Vassilis Paleokostas, aka “Greece’s Robin Hood,†has been on the lam for 14 years. In his absence, legends of his generosity have grown. But no one knows where he is, or if the stories are even true. Here’s what we do know: there’s a million Euro bounty out for Vassilis, and a 24-hour task force trying to track him down. When he robs banks, he shares the money with the poor. When he kidnaps industrialists -- and he only kidnaps those who are known for unfair labor practices -- they give baffling interviews showing how he opened their minds. And when he escapes heavily reinforced prisons, as he’s done ... by helicopter ... twice, he does it without harming a guard. Join host Miles Gray and our team of Greek reporters as we follow Vassilis’ trail from Athens to tiny islands to remote mountain hideouts. Along the way, we’ll meet Vassilis’s inner circle, chat with police chiefs and prime ministers, and work to understand how this thief managed to steal the country’s heart.Â
The OUTLAWS: The Good Thief podcast is a refreshing and fascinating change from the typical true crime podcasts. It stands out by not relying on graphic descriptions of violence, instead focusing on extensive research and storytelling. The podcast team, which notably includes several Greeks, clearly put in a tremendous amount of effort, spending over a year on research and production. They conducted numerous interviews, including one with a former prime minister of Greece. One of the best aspects of the podcast is how it contextualizes the crimes of Paleokostas within Greek society and culture, allowing non-Greeks to understand why he is held in high esteem by some. The podcast presents multiple perspectives without being one-sided, offering insights from both supporters and detractors of Paleokostas.
The intelligent and humorous nature of this podcast sets it apart as an excellent work of journalism covering an incredible true story. It consistently keeps listeners engaged with its mix of cerebral aspects, such as exploring the history and contradictions within Greek society. Despite the length of the series, there is no fluff or wasted time – every episode feels necessary and well-paced. The narrator's style and delivery make him someone you would want as your sidekick throughout this exciting journey.
It's difficult to find any substantial negative aspects to highlight about this podcast. However, some listeners may have preferred more exploration into certain areas or additional episodes to fully delve into the story. Nevertheless, this does not detract from the quality or enjoyment of the existing episodes.
In conclusion, The OUTLAWS: The Good Thief podcast is a standout in the world of true crime podcasts. Its thorough research, engaging storytelling, and cultural context make it an incredibly well-done production. Listeners will appreciate its intelligent approach that avoids common pitfalls found in many crime podcasts today. With its great narration, lack of unnecessary repetition, and captivating storylines, this podcast is highly recommended for those seeking a riveting listening experience.
What is it like to shadow Elon Musk for two years? To sit courtside as he builds a rocket? Or tears apart an engineer? Or couch surfs at the homes of billionaires? And how on earth do you make sense of it all? Walter Isaacson is the biographer of giants: DaVinci, Franklin, Doudna, Jobs...and now Musk, former enfante terrible, rocket launcher, electric car innovator, and Twitter—er, X—disruptor, to put it gently. In this four part series, author Evan Ratliff (Mastermind, Longform Podcast) sits down with Isaacson to draw out the behind-the-scenes stories of this epic biography, and what the writer has learned as an outsider inside Silicon Valley. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After a rumored sighting, the team chases Vassilis deep into a remote mountain range, where everybody is hiding something. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As Vassilis plans one last score, things start to fall apart. Meanwhile, thanks to a surprising tip, George and Christina come face-to-face with Vassilis's older brother, Nikos. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nobody thought it was possible to escape from Greece's toughest maximum security prison, until Vassilis did it. With a helicopter. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We send Kaleidoscope's Costas Linos along with investigative journalist Nick Niarchos on an adventure through anarchist enclaves, island retreats, and isolated monasteries to find out why Greece embraces outlaws like Vassilis. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vassilis spends his loot seeing the world, until he and Nikos stumble into a new idea: kidnapping. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A mysterious manuscript gives us an inside look at Vassilis's first prison escape, and explains how his moral code took shape. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Every bank robber has to start somewhere. We track down the man who taught Vassilis the art of crime. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Miles and the team learn how Vassilis and his gang pulled off the biggest bank robbery in Greek history without firing a single shot. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Introducing the first season of OUTLAWS: The Good Thief. We're on the trail of Vassilis Paleokostas, Greece's most-wanted man—a real-life Robin Hood known for stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Fourteen years ago, after pulling off a string of unbelievable heists, Vassilis disappeared. Where is he now? And why does his legend still have such a hold on people? Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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