Hostage
123 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1.4K ratingsSome terrorists use weapons. Some use information. The scariest use hostages. Every Thursday, Hostage tells electrifying crime stories culminating in intense, life-or-death negotiations. Within the stories, we examine tactics used by the FBI’s crisis negotiation unit, world governments, and even hostage’s parents, highlighting the techniques that saved lives, and the moments where everything went tragically wrong. Hostage is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
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Episodes
Beslan School Crisis Pt. 1
December 12, 2019 08:01 - 50 minutesOn September 1st, 2004, 32 Chechnya rebels infiltrated a Beslan, Russia school holiday celebration. As the Russian government attempted to negotiate with them, more than 1200 terrified hostages, mostly children, hoped for a peaceful resolution.
Listen First! DOG TALES, A Parcast Original Series!
December 10, 2019 08:01 - 13 minutesThey’re four-legged, full of love and often times more like family than their nickname suggests. Parcast’s endearing original series, DOG TALES, tells the true stories of heroic canines that have gone above and beyond their “best friend” duties. Every Monday, embark on a new journey of courage, service, and unwavering sacrifice by our most loyal companions. Enjoy this exclusive clip from the first episode on Buddy the German Shepherd—America’s first seeing-eye guide dog. To finish this episo...
The 1976 Chowchilla Kidnapping Pt. 2
December 05, 2019 08:01 - 38 minutesAfter 3 kidnappers abandoned 55-year-old bus driver Ed Ray and his 26 students in an underground storage trailer, the hostages had to fight to stay alive. Law enforcement desperately searched, but with air in the trailer running out, time wasn't on their side.
The 1976 Chowchilla Kidnapping Pt. 1
November 28, 2019 08:01 - 45 minutesPart-time school bus driver Ed Ray was making his afternoon drop-offs when three men boarded the bus, guns blazing. But their captors weren't criminals or terrorists. They were three young men from wealthy families looking to commit the perfect crime.
Listen First! SPORTS CRIMINALS, A Parcast Original Series!
November 24, 2019 08:01 - 16 minutesThey’re sport’s greatest heroes… displaying superhuman-like abilities to overcome intense pressure. But when it comes to the downfalls of fame, money, and ego—they’re far more human than super. Every Thursday, Parcast’s original series SPORTS CRIMINALS keeps score on the darker side of sports. Each episode chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of some of sport’s biggest names. Enjoy this exclusive clip from the first of two captivating episodes on disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding. To fi...
Ion Perdicaris Pt. 2: The Millionaire and the Outlaw Sharif
November 21, 2019 08:01 - 55 minutesIn 1904, rebel leader Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli kidnapped Greek-American millionaire Ion Perdicaris and his British stepson into the Moroccan mountains. The two men were held hostage for over a month, causing international headlines and involving the most powerful governments in the world.
Ion Perdicaris Pt. 1: The Millionaire and the Outlaw Sharif
November 14, 2019 08:01 - 47 minutesIn 1904, 64-year-old millionaire Ion Perdicaris and his step-son were kidnapped from their Moroccan mansion by a band of political rebels. Led by outlaw Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli, the men were forced into the wild, having no idea that their abduction would become an international incident.
Listen First! MYTHICAL MONSTERS, A Parcast Original Series!
November 13, 2019 08:01 - 15 minutesDragons, serpents, giants, and demons… they aren't merely foils to a hero. They are primal symbols reflecting ancient truths. The Parcast original series, MYTHICAL MONSTERS, tells the stories of these legendary beasts, and explores what they represent to mankind. New episodes released every Monday. And now you can hear a special clip from the episode on the demonically-menacing Gargoyle. To finish this episode, subscribe to MYTHICAL MONSTERS free on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcast...
The Norrmalmstorg Robbery Pt. 2: Stockholm Syndrome
November 07, 2019 08:01 - 50 minutesJan-Erik Olsson walked into a Swedish bank planning to hold a handful of employees hostage on August 23, 1973. As captives and captors bonded over the next 5 days, negotiations between Olsson and the police would intensify.
Par for the Crime: POLITICAL SCANDALS, A Parcast Original Series!
November 03, 2019 07:01 - 12 minutesEvery Tuesday leading up to the 2020 election, POLITICAL SCANDALS counts down the 52 most controversial events in American history—uncovering the crimes and deceptions by some of our most infamous elected officials. And now you can hear a special clip from the first episode on the cutthroat circumstances surrounding the election of 1800. To finish this episode, subscribe to POLITICAL SCANDALS free on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
The Norrmalmstorg Robbery Pt. 1: Stockholm Syndrome
October 31, 2019 07:01 - 52 minutesOn August 23, 1973, Jan-Erik Olsson walked into a Swedish bank planning to hold a handful of employees hostage. During the infamous six-day standoff, the relationships built between the captors and captives inspired the phrase, “Stockholm Syndrome.”
John Wojtowicz Pt. 3: A Dog Day Indeed
October 24, 2019 07:01 - 45 minutesAs the 1972 crisis dragged on, thousands of people crowded the streets to watch a modern-day Robin Hood take on “The Man.” Although the FBI would need to take drastic action to end the day-long stand-off, John Wojtowicz’s story would go on to inspire one of Al Pacino’s most memorable roles.
Listen First! VILLAINS, A Parcast Original Series!
October 22, 2019 07:01 - 18 minutesBad guys. Black hats. Evildoers. They are the bane of every hero’s existence…and the subject of Parcast’s dastardly new original series, VILLAINS. Every Friday, VILLAINS dissects the greatest foils from history and fiction—uncovering origins, analyzing impacts, and exploring the complexity of character and motive. In this clip, we explore the creation of an iconic, modern-day psychopath of the silver screen—Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men. To finish this episode, subscribe to VILL...
John Wojtowicz Pt. 2: A Dog Day Indeed
October 17, 2019 07:01 - 45 minutesThe 1972 hostage stand-off between John Wojtowicz and the police attracts major attention. The ordeal lasts almost 14 hours—broadcasted live on TV and drawing neighborhood crowds in the thousands.
Bonus: Today In True Crime - Zodiac Killer
October 11, 2019 07:01 - 12 minutesOn this day in 1969, the Zodiac Killer’s last confirmed victim was shot and killed.
John Wojtowicz Pt.1: A Dog Day Indeed
October 10, 2019 07:01 - 45 minutesIn the summer of ‘72, inexperienced criminal John Wojtowicz stepped into a Manhattan bank hell bent on carrying out a bold plan—rob the joint and smuggle his partner to Denmark for gender reassignment surgery.
Introducing: HOROSCOPE TODAY, A New Parcast Original!
October 07, 2019 07:01 - 1 minuteEver wonder how the stars correlate with our emotional blueprint? Gain insight in just three minutes with daily episodes that will help you navigate your day. Twelve signs, twelve podcasts. Delivering your destiny, daily. Find your daily briefing by searching the name of your sign, followed by “today,” or by visiting parcast.com/signs.
John Paul Getty III Pt. 2: The Long Wait
October 03, 2019 07:01 - 52 minutesAs Paul languished in captivity, his family and fiancé desperately tried to navigate the Italian kidnappers demands. But first they had to convince Paul's grandfather, the notoriously stingy J. Paul Getty Sr. that the abduction wasn't a hoax. But after receiving a gruesome token in the mail, it was clear that Paul's kidnapping was not only real, but his kidnappers would take any means necessary to ensure they got what they wanted. Sponsors! Away - For $20 off a suitcase, visit AwayTravel.com/...
John Paul Getty III Pt. 1: The Price of a Pound of Flesh
September 26, 2019 07:01 - 44 minutesAs teenaged John Paul Getty III sat captive somewhere in the Dolomite mountains, the world watched his family feud over who would pay his ransom. For five months, in the winter of 1973, the young heir waited for salvation that was seemingly never coming.
All Hostage Episodes Now Available!
September 25, 2019 07:01 - 1 minuteThank you for being a loyal listener! We’re excited to announce all Parcast Network episodes older than 6 months are now available for free on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Ariel Castro Kidnappings Pt. 2: Escape
September 19, 2019 07:01 - 49 minutesBy 2003, Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus had been kidnapped and held captive in a rundown house in Cleveland for years. They endured torture, abuse, and psychological warfare. Despite overwhelming odds, they found a way to survive, even as one of them delivered life-altering news that would change the means of their captivity--and their possibility for escape.
Introducing: SPORTS CRIMINALS, a new Parcast Original!
September 17, 2019 07:01 - 20 minutesIn our new show SPORTS CRIMINALS, we break down the crimes and careers of the most controversial sports figures in history. From kidnapping and murder to widespread corruption scandals, we give you the play by play of what lurks in the shadows of the sports world. New episodes come out every Thursday! In this clip we introduce the incredible rise and precipitous fall of Oscar Pistorius, who captured the attention of the world by participating in the 2012 Olympic games as a double-leg amputee...
The Ariel Castro Kidnappings Pt. 1: Michelle Knight
September 12, 2019 07:01 - 50 minutesIn 2002, 21-year-old Michelle Knight was lost and panicked while on her way to an important custody meeting for her young son. But when a high school friend’s father offered her a ride to the appointment she thought she was finally catching a break. Instead, he would become her captor and tormentor, locking her away in a hell-like house in Cleveland, Ohio for eleven years.
Shannon Louise Matthews Pt. 2: “Beautiful Princess Daughter”
September 05, 2019 07:01 - 46 minutesIn 2008, the kidnapping case of 8-year-old Shannon Matthews dominated the news cycle in England. As the reward money for her safe return continued to climb, an expensive investigation into her disappearance waged on, and Shannon’s mother wept openly for her “beautiful princess daughter.” But Karen Matthews knew exactly where Shannon was, and she was determined to keep her there until the right moment. No matter the cost.
Shannon Louise Matthews Pt. 1: The Field Trip
August 29, 2019 07:01 - 44 minutesOn February 19, 2008 in Dewsbury, England, nine-year-old Shannon Matthews waved goodbye to her friends and left school, but never made it home. This was just the beginning of a landmark kidnapping case that would grip England for weeks. But what appeared to be another tragic child abduction had a twisted secret – Shannon’s kidnapping was an elaborate scheme all planned by her own mother. Parcasters - Ervil LeBaron was convinced that he was destined to rule over Earth as god’s chosen disciple,...
Captain James Riley Pt. 2: Enslaved
August 22, 2019 07:01 - 51 minutesAfter months of being enslaved in Northern Africa in 1815, Captain James Riley vows to buy his own freedom, and the freedom of his crew. His only option is to pray that a merciful stranger will take pity on him. It was a gamble, considering the fact that such a leap of faith is what enslaved him in the first place. Parcasters - This week on Crimes of Passion we take on the infamous case of Lorena and John Bobbitt! You won’t want to miss this one! Listen today on Spotify or wherever you get yo...
Captain James Riley Pt. 1: Shipwrecked
August 15, 2019 07:01 - 51 minutesAfter their merchant ship, Commerce, was stranded off the Moroccan coast in August 1815, a brave captain decided that they only way to survive was to find help. James Riley would go on to lead his crew through the treacherous Sahara Desert, completely unaware of what their journey would hold. Parcasters - This week on Unexplained Mysteries we dive into the befuddling Shugborough Inscription, and what it could possibly mean. Can you be the codebreaker? Find out today on Unexplained Mysteries!
Steven Stayner Pt. 2: Growing Up Dennis
August 08, 2019 07:01 - 56 minutesAfter his abduction in 1972, Steven Stayner spent the next eight years hopping around California with his captor, Kenneth Parnell. The rest of his adolescence was a misery, despite being sent to school and having relative freedom under his new name, Dennis. But in 1980, Kenneth would sink to a new low that would finally give Steven the courage to escape. Sponsors! Native - For 20% off your first purchase, visit NativeDeodorant.com and use promo code HOSTAGE during checkout!
Steven Stayner Pt. 1: A Hundred Yards Away
August 01, 2019 07:01 - 48 minutesOn December 4, 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner was kidnapped from his home in Merced, California, and stolen away to an isolated camping ground outside Yosemite National Park. Steven felt scared and alone, held hostage by a stranger hours from home. Neither of them knew, however, that Steven's own grandfather owned the cabin next door. Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of, we move on from Hollywood and start our exploration of the music industry. Our first episode details the myth of th...
Frank Sinatra Jr.: Along For The Ride
July 25, 2019 07:01 - 53 minutesOn December 8, 1963, Frank Sinatra Jr. was taken hostage just before a performance in Lake Tahoe. His captors expected his famous father to pay any amount in ransom. What they didn't expect was for Sinatra Jr. to be so thrilled by his own kidnapping, he decided to help. Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Michael Scott Moore Pt. 2: 977 Days
July 18, 2019 07:01 - 1 hourAs a journalist, he hoped to get an inside look at Somali piracy. Michael Scott Moore would get more than he bargained for in January 2012 when he was abducted by a criminal gang seeking a large ransom payoff. Beaten, bloodied, and lost in a foreign country, Moore had no choice but to hold on to the slim hope of rescue. Sponsors! Away - Go to AwayTravel.com/HOSTAGE and use promo code HOSTAGE at checkout for $20 off a suitcase!
Michael Scott Moore Pt. 1: Pirate Reporter Captured
July 11, 2019 07:01 - 50 minutesAfter receiving a research grant, Michael Scott Moore packed his bags for Somalia to dig into the ongoing pirate crisis. The nature of piracy had changed after several high profile abductions brought more international naval attention on the region. The pirates were getting craftier. Sponsors! Native - For 20% off your first purchase, visit NativeDeodorant.com and use promo code HOSTAGE during checkout!
Siege at Waco Pt. 2: Babylon at the Gates
July 04, 2019 07:01 - 1 hourIn late February, 1992, the ATF laid siege to Mount Carmel, just outside Waco, Texas. Inside, David Koresh and his followers barricaded themselves, until Koresh finally found a bargaining chip that gave him carte blanche: his own children. Parcasters - On Unexplained Mysteries we jump into the second half of our exploration of the Shroud of Turin. Leave no stone unturned and tune in to Unexplained Mysteries, available on Spotify or wherever you get your Parcast Originals!
Siege at Waco Pt. 1: The Prophecy
June 27, 2019 07:01 - 1 hourFor years, cult leader David Koresh was abusing the young girls in his cult and stockpiling weapons for the apocalyptic war he believed was coming. But in early 1992, just outside Waco, Texas, two events sparked a chain reaction that would result in numerous casualties. Parcasters - This week on Unexplained Mysteries we explore the Shroud of Turin, and the faint image of a man that appears on it’s fibers. Is it Jesus Christ? Let’s find out! Available now on Unexplained Mysteries, listen on S...
Peter Weinberger: The Sideways M
June 20, 2019 07:01 - 55 minutesWhen infant Peter Weinberger was stolen from his backyard in sleepy Westbury, New York, in 1956, a seven-week, state-wide manhunt ensued. But as false lead after false lead failed to pan out, police were shocked when a suspect emerged from a single, seemingly-insignificant clue: the letter M. Parcasters - Tune in to Not Guilty today to hear the first episode on Kristine Bunch, and decide for yourself if the house fire that resulted in her son’s death was an accident… or arson! Available now o...
Colleen Stan Pt. 2: Hidden in Plain Sight
June 13, 2019 07:01 - 49 minutesIn 1981, after four years of captivity, Cameron gave Colleen a single gift: a weekend home with her family in Oregon. But he warned her, if she so much as hinted that she was his captive, The Company would murder her parents in cold blood, and torture her sister to death. Parcasters - This week on Unexplained Mysteries we dig into the Zone of Silence, a patch of land where no radios or communication devices work. What is behind the phenomenon? Find out at parcast.com/unexplained
Colleen Stan Pt. 1: The Girl in the Box
June 06, 2019 07:01 - 54 minutesIn May 1977, Cameron Hook abducted Colleen Stan while hitchhiking in Oregon, then kept her as a slave for the next seven years. Her ordeal earned her the nickname 'The Girl in the Box.' Parcasters - Theodosia Burr Alston is more than a character in a song from Hamilton! Find out about her life and mysterious disappearance this week on Gone. Available now at parcast.com/gone
Shin Sang-ok & Choi Eun-hee Pt. 2: The Chase
May 30, 2019 07:01 - 1 hourAfter four years in North Korea as prisoners, both Choi Eun-Hee and Shin Sang-Ok were reunited at a dinner party in 1982 and ordered to resume making movies together. But when they weren't planning their next North Korean feature, they were plotting escape. Parcasters - Who was the Man in the Iron Mask? The king’s brother? The queen’s lovechild? A poor unlucky valet? This week we do our best to find out on Unexplained Mysteries! Available now on parcast.com/unexplained
Shin Sang-ok & Choi Eun-hee Pt. 1: The Double Agent
May 23, 2019 07:01 - 51 minutesActress Choi Eun-hee expected to spend a week in Hong Kong on business in 1978. But she had been hoodwinked; abducted and thrown on a barge heading toward North Korea. It was only then that she learned who had ordered her capture. Parcasters - This week on Not Guilty, we take on the notorious Central Park 5 case, you won't want to miss it! Available now on parcast.com/notguilty
Shawn Hornbeck Pt. 2: The Missouri Miracle
May 16, 2019 07:01 - 49 minutesMichael Devlin hadn't realized how hard it would be to keep a teenage boy hostage. In late 2007, just outside St. Louis, he finally resolved to kill Shawn Hornbeck--until Shawn made a surprising proposal. Parcasters - Did Vikings reach the American Midwest on a secret exploratory mission? That's what the Kensington Runestone would see to imply, but is it a legitimate relic? Find out today on Unexplained Mysteries! Available on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!
Shawn Hornbeck Pt. 1: The Missouri Monster
May 09, 2019 07:01 - 41 minutesIn 2007, Shawn Hornbeck should have been back to his family’s home in Missouri by dinnertime. But as 5pm came and went, his family realized something was horribly wrong. Parcasters - Checked out Not Guilty yet? We’re following up our examination of the Robert Blake trial with a real corker, the trial of Cythia Payne, the Madam of London. Find out more at parcast.com/notguilty
Michelle Renee Pt. 2: The Fall Guy
May 02, 2019 07:01 - 45 minutesIn November 2000, after being forced to rob the California bank she managed, Michelle Renee was quick to alert police and the FBI. But it wasn't until her third interrogation that she realized the police weren't trying to help her find peace of mind. Parcasters - For more mystery and intrigue, you have to listen to Assassinations this week. What happens when a husband with something to hide finds out his wife knows too much? The story of Fred and Sara Tokars will have you at the edge of your...
Michelle Renee Pt. 1: The Perfect Mark
April 25, 2019 07:01 - 41 minutesChris Butler had robbed banks before, but they heist had always gone awry. Then in the year 2000, he got an idea: have someone else rob the bank for him. All he needed was the perfect mark. A single mother with a child to lose. When he laid eyes on Michelle Renee of Needles, California he knew he'd found his dream girl. Parcasters - Check out our new show today! We cover the most intriguing exoneration and acquittal cases in Not Guilty, now available at parcast.com/notguilty
Charley Ross Pt. 2: The Kidnapper's Pen-pal
April 18, 2019 07:01 - 50 minutesAfter Charley was kidnapped on July 4, 1874 in Philadelphia, negotiations took place for over a year, stymied at every turn by police, politicians, and the public alike. No one but Charley's own father seemed to care that the fate of a four-year-old boy was caught in the crosshairs of a political nightmare. Parcasters - We know you love stories where people overcome extreme odds, so you won't want to miss this week's episode of survival. Follow the story of the survivors who fought through on...
Charley Ross Pt. 1: America’s First Ransom Note
April 11, 2019 07:01 - 47 minutesTwo men earned Charley’s trust by bringing him and his brother candy every afternoon. One day in 1874, 4-year-old Charley and Walter Ross hopped into a carriage with these two men, thus beginning the first kidnapping for ransom in US History. Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/HOSTAGE to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is! Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!
Virginia Piper Pt. 2
April 04, 2019 07:01 - 48 minutesIn 1972, Bobby struggled to follow the intricate directions left for him by his wife’s kidnappers, while she sat in the woods of Minneappolis, praying she had been taken by men of their word. But as dawn began to break, Virginia Piper was given reason to believe her kidnappers had abandoned her to die. Parcasters - Thank you for listening to Hostage! If you're in the mood for another podcast with high stakes, check out Survival! Catch up on an incredible escape from a North Korean prison camp...
Virginia Piper Pt. 1
March 28, 2019 07:01 - 40 minutesWhen Minneapolis socialite Ginny Piper was kidnapped from her own home in 1972, the police struggled to unearth suspects. Her husband Bobby was prepared to pay ransom, but soon realized that one wrong move could leave his wife dead. Sponsors! Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Hostage a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Hostage.Robinhood.com.
Natascha Kampusch Pt. 2
March 21, 2019 07:01 - 46 minutesBy the time she turned 18, Natascha promised herself she would escape her kidnapper. Between 2004 and 2006, the beaten, emaciated, but courageous teenager schemed to escape the man who took her hostage at 10-years-old. It was either escape, or die in a dungeon. Parcasters - If you haven’t checked out our new show, Crimes of Passion, you’re missing out! Listen to our newest episodes on the Jodi Arias trial at parcast.com/passion
Natascha Kampusch Pt. 1
March 14, 2019 07:01 - 43 minutesChildren were being abducted all over Austria, however Natascha Kampusch never thought anyone would want her. Little did she know that on a fateful spring morning in 1998, Natasha would be thrown into a van and abducted on her way to school. She would spend over 3,000 days in captivity, held in a small concrete cell where no one could hear her screams. Parcasters - Hi Hostage fans! If you haven’t heard, Irma and Carter recently offered insight on a captivity oriented killer on our other podca...
John McCain Pt. 2
March 07, 2019 08:01 - 51 minutesAfter a year in captivity, John McCain had lost all hope of ever returning home. Then, in 1968, a new commander took control of the prison, and asked McCain to teach him English. McCain used his proximity to power to manipulate his North Vietnamese captors into special privileges, and established a network of secret communication throughout the Hoa Loa prison. Parcasters - To learn about an iconic event in American history, check out our our new episode on John McCain on HOSTAGE, wherever yo...