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
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
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
