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In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of the Chicago Outfit’s informants, featuring insights from my late friend, Cam Robinson, and Paul Whitcomb, a well-respected expert on the mob. This special compilation draws from past interviews and shorts that once highlighted various informants who operated during the notorious 1980s era of organized crime in Chicago. Through a series of concise segments, we explore the lives of key players who chose to turn against the Outfit, revealing the complex motivations and consequences of their decisions. We kick things off by revisiting the tale of Paul “Peanuts” Pansko, an influential figure leading the Polish faction of the Outfit. Pansko's criminal activities, including a racetrack heist, not only placed him in dangerous territory but also set into motion a chain of events that would later link to the infamous Family Secrets trial. It's during this journey that we outline how interconnected the informants’ narratives are, showcasing how Pansko’s actions inadvertently unraveled parts of the organization.   The discussion shifts to more dramatic stories, including Mario Rainone. Rainone's infamous decision to cooperate with the authorities opened the door to significant revelations about Lenny Patrick, one of the highest-ranking Outfit members to switch sides. Rainone's tapes ultimately led to the dismantling of major sections of the Outfit’s operations, including political connections that had long shielded them from legal repercussions.   We also explore the tale of Ken “Tokyo Joe” Eto, a Japanese mobster who thrived within the Outfit’s ranks. His attempts at self-preservation after surviving an assassination effort highlighted the stark realities faced by those who navigated the perilous landscape of organized crime. As he eventually became a witness for the prosecution, Eto’s insights illuminated the internal workings of one of Chicago’s most feared organizations. The episode further examines dramatic betrayals and deadly encounters that shaped the Outfit’s legacy. From the chilling events surrounding the murders of the Spilotro brothers, orchestrated by their own associates for reasons steeped in loyalty and betrayal, to the grim fate that met informants like Al Toco and the impact of domestic discord on organized crime, each tale is a window into the bleak realities faced by both mobsters and informants alike. As we round out the episode, we reflect on the cultural dynamics surrounding informants, particularly how personal relationships and family ties heavily influenced their decisions to cooperate. It becomes clear through the interviews that while fear of retribution often compels loyalty, the specter of betrayal looms large within the mob. This multifaceted examination blends personal stories with historical context, providing a deeper understanding of the Chicago Outfit’s complexity and its operatives. Join us in this retrospective journey through the shadows of organized crime as we pay homage to those who bravely shared their stories, revealing the inner workings of a criminal empire that continues to fascinate and terrify in equal measure. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Subscribe to the website for weekly notifications about updates and other Mob information. To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent ‘Brothers against Brothers’ or ‘Gangland Wire,’ the documentaries click here.  To purchase one of my books, click here. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, guys, after listening to Bob Cooley, one of the more damaging sources and witness and informant to the Chicago Outfit outside of the Calabrese family, [0:13] Nick and his nephew, Frank Jr., I got the rest of the Chicago Outfit informants on tap here. No, not really. They’re not coming in. But I did do a story. I did a series of shorts a few years, or I don’t know, two or three years ago, maybe. [0:32] I interviewed my late friend, Cam Robinson, rest in peace, Cam. So you get to hear from him again. And Paul Whitcomb, who is a Chicago outfit expert, he’s been on this. They used to have some kind of a round table show up there. I don’t know if they still have it or not with the Seiferts. But anyhow, I got these guys to sit down with me and talk about all the different informants in Chicago during the, it was during the 80s. So this is just kind of a series of shorts that I put up before. They’re six or eight minutes long, I think, each one of them, that they talk about different informants. This kind of threw it together as another little bonus episode we’ve done. And I went to Chicago, if you notice, after Johnny Russo, which I apologize for in a way, I don’t know. I mean, the guy’s got some crazy-ass stories, doesn’t he? Who am I to say that he didn’t do it? But most people know that he didn’t do most of that stuff. Anyhow, so I threw up another Chicago right away about the guy that had the race wire that they killed, James Reagan. [1:38] Then i had this interview that i’d been doing during those last couple weeks with bob cooley who’s appeared uh out of nowhere and he’ll maybe see him on some other shows now he’s he’s wanting to do shows he tells me so after hearing bob cooley talk i thought well i’m doing do one more i want to just throw it up as an extra uh from some of my old chicago outfit stuff and that’ll finish me off on the Chicago outfit for a while. I hadn’t, I hadn’t been in Chicago, uh, doing shows about Chicago for quite a while. And, and I didn’t want to, uh, neglect you guys. You know, I get a lot of books written about New York and I’ve got all these authors that are wanting to do these books about New York. Uh, not so much about Chicago. So if you got anybody that, you know, wants to, got a book and wants to come on the show, uh, talking about the outfit, why steer them to me. So anyhow, just sit back and relax and enjoy. [2:37] My late, great friend, Cam Robinson. One more look at Cam, for those of you who remember him, and Paul Whitcomb. And we’re going to talk about famous snitches from Chicago. Thanks, guys. Well, let’s move along now to, this is kind of interesting, Paul Peanuts Panczko, who was the leader of the Polish branch of the outfield. Is that what you would call Peanuts Panczko, the leader of the Polish branch? If the Polish branch is the Panczko family, which you could easily say there were three brothers, then yeah, that wouldn’t be right. We haven’t really done a show on them. I don’t know a whole lot about them other than they were released at all. So we said non-Italian, Peckerwood, as we call them at Kansas City, professional criminals who did a lot of business with different outfit people. And he did a robbery of a racetrack. I think it’s the Balmoral Racetrack. It’s the name of it. James Duke Basile and then Panczko was in trouble for that and he convinced Basile to come in and they did some talking remember anything about that situation, you know in a lot of ways you. [3:50] Panczko could be considered one of the first dominoes that eventually led to the Family Secrets trial. Panczko, as you said, led to Dookie Bazile, who they had done robberies together. Bazile led them to Scarpelli, who was a much higher guy. I mean, there’s debate, but he was, because there was a making ceremony at this time, but Scarpelli was pretty highly ranked. I mean, he was a known killer, and he was up there. He was in the wild bunch. But Scarpelli then did tell them about a lot of the things that Frank Calabrese had done. [4:28] He wasn’t known as well as Scarpelli had brought him up to be. And a lot of those things dominoed into what would eventually lead to family secrets years later. [4:42] Scarpelli, I think, did not know so much about Nick, but he did know about Frank. And so a lot of that information sort of filled in the gaps. And even though Frank Calabrese Jr. Led them led them to Nick They A lot of seeds were planted And can be traced back to Pianus Pansico Um. [5:01] So it is kind of an interesting line. Basile, he wore a wire on Scarpelli and not even talking about a lot of these things. It’s not the FBI knew about that. They were in a car together. Right. If I remember right, he even talked about a mob graveyard. They went up there and they found two or three bodies. One of them was connected. It wasn’t anybody really important, but one of them was connected to Harry Aleman. So it was a pretty important wearing of a wire on Scarpelli, who then came at himself for a while. And that’s what led to the family secrets. He talked about Frank Calabrese. Is that what you’re saying? Yeah, that’s right. And some of those bodies in that graveyard were 10 years apart, which was interesting. I’ve got, it’s on the map that I created, but some of those bodies, there was years in between them. So it was something they were going back to and they believed that there were a lot of things there they did not find. Yeah, because they built a health care facility or something. They built some big building over where there would have been bodies. Right. Right. And the fascinating thing about this is Scarpelli, like, just like Cam said, this guy was a serious killer. He was a muscle builder. He was a terrifying guy. I mean, he had almost inhuman physical strength. Yeah. And when he flipped, he was completely debriefed by the FBI and the DOJ and then decided to try and change his mind. [6:27] But before he could do that He hung himself in the bathroom Of the Metropolitan Correctional Center With his hands behind his back And a bag over his head, Who was he in prison with? Who was he in MCC with, Paul? Was it anybody? He did happen to be in the MCC with the German at the time. He bound his hands behind his back and put a bag over his own head. He did. He did. And so the outfit continues to somehow persuade people to take their own lives rather than testify against them. [7:07] It’s a hell of a way to die by suicide it is by suicide at least they didn’t have arrows in his back, not as far as we know yeah it was terrible he cut his own head off I saw a cartoon once that the homicide guy liked to go ahead and maybe real suckle of suicide because then you could just walk away from it so there’s a dead body laying there with a bunch of arrows at his back and a homicide detective standing over him with a hand and pencil and says, hmm, suicide, huh? [7:44] Got the inside joke. It worked homicide. You see how those guys sometimes will try to make something into a suicide that probably is a homicide. On the other hand, we had one, we had a mob guy, he wasn’t really a mob associate, who had gone to Vegas. He lost a lot of money and they found his body in his car at the airport parking lot after coming back from Vegas and they found out later lost a lot of money and the car was parked up against the fence and he was shot in the head and there was no gun in the car you know found so just assume that somebody shot him in his head the car kept going and rolling up against the fence. [8:25] But this one detective, I remember Bob Pence is his name. He was dumb. And he started, he went back over and he dusted that car for prints again. And he got some more evidence out of it. And then he went back to the airport and he looked and started asking questions. And he found out later that somebody who had a pickup truck parked there had a week later, three or four days later, come back and got his truck. When he got home he found a pistol inside the bed of his truck and he called the airport or he called somebody turned it in Pinson found that pistol that was a pistol that that shot the guy so Pinson's theory was he was rolling along in his car he shot himself in the head and then he flipped that pistol out is with a reaction he flipped it out and went in the bed in that pickup and then it rolled on up against the fence and they ruled it a suicide wow damn that’s not that different than Scarpelli I mean the fbi to this day insists it was suicide yeah well, Oh, well, right. All right. Let’s move along to Mario. John, the arm. Rainone. [9:41] Is that correct, Cam? That yeah, that’s Rainone. Yeah. So tell us about that. I know we talked about this, you know, a little bit about this one. [9:50] This is kind of a funny one. He was he was sent to kill a building inspector. Raynaud was with the Grand Avenue crew and so he’s en route to kill this guy and this is one of those mob blunders and he sees a couple guys following him and it’s Rudy Fredo and Willie Messino and he recognizes him when he’s driving over there and it’s important to point out who these guys are, Cam, not to interrupt you Willie Messino, was the right hand man and bodyguard for Tony Accardo for 30 years I mean, he was serious, serious business. Rudy Frayto, you know, the chin, but Massino was serious news. If you saw Willie Massino, you knew he were in for trouble. Yeah, he wasn’t there as backup to do anything except clean up after Rainone, including Rainone. So Rainone saw the writing on the wall. He pulls up and he goes straight to the FBI. [10:54] And he informs, he talks to them and gives them his information. And later on, he sort of regrets doing so, denies that he ever did. Uh, there were, there were, uh, articles written about him. There’s a, there’s a Chicago Tribune writer, John Cass, and Ray Nolan had a back and forth with him writing letters. This is how these mob guys in Chicago operate, talking about, I’m, I ain’t no beefer. And, uh. Once he was out of prison in 2009, he was busted several more times. If you can believe it, he stayed in the criminal life. He was robbing a liquor store with another guy. And the guy he was robbing with, this is why I jump ahead a little bit, was a guy named Vincent Forliano. He claimed that he didn’t even know Fratto or Messino. These were guys he didn’t know, so he never would have informed against them. The guy he was robbing the liquor store with and he was committing other robberies with, Vincent Forliano, was Fredo’s son-in-law. [11:56] So he was committing robberies with a guy related to the guy, but he didn’t know who they were. And to say that somebody didn’t know, as Paul said, Willie Messino, is just ludicrous. Anybody in the criminal atmosphere, period, knew who Willie Messino was because you were probably paying money to it. to exist. And this is extremely important because Rainone, at the time this happened, Rainone cooperated long enough to record conversations with Lenny Patrick. That’s right. That’s right. And that set dominoes in place that would lead to the fall of the outfit. Even though he tried to take back his cooperation, to say he never cooperated, I’ve heard those tapes that were played in trials that I participated in, so I I know better. Uh, and that’s why they call him Mario flip flop Rainone because he, uh, would cooperate and uncooperate and then cooperate. But he is the one who got Lenny Patrick on the hook. Yeah. [13:00] Interesting, interesting. Let’s just continue on with this Lenny Patrick because we weren’t going to talk about him. That’s a good lead hand to talk about another, really one of the most important informants that year who testified. [13:13] Can you talk about the domino that led to the end? Rainone really, really flipped the domino that kicked over. Go ahead, Paul. Well, Lenny Patrick was the highest, and even to this day, remains the highest ranking member of the outfit to ever turn state’s evidence. The guy was a capo in all but name. He had been in charge of Rogers Park, the gambling. He was essentially the head of the Jewish arm of the mafia, kind of the Meyer Lansky figure of Chicago. And when the Lawndale neighborhood moved north to Rogers Park, he moved with them, and he had his own crew. He reported directly to Gus Alex, who was, of course, at the very top, and Sam Carlisi. And he was dealing with Marcello and Carlesi in a number of different outfit ventures, loan sharking. He personally had been staked by Carlesi with a quarter million in cash to put out on the street. And he was involved in extortions Bombings of theaters All these things directly at the command of Sam Carlisi Who was then the boss of bosses of the Chicago outfit So when Rainone got him on tape They set up what was the beginning of the end for the outfit And I think people need to understand who Gus Alex is also For people outside of Chicago Gus Alex was. [14:40] Basically, I guess you could call him the equivalent of maybe the consigliere in Chicago. When you look at Chicago, the triumvirate in the 70s, once a guy like Paul Ricca died and several major outfit leaders died in the early 70s. [14:58] Tony Accardo decided that the outfit would be led by himself, by Joy Iupa, and the political wing and all of the non-Italians and all of the grift and a lot of aspects would be led by Gus Alex. So he was essentially on the same level as Joey Iupa, and he was responsible for much more for things of greater import than Joey Iupa. I mean, controlling the political arm and all the payoffs and all of that is much, much more than the streets and the murders. So all the politics and all the anything that had to do was definitely fell under gus alex and he was part of a ruling triumvirate he was a non-italian part of a ruling triumvirate with iupa and uh acardo so he was the the leader top of the outfit and he had been for years going back to going back to the 30s and the 40s 40 he had come up under, the Murray the Camel Humphreys and had made those connections he was the most connected guy in the Chicago outfit, so for a guy like Lenny Patrick to be. [16:15] Rollover against is essentially the political leader, national political leader and political leader of Chicago. This was absolutely crippling to the outfit. That was he wiped out the entire political arm of the Chicago outfit. After Lenny Patrick brought down Gus Alex, this became a basically a street crime organization. It was that those political contacts. I mean, I think that’s a fair statement, right, Paul? Those political contacts and judges, I mean, that was all but eliminated with Gus Alex going away. You’re absolutely right, Cam. And he not only took out Gus Alex, but he took out the boss of the Italians, too. That’s right, yeah. Both of them at the same time. He wiped out the outfit, and you put it beautifully by saying it became a street crime organization. You think about the division of labor and it started with IUP and IUP and. [17:19] La Pietra, Jackie Cerone, they had all the gambling, a lot of the sports gambling, but they also had the skim from Las Vegas, and they ran all that stuff, while Gus Alex, along with Lenny Patrick, ran all that politics, and you can’t have a mob organization if you don’t have cover politically. That’s why even in Kansas City, we’re pretty clean here, but we still never had any real mob prosecutions. [17:47] And it certainly had very few, if any, little, if any mob prosecutions at Cook County. And you couldn’t even get convicted of a real crime, murder, assault, or something. It’s just a straight-out crime. You weren’t even trying to do a RICO, I think, on anybody. So it was, you know, they just operated with impunity. Well, you took out that whole gambling side. That was all the money coming in. And then shortly thereafter, you take out the political side, who then turns back and gets the new boss on the gambling side and loan sharking and all that. [18:23] I’ll tell you, by 1990, the outfit’s gone. It really is. It still exists to a degree, but Sam Carlisi was the last traditional old line boss of the outfit. you, that, in my opinion, that ever ruled. After that, it was never the same. Yeah, I think a guy like Gus Alex, you know, like you said, Gary, you had Aiuppa who was dealing with gambling, but I think that’s a lot of, there’s a lot of optics to that, you know, and you’ve got all these cities who have got characters who are not Italian, Gus Alex in Chicago, and, you know, as Paul said, Meyer Lansky, who was New York, and you had Mashie Rockman in Cleveland, and these characters not italians so they know when to step back and let and let the italians talk but that doesn’t mean that they’re not running things it’s just for the optics of city to city where the italians have to see that they’re dealing with italians they don’t walk in the room it doesn’t mean that behind the scenes they’re not pulling the levers they just because of of the uh uh criminal um. [19:34] The the criminal view of of non-italians in that world sort of sort of their own prejudices these guys don’t always walk in the room when they’re dealing with other cities gus alex is is sitting down with anybody in chicago but you go to kansas city you go to new york, you know meyer lansky would leave the room when they were when they were talking you know italian to Italian. And the same thing with Gus Alex or Mace Rockman or any of those other guys who are not Italian. It was just an optics city to city. It doesn’t mean that they weren’t pulling the levers. Is it Yehuda or Jehuda, Cam? Jehuda. I’ve always heard of Jehuda. Yeah, Jehuda. So he kind of dealed with the IRS that year. [20:23] He must have had some. The IRS was really strong working the mob in Chicago. I’ve noticed several references to IRS investigations. We did not have that in Kansas City, and the IRS did a little bit, but they were not as strong as they were up in Chicago. [20:38] Yeah, he met with an agent, Tom Moriarty, who’s been around and worked Chicago for a long time. He was a pretty well-known guy up here. But Bill Jehota worked under Ernest Rocco Infelice, who was a real powerhouse going back a long time. And out in Cicero, and his crew, a lot of these crews had their own little names, and they called the good shit Lollipop. He was a huge gambling enterprise, you know. And they bought a house up in Lake County, which is north of the city. It’s funny, this house they bought was actually the family that had lived in it. The son had murdered the family. It was a murder house before the outfit bought it. and uh they bought it used it as a as a gambling den and and after that moved out they used it for prostitution and they would park cars at a nearby motel that they ran and then then have a uh a, valet service that drove him to this this gambling house and there was also quite a few uh murders that uhJahoda witnessed i’m sure he took no part in it he just happened to be standing outside of the house when they when they these murders were committed there was a uh was it hal smith and um. [21:57] Oh i can’t remember the they killed somebody else in this home and they burnt these were guys who didn’t want to pay his tree tags, and they were gamblers who refused to give in. And he brought down this entire crew. I mean, Rocco and Felice was… There’s a famous picture of the day after the Spolatros were killed. And it was really the upper echelon of the up that you’ve got. You’ve got little Jimmy Marcello. You’ve got the boss, Sam Wings-Carlesi. You’ve got the street boss, Joe Ferriola. And you’ve got Rocco and Felice, who’s right there. These are the four top guys, basically, in the outfit as far as at this time, the Cicero crew had risen to the top. That was the powerhouse crew. And so he was involved in those discussions because he was such a powerhouse out there with Ferriola being the street boss. So he was, it really can’t be thatJahodatestimony that eventually brought down this crew was really, it really crippled that crew for a long time. Well, those people that went down in that trial have only in the last five years come out of prison. Yeah, we’ve actually had been talking to somebody. We’ve had the… [23:13] Opportunity to meet he brought down uh uh robert um to go beat um bellavia and another guy who doesn’t like to be mentioned who runs a pretty successful pizza pizza chain up in lake county and uh these guys went down for a long time the beat was down for 25 years and he just came out. [23:39] So and billJahoda have if you read his testimony it is kind of kind of odd that he was standing outside of the building and just looked in the window and they were committing a murder and he just he he places himself outside of the house witnessing a murder through the window which is convenient when you’re the one testifying against murderers it certainly is yeah. [24:03] So so that was he was involved in the gambling so that makes sense then the irs got him and millions of dollars millions of dollars a month they were bringing and he met uh, i don’t remember paul and you did he he contacted moriarty right or did moriarty reach out to him because he was under investigation i i thought Jahoda was was worried about himself so he reached out to them i can’t remember the details i think you’re right yeah i i think he was worried about his own his own safety gary and he reached out to moriarty and they met up at a hotel just outside the city on the uh up in the northwest and uh they talked about things i actually found the location and on the little map you can find where where they met each other but he they met each other in disgust and they would meet different locations and and jahuda wore a wire and some of those some of those wiretaps are they really make for that. [25:05] That those conversations come right out of the movie just i love what we’re doing out here and i love my job and and you actually where i’m going to make you trunk music i mean you really hear these things that that you see it right in the movies i mean you you can’t write the dialogue that these guys are actually using it’s it’s it’s you know it it comes straight out of a book i mean You’ve got, you’ve got, uh, this is the toughest dialogue you’ll ever hear. Interesting. How’d you buy it? Where’d you find that at? Is that, uh, it’s probably not the audio in probably anywhere. No book or something. Yeah. You can, if you look up, if you look up different, different, you know, you go on newspapers.com or you go in different, uh, I believe, uh, I’ve got, um, uh, mob textbook by, um, Howard Abedinsky. I’ve got a couple of copies of his, of his textbook, organized crime. And he’s got some clips of it. This guy who owns a pizza shop up north is talking about how he loves his job. He loves what he does. And it’s funny to hear he talk about smashing somebody and loving what you do. Really? I’ve heard a few conversations like that back at the station house. [26:25] I don’t care. It’s on both sides. Is that what you’re saying? When you live in that world. Those guys can go either direction. [26:37] Well, let’s talk about ex-Chicago cops. Speaking of cops, let’s talk about, Vince Rizza, his daughter actually appeared on that Chicago Mob Housewives, or they tried to do a show. And Frank Schweiss’ daughter was on it. And Pia Rizza, who has gotten some notoriety as a model or something, I can’t remember. And she really, she was tight. She would not talk about her dad at all. I read an interview of her. She would just talk about her dad at all. But he came in and he testified against Harry Aleman, of all people, and linked him to the murder of this bookie, Anthony Ritlinger. Remember that one? [27:22] Go ahead, Paul. No, that one I’m not very up on, Cam. I’m sorry. So, Ritlinger, I believe he didn’t want to pay his street tax, if I’m right, Gary. Yeah, you’re right. He had been warned. Rattlinger had been warned that he needs to pay, he needs to pay, and he was making a good deal of money. And Ratlinger was he was brought in just the normal course of action with the wild bunch because he was a wild bunch murder I’m a little rusty but here it comes so he was a wild bunch killing, he was brought in he was warned it was the typical Harry Ailerman and if I’m remembering correctly and people correct me if I’m not it was Butch Petruccelli they sat him down. [28:11] Usually it would be Butch and, um, uh, Borsellino who would do the talking, uh, Tony Borsellino, and they would do the talking. And then afterwards, Butch Petruccelli would just sit down and glare. So he was a pretty scary guy. And he had that, uh, uh, Malocchio, the, the evil eye, and he would just glare at people. And that would send the message and Rattlinger didn’t, didn’t listen. He was making too much money, he’s not going to pay any damn Degos, that kind of line. And so he, of course, fell victim to these guys. And I believe he may have been trunk music. I think I remember this one, Matt, but I can’t remember. Yeah, I got this one. He went to a restaurant. That’s right. That’s right. And he had already, his daughter lived with him. I’m not sure about the wife, but he had warned his family to take all kinds of extra cautious. He knew something was coming. And it was, you know, after reading that thing, it’s, It’s kind of like, well, we talked about Spilotro taking off their jewelry. Ken Eto did this similar kind of a thing and told his wife he may not be coming back. [29:22] I tell you, another guy that did the same thing was Sonny Black. That’s right. It came out about Joe Pistone, the Donnie Brasco story. He did the same thing. He went to a sit-down or a meeting, and he took off his jewelry, I believe left his billfold, when he went to the meeting. this. Ken Eto was the same way. Ken Eto, I think, thought he could talk his way out. I think all of them thought they could talk their way out of it. So Rettlinger went out by himself and sat in a prominent place in this local restaurant that was really well known up there in the north side. It’s north of downtown Chicago, and I can’t remember the name of it. [30:02] And he just sat there and pretty soon a car pulls up and two guys run in kind of like a Richard Cain kind of a deal and just start popping. And that was a Harry Aleman deal. That’s right. He did, I believe. There’s an old guy who married the girlfriend of Felix Adlericio, I believe. He and this woman are sitting out in front of their brownstone, and Aleman and some other dude pull out and get out when guys walk up to him and shoot him and kill him. [30:31] And so that was – Yeah, that was Petrocelli and Aleman walked up, And he had been, he had been dating, uh, uh, Aldericio’s, Alderico’s girlfriend. Now that’s the famous hit from beyond the grave. Because we’re going to go on the old Samuel’s just sitting in the lawn chair thinking he’d got it made. That’s right. You know, Gary, you and I did the show on the outfit, uh, a long time ago. No, I’m sorry. On the wild bunch, a long time ago. So a lot of those, and they did so much work back in the day. A lot of those run together, but yeah, you’re now, uh, now that you’re right, writing her was he was eating in a restaurant. I’m, Uh, I can’t remember the name. It may have been, been Luna’s, but he was, went out in public. He thought he’d be safe. And like you said, a lot of these guys have a six cents because they come up on the street and they know these things. And, uh, like a guy like Sammy and Reno knew it was coming. He was dodging them for a long time, but they, they know that their time is coming. Eventually they just, they stay ahead of it for a while and figure they can fight their way out or talk their way out. And yeah, they, he was blown away right in public. Like it was similar to the, I remember it being similar to the, to the Richard Cain murder. And this was in, it was right around the same time. It was, it was in the mid seventies, 75, 74, 75, 76. It might’ve been 75 that writing or happened right, right in the middle of the restaurant. [31:58] I’ve been a lot cheaper to pay the street tax, I reckon. You know, and it wasn’t, I don’t recall that they’re asking for so much, but once these murder started happening yeah i think it was it wasn’t like it was half or 75 i think they just wanted it was you know it might have been a quarter it might have just been a flat fee across the board but once that street tax was was instituted i mean we’ve talked about this before gary that was when the wild bunch was out there that was that was they really didn’t play around When Ferriola told these guys, get everybody in line, [32:31] they really cracked down and they weren’t playing at all. You pay or you die. And guys like Alem and Patrick Shelley, whether it was right in public or whatever, in the outfit in the 70s, Paul, you know this from Richard Cain and several others. They just write in public would just blow you away. and writing her was just was almost textbook just like the Richard Cain it was it was right in the right in the restaurant yeah I’ll tell you I’ll tell. [33:05] I was conflating him with Hal Smith. Okay. I’ll tell you something about those mob hits. When they kill somebody in public like that in a public way, more than likely it’s because whoever the victim is has been alerted, and they can’t get anybody to get close to them. They will already try to send somebody around to get them isolated, and when they can’t get them isolated, then they want them bad enough. They’ll just lay, as Frank Calabrese, I heard him say once, well, lay on them. And I thought, oh, that’s interesting. Well, lay on them. I read that somewhere else. They use that term when you’re following somebody and you’re trying to set them up, or yet they lay on them. Calabrese even said, you know, you’re like, get an empty refrigerator box and hide inside of it. I mean, it’s just like the kind of stuff we used to do at the intelligence unit to run surveillances on people. And so they’ll lay on them for a while until they can get you somewhat isolated. And if they can’t, then they’ll just take you out in public. It might be to send a message, but I don’t think so because it’s so risky to get somebody in public. You can have a young, all-fitty cop in there that you didn’t even notice, and he comes out blazing. And, you know, it’s just not worth it. Even if you take him out, he’s probably got to get you. [34:21] So it’s kind of a last resort. A desperation. Yeah, it’s desperation because they can’t get you isolated. [34:28] You look at some of these public murderers, guys like Richard Cain or Ridinger, like you said, who was on the watch. Sam Annarino, who was right on Cicero. [34:39] A guy like Chris Carty, who was years later. I mean, these are guys who would have been smart enough and street smart enough to be on the watch, to watch their step, to know what was going on. With the exception of a guy like Michael Cagnoni, who just happened to be difficult to get, and he probably might have had an idea that something was happening, but I think just he was a family guy, and so it was hard to isolate. They blew him up on the interstate, but I think that in general, that’s a good point, Gary. These guys, if they just run up and blow away, it’s just a last resort. That’s an excellent point. I have always been in that camp of, oh, that must be sending a message. But you, with your experience, I think you’re exactly right. One thing, guys, I think we’re mixing up Sambo Cesario with Sam Annarino. I was thinking when they – yeah, you’re right, Paul. I was thinking, though, when they blew away Sam Annarino in the parking lot with his family, though, they had been trying to get him for several months. And they finally just went after him in the parking lot, called in a robbery, and blew him away in the furniture store parking lot. That was what I meant. Yeah, Gary was referring to Sambo earlier. I just meant they had been trying to get Sam Annarino for a long time, and when they couldn’t, they just got him in the parking lot. [36:08] Well, interesting. You know, no matter how much terror these guys strike in the heart of their underlings, in the end, they still will turn once in a while. And I think people don’t really not turn because they’re afraid of getting killed so much if they don’t turn because they don’t want to have their family suffering the disgrace of them being a rat or a snitch. I think that’s more important to be a man and go out like a man in this subculture and believe me I’ve lived in a subculture where being a man and being a tough guy is more important than anything else, I think that’s the most important thing that keeps people from coming in you’re like a wimp you’re a puss, you can’t take it, can’t handle it you know what I mean you can’t handle five years I could do five years standing on my head or a tray like the dude told me so uh you know but even even with all that and still there’s a certain percentage that will end up coming in sure and usually there are people that either don’t care about their family like lenny patrick yeah or that don’t have close family so that they don’t have it so much of that pressure that you’re talking about gary because you make a really valid point that that that cultural value is so strong yeah yeah it’s it’s. [37:36] In a lot of these small towns, you see in Detroit where they’re all family tied in and everything, you don’t see informants. I think they’ve had one. Kansas City, as you said, Gary, you don’t see. But then you look at a place like Rochester where they’re all just lower tier mob guys. Everybody was informing on everybody because they really weren’t as upper echelon sort of mob guys. So I think that, like you said, once you get that culture seeped in, you’ve got those families and all, there’s a lot of factors. But if it’s a deep-rooted mob town, you really don’t see a lot of real informants. [38:11] So, guys, now we’ve got one that I did a show on. I did a couple of shows on him. I talked to the FBI agent who brought him in and dealt with him for quite a while. Ken Tokiojo Eto. He survived a murder attempt. When that didn’t happen for him with the outfit, what happened after that? [38:32] I believe his attempted assassins got killed themselves. So tell me a little bit about Tokyo Joe Eto. There’s a photograph I have from the late 50s, early 60s And it shows Joe Ferriola And a couple of other heavyweights Hanging around with a young Ken Eto, And a lot of people didn’t know who Ken Eto was But he ran the Japanese game, Gambling, Bolita And lots of money Poured into the outfit through Tokyo Joe As they called him And there was a rumor that perhaps Tokyo Joe was going to turn under a little bit of pressure. And so Jasper Campisi put three slugs in the back of his head. [39:22] Miraculously, he survived three slugs at point blank range. And if he wasn’t going to turn state’s evidence before, he certainly had a powerful incentive to do so now. He seems to insist As I’ve heard that he was not His intention was not It’s hard to say at this point But he says he had no intention Of flipping and that he’s not sure What the evidence was against him But he was not going to flip until, It was Yeah. [39:55] I’m drawing a blank, Paul. Who was it that sent? It wasn’t the saint. It was Vincent Solano. He was kind of Vincent Solano, who was a union guy and a made guy up there. He kind of had which one. [40:11] He was a capo. And which crew was it? Do you remember? He was on the north side. North side crew. North side crew. And actually, Ken went to Vince Solano and had a talk with him. Said you know what i can do this he was looking at a tray i had a dude tell me what’s that pressure and tried to get him to talk and he said uh he said what am i gonna get out of this a tray he said man i can do a tray standing on my head and i threw him right then that’s right gotta talk to me so uh and that’s all he had to do but solano for some reason uh who knows what was in his head because uh ken Eto had made him a lot of money a lot of money and he was a tough little dude he had he had survived he had been put in the uh concentration camps if you will during the internment camps yeah internment camps and then came as a young man up chicago and been around for a long time by the time this all came down he’d been with him for a long time and made him a lot of money and all kinds of different gambling operations but particularly the bolita. [41:13] So uh it just didn’t make sense i heard one thing that these guys in chicago got the idea Yeah, to keep the noise down, they were loading their own rounds with lighter loads of powder. I don’t know. They had like a hit car up there. The guys in Chicago were pretty sophisticated or tried to be. And so they used these lighter loads. And when it went into his head, it just didn’t penetrate his skull. I remember I was at the hospital once, and there was a young guy who had gotten shot in the head. And they said that the bullet was not a good bullet because it went in under his skin and then went under his scalp, along his skull, and then lodged up on his forehead. [41:56] Wow. And so Eto was kind of the same way. Those bullets were probably lodged up underneath his scalp. He pulled himself to a neighboring, I believe it was a pharmacy that was right there, a corner store. And then that guy went to help him. I think he had to dial a call of 911 or whatever. 911 was in place then. He had to call for help for himself from a phone booth. You know, he saved his own life by being smart and playing dead. Yeah, that’s right. And you look at Chicago, it’s a city of neighborhoods, and you’ve got the Mexican town, and you’ve got the different towns, and you’ve got Chinatown where there’s so much money and so much gambling. And while Haneda was Japanese and there’s obviously division between Japanese and Chinese, it would be much easier for him to go in and then some of these outfit guys and because of different things going on back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. But he could go into neighborhoods and represent the outfit in ways in different communities that the outfit wouldn’t go into or a lot of these made guys. [43:12] And that gave him entry into a lot of communities. In the Asian community, there’s a lot of gambling that he was able to tap into. He was smart enough to see that as a route that maybe the Italian guys didn’t, just like Lenny Patrick, who we’ve talked about in other episodes, had that access into the Jewish communities and other Jewish gangsters. There’s a lot of gambling there. If you can get somebody who has an in to different communities, that’s really a way to go and that’s part of why he made so much money. A game like BolEto wouldn’t normally be and that’s huge in the Hispanic communities and huge with Asians also. You know in kansas city that’s interesting that you should point that out camp we had a um large vietnamese community moved in after the the boat peoples when it started and they moved in through the same church uh. [44:09] Sacred Heart Church and Don Bosco Center that the Italians moved in, the Sicilians moved into back in the turn of the century, the same neighborhoods. And Italians are getting successful and they’re moving out the suburbs and the Vietnamese are moving in and creating the Vietnamese restaurants and Vietnamese shops. And they brought, they have a love for gambling. Like you said, they have huge love for gambling. They don’t drink so much or do so many drugs, but they do love to gamble, it seemed to me like. [44:36] And so they had their own book. he was called the king a guy a friend of mine told me a story uh there’s a mob book he got on the periphery that neighborhood’s got a joint and he he was running a sports book and he had a lot of action going in and out of his joint so this one vietnamese guy had a big debt owed to the king so he goes down and talks to this guy’s name was Larry Strada, he ends up getting killed by some other uh mobsters in a deal they thought he was going to testify but i just needed to hear are there, this young, middle-aged Vietnamese guy goes down to the Caddyshack, Larry Strada’s bar. And he starts telling him about the king. He said, man, he said, the king, you take all your business. He said, he got all business down here. He take all your business. He said, you know, you need to do something about the king. He said, you know, we’re close to the river here. And then he made a motion across his throat like he was cutting his throat. So he was trying to get out of his gambling debt to convince this Italian, La Cosa Nostra bookie to go back and kill me yeah king piano. [45:42] You know i’ve heard a lot of stories and some of them are true some are not that one had to ring a truth to it it had a definite ring of truth that that got to do that playing them against each other yeah you bet and you know another thing about tokyo joe and you know he could testify But Ben Solano had Campizé and Gattuso killed right away. Found them in the trunk of their car, I think. Maybe at the airport, even. [46:09] Chicago trunk music, but they have some saying like that. And so Solano knew that they could testify against him, and they didn’t want to go down for attempted murder, more than likely, and he just didn’t take a chance. So he had them killed, and I can’t remember if he went down behind this or not. But another thing Tokyo Joe was able to do, I mean, he certainly could expose all the inner workings of what he knew about to the FBI, which gives you a lot of tips on where to go, who to work on, and maybe where to throw up microphones or some wiretaps. But he also traveled around he came to Kansas City during the skimming trial because they’re working on the Chicago hierarchy. So they just fly him into town. They show him that picture, the last separate picture where everybody’s in the picture. And they say, now, who’s that? Oh, that’s Aiuppa. Okay, then who’s that? Oh, that’s Vince Solano. Yeah, he reports to Aiuppa. You know, and who’s that guy? I can’t remember the other people at all. So the nation said that Joe is up hard. Oh, yeah, he reports to this guy. So to show the organization of the mob in Chicago and that it is an organization that gives orders to have other people carry it to make the RICO case, that he was a storyteller for that. And he didn’t know anything about the skim at all. But he was a storyteller on getting the mob name and the organization in front of a jury. That’s huge, as you know, Paul. [47:35] Absolutely. We had a similar arrangement during the Carlesi trial about how [47:40] the Carlesi crew operated and who was who, and to tell the story. Yeah. You have to make it a story. Let’s take a look at Betty Toco, which, uh, this is pretty interesting. There was a, um, I’m not sure. Albert Toco was your husband. Remind me what his position was at the outfit at that time. So Al Toco was, there’s sort of a division on who was the leadership of, who was the central leader of Chicago Heights. There’s Dominic Tuts Palermo and Al Toco, who was really a powerhouse in Chicago Heights. And Tuts Palermo was definitely highly connected and across the pond too, also in Italy. But uh Toco was involved in the in the chop shop wars really really heavily involved and he had a lot of connections in chicago too he was involved with lombardo and a lot of these chop shops throughout chicago he had a lot of partnerships and so this was a 30 million dollar a year racket stolen cars chop shops international car rings uh car rings throughout stolen car rings throughout the country. Toco was responsible for burying the Spolatro brothers. It was very sectioned off. Each crew had a part in their murder. And then Chicago Heights was responsible for the burial. [49:02] And they were down in Enos, Indiana. They got kind of turned around a little bit. They were down a farm road. They were burying them in a freshly tilled field. And the road where they’re on, there’s a little side road that you would drive down. There’s very little down there. I’ve, I’ve seen it, but a car happened to come down middle of night and they were in a, there’s a, there were a couple of feet off of a wooded area and they see this car coming down and they sort of all panicked and before they had a chance to cover the area or really do anything, it just looked like a freshly dug, it really just looked like freshly dug mound. And so they all fled and three of Toco’s guys went one way and he went the other. They had the car in both radios. [49:46] He’s wandering around barefoot, and he calls his wife finally. She shows up, and he’s screaming and yelling. And he runs to Florida, and he’s waiting for permission to come back from Joe Ferriola. He’s worried he’s going to get killed because they find the Spallachos immediately because the farmer sees his field all messed up, freshly tilled ground, and it looks really suspicious, like somebody had been poaching deer and burying the carcass. Uh but Toco was a tyrant to his wife he was he was horrible to her he was he was when you think of what a mob guy was that was Toco you know tipping the guy who mows his lawn the kid who mows his lawn hundred bucks and wandered around town everybody knows him but he’d come home and unlike a lot of these guys he was he was a real you know a real. [50:36] Real bastard to his wife you know and for years she put up with this sort of abuse and finally after this this happened and it was in the news and all he finally pushed her too far and she began informing on him and and he was arrested later on he was in his jail cell talking about all the murders he had committed and and this and that about his wife and uh his his uh uh A cellmate repeated everything that he said to try and lessen his sentence. So really, Toco got buried by his big mouth and his terrible behavior. He initially fled to Greece before he was arrested, and they extradited him back from Greece. So this is, I mean, Toco is like deep in mob behavior. [51:22] I mean, fleeing the country and all. I mean, it doesn’t get much more mafia than Al Toco. I hesitate to use that word with Chicago, but that was, Al Toco was running deep. and that Betty Tocco’s testimony eventually led to the trial of Al Tocco. And that was really a blow to the Chicago Heights crew that nowadays, I mean, they continued on and had a few rackets, but after the eventual trial that stemmed from that, it really wasn’t, there’s not much activity now. I’m in that area and there’s just, there’s really nothing here. [51:59] Interesting. Now, so Tony and Michael Spilotro had been lured to somebody’s house on the promise that Michael was going to be made. It’s my understanding. I believe that’s what Frank Collada had reported. And some other people, not part of the Chicago Heights crew, killed him. How did that go down? And how did they pass off the body? You guys, is there anything out there about that? Wasn’t that the family secrets trial, maybe? It was. And, of course, it’s been popularly portrayed in the movie Casino. And it’s surprisingly accurate Except for the fact That where they were beaten But what happened was Little Jimmy Marcello called them. [52:41] And said Sam, meaning Sam Carlisi, the boss, wanted to see them. And they knew that that was ominous because of what was going on beyond the scope of this show. But they took off the jewelry. They left. They told their wives, if we’re not back by 930, it’s not good. They really did not suspect that it was to make Michael. That’s what Collada said. You’re absolutely right about that, Gary. But I don’t think that’s correct at all. They knew that it was bad. And they went. He took a pistol, which was against the rules. They hit him a pistol. Tony hit a pistol on his brother, which you do not do when you go to see the boss. And they were picked up by, by Marcello and taken to a house. I, uh, was it Bensonville? Yeah. Up in Bensonville. Uh, in, in the basement, they walked down the stairs and all of a sudden they looked into the eyes of Carlici and, uh, DeFranzo and everybody, the whole, all the couples were there to spread the, the, uh, liability around and they were beaten to death with, with fists and feet, uh, in, in that basement and then transported to that burial ground, which coincidentally was just maybe a couple hundred yards away from Joey Aupa’s farm. [54:00] Right. So I guess that they must have had, uh, Toco standing by, because I don’t believe he was in that basement. I like that. He must have had him standing by to go grab the bodies and take them out. Really interesting. He should have had the old Doug before he got there. You know, that’s what they always say. First you dig the hole then you go do the murder right and i don’t think he had it done before he got there yeah i don’t i really that’s a good that’s a good point gary i really don’t know and nobody’s ever come forward to say what the status of the hole was beforehand uh you know it was a deep it was a deep it was it was a pretty deep hole uh but they may have had a dug ahead of Tom, but, but, uh, cause they knew the location and it’s pretty obscure location. So they had clearly been there before. And, and, you know, everybody knew that that was, I, I hope was, I got it right. Farm. And, uh, So they may have had it dug, and they just did a shoddy job covering it up. [55:05] But I also haven’t heard the specific details about how they handed it off to Toco. I don’t recall seeing that in Calabrese’s testimony. Yeah, it was Nick Calabrese that testified about that. It brought up the light. He named the killer. So he may not have gone that far, probably having Toco and having his wife testify that he did do this. that she picked him up out there. It was just a piece of the entire prosecution on the spot, which it really never was a trial or anything on that. I don’t believe. Another odd thing is he, I believe he ranted and raved the entire car ride back. And from where he was, you would run up with, It’s now turns into Indianapolis. So it’s a good car ride from where they were to Chicago Heights. I believe he ranted and raved about the guys and his crew and the burial and everything, the entire car ride, which was not something most guys would do in front of their wives. But I really, especially when he treated like that. Right. And complained about how long it took her to get there and everything. So she was able to verify a lot of what Calabrese was saying from the final end of it. Interesting. A friend of mine was in the penitentiary, and he said, there’s a guy in there who called himself a verifier. He said, what do you mean? He said, I’m a professional verifier. What he was, he was an informant. That’s what he was, but he called himself a verifier. [56:33] A girl would come to him and say, well, I heard this, this, and this. Is that true or not? He’d say, well, that’s true. That’s not true. [56:40] I guess that’s a more preferable term. Yeah, she was a verifier. Well, that was great. I really appreciate having that on there and Paul. And I really, I still miss Cam. Every time I get ready to do a Chicago show, I think, oh, I want to get Cam or Rochester. [56:58] We did one about Rochester. We did one about Utica. I did several other shows about other families. And he was a good guy and a real great researcher and a real expert on the outfit and other mafia families. So rest in peace, Cam and Paul. I hope to talk to you again one of these days. Guys, don’t forget, I got stuff to sell out there. Just go to my website or just search on my name for Amazon. I can rent my movies about the skim in Las Vegas, about the big mob war between the Savella brothers and the Spiro brothers in Kansas City. Then one about the great 1946 ballot theft in which the mob… Rigged election, helped Harry Truman rig an election. It’s a little harder to find than mine. You need to put ballot theft and Gary Jenkins. I think you’ll find it then. The other two, Gangland Wire and Brothers Against Brothers, Sabella Spiro, were a little bit easier to find. Had to put it up a different way because Amazon changed the rules, but I got them up there. So thanks a lot, guys.

Happy New Year! We start 2026 off with a puzzle: How can four people all work on the same picture book at the same time? And why? What's the process, and how on earth do you embroider every page? When Kate told Betsy she wanted a New Year's book, she failed to specify precisely what kind of New Year's. And since the Vietnamese new year of Tet occurs in January/February, Betsy took that as permission to finally tackle this fascinating 2003 publication. We go over our past predictions and resolutions, Tet, bananas, embroidery, and what a "leather mouse" might be. For the full Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/05/fuse-8-n-kate-ten-mice-for-tet-by-pegi-dietz-shea-cynthia-weill-to-ngoc-trang-and-pham-viet-dinh/

Chef Cam Van and Mai Pham show us how to make a vegan version of Vietnamese pho. This deeply flavorful and carefully balanced vegetable broth is made with charred onions and garlic, salted radish, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, coriander, fennel, and cloves. The broth is ladled over fried tofu, oyster mushrooms, vegetarian tofu “sausage,” and rice noodles. Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van is a household name in Vietnam, and considered Vietnam's "national chef" for her role on her popular cooking show “Kheo Tay Hay Lam.” The famous cooking teacher was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2019, and she has since focused on teaching vegetarian cooking. The Spice Garden is a cooking school in Củ Chi, a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where Cam Van now teaches her cooking classes.  Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia

The Von guests hosts with Brendan and the guys start off by roasting each other, and talk favorite pizza's, Pizza Hut vs Domino's vs Little Ceasar's, previous jobs as a janitor and busboy, revenge on ex's, embalming ideas, discovering Asian people Vietnamese parrots, coffee shop girls, fake news and much more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chef Cam Van shows us how to make a classic Vietnamese dish -- Vietnamese clay pot with tofu and peanuts -- which she prepares with Chef Mai Pham from Lemon Grass Restaurant. Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2019, Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van has since focused on teaching vegetarian cooking. The Spice Garden is a cooking school in Củ Chi, a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where Cam Van now teaches her cooking classes.  Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia

These vegan Vietnamese spring rolls are filled with sautéed jicama, fried tofu, mint, perilla, and sautéed radishes, and served with a peanut dipping sauce. Chef Cam Van shows us how to make this popular Vietnamese street food, which she prepares with Chef Mai Pham from Lemon Grass Restaurant. Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2019, Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van has since focused on teaching vegetarian cooking. The Spice Garden is a cooking school in Củ Chi, a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where Cam Van now teaches her cooking classes.  Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia

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In The Plant-Forward Kitchen: Southeast Asia, we explore the bold, aromatic cuisines of Vietnam and Thailand — where plant-forward traditions are deeply rooted in everyday meals. Southeast Asian cuisine has long embraced plant-forward principles, drawing from its Buddhist roots that promote compassion for all living beings and encourage followers to adopt an occasional or ongoing vegetarian diet. In this series, we cook vegetarian pho with Buddhist monk, Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van, and we sample a family-style spread of vegetarian offerings at Buddhist Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda Temple Restaurant. We make some Vietnamese classics, such as Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu, with Chef Mai Pham of Lemon Grass Restaurant. At the Michelin-starred Vietnam House Chef/Owner Luke Nguyen shows us his take on a vegetarian pork belly salad. In Thailand, renowned chef and television presenter, Ian Kittichai gives us a whirlwind tour of Thai curries. Finally, we head to Michelin-starred Bo.Lan Restaurant in Bangkok, where Chefs Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones make an eggplant relish, and discuss the importance of championing local farmers. Watch the full series at: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/southeast-asia  

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It's a Christmas-week episode of The LA Food Podcast, and we're celebrating with one of the most joyful restaurants in Los Angeles.This week, Luca Servodio sits down with Eric Bedroussian and Josh Hartley, the hospitality-driven duo behind Budonoki, the wildly popular Virgil Village izakaya that started as a roaming pop-up and grew into one of LA's most electric dining rooms.In this How I Built This–style conversation, Eric and Josh walk us through how they met, how Budonoki evolved from college dinner parties to pop-ups at Melody and Ototo, and how they partnered with chef Dan Rabilwongse to create a restaurant that blends Japanese izakaya spirit with Thai, Vietnamese, and distinctly Angeleno influences. We dig into the details that define Budonoki — from front-of-house philosophy and menu experimentation to building a “party restaurant” that still takes food and hospitality seriously.We also talk candidly about the realities of running a restaurant in 2025, how tough the year has been for hospitality, what it's like to receive glowing critical praise while being left off certain lists, and how the team stays grounded amid the hype. And, of course, we close with our holiday tradition: Eric and Josh share the three Los Angeles restaurants they're loving right now.Consider this your Christmas gift if you love LA food, restaurant origin stories, and the people who make this city such a special place to eat.

learn 10 high-frequency expressions, including words for parts of the body and features

This episode's Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow' Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HEREEpisode Overview: Healthcare's workforce crisis demands innovative solutions that transform how we develop and deploy talent.Our next guest, Van Ton-Quinlivan, is addressing this challenge as CEO of Futuro Health, building the nation's largest network of allied healthcare workers.With extensive experience spanning private, public, and nonprofit sectors, Van brings a unique perspective to workforce development shaped by her personal journey as a Vietnamese refugee who found opportunity through education. Now she's dedicated to unlocking that same potential for others.Recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare and among the 100 Most Influential Higher Education Leaders, Van shares Futuro Health's pioneering approach to creating community-based education pipelines that serve both workers seeking meaningful careers and employers needing compassionate, skilled talent.Join us to discover how inclusive workforce development is transforming lives and strengthening healthcare communities nationwide. Let's go!Episode Highlights:Education as a gateway to opportunity - Van shares her personal journey as a Vietnamese refugee and how education transformed her life, fueling her passion to unlock opportunities for others through workforce developmentBuilding the largest allied health network - Futuro Health is creating community-based education and training pipelines to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers across the nationHuman Touch Healthcare program - A six-week signature program focused on emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and teamwork designed specifically for adult learners without traditional lecture formatsBalancing AI and human connection - As healthcare adopts AI, strengthening uniquely human skills like compassion becomes essential to distinguish when to use human agents versus AI agentsJPMorgan Chase Foundation partnership - Upcoming grant will enable 12 employers (providers, health plans, or rural networks) to implement the Futuro Health method for growing local healthcare workers from untapped communitiesAbout our Guest:Van Ton-Quinlivan is a nationally recognized workforce development leader with a career spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. As CEO of Futuro Health, she's building the nation's largest network of allied healthcare workers. In 2022, she was appointed by Governor Newsom to help shape California's healthcare workforce education and training.Van is the author and podcast host of WorkforceRx, promoting agile, multicultural solutions for employers, educators, and workers. Featured in major media and a sought-after keynote speaker, she's been named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare (2024) and among the 100 Most Influential Higher Education Leaders (2025). She serves on several national boards and holds an MBA and MA in Education Policy from Stanford University.Born in Vietnam and raised in Hawaii, Van now lives in California. A new empty nester, she enjoys morning coffee walks with her husband, and recently took up taiko...

Lemongrass tofu is intensely flavorful -- packed with fragrant and citrusy lemongrass and crispy golden tofu. This plant-based dish, called đậu hũ sả in Vietnamese, is delicious served with rice or rice noodles. Chef Skyler Hanka from the Culinary Institute of America shows us how she tops the lemongrass tofu with peanuts, cilantro, sliced chilies, and some freshly shaved lemongrass for an added layer of aromatics. Get the Lemongrass Tofu recipe here!

These crispy Vietnamese spring rolls, or chả giò, are traditionally made filled with vermicelli noodles, wood ear mushrooms, pork and, sometimes, shrimp, though this can vary regionally. Chef Skylar Hanka from the Culinary Institute of America shows us how to make a vegetarian version, filled with tofu and vegetables. In Vietnam, these spring rolls are enjoyed as an appetizer, wrapped in lettuce and herbs before dipping in nước chấm. Get the Vegetarian Spring Rolls recipe here!

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Bánh xèo are crispy and savory crepes made with rice flour that are a popular street food in southern Vietnam. Bánh xèo literally means “sizzling pancake” in Vietnamese and refers to the sizzling sound when the rice batter is poured onto the hot skillet. The crepes are stuffed with all sorts of ingredients, such as pork, prawns, mung beans, and bean sprouts. Chef Toni Sakaguchi from the Culinary Institute of America shows us a plant-forward version stuffed with mushrooms, bean sprouts, and tofu. Get the Banh Xeo recipe here! 

learn 10 high-frequency expressions, including words for describing the body

Immigration isn't just about headlines—it's about Nobel laureates, World Series MVPs, and medical breakthroughs that save lives. In this year's end special, Lauren Clarke welcomes back Forbes senior contributor Stuart Anderson to preview his annual "Most Inspiring Immigration Stories" article. From Omar Yagi's journey from refugee to Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, to Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto's heroic World Series performance, to a groundbreaking cancer treatment discovered by a PhD student who annoyed her lab mates—these stories reveal the extraordinary contributions immigrants make when America opens its doors. Plus, the remarkable legacy of Charles Watts, who sponsored over 300 Vietnamese refugees. What do these diverse stories tell us about innovation, opportunity, and America itself? SHOW RESOURCE LINKS:The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2025: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/https://nfap.com/about-us/biographies/GUEST: Stuart Anderson/Executive Director, National Foundation for American Policy, Senior Contributor to ForbesHOST: Lauren ClarkePRODUCER: Adam Belmar

History doesn't usually begin with two sisters on war elephants — but this one does. In 40 AD, the Trưng Sisters ignited a violent break from Han Dynasty rule, led armies commanded by women, seized more than sixty citadels, and ruled Vietnam as queens for three hard-fought years. In today's episode Ben is joined by Dr. Pat Larish to chart the rise, rule, and last stand of the women who turned occupation into identity — and became the blueprint for two thousand years of Vietnamese resistance.

In 2024, Chef Eric Pham got the call that his restaurant was on fire, days before opening. He considered calling it - but he found a new location and opened Khue's Kitchen. In 2025, the Minnesota Star Tribune named it the New Restaurant of the Year. Eric talks about growing up in his family's restaurant, Quang; he talks about dropping out of college to get a job at Spoon and Stable, and his goal as a 25-year-old to create a restaurant perfect for younger diners. High technique, affordable prices, and lined up with his experience as a Vietnamese kid growing up in Minnesota.

Tune in to a special bonus episode of Momus: The Podcast featuring a live recording from the launch of writer and critic Minh Nguyen's new book Memorial Park: Revisiting Vietnam (Art Metropole & Wendy's Subway, 2025). This event, co-presented by Art Metropole and Momus as part of the Momus Talks series, brought Nguyen into conversation with writer Tiana Reid to discuss writing about place, the personal as critical position, and how art criticism can open up broader cultural histories and experiences by “using art to write about something else.” More about the book from Wendy's Subway: “Driven by a diasporic curiosity that seeks discovery over dwelling on loss, Memorial Park avoids nostalgic idealism or reflexive condemnation. Instead, Nguyen takes seriously the legacy of Vietnamese liberation by naming what it has become—and what it has not. What emerges is a complex picture of the country today and a reflection on how we inherit and reckon with radical histories that shape our world.”Momus: The Podcast is edited by Jacob Irish, with production assistance from Rose Bouthillier and Chris Andrews.Thanks to this episode's sponsor Rabkin Foundation for supporting our work.Thanks to Minh Nguyen and Tiana Reid for their contribution to this season.

The Stringer Documentary & the Napalm Girl Mystery – A Deep Dive into Photojournalism Controversy Published on 10 Frames Per Second Blog – Your go‑to source for photojournalism insight Table of Contents What Is The Stringer? Meet the Key Players – Gary Knight & Bao Nguyen Why the Napalm Girl Photo Matters Forensic Evidence: The Road‑Testing of the Iconic Shot Industry Reaction – Backlash, Bans, and the “Wagon‑Circling” Culture The Hidden History of Vietnamese & Local Freelance Photographers How to Watch The Stringer and Join the Conversation Takeaway: What This Means for Photojournalism Today 1. What Is The Stringer? The Stringer is a newly released documentary (Netflix, 2024) that investigates the authorship of the world‑famous “Napalm Girl” photograph taken in Vietnam, 1972. Core premise: The film follows journalist Gary Knight and director Bao Nguyen as they trace a decades‑old secret held by a Vietnamese stringer‑photographer, Nguyễn Thành Nghệ (Wintan Nei). Format: A blend of on‑the‑ground interviews, archival footage, and forensic road‑testing that reconstructs the exact location, timing, and line‑of‑sight of the iconic image. Why it matters: The image is one of the most published photographs in history and is universally credited to Associated Press staff photographer Nick Ut. The documentary questions that credit, shaking a cornerstone of photojournalistic mythology. 2. Meet the Key Players – Gary Knight & Bao Nguyen Person Role Why They're Important Gary Knight Founder of the VII Foundation, mentor, and documentary “connective tissue.” Provides insider knowledge of the photojournalism world, contacts, and credibility that anchors the investigation. Bao Nguyen Director of The Stringer Chose to frame the story as a journey, not just a series of talking‑heads, and insisted on a central narrator (Gary) to guide viewers. Carl Robinson Former AP Vietnamese‑language photo editor (local hire). His 2022 email sparked the whole investigation; his memories and documents are a primary source. Horst Fass Senior AP photographer in Vietnam (the “gatekeeper” of the image). His decision to run the picture on the wire is central to the credit controversy. Nguyễn Thành Nghệ (Wintan Nei) Vietnamese stringer who claimed to have taken the shot. The film's “secret” – his testimony and forensic evidence challenge the accepted narrative. Nick Ut AP staff photographer historically credited for the photo. The focal point of the debate; his name appears on every caption of the image. 3. Why the Napalm Girl Photo Matters Iconic status: Frequently cited in textbooks, museums, and peace‑activist campaigns. Cultural impact: Symbolizes the horrors of the Vietnam War and the power of visual storytelling. Professional legacy: The credit has shaped career trajectories, awards (Pulitzer, etc.), and AP's brand. If the credit shifts, we must reconsider how many other war‑zone images were attributed, potentially rewriting a large part of photojournalism history. 4. Forensic Evidence: The Road‑Testing of the Iconic Shot The documentary's most compelling section is the road‑forensics – a scientific recreation of the moment the photo was taken. Methodology: Researchers drove the exact route described by Wintan Nei, measuring distances, angles, and terrain features. Key Findings: Line‑of‑sight analysis shows the photographer would have been ~150 meters from the burning road—far beyond the reach of a 35 mm lens used by Ut. Shadow & lighting study matches the sun angle on July 29, 1972, which aligns with Wintan Nei's timeline, not Ut's. Camera metadata (Pentax vs. Nikon) – expert testimony confirms Ut's camera was not a Pentax, the model allegedly used by Wintan Nei. Independent verification: World Press Photo hired a former Bellingcat investigator, and INDEX a Paris-based research group. French photographer Tristan da Cunha corroborated the forensic report.  Cunha also worked with AD Coleman on his Robert Capa investigation (Ep. 35) These data points form the strongest case in the film that Nick Ut did not take the photograph. 5. Industry Reaction – Backlash, Bans, and the “Wagon‑Circling” Culture Immediate pushback: Numerous journalists launched letter‑writing campaigns to film festivals and employers, asking for the documentary to be removed. Attempted bans: Some media outlets threatened to fire staff who publicly supported the film. Defensive stance: Many veteran photographers argued that the film attacks “iconic” heroes and undermines the profession's reputation. Key quote from Gary Knight: “Journalists don't ban books or films they haven't read. Our job is to investigate, not to protect mythologies.” The controversy illustrates the “wagon‑circling” phenomenon—protecting revered figures at the expense of truth. 6. The Hidden History of Vietnamese & Local Freelance Photographers The documentary spotlights a systemic issue: local photographers' contributions have been consistently erased. No Vietnamese names appear in a May 1975 Time editorial thank‑you list, despite hundreds of local staff. Many local photographers sold film to AP, NBC, or CBS, but credits always went to Western staff. Examples of overlooked talent: Dang Van Phuoc – AP's most prolific photographer during the war (lost an eye in the field) *needs his own wikipedia entry. Catherine Leroy, Francoise Demulder, Kate Webb – Women who covered Vietnam but remain under‑recognized. Result: A distorted, Western‑centric narrative of war photography that marginalizes the very people who captured the ground truth. 7. How to Watch The Stringer and Join the Conversation Platform Availability Tips Netflix Global (over 100 countries) Use the search term “The Stringer”; enable subtitles for multilingual audiences. Film festivals Sundance 2024 (screened), Frontline Club (London) Look for Q&A sessions with Gary Knight or Bao Nguyen. Social media #TheStringer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Follow the hashtag for updates, behind‑the‑scenes clips, and scholarly debate. What you can do: Read the forensic report (available on the Seven Foundation website). Share the story with your photography community to spark discussions on credit attribution. Support local photographers by following their work on platforms like Vietnam Photo Archive or Fotodoc Center. 8. Takeaway: What This Means for Photojournalism Today Transparency is essential. Photo agencies must disclose the full chain of custody for images, especially in conflict zones. Credit deserves rigorous verification. The Napalm Girl case shows that even decades later, new evidence can overturn long‑standing attributions. Elevate local voices. Recognizing Vietnamese, Cambodian, Bosnian, Serbian, Ukrainian, and other native photographers enriches the historical record and promotes equity. Forensic tools are now part of journalism. Road‑testing, GIS mapping, and metadata analysis are valuable assets for future investigations. Bottom line: The Stringer isn't just a documentary—it's a catalyst urging the photojournalism community to re‑examine its myths, honor the unsung creators, and adopt a more accountable, data‑driven approach to storytelling.

From Pony.ai launching a robo-taxi service during a Shanghai storm to E Ink revolutionising the way supermarkets label their shelves – emerging market companies are in many cases leapfrogging western counterparts. In this episode, investment manager Alice Stretch reveals to host Leo Kelion some of the most disruptive companies innovating at speed in Asia and Latin America. Background:Alice Stretch is an investment manager in Baillie Gifford's Emerging Markets Equity Team. In this conversation, recorded as part of our annual Disruption Week briefings, she explores some of the growth companies in her portfolios turning constraints to their advantage and reducing friction in their customers' lives. Companies discussed include: PolicyBazaar – the Indian insurance platform making it easier for people to protect themselves against life's financial shocks.Nubank – the Brazilian digital lender extending access to banking and credit.Meituan – the food delivery and local services app extending its reach beyond China.MercadoLibre – the Latin American ecommerce and fintech giant expanding into advertising.Mobile World – the Vietnamese conglomerate that has expanded from mobile phones to competitively priced groceries.Sea Ltd – the Singaporean gaming, shopping and fintech group eyeing the possibilities of agentic AI.TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) – the world's leading chip manufacturer.E Ink – the Taiwanese e-paper pioneer building on its ebook success to provide supermarkets with updateable price tags and marketers with low-power digital billboards.Pony.ai – the first driverless car company to offer a robo-taxi service in four of China's most populous cities. Resources:Disruption Week Emerging markets: how we do what we doEmerging markets: from imitators to innovatorsEmerging markets: the next engines of growth (podcast)Emerging markets in 2050: growth in a changing worldImecShort Briefings on Long Term Thinking hub Companies mentioned include:AmazonByteDanceChromaE InkMercadoLibreMobile WorldMeituanNubankNVIDIAPolicyBazaarPony.aiSea LtdStellantisTSMC Timecodes:00:00  Introduction – Pony.ai takes to Shanghai's roads02:00  The imitators become the innovators05:10   How PolicyBazaar benefits from not being locked into a legacy system 07:10   Nubank: reducing friction while expanding access to banking and credit09:25  MercadoLibre's multi-act expansion leads it to advertising technology10:25   Mobile World's move from selling handsets to groceries11:50   Ways Sea Ltd developed capabilities while operating under constraints13:45   Sea CEO Forrest Li's ability to adapt and pivot15:25   Taking the long-term view and a generalist approach17:30   Studying the semiconductor industry with the help of Imec and TSMC19:45   Investing in Chroma and E Ink in Taiwan21:10   Walmart and other supermarkets adopt E Ink's updateable price labels22:45  The case for investing in Pony.ai as a long-term growth investor24:10   Pony.ai's cost advantage and international partnerships25:55  Taking macroeconomic and geopolitical risk into account27:15   Putting deep knowledge and research to our clients' advantage

I'm so happy to return to the roots of the podcast by talking REQUIEM FOR A SOLDIER with filmmaker Jeremy Musher, currently crowdfunding on Seed & Spark. It is the story of a "Vietnam veteran who in his last weeks of service, found a Vietnamese soldier's diary, and 56 years later returned it to the soldier's family." We talk war films, fatherhood and filmmaking, and his sweeping vision for a topic that doesn't get as much love as it should: Vietnam veterans. And this film has the added pleasure of showing the Vietnamese perspective.Let's get REQUIEM over the line. Happy holidays.In this episode, Jeremy and I discuss:the crowdfunding video and how he describes REQUIEM FOR A SOLDIER;what defines a good war film;why REQUIEM is a documentary rather than a narrative project;why they decided to crowdfund the film and use Seed & Spark specifically;the landscape for grants right now;the 60 day length of their campaign versus shorter options;the visual style he brings to documentary filmmaking and why they are weaving animation into the story;what he wishes existed for parents and fathers on film sets;the next few months for the film.Jeremy's Indie Film Highlights: THE ZONE OF INTEREST (2023) dir. by Jonathan Glazer; LITTLE DEATH (2024) dir. by Jack BegertMemorable Quotes:"The interview we did with him to shoot this kind of teaser was a seven hour interview, and Peter just has story after story.""It is the story of a Vietnam veteran who in his last weeks of service, found a Vietnamese soldier's diary, and 56 years later returned it to the soldier's family.""I feel like financing a film is harder than actually making the film."About one of the subjects of the documentary: "He struggled with a lot. He struggled with PTSD. He was an alcoholic, he was homeless, divorced arrested, and never lost the diary.""I've never done a crowdfunding campaign before and I've always pushed it off until I found a project that I really cared about.""[Animation] works so well for war...because I think that war is probably one of those things that you can't really understand unless you've lived through it and as somebody who hasn't lived through it, it's hard to ever fully understand it. I think love is honestly on that same spectrum.""It is a really hard industry...to have kids in, be a filmmaker and to have kids in our industry. You get locked in to staying local. And I think there's a reason, Terrence Malick took 20 years off of being a filmmaker so he could watch his, so he could actually raise his children."Links:Donate To REQUIEM FOR A SOLDIERFollow REQUIEM On InstagramFollow Jeremy On InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

What happens when a sixth-generation shaman, psychic medium, and spiritual activator sits down with us live at Spirit Fest? Energy surges so strongly it literally knocks the livestream offline. In this electrifying conversation, we meet Jax Cassie, the first female shaman in her powerful Vietnamese lineage, a role traditionally passed only to men. But Jax didn't choose the path. The path chose her… and it began the moment her father appeared to her one week after he died. From that moment forward, Jax stepped into a destiny rooted in spiritual awakening, intuition development, and deep ancestral alignment.During our conversation, she demonstrates her ability to: ✨ Communicate directly with the spirit realm✨ See and feel energies, ancestors, and spirit guides✨ Astral project into someone's home to diagnose energetic imbalances✨ Track a person's life purpose, alignment, and future opportunities✨ Deliver real-time intuitive readings that activate the listener's own awakening And yes… she gave both of us a shockingly accurate on-the-spot reading...including predictions about collaborations, media expansion, and a major consciousness-driven platform shift. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode pushes you to rethink modern spirituality, the mechanics behind manifestation, and the real-world application of energy healing in everyday life. You'll hear Jax explain:Why true shamans serve as “Oracles of the Village”How she sees spirits through their skin, and how she learned to control her visionThe difference between wishful thinking and aligned manifestationWhy intuition is useless without actionWhat a 12-month energetic forecast really looks likeThe role of ancestors in guiding your soul purposeWhy awakening often accelerates when you meet certain people at exactly the right momentIf you've ever wondered how near-death experiences, life after death, spirit communication, and higher-level healing might actually operate behind the scenes… you won't want to miss this conversation. This is spiritual growth with no fluff. Awakening with no filters. Practical mysticism for the modern world. And according to Jax, if you're listening to this episode, it isn't an accident... it's an activation.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeThe truth about shamanic lineage and why certain abilities are inheritedHow ancestral energy influences your success, relationship choices, and timingWhat a psychic actually sees when a spirit enters the roomWhy many people misunderstand manifestationHow to know if you're in alignment with your soul purposeWhat happens when your energy field begins expanding faster than your life circumstancesWhy meeting the “right person at the right moment” is often a spiritual activationAbout Jax:A sixth-generation Vietnamese shaman, psychic medium, and healer, Jax is known for her ability to see energetic misalignments, communicate with ancestors, and guide people into powerful states of alignment and awakening. She specializes in life purpose, intuitive activation, and multidimensional clearing work. Her presence alone shifts energy, and Spirit Fest audiences feel it instantly.Subscribe, Rate & Review! If you found this episode enlightening, mind-expanding, or even just thought-provoking (see what we did there?), please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us bring more transformative guests and topics your way! Subscribe to The Skeptic Metaphysicians on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube for more deep dives into spiritual awakening, consciousness, spirituality, metaphysical science, and mind-body evolution.Connect with Us: 

It's Monday, December 15th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus World's 5 Communist countries are cracking down on Christians Governments in the world's five remaining Communist countries are intensifying control over Christian churches, reports International Christian Concern. Churches are facing growing legal, financial and operational restrictions under regimes in China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam. Authorities in China require churches to register with the state and operate under a system called Sinicization, which mandates that sermons and practices incorporate Chinese cultural elements and Communist Party ideology, In Cuba, Christian groups are also legally required to register with the government, though new registrations are seldom granted. Individuals receiving foreign funding for church-related activities may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison under Cuban law. Christian groups in Laos must also register with the government and seek prior approval for nearly all activities. A 2023 U.S. State Department report said churches must obtain permission for services, gatherings, travel of clergy, construction of worship spaces, and distribution of religious materials. In North Korea, churches are allowed only as tightly regulated institutions that serve the regime's image abroad. North Korean citizens are expected to report anyone found engaging in religious practices outside these state-run settings or in possession of Christian materials like Bibles. Unauthorized religious activity is met with harsh penalties, including imprisonment or forced labor. Vietnam also enforces mandatory registration for Christians and reserves the right to intervene in church finances and operations. A 2024 Vietnamese law, known as Decree 95, grants the government authority to demand financial records from churches and to suspend their activities without citing specific violations. Authorities in Vietnam have detained individuals and restricted congregations that fail to comply. Galatians 6:9 promises, “ Let us not grow weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint.” The $1 billion fraud of the Somalis in Minnesota Federal investigators have uncovered and charged dozens of people in Minnesota — most of Somali, African descent — in a series of major public-benefits fraud schemes which cost the American taxpayers $1 billion, reports Fox. These schemes include two primary issues.  First, a nonprofit named Feeding Our Future claimed federal reimbursements for feeding children during the pandemic but is accused of taking hundreds of millions in funds for few or no meals. And second, there was Medicaid fraud in autism care and housing support. Prosecutors say large and rapidly growing payments to providers for autism therapy and Housing Stabilization Services were fraudulent, with fake clients and claims submitted. Appearing on Fox News with Laura Ingraham, Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for policy, said this. MILLER: “This could very well end up being the greatest financial fraud scandal in American history.” Republican Mike Lindell running for Minnesota Governor Speaking of Minnesota, where Democratic Governor Tim Walz, has embarrassed his state nationally as the brief-lived Vice Presidential pick of Kamala Harris, MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell announced his candidacy for Minnesota's 2026 gubernatorial race last Thursday, reports The Christian Post. The 64-year-old Lindell posted on social media. "After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I've made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race.” LINDELL: “Together, we will restore respect for law and order. If you are here illegally, now's the time to leave, or you're going to be sent back where you came from.” Governor Walz is running for his third consecutive four-year term. 2 dead, 8 injured in shooting at Brown University On Saturday evening, an active shooter killed two people and seriously injured eight others at Brown University campus where a male, dressed in black, opened fire inside a building on campus, reports the Providence Journal.  The Ivy League college in Providence, Rhode Island was in lockdown as the suspected gunman remained at large following the shooting. Dick Van Dyke: “I have no idea” what happens when we die In an interview with ABC's Nightline with Dick Van Dyke, who just turned 100, Chris Connelly asked about loss and death. CONNELLY: “How have you dealt with loss in your life, when you lose somebody close to you? How have you rebounded from something like that?” VAN DYKE: “I don't know. You know, I lost my brother and my eldest daughter. Both committed suicide because of pain, and my reaction was anger, because I just think there were two deaths that didn't have to happen because they were, other than that, very healthy, except for pain.” CONNELLY:  “Have you ever thought about death?” VAN DYKE:  “I do now. I think most people don't, but when you get up around 100, it's a fact that you have to face. You know, it could happen any day.” CONNELLY: “What do you think happens when we die?” VAN DYKE:  “I have no idea. I think some people are afraid of death because they think you're aware of it. They can say, ‘Oh, darn, I'm dead.' But, you know, you're gone; you don't exist anymore. No, death doesn't really frighten me, although I like a lot more life.” Hebrews 9:27 says, “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Gift of tiny home reunites veteran with his 2-year-old daughter And finally, when his 2-year-old daughter Majesty fell into the foster care system, a U.S. Navy veteran faced a significant barrier in his fight to assert custody: He did not have a permanent address, reports Good News Network. At that point, Tim had gotten his life back on track after a struggle with substance use, but his group living arrangement in that program wasn't designed for children. He said, “I just remember thinking: ‘How can I rescue my daughter?'” Providentially, a tiny blue home became available at Veterans Community Project, a nonprofit village that help residents regain parental rights of their children. Soon after, he got full custody and moved to a family unit complete with a bunk bed fit for a toddler. The key moment in Tim's transformation was the rediscovery of his Christian faith and his willingness to admit he needed help. He said, “The opposite of addiction is connection—and that's what I found.” At the rehab center, he remembers feeling “like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.” SCROOGE AFTER WAKING FROM DREAM ON CHRISTMAS DAY: “I must dress myself. So much to do.  I must not lose any time. I am as light as a feather. (laughs) I'm as happy as an angel. (laughs) I am as a merry as a schoolboy. (laughs) I'm as giddy as a drunken man. (laughs)  Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy new year!” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, December 15th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Episode 3165 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the controversial Vietnamese book The Sorrow of War. The featured story is titled: Acclaimed novel The Sorrow Of War sells out in Vietnam after viral controversy.. It … Continue reading →

Get NordVPN's ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes CommunitySlawpi Đô, his pseudonym, shares why he is dedicated to learning Vietnamese. why he wants to be on Vietnamese TV, and talks about his military background, trying to start a business in Vietnam and learning to enjoy being unproductive. In this episode Niall and Slawpi Đô talk about;what it is really like to be in the US AirforceWhy he is learning Vietnamesethe challenges of living in Vietnamthe difficulty of accepting being unproductiveFollow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.Buy us a coffee.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on CanvaAudio Engineer Garrett McLeanThese are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web "Send me a message!"Support the show

In this episode, Kate talks with Kim Huynh, whose family story spans continents, generations, and a lifetime of unanswered questions. Kim first caught Kate's attention through an Instagram video where she revealed a stunning discovery: her father—born and raised in Vietnam—had finally found a biological relative through a genealogy site. The match confirmed what had long been whispered but never proven: his father was an American soldier in the Vietnam War, a man he never knew, and about whom his own mother gave no identifying information. Kim shares her father's powerful origin story and the emotional impact of uncovering a history shaped by secrecy, war, and resilience. She also tells the story of how her parents met and married in Vietnam, and how, when she was four years old, they left their homeland to start again in Kentucky, building a life that blended Vietnamese heritage with Southern American culture. Reality Life with Kate Casey What to Watch List: https://katecasey.substack.com Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/katecasey Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecasey Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/katecaseyca Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itskatecasey?lang=en Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113157919338245 Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/katecasey Like it to Know It: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/katecaseySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

learn about prefixes and suffixes

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“The first thing I saw that I just loved so much is that the women here are so fearless.” — Amy WenhamThis conversation with Amy was one of those episodes where I found myself nodding almost the entire time. I've been talking about how badass Vietnamese women are for years, but Amy put language to things I've seen but could never fully articulate.What I loved most is that she didn't just compare Vietnam to the UK — she compared it to Dubai, a place where she saw firsthand how a country can transform itself, empower women, and build an entirely new entrepreneurial ecosystem. And according to her, Vietnam is on that trajectory too — maybe even faster.We also explored identity, expectations, family pressure, and the very real tension between being a modern entrepreneur and living within traditional structures. It's something every foreigner eventually observes here, but Amy broke it down with empathy and clarity.Key Talking PointsWhy Vietnamese women are some of the most fearless, entrepreneurial people Amy has ever met — anywhere in the world.The surprising similarities between Dubai and Vietnam when it comes to empowering female founders.How social media pressures — especially the obsession with going viral — impact women and businesses in Vietnam.The difference between small-town expectations and big-city ambition for Vietnamese women.Why Vietnam feels like a “mother country,” and what that means for its rapid growth and future.Chapters & Timestamps03:00 — Amy's Journey From London to Dubai to VietnamAmy talks about arriving in Dubai, cultural shock, and eventually discovering the same energy in Vietnam.10:00 — Feminine Power, Subservience & Small-Town vs City LifeWe unpack the contrast between modern entrepreneurship and traditional expectations.18:00 — The Pressures on Vietnamese Women: Family, Work, MarriageAmy explains the invisible load women carry and how family structure supports — and pressures — them.27:00 — Social Media Culture & The Myth of ViralityWe talk about TikTok culture, “mukbang,” seeding, and why going viral is usually bad for business.45:00 — Vietnam's Future & Why It's a ‘Mother' CountryWhy Vietnam's growth will be heavily shaped by women — and why the country feels inherently feminine."Send me a message!"Support the show

Send us a textEmbracing Vietnamese Culture and Food | Brandon Hurley aka Phúc Mâp | The Thai Lyfe PodcastUpon departing the United States of America in 2014, seeking to immerse himself in the vibrant tapestry of Vietnam, Brandon Hurley embarked upon a transformative odyssey. In the midst of this remarkable expedition, not only did he discover profound love but also unearthed his veritable life's calling. The serendipitous encounter with his beloved wife in 2016 galvanized Hurley, known affectionately as Phúc Mập, to embark upon the pursuit of mastery in the Vietnamese language. After diligently devoting himself to two years of private tutoring, the unwavering encouragement from his beloved spouse impelled him to embark upon a venture that would transcend boundaries - a YouTube channel dedicated to disseminating his unique insights into Vietnamese culture.*This podcast is SPONSORED by Beyond The Cream (www.beyondthecream.com)15% OFF sidewide till Dec. 15*Who should my next guest be?*To be a Sponsor for one of the Podcast, please DM or Email for inquiries.*All Podcast Episodes are streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube Podcast @Thethailyfe podcast.*Thank you for your support.Make sure to Follow, Like, and Share.Shop & Support the channel:www.beyondthecream.com**#fblifestyle #nailtech #vlog #reels #autumn #nailtech #nails #nailart #selfcare #podcastSupport the showFor more content, please follow:INSTAGRAMinstagram.com/thethailyfeTIKTOKvm.tiktok.com/ZTd9RHyUjYouTubewww.youtube.com/@TheTHAILyfe

Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.This episode's guest, Tracey Nguyen Mang, is the founder and creator of the award winning podcast: The Vietnamese Boat People. This podcast shares the stories of hope, survival and resilience from the Vietnamese diaspora during 1975-1992.Tracey was so interesting and engaging an interview it went for nearly two hours. It's been edited into two parts with bonus content available to the Seven Million Bikes Community.In Part 2 Tracey shares about the Conversation Starter Kit they've developed to help children of Vietnamese Boat People break down barriers and get their family to comfortable open up about their painful past.Read The Accompanying Blog Post.Follow and Listen to the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast here.Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.Follow us on Facebook.Buy us a coffee.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

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learn 10 high-frequency expressions, including common verbs for movement and exercise

Ron the Waiter wrecks the bar in 3 seconds flat, Joyce saves the day with homemade mac & cheese on a hot plate, then drops bombs: she tore down every mirror because spirits drain you at 3 a.m., admits the mystery handprints on her bedroom ceiling are NOT from her husband, Opie cries watching Christmas Vacation, Ron's Aunt is now mud, Sean is Vietnamese and we go nuclear on Trump pardoning George Santos while keeping the millions. Wild stories, hot food, zero filter—welcome to the funniest dinner you'll ever crash.

Episode Summary:In this episode of Explaining History, Nick returns to Philip Knightley's seminal work, The First Casualty, to examine how British and American journalists covered the Vietnam War. While American reporters were often "embedded" and compromised by military PR, British correspondents like John Pilger offered a searing, independent critique of the conflict.We explore the endemic corruption of Saigon—a city described as a "vast brothel" of black marketeering—and the staggering scale of theft from the US military. But beyond the graft, we delve into the darker psychological toll of the war: how racism was weaponized to motivate GIs, turning patriotism into a license for atrocity. Why did so many reporters lose their compassion? And how did the dehumanization of the Vietnamese people set a template for modern conflicts?Key Topics:The British Perspective: How correspondents like John Pilger broke the mold of war reporting.Saigon's Black Market: The multi-billion dollar theft of US supplies and weapons.Racism as Strategy: How "dehumanizing the enemy" became official policy.The Hero Myth: The clash between "macho" war reporting and the reality of civilian slaughter.Books Mentioned:The First Casualty by Philip KnightleyHeroes by John PilgerHidden Agendas by John PilgerExplaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Vietnam emerges as a leading destination for global technology centres, innovation, creativity, and digital transformation have become central to the country's growth story. Once a relatively young technology market, Vietnam is now demonstrating its ability to deliver advanced solutions that boost efficiency and strengthen international competitiveness.In this context, Global Capability Centres (GCCs)—technology and operations hubs established by international corporations—are playing a key role. These centres deploy cutting-edge technology, streamline processes, and introduce innovative approaches to support global operations, while elevating Vietnam's position in technology and innovation.In this week's episode of Vietnam Innovators, join host Hao Tran in conversation with Ms Hanh Tran, General Director of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. Tune in to hear her share the journey of bringing NAB's Innovation Centre to Vietnam, building a world-class technology team, and developing digital solutions that power NAB's operations worldwide.Listen to this episode on YouTubeAnd explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovatorFeel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vni-digest.com

#362: Alan Nguyen is the co-founder of social media trending NYC coffee shop, FifthSip. The specialty coffee shop features Vietnamese coffee drinks and is located in Nolita, in downtown NYC, off of the popular Mott and Prince Street. Before he began this journey of building FifthSip with his team of co-founders, he was a Michelin-trained chef and spent years in culinary school and building his culinary expertise in several different Michelin star restaurants, including Robuchon in Las Vegas.Topics discussed:Reality of building a life and career as a chef and in the food & beverage spaceTrue behind the scenes of building a business, especially a coffee shop from scratchDifference between Vietnamese coffee and normal coffeeHow to listen to yourself and trust your decisions, even if your parents may disagree with you (especially with immigrant parents or parents from a different culture)Recognizing that certain careers may not be the highest earning in the beginning years, but there may be a different payout with compounding yearsENJOY 10% OFF THE WHAT FULFILLS YOU? CARD GAME AT www.whatfulfillsyou.com - code "WHATFULFILLSYOU10"Follow FifthSip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifthsip.nycFollow the What Fulfills You? Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatfulfillsyouFollow Emily Elizabeth's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyeduongSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/what-fulfills-you-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thien Ho, the current district attorney of Sacramento County, delivers the first official account of the investigation, capture and prosecution of Joseph DeAngelo, one of America's most notorious serial predators. Known by many chilling names over the years, including the Visalia Ransacker, the East Area Rapist, the Original Nightstalker, and finally the Golden State Killer, DeAngelo terrorized California communities for more than a decade—and then disappeared without a trace for more than 30 years. It's a tale Ho recounts in his new book The People vs. the Golden State Killer, from Third State Books. As the lead prosecutor on the case, Ho recounts the exhilarating and harrowing experience of bringing a cold-case killer to justice and putting him behind bars for life. Rather than focusing solely on the criminal and the crimes, Ho's narrative centers the dedicated law-enforcement teams who never gave up their pursuit, and the courageous survivors of the GSK's crimes who fought to heal and regain control of their lives. Ho has hundreds of never-before-revealed details and firsthand insights, and this is the first time the public hears directly from the lead prosecutor who helped close the case. A portion of the book's proceeds will benefit Phyllis's Garden, a nonprofit that honors a GSK survivor and champions victims' rights. Ho, who comes to Commonwealth Club World Affairs for a discussion with award-winning journalist Dion Lim, will also share his compelling personal story: a Vietnamese refugee whose family fled Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War; he arrived in the United States knowing no English. He rose from being an intern to being elected Sacramento County district attorney in 2022, becoming one of only 10 Asian American district attorneys out of 2,400 nationwide. Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California is a nonprofit public forum; we welcome donations made during registration to support the production of our programming. See more  Michelle Meow Show programs at Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California. Photos courtesy the speakers. Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs. This program contains EXPLICIT language. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Trei Johnson to discuss the future of plastic packaging and the challenges of recycling flexible materials. Trei shares his path from studying sustainability at Cornell to impactful roles at Unilever and Mars Wrigley before joining Accredo Packaging to lead its sustainability strategy. He highlights Accredo's unique story as a family-owned company founded by Vietnamese immigrants and its commitment to operating with 100% wind power and developing recyclable packaging solutions.Key Topics DiscussedTrei's career journey from Cornell to Unilever, Mars Wrigley, and Accredo PackagingHow Accredo was founded and its family-run values that support long-term sustainability“Sustainable Packaging, Sustainably Produced” — what that motto means for AccredoChallenges in plastic recycling and how consumer education plays a key roleProgress in store-drop flexible film recycling and regulatory momentumThe growing consumer demand for compostable and bio-based plasticsCalifornia's stance on compostable materials and how policy impacts brand decisionsIndustry collaboration at events like SPC Boston and the importance of thought leadershipTrei's career advice for young professionals with sustainability degrees — combining broad environmental skills with functional expertise in R&D, marketing, or engineeringThe power of LinkedIn for career growth and building a professional brandResources MentionedAccredo Packaging — Sustainable Packaging, Sustainably ProducedAPI Group (Acredi Packaging's parent organization)7th Generation Recyclable Stand-Up PouchNapa RecyclingSwayCruz FoamContactListeners can connect with Trei Johnson on LinkedIn for insights and industry collaboration opportunities.Closing ThoughtsCory and Trei discuss the promise and complexity of creating more sustainable plastics. They agree that true progress will come from collaboration across the value chain, policy alignment, and consumer engagement. Their conversation underscores that the future of packaging is not about a single solution but a diverse set of innovations driven by shared commitment to a cleaner planet.Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!Chapters00:00Introduction to Sustainable Packaging and Trei Johnson01:12Trey's Journey into Packaging and Sustainability04:41Accredo Packaging: A Unique Story08:35Sustainable Practices at Accredo10:41Challenges and Advancements in Plastic Recycling13:11The Future of Compostable Packaging16:37Advice for Aspiring Sustainability Professionalskeywords sustainable packaging, Trei Johnson, Accredo Packaging, recycling, compostable packaging, sustainability career, environmental impact, packaging industry, sustainability education, plastic wastehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

Jay Rayner and the panel are at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham answering questions from an audience of keen home cooks. Joining Jay to discuss noodle soup and microwave meals are chefs, cooks and food writers Jocky Petrie, Tim Anderson and Jeremy Pang, and materials experts Dr Zoe Laughlin.Jay and the panel share their best vegetarian bakes for a packed lunch, their top noodle soup recipes to make at home, and answer the most philosophical of questions - what's the point in cavolo nero? Situated in Birmingham, home to one of the UK's largest Vietnamese communities, Jay chats to local restaurateur, Oliver Ngo from Vietnamese Street Kitchen about the flavour profiles, toppings and variations of a pho.Produced by Dulcie Whadcock Assistant Producer: Suhaar AliA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

A Christian Case For Why Refugees Matter   Host Curtis Chang sits down with Myal Greene, President & CEO of World Relief, to discuss the global refugee crisis, U.S. immigration policy, and how the church can lead the way in offering hope, welcome, and advocacy. Greene explains what defines a refugee, why record numbers are displaced worldwide, and how faith communities—from the Vietnamese boatlift era to modern Good Neighbor Teams—have transformed lives through radical hospitality. Together, they unpack the biblical call to "welcome the stranger", explore how refugees strengthen churches, and share practical ways to get involved through initiatives like World Relief's Churches of Welcome.   (02:11) - What Is a Refugee? (08:31) - The U.S. Churches' Historical Role in Resettlement (14:22) - The Christian Case For Helping Refugees (23:26) - Christians Are Immigrants (29:20) - The Ramifications of Policy Changes (43:15) - A Final Word from Myal Greene   Episode Guide for Personal and Group Study   Join The After Party   Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org   Donate to Redeeming Babel   Mentioned In This Episode: 2025 Evangelical Views on Immigration Study (Lifeway Research) Notre Dame Study on the Economic Benefits of Refugees in America  Learn about Vietnamese Boat Crisis & Boat People  What is the Refugee Act of 1980  Facts about Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)  Learn More about Evelyn Mangham  Learn more about National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)   Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)  Leviticus 23:22 (ESV)  Luke 10:25–37; Matthew 25:34–40; James 1:27 (ESV) - The Good Samaritan   More From Myal Greene and World Relief: Learn more about World Relief Become a World Relief Volunteer Join World Relief's ​​Good Neighbor Teams Give to Open Doors (Organization collaborating with World Relief)   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Redeeming Babel.

From the Skies Over Vietnam to the Power of Healing — The Story of Mike Penn  This week's Team Never Quit guest, Mike Penn, embodies courage, resilience, and grace under pressure. A Navy fighter pilot who served in Vietnam over 50 years ago, Penn's life took a dramatic turn on August 6, 1972, during his 85th combat mission off the USS Midway. Shot down and captured by enemy forces, he endured eight harrowing months as a POW in Hanoi, facing starvation, torture, and isolation. Losing 60 pounds and battling injuries from the crash, he survived where many did not. Upon returning home, Penn continued to serve his country before transitioning to a long and successful career as an airline pilot. Yet, his greatest battles weren't fought in the skies—they were fought within. Like countless Veterans, Penn wrestled with PTSD and alcoholism, learning that even the strongest warriors can't always go it alone. Penn credits his recovery and renewed purpose to sheer determination, the support of fellow Veterans, and the care he received through the Houston VA, which later discovered a life-threatening cancer during a routine scan—saving his life once again. Today, Penn continues to inspire others through motivational speaking, encouraging Veterans to seek help, share their stories, and lean on one another. His outlook remains deeply positive: despite his suffering, he still calls it “an honor to serve.” Join us as we hear Mike Penn's incredible journey—from fighter pilot to prisoner of war to survivor and mentor. His story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the healing power of community. Thank you, Mike Penn, for your honorable service—and for reminding us that healing begins when we choose to reach out. In this episode you will hear: • [Marcus] If you're struggling in college, get your butt in the military for4-6 years, come back, and you'll scream right through it. (6:54) • To get on the Blue Angels demo pilot team, they vote on you. It's a good ol' boy system. If any one guy says no, you're done. (9:30) • Out of nowhere this Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant shows up right in my face. And he starts yelling at me, and honestly, I thought I was in the wrong place. When he gets through yelling at me, he says “You got anything to say for yourself you smart ass college boy?” I put my hand on his shoulder, looked him in the eyes, and I called him “sarge,” I said “Sarge, I really think I'm in the wrong place, because I cam down here to be a Navy jet pilot.” Boom! He threw me on the ground. I've never done so many push ups in my life. (12:21) • He got me in such good officer shape; I ended up becoming the Regimental Commander.  (13:19) • Landing at night is so difficult, because in the daytime you have depth perception. You're looking at the “Meatball,” the optical landing system. Line up with the ship, and your air speed. At night you can't see anything. (19:00) • [When missiles are fired at you] you see it lift off, you see it coming at you. You build up speed. When it gets to be about ¾ of a mile away from you, you do a high G roll into it. It tries to track on you, but it's going so fast, it can't. (29:00) • They were firing 3 from behind that we never saw, so when I tried to get more speed, one from behind hit me. Boom. Engine quit. Stated shaking like crazy. Immediately 8I turned toward the beach. (29:26) • When I got hit, I knew it was over. (30:14) • I reached up to fire the ejection seat. I pulled it, and nothing happened. Never quit. (31:10) • Once I hit the ground, I was in about a foot of water, and the bullets were hitting the water all around me. (34:02) • [Melanie: Q: What happens to the plane?”] A: It blew up right after I ejected. (34:49) • At 36:22, Mike tells the story of his treatment when he was taken by the enemy. • When we got there, we were just beat up and tied up. We had about 3 weeks of that. (41:25) • We had 24” concrete slabs on either side. That's what we slept on. (42:57) • We got no rice. The Vietnamese ate it all. (43:35) • My grandfather, who was an Army vet in Japan, when I went to war, he told me 2 things: Take care of your men, and don't ever give up.(44:36) • [Melanie: Q: How long were you in there as a POW”] A: 8 months. (47:27) • When I got to Oakland, I made beer milkshakes. (55:03) • When I was at Clark, first thing I did – I sat in the shower for 2 hours. (55:28) • Guess where I git [a new car]? I won it on Hollywood Squares. (71:19) • If I can save 1 life from [writing] that book, it's worth it. (80:53) Support Mike:   - www.hopeandcourage.us Support TNQ   - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13   -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:   - Tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes   - Navyfederal.org        - Dripdrop.com/TNQ   - ShopMando.com [Promo code: TNQ]   - mizzenandmain.com   [Promo code: TNQ20]   - meetfabiric.com/TNQ   - masterclass.com/TNQ   - Prizepicks (TNQ)   -  cargurus.com/TNQ    - armslist.com/TNQ    -  PXGapparel.com/TNQ   - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ    - Groundnews.com/TNQ    - shipsticks.com/TNQ    - stopboxusa.com {TNQ}    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ