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Eyewitness History

What was it like to hear about the JFK assassination? Or America’s triumph over Hitler? Or seeing Queen at Live-Aid? Our past is a collection of stories that bring us to now. Welcome to the Eyewitness History podcast, where we view history through the eyes of the people that watched the events that shaped our world. 

If you have a story from history that you would like to share, I would love to hear it! Please reach out to me using my Contact form at https://www.jeremystalnecker.com

On this episode of Eyewitness History, we sit down with Jeffrey Riddick, the screenwriter and producer behind the iconic Final Destination franchise. Riddick shares his journey from aspiring writer to Hollywood powerhouse, revealing the inspirations, challenges, and creative processes that brought one of modern horror’s most enduring series to life.
 
We dive into:
 
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The genesis of Final Destination and how Riddick transformed a simple idea into a cinematic phenomenon.
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Stories from the set and behind-the-scenes insights that fans have never heard.
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The challenges of writing suspense, fear, and death in a way that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
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Jeffrey’s advice for aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters, and anyone chasing creative dreams.
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How horror reflects society’s fears and why it resonates with audiences worldwide.
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Whether you’re a diehard Final Destination fan, a lover of film history, or curious about the craft of screenwriting, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of Hollywood’s most influential horror storytellers.

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Final Destination’s Mastermind on Crafting Fear and Writing Death

In this episode of Eyewitness History, I speak with Adam Irving, grandson of historian David Irving and head of Irving Books, the publisher managing his grandfather’s works. We discuss David Irving’s career as an author, his legacy in historical debate, and what it means for Adam to balance family ties with the responsibilities of running a publishing house.
 
Disclaimer: David Irving remains a deeply controversial figure. This conversation is presented for its historical and family perspective and should not be taken as an endorsement of his views.

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Controversial Historian’s Grandson Shares Family and Publishing Perspective

In this episode of Eyewitness History, Josh Cohen welcomes actress Lorna Lembeck, who played Randy in the legendary comedy Airplane!. Lorna shares her memories from the set, what it was like to be part of a film that redefined parody, and why the movie continues to resonate with audiences more than forty years later.

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Behind the Laughs of "Airplane!" with Lorna Lembeck

In this special episode of Eyewitness History, Josh Cohen shares the story behind his new book, William F. Buckley Jr.'s Guide to Friendship in a Polarized Era. He explores how Buckley built lasting friendships across deep political divides and why his example of decency, humor, and faith matters in today’s polarized world.
 
Pre-order now - https://www.amazon.com/William-Buckley-Guide-Friendship-Polarized/dp/1956454926

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I've Written a Book!

In this episode of Eyewitness History, Josh Cohen speaks with Dr. Stephen P. Huyler — art historian, cultural anthropologist, photographer, and author of the new memoir Transformed by India: A Life. For more than five decades, Huyler has traveled across nearly every corner of India, documenting its crafts, rituals, and people while forging lifelong bonds with the communities he encountered.
 
In this conversation, Huyler reflects on his remarkable journey — from pedaling a rickshaw into India on his twentieth birthday, to curating major exhibitions around the world, to writing a memoir with a foreword by the Dalai Lama and a preface by Dr. Shashi Tharoor. Together, we explore how India transformed his life, the lessons he learned along the way, and what his story can teach us about culture, connection, and humanity.

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Eyewitness to India: Art, Culture, and a Life Transformed

On this episode of Eyewitness History, we sit down with acclaimed journalist and author Mark Danner to explore his decades-long career covering war, human rights, and the hidden stories of global conflicts. From his groundbreaking reporting on the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador to his investigations into U.S. foreign policy and the war on terror, Danner shares firsthand accounts, the challenges of reporting from conflict zones, and the ethical questions journalists face when covering violence and injustice.
 
About Mark Danner:
Mark Danner is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist, author, and professor at New York University. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, and The Atlantic, among other outlets. Danner is the author of The Massacre at El Mozote and Torture and Truth, and is recognized for his in-depth reporting on war, human rights, and U.S. foreign policy.

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Acclaimed War Journalist Discusses Getting Shot At, Overcoming Fear, and Drinking with Christopher Hitchens

John Wolfram joined the US Navy in 1967 and graduated from Underwater Demolition Training in Coronado, California in May 1968. As a Navy frogman, he was twice deployed to the war in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart from a leg wound inflicted during battle with the Viet Cong. John assisted in the Apollo 10 astronaut and space recovery and was the first frogman in the water to rescue Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins after their historical moon landing. John is the author of Splashdown, The Rescue of a Navy Frogman first published in 2008. He is now involved in missions work around the world, with special interest in the country of Vietnam. In 2018 he raised funds to build a Memorial Bible College in central Vietnam to honor five fallen SEAL teammates and three home town friends. Find out more about John here:https://www.johnwolfram.com/

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Neil Armstrong's Frogman Talks NASA Training, Apollo 11, and Being A Part Of The

Scott Armstrong was one of the lead investigators on the United States Senate Watergate Committee — and one of the four people in the room when Alexander Butterfield revealed the existence of Nixon’s secret Oval Office taping system. In this episode, Armstrong walks us through that pivotal moment in American history, how a single document raised suspicions, and what it was like to work behind the scenes on the most consequential political scandal of the 20th century.
 
We also discuss Armstrong’s early career at The Washington Post, his work with Bob Woodward on The Final Days and The Brethren, and his founding of the National Security Archive, which continues to fight for government transparency to this day.

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Former Watergate Committee Member Breaks Down the Moment Nixon’s Fate Was Sealed

Chris Skates is a novelist with 30 years of experience as a chemist at nuclear and coal plants. He’s been able to combine this diverse background of science and energy with a passion for writing. Chris began publishing in 2000, with over 150 stories, articles, and columns to his name, alongside four novels. He’s also contributed to Turkey Call Magazine and is preparing a non-fiction collection. His writing journey culminated in key roles as a speechwriter and energy advisor at both the state and national levels of government.

Moonshine Over Georgia is Chris’ most prized and honored work to date. A historical fiction novel, it pulls from the harrowing, exciting, and very real stories Chris’ grandfather would tell him growing up, working as a revenue agent in Prohibition-era Georgia. With that, Chris has become a pseudo-expert and captivating storyteller when it comes to this time in history. Once he starts talking, you’ll be enthralled by his ability to bring a story to life.
Moonshine Over Georgia Description:
 
Greed, poverty, and desperation. As control for the illegal moonshine trade rages, can one honorable man bring compassion and justice to the hills?
 
Western Georgia, 1946. Revenue agent C.E. “Kid” Miller is haunted by the suffering caused by bootlegging, but his attempt to infiltrate a major operation puts him in the crosshairs of a ruthless crime gang. As he searches for a missing informant and battles growing violence, Miller fears his fight will cost him everything, including his life.
 
Inspired by true events, *Moonshine Over Georgia* draws on author Chris Skates’ grandfather’s dangerous work and historical research to bring to life a brutal chapter of American history. If you enjoy gritty heroes and uncovering untold stories, you’ll love this gripping tale.
 
Want to Hear More: If you were as captivated by Chris's stories as we were, you absolutely need to dive into his book, Moonshine Over Georgia, and his other works, available now on Amazon.com
 

Direct Link to Chris's Author Page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Chris-Skates/author/B004V0STYO?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1742828377&sr=8-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=58efa92a-65c7-4cd9-8112-e4d05472e276

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Trump’s Former Speechwriter Discusses His New Bootlegging Tale Rooted in Southern History

In this episode of Eyewitness History, host Josh Cohen welcomes Peter Hogan, the British comic book writer and co-creator of Resident Alien, the beloved sci-fi mystery series that inspired the hit Syfy/USA television adaptation.
 
Peter shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Resident Alien came to life—both on the page and on the screen—and opens up about:
 
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His early writing career with 2000 AD and Vertigo
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Crafting the character of Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, an alien stranded on Earth
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Why empathy, humor, and mystery are at the heart of the series
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The long road to television and what he thinks of the changes made
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What fans can expect next in the comic series
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"Resident Alien" Creator Discusses Origins, Adaptation, and Storytelling

This episode we examine the intersection of books and war as we sit down with esteemed historian Andrew Pettegree. We discuss his groundbreaking work, 'THE BOOK AT WAR: How Reading Shaped Conflict and Conflict Shaped Reading,'

Pettegree challenges the notion that books and warfare exist in separate realms. Instead, he explores their intricate relationship throughout history, revealing the profound impact of words on the battlefield.

From providing solace to troops during World War II to acting as agents of warfare, books play a multifaceted role in shaping societies during times of conflict.

Our guest, Andrew Pettegree, a distinguished professor of modern history at the University of St. Andrews, brings his expertise to unravel the complex and often ambivalent dynamics between books and war.

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How Did Reading Books Shape War?

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