Hostage artwork

Hostage

123 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1.4K ratings

Some 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.

True Crime History
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Episodes

John McCain Pt. 1

February 28, 2019 08:01 - 45 minutes

On October 26, 1967, young, audacious Naval Lieutenant John Sidney McCain III prepared for his 23rd mission over North Vietnam. This area was normally off-limits to fighter jets, but they had a mission to destroy a power plant in central Hanoi. Nobody thought the mission would result in McCain being held captive for close to 6 years.  Sponsors! Robinhood - Get a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Hostage.Robinhood.com.

Cynthia Ann Parker Pt. 2: A New Identity

February 21, 2019 08:01 - 50 minutes

After his 9-year-old daughter was kidnapped in 1836, James Parker made it his life mission to find her. Twenty-four years passed and Cynthia Ann Parker had adopted the Comanche way of life and birthed three children. She refused to return to white society and considered herself part of the Tribe.  Parcasters - If you are interested in stories of captivity and thrilling escape, check out other podcast CULTS, where we discuss the followers Aravindan Balakrishnan held prisoner in the name of wor...

Cynthia Ann Parker Pt. 1: Naduah

February 14, 2019 08:01 - 45 minutes

In search of a better life, the Parker family migrated West. Their peaceful settlement in Texas was raided by the Comanche Tribe in 1836. Cynthia Ann Parker and other members of her family were kidnapped and held in captivity. Parker adapted the the Comanche lifestyle and lived with them for 24 years. Until she was abruptly taken from a world she had grown accustomed to.  Parcasters - Be sure to check out our newest podcast Extraterrestrial! It’s out of this world!  Listen at parcast.com/extr...

Chiang Kai-shek Pt. 2: Captive in Exile

February 07, 2019 08:01 - 49 minutes

Desperate to flee the rebel soldiers, he dove out a window and headed through the mountains in the dead of winter. Freezing and exhausted, Chiang Kai Shek’s options were limited. His ultimate exile in 1949 would give rise to Communist China.  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!

Chiang Kai-shek Pt. 1: Civil War Bargain

January 31, 2019 08:01 - 49 minutes

In charge of the Chinese army in 1936, Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped during the invasion of Manchuria, where the Japanese invaded. He quickly becomes a political prop used to manipulate and influence free speech laws.  Parcasters - After you are free from this episode of Hostage, head over to our new show Extraterrestrial. Learn all about the abduction of Barney and Betty Hill. Listen at parcast.com/extraterrestrial.

Shergar Pt. 2: A Racehorse Against Time

January 24, 2019 08:01 - 45 minutes

A race to save Ireland’s most prized racehorse turns deadly. After Shergar was kidnapped from his stable in 1983, officials suspected IRA involvement. They negotiate with a man that goes by the alias King Neptune to attempt to save Shergar before it’s too late.  Parcasters - Once you’re done with this episode, gallop over to Kingpins to learn about one of Chicago’s biggest drug lords, “Diamond Jim” Colosimo. Listen now at parcast.com/kingpins

Shergar Pt. 1: The Stolen Stallion

January 17, 2019 08:01 - 50 minutes

One of the most valuable races horses in the world won the Epsom Derby by 10 lengths, the longest win margin in the race’s 226-year history. Shergar’s kidnapping in 1983 sent the entire country of Ireland into a frenzy. The beloved horse was a mere pawn in a political chess match; abducted by an extremist group pushing Ireland towards the brink of civil war. Sponsors! Zola - To start your free wedding website and also get $50 off your registry on Zola, go to Zola.com/HOSTAGE.

Munich Massacre Pt. 2: Athletes Become Heroes

January 10, 2019 08:01 - 56 minutes

The world watched in horror as the heavily anticipated 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany turned into an international catastrophe. The Palestinian terrorist group Black September leveraged the lives of eleven Israeli representatives in exchange for the release of incarcerated comrades. German officials jumped into action even as the negotiations took a lethal turn. Parcast News - Be sure to check out Parcast’s first fictional crime show MIND’S EYE at Parcast.com/MindsEye!

Munich Massacre Pt. 1: Olympic Tragedy

January 03, 2019 08:01 - 54 minutes

The Olympics are an event that is supposed to unite countries together, however that wasn’t the case during the 1972 Games in Munich, Germany. Eleven Israeli athletes, coaches, and Olympic officials were held hostage by eight commandos from the Palestinian terrorist group known as Black September. It brought the Olympics to a halt, and focused the world’s attention both on the capital of the German state of Bavaria and on the Palestinian revolutionary movement.

The MV Maersk Alabama Pt. 2: Captain Phillips Ransomed

December 27, 2018 08:01 - 51 minutes

Somali pirates seeking a large reward, attempted to hijack the MV Maersk Alabama in 2009. Holding Richard Phillips for ransom, The U.S. Navy had to intervene and use new negotiation tactics with the pirates. Abduwali Muse was the only hijacker to live to tell the tale.  Sponsors! Sun Basket - Go to SunBasket.com/HOSTAGE today to learn more and get $35 off your first order!

The MV Maersk Alabama Pt. 1: Somali Pirate Hijacking

December 20, 2018 08:01 - 52 minutes

It had been nearly 200 years since a ship registered under the American flag was seized by pirates. However, the crew of the MV Maersk Alabama and its 19,000 tons of cargo presented too good an opportunity to pass up. On April 8, 2009 four Somali pirates overcame the anti-piracy maneuvers executed by the crew and boarded the ship, kicking off one of the most incredible hostage rescues in recent memory. Parcast Network - Check out our new podcast Assassinations at https://www.parcast.com/assas...

Katie Beers Pt. 2: A Lifetime of Perseverance

December 13, 2018 08:01 - 53 minutes

For 17 days, she was locked in an underground bunker the size of a closet. Katie Beers’ incredible psychological resilience allowed her to persevere during her captivity in 1992. Over the course of two weeks, authorities failed to find the man responsible.  Sponsors! Sun Basket - Go to SunBasket.com/HOSTAGE today to learn more and get $35 off your first order!

Katie Beers Pt. 1: A History of Betrayal

December 06, 2018 08:01 - 54 minutes

Convincing her that she was going to an arcade, John Esposito, a family friend, kidnapped 9-year-old Katie Beers, locking her in a tiny cell under his garage in 1992. Word spread of the missing child, but it takes 17 days for Katie to be found. John’s predatory behavior was overlooked by authorities and Katie’s family, failing to protect her from the dangerous man.  Sponsors! Audible - Get 3 months of Audible for just $6.95 a month by going to Audible.com/HOSTAGE or text HOSTAGE to 500 500. 

The Moscow Theater Hostage Crisis Pt. 2: Rescue Rehearsal

November 29, 2018 08:01 - 50 minutes

Unable to leave the auditorium of the Dubrovka Theater for over four days, the orchestra pit becomes the bathroom. Despite immense pressure to open talks, Putin insists everyone will get out alive... but did they? Sponsors! Care/of - For 25% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, visit TakeCareOf.com and enter code HOSTAGE.

The Moscow Theater Hostage Crisis Pt. 1: Storming the Dubrovka

November 22, 2018 08:01 - 45 minutes

As leverage to force President Vladimir Putin to withdraw Russian forces from Chechnya in 2002, a band of 40-50 heavily armed Chechen rebels took hundreds of innocent people as hostage. The man behind the chaos: terrorist leader, Movsar Barayev. The state of Chechnya in the early 2000s only adds to the turmoil of the hostage situation. Sponsors! Parcast - Rate, review and subscribe to our new show Assassinations which premieres November 19th!

Bobby Greenlease Jr. Pt. 2: False Ransom

November 15, 2018 08:01 - 51 minutes

One day after Bobby was kidnapped by Carl Hall and Bonnie Heady, his parents received a ransom note for $600,000 in exchange for their son. They immediately turned to the FBI for help but was it too late? Sponsors! Parcast - We now have merch for sale! Head to Parcast.com/Merch now!

Bobby Greenlease Jr. Pt. 1: A Trusting Boy

November 08, 2018 08:01 - 47 minutes

Bobby was taken from his school by a woman claiming to be his aunt in 1953. Within hours, the school realized its mistake, but it was too late. The Greenleases received a ransom note demanding $600,000 in exchange for Bobby’s safe return.   Sponsors! Parcast - Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to our new podcast Kingpins!

The Dos Palmas Kidnappings Pt. 2: Island Rescue

November 01, 2018 07:01 - 54 minutes

While staying at a lavish resort in the Philippines, visitors were held hostage by the the Abu Sayyaf militant group. Was this the trip of a lifetime or the last trip of their lives? Sponsors! Parcast - Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to our new podcast Kingpins!

The Dos Palmas Kidnappings Pt. 1: Trouble In Paradise

October 25, 2018 07:01 - 51 minutes

On May 27, 2001 members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group took over a luxurious resort on a private island in the Philippines and took missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham hostage. Parcast - Subscribe to our new show Kingpins by searching KINGPINS where ever you listen to podcasts! 

Patty Hearst Pt. 3: Captive of the SLA

October 18, 2018 07:05 - 1 hour

After two months of fruitless negotiations, the FBI stopped trying to rescue a hostage, and started trying to catch a criminal. This week, we’ll look at the crimes Patricia committed under coercion, and her life on the run. How do you rescue a hostage who doesn’t want to be found?

Patty Hearst Pt. 2: Girl on the Run

October 18, 2018 07:01 - 56 minutes

Blindfolded and locked in a closet for 57 days, Patricia Hearst was subjected to torture, abuse, and brainwashing. How did she survive? We examine her psyche, how she handled a death threat, and clips from the audio messages she was forced to record. 

Patty Hearst Pt. 1: The Kidnapping

October 17, 2018 23:00 - 45 minutes

Patricia Hearst lived every woman’s nightmare. She was violently taken from her own apartment, tied up, and thrown in the back of a stolen car. For the next two years, Patricia was held hostage. In our first episode, we explore the dramatic lead-up to Patricia’s kidnapping, and why her kidnappers were able to snatch the heiress from her apartment in under four minutes. To listen Part 2 along with more episodes, head over to Spotify and follow HOSTAGE for more. Learn more about your ad choices...

Welcome Trailer!

October 02, 2018 19:55 - 1 minute

Every Thursday, Hostage transports you to a heart-pounding situation where innocent lives hang in the balance. We analyze the tactics used by the FBI’s crisis negotiation unit, world governments, and even bystanders, highlighting the techniques that saved lives, and the moments where everything went tragically wrong. Hostage is part of the Parcast Network and is a Cutler Media Production.

Guests

Ashley Flowers
1 Episode