Need To Know

In this episode, Bryce Zabel offers his perspective on Disclosure Day not simply as a movie, but as a cultural milestone in the UFO conversation. He examines how Steven Spielberg approaches the subject, what the film gets right, where it takes creative liberties, and whether it succeeds as a meaningful disclosure story for a mainstream audience. More importantly, Bryce explores the larger question: if humanity were faced with undeniable evidence of a non-human presence, would our reaction resemble Spielberg's vision, or would the reality be far more complicated?

In this episode of Need to Know, Bryce Zabel and Richard Dolan tackle one of the most important questions in the UFO conversation: what do we actually mean when we say "disclosure"? With Steven Spielberg's upcoming film Disclosure Day reigniting public interest in the topic, Bryce and Rich explore the difference between government transparency, whistleblower revelations, leaked documents, and the true "big D" Disclosure: the official acknowledgment that humanity is interacting with a non-human intelligence. They revisit the ideas behind their book A.D. After Disclosure and examine how the world has changed since it was first written, from congressional hearings and Pentagon videos to AI, social media, and the modern information landscape. The discussion dives deep into the concept of a breakaway civilization, the role of private aerospace and intelligence contractors, the limits of government authority, and whether disclosure would unite humanity or further divide an already fractured society. Bryce and Rich debate the significance of recent UFO file releases, the influence of figures like Steven Spielberg on the public narrative, and whether an official disclosure event is even possible in today's world. Along the way, they ask the big questions: Who really controls the UFO story? What happens when the truth becomes undeniable? And will either of them live to see a moment that fundamentally changes humanity's understanding of its place in the universe?

The Trump administration's first major UFO/UAP document release has triggered a worldwide media firestorm — with newly declassified files, Apollo-era astronaut reports, military encounters, intelligence documents, and unexplained aerial incidents dominating headlines across cable news, newspapers, podcasts, and social media. The release, presented as the beginning of an ongoing "slow drip" disclosure process, includes references to astronaut sightings during the Apollo missions, unresolved military cases, and decades of government investigation into anomalous phenomena. For many observers, the question is no longer whether something unexplained is happening — but how much the government actually knows, and how long it has known it. In this special stand-alone episode, Bryce Zabel responds personally and passionately to the release through the lens of a lifetime spent chasing the mystery — from co-creating NBC's Dark Skies and being approached by men claiming to be from the Office of Naval Intelligence, to writing A.D. After Disclosure with Richard Dolan and working alongside Ross Coulthart during the modern disclosure era. Bryce connects the newly released Apollo material to conversations he had nearly thirty years ago about the Moon and secrecy, reflects on why gradual disclosure may once have made sense, and ultimately asks the question he believes millions of people are now asking: if the government truly possesses definitive evidence — the photos, the videos, the craft — then why are we still being shown blurry dots in the sky? His conclusion is simple, as you'll see when you hear it.

In this episode of Project Book Club, Bryce Zabel and Chrissy Newton dive into Sekret Machines: Gods, Man & War by Tom DeLonge and Peter Levenda. The discussion unpacks how the book blends history, mythology, and modern-day accounts to explore humanity's long and complex relationship with non-human intelligence. Rather than presenting UFOs as a purely contemporary mystery, DeLonge and Levenda frame the phenomenon as deeply rooted in our collective past, stretching from ancient civilizations to present-day encounters. Bryce and Chrissy consider how the book challenges conventional thinking by drawing parallels between mythology and modern sightings, suggesting that what we've long described as gods, angels, or demons may share common ground with today's UAP reports. They reflect on the balance between hard evidence, cultural interpretation, and the ways secrecy has shaped public understanding of these mysteries. The episode invites listeners to consider how narratives of contact—both ancient and modern—may hold clues about who "they" are and why they continue to appear in human history. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the book's value as both a thought experiment and a serious attempt to reframe the UAP phenomenon. Bryce and Chrissy leave listeners with big questions about how history, spirituality, and disclosure intersect, setting the stage for future conversations that will continue to explore these intersections with open curiosity and rigorous discussion.

In this episode of Project Book Club, Bryce Zabel and Chrissy Newton explore Encounters, the follow-up to Dr. Diana Walsh Pasulka's American Cosmic. The conversation centers on the evolving relationship between technology, belief, and non-human intelligence, with Bryce and Chrissy examining the book's central thesis: that the phenomenon is not just material, but deeply metaphysical—and that contact may already be happening, just not in ways we fully understand. They discuss the unique cast of characters Pasulka highlights, including scientists, technologists, and experiencers who remain anonymous yet share stunning claims. From mysterious artifacts to altered states of consciousness, the episode dives into how Encounters blends religious studies, high strangeness, and modern science in a way that challenges traditional disclosure narratives. Bryce and Chrissy weigh in on Pasulka's writing style, noting the poetic, sometimes abstract tone that leaves room for interpretation and wonder. They also share their personal takeaways—what resonated, what raised eyebrows, and how this book fits into the larger puzzle of UAP research. Along the way, they reflect on themes of secrecy, belief, and the possibility that humanity is already in dialogue with something beyond itself. As always, the conversation is rich with insight, curiosity, and just the right amount of caffeine. This episode invites listeners not only to read the book but to question how we define evidence, contact, and reality itself.

In this episode, Bryce Zabel and Chrissy Newton take a deep dive into Imminent, the highly anticipated memoir by Lue Elizondo. From his unusual upbringing and military background to his insider perspective on AATIP and UAP disclosure, the book covers a wide range of bold and fascinating topics. The hosts discuss Elizondo's revelations about crash retrievals, biologics, Roswell, and the secretive Interloper program, while also exploring his focus on consciousness, national security, and the challenges of pushing this conversation forward. They reflect on the book's tone, structure, and impact, acknowledging both its strengths and the questions it raises. Bryce and Chrissy offer thoughtful commentary on the balance between personal storytelling and hard evidence, and why Imminent feels like a pivotal entry in the growing library of serious UAP literature. Whether you're a longtime follower of Elizondo's journey or just getting started, this conversation brings both insight and appreciation to one of the most talked-about books in the field.

Welcome to the first episode of Project Book Club, where hosts Bryce Zabel and Chrissy Newton launch a fresh kind of conversation around the books that shape the UFO and consciousness landscape. This isn't your typical late-night podcast. It's a morning-show-style book club made for readers who want to explore the unknown with a hot drink in hand and curiosity on full blast. In this episode, Bryce and Chrissy dive into The Believer by Ralph Blumenthal, the biography of Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack. Mack rose to prominence for his Pulitzer Prize-winning work, but his legacy shifted dramatically when he began studying alien abduction phenomena. Bryce and Chrissy unpack the book's layered portrait of Mack, exploring his courage, contradictions, and the firestorm he faced from Harvard when he chose to publicly validate the experiences of abductees. The discussion touches on the emotional depth of Mack's journey, including his personal flaws, academic brilliance, and the spiritual and philosophical questions that guided his work. They examine how Mack challenged the limits of Western scientific thought, his interest in consciousness, and how his openness to Eastern philosophies influenced both his worldview and research methods. Bryce and Chrissy also reflect on some of the major events in Mack's life, like his involvement in the Ariel School incident in Zimbabwe, and his controversial interviews on national television. They take time to discuss his critics, his supporters, and the legacy he left behind when he died unexpectedly in 2004. Through thoughtful insights and a bit of morning humor, this episode sets the stage for what Project Book Club is all about: digging deep into powerful stories, asking big questions, and creating a community where readers can explore the unknown together. ProjectBookClub.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this wide-ranging episode of Need to Know, Ross Coulthart and Bryce Zabel explore some of the most urgent and complex developments in the UAP world, politics, and history. They begin with a take on the recent Signal security scandal in the U.S. government, comparing it to their own use of encrypted messaging. This segues into a deep dive on the continuing UAP drone saga over U.S. airspace. Ross goes so far as to say these objects are likely anomalous and potentially connected to non-human intelligence. They express frustration over official government explanations that no longer hold up and a media landscape that fails to ask the right questions. The duo also covers the growing importance of independent projects like Skywatcher, which claims to have repeatedly summoned and filmed UAPs, including jellyfish-like aerial entities, with advanced equipment. They highlight the risk of foreign powers like Russia or China beating the U.S. to disclosure and discuss the lack of action from the new presidential administration despite previous promises. Other key topics include David Grusch joining Congress, the failure of government institutions to act transparently, and the newly released JFK documents, where Ross shares jaw-dropping claims about potential links between JFK and a secret UAP retrieval operation. They close by emphasizing the need for real evidence and discernment in the age of misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices