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
Apr 15, 2022 • 52min
UFOs and Rock Stars
Ross and Bryce share two of the best-known stories involving musicians who say they've encountered UFOs. Ross tells the tale of Blink 182's Tom DeLonge. He's made some controversial claims over the past few years, including conversations with top government officials. He also co-founded To the Stars, which bills itself as an academy of arts and sciences. But Bryce goes back more than four decades to the east side of Manhattan, where one night in late August John Lennon says he saw a UFO hovering near his penthouse apartment. Also: praise for journalist Tim McMillan's recent scoop, and they note the death of John Lear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 1, 2022 • 49min
Do No Harm?
Bryce and Ross tackle several recent and historical UAP developments, including the release of the classified version of last year's preliminary Defense Department report on UAP. Bryce shares thoughts on the spectrum of current UAP thinking: are they benevolent beings from beyond or do they mean us harm? Ross recounts his conversations with a man who's dealing with devastating injuries that he says were caused by a UAP encounter. And producer Rich Johnson talks about living in UAP "Ground Zero" -- Las Vegas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 19, 2022 • 47min
The UFO Investigations
If you don't know about Harry Turner and Edward Ruppelt, you soon will. Ross and Bryce tell stories about some of the earliest investigations into UAP in the US and Australia -- including the story of the man who came up with the acronym "UFO." Bryce also shares his latest survey about what we should be calling this phenomenon: UFO, UAP, both, or neither. And Ross lets us know about a revelation from the former head of France's version of the CIA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 4, 2022 • 52min
In Plain Sight
Bryce turns the tables in this episode, and interviews Ross about his research into UAP that lead to his groundbreaking book "In Plain Sight." Ross takes us from being intrigued by the idea as a teenager in New Zealand to how UFO sightings were ridiculed by his bosses at many news outlets. Ross admits that he was sometimes doing the ridiculing. But that skepticism lead to a journey that continues with the book -- and this podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 18, 2022 • 43min
Air Force vs. Navy
Why is the Air Force AWOL on UAP? Why is the Navy taking the lead on most disclosures these days? And where is the world's major news media? Ross and Bryce discuss those questions, and put them into the context of more and more lawmakers, intelligence officials and others at the center of this quest sharing more of what they've been told. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 4, 2022 • 49min
Take Me To Your Leader
If the inhabitants of UAP really want to reach out, why don't they just land on the White House lawn? Bryce and Ross get into that question, as well as what American presidents do know, don't know, and probably need to know about UFOs over the decades. They also recount the incident of astonishing mass UFO sightings in the sky over Washington, D.C. during the 1952 presidential campaign. And they let us know about two Presidents who claimed to have seen UAP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 21, 2022 • 52min
1947: Roswell & Beyond
Bryce and Ross dive back to the year that started it all: 1947. The war was over, but the sightings were everywhere: the foo fighters, ghost rockets, and The Big One: Roswell, where the military acknowledged then quickly rescinded news that wreckage from something it couldn't identify were found on a remote farm in New Mexico. It's also the year that the US Air Force, the CIA and the National Security Agency were founded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 5, 2022 • 44min
Governments & Media
Bryce and Ross discuss the death of former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, how he made a huge impact on the UAP discussion - and how most articles about him missed or ignored that fact. Also: UAP is not just a US thing. It's been regarded as a genuine mystery by multiple Governments around the World. Finally, a discussion of what it will take for the world's biggest and most mainstream media outlets to take UAP seriously, and to pursue stories with the same fever that brought us reporting on Watergate and the Pentagon Papers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 27, 2021 • 51min
UAP and Politics
Ross and Bryce talk about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed by Congress, signed by the President. Ross talks about the need for quality data in UAP sightings. Bryce presents his investigation into how the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case was first made public by investigative journalist John Luttrell Sr. and how the state of New Hampshire is going to change its historical marker based on Bryce's findings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 16, 2021 • 44min
UAP: The Year in Review
Ross and Bryce look back at the UAP/UFO events of the past year. At the top of the list: the June UAP report, and the Gillibrand-Rubio Amendment now being voted on in Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
