Witness History

Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former U.S. President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford, shares her poignant story of confronting her mother’s addiction to alcohol and prescription medication. She recalls the emotional family intervention that ultimately led Betty to seek help, underscoring the unprecedented openness of a First Lady about such struggles. The discussion highlights Betty's advocacy for addiction recovery, the impact of her struggles on public perception, and her enduring legacy, including the establishment of the Betty Ford Center.

Adam Cohen, author of "Nothing to Fear," discusses Franklin D. Roosevelt’s transformative New Deal, aimed at revitalizing America during the Great Depression. He shares personal stories that illustrate how this massive public spending initiative created jobs and reshaped lives. The conversation also delves into the backlash against the Works Progress Administration, revealing the contentious politics surrounding the New Deal. Cohen highlights the delicate balance between optimism and economic struggle in an era that set the stage for modern America.

Yörük Işık, a ship spotter from Istanbul, shares his extraordinary journey from hobbyist to pivotal witness in the Syrian conflict. He recounts capturing the first images of Russian military trucks on a civilian vessel in 2015, a revelation that shattered Moscow's denials of intervention. Işık discusses the significance of his find, the ethical complexities of documented military movements, and how navigating the Bosphorus reveals deeper geopolitical narratives. His insights highlight the role of citizen journalism in tracking military activities amidst global tensions.

Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat hailed for saving thousands of Hungarian Jews during WWII, discusses his daring interventions against the Nazis. He famously issued Swedish passports and established safe houses, risking his life to protect those in peril. The podcast delves into his mysterious disappearance after the war, with speculation around his fate ranging from imprisonment to execution. Eyewitness accounts shed light on his enduring legacy, as the search for truth continues, highlighting the impact of his courageous actions.

In this episode, Anders Sånes shares the fascinating story of his father, Tor Sornes, who invented the hotel key card in the 1970s inspired by a troubling news event. Anders recounts how Tor crafted a prototype in his shed and faced the challenges of global acceptance of this innovation. The discussion covers the reasons for the invention, the evolution of hotel security, and highlights the successful trial of keycards at the Western Peachtree Plaza Hotel. It’s a blend of family legacy and groundbreaking technology in the hospitality industry.

Laurent Ries-Sourisot, a cartoonist who survived the Charlie Hebdo attack, shares his harrowing experience being shot during the tragic event in January 2015. He recounts the moment the gunmen stormed the office, bringing chaos to what was meant to be an ordinary day. Ries highlights the emotional struggle of fear that followed, yet emphasizes the unexpected surge of global support and solidarity. He reflects on the resilience of the staff, vowing to honor their fallen colleagues by continuing the publication's legacy despite the overwhelming adversity.

In 2011, Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo’s first book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was published. Overnight she went from tidying other people’s homes to being known around the world for her KonMari method. It encourages people to only keep items that spark joy and to sort by category, not location. Now a best-selling author with hundreds of her consultants decluttering homes around the globe, Marie speaks to Megan Jones. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: Marie Kondo. Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images.)

The smart speaker Alexa is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world every day, but did you know its voice was created by two people in Poland back in 2000?Lukasz Osowski and Michal Kaszczuk were final year students at Gdansk Technical University when they decided to create a device which could understand you and talk back in a voice which sounded like a human. They went through a few versions and started getting attention from big companies before eventually making a deal with Amazon.Lukasz and Michal speak to Megan Jones. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: Amazon Echo Plus smart speaker. Credit: Olly Curtis/Future via Getty Images)

Explore the intriguing double life of Klaus Fuchs, a physicist who shifted from developing the atomic bomb to becoming a spy for the Soviets. Discover the ethical dilemmas he faced while navigating loyalty and morality during wartime. The tumult of his arrest amidst Cold War tensions unfolds, revealing the profound impact of his espionage on global atomic policies. Personal anecdotes from his family add depth to the legacy of a man who changed history through betrayal and conviction.

In this engaging discussion, John Corcoran, the exhibits director at Ripley's, shares insights about Robert Ripley, the iconic cartoonist and adventurer. They delve into how Ripley transformed from a struggling sports writer into a multimillionaire during the Great Depression by captivating audiences with bizarre facts. Corcoran recounts the legendary 1940 radio interview of the Duke of Windsor, shedding light on its historical significance. Listeners will discover Ripley's unique storytelling and the enduring legacy of the ‘Believe It or Not’ phenomenon.