Behind the Laughs of "Airplane!" with Lorna Lembeck

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/1956454926See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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-e4d05472e276See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: His early writing career with 2000 AD and Vertigo Crafting the character of Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, an alien stranded on Earth Why empathy, humor, and mystery are at the heart of the series The long road to television and what he thinks of the changes made What fans can expect next in the comic series See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re joined by actor, director, and producer Kevin Sorbo, best known for his iconic role as Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and his work on Andromeda. Kevin opens up about getting the role of Hercules, fame, his transition into faith-based filmmaking. We dive deep into his thoughts on the importance of values-driven storytelling, and the polarization within the entertainment industry. Sorbo also shares his personal journey, the impact of his faith on his career, and why he continues to pursue projects that align with his beliefs, even in the face of adversity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special re-release of Eyewitness History, we honor the life and legacy of Esther Basch, who passed away on April 14, 2025—exactly 80 years to the day she was liberated from the Salzwedel Concentration Camp by American soldiers. Known to many as “The Honey Girl of Auschwitz,” Esther survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, and endured a brutal death march before her liberation. In this unforgettable conversation, she shares how her 16th birthday was marked by arrival at Auschwitz, the loss of her parents, the forced labor she endured, and how she came face-to-face with Josef Mengele. But more than a story of survival, Esther's legacy is one of forgiveness. “I cannot forget, but I can forgive because if I don’t forgive, then I suffer, and I suffered enough,” she would often say. Until her final days, Esther traveled, spoke, and educated countless people—young and old—about the Holocaust, never turning down an opportunity to tell her story. She became not only a pillar of Holocaust education but also a symbol of resilience, optimism, and love. We re-release this episode in her memory—with deep gratitude and reverence. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review Eyewitness History.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.