaty to the podcast. He's an investigative filmmaker who's produced "The Nimitz Encounters," a film about UAP encounters around US Navy ships from 2004 to 2019. As Dave writes on Medium: "When I first learned about that curious case of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, 100 miles off the coast of San Diego, CA in Nov of 2004 I was enthralled by the descriptions of a 50-foot-long white capsule-shaped UFO that had out-paced F/A-18F Super Hornets." You can watch the film at http://thenimitzencounters.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 22, 2022 • 54min
The Summer of the Saucers
Bryce and Ross mark 75 years since 1947, "The Summer of the Saucers." It's considered the beginning of the modern UFO era. They recount a couple of prominent incidents in those early days, and flash forward to today and word that NASA will launch a UAP study - albeit a very quick and barely funded study. Also: are drones the new swap gas? That is, an easy and lazy way for UAP doubters to explain away sightings? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 6, 2022 • 58min
The Estimate of the Situation
This episode's title comes from the 1948 document produced by Project Sign, which the head of the Air Force ordered destroyed. Also: with more than two weeks to think about it, Ross and Bryce have more to say about the Congressional hearing on UAP -- including results of a couple of listener surveys. They also come up a few questions that lawmakers SHOULD have asked. And Ross explains why any talk about drones being an explanation for an UAP sighting is idiotic. Hint: drones can't fly that fast, that far, and for that long! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 18, 2022 • 51min
Lue Elizondo on the Congressional Hearings
"Underwhelming" is one of the more polite words used to discuss the first Congressional hearing on UAP in more than 50 years. You'll hear plenty of tougher words from Bryce and Ross, as well as from the podcast's very first guest: Lue Elizondo, formerly with the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (ATTIP), the Defense Dept. unit that studied UAP. The not-quite 90-minute hearing by the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, and Counterproliferation yielded a lot of narrowly-focused questions and fuzzy answers, according to both our guests and hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 29, 2022 • 1h 2min
UAP Congressional Hearing
Ross and Bryce review some recent UAP news, including an obvious hoax, confusion about Garry Reid's exact status, the return of the UFO Fest in McMinnville, Oregon, a new documentary and a new series based on David Bowie's 1976 "The Man Who Fell to Earth." Then: a look back at Congressional inquiries into UAP and whether hearings will occur in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 29, 2022 • 15min
Bryce's Rant
Bryce needs to get a few things off his chest. But he's a writer, not an announcer. So he found a big-time announcer, former "The Tonight Show" announcer Edd Hall, to give voice to Bryce's thoughts. WARNING: This is rated "E" (with a vengeance). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
